Chapter 37: I’ve Got You Fooled!
Li Wei, running in front, not only spared some attention to watch the group of bad friends behind him who wanted to beat him to death, but was also thinking about the battle that had just happened.
To be honest, as the Trainer himself, he didn’t even know how Eevee had just unleashed Fairy Wind.
Back then, he had no idea about the Training, so when formulating the Training Plan, he boldly divided the training steps into two phases by month.
The first step, that is, the April plan—lay a solid Foundation.
The second step, the May plan—conduct advanced training in Skills and techniques.
After problems arose with Eevee’s body Energy, he made minor adjustments to Eevee’s Training Plan. Besides basic Physical Fitness training, he added a lot of Energy absorption Special Training, and shifted the focus to Energy utilization and balance.
This was also why Riolu now mastered Aura so proficiently.
But this Eevee······ how did she learn Fairy Wind? Who taught her? Mime Jr.? He didn’t know it either!!
No matter how much he thought, Li Wei couldn’t figure it out.
So he reached out and knocked on the head of Eevee, who was lying on his Neck covering his heat rash for him, and asked her.
“Eevee?”
“Bu Yi!!”
【Won!! I freaking did it!!】
······
Before he could even ask the question after opening his mouth, Eevee got scared and her fur puffed up.
“Not planning to cheat you out of your money······”, twitching the corner of his mouth, Li Wei felt a bit helpless.
Why did this Eevee always think he would cheat her out of money and welch on the deal? Did he, Li Wei, seem like that kind of person?
“Bu Yi.”
【Oh, then what do you want to say, duck?】
Hearing that Li Wei had no intention of cheating her out of money and hadn’t noticed anything unusual with Alipay, Eevee took a deep breath, calmed down, and scooted forward to listen to Li Wei’s question.
Hanging on the Neck with too much wind, too far away made it hard to hear clearly or see his facial expressions, inconvenient for cutely bluffing through crises.
“Who did you learn that Fairy Wind from just now??”
“Bu Yi.”
【Don’t know.】
······
Seeing Li Wei’s constipated expression, Eevee thought for a moment and gave another explanation.
“Bu Yi···”
【I was really anxious at the time, that Skill looked like it could blow the opponent away like Riolu’s Aura Sphere, so I tried it···】
Eevee’s answer was nothing short of brilliant.
For a moment, Li Wei felt like he was back on Earth.
That year during the final Exam, he had asked his academic master desk mate a very similar question.
“Big Shot, how did you solve that last big math problem??”
“Don’t know,” the Big Shot replied.
“I was really pressed for time, saw a problem that looked similar to the one Teacher explained in last week’s exercise class, so I drew a similar auxiliary line and tried it···”
He still remembered the huge psychological shadow the Big Shot’s words gave him, and now looking at Riolu silently moving half a meter away from him, he knew this little pup’s feelings were probably just like his own back then.
A bit doubting life, a bit wanting to restart life.
However, he had some ideas about Eevee’s situation.
Was it Imitation Skill?
But if he remembered correctly, the basic Skill explanation in the Textbook was very subtle about this Skill······
In the old Game, the description of this Skill was like this.
Imitate the Move the opponent just used, and use the same Move.
This imitation mechanism was incredibly simple and easy in the Game, but in reality, it involved a vast scope.
Whatever Skill the opponent used, one’s own Pokémon would imitate and release the same Skill.
Similar to a parrot learning to talk.
But in the end, in reality, imitation had to be based on ‘understanding’, and just ‘understanding’ wasn’t enough; one had to be able to utilize the corresponding Attribute abilities for that ‘understanding’ to have value and meaning.
So ultimately, ‘imitating the Move the opponent just used’ was less like Imitation and more like the Pokémon had already mastered it.
This was why experts recently had mixed opinions on the Imitation Skill, and why it wasn’t completely denied—because in past Experiments, some Pokémon had indeed simulated Skills they’d never seen through Imitation.
Thus, academia remained full of controversy over whether the ‘Imitation’ Skill even existed.
The controversy was so great that in the previous year’s Trainee Trainer Level Up Exam’s written part, the final essay question was ‘What are your thoughts on the two different academic views on the Imitation Skill? Answer from both positive and negative sides’, a topic infinitely like an IELTS essay that gave Li Wei, who had crammed a few days ago, a real headache.
But thinking fundamentally, Eevee’s this was basically proficient Energy utilization disguised as ‘Imitation’.
Eevee’s body had abundant Energy of various Types, and she had practiced all eight Evolutions and devolutions, though endurance was lacking, at least the framework was there.
In her normal Eevee state, she could also use other Types’ Energy; not specialized enough for full power, but using it and exerting one-third to two-thirds capacity was no problem.
“Hiss,” thinking this, Li Wei couldn’t help but silently feel Emotion.
It seemed like unintentionally, he had discovered more of Eevee’s Potential.
Skills, part depend on Species, part on Energy utilization.
Even if Eevee was destined not to learn Leaf Storm, if she imitated it into a similar imitation version, couldn’t that be called ‘Leaf Storm·Modified’?
Although currently Li Wei couldn’t let Eevee show too many ‘unique’ traits, fearing she’d be fought over by various Masters to inherit their legacies, but if he blamed it all on Imitation Skill······
Imagining the possible scene at the Competition Venue, Li Wei couldn’t help but exclaim how great it was.
It was imitation anyway.
Learning a half-baked version was learning, and learning something better than the original was also learning.
So with this extra layer of cover, Eevee gained many more training tasks akin to disasters from the blue.
As for the autistic Riolu, Li Wei believed someone as excellent as him would turn grief into power!
After feeling a chill on his back, Li Wei quickly sped up, taking big strides to run forward, dodging the thorny Baseball Bat sweeping from behind.
He had to concentrate! Otherwise, spacing out and thinking, getting hit by the stick behind—that would hurt bad.
No longer thinking about Eevee, Li Wei focused on running.
However, this was way more fun than his solo Morning Run.
Having company felt awesome!!!
Based on Li Wei’s mischievous psychology, he occasionally made faces at the back, provoking his good bros behind to puff up, hysterically threaten to beat him to death, then he’d cry for Riolu to Help.
Occasionally, because Li Wei was too playful and moved too much, he’d accidentally fling the Eevee hanging on his Neck to the ground.
To keep Eevee from being ‘trampled’ by those behind, he’d risk his Life turning back to pick her up.
After this playful run, though over two hours passed and the group was exhausted to the point of only crawling, it was overall pleasant.
The Instructor was ‘still’ sitting on the stool, but for some reason, when assembling, Eevee kept saying she wanted Chicken Barbecue tonight, which gave the already dizzy-eyed Li Wei quite a headache.
After all, the Canteen······ didn’t seem to have Chicken Barbecue?
Watching everyone finish the laps, the total Instructor mercifully said “Dismissed”, and instructed everyone to arrive on time to Class tomorrow for Training lessons as per the schedule.
Amid cheers of ‘Instructor is wise’, they dragged their Fatigued bodies to the Canteen, ready to feast to compensate their battered flesh.
Everyone in the group except Mo Jiu looked like they were about to die.
This was the tragic consequence of sprinting wildly in the early long run.
Of course, Mo Jiu, who maintained steady speed throughout, was also tired, just not as Despairing as them.
They craved a big feast but had no fate for it.
Upon reaching the Canteen, the food there couldn’t satisfy these young masters usually pampered.
“Wow!!! Missing Home cooking.”
The first to complain like this was Tian Bai, who gave up on meals for Dessert.
At this moment, she listlessly held a Spoon, slumped on the Dining Table.
“Doesn’t feel much when not hungry during the day, but now comparing, it tastes awful aaaaaah.”
The others didn’t wail like Tian Bai, but the leftovers on their Plates and listless expressions showed agreement.
Even the usually quiet Mo Jiu silently put down her fork and snatched a Bag of Nuts from Morpeko to eat.
Probably······ all knelt to the Canteen auntie’s culinary skills.
This wasn’t their fault.
It was really just too hard going from luxury to frugality.
Moreover, the Canteen food, especially for Training newbies, wasn’t as advanced as other areas; rather, it seemed deliberately made poor to temper them.
The Core meaning was to make the trainees realize they were Trainers now! They needed endurance and hard work! Right attitude!
Probably this Ideology led to Canteen meals only meeting the ‘Nutrition sufficient, won’t starve’ standard.
“Speaking of Home cooking, I think Mime Jr.’s skills are the best.”
After lamenting for a while, Tian Bai said, smacking her lips with a fork.
“Gotta say, yeah.”
Tu Xiaomi immediately seconded.
“Key is Mime Jr. has a girly heart too, macarons, cheesecake, etc., made so cute and delicious, better than high-end Dessert shops, wuwuwuwu.”
“Right right right, last Graduation Exam, that Rose Pastry Li Wei brought was amazing, feel like my perfect math score was all thanks to that Rose Pastry.”
Once the two girls started on food topics, it snowballed.
“What pastry, how come I don’t know??”
Hearing about food, Yu Yixian perked up, put down his Spoon of Mashed Potatoes, and turned to ask Tian Bai.
“Ah······ that thing, when Little Mi and I just found it······ it was all eaten.”
????
“Really?”, even Zhou Fengjue couldn’t stay calm now.
The more dire the moment, the more Resentment for food.
Even without good eats now, just memories and anticipation of gourmet was enough to live with gods.
But.
Never eaten, how to imagine?
Yearn for squat?
Seeing the sudden gazes on her, Tian Bai felt a bit overwhelmed, so after brief silence, she decided to use ‘sacrifice friend not self’!
Suddenly propping up, staring straight at Li Wei.
At this moment, she had a brilliant idea in her head!
“How about this, Li Wei.”
“What’s up?”
Li Wei silently leaned back, hugging tight the Eevee standing on his leg eating lettuce.
Felt like Tian Bai’s expression was up to no good······
And sure enough, her words were truly puzzling.
“Repayment.”
???
“Atonement!”
???
“Tomorrow’s Breakfast, lunch, dinner, we want fresh, hot, Mime Jr. same-style Cooking!”
???
“If not, we’ll sa you on the spot, scatter your ashes!”
Saying this, Tian Bai viciously gestured a beheading at the Neck.
“Ah this······”
“I agree.”
Before Li Wei could say anything, Yu Yixian was first to raise hand in support.
“I agree.”
Second to sell out teammate was Tu Xiaomi.
“I agree too.”
Even good guy Zhou Fengjue raised his hand next.
When Li Wei with a ‘how can you treat me like this’ expression looked at the group, he was stunned to find Mo Jiu, who had been silently sitting by not joining, had raised her hand at some point.
??????
Were they dead set on eating him up?
And what was up with this girl called Mo Jiu!!!
Shouldn’t she stay out at a time like this??
Why???
Could it be black inside too?
In that instant, Li Wei felt the Despair of poor choice in friends and misjudging people.
However······
Cooking, not really hard.
This was like chemistry Experiment, right ratios, done.
Once Home, ask Mime Jr. for a Recipe, let these weaklings know true ‘cooking power’ and strength.
Make him ascend maybe not, but mere meal, he could.
How could a shut-in otaku stay healthy eating takeout and reasonably spend allowance to buy a Wife?
Learn to cook tasty, serve on table, watch Wife dance while eating—that’s proper Enjoyment of life!
Li Wei with his quirky Logic really didn’t find this hard.
But.
Pretending ‘I’ve been scammed!’, ‘Sky is falling!’ was still necessary.
Let his bad friends vent, give them cheap Sense of Satisfaction was necessary~
—《EQ》
But turning his head, Li Wei couldn’t help smirking slyly.
‘These dumbasses~~~ got fooled by me!!!’
Today’s Training was just registration plus Instructors giving newcomers a reality check on discipline.
Tomorrow was first real Training day, so after eating, they didn’t go out playing, returned early to Dormitory, preparing tomorrow’s Training stuff, and dispersed for individual Pokémon Training.
On the way Home, Li Wei stopped by the Supermarket opposite the Dormitory.
It had fresh Vegetables and Fruits, Meat, daily necessities, etc.
Supermarket not big, but had everything; after picking basics like Oil, Salt, Soy Sauce, Vinegar, rice, millet, Flour, etc., he WeChatted Mime Jr. asking for recipes of his proud works.
【Mime Jr.? Here? Gimme a Recipe?】
After sending, just about to pocket his Mobile Phone, Li Wei never expected Mime Jr. to reply instantly.
【Recipe? All? Wait!】
Next instant, like Machine Gun fire, like old Big Mouth’s ten sprays per second, with buzzing phone vibrations, massive messages flooded in.
At least ten super long ones, listing various Recipes.
Honestly, did Psychic-type Pokémon have typing buffs??
【You·····how so fast???】
【(。-`ω-) This is called prepared for the unexpected!】
Seeing this emoji, Li Wei felt enlightened.
This wasn’t some mystical typing skill; Mime Jr. had long recorded these Recipes in phone notes, just waiting for someone to ask so he could send and Show Off.
······
Not knowing what to say, replied with a ‘fist salute’ emoji, Li Wei picked a few simple Recipes and went shopping for Ingredients.
￥￥￥Happy shopping time￥￥￥
When the three emerged from the Supermarket, they totally deserved ‘loaded with loot’.
Li Wei held a full Bag in each hand, Riolu carried two Small Bags on Li Wei’s right, and on left was Eevee with a small shopping Bag on her head.
Sunset stretched the shadows of the trio heading Home long; they strolled leisurely side by side along the path, breezy evening wind.
“Hey, should we make a Late-night Snack?” Li Wei suddenly asked the two beside him.
“Riolu?”
【Late-night Snack?】
“Bu Yi!”
【Sure!】
Hearing ‘food’, the two canine Pokémon couldn’t help grinning, tails wagging happily behind.
“What do you want?”
Li Wei eyed the ample Ingredients in his pocket and asked the expectant two little ones.
“Bu Yi?”
【Barbecue?】
As Pokémon grown on Nutrition kits, their only notion of human gourmet was the daily noon Barbecue at Swimming Pool parties.
“Riolu?”
【Something else? Never tried?】
“Hmm······ never tried huh······”
Rashly making novel stuff might not suit their taste; Pokémon organs differ from humans, taste buds too. After thinking, Li Wei decided on tonight’s ‘Late-night Snack’ Recipe.
“How about we do Curry?”
“Bu Yi?”
【Never had, tasty?】
“Very tasty.”
Li Wei recalled Pokémon happily eating Curry he made in the old Game, confidently affirming to Eevee without guilt.
“Bu Yi?”
【Got meat?】
“Yes! Lots, and can pair with staple food.”
“Bu Yi!”
“Riolu!!”
“Good, let’s go Home and make Curry together.”
“Bu Yi Bu Yi Bu Yi!!!”
Urged by Eevee, they quickened pace, almost jogging back to Dormitory, starting to prepare food.
Sun setting west, unlike hurried serious others nearby, Eevee, Riolu, Li Wei lived very Leisurely and relaxed.
Like others came for Training, they for vacation.
Timo’s Flop Diary
July 10th, heavy rain to clear
【July 9th Recommendation Votes 914, so close!! Aiya! How so regrettable! Aiya! Wanna do Extra Chapter, but can’t write! Aiyaya! Pissing me off!!】
Woke up this morning to rain.
Booming Thunder kind.
Meant to say something······ no Nap today, writing away then bam fell asleep.
Ah, I clearly remember having something to say······
Oh right.
Noon today suddenly got inspired, stood at door watching rain for ten minutes.
How to put it?
Lately love this feeling.
Nothing on, phone ditched, detached, watching scenery.
This······ getting old???
Feels like watching scenery lifts mood.
Leisurely like this, that’s life~
But anyway, lately many subtle Comments.
Personally, Pokémon, why always competing nonstop?
Daily Life is Bond’s embodiment, right?
Leisurely, like living days, not all Nurturing for battle, just Exam happens to test it.
Travel, life, school, slow and Leisurely.
Winter hugging Flareon, bunch of Pokémon around small table eating Hot Pot.
Some lazy afternoon, napping with Sun Eevee by floor-to-ceiling window.
Ah.
This is the ‘life’ I wanna write.
Sure, book title should be ‘Daily Life Pokémon’ after all.
Hahahahaha.
That’s it.
Great mood today, see you tomorrow~
