The saying goes that practice yields true knowledge.
The planned movements and scenes have a vastly different effect when actually executed.
Baimu and Mawile have to practice and adjust simultaneously, choosing whatever looks best.
During these days, they also watched many videos of other Mawile participating in the Gorgeous Competition, most of which were of little reference value—lacking creativity, frequent errors, and simple techniques.
Only a small portion could offer them some inspiration.
However, due to individual differences, it was difficult to perfectly replicate those Mawile performances even after watching them.
Of course.
They're not intending to copy directly; their main concern is that inspiration conflicts might inadvertently turn them into plagiarists.
In just a few days, the Demon Wind Flame Dance has evolved from the first version to the fifth version, and the performance time has extended from the initial estimate of thirty seconds to one minute and thirty seconds.
Even the connections between acts have been changed, so except for the moves, everything else significantly differs from the original.
Failures are common, and occasionally there are situations where the entire process ends in failure, which often leaves Mawile feeling frustrated. Luckily, sweets and encouragement from the Trainer can help it regain happiness.
One challenge after another gradually resolves with diligent practice.
By the fifth day, Mawile could smoothly perform the entire process, and it was hardly believing it itself, stunned for a long time after finishing the first complete run, before eagerly wanting to watch the camera playback.
From that moment on, Mawile's success rate increased steadily; things that were unimaginable before became increasingly effortless, as if it had undergone a transformation.
Baimu, as the Trainer, felt a genuine sense of joy and was somewhat surprised by the changes happening to it.
Coordination and battle aren't completely distinct fields; there are many interactive aspects between the two. Not to mention, within less than a week, Mawile has already leveled up twice; previously defeating Nosepass earned it another level.
Counting it up, Mawile is at Level 59 — just one step away from Level 60.
Aside from this, Mawile has developed mastery over move precision, resilience to dizziness, and so forth...
Even setting these tangible things aside, simply in terms of Spiritual Qi, Mawile could be considered to have made an extensive transformation.
Once in Pyrite Town.
Baimu had referred to it as a poor princess living a rural support life, both confused and dazed about its Future, living basically just to get by and going wherever the tide took it.
But since discovering what it truly wanted to do, Mawile has gradually moved toward maturity, each and every movement filled with confidence. What it might eventually become largely depends on their accomplishments in the Gorgeous Competition.
"Passing the first review is a victory!"
He said this to Mawile.
The Gorgeous Competition has no barriers to entry, meaning the upper and lower limits of combat power vary greatly; he's not sure if he can definitely win the second review, but he does have some confidence.
Even if they lose, for their debut contest participation, leaving an impression on the audience and judges would be enough.
"Phee doe!"
Mawile nodded; typically, only eight or four proceed to the second review, yet there are at least dozens or even hundreds of contestants, so the competition is quite fierce.
Those who emerge from it aren't ordinary people.
Speaking of.
Once the Kanaz Gorgeous Competition ends, Baimu plans to find a teammate for Mawile—
The initial plan involves Chansey; he has discussed related matters with it recently. He thought that since direct move attacks can't be used against opponents, maybe moves could be used to create various dazzling scenes?
Of course.
The important thing is whether Chansey is willing.
Anyway, Aggron is unwilling; fighting, planting trees, and even mining are fine with it, but performing at the Gorgeous Competition isn't in its interest. If Baimu insists it should participate, it can manage without issue.
Steelix prefers digging in Pyrite Town; it doesn't want to spend time practicing Gorgeous Competition skills. Deino and Galarian Corsola fall under don't understand and pretend not to understand...
All in all, currently, it seems Chansey is the most suitable.
Subsequently, Baimu will also attempt to capture some Pokémon interested in the Gorgeous Competition, such as Feebas and Feebas... It'd be too wasteful not to procure a Beautiful Scale!
——
Night.
Baimu was drinking hot cocoa, sitting cross-legged on the sofa while fiddling with the Simulator.
No doubt about it, it was time for the monthly Blue Talent moment again.
The results of the last three ordinary simulations were quite average, contributing reward levels under Level 50—lv.4, along with [Hypnosis Techniques], [Machamp], and [Metal Explosion].
Finding [Metal Explosion] was indeed a bit surprising for him, perfectly suitable for Aggron, so he taught it the move. As for the first two moves, they have been shelved since there's no fitting learner.
Currently, he has accumulated quite a number of moves.
[String Shot], [Feather Rest], [Strong Mental Will], [Thunder], [Kick Down], [Harden], and two [Magic Brilliance], along with five skill blind boxes.
A few days ago, he gave [Foggy Field] to Mawile, intending to use it in future Gorgeous Competitions, and [Electromagnetic Wave] from the last round's three ordinary simulations he handed to Chansey, [Curse] to Aggron.
Adding yet another contribution to the team's combat power.
Wondering who the Simulator will simulate this time.
He opened the Simulator.
[Select your birth region ▽]
Kanto and Johto have already been chosen, and just being in Hoenn, might as well start with Hoenn.
He silently selected.
Opening the gender selection.
Last time was Uncle Ranch, now it's the female's turn... Could it possibly draw him a Coordinator Trainer? Give some Coordinator Trainer experience!
Baimu clicked on the Pokémon with an expectant heart.
Roselia?
He was momentarily stumped; didn't expect this time to also start with an evolved form, last time not managing to select a Pokémon, so going with Rapidash instead...
Continued to open the talent selection.
Fixed Talents:
[Kind-hearted (Happy to help others)]
Optional Talents:
[☆Well-trained (Pokémon overall higher quality)]
[Cut off Emotional Ties and Focus on the Path (Lifetime without romantic relationships or marriage)]
[Impoverished (Training Pokémon is a burden)]
[Appearance Reflects the Heart (More attractive to Pokémon matching one's aesthetic)]
Huh... The optional talents this time are so peculiar.
Well-trained is definitely a must-pick, so if Cut off Emotional Ties isn't picked, does that mean there's a possibility of falling in love? Love sometimes acts as motivation, sometimes as a hindrance; the first time it clearly was a hindrance.
No need to even glance at Impoverished a second time, leaving Appearance Reflects the Heart.
What does it mean?
Might end up looking particularly unattractive, or possibly exceptionally attractive?
These two talents made Baimu hesitate for a while when glancing at the Beautiful Scale beside him, "...Should it really be Appearance Reflects the Heart after all?"
With the Lucky Scale, even if romance does happen, it might end up being beneficial.
He decided on Well-trained and Appearance Reflects the Heart, quietly pressing start.
A luminescent screen unfurled.