"Caster, your Gyarados does indeed have exceptional talent in learning moves, but more moves isn't always better for a Pokémon."
"You should know that biting off more than you can chew, skills are about quality, not quantity.
Especially for Dragon Dance, your Gyarados still needs lots of practice to improve its proficiency."
Taking a deep breath, Clair composed herself, looked at Caster seriously, and said, "Because secret techniques can usually only be trained after a skill reaches 'Proficient' level, and the higher the skill proficiency, the easier the training becomes..."
"There's such a thing?"
Caster raised an eyebrow, thinking of the seven Dragon Dance TMs in the fishing space.
Forget 'Proficient'—getting Gyarados's Dragon Dance to 'Expert' level seemed like it was just a matter of moving his finger.
Hearing Clair's words, the previously dazed Wyatt perked up again and nodded in agreement.
"That's right! For Pokémon skills, mastery is just the most basic entry level.
Improving proficiency and even mastering secret techniques is the true measure of combat power, and also the biggest challenge."
Perhaps in terms of talent for learning moves, his own Pokémon had lost completely.
But when it came to actual battles, Wyatt was confident he could easily defeat Caster.
Ring ring ring!
Just then, Caster's phone suddenly rang.
"Excuse me!"
Waving his hand apologetically, Caster quickly ran to a corner to take the call.
"Caster, your membership procedures are all completed."
On the other end of the phone came the hearty voice of Fishing Association President Kunio.
"Also, the annual Chinchou migration will start in two days. If you want to participate, you need to head to the Whirl Islands ahead of time."
"The Whirl Islands, I remember they're in the sea near Cianwood City, and there are huge whirlpools nearby. Normal ships and Water Pokémon can't pass through at all."
Caster's heart stirred, and he asked curiously, "President Kunio, how did you get there?"
"By riding a Flying Pokémon, of course."
Kunio answered matter-of-factly and asked back, "Don't tell me you don't have a Flying Pokémon?"
Caster laughed awkwardly. He really didn't have one at the moment.
"Then I'll give you a ride. Where are you? I'll come pick you up tomorrow."
"President, isn't that too much trouble for you?"
Caster looked embarrassed, but his mouth smoothly rattled off his address. "I'm in Blackthorn City!"
"Blackthorn City, huh? All right, then we'll meet at the Blackthorn City Pokémon Center tomorrow."
After confirming the time and location, President Kunio hung up.
Caster chuckled. "Scored another flying ride!"
The only pity was that this time his traveling companion wouldn't be a long-legged beauty but a old man.
But fishing was fishing, nothing embarrassing about that!!!
Besides, the Whirl Islands were really too far away. If he relied on buses and boats, he probably wouldn't make it in time for the Chinchou migration.
"Not having a Flying Pokémon is really inconvenient."
Glancing at Gyarados in the distance, Caster thought, "I still need to find a way to get Gyarados to learn how to fly."
After telling Clair about his travel plans, Clair had no objections, but she felt something was off.
In Caster's heart, fishing was actually more important than learning the Dragon Tamer clan's Dragon Dance secret technique?
This was something countless people dreamed of but couldn't obtain!
"Remember to have Gyarados practice Dragon Dance more, so it'll be ready to train the secret technique when you return."
Shaking her head, Clair instructed with a serious expression, "Also, training the Dragon Dance secret technique requires high-frequency use of the move.
You must pair it with items like Dragon Gems, Dragon Scales, Dragon Fangs, Dragon Bones, and so on to replenish Dragon-type energy in time, or the Pokémon's body won't be able to handle it.
You need to prepare these in advance!"
"Huh???"
Caster's jaw dropped, nearly crying out.
Even the cheapest item Clair mentioned—Dragon Gems—cost thirty to fifty thousand each.
The rest, like Dragon Scales, Dragon Fangs, and Dragon Bones, were even more expensive. Caster simply couldn't afford them.
Caster suddenly felt that this Dragon Dance secret technique might not be worth learning after all!
It wasn't that Dragon Dance was unaffordable—fishing just had better cost-effectiveness!
After all, he wasn't some rich kid.
Seeing Caster's troubled expression, Wyatt's heart stirred. He quickly stepped forward, threw his arm around Caster's shoulder, and said magnanimously, "Caster, if you're in a bind, feel free to tell me.
For this training session, I've prepared lots of Dragon Gems. Sharing some with your Gyarados shouldn't be a problem."
The rich kid casually dropped lavish words, clearly not putting a few Dragon Gems in his eyes.
Toward Caster, Dragon Tamer Wyatt had initially just been curious, but now that he'd witnessed Caster and Gyarados's abilities, their potential was obvious. He was naturally willing to make friends.
A troubled expression appeared on Caster's face. "Wyatt, how could I possibly accept?"
"They're just a few gems. What's the big deal? I felt an instant connection with you, brother. If you think of me as a friend, don't refuse."
Dragon Tamer Wyatt enthusiastically offered the gems, and Caster, unable to decline, could only 'reluctantly' accept.
However, Caster clearly understood social niceties. He immediately patted his chest and said that if Wyatt also wanted to train a second Magikarp like Clair, he could teach the Bounce move as repayment.
Wyatt naturally agreed cheerfully.
For a moment, the two were like brothers from different parents.
Afterward, Wyatt also asked Clair for leave, saying he wanted to take Caster around Blackthorn City and fulfill his duties as a host.
Thinking that these past few days of special training had been hard, Clair didn't refuse.
Besides, she hadn't been at the gym these past few days.
The Blackthorn Gym had accumulated a batch of challengers who urgently needed her to battle them.
So after resting for a bit, the group left the Dragon's Sanctuary.
...
Under Wyatt's guidance, Caster arrived at Blackthorn City's downtown area. Their first stop was rushing to a shop to purchase a batch of bait ingredients.
After doing relief work in the Dragon's Sanctuary lake for so long, Caster's bait had run out.
For this trip to the Whirl Islands, shouldn't he prepare ahead of time?
Besides bait, Caster also bought a Flying Gem and an Electric Gem each, giving them to Gyarados and Pichu as treats to specifically increase their same-type energy.
Especially Pichu, so small, with weak energy inside, urgently needing supplements.
"Grow up quickly and evolve soon!"
Caster rubbed Pichu's mouse head, his heart full of anticipation.
Once Pichu evolved, he'd be someone with a Pikachu too.
He wondered how it would compare to Ash's 'Pikagod', who would be stronger or weaker?
Though this was really hard to say, since Pikagod's upper limit was very high. When it got fierce, it even dared fight Arceus.
But when it put on a show, it could lose to a level 5 Snivy.
You tell me if those acting chops were divine or not!
The title Pikagod was well deserved!
Seeing Caster rush to buy fishing bait as soon as he came out, Wyatt's mouth twitched.
He just didn't get it.
Was that activity really that interesting?
"Come on! After training hard in the Dragon's Sanctuary for so long, let me help you unwind."
Wyatt threw his arm around Caster's shoulder and headed straight to a secluded estate.
At the estate, Caster enjoyed full VIP service, including song and dance performances, gaming entertainment, hot baths and massages, gourmet dining, and more—all top-tier hospitality.
Even the Pokémon were no exception. When they returned, they were also in high spirits, their little faces flushed.
Even special services were available at the estate.
"Wyatt, is this how you're testing your brother?"
Watching Wyatt saunter off with his arms around twin beauties, telling him not to hold back, Caster's teeth itched with frustration.
However, thinking that he needed to get up early tomorrow to fish, Caster ultimately withstood the test.
After all, if his energy wasn't up to par, it would really affect his fishing speed.
And the window for the Chinchou migration was said to be only two days.
That time was too precious. Caster didn't dare waste a single moment!
"Is that activity really that interesting?"
Caster returned to his room gritting his teeth and started making fishing bait, though he muttered curses under his breath.
...
In the evening, a refreshed Dragon Tamer Wyatt knocked on Caster's door. "Come on, I'll take you to another great place!"