Bagon and Growlithe

Bagon was a very hardworking Pokémon.

Even without Carver's commands, it would train on its own every day.

The grove in the backyard became its dedicated training ground.

There were no high places in the breeding house, so Bagon couldn't practice flying and could only train by ramming trees with its head.

Early the next morning, when Carver went to the backyard to check how Bagon was settling in, he was shocked to discover that several trees had already fallen victim.

Tree trunks were broken and fallen on the ground, with branches and leaves scattered everywhere, looking as if they had been through a great raid.

Seeing this, Carver was instantly dumbfounded.

But Bagon looked completely used to it, gazing over innocently.

Carver: "..."

After thinking for a moment, Carver said: "This training method is too inefficient, Bagon. I have a training method that's more suitable for you."

"Bagon?" Bagon was indeed attracted by this statement.

Carver called over Growlithe and said to both Pokémon: "That would be training through actual combat. This way you can test the results of your training while also improving your battle techniques, and you can learn about your shortcomings from battle."

Hearing this, Growlithe and Bagon both looked over.

"From now on, you can treat each other as opponents and have a sparring match." At this point, Carver paused and said to Bagon: "However Bagon, Growlithe's current strength is quite formidable."

The previous tournament had allowed Growlithe to absorb a massive amount of experience, and its strength was completely different from before. According to Carver's observations, it had likely reached the peak of Elite level. If there was another tournament, it could probably reach Gym Leader level.

But correspondingly, despite having such strength, Growlithe's battle experience was quite lacking. After all, from hatching until now, it had barely participated in any formal battles.

Previously, there were no Pokémon in the breeding house specifically for battle.

Oddish was a farming Pokémon, Clefairy were service Pokémon, and Chingling and Castform were decorative Pokémon.

Now, Bagon who wanted to become stronger had arrived.

Growlithe finally had a proper opponent.

Hearing Carver's words, Bagon turned to look at this very strong Growlithe. There was no retreat in its eyes, but rather they were filled with fighting spirit.

"Bagon!"

Growlithe was equally full of fighting spirit—it didn't want to disappoint Carver's trust either!

"Very good." Seeing both Pokémon's attitudes, Carver continued: "Next, I'll serve as referee from the sidelines, so this sparring match is up to you two."

"But don't worry. After the battle ends, I'll help you identify and fix your weaknesses based on your performance, conducting targeted training."

"Bagon!"

"Growl!"

Both Pokémon responded.

"Very good, get ready!" Seeing both Pokémon were prepared, Carver gave the command: "Battle begin!"

At the same time, he took out the Exp. Share and put it on Oddish.

Not a bit of experience could be wasted.

The moment his words fell, Bagon immediately used Dragon Breath to launch the first attack.

Growlithe remembered Carver's previous teachings. It avoided Dragon Breath by running and quickly began circling around Bagon.

Growlithe used Agility!

Its speed became faster and faster. Bagon, surrounded in the middle, became dizzy. It kept trying to use offensive moves to attack but could never hit its target.

Bagon became somewhat panicked, but it still tried hard to stay calm.

"Bagon..."

Growlithe's speed was so fast it left afterimages.

Bagon stared at those afterimages, and suddenly a new idea surfaced in its mind.

Got it!

Since Growlithe kept running around, it just needed to aim ahead at a place Growlithe might pass through and attack there!

Bagon gathered an Ember in its mouth.

Then, aiming forward, it fired directly.

Although it missed, it somewhat surprised Carver.

This Bagon was very smart!

It could actually predict its opponent's path on its own!

Seeing the opponent couldn't hit it, Growlithe gradually slowed down. It aimed at Bagon in the center and used Flame Wheel, directly engulfing Bagon's body in flames.

The strength gap between the two Pokémon was too large. This powerful Flame Wheel directly knocked Bagon unconscious and out of the fight.

The battle was over.

Looking at its fallen companion, Growlithe felt somewhat guilty.

Carver stepped forward and quickly treated Bagon.

Soon, Bagon slowly regained consciousness.

Looking at Growlithe, its eyes seemed to ignite with burning fighting spirit.

Obviously, it had made Growlithe its target that it absolutely had to defeat.

Although it lost now, as long as it kept training, someday it would be able to win this battle!

"Growl? Growl..." Growlithe didn't notice Bagon's expression at all. Instead, it looked at Bagon with some concern, apologetically trying to say sorry.

Bagon was slightly stunned, then shook its head: "Bagon!" No need to apologize—it lost fair and square!

Seeing both Pokémon's reactions, Carver grinned and praised: "You're both excellent!"

"Growlithe, I can see you remembered my previous teachings. Very good, very impressive!"

The praised Growlithe wagged its tail frantically, with a little sun representing joy appearing above its head.

"Growl!"

Carver petted its head, then looked at Bagon and praised:

"Bagon, you did excellently in this battle. The reason you lost is because Growlithe has been training much longer than you. Also, you're very smart—being able to predict your opponent's position ahead of time was truly surprising. I believe that after you evolve into Salamence, you'll definitely be a very powerful Pokémon!"

As a late-blooming Pokémon, now wasn't Bagon's strongest period.

Only after evolving into Salamence would its strength be fully revealed.

"Bagon..."

Being praised for the first time in its dragon life, Bagon suddenly felt something it had never experienced before.

It rarely felt somewhat embarrassed.

It... it wasn't that amazing, was it?

"Bagon, I really look forward to that day arriving!"

Carver looked seriously into Bagon's eyes and reached out to touch its incredibly hard skull that could break trees.

Mega Salamence... his first Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution.

So, keep it up, Bagon!

Bagon stared blankly, looking at its trainer's expression. Once again, a feeling it had never experienced before welled up in its heart.

Bagon had lived alone since hatching. They didn't rely on parents, found food alone every day, trained alone, grew up alone, and no one cared about them.

At this moment, hearing Carver's words, Bagon's heart felt warm—this was a feeling it had never experienced in its entire life.

Carver was looking forward to it growing up!

"Bagon!"

Bagon responded with equal seriousness.

Yes, it would definitely become a very powerful Pokémon!