Milotic's training focuses on sensing the heat within the Flame Orb and channeling it into the Hot Water move to enhance its additional effects and increase the probability of inflicting a burn status on opponents.
Training naturally requires the cooperation of companions for testing. Since Larvesta is a Fire-type Pokémon and immune to burns, this task falls to Metang and Tyrantrum.
Lionel originally planned for them to take turns enduring Milotic's "Hot Water" attack, but Tyrantrum, having somehow seen a dice game, insisted on using this method to decide who would cooperate in the training.
It had Metang use its claws and telekinesis to grind small round stones on the ground into cubes, and even had numbers engraved on them to act as dice.
Metang glanced at the serious expression on Tyrantrum's face, a hint of helplessness flashing in its red eyes, yet it still cooperated by making dice for it and playing this childish game.
The two Pokémon agreed on the rules:
whoever rolled the lower number would lose and have to endure Milotic's "Hot Water" attack.
As a result, Tyrantrum lost the first round.
The following rounds were even more one-sided, with it losing eight out of ten rounds.
This time, Tyrantrum was unhappy, shoving its head against Metang in anger, letting out a low growl, clearly suspecting Metang of using psychic powers.
It ran to Lionel and Milotic, insisting that the two supervise and forbid Metang from "tricking" itself.
But under Lionel and Milotic's constant supervision, Tyrantrum lost even more miserably.
After ten consecutive matches, it lost every single one.
Lionel couldn't bear to watch any longer and decided to let them take turns training Milotic.
He chuckled inwardly:
Metagross's brainpower was comparable to a supercomputer.
Even though it was just a Metang now, not fully evolved, its intelligence and calculation ability far surpassed that of the "little idiot" Tyrantrum.
Metang had probably let it win two matches earlier, but now suspected of cheating, it decided to stop holding back and let it lose clearly.
Having solved Milotic's training problem, Lionel turned his attention to Larvesta.
He had Larvesta train the "Will-o-Wisp" move intensively, as it was needed for the upcoming Autumn Leaf Town Grand Contest.
The Autumn Leaf Town Grand Contest was special, requiring participants to have at least one Ribbon Badge and to have two Pokémon on the field at the same time.
Lionel had decided to have Larvesta and Tyrantrum team up for the contest this time.
Therefore, in the days leading up to the Gym Challenge and on the way to Autumnleaf Town, the focus should be on training the "Will-o-Wisp" move on the Larvesta.
Tyrantrum is doing well; after its training in the desert and with Milotic, its mastery of its moves is sufficient for the Contests.
The focus now is on Larvesta. Will-o-Wisp is a newly learned move, and although it's already very proficient in other Fire-type moves, this experience can accelerate its mastery of Will-o-Wisp. However, Will-o-Wisp is still a newly learned move and requires time to practice before it can be used skillfully.
With about a month until the Autumnleaf Town Contest, Lionel calculated that there was plenty of time. As long as he focused on training, there wouldn't be any problems.
Thus, while waiting for the Devon Corporation researchers to arrive, Lionel enjoyed the hot springs and leisurely time in Lavaridge Town with his Pokémon while carrying out training methodically, making his days fulfilling and pleasant.
Meanwhile, online discussions about Larvesta remained heated, with everyone eagerly anticipating what surprises its debut at the Lavaridge Town Gym would bring in seven days.
Three days before the scheduled battle with the Lavaridge Gym, a sudden burst of rapid wingbeats echoed across the skies above Lavaridge Town.
A flock of Skarmory flapped their broad wings, whistling through the air as they swept over the town's red rooftops.
They circled briefly above the town, seemingly confirming their location, before landing precisely in the backyard of the hotel where Lionel was staying.
The moment the Skarmory's talons touched the ground, several employees in Devon Corporation uniforms jumped off their backs.
They carried heavy metal cases bearing the company logo, suggesting they contained sophisticated equipment.
Leading the group was an elderly researcher with gray hair and reading glasses—the very same one who had helped Lionel revive his baby Tyrannosaurus.
Lionel, having been notified by the hotel staff, immediately rushed to the open space in the backyard.
He recognized the old researcher at a glance and was about to greet him when his gaze was drawn to another person beside him.
The man was slightly overweight, with a thick beard, and wore a slightly oversized white doctoral coat with the sleeves casually rolled up to his forearms.
In stark contrast to this serious academic attire, he wore army green shorts and flip-flops, exuding a casual and unrestrained scholarly air.
Lionel's eyes lit up upon seeing him; he recognized him almost instantly: "Professor Birch?"
He walked forward with some surprise, never expecting to meet this renowned scholar here.
Almost every trainer in the Hoenn region knew Professor Birch; his main research area was Pokémon distribution and habitat, making him an authority in Pokémon ecology.
He traveled extensively, providing countless valuable data for the Hoenn League's Pokémon research.
More importantly, Professor Birch was also responsible for providing the first Pokémon to the new generation of trainers certified by the League, enjoying immense prestige throughout the Hoenn region. The senior researcher smiled and stepped forward to introduce him: "Lionel, this is Professor Birch."
"Professor saw the video of the Larvesta that Steven posted before. After contacting the company and learning that we were coming to do testing, he insisted on coming in person to see this rare Pokémon with his own eyes."
"You must be Lionel? You're truly young and promising!"
Professor Birch laughed heartily, patting Lionel's shoulder with his large, fan-like hand. "To be able to raise such an elegant Pokémon as Milotic, and to encounter and capture Larvesta, the new generation of trainers are getting more and more amazing!"
"Professor, you flatter me."
Lionel smiled somewhat shyly. To receive praise from Professor Birch was a great affirmation for any trainer.
"Don't be modest. Come on, let me see Larvesta. I've been waiting all this way."
Professor Birch was clearly unable to contain his curiosity, rubbing his hands together as he spoke.
Lionel quickly took out Larvesta's Poké Ball, pressed it gently, and a flash of white light appeared before everyone.
It seemed curious about the scene before it, tilting its head as it looked at the group of people surrounding it.
Especially when Professor Birch reached out a finger to touch it, the five antennae around its head immediately spewed flames, as if in a show of defiance. Professor Birch was startled by the sudden flames and instinctively took a half step back.
Seeing the others' frightened expressions, the Larvesta happily raised its head and shook it triumphantly.
"Haha, what a mischievous little guy!"
Professor Birch laughed heartily, his eyes gleaming with research: "Fire and Bug, this type combination is truly peculiar.
Is this the Larvesta, the degenerate form of Volcarona, the Sun Incarnation, that Professor Rowan mentioned at the League meeting and discovered when exchanging data with Professor Yew from the Unova region?
This is truly amazing!"
The staff of Devon Corporation immediately sprang into action, opening the metal case and taking out various precision instruments.
The senior researcher directed the staff to measure the Larvesta's body data, flame energy intensity, and skill strength, the whole process proceeding smoothly and methodically.
Professor Birch watched intently, occasionally asking Lionel questions: "Where did you encounter it—oh! So it lives in the lava of Mt. Chimney.
Can this little guy block human perception? I remember Moore was always wandering and exploring Mt. Chimney—"
Lionel patiently answered each question, omitting the reason for his Pokémon's energy ball attraction, and briefly recounting his encounter with the volcano.
Professor Birch nodded repeatedly, took out his notebook, and quickly jotted down key points, the pen scratching on the paper.
During a break from testing the volcano, Professor Birch looked up at Lionel and smiled, saying, "Before I came, I specifically watched your account videos. Your other Pokémon are also excellent, right? Could I see them too?"
"Of course,"
Lionel readily agreed, taking out the other three Poké Balls one by one.
Milotic appeared, elegantly manipulating the water vapor to levitate in the air.
Its body coiled up, tail fin swaying gently, scales shimmering mesmerizingly in the sunlight. Professor Birch nodded repeatedly, "Shiny Feebas, so this is what it looks like after evolving! Even more beautiful than in the videos—"
As Professor Birch spoke, he reached out to touch Milotic.
Milotic glanced at his "mismatched" outfit, especially the mud-smeared flip-flops, seemingly disgusted, and subtly swayed its tail fin, backing away to cleverly avoid him.
Professor Birch turned his gaze somewhat to Metang.
Seeing the professor's gaze fixed on it, Metang, as if afraid of any "inappropriate thoughts," also retreated, mimicking Milotic's actions.
"Hahahaha, you two,"
Professor Birch laughed awkwardly. The staff member beside him couldn't help but chuckle secretly.
Seeing this, Professor Birch opened his green satchel and took out a high-level energy cube.
He offered the Power Cube to the Metang and Milotic, hoping to lure them closer so he could take a closer look.
But the Metang and Milotic clearly didn't care for it; their expressions explicitly said:
"We don't know you, you bearded fatso, and we're not letting you touch us!"