After getting familiar with each other, Shitou(Stone) also brought out Geodude to join them, and the three chatted for a while.
Before long, it was past 9 PM. After seeing Airi and Shitou off, Icarus called over Houndour, who was about to sleep.
"Houndour, this is Beedrill honey. From now on, you have to eat this with every meal—it can improve your potential.
But remember, if Airi and the others are around, I won't give it to you. I'll make it up later. And don't tell Poliwhirl or Geodude, got it?"
Icarus poured a small bowl of honey over a piece of meat and explained seriously.
"Woof!"
Even though Houndour didn't understand what the honey was, it could feel its body craving it, so it quickly agreed.
"Then eat."
"Woof! Woof!"
Houndour buried its head in the bowl and started devouring it.
…I really can't afford to be generous, Icarus thought with a quiet sigh.
Beedrill honey was a strategic resource. There was no way he could just hand out dozens of kilograms to Airi and Shitou.
It was too important for his own path as a Trainer.
Unless he could guarantee future Pokémon would all start with elite potential… otherwise, it wasn't worth the risk.
After eating, Houndour let out a satisfied, childish howl.
Then it suddenly paused, pointing at the sleeping Weepinbell and Pidgeotto, as if asking why they didn't get any.
Icarus laughed.
"They've already had plenty before. It won't help them anymore. But remember—don't tell Poliwhirl or Geodude."
"Woof!"
Houndour nodded seriously.
"Alright, go to sleep. Training starts tomorrow."
The Next Morning
After breakfast, Airi and Shitou headed out on their own. They knew Icarus would be training Houndour, so they didn't ask to join.
In the backyard, Icarus pointed at a wooden stake.
"Houndour, show me everything you've got."
"Woof!"
Houndour barked excitedly and spat flames at the target.
The wooden stake immediately caught fire.
"Hey! Can you pull the flames back? Don't destroy the target!"
Houndour inhaled—and the flames were sucked back into its mouth.
Icarus nodded.
"Good control… but this stake is basically ruined."
They replaced it.
Next, Houndour charged forward, electricity crackling around its fangs—
Thunder Fang.
The stake was instantly scorched black.
Icarus paused.
"…Yeah, I'm going to need iron targets."
Still, he smiled.
This is exactly the kind of attacker I need.
They continued testing.
Houndour used Ember, now upgraded to small flames.
It also used Leer, but Pidgeotto wasn't affected at all.
"Not enough mental pressure," Icarus muttered.
Then came Roar—
Even Pidgeotto instinctively stepped back.
"Better. Much better."
Finally, Houndour released a dark mist—Smog—covering the battlefield.
Training Plan
After testing everything, Icarus laid out the plan:
Endurance training (running laps → later weighted)
Focus on Ember and Thunder Fang
Practice flame control (recalling fire after use)
Train Roar + Leer combo
Develop battlefield awareness
Houndour nodded enthusiastically.
Five Days Later
In just five days, Houndour completed the initial training phase.
The results were obvious:
Excellent energy control
Stronger Ember (enough to defeat weak Pokémon instantly)
Improved Thunder Fang
Successfully combined Roar + Leer into a new move
Icarus even named it:
"Gang Roar."
Even he had been briefly intimidated when testing it.
Standing at the door that morning, Icarus waited.
Today, he would team up with Shitou again.
Not just for coordination—
But to bring Houndour into real combat.
Because no matter how good training was…
Only real battles could turn strength into survival.