Chapter 21: The Beginning of the "Winning Streak Harvest"

Sprigatito could vaguely sense that significant changes had occurred in its body over the two days since Xia Chi captured it. However, it was only upon entering actual combat that it realized this was more than just a change—it was a mutation!

Without access to the specific system information, Sprigatito naturally did not know that this was all happening without even activating its major bonds. This was a state achieved solely through the "Chosen Badge," "Trinity Force," and "Bloodthirster." The Chosen Badge and Trinity Force provided Sprigatito with an overall stat boost of over 50%, while the Bloodthirster provided the vital sustain it needed. These three enhancements alone were enough to not only cause a qualitative leap in Sprigatito's combat power but also to handle those Mankey in the novice zone with ease.

Even without knowing the truth, Sprigatito understood that this must be inextricably linked to Xia Chi. He had shown it meticulous care and warmth, restored its self-esteem as a battle-ready Pokémon, and vastly increased its strength. At this moment, Xia Chi’s image and status in Sprigatito’s heart had ascended to an incomparable height.

A warrior dies for one who understands them. Though it had never heard this idiom, Sprigatito understood the sentiment. At this moment, its eyes sparkled, and it made a silent vow: it would accompany Xia Chi to a peak that no one else could reach!

***

Meanwhile, Xia Chi, having passively slipped into the role of a Pokémon Master, deduced the most likely scenario and decided not to rush back to check on things. The main issue was that he had no way to contact it, and he wouldn't be able to find Sprigatito if he went back now anyway.

He didn't need to worry too much about safety. The little guy had been roaming the wild fields near the school for over half a year; even when it was ostracized, it had managed just fine. That was even more true now, with the added bonuses from the system’s bond equipment. If the kid wanted to play, let it play.

As it happened, the "Fear" value required for the Dark-type bond needed to be accumulated by defeating Pokémon. It would be better for him to set his mind at ease and attend his classes, letting Sprigatito farm Fear points in the wild on its own. Furthermore, modern Pokémon cultivation theory suggested that among a group of similar Pokémon with comparable strength raised in the same way, those that engaged in more frequent battles—without pushing their physical limits—showed slightly faster average growth. This showed that while reality wasn't like a game where one could grind experience points through battles to gain levels, it possessed a similar, albeit weakened, effect. In other words, Sprigatito was truly "grinding mobs to level up."

***

However, thinking it over, defeating a Pokémon—especially when "punching above its weight"—only yielded a fraction of a point in Fear. At this rate, it would take months to reach a hundred stacks. And one hundred stacks was just the starting line for Fear. According to the game mechanics of *Teamfight Tactics*, to get good items from such a treasure chest, one needed to accumulate several hundred stacks. In the short term—to say the least—it would be impossible to "graduate" for at least two or three years.

Regardless, Xia Chi’s "win-streak and harvest" plan had finally taken its crucial first step. And so, throughout the entire "History of Pokémon Mythology" lecture, he passed the time listening to the system’s voice notifications: "Sprigatito has defeated a Mankey..." It was quite like the joy of an idle gold-farming game.

Of course, Xia Chi would not forget that this joy was built upon Sprigatito’s hard work and sweat. From this perspective, catching a Pokémon that others didn't want wasn't such a bad thing. These Pokémon were often more sensible than those that had never been trained, and they knew how to train themselves.

Sprigatito’s final record for the morning was five Mankey, accumulating a total of 1.1 Fear points. On the battlefield, that was a terrifying "one-vs-five" record. Even with the system's help, it was no small feat for a low-level Pokémon to achieve such results against stronger opponents. So, who said this Sprigatito was no good? This Sprigatito was absolutely amazing!

As for whether Sprigatito would make it home safely, Xia Chi wasn't too worried. Firstly, he figured that if the system provided notifications for victories, it would surely notify him of a defeat. Secondly, he knew Sprigatito was a very cautious little cat. In the months he had known it, no matter how bedraggled it looked, it always managed to crawl back to his dorm around nine in the evening, dragging a mostly healthy body, to eat. Its combat ability might only be B-tier, but its survival skills were definitely S+.

Sure enough, when Xia Chi finished his morning classes and returned to the dorm with a nutritious lunch and some medicine, Sprigatito was already there, acting as if nothing had happened. Although it feigned composure and had groomed its fur to look clean before Xia Chi arrived, its slightly unsteady gait and several fresh wounds betrayed it.

"So you chose to run out and train on your own just so I wouldn't worry, and you didn't even tell me? You little rascal..." Xia Chi ruffled the head of the Sprigatito that had come to greet him, then took out the medicine he had bought on the way back. As he applied the medicine, he frowned and said, "I told you, I will support whatever you want to do, so don't hide these things from me in the future. Don't make me worry."

"Meow-fee..." Sprigatito didn't have the energy to protest the nickname it disliked. Half-guiltily and half-touched, it lowered its head and obediently accepted the scolding. But then, remembering something, a look of surprise appeared on its face. It looked up at Xia Chi, eyes filled with suspicion. "Meow-fee?"

Wait... you even brought medicine back with you. So, Xia Chi, how did you know in advance that I went out to fight this morning?

Xia Chi, reading the look in Sprigatito’s eyes, looked away with a guilty conscience, wearing an awkward, half-smiling expression.

*When you know the other person is lying but you can't expose them because the way you know the truth is also a secret.jpg*

***

Freshman courses were relatively less intensive, and Xia Chi had no classes this afternoon. He had originally planned to use this free time to edit videos, but he took the time to take Sprigatito to the Silph Department Store to buy a portable Pokémon tracker.

This precision instrument, hidden inside a collar-style cat tag, not only allowed Xia Chi to see Sprigatito’s exact location on an app on his phone, but also monitored its vital signs and specific status. If necessary, he could even use his phone to have a call with Sprigatito while it wore the device. It was a piece of "black technology" essential for Pokémon like Sprigatito that loved to run wild. Although the price was just as beautiful as its functionality, Xia Chi bought it without hesitation.

With this on Sprigatito, Xia Chi could rest easier when it went out to "train" itself in the future.

Afterward, Xia Chi and Sprigatito reached a "three-point agreement" for its independent training:
1. Do not provoke Pokémon that are significantly stronger than you when out in the wild.
2. You must disengage from combat before your stamina or status is completely exhausted.
3. You must meow three times into the tracker every half hour so Xia Chi can confirm you are safe.
4. You must arrive home on time before dark.

As for why the "three-point agreement" had four rules...
As everyone knows, the Elite Four has five members, so it’s perfectly reasonable for a "three-point agreement" to have four rules, right?