Read advance chapters for both of my work, exclusively on Patreon at - www.patreon.com/Sniperwoof
-----------------
No matter what happened—no matter how absurd the circumstances— Li Xiang had finally obtained his Corvisquire. At a base level of 30, it wasn't far from evolving. With some luck, it might even evolve into a Corviknight by the New Year.
Naturally, Li Xiang was overjoyed. He had longed for the skies for so long.
And when it came to flight safety, Corviknight—massive in size, with specialized saddles sold online and even riding classes available—was undoubtedly the best choice.
Of course, he was fully aware that the credit for obtaining Corvisquire went entirely to Su Yiliu. He had contributed almost nothing.
From start to finish, he hadn't even had the chance to cheer. Everything happened too fast.
From Su Yiliu calling him to her office, to the two crows arguing, to Su Yiliu losing her temper—the whole ordeal took barely half an hour.
There was no room for Li Xiang to intervene. He had even been kicked out at one point, leaving him no opportunity to negotiate with the Corviknight leader.
Fortunately, the outcome was good.
That was all that mattered.
After a morning of hard work, Li Xiang took advantage of the lunch break to visit Corviknight's territory, calling over Riolu and the others to fulfill Corvisquire's wish to battle Riolu again.
The little bird was desperate to win against Riolu. The way its eyes lit up the moment it saw Riolu made its burning desire obvious, and as a trainer, Li Xiang felt it was his duty to fulfill his Pokémon's wishes.
Of course, this was also a chance for him to assess Corvisquire's capabilities and plan for its future.
...…
Pokémon: Corvisquire
Gender: Male
Level: 30
Ability: Keen Eye
Type: Flying
Moves: Peck, Hone Claws, Leer, Fury Attack, Pluck, Wing Attack, Taunt, Scary Face, Defog, Roost, Tailwind, Thief, Aerial Ace, Brave Bird
...…
It knew a lot of moves, but few were actually useful.
Its only reliable offensive move was Wing Attack. As for Brave Bird? Li Xiang would never let it use that move unless he found a way to shorten its wind-up time—like having a Mental Herb on hand at all times.
"As expected, this guy only really gets strong after evolving."
Li Xiang sighed. Corviknight could learn many moves that Corvisquire couldn't, and those moves were exactly what Corviknight needed.
For now, Corvisquire's training path was clear.
First, it needed to learn Close Combat, a high-power Flying-type move. Despite its recoil, it was far more practical than Brave Bird.
Second, it could learn U-turn for pivoting, as well as moves like Payback, Substitute, and Protect.
Half a year should be enough for it to learn these.
Li Xiang could only hope it would evolve by the New Year. If it took longer, it would be a waste of time.
This was the first time he had ever wished so fervently for a Pokémon to evolve quickly.
---
On the battlefield, the match concluded.
Unsurprisingly, Riolu won again.
Despite Corvisquire's type advantage and higher level, its battle experience was nowhere near Riolu's. The only reason it lasted as long as it did was due to its extraordinary combat instincts and precise control over its body.
The way it flapped its wings, the angles it took in flight—everything was executed with pinpoint accuracy.
Not every Pokémon could do that.
It was a one-in-a-hundred talent.
Like how some people could ride a bike perfectly on their first try, while others struggled endlessly due to poor coordination.
That was just how it was.
"Caww…!"
Corvisquire lay on the ground, exhausted and unwilling to accept defeat. It could clearly see the gap between itself and Riolu.
But the sheer size of that gap filled it with despair.
"Alright, alright, stop yelling. You can't eat a whole meal in one bite, and you can't sprint before you learn to walk. Riolu's strength didn't come out of nowhere."
Li Xiang walked over, helping the worn-out Corvisquire up and applying medicine to its injuries.
"If you work hard, you'll beat it one day."
"Caww?"
Corvisquire tilted its head, doubtful.
"I'm not lying."
Li Xiang waved at the other three, who were standing at a distance. "What are you all standing around for? Come meet your new teammate!"
Then, lowering his voice, he added, "But first, you gotta get along with these three. Teammates, understand? Teammates!"
Corvisquire glanced at Torracat and the others before nodding hesitantly. It knew Li Xiang had other Pokémon, and it didn't mind being around unfamiliar ones.
All Corvisquire wanted was to grow stronger and keep winning.
Everything else was irrelevant.
…Well, okay.
Getting along with these guys was probably necessary.
As Torracat, Riolu, and Frogadier surrounded it with friendly smiles, Corvisquire instinctively mirrored their expressions—just like how it acted around its younger siblings.
---
In the distance, the Corviknight leader watched as Li Xiang treated Corvisquire's wounds and sneered.
Trainers are all like this at the beginning. They act like their Pokémon are treasures. But in reality?
I give it two months before that kid gets tired of it. No trainer likes a Pokémon that keeps losing!
The smaller Corvisquire perched on its head pecked it lightly. Enough already. Do you want her scolding you again? She already said that kid isn't like that. Why can't you believe it?
You don't understand humans. There's a saying—'Appearances can be deceiving.'
The Corviknight leader fell silent for a moment before muttering, If I didn't trust her, I wouldn't have agreed. I'm just… scared.
Its gaze softened as it watched Corvisquire laughing with Torracat and the others, but pain flickered beneath.
The Corviknight leader was terrified—terrified that Corvisquire would end up like it had.
That feeling of having nowhere to go, of wandering the skies like a ghost, driven away and attacked by other Pokémon, until finally sinking into darkness…
Every time it remembered, its body ached. And worst of all, no matter how hard it tried, it couldn't forget the good times it had shared with him.
Even in its dreams, it only ever recalled his kindness.
That was what made the rage unbearable.
Why?
Why did you abandon me?!
I fought so hard for you!
Why… couldn't you have given me one more chance?
Were all those happy memories just a dream?
The Corviknight leader couldn't understand how someone could be so cruel. Abandoning it hurt more than any beating or scolding ever had.
'It's okay. It's all in the past now.'
The smaller Corvisquire nuzzled its mate gently.
I believe that child is different.
Maybe it was just instinct, or maybe it was because it had been born in Li Xiang's arms, but from the very beginning, the smaller Corvisquire had believed Li Xiang was a good trainer.
That he would take care of their child.
It had never doubted that.
...I hope so.
The Corviknight leader sighed and closed its eyes.
Some trainers would never understand the scars they left when they casually abandoned a Pokémon with the press of a button.
They didn't realize how cruel and foolish their actions were.
All they knew was that, on the harsh path of a trainer, weak Pokémon couldn't survive. There was no point wasting time on them.
Rather than spend money raising a lost cause, it was better to release them—granting them "freedom" while conveniently freeing themselves of the burden.
After all… a trainer's career was so short.
---
That evening, after a long day.
"Ugh, I can't take this anymore."
Li Xiang pinched Torracat's cheeks in frustration.
"I told you to toast the marshmallows, not turn them into charcoal! Is controlling your fire really that hard?"
"Meow! (You try it then!)"
Torracat smacked the ground indignantly. It wasn't a stove! How was it supposed to fine-tune its bell's temperature like that?!
And marshmallows? Those things caught fire if you so much as breathed on them! How was it supposed to roast them? With sheer willpower?!
"I don't care! Try again! If I don't get a properly toasted marshmallow today, no catnip for you."
Li Xiang decided to be unreasonable.
Torracat's training to control its bell's temperature was progressing steadily, but some things were easier said than done.
Forget about mastering Flare Blitz—this cat couldn't even manage the basic prerequisite of precise temperature control!
"Meow! Meow! (You try doing it then, you jerk!)"
Torracat glared at Li Xiang and flipped him off with a paw.
First, he took away its post-meal "smoke break," and now he was threatening to withhold its catnip?!
Was this guy seriously rationing its food now?!
"Yelling won't help. You wanna complain? Then learn Parting Shot first!"
Li Xiang stood up and shamelessly danced in front of Torracat.
"Otherwise, no catnip for you! And don't think I don't know you've been sneaking burns on it!"
Torracat: (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻
One of these days, I'm gonna set your hair on fire!
Grumbling, Torracat dragged the bag of marshmallows over, tore it open with its claws, and started roasting them one by one.
"I'm gonna check the backyard. When I come back, there better be at least fifteen marshmallows left."
Li Xiang issued his final warning before heading out.
---
As for Corvisquire's nest, Li Xiang had actually prepared it a long time ago.
At first, he had considered keeping Corvisquire outside since it was already so large and would only grow bigger. His house simply didn't have the space.
But after some thought, he realized how unfair it would be if Corvisquire was the only one not allowed inside.
So, after discussing it with his father, Li Xiang began reorganizing their home.
They removed unnecessary furniture, freeing up a significant amount of space.
They also modified the room on the second floor where Feraligatr and the others stayed, mainly enlarging the window so that even a Corviknight could fly in and out comfortably.
Of course, Li Xiang hadn't forgotten about the outdoor nest—a small, doghouse-like structure in the backyard.
Their backyard wasn't small. After clearing some pointless shrubs and relocating a few plants, they had plenty of space.
The carpenter his father hired was skilled, crafting a nest that would suit Corvisquire even after it evolved.
Right now, Corvisquire was inside its new nest with Riolu and the others, happily exploring its new home. Moving was always exciting, and the novelty helped distract Corvisquire from the loneliness of leaving its family.
Li Xiang had even prepared himself to sleep outside with it if necessary, but then he remembered—Corvisquire could still fit in his room for now.
At worst, they'd just have to squeeze—four Pokémon and one human in one room.
It wasn't like they hadn't done it before.
Hell, at this rate, even a Metagross could probably fit in Li Xiang's room!