ALL NOVEL Chapter 62 – Declaring A Battle?
In the meeting room...
"Everyone, let me apologize this time, it's my fault," Floyd stood up and bowed his head.
"I don't understand, why do you need to apologize? It's not your fault. Isn't it natural to be attacked by beasts?" Jonathan asked.
"It's because I provoked two of them. Actually, I understand the characteristic of these birds, which I call Spearow - their evolution is called Fearow. These types of beasts possess vengeful characteristics. Once you provoke one member, all will chase you until you're exhausted. This is why I defeated two Spearow into unconsciousness so they couldn't summon their groups, but I did not expect they would still manage to find me," Floyd explained.
"Then, I'm merely asking, why were you in Kemonohaji forest?" Chen Yu asked.
"I was training there, actually, brother Hu Tianyi can testify for me," Floyd responded.
"Is this true?" Chen Yu asked Hu Tianyi.
"Yes, it's true. I warned him, but he didn't listen, what else could I do?" Hu Tianyi shrugged helplessly.
"Are you insane, training with hordes of Wild Beasts?" Le Mai Linh scolded.
"If I want to enhance my beasts' strength, battling wild beasts is currently the best option," Floyd replied.
"Actually, I'm more curious how you defeated them all. Despite your disadvantage, you handled it?" Kanraku posed the question.
At this, everyone looked curiously at Floyd. Those who had been witness to the scene could not help being unnerved, seeing so many beasts defeated and staring at this young man, the instigator of the scene.
"It's simple, I know their weaknesses," Floyd admitted.
"Weaknesses?" The room echoed in confusion.
"Have I not mentioned before each beast has its own countermeasure? For instance, Plants are vulnerable to Fire, Fire to Water, and Water to Plant?" Floyd asked.
"I believe I remember," Kanraku touched his chin.
"Actually, these are not the only types. These three elements can also be matched with other types. For example, Water is weak to plants, it is also vulnerable to some Electric, and plants are weak to Flying creatures, which the latter is weak to Electric and some Earthy beings, especially those creating stones. I'm uncertain about the others but I believe in this concept: each type of beast has its own countermeasure," Floyd elaborated.
"Do you possess beasts with an Electric attribute on your team? It seems I didn't notice," asked Le Mai Linh, puzzled.
"Did you notice the Pink creatures accompanied by a couple of sheep beasts? They are Electric type beasts. I call the adult Flaaffy, and Mareep is the younger one," Floyd enlightened them.
"I remember, is it the one who evolved when we were on Meidao?" Jonathan recalled.
"Only one? Even though I believe some of your points, battling more than 70 seems unfeasible, no?" Kang Jihoon frowned.
"I didn't rely solely on her. It was everyone's efforts. Had the three Butterfly beasts and bird beasts not distracted them, had I not combined the water with Flaaffy's electricity in addition to a six-tailed beast, and the brown beast which boosted Flaaffy's damage, had my beasts not been as strong, and had that coward Growlithe not aided me, I may not have survived," Floyd confessed.
"You indeed know beasts very well," Kanraku admitted, having recognized Floyd's knowledge even better than his own.
"So, it still depends on strategy," Chen Yu's eyes lit up. "Floyd, could you inform us about the beasts' abilities and the weaknesses you mentioned?"
Upon hearing this, everyone eyed Floyd in anticipation, even Kanraku. Despite his partnership with Blastoise, Kanraku never truly understood how to fight. He only used his power after battles or for maintaining his nutrition. However, he recognized Floyd's superior knowledge, remembering how Floyd had commanded the beasts to deflect missiles. If the first instance was luck, it was impossible to brand the next one the same. Strategy still mattered.
"How about later this afternoon? You know, it's still early now, and I still need to train my beasts, make pokeblocks, dry berries, and feed some beasts later," Floyd said, a hint of embarrassment in his voice.
"Then how about we watch you?" Kang Jihoon proposed impatiently, intrigued by Floyd's earlier actions. If Floyd could do it, why couldn't he? His beasts were also of the Electric Type, after all.
"That seems like a good plan, right?" Kanraku chimed in.
"Yeah," came the excited response reverberating around the meeting room.
"Is that… appropriate? What about your jobs?" Floyd wasn't objecting, but the idea seemed a bit troublesome to him.
"It's no trouble, we will return in the afternoon," Kanraku suggested.
"Well, you're the boss," Floyd sighed.
"Then what are you waiting for, let's go," Jonathan urged, unable to wait. He had just acquired his Growlithe today. At first, he desired something larger and even considered leaving his Growlithe behind after the mission, but witnessing the previous Growlithe heroic action changed his mind.
...
In Floyd's Training Place,
"Before I start explaining, for those who intend to pursue this Trainer path, I need to ask - will you trust your beasts?" Floyd asked.
Everyone looked at him, puzzled and unsure of what he meant.
"Do you realize why my beasts follow my command in battle? That's because they trust me. I treat them well. There's a saying, 'As long as you treat your beasts with respect and care, they'll treat you the same way.' But in this first stage of being a trainer, aside from me, the professor, his disciples, sister Suzuki, Ivan, Jonathan, and Bianca, you've already failed." Floyd explained.
"You mean the iron ring, right?" Kang Jihoon asked doubtfully.
"Yes, why not remove it and let all your beasts trust you?" Floyd suggested.
"Then what's the difference between having beasts with the iron ring and without it?" Chen Yu enquired, crossing his arms.
"Captain, isn't it obvious? Beasts will trust you more, and they will be more willing to fight with you," Floyd answered.
"I know that, but with the higher risk of being attacked, causing harm to ourselves, it seems the drawbacks outweigh the benefits. Why not train them while keeping the iron rings on their neck? We can prevent the risk while benefiting from the training; isn't that more reassuring?" Chen Yu argued.
"So, you haven't fully trusted your beast then," Floyd concluded.
"I'll be frank, though I don't despise them, I don't trust them either," Chen Yu admitted.
At this point, most of the people nodded, and Kanraku sighed helplessly. Floyd looked at each of them and to their beasts, he could see a disappointment apparent on their face.
He took a deep breath and then challenged, "Then, Captain, how about a duel with me? Beast for Beast, 1 on 1?"
Upon hearing this, everyone was taken aback, their eyes lighting up with excitement. Was this going to be a beast battle?
Chen Yu lifted his eyebrows and considered for a moment before shaking his head. "Youngest, I'm not a fool. I know you're strong."
"Captain, I'm not finished yet," Floyd announced, his eyes glittering with a fusion of anticipation and determination. "I propose a battle - a duel of sorts. Each of you, against one of my beasts."
Taking a moment to allow his words to resonate in the tension-thick air, Floyd continued, his smile never wavering, "If you win, I'll give you a bottle of healing powder for each one of you."
"However, if I win," he paused, his gaze sweeping across the apprehensive faces, "then I request nothing but the release of your beast. Rest assured, I hold no intention to claim it for myself. It will remain entirely under your possession. Fair, don't you agree?"
His smile turned into a teasing smirk as he concluded, "The odds certainly favor you, providing a win-win situation, right?"