Kawaki didn't know how the training experience of Aron and Skarmory would transfer to Growlithe.
Would it be like in the games, where experience points are gained out of thin air and lead to leveling up? Or would Growlithe directly gain the benefits of physical training and become stronger?
This question could only be answered once Steven's training session was over.
If it was the former, then wouldn't that mean that if Kawaki took Growlithe to somewhere crowded with Trainers—like a Gym or a tournament arena—Growlithe could hit level 100 in just a few days?
In that case, this "Exp. Share" he got from Steven was an absolute gem!
Still, they couldn't just sponge off Steven's experience for free.
As a Pokémon fan and player, Kawaki wasn't a battle expert, but he did have a decent understanding of battle mechanics.
After a brief thought, he spoke from the side:
"Have you ever tried reverse gravity?"
Steven paused slightly. "Reverse gravity?"
Kawaki nodded, recalling the image of the Clefairy piloting their spaceship using reverse gravity, and said:
"What if instead of pulling Pokémon down, you changed the direction of the force to pull them upward?"
Steven immediately caught on.
Reverse gravity...
It was well known that Gravity was especially effective against Flying-types and Pokémon with the Levitate ability—but that was pretty much it.
But what if they altered gravity's direction and pulled Pokémon upward instead of downward?
A vivid image formed in Steven's mind:
Grounded Pokémon being pulled up into the air by gravity, their usual movements—jumping, running—becoming awkward or ineffective.
It'd be like jumping on a low-gravity planet—soaring several meters high with a single leap.
For Pokémon that weren't used to this, it would be extremely disorienting—throwing off their balance and disrupting their battle rhythm.
Great idea!
Steven immediately had Metang begin practicing it.
Kawaki watched the scene unfold and thought to himself, "As expected of Steven—he understood instantly."
He glanced at the shiny Metang. In the next second, a full profile appeared before Kawaki's eyes.
[Pokémon: Metang (Shiny)]
[Gender: Genderless]
[Ability: Clear Body]
[Moves: Confusion, Tackle, Bullet Punch, Hone Claws, Zen Headbutt, Flash Cannon, Take Down, Calm Mind, Gravity, Gyro Ball, Endure, Iron Head, Metal Claw]
[Status: Healthy]
[Mood: Focused]
[Joy: 20]
[Friendship: 1]
[Description: Striving to grow stronger for its trainer! — Metang]
"As expected of Steven's Metang... It hasn't even evolved into Metagross yet, and it's already learned so many moves," Kawaki thought with admiration.
This Metang, in the future, would become a Pokémon of such power that it could stand toe-to-toe with legendary beings like Groudon and Kyogre.
Metang showed exceptional talent during gravity training.
In no time at all, it was able to precisely reverse the gravitational field and achieve reverse gravity.
Aron and Skarmory remained within the range of the field's influence.
Steven looked at Aron and said, "Aron, jump."
Aron looked confused but obeyed.
With a light hop—it was stunned to find that its seemingly ordinary jump launched it several times higher than usual, nearly taking it into flight!
"Just as I thought!"
Steven was thrilled. This meant he now had a new tactic in battle that could catch opponents completely off guard!
However… one thing puzzled him.
Training techniques and strategic insight were rarely shared with outsiders.
Yet this boy named Kawaki had casually shared his own insight just from watching Steven train...
Steven paused the training and turned toward Kawaki.
The boy stood with Growlithe on the grass, arms crossed, his posture and expression giving off a calm, mature aura—not at all like a ten-year-old. More like a grown adult.
"Why did I think that…?" Steven shook his head at himself, then said seriously, "Thank you for your guidance."
"No need to be so formal," Kawaki replied with a smile. After all, this had been mutually beneficial.
Steven found himself intrigued. In all his travels, he hadn't met anyone quite like Kawaki.
Kawaki didn't stay long in the backyard. The daycare still had to open for business. He left Growlithe there and returned to the front counter to prepare.
A few Clefairy ran out to the lobby to play. While chasing each other, they accidentally knocked over a flower vase, shattering it on the floor.
The Clefairy circled the broken vase in a panic. "Clef... Clefairy..."
Bewear looked over, then calmly fetched a broom and began cleaning up the mess.
"It's okay, Clefairy. Just a vase—but be more careful next time, alright?" Kawaki reassured them.
"Clefairy!" The Clefairy nodded repeatedly, promising to be extra careful!
With Bewear around, Kawaki was quite at ease—it could handle nearly everything in the daycare.
Before long, Steven also returned from the backyard to the lobby.
He sat on the sofa near the front desk and ordered a drink. When a Clefairy server placed a glass of juice on the table, Steven casually started a conversation:
"Kawaki, are you a Trainer?"
"Trainer?" Kawaki chuckled and shook his head. "No. I originally wanted to become one, but my parents passed away early and left me this daycare. To be honest, the daycare only reopened recently. At first, I didn't have much of a goal—I just wanted to make enough to support myself and Bewear."
Steven was sharp, and he immediately picked up on the implication behind those words.
Parents gone early—meaning Kawaki had no one to fund his journey like other kids.
He had originally wanted to become a Trainer, but because of financial hardship, he had to revive and manage the daycare instead...
That thought stirred up a mix of emotions in Steven's heart.
Sympathy, pity, sadness...
After all, he was still just a ten-year-old boy—not yet the composed, mature, and steady figure seen in the anime.
Steven couldn't help but say, "If you still want to become a Trainer, I can help you."
"Hm?" Kawaki was surprised. "How?"
Was Steven about to throw money at him?
Steven's expression was serious. "I heard that the Devon Corporation's President Stone sponsors children from underprivileged families to become Trainers every year. If you're willing, I can help you apply for a travel grant through Devon."
That would include food, lodging, and Pokémon training expenses.