Helpless under the Elder Butterfree's concerned gaze, Bell had no choice but to reveal his true capabilities.
Whoosh!
A purple streak flashed past like a speedhack, leaving the other Butterfree in the dust.
His fellow clan members gaped at his speed, then immediately glanced at their own rivals, flapping their wings faster in silent competition.
Every Butterfree was secretly pushing themselves harder.
Only Bell was inwardly frustrated—This is already my slowest speed! I can't go any slower!
High above, the Elder Butterfree's worry lessened slightly as he watched Bell finally exert himself.
"Good, he's fine."
His gaze then shifted to the distance—where Bell had been ambushed.
As the clan leader, he had to stay vigilant during such a critical event to protect his kin from potential attacks.
Soon, the Butterfree reached their maximum sustainable altitudes.
Any higher, and the winds would grow too fierce, risking being blown away.
Once settled, they began scanning for potential mates.
Female Butterfree sized up the males while keeping a wary eye on rival females.
Male Butterfree, meanwhile, sought out the most desirable females while glaring at competing males, ready to battle at the slightest provocation.
A classic case of like poles repel, opposites attract.
Bell, however, had positioned himself right in the densest cluster of Butterfree.
Perfect.
His goal? Endless battles to grind EXP.
The lower-flying Butterfree were mostly low-level, offering meager EXP.
The high-fliers were stronger but fewer in number.
Bell's exceptional presence drew swarms of female admirers, all rushing toward him, afraid of being outmatched by rivals.
"Hehe, so much EXP… come to me…"
Ignoring the lovestruck females, Bell focused on the competitive males eyeing him from the periphery.
Male Butterfree thoughts: "Defeat him! Prove I'm the best!"
Bell's thoughts: "Perfect. I was just running low on EXP!"
Thus, Bell "reluctantly" accepted challenge after challenge.
But none stood a chance.
One by one, they were swatted away—the gap was too vast.
[Ding! Host has leveled up. Current level: LV 19]
After another victory, Bell finally leveled up.
A warm surge flowed through him, filling him with quiet satisfaction.
Normally, leveling took days of effort. Yet here, his clanmates were practically lining up to feed him EXP.
And right on cue, another male approached—this one noticeably stronger.
Pokémon: Butterfree
Type: Bug / Flying
Level: LV 17
Potential: Orange
Bell's interest piqued. Though two levels below him, this was one of the clan's elites.
"Orange potential… not bad."
Before he could ponder further, the challenger shot forward, wings glowing white.
"I challenge you!"
No wasted words—just a direct Tackle.
"Oh-ho!"
Bell countered with his own Tackle.
BAM!
Bell staggered back a step. His opponent? Sent flying.
The difference was clear.
The rival Butterfree hesitated, but a glance at the watching females reignited his resolve. He charged again.
"Still not learning?"
Seeing his stubbornness, Bell switched tactics.
With a powerful wingbeat, he unleashed Gust, blasting the challenger backward.
Then, his eyes flashed pink.
Psychic followed instantly.
The Butterfree lurched uncontrollably, dizziness overwhelming him.
"Fwoo…"
"As expected of the Elder's favored Butterfree… Offspring with him would be exceptional!"
The females' admiration intensified, hearts practically materializing in their eyes.
"Huh? Why are the females fighting now?"
Bell blinked as the previously passive females began brawling fiercely—yet their gazes toward him remained fervent.
"Whatever. The high-level EXP is harvested. Time for the lower tiers!"
Diving downward, Bell faced the weaker Butterfree.
"All of you—come at me!"
He taunted openly.
Even small EXP added up. No need to keep bullying the elites.
The males below, though weaker, were at the most crucial moment of their lives. Bell's mockery ignited their pride, and they swarmed him in unison.
"Perfect!"
Bell dodged the mob with agile wingwork.
Even he couldn't tank a full-group assault unharmed—retreating wasn't shameful, just smart.
"Fwoo!"
Realizing they couldn't match his speed, the lower-tier Butterfree switched tactics.
A massive Gust carrying invisible powders surged toward him—Gust + Powder Combo (Sleep Powder, Poison Powder, Stun Spore).
An unintentional yet deadly group attack.
Bell's eyes sharpened. He wasn't reckless enough to take this head-on.
A dozen Gusts alone could overwhelm him, let alone with status powders mixed in.
So, he evaded—upward.
The seasonal winds acted as a natural barrier, weakening (if not nullifying) the combo.
The low-level Butterfree couldn't breach it.
Bell dodged narrowly.
"Heh. My turn."
His eyes glowed pink as he channeled his full psychic energy—time for a big move.
While Psychic drained him heavily, it wasn't unusable.
And now, with his foes exhausted, was the perfect moment.
A wave of psychic force immobilized the lower-tier Butterfree, then knocked them unconscious mid-air, sending them fluttering down like petals.
Bell panted slightly, fatigue flashing in his eyes—but the system's chime brought a grin.
[Ding! Host has leveled up. Current level: LV 20]
The surge of warmth confirmed his success.
Then, his eyes gleamed mischievously.
Mimicking his defeated kin, he let himself "collapse" mid-air, the picture of exhaustion.
"Sigh…"
A stronger Psychic enveloped the falling Butterfree—including Bell—halting their descent.
The Elder Butterfree hovered above, gaze lingering on Bell in puzzlement.
"One Psychic shouldn't drain him this badly… Unless his injuries aren't fully healed?"