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Next to the Rock Tunnel stood a Pokémon Center—the same one Eddie had previously decided to avoid.
However, due to the tournament, Eddie's plans had been delayed. By the time he claimed victory, it was already noon. Feeling the need to let his Pokémon rest and have lunch, as well as introduce everyone to their new teammate, Eddie decided to visit the Pokémon Center after all.
As usual, Eddie booked a room, prepared food, and made sure everyone enjoyed a hearty meal. While they ate, he examined Larvitar's information and selected appropriate TMs, just as he would for his other Pokémon.
"Larvitar doesn't have as many move options before evolution compared to Dragon-type Pokémon," Eddie observed. "But what it can learn should be sufficient for now. It doesn't need to battle immediately, and we can address its moveset once it reaches higher levels."
Eddie understood that Larvitar differed significantly from Gible. The latter became quite formidable after evolution and could quickly engage in battles. Larvitar, however, wasn't well-suited for combat in its current form.
When Larvitar evolves into Pupitar, it takes on a chrysalis-like appearance. Although Pupitar can propel itself by expelling compressed gas from its body, allowing it to fight, this evolution only occurs at level 30. It then requires reaching level 55 to transform into the mighty Tyranitar.
In many ways, raising a Larvitar demanded much more patience than raising a Gible. At least Gible could evolve at level 24 and begin participating in serious battles relatively quickly. It only needed to reach level 48 to evolve into Garchomp, which was more efficient than Larvitar's evolutionary timeline.
"But that's not a problem," Eddie reassured himself. "I don't need it to face strong opponents right away. I'll use the Exp. Share to help it gain experience. Before that, though, it should learn some moves so it has options when the time comes."
Eddie took out several TMs compatible with Larvitar at its current stage and used them one by one.
"Ding! You used the TM. Larvitar learned [Earthquake], [Dark Pulse], [Double Team], [Iron Tail]!"
"Having Quasi-Elite level potential is quite valuable," Eddie mused. "I currently have 5 Silver Crowns and 1 Gold Bottle Cap. I might as well use them now."
After consideration, Eddie realized that this Pokémon was bound to become a core member of his team. It didn't matter whether he enhanced its potential sooner or later. With a determined nod, he decided to use the Silver Crowns on Larvitar immediately.
"Ding! According to Larvitar's current potential, the probability of breaking through by using a Silver Crown is 35%. Do you want to continue?"
"Use them until it succeeds," Eddie replied.
"Ding! Larvitar's potential breakthrough failed!"
"Ding! Larvitar's potential breakthrough failed!"
"Ding! Larvitar's potential breakthrough succeeded! Now it is at 'Elite level'!"
Eddie frowned slightly. He had used three Silver Crowns at once, leaving only two remaining. Not too many, not too few—it would have to do.
Next, he took out the Gold Bottle Cap and gave it to Larvitar without hesitation.
"Ding! You used the Gold Bottle Cap. Larvitar's potential has been successfully enhanced! Now it is at 'Champion Level'!"
Name: Larvitar
Type: Rock/Ground
Ability: Sand Stream
Potential: Champion Level
Moves: Bite, Leer, Sandstorm, Screech, Earthquake, Dark Pulse, Double Team, Iron Tail
"I just realized that I now have six main Pokémon, all with Champion level potential," Eddie remarked. "My first-tier team is officially complete."
With a mischievous smile, Eddie opened a ranking list to confirm his accomplishment.
Pokémon Potential List:
First place: Charizard, Champion potential, Trainer: Morning Sun
Second place: Greninja, Champion potential, Trainer: Morning Sun
Third place: Sceptile, Champion potential, Trainer: Morning Sun
Fourth place: Lucario, Champion potential, Trainer: Morning Sun
Fifth place: Gabite, Champion potential, Trainer: Morning Sun
Sixth place: Larvitar, Champion potential, Trainer: Morning Sun
"My primary team is established. All members had at least Quasi-Elite potential before I enhanced them to Champion level," Eddie noted with satisfaction.
"For my second team, I won't need such strict requirements. I'll capture Pokémon based on what circumstances demand."
"But it will take some time for Larvitar to evolve into Tyranitar. In the meantime, I should capture a Ghost-type Pokémon to counter Psychic and Ghost-types."
Though Larvitar was currently Rock/Ground, Eddie knew that when it eventually evolved into Tyranitar, it would become Rock/Dark and learn numerous Dark-type moves, making it perfect for dealing with Psychic and Ghost-types. Unfortunately, requiring level 55 to reach that stage meant it would take considerable time. For now, he still needed a Ghost-type on his team.
"Larvitar, you need to eat soil to grow, right? I'll dig up some soil later. I wonder how much my inventory can store..."
Eddie suddenly remembered that Larvitar developed by consuming nutrients from soil. It seemed inadequate to rely solely on experience points for its growth.
In its natural habitat, a Larvitar feeds on soil from birth, extracting nutrients as it grows. After consuming approximately a mountain's worth of soil, it enters its pupal stage.
This meant that if Eddie were raising Larvitar according to its natural development cycle, it would need to devour an entire mountain of soil before evolving...
"Let's go outside and dig up some soil later. Fortunately, there's a tunnel nearby. Between eating soil and gaining experience points, that should be sufficient."
Eddie was grateful that he existed within a virtual reality game where he could partially bypass Larvitar's lengthy development process through experience gains. If he had to raise it strictly according to its natural growth patterns, he couldn't imagine how long evolution would take.
"As a pseudo-legendary, Gabite was much easier to raise. The main challenge is taming such a dominant dragon... which isn't simple for most Trainers."
Eddie felt lucky now. Without his powers and the fact that Gabite had hatched from an egg he'd carried with him, taming the dragon would have been significantly more difficult.
"Well, everyone finished eating? After a good rest, let's head to the Rock Tunnel. We'll dig up some soil there to feed Larvitar."
In the real world, jokes circulated about being so impoverished that one could only eat dirt, but Larvitar genuinely sustained itself by consuming soil. Although it could eat the same food as other Pokémon, consuming soil seemed to be an instinctual behavior for its species, which Eddie found quite fascinating.
"Let's go, Larvitar! I'm taking you out for a soil buffet!" Eddie announced, trying to maintain a straight face.
Larvitar's expression brightened immediately, its excitement palpable as it bounced impatiently.
Seeing this reaction, Eddie burst into laughter and gathered his Pokémon, heading toward the Rock Tunnel on their way to Lavender Town.