Eddie won. Even with Grovyle, he used various tactics to defeat Riolu.
Riolu actually accepted Eddie's challenge. As for the battle, it simply wanted to see the gap between itself and Eddie.
It knew it would lose. After all, Charmeleon and Frogadier were much stronger than it, so it proposed the battle to test itself.
Of course, it was even happier to see Eddie defeat it with Grovyle, who was about the same strength as itself.
Riolu felt that it had found the right trainer. It was no longer just a dream to save its family—the Machop family.
After Eddie caught Riolu, he immediately used a TM to teach it new moves.
As for enhancing its potential, he only had one Silver Crown and one Gold Bottle Cap left. He decided not to use them for now since Elite-level potential would last a long time.
Name: Riolu
Type: Fighting
Ability: Mischievous
Level: 20
Potential: Elite
Moves: Foresight, Quick Attack, Endure, Counter, Feint, Force Palm, Copycat, Blaze Kick, Thunder Punch, Double Team, Iron Tail
Blaze Kick was one of Riolu's stronger moves. During the battle, Grovyle was almost hit by it, which could have cost Eddie the match. Fortunately, his quick command helped Grovyle dodge and counter with Aerial Ace, securing the victory.
Riolu was thrilled to learn its new moves. Even before refining them, it already felt much stronger.
And it was true. Learning Thunder Punch, a powerful Electric-type move, Iron Tail, a strong Steel-type attack, and Double Team for evasive tactics significantly boosted Riolu's combat ability.
"How about this? These are just some of the basic moves," Eddie said with a teasing grin. "I'll get more TMs in the future, and you'll learn even more powerful moves."
Riolu was overjoyed and didn't say much, simply basking in its excitement.
Eddie spent the entire morning training hard at the foot of Mt. Moon.
Of course, he also captured several Pokémon to complete his Pokédex.
He made sure to catch any Pokémon he hadn't registered yet.
Now, Charmeleon and Frogadier had reached level 30 without much effort, while Riolu and Grovyle advanced to level 26.
Although most Pokémon around Mt. Moon were in the level 20–25 range, encountering a level 25 Pokémon wasn't always guaranteed.
Moreover, the experience needed for leveling up at this stage was much higher than in the game from Eddie's previous life.
Even after battling non-stop all morning, Grovyle and Riolu had only managed to reach level 26.
However, neither Eddie nor his Pokémon were dissatisfied with the progress.
To be honest, now that Charmeleon and Frogadier had reached level 30, Eddie was officially a Advance -level trainer.
In his previous life, trainers at this level usually emerged after two months of intense grinding.
Only the most dedicated players, those who spent 18 hours a day leveling up, could achieve high-level trainer status in that timeframe.
Eddie had only spent about a day and a half training—it was still just the afternoon of the second day.
"I'm not one of those ungrateful guys. I won't take advantage of luck and then push for more," Eddie thought.
He understood that everything he had now was thanks to the game mechanics and some inexplicable luck.
All he needed to do was work harder and keep training, and he would achieve his goals.
Among his Pokémon, Riolu was the happiest about leveling up.
In just one morning, its strength had improved significantly, and Eddie had managed to level up his entire team.
Riolu also discovered something incredible—Eddie's Power of Viridian could actually heal Pokémon. This only reinforced its belief that Eddie was a good person who truly cared for Pokémon.
As a Pokémon with a strong sense of justice, Riolu felt completely at ease being part of Eddie's team.
As for its rapid strength growth, Eddie credited it to the Exp. Share, but from Riolu's perspective, since this item belonged to Eddie, wasn't that still his achievement?
Pokémon were simple and straightforward—if a Trainer treated them well, they would naturally trust them and grow closer.
Thanks to the Power of Viridian, Eddie could sense Riolu's increasing bond with him.
This made him quite satisfied since Riolu's evolution depended on its bond with its Trainer.
"For Riolu to evolve into Lucario, it needs to be daytime and have an intimacy level of at least 220. Judging by its behavior, it must be at least 150 now."
"I should find time to buy a Luxury Ball and transfer Riolu into it. That will help increase its bond faster. If I put in the effort, evolving it won't be too difficult."
Eddie was now focused on finding ways to speed up Riolu's evolution. For Pokémon that evolve through friendship, evolving earlier often brought significant benefits.
"But there's no need to rush. Let's head to the Pokémon Center outside Mt. Moon to rest. After all, everyone has been training hard all morning and needs a break."
Charmeleon and Frogadier, who had been slacking off the entire time, jokingly claimed they could keep training.
As Eddie spoke, he led Grovyle and Riolu—who had been battling intensely—toward the Pokémon Center.