Chapter 213
Old Man Nian Hai wanted Abra to get away, but it was too late.
"... boom!!!"
An explosion came from the Battle Court. Abra, Levitate in the air, had no time to dodge or react. She was blown up and fell to the ground with her eyes ringed.
"..."
Old Man Nian Hai fell silent.
Lillie, who had been tense all day, clenched her hands, her expression shocked, her body trembling slightly, seemingly unaware that something was amiss.
"We won... we really won! I won!"
Is this... this what Gym Battle is like?
Yay!
Outside the Gym Battle Court, in the waiting area, a woman in a long black dress leaned back in a chair, slowly eating an ice cream that seemed completely out of place with her.
She came here simply to see someone; the so-called challenge to the Gym was just an excuse she made up to achieve that goal. But now, she's stuck here for half a day because of that excuse.
"Why is this Gym so slow?"
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Dragapult
Lillie won her first battle, and the Old Man Nian Hai on the opposite side realized that something was amiss. This little girl looked like a novice, her movements were like a novice, her expression was like a novice, but how come she was completely different when she actually attacked?
The power of this skill, the speed at which it is released, and the efficiency with which the Pokémon executes commands—all of these make it one of the top-tier Pokémon in this Gym!
--I misjudged it.
Even he, a veteran teacher who has taught for many years, trained countless young Trainer, and gives public lectures at schools and on television, actually stumbled here.
"..."
The Old Man Nian Hai remained silent, glancing at the blonde girl opposite him. The smile on Lillie's face, her excited expression and actions, stunned him for a moment.
Is this fake??
No, this is way too similar!
He could almost see light emanating from around the girl—a pure and radiant glow, the excitement and joy of a dream fulfilled... Was it all an act?
Old Man Nian Hai felt that his educational philosophy, which he had built up over the decades, was being challenged.
"Wait... something's not right. I can't use Pokémon of this level anymore."
As a long-established Gym, the Magic City Gym has enough Pokémon to meet the challenges. In addition to the Pokémon the Gym Trainer have specially trained, there are also some shared Pokémon in the Gym for battles. These Pokémon do not have specific Trainer, but are jointly trained by the Gym. They participate in the Gym's battles and teaching, and can be very useful in many situations.
Even so, judging from the battle just now, there aren't actually that many Pokémon in the Gym that could match this girl.
Old Man Nian Hai walked to a small table to the side and took out another Poké Ball. Adjusting the strength of the Pokémon to prepare for the challenger is also part of the Gym Leader's job. However, the extent of the adjustment today clearly exceeded Old Man Nian Hai's expectations.
Fortunately, the next two Trainer were also beginners with few Badge, so the Pokémon they had prepared was more than enough.
Unless, the next few Trainer are all like this...
No, no matter what, it's impossible to encounter three people like that in one day, right?
Old Man Nian Hai shook his head, banishing the absurd thought from his mind.
"Ready? This old man is about to send out his second Pokémon!"
As Nian Hai moved, a Pokémon with long golden hair and a bright red dress appeared in the Battle Court.
Looking at the Pokémon, Lillie's expression also became serious.
She must win the second battle too!
From the stands, Qiao Ran looked at the Pokémon that appeared in the arena and nodded slightly.
"Jynx: Level 34"
"... The Jynx? And her strength has clearly been adjusted..."
"Is that for sure? Otherwise, would they really send out three Abra to fight?"
Sabrina glanced at Qiao Ran, somewhat speechless. Although the Gym's purpose was to guide Trainer, and setting up difficulties was merely a means to achieve that goal, wouldn't the Gym Trainer be a little frustrated if they were swept three times in a row?
If it were her, she definitely wouldn't be able to tolerate it.
After the Old Man Nian Hai finished adjusting the new Pokémon, the battles became much more normal; at least, Lillie definitely felt the pressure now.
Nihilego is very strong, and he and Lillie have excellent synergy. However, Lillie has not had enough experience as Trainer. Sometimes her commands are not only a beat too slow, but they may also be wrong. Simply put, it is a problem caused by her lack of experience.
Fortunately, just as Sabrina mentioned before, with Nihilego's strength and Lillie's trust in her Pokémon, Lillie quickly made some changes. Moreover, the Old Man Nian Hai would occasionally offer some Coaching during battles.
"... Although there was a slight mishap in the first battle, the teaching level was still quite good."
Qiao Ran looked at the old man on the field. Perhaps this was the normal working state of Gym Trainer. This was probably why he did not choose to become Elite Four in the Pokémon League, but stayed here to become Gym Trainer.
"How's your teaching ability?" Qiao Ran looked at Sabrina beside her and couldn't help but ask.
"... Anyway, I'm better than you."
Sabrina didn't want to answer that kind of question; it was like asking a pointless question.
Although she has little interest in teaching, she sometimes provides guidance to Trainer she admires. As Psychic, she can foresee future destinies within the flow of time. While this ability is no longer usable, it did bring her considerable benefits over a long period of time.
For example, Mei was Trainer she had once admired and guided, and everything that has happened now has completely proven that their encounter back then was indeed inevitable.
The battle on the field continued, and the scales of victory gradually tipped in Lillie's favor. In the end, after paying the price of losing a Nihilego, Lillie secured the final victory in the three Competition.
"Congratulations, this Badge is yours."
"Although it's my first Badge, I used Pokémon that Trainer with seven or eight Badge would typically use. You're truly a force to be reckoned with."
Nian Hai handed the Badge to Lillie. As one of the largest Gym in the South, the Pokémon Magic City Gym are significantly stronger than those in other Gym, but even so, Lillie passed the test. Old Man Nian Hai felt that she was absolutely qualified to accept the Badge.
"Thanks!"
Lillie excitedly accepted the Badge, then bowed respectfully before jogging off to the audience to share her joy.
Watching her departing figure, Old Man Nian Hai shook his head. Even now, he still couldn't figure out whether this girl was a novice or not.
However, seeing her pure and innocent appearance, like a blank sheet of paper, Old Man Nian Hai didn't think she was faking it.
"So... who's the next challenger...?"
Today's challengers are supposed to be inexperienced rookie Trainer, with that girl being the only exception. He'll definitely be able to find his footing again in the next few Competition.
Find your own rhythm.
Everything will be alright.
However--
When the Old Man Nian Hai turned around, he saw that another girl who had appeared earlier was now standing behind him.
Beside the girl lay a giant green snake, its head held high in a haughty manner, looking down at everything around it.
"Uh-huh?"
A smile appeared on the girl's face, but Nian Hai's expression froze instantly.
"..."
This...
Serperior???
This kind of imposing presence, this level of training for Serperior?!
Where did this newcomer come from?!
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Something's not right. Something really seems off.
The Old Man Nian Hai's gaze lingered between the girl in front of him and the Serperior, but finally settled on Qiao Ran and Sabrina in the audience, his eyes filled with confusion, bewilderment, and even a hint of Grudge.
So all of you conspired to scheme against this old man?!
First there was Qiao Ran, then a girl who seemed inexperienced but whose actual combat strength was enough to participate in the Pokémon League tournament, and finally this one... This Serperior looks to be on par with one of the Elite Four he had seen.
Why aren't you guys collecting your Badge properly? Did you all level up in the Remote Mountains before coming out?!
That's strange!
"Why..."
Old Man Nian Hai took a deep breath. As Psychic, one must avoid being impulsive. Moreover, regardless of the type of Trainer, Gym Leader should remain calm and composed.
Fortunately, after receiving the girls brought by Qiao Ran and Sabrina, the only remaining Trainer had made a normal appointment.
Surely they couldn't have outsmarted us?
Composing himself, Nian Hai took out the remaining Poké Ball. To battle Serperior of this level, even using the Pokémon in the Gym wouldn't be enough. He should have some Pokémon in his team who could test the opponent's strength.
"Come on, welcome to challenge the Magic City Gym!"
The Old Man Nian Hai stood on one side of the Battlefield and looked at the girl opposite him who was eager to try.
The opponent's fighting spirit also inspired the Old Man Nian Hai with immense enthusiasm.
The Gym Leader won't stop here!
"Qiao Ran! I won!"
"I really won!"
In the audience, Lillie was incredibly excited after the victory, constantly saying similar things to Qiao Ran, and almost lunging at him.
"That's great, you did a very good job."