Why is my Pokémon girl a bit strange?

"Is this guy on a massive dose of antibiotics from last night???"

"I can give you one chance. If you think you've picked the wrong Poké Ball, you can switch out your Pokémon."

Iron Maiden frowned. It wasn't that she felt any mercy or pity for her opponent; she simply didn't want her battle to devolve into a boring, one-sided affair.

Ice-type Pokémon weren't just resistant to Steel-types; they were also doubly weak against them. From a purely rational standpoint, this battle was already over from the very beginning!

"No, she's the one I'm sending out."

Qiao Ran answered without hesitation. However, a bitter smile couldn't help but surface in his heart. If he had any other usable Pokémon, why would he send out Vulpix?

"Nnngh-wooo."

Vulpix looked at Mawile across from her, also appearing troubled. Her current level was only 30, and she didn't have any legendary Pokémon buffs yet. Facing a level 35 Mawile was a monumental task.

The most critical point was that her attacks could only deal half damage to the opponent, while the opponent could deal double damage to her. With the balance shifting so drastically, it was no wonder this felt like hell.

"Good luck. Do as much as you can. I won't blame you even if you lose."

Qiao Ran crouched down and ruffled her head, personally instilling some courage into her. He wouldn't force Vulpix to achieve anything in this battle. Compared to his other legendary companions, she was the one who made Qiao Ran feel the most significant progress.

"Awoo-nnngh."

Vulpix looked at Qiao Ran and made a sound again.

"You want to use that stone?" Qiao Ran blinked in surprise, but he immediately refused, "No, it's not time yet."

What Vulpix was referring to was the "Mysterious Evolution Stone" she had won as first prize in the competition on the ship. Qiao Ran hadn't opened it when he received the award. Only after everything was over did Qiao Ran and Vulpix discover with surprise that the mysterious box actually contained an Ice Stone.

An Ice Stone—a transparent, bluish stone capable of evolving certain Pokémon. And Vulpix was among those specific Pokémon. That's right, it meant that as long as Vulpix used this stone, she could transform into a new form and gain new power!

However, Vulpix had refused the evolution at the time, citing that she might not adapt to the change in her body and wouldn't be able to lie in his arms. Qiao Ran hadn't forced her either. But what Qiao Ran hadn't expected was that she would actually request to evolve now.

She... probably doesn't want to face defeat...

"I'm sorry, I really can't agree to that this time."

Qiao Ran shrugged helplessly, indicating that he could do nothing about it.

"You might not know this, but your current type is pure Ice-type, which is doubly weak to Steel-types. If you evolve, you'll be Ice and Fairy dual-type... and four times weak to Steel-types."

"...!"

Vulpix's eyes widened, and her entire body felt as if it had been struck by lightning.

She truly hadn't expected why she would be so heavily targeted by Steel-types.

Why would evolving make her even more targeted!

Section 55 054[vs. Mawile!]

Sometimes, you have to give up something to gain something. However, other times, what you give up is far more important than what you gain.

In the end, Vulpix did not choose to evolve. If she could, she would prefer to remain in her current form. She understood very well that if she evolved, she wouldn't be able to be held in Qiao Ran's arms like before.

—This was something none of Qiao Ran's other Pokémon could do. Suicune couldn't, Dianxi couldn't, and Altaria certainly couldn't.

So, this was the only thing Vulpix was unwilling to give up. Compared to those rare Pokémon, which were either legendary or shiny, she was too ordinary.

Although she had never said it, she couldn't help but feel inferior around her companions.

But, to bring victory to Qiao Ran, she was willing to give up the chance to evolve. However... she encountered her lifelong nemesis—Steel-type Pokémon.

Whether she evolved or not, she would be completely dominated by them. After evolving, she would be four times weak to them, which was as if this attribute existed solely to target her.

With no other options, Vulpix still stepped onto the battlefield with her small body, standing opposite Mawile.

"Guri."

Seeing Vulpix enter the battle arena, Mawile's face showed a mocking sneer. With its disdainful and arrogant demeanor, it was exactly the same as Iron Maiden's expression earlier.

As expected, the Pokémon reflects its trainer.

In Mawile's opinion, this Vulpix was completely overestimating itself, daring to fight against her as an Ice-type Pokémon. It was simply impossible.

"Don't let your guard down, Mawile. Your opponent this time is not simple."

However, unlike the confident Mawile, Iron Maiden took Qiao Ran very seriously. This boy had already surprised her several times in the previous battles. She had every reason to believe that if the battle continued, these surprises would keep happening.

"Gugu-ri."

Hearing Iron Maiden's warning, Mawile's eyes began to focus. Its large mouth-like ponytail twitched slightly, ready for battle at any moment.

"Both sides are ready! The second battle—begins now!!"

Eve raised her flag, announcing the start of the battle. However, she was also a little worried about Vulpix. Having battled Vulpix before, she knew Vulpix's strength.

—Vulpix was indeed strong, but... could she really contend with a Steel-type Pokémon?

"Vulpix, use Hail!!"

As soon as the battle began, Qiao Ran started using weather-related moves. Qiao Ran knew they couldn't go head-to-head in this battle. If they wanted to win, they had to outsmart their opponent.

Vulpix let out a soft cry towards the sky, and hailstones and powder snow began to fall on the field. This was a skill that could create favorable conditions and also trigger Vulpix's "Snow Cloak" ability, making it a very good choice.

"Oh? You're not planning to go head-to-head with me this time?"

Iron Maiden watched Qiao Ran's movements, narrowing her eyes slightly. She could already tell her opponent's intention. Unlike their last battle, the opponent had clearly chosen a strategy of flanking and attrition this time.

"Since you don't plan on fighting me head-on, then I'll make my move!"

"Mawile! Use Iron Head!!"

"Guli li!"

Receiving Iron Maiden's command, Mawile's head began to gleam with a metallic luster. Not only that, but her speed also increased as she charged towards Vulpix's location.

"Vulpix! Be careful!"

Qiao Ran knew Vulpix couldn't withstand this move, but he couldn't help but silently complain in his heart. This Steel-type Gym Leader really loved all sorts of direct charges, just like a charging wild boar, and the unstoppable kind at that.

"Aowu wu!"

Vulpix's body leaped lightly through the snow, narrowly dodging Mawile's charge. Unlike the massive Aggron, Mawile didn't have such a large footprint or oppressive presence, making it possible to dodge her attacks.

"Vulpix, use Powder Snow on her feet!"

"Aowu!"

Taking advantage of the opening, Vulpix began her offensive. A gust of cold wind mixed with ice and snow shot towards Mawile's feet. However—it seemed to have little effect.

"Useless, useless, useless!!"

Iron Maiden shook her head, and the Mawile on the field also shook hers. On top of the damage being halved, this move was like a tickle. Even if it dealt some damage, it was far from enough.

"Tsk..." Qiao Ran frowned. This battle was indeed going to be tough. Right now, the only tactic he could think of was to play defensively and wear down the opponent. As long as he could drag the fight out, he would have a chance to win!

"You're definitely thinking of dragging this battle out, aren't you!"

Iron Maiden narrowed her slender eyes, a clear glint flashing in their corners.

"..."

Qiao Ran was slightly taken aback and didn't respond at all.

"But this time, I won't give you that chance!"

Iron Maiden clenched her shovel tightly, making a crunching sound against the ground.

"My Mawile's ability is 'Sheer Force,' which directly increases the power of moves by one-third! However, as a price, any additional effects of my moves will no longer trigger!"

The shovel in Iron Maiden's hand plunged deep into the stone floor of the arena. She stared intently at Qiao Ran, observing his every move.

She wanted to see how this guy commanded his Pokémon.

"Can you take this move?! Mawile, use—Iron Head Barrage!!!"

Iron Head... Barrage?

A look of bewilderment crossed Qiao Ran's face. He didn't know what kind of move this was, but he was about to find out.

"Guli li guli li guli li!!!"

And so—the Mawile on the field began to shake her head. The metallic luster not only covered her head but also her large mouth behind her head. Then—she swung the mouth behind her head, unleashing a wild dance across the arena!

"This..."

Qiao Ran's heart tightened, and he hurriedly tried to get Vulpix to dodge. However—the area covered by this frenzied dance was astonishing, especially since Mawile was moving while shaking her head... What kind of devilish training had this guy endured?

"Aowu wu wu!"

Vulpix exerted all her strength to dodge and continuously spat out several Powder Snows, but none of them had any noticeable effect.

Finally, she was forced to the edge of the arena by Mawile—and then directly hit twice by Iron Head.

Her small body was struck by immense power, and without any suspense, she was sent flying out of the arena, falling to the ground, completely unconscious.

"Aowu... wu..."

"Vulpix... is out of bounds and unable to battle. The winner of this match is... Mawile!"

Eve had been watching Vulpix fly out with worried eyes, but she still announced the match result fairly.

"Little Vulpix!"

Qiao Ran's vision went black, and he directly knelt down, breathing heavily. Fighting in sync with Vulpix, he had also felt her despair and pain, but she had fought until the very last moment, stubbornly persevering.

"...Good job... You go rest well... I'll come see you after the match. Good job... you did your best..."

Qiao Ran, supporting his exhausted body, walked to Vulpix's side and gently picked her up, rubbing his cheek against hers. Then, he returned her to her Poké Ball and sent her to Pokémon Pioneer Land.

In Pokémon Pioneer Land, Pokémon recovery speed could be accelerated. Although not as effective as a professional Pokémon Center, it was better than nothing.

"Little Vulpix..." Eve wanted to go check on Vulpix's condition, but as the referee, she couldn't do anything like that right now.

This was why she really didn't like Pokémon battles and preferred exhibition matches instead.

On the other side, Iron Maiden looked at the panting, sweat-drenched Qiao Ran with a thoughtful expression.

She felt like she had discovered something very important...

Could this guy... be a psychic?

Section 56 055 [Jinling Gym Round Three!]

Psychic—just like Psychic-type Pokémon, certain special existences among humans also possess the possibility of using psychic powers. These psychic powers can perform many functions, such as communicating with Pokémon.

However, focusing on a battle while simultaneously using psychic powers to communicate with Pokémon is actually quite difficult. This is because using psychic powers requires a considerable amount of mental energy, and the remaining energy isn't enough to support a person's combat command.

Still, there are always exceptions. Some exceptionally strong and talented individuals can break through that invisible "barrier" with their abilities, reaching realms unimaginable to others.

"This man… he must have incredibly strong mental power to have lasted this long… but he's tired after two battles, which is why he's breathing like that…"

Iron Maiden made what she considered a very accurate analysis. The reason she knew these things was also related to her own background.

Due to her unusual constitution since childhood, Iron Maiden had also encountered some very strange people, like Eve's sister, who was capable of using psychic powers.

However, Eve's sister's psychic powers weren't that strong; at most, she could brush her teeth and comb her hair without using her hands in the morning. Being able to command and communicate with Pokémon simultaneously truly required a psychic user with immense power.

"Little Eve has quite good taste… and this boy is so young…"

Iron Maiden looked at Qiao Ran, her gaze becoming increasingly interested. She now considered Qiao Ran her "kindred spirit," someone possessing special powers among humans.

Few people could pique her interest, let alone

men. These men didn't even have the courage to arm-wrestle her. Moreover, although she hadn't told anyone, she actually preferred younger men.

"Let me see how far you can go…"

Iron Maiden's gaze grew intense. She couldn't remember how long it had been since she'd felt this way – she was actually looking forward to the next battle.

"The third match is about to begin! Please send out your Pokémon!"

"I'm not making any exchanges."

Iron Maiden looked at the spirited Mawile on the field and didn't switch it out. Although it had already taken several hits from Vulpix, its stamina remained in a relatively healthy state. Furthermore, the joy of her recent victory had brought her even greater fighting spirit, which would allow her to perform better in the battle.

Iron Maiden gave her answer, and then both she and Eve turned their gazes to Qiao Ran.

"I… will be sending out—"

Qiao Ran reached towards his waist and pulled out a pink Poké Ball.

"Is it coming? Is it coming?" Seeing Qiao Ran's action, Eve excitedly cupped her cheeks, as thrilled as a fan about to see her idol.