011 [Longjiang Gym!] / 012 [My Rules]

The Rotom Phone narrowly dodged the attacks of the two Pokémon and screamed in midair.

"Then delete it!"

"I won't delete it, Rotom! I'll live and die with the photo, Rotom!"

"Then get beaten!"

A sinister smile appeared on Qiao Ran's face.

This farce continued, and it went on for a very, very long time. Qiao Ran also put them through a full day of special training. Over the course of the day, they caught more than thirty Grass-type and Bug-type Pokémon.

However, by the end, Vulpix and Dianxi could no longer gain much experience. Their levels had stalled at Level 19. These wild Bug-type and Grass-type Pokémon were still a little too weak. If they wanted to keep leveling up, they would probably have to find stronger opponents.

"If they're at this level, challenging a Gym should be about right, shouldn't it?"

Qiao Ran stroked his chin and made up his mind.

"Alright, we'll challenge the Gym tomorrow!"

That night, Qiao Ran found a patch of flat, dry ground and set up a tent. He had learned how to pitch a tent at school. In order to

train qualified adventurers, this was a skill that practically everyone had to master.

"Are you going into Pokémon Pioneer Land... What... you don't want to go?"

After setting up the tent, Qiao Ran turned around and found that his Pokémon were all looking at him pitifully. None of them actually liked going back into Poké Balls, or rather, very few Pokémon liked places like that.

As for Pokémon Pioneer Land, it was still a bare patch of land right now, so it would not be very comfortable to stay there either.

"Alright, alright... Then come in with me. You're not that big anyway."

In the end, Qiao Ran could only shrug helplessly and invite them into the tent.

After a tiring day, Qiao Ran slept quite well. Other than Dianxi's body being a little uncomfortable to lie against and the chill from Vulpix's body making him shiver easily, there was nothing else.

However, when morning came the next day, a commotion still erupted from Qiao Ran's tent.

"Y-you-you-you-you... Why did you turn humanoid again?? And why aren't you wearing... Ahem, why are you hanging all over me?!"

"Didn't I say you can't do this?! Achoo... I'm freezing to death. Good thing it's summer..."

"It must be because Master was having wild thoughts in his dreams, Rotom, so then..."

"Dianxi!"

Qiao Ran's mouth twitched. Could it really be because he had some strange dream last night?

"I didn't, I wasn't!... ＆*@...*@＆@(@!"

On the second day, Qiao Ran finally managed to settle the morning's chaos and arrived at the imposing Longjiang Gym according to plan.

However, at the Gym entrance, he seemed to run into someone rather familiar.

She was a girl in a school uniform with an extremely serious expression. However... unlike when Qiao Ran had seen her a few days ago, she was now completely disheveled, with several leaves caught in her long black hair. Heaven knew what she had been through.

When he had first seen her, she had clearly looked like a poised young lady.

How had she ended up like this after only a few days? Had she gone into the woods to fix light bulbs?

"Um..."

When Qiao Ran saw her, he wanted to wave and say hello. However, when she saw Qiao Ran, she froze slightly, then shot him a vicious glare before quickly entering the Gym and leaving.

She did not say a single word throughout the entire exchange.

"...???"

Qiao Ran, who had been inexplicably glared at, was also confused. He scratched his head, completely unable to understand what had happened.

"Did I do something to make her angry???"

"Come to think of it... who is she? What's her name??"

Longjiang Gym!

Qiao Ran did not know the girl's name or identity. The only thing he knew was that she was a student at Longjiang City Third Middle School, the same school as him.

Oh, and there was one more thing—she definitely had a very deep connection with Longjiang Gym. Otherwise, she could not have casually given someone a Reservation Exemption Card. Even if someone wanted to buy such a special item with money, it would be absolutely impossible.

"Forget it. I shouldn't think about this stuff. I still have a challenge ahead of me."

Qiao Ran patted his cheeks, collected himself, and strode into Longjiang Gym.

The Gym was bustling with people. There were even tour groups holding guide flags. Most of them had come to watch the matches. Longjiang City's official Gym challenges had particularly unique rules, making them well suited for large-scale viewing.

"Um, could you help me apply for a Gym challenge? What's the earliest it can begin?"

Qiao Ran came to the front desk and began the procedures.

"Gym challenge appointments have already been booked through the next week. Also, to challenge Longjiang Gym, you need to possess three Badges. Have you collected three Badges?" the receptionist asked.

"I've only just begun traveling, so I don't have any Badges. But I have this..."

Qiao Ran took out the card.

"I'm afraid no Badges won't do. Longjiang Gym is a relatively strong Gym, so without Badges..."

The receptionist maintained her professional smile, but after Qiao Ran took out the card, her expression changed slightly.

"That card is... Wait a moment, please."

After saying that, she took the card, examined it from front to back several times, then began whispering with the clerk beside her.

This card... seems to be for someone recommended by the young miss?

The young miss? Since when would the young miss... That's impossible...

I just confirmed it through the system... It really was issued by the young miss...

Could he be the young miss's...

Within the League, challengers often had letters of recommendation like this. Challengers with recommendation letters were generally rising stars favored by experienced seniors or insiders. But this time was completely different.

This time, the recommender was their Gym's young miss, and it was the first time their young miss had recommended anyone... More importantly, the person she had recommended was a man about her age. That made things a little subtle.

"...?"

Although Qiao Ran could not hear what they were saying, it was probably not anything serious. He simply decided not to care.

"Um, although you have only just started traveling, with this card, we can handle the procedures for you now. However, your challenge will have to take place after today's Giant Beast Battle. Our Gym Leader will contact you then."

After busily working for a while, the receptionist finally gave Qiao Ran the news. The card could indeed waive the appointment requirement and allow him to begin the challenge, but he would still have to wait until the Gym Leader had dealt with the battles currently at hand.

"You may first head to the stadium with the other spectators and watch the match. We believe Longjiang Gym's Giant Beast Battle will give you an entirely new experience."

"Giant Beast Battle?" Qiao Ran blinked, showing that he did not quite understand.

Although he was from Longjiang City, he had never actually visited a high-end place like Longjiang Gym. It was not because it was too far away, but because the ticket prices were simply too expensive.

If adventurers did not get free admission, Qiao Ran would not have had the money to watch this kind of match either.

"That's right. In addition to requiring three Badges, Longjiang City Gym's official challenge rules require challengers to send out at least two Pokémon over 2.5 meters tall. Only relatively rare Pokémon individuals can reach this height. The matches are three versus three. This is what we call a Giant Beast Battle."

The receptionist explained, then added one more sentence.

"However, you may ignore those rules. Our Gym Leader will create a new standard for you."

"So that's what a Giant Beast Battle is?"

Qiao Ran nodded, seeming to understand its meaning. It was basically like Gigantamax in the Pokémon games—Sword and Shield. However, compared to Gigantamax, which required special items and arenas, this "Giant Beast Battle" simply relied on the Pokémon's natural height.

Of course, compared to Gigantamax Pokémon that could reach dozens of meters tall, Giant Beast Battles did not possess that unreasonable sense of oppression. But there was one advantage—the spectators' safety was guaranteed. They would not have to worry about a fireball flying into the stands in the middle of a match.

"Alright, then arrange a viewing seat for me too. I can take a look at what Longjiang Gym's official battles are like."

Qiao Ran decided to watch the match. It would also let him familiarize himself with the Gym Leader he would be challenging next.

"Certainly. We'll prepare a seat for you right away."

The receptionist nodded.

"Welcome! Welcome to Longjiang City, and welcome to Longjiang Gym!"

"Today's Giant Beast Battle challenge is about to begin! First, let us welcome our Gym Leader, the Dragon-type Pokémon Master, Long Xiangdong!"

"Roar! Roar! Roar! Roar! Roar! Roar!!"

As the host finished the opening announcement, deafening shouts erupted from the enormous stadium. The cheering was even more exaggerated than when a celebrity appeared. Or rather, in this Pokémon-filled world, only powerful Trainers were true celebrities, figures who drew the attention of countless people.

The battle arena here was many times larger than the one at school. By rough visual estimation alone, it was about the size of a football field.

"They're so enthusiastic..."

Qiao Ran covered his ears. If he did not, he felt like his eardrums might burst.

The platform rose, and amid the crowd's cheers, a middle-aged man with short hair and a small mustache stepped out. He looked exceptionally spirited, dressed in a tracksuit embroidered with golden dragon patterns. His hands were clasped behind his back as he stood upright.

However, what attracted the most attention was actually the Pokémon partner standing beside him.

Even a well-informed game player like Qiao Ran could not help widening his eyes at the sight.

"Th-this is Dragonite??? Are... are you kidding me? That height..."

Yellow skin, a round body, small wings—there was no doubt that it was Dragonite. However, what stunned Qiao Ran was its size... By his visual estimate alone, it was probably around three meters tall.

"What kind of special individual could grow over three meters tall? Aren't normal Dragonite only a little over two meters tall???"

Qiao Ran was shaken. No wonder Longjiang Gym's battles were called Giant Beast Battles. This Dragonite alone probably qualified.

It truly lived up to the name!

Species stats were averages calculated through big data from within a Pokémon species. The standard heights and weights of Pokémon were the same. While they had considerable reference value, they were only averages for reference. Averages could not account for certain exceptional existences.

After all, there were many unusually powerful individuals among Pokémon populations. For example, there were dominant Pokémon within a species. These dominants were not only much larger than ordinary Pokémon, but their stats were also far stronger.

A Dragonite over three meters tall like this one was most likely a special individual as well. Being half again as tall as an ordinary Dragonite, it would be a giant even by human standards.

"No wonder you need more than three Badges to challenge this Gym... If it were an adventurer who had just set out, they probably couldn't even bring out a Pokémon of this size."

Qiao Ran shook his head. He could not help thinking of his own little Pokémon. If they were put in front of this Dragonite, they probably would not even be enough for one stomp.

"Today's challenger is—a five-Badge challenger from Jinguan City in the southwest! Let's welcome him with applause! What kind of Pokémon will he use to challenge our Gym Leader?"

"Roar! Roar! Roar! Roar! Roar!!!"

As the challenger entered, equally enthusiastic cheers came from the stands. Some fans specifically followed these challengers' journeys. It felt like watching someone gradually develop, witnessing them grow step by step.

—Watching them go from individual trainees with several years and a half of practice to Champions was, in fact, quite fulfilling.

"Welcome, young man."

Gym Leader Long Xiangdong took his position on the other side. The two did not exchange many pleasantries before the match officially began.

"For the first match, let's heat up the arena!"

The first Pokémon Long Xiangdong sent out was not his ace Dragonite. Or rather, he would only send that Pokémon out against opponents of considerable strength. If the challenger was ordinary, he would also hold back appropriately.

"Go! Exeggutor!"

As the light from the Poké Ball flashed, a colossal creature that looked to be a full twenty meters tall rose from the ground. It practically blotted out the sky, and the spectators had to raise their heads just to look up at it.

Immediately afterward, unprecedented cheers erupted from the stands.

"Roar! Roar! Roar! Roar! Roar! Roar!!!!"

Even Qiao Ran could not help widening his eyes.

"Th-this... Alolan Exeggutor? Aren't ordinary ones only a little over ten meters tall, about three stories high?"

Its grayish-brown body, slender neck, eggs and leaves atop its head—there was no doubt that it was an Exeggutor native to the Alola region. This special Pokémon possessed both Grass and Dragon typings, as well as an extraordinary height. It was indeed a true giant beast.

But the one before Qiao Ran... was even much larger than an ordinary Alolan Exeggutor. It was practically more terrifying than Gigantamax.

Where exactly had this Gym Leader found a Pokémon like this?

As he thought about it, Qiao Ran could not help becoming excited as well. He was now looking forward more and more to the battles ahead.

"This is incredible. It's truly incredible."