Nemo's First Battle

Pepper, startled by Luo Mu's call, looked around, unsure how he'd been discovered. Yet, Luo Mu's gaze was clearly fixed on his hiding spot.

After a moment's hesitation, Pepper, still looking conflicted, shuffled towards Luo Mu and Nemo.

Seeing his expression, Luo Mu knew he was still bothered by their previous encounter. He inwardly grumbled, "What an awkward kid."

Nemo, in stark contrast to Pepper, observed him for a second before immediately recognizing him. Energetically, she waved at the approaching Pepper, "Isn't this Class G's Pepper?"

"You are..." Called by name, Pepper looked up at Nemo for a long time before uncertainly asking, "Class A's Nemo?"

Nemo put her hands on her hips, "Didn't we have a few classes together before? You don't recognize me so quickly?"

Pepper retorted, "No. It would be weird if I recognized you instantly with how much you've changed!"

Pepper remembered that before the holiday, Nemo had seemed like a cute girl from the next class with twin ponytails. The current Nemo, aside from her skin still being as fair as ever, radiated an energetic, sparkling aura. The difference was worlds apart.

It was like she had suddenly matured from a childish kid.

Nemo pouted and whispered, "The teacher recognized me the first time."

"Did you say something?" Pepper perked up his ears, as if he hadn't heard Nemo's barely audible mutter.

At that moment, a pair of hands landed on their shoulders. Luo Mu gestured towards an empty battle arena beside the training field, "Weren't you going to battle? There's a spot over there."

Luo Mu stood on the left side of the arena and called out to Nemo on the other side, "The battle rules are one-on-one singles with a 'tap out' rule. No problem?"

Nemo nodded firmly, "No problem!"

Pepper, standing in the middle, lacked spirit.

It wasn't just because Luo Mu treated him as if nothing had happened, making his long-held conflict seem foolish. It was also his current task.

Pepper grumbled, "It's just a spar. Does it matter if there's a referee or not?"

"Ritual is also important," Luo Mu called back to Pepper, then looked at Nemo, "Can you battle my Growlithe?"

Hearing Luo Mu call him, Growlithe, who had been lying bored on the ground, sprang up and trotted onto the field.

"Is that... Growlithe?" Nemo blinked, finding this Growlithe very different from her impression. However, this didn't stop her from excitedly sending out Sprigatito to face Growlithe.

Luo Mu spread his hands, "You go first."

Nemo nodded, her heart gradually quickening. Strangely, she wasn't nervous at all, only feeling a surge of passionate excitement.

Her gaze sharpened, and Nemo waved her hand, "Thunder Shock!"

Sprigatito closed its eyes, its whole body tensing. The electric sacs on its cheeks flickered with a few weak sparks. After a few moments, a thin stream of golden current burst forth.

Not only was there a charge-up time of nearly three to four seconds, but its eyes were also tightly shut. Everything about it spoke volumes about how Nemo and Sprigatito were still complete rookies.

Luo Mu's face remained impassive as he uttered two true words: "Dodge."

Growlithe moved its paws, tilting its body slightly to easily evade the somewhat inaccurate Thunder Shock.

If not for the inherent speed of electricity, this Thunder Shock would have been like slow motion to Growlithe.

Missing its target, Nemo was not discouraged. She immediately commanded Sprigatito to use Quick Attack, charging at Growlithe enveloped in white light.

"Take it, Howl," Luo Mu said.

As a Rock-type Pokémon, Growlithe could handle Sprigatito's attack with ease.

Sprigatito's head collided with Growlithe's mane, which contained components of igneous rock, pushing Growlithe's body back half a meter.

Growlithe ignored Sprigatito's attack. A sharp glint flashed in its eyes hidden beneath its fur. It raised its head and let out a Howl towards the sky.

In the next instant, a faint red light of increased ability enveloped Growlithe. Facing Sprigatito charging again, Growlithe gathered all its strength and charged forward with a headbutt!

"Sprig!"

Sprigatito felt a dull pain surge from the point of impact, and then it was directly headbutted away by Growlithe, flying backward uncontrollably.

Sprigatito fell to the ground. Its once glossy orange fur was now covered in dust, making it look rather disheveled.

"Sprigatito!" Nemo exclaimed in worry, covering her mouth. Sprigatito struggled to get up and called out to Nemo a few times, seemingly telling her not to worry and that it still had the strength to fight.

Nemo seemed naturally adept at battling. She nodded heavily, her face filled with seriousness, and shouted, "Let's prove our strength to the teacher! Use Mach Punch on Growlithe!"

Nemo recalled her father's specific emphasis on Sprigatito's uniqueness when he entrusted it to her.

Its ability was "Iron Fist," which could increase the power of punching moves. Furthermore, Sprigatito had learned "Mach Punch" since hatching from its Pokémon Egg. The combination of the two could be considered Nemo and Sprigatito's strongest offensive technique.

Sprigatito struggled to stand on its hind legs. Its dazed eyes sharpened, and its paw-like hands clenched into fists. White light immediately filled its fists.

Sprigatito dashed a few times to get in front of Growlithe. Its fists were accompanied by gusts of wind as it rapidly punched and attacked Growlithe!

Growlithe endured Sprigatito's rapid punches. Even with its excellent physical toughness, it could feel the pain from the super-effective attack at this moment.

Luo Mu's eyes lit up. In his battle against Nemo, he had been in a reactive state, his goal being to gauge the combat strength Nemo and Sprigatito could display.

The conclusion was very pleasing. Although their command and awareness were still immature, Luo Mu could already see the talent they possessed.

With the conclusion reached, there was no need to hold back any longer.

Among Growlithe's current moves, two could counter Sprigatito: the Egg Move "Double-Edge" and the naturally learned move "Flame Wheel."

Considering Growlithe was only three days old, Double-Edge would not only be a heavy burden on its body but could also easily put Sprigatito in critical condition. Luo Mu quickly made his decision and said, "Growlithe, counter with Flame Wheel!"

While enduring Sprigatito's attack, Growlithe quickly curled its body into a wheel shape, and flames covered its entire body.

Sprigatito was scorched by the flames and involuntarily stopped its attack. At this moment, Growlithe's Flame Wheel had finished charging, and the rapidly spinning Flame Wheel directly sent Sprigatito flying!