Shinx's Losing Streak (Please Favorite, Recommend, and Send Monthly Tickets!)

So far, producing six Colorful Currents a day was the limit. To guide more of them, he would probably need a stronger physique.

In the blink of an eye, another three days passed. It was July 22, and only three days remained until the second Suicune Cup Pokémon Challenge.

Ever since losing to Jiang Jing at Battle Park last time, Liu Bin had been working exceptionally hard. He even spent less time watching the National Championship, devoting a huge amount of time every day to training Shinx.

Jiang Jing could vouch for that, because Liu Bin had challenged him twice more afterward. Although he lost both times, his improvement had been obvious.

And sure enough, he had come to challenge him again today.

At Battle Park, Liu Bin said confidently, "My Shinx isn't the Shinx it used to be. Today, we'll definitely win. I've been training Shinx every day these past few days—training like crazy. I've even lost weight just to beat you."

Shinx was full of fighting spirit. It had a Defiant streak too, probably something it had picked up from Liu Bin.

Even if you knocked me down countless times, I'd get back up and challenge you again. That was the feeling.

Jiang Jing opened Data Eye for a look.

Pokémon: Shinx

Attribute: Electric

Talent: ★★

Level: LV9

Ability: Intimidate

It was pretty good. It had reached Level 9 in less than a month, but defeating him was still impossible, because Aron had grown stronger as well.

Pokémon: Aron

Attribute: Steel, Rock

Talent: ★★★

Level: LV12

Ability: Heavy Metal

In nine days, Aron had gained another two levels. As its level increased, leveling up became more difficult. If he had not improved the effects of its Pokémon food and Pokéblocks, it would not have leveled up this quickly.

"Come on, let's begin!" Liu Bin said.

"Shinx, use Leer!"

Shinx stayed where it was, yellow light blooming in its eyes as if it were creating a deterrent against Aron in the air.

Aron stared back at Shinx with its usual vacant cuteness, completely unaffected.

A move like Leer only worked when used by a vicious-looking or ferocious Pokémon, or one with a higher level than its opponent.

What use could there possibly be in having an adorable, low-level Shinx use it?

Jiang Jing commanded, "Aron, use Harden!"

Aron tensed its entire body. Energy surged from within, emerging across its surface to form a thin gray film that greatly raised its defense.

Liu Bin was a little speechless. He had Shinx use Leer in order to lower Aron's defense.

But it had not worked, and Aron already had high defense to begin with. Now it had even used Harden to boost it further.

This was seriously disgusting. Absolutely disgusting. It was so hard to fight.

"Shinx, use Tackle!"

"Aron, use Headbutt!"

The instant Shinx heard the command, its leg muscles exploded with force. Its body shot forward as it sprinted out, faster than before.

Aron was naturally not slow either, though it was still a little slower than Shinx.

When they were only a meter apart, both leaped at the same time. Shinx curled itself up tightly, lowering its head against its chest.

Aron tensed its entire body, with only its head thrust straight out. It collided with Shinx in midair.

Bang!

A dull impact was followed by a scream. Naturally, Shinx was the one screaming again. Just like before, it was sent flying.

It rolled across the ground several times. The sight was strangely familiar—a classic replay.

Liu Bin said gloomily, "Damn it, why can't I ever knock your Aron back?"

Jiang Jing said, "My Aron is Steel and Rock. Aren't you courting death by having an Electric type try to smash into it head-on?"

Liu Bin came to his senses. Once Shinx climbed back up, he stopped having it clash directly with Aron and instead began circling around it.

"Shinx, don't collide with it head-on. Find a chance to flip it over."

Sure enough, when Shinx rushed in front of Aron and faced its attack, it immediately dodged aside.

It tried to attack Aron's waist and flip it over, but Aron was cautious too and instantly stopped in place.

Jiang Jing praised, "Not bad. You've improved."

"But it's useless. Aron, use Metal Claw."

Just as Shinx found an opening and planned to use its nimble movements to attack Aron's belly—

Aron shifted its position. As it rose up, the sharp claws on its forelegs were instantly covered in white light.

It slashed at Shinx. Shinx clearly failed to react to Aron's sudden burst, and could only instinctively raise both paws in front of itself.

With a scream, it was sent flying once more. Dust covered its entire body, and it could not even get back up.

Liu Bin hurried over, picked Shinx up, took out a gray bottle of Potion, and sprayed it over its wounds.

"Are you okay, Shinx?"

Shinx rubbed its head against Liu Bin's palm in grievance. It had lost again and felt awful. It needed comforting.

Liu Bin said to Jiang Jing, "Damn, how the hell do you train? Why do I keep losing? And if my Shinx had more than one offensive move, there's no way I would've lost so quickly."

Jiang Jing smiled. "Give me a break. Do you think you're the only one training hard? My Aron works even harder than you do."

"Keep at it. Maybe once your Shinx evolves, it'll be able to beat me. After all, my Aron needs to reach Level 24 before it can evolve into Lairon."

Liu Bin was persuaded. "That seems right."

Half an hour later, the two were resting in a milk tea shop. They each ordered a cup of milk tea, and Shinx and Aron got some too.

After taking a sip, Liu Bin said, "Time really flies. The National Championship is already halfway over, and the second Suicune Cup Pokémon Challenge starts the day after tomorrow."

Jiang Jing said, "Summer vacation is nearly halfway over too. Are you ready? The competition won't be like private battles. Don't get so nervous that you can't even speak."

Liu Bin said, "Give me a break. Me, nervous? Are you kidding? I'm insanely brave, okay?"

Jiang Jing smiled. "The only hard thing about you is your mouth."

Liu Bin took out his phone. "Oh, right. I checked Cerulean Supermarket's official account. It says the number of applicants has already exceeded 136, which is 31 more than last year."

"There may be a lot of people, but they're all little brats from nearby or Trainer hobbyists. Their Pokémon are pets. They're probably only battling for the rewards."

Jiang Jing said, "I think we should be careful. Only the top six get rewards. Even if there were only twenty Trainers, the difficulty would still be high."

Liu Bin teased, "Jing, you're just too cautious. Not everyone can have a Pokémon with Two-Star Talent."