Chapter 40: Flame Emperor?

After conducting some physical examinations on Gyarados and wrapping up a few transactions with other researchers, Zhao Fang departed from Littleroot Town, having Professor Birch send him back to Mauville City.

Although Zhao Fang had initially considered visiting the fighting-type gym in Fallarbor Town to meet Gym Leader Brawly and perhaps learn some self-improvement and physical conditioning techniques, he quickly dropped the idea. Professor Birch had mentioned to him that Wattson, the Gym Leader of Mauville City, had quite a bit of expertise when it came to physical training.

Upon returning to Mauville City, Zhao Fang hurried over to the Electric-type Gym. Fortunately, Wattson was still inside, so Zhao Fang consulted him about methods for physical conditioning. Wattson, being quite hearty and generous, readily provided a training routine. However, after reading through it, Zhao Fang was left somewhat speechless; if he wanted to follow Wattson's suggested training regimen, he would practically have to stay put in Mauville City indefinitely.

"Forget it, if all else fails, I'll just do one hundred push-ups, one hundred squats, one hundred sit-ups, and a ten-kilometer run every day. Once my hair falls out, I suppose I'll be able to take down Groudon with a single punch," Zhao Fang muttered, touching his hair. He still preferred a training method that he could carry out while on his journey.

Soon after, Zhao Fang found May at the training school. She was being kept back by her teacher to work on problem sets alongside the other struggling students, a sight that brought a chuckle to Zhao Fang's lips. It truly resembled the days of old students grinding through endless practice questions. Patiently waiting for May to finish her exercises, Zhao Fang then took her out to the finest dessert shop in Mauville City.

"You really are an enviable guy, actually managing to achieve Bond Evolution with Gyarados," May said, shoving a spoonful of ice cream into her mouth while puffing out her cheeks and glaring at Zhao Fang.

Zhao Fang scratched his head. He really didn't know what to say about this topic. Besides, Gyarados's Bond Evolution remained an enigma; its type changes and other specifics were still completely unknown. Professor Birch had advised Zhao Fang to rest for a full week before attempting Bond Evolution again, otherwise, the strain on his heart would simply be too great.

Zhao Fang was no professional, but he knew that in specialized fields, it was always best to listen to the experts. Therefore, he intended to strictly follow Professor Birch's advice.

"So, Zhao Fang, what do you plan to do next? Which Gym are you going to challenge?" May asked curiously, looking at him.

Zhao Fang was momentarily stunned. He truly hadn't thought about this question yet. If he followed the conventions of the games, the next step would be to challenge the Fire-type Gym, then the Petalburg Gym, and after obtaining Surf, head off elsewhere. But this was reality; if Zhao Fang wished, he could even head straight to Sootopolis City next and challenge Juan the Water-type master.

"I think I'll still go to Lavaridge Town and claim the Fire-type Badge there," Zhao Fang hesitated for a moment before finally making up his mind. He decided to challenge the Fire-type Gym and see how Fire-type trainers raised and trained their Pokémon.

Moreover, Zhao Fang remembered that Flannery also had a Charmander. Perhaps he could exchange pointers with her on raising Charmander. Even though his own Charmander possessed extraordinary talent and was fed food that increased its base stats, keeping up with proper cultivation methods remained crucial.

"As expected, it's still the Fire-type Gym. That place is really nice! If I hadn't failed my electrician's certification exam yet, I'd want to go with you. I'm so jealous—I heard the hot springs there have the effect of nourishing the skin and making it smoother and fairer," May said, resting her upper body on the table and looking at Zhao Fang with an envious gaze.

Zhao Fang silently picked up his lemonade and took a sip. Was it true that girls in any world were simply girls at heart? May was actually interested in things like hot springs. In truth, Zhao Fang was quite interested himself; after all, the hot springs of Lavaridge Town were rumored to possess miraculous properties, making them quite unique in the Pokémon world. Zhao Fang wanted to see what kind of wonders could be found there.

"Still, I'm almost ready to take the exam! The teacher said my aptitude is quite good, and I just need to study for one more week!" May said with a proud smile.

"Right, the senior student who has been studying for nearly a month and still hasn't passed. With aptitude like that, of course it's 'good,'" Zhao Fang remarked casually. Back when he was at the cram school, he had heard that May had been stuck there for a very long time, making her practically the senior-most student among everyone at the facility.

"Zhao! Fang!" May's face flushed red as she gritted her teeth and glared at him. Only then did Zhao Fang realize he had apparently said the wrong thing. He quickly ordered several more desserts for her, and only then was he grudgingly forgiven.

"Hmph, don't get too cocky! I'll definitely catch up to you in Lavaridge Town and show you my true strength!" Watching May, who had specially run out to see him off, Zhao Fang gave a helpless wave. He figured that by the time he reached Lavaridge Town and earned the Fire-type Badge, May probably still wouldn't have passed her electrician's exam.

Upon leaving Mauville City, Zhao Fang set out on the road toward Lavaridge Town. As he pedaled his bike forward, the surrounding temperature noticeably increased, and the air grew somewhat dry. Zhao Fang understood that he was approaching the vicinity of the Route 111 Desert, a vast expanse said to hide a Mirage Tower where those who managed to find a way inside could obtain fossils.

However, what caught Zhao Fang's attention the most was a towering building standing by the mountainside—the Battle Tower under construction!

"What a pity, the Battle Tower isn't finished yet," Zhao Fang muttered, glancing at the distant structure. He had previously thought about visiting if the Battle Tower was ready, but since construction was incomplete, he had no way to enter.

Over by the waterways on the other side stood a very aesthetic-looking building. Zhao Fang recalled that in the games, this place was supposedly inhabited by the Battle Family, where players had to battle them consecutively without any rest periods, earning a Power item upon completion to boost effort values. Yet, what piqued Zhao Fang's curiosity the most was the child spoken of by this family.

The child with Champion-level strength—Zhao Fang was deeply curious about who they were actually talking about.

Feeling a bit inquisitive, he rode his bike over to take a look. It was a very ordinary residential house, and the doorway indeed bore a sign reading "Battle House." However, to Zhao Fang's disappointment, this seemed to be nothing more than a Trainer's school rather than the Battle House from the games.

"Hey, did you guys hear? Someone saw a never-before-seen Pokémon in the cave! They say it's an incredibly majestic great lion, the kind with flames blazing all over its body!" Just as Zhao Fang was about to leave, the conversation among a group of children caught his attention.

Zhao Fang's eyebrows arched. Were these kids talking about the Legendary Pokémon Entei? It certainly sounded quite similar.