Chapter 51: The Rock-Type Dojo Apprentice

“Hello, are you here to challenge the Rock-type Gym?” Standing inside the Rock-type Gym of Kanaz City, Zhao Fang was greeted by a young woman with a gentle and friendly smile. She was one of the staff members.

A proper Gym was actually much larger than one might imagine. Aside from the Gym Leader, there were elite trainers, regular trainers, and Gym apprentices, as well as staff responsible for handling various miscellaneous tasks.

“Yes, I would like to challenge the Rock-type Gym.” Zhao Fang nodded and handed over his trainer card, which he had registered and obtained in Old Rose Town.

“Alright, let me verify your information.” The staff member’s smile was sweet, with the air of a practiced professional, but Zhao Fang paid it no mind and waited patiently.

The staff slid Zhao Fang’s trainer card into a machine, which then displayed his registration details along with information about his Pokémon. These details helped the staff decide which trainer should face him.

“Since this is your first challenge at the Gym, please take this number card. In five minutes, proceed to Battle Arena Number Nine for your challenge.” The staff’s smile remained gentle. Having dealt with countless trainers, they always assigned apprentices to first-time challengers with no Gym badges.

Zhao Fang was unaware of this arrangement; he simply assumed he would be facing a trainer below the rank of Gym Leader. After all, in the game, aside from the Gym Leader, most Gym trainers’ Pokémon were nearly identical.

Holding the card labeled “Beginner Nine,” Zhao Fang soon found the room he was to enter—a small chamber, seemingly just large enough for a battle.

“Is this meant to give newcomers some psychological comfort?” Zhao Fang glanced around at the walls, which displayed many encouraging slogans, such as “Believe in your Pokémon, give it your all in battle,” and “Failure is the mother of success.”

Although trainers did not have to pay to challenge the Gym, if they lost, they would have to pay a fee for Gym guidance; otherwise, they would not be allowed to attempt the challenge again.

Looking around, Zhao Fang noticed a few screens in the Gym’s lobby displaying elite-level battles. If there were no elite or Gym Leader matches underway, the screens would show battles from lower-level rooms.

He waited patiently for five minutes, and then the door to Room Nine opened. Zhao Fang quickly entered.

Upon stepping in, Zhao Fang saw that the room was indeed very small—no audience, no one else present except for a trainer in Rock-type Gym attire and an official League referee, the standard setup for League battles.

“This match will follow League tournament rules: defeat all of your opponent’s Pokémon to win. Each Pokémon may use up to four moves, and no healing items are allowed during the battle.” The referee spoke with a stern expression, then stepped aside, pen in hand, ready to record the proceedings.

“I am a Gym apprentice of the Rock-type Gym, and I will give it my all! Geodude, go!” The young man in Gym uniform looked steadfastly at Zhao Fang, took one of the three Poké Balls from his belt, and threw it onto the field.

Zhao Fang scratched his head. This Geodude didn’t seem as formidable as the one the uncle had yesterday, but he was more concerned about which Pokémon to send out.

Gyarados... Although Gyarados, being a Water and Flying type, would take double damage from Rock attacks, it was an evolved Pokémon, and facing a Geodude like this would be a breeze. So, perhaps...

“Dragomessia! I choose you!” Zhao Fang threw his Poké Ball, sending Dragomessia onto the field.

“Huh? What kind of Pokémon is that?” The apprentice frowned in confusion, unfamiliar with this Pokémon; even the referee looked surprised.

“Never mind. Geodude, use Rock Slide!” The apprentice didn’t dwell on the question, instead issuing a command to his Pokémon.

“Drago, use Ambush.” Zhao Fang also gave his order, waiting for the opponent’s attack before striking, letting Dragomessia take advantage of the speed boost. Dragomessia lived up to expectations, dashing forward to dodge Geodude’s attack and scratching its face with a swift claw.

Zhao Fang felt the Poké Ball at his waist tremble. He smiled and patted it gently.

“Wait... I’ll let you out later.” Zhao Fang eyed the opposing Geodude. Yesterday, his Magikarp had battered itself bloody against a Geodude, so it was only natural that Gyarados now wanted to take the field.

But this Geodude was no match for Dragomessia.

“So fast... Geodude, use Magnitude!” The apprentice gritted his teeth, watching Dragomessia, who was affected by the attack, but the Magnitude was weak. That was expected, considering Geodude’s strength.

“Dragomessia, use Scare followed by Dragon Tail.” Zhao Fang checked his Pokémon, which seemed fine, and then had Dragomessia immobilize Geodude. With another swing of its tail, it struck Geodude’s face once more.

The next second, Geodude collapsed and lost its fighting ability.

Zhao Fang clicked his tongue. Why was this Geodude so weak? Compared to the uncle’s Geodude from yesterday, the difference was night and day.

“Geodude has lost its fighting ability. Please send out your next Pokémon.” The referee checked and instructed the apprentice to recall it.

“Damn... Geodude, I’m counting on you!” Another Geodude appeared, and Zhao Fang could only sigh. Typical of an apprentice, all their Pokémon were the most common Rock-types.

“Drago, come back.” Zhao Fang recalled Dragomessia, now that he had gauged his opponent’s strength. The Poké Ball at his waist kept shaking; Gyarados could barely contain itself.

“Drago~” Dragomessia fluttered back with a coquettish cry, winding around Zhao Fang’s neck. The referee glanced over and said nothing, since switching Pokémon was allowed.

“Now it’s your turn.” Zhao Fang picked up his last Poké Ball and hurled it with all his might onto the field.

“Roar!” With a thunderous cry, a massive Gyarados appeared above the battlefield. Facing it, the opposing Geodude began trembling. The look in Gyarados’s eyes was fierce, as if it bore a grudge.

“Gy... Gy... Gyarados...” The apprentice was dumbfounded, desperately wanting to ask the staff, “Is this the ‘only a Magikarp’ rookie you told me about?”