NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 38: Chapter 38: Gym Challenge
Viewing Warning: In the upcoming chapters, you will encounter Explosive TORRACAT and Peerless Carbink . There is a specific reason why Carbink is so powerful, which will be revealed when it evolves into Diancie.
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The largest forum in SeawindCove City buzzed with excitement over the latest announcement.
1L: Did you see the news? The long-awaited gym challenge is tomorrow night!
2L: Yeah! The last one was a month ago, right?
3L: Junior gym challenges are rarer than advanced or intermediate ones!
4L: True. They showcase rising talents!
5L: But why assume the challenger will win? Jasmine fans, rise up!
6L: Rumor has it, the challenger is the son of Rising sun Gym Leader Jhon!
7L: That's hard to believe. Even for junior challenges, leaders use one elite-level Pokémon and one professional-level Pokémon!
8L: Exactly! How can a senior high schooler raise one elite-level Pokémon and one professional-level Pokémon in just two months?
9L: I'm betting on Gym Leader Jasmine. She's unbeatable!
10L: Anyway, I'm going with my friends to watch tomorrow. Tourists are flocking too!
501L: Have you bought tickets yet?
502L: Oh no!
503L: Completely forgot!
504L: Sold out!
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The weather was getting warmer, and Victor decided it was the perfect time to wear the clothes he had ordered long ago.
After putting on his battle outfit, Victor stepped out of the hotel.
The streets were bustling with pedestrians, most heading in the same direction—the Water Boat Arena!
In the arena's lounge, Victor sat on a sofa with his eyes closed, preparing for the challenge ahead.
"Knock, knock, knock!"
There was a knock on the door.
"Come in," Victor said, opening his eyes.
The door opened, and the sound of footsteps echoed.
Xie Wei entered, dressed even more elegantly than the day before.
"Are you nervous?" Xie Wei asked, her tone filled with concern.
"Not really. But, why is Master Xie Wei so concerned about me as a challenger?" Victor replied, slightly confused.
"I probably haven't mentioned this, but your father and I attended the same university. I was a senior, and he was a junior," Xie Wei explained with a smile.
"Do I need a reason to care for my juniors? If you don't mind, you can call me Aunt Jie," she added gently.
Victor stood up and bowed respectfully. "Aunt Jie, please guide me well in this battle!"
Xie Wei's kind attitude made Victor feel it was only proper to show his respect as a junior.
"Haha, didn't I tell you yesterday to dress more formally? Why are you wearing that?" Xie Wei asked, puzzled.
Victor looked down at his outfit: a black short-sleeved shirt under a blue jacket with white cuffs, light blue jeans held by a red belt, light green and dark green fingerless gloves, white-and-blue sneakers, and a red-and-white baseball cap featuring a ∠ logo.
It was the same outfit worn by Ash, the protagonist of the Pokémon anime, before Victor's time travel.
"It's symbolic for me. I even have a red version!" Victor replied with a sheepish smile, scratching his head.
"You young people and your ideas," Xie Wei said with a chuckle, shaking her head. "Do as you like, but don't expect me to hold back during the match!"
Victor laughed nervously.
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The packed arena was filled with deafening cheers.
The referee, riding on an Aegislash, entered the battlefield.
"Ladies and gentlemen!
Welcome to today's Gym Challenge at the SeawindCove Arena!
I am Gian, the commentator for this competition.
Today's event is a Beginner Gym Challenge!
First, let me introduce the competitors.
Walking onto the field from the left is the host of today's challenge—Ms. Jasmine, the leader of the SeawindCove Gym!
Ms. SeawindCove is renowned for her water-type Pokémon, which can be as calm as a lake or as fierce as the sea!"
"Ooooooh—!"
The audience erupted in cheers and applause.
"And entering the field from the right is today's challenger—Victor, a senior high school student from celestial!"
Victor walked onto the stage confidently, wearing his red-and-white cap.
"Wow, what a handsome guy!"
"This outfit is so vibrant! And he looks amazing in it!"
The cheers for Victor were sparse, but he had expected that. After all, he was an unknown student competing against the hometown favorite. He was grateful for the small support he received.
"Both competitors are in position and ready! Let's turn to the referee for the official rules!"
Referee: "This is a formal United Alliance gym challenge! The battle will be 3v3. Gym leaders cannot switch Pokémon, but challengers can. The winner is decided when all three Pokémon on one side are unable to battle. Trainers, send out your first Pokémon!"
Jasmine: "Let's show them our strength, Azumarill!"
Victor: "Go, Torracat!"
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Azumarill (Water/Fairy, Female, Ability: Huge Power)
Level: Elite Early Stage
Held Item: Mystic Water
Moves: Aqua Tail, Play Rough, Aqua Ring, Bubble Beam, Aqua Jet, Liquidation
Azumarill's rounded blue body and pink ears gave it an adorable appearance, but its Huge Power ability doubled its physical attack, making it a formidable opponent.
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[The Pokémon used by the challenger Victor is actually the Fire-type, Torracat!?]
[As an elite-level trainer, how will Victor handle the challenge of battling against a type disadvantage?]
Hearing the commentator's loud analysis, Victor couldn't help but twitch his mouth slightly.
The truth was, there was another reason he chose to wear this outfit today—it was all about reversing type disadvantages.
In the Pokémon anime, Ash is often nicknamed the "Master of Type Disadvantages" by fans because he frequently fights against unfavorable matchups. However, statistics show that Ash's win rate is actually higher when fighting with advantageous types than with disadvantageous ones.
Still, life needs a sense of ritual!
Victor had trained extensively, consumed a variety of performance-enhancing candies, and was exceptionally talented. His true combat power far surpassed what his official level suggested.
"Torracat, use Fake Out!"
"Azumarill, Aqua Jet!"
Both trainers issued their commands at almost the same time, with Jasmine choosing to lead with a priority move.
Azumarill, surrounded by a torrent of water, was about to rush at Torracat when a roar and a pulse of dark energy struck simultaneously.
"Meow!!"
Azumarill, mid-attack, was disrupted by Torracat's Fake Out + Intimidate combo. Not only did its physical attack drop by one stage, but its Aqua Jet was interrupted, leaving Azumarill momentarily frozen in place.
Seizing the initiative, Victor pressed his advantage: "Bulk Up, then use Flame Charge!"
Torracat slammed its strong forelimbs onto the ground, a yellow glow momentarily enhancing its physique. Then, wrapped in roaring flames, Torracat charged straight at the recovering Azumarill.
"I see, a dual effect triggered by its ability and moves. Clever," Jasmine muttered, analyzing Victor's strategy.
"But even if we're behind, we won't lose! Azumarill, use Aqua Tail!"
"Azuma!!"
Water spiraled around Azumarill's tail as it leapt high into the air, spinning several times before slamming the watery appendage down at the charging Torracat.
However, Torracat skillfully dodged the attack, its powerful body twisting mid-run to avoid the descending Aqua Tail.
"Boom!"
The Aqua Tail struck the ground, leaving a deep crater.
"Water Gun!" Jasmine quickly followed up with another command.
"Flamethrower!"
The two attacks collided—a powerful water stream against a fiery blaze. Steam erupted at the point of impact, quickly blanketing the entire arena in a dense white fog.
"Azumarill, stay alert!" Jasmine called out, unsure of Victor's next move due to the limited visibility.
When the fog cleared, Torracat was already upon Azumarill, slashing with Shadow Claw!
Caught off-guard, Azumarill took the full hit but retaliated with Play Rough, leading to a close-quarters brawl.
The spectators were amazed—despite being at a disadvantage in both level and type, Torracat was holding its own against Azumarill in hand-to-hand combat.
Realizing Azumarill couldn't overpower Torracat up close, Jasmine ordered, "Azumarill, retreat and use Surf!"
Azumarill slammed its hands on the ground, summoning a towering wave that surged toward Torracat.
Facing the massive wave, Victor remained calm. "Torracat, use Fire Blast with all your strength to evaporate it!"
"Meow!!"
Torracat unleashed an enormous fireball from its flame sac, hurling it at the incoming wave. The fireball expanded mid-air into the shape of the Odia character "大" (representing fire's ferocity), colliding head-on with the wave.
Flames and water clashed violently, generating a thick mist that once again enveloped the arena.
This time, Jasmine prepared for Victor's potential ambush. "Azumarill, stay ready! If the opponent attacks, counter with Giga Impact!"
Victor, undeterred, aimed to end the match with one decisive move.
"Torracat, Full-Powered Inferno Charge!"
"torra… torra!!"
Orange-red flames surged around Torracat, forming the shape of a roaring tiger. The radiant light pierced through the fog as Torracat charged toward Azumarill.
Azumarill, enveloped in the energy of Giga Impact, also rushed forward.
"Boom—Bang!"
A deafening explosion erupted from the collision, shaking the arena. As the dust and mist settled, the crowd held their breath, eager to see the outcome.
When the smoke cleared, Azumarill lay unconscious, eyes spinning, while Torracat stood, panting heavily but victorious.
"Azumarill is unable to battle. Torracat wins!"
The referee's announcement was followed by roaring cheers from the crowd.