Chapter Six: The Martial Arts Hall of Ancient Rose Town

Gumei Town. By the time Zhao Fang arrived at this small town not far from Weibai, it was already noon.

“It looks quite big, maybe just a little larger than Weibai… Hm? Is that a gym?” Zhao Fang was somewhat surprised; he had just spotted a building that resembled a gym.

As he drew closer, Zhao Fang realized it was indeed a gym, and it appeared to be a Fighting-type gym. However, the sign hanging at the entrance made it clear why Gumei Town would have such a place.

In the games, the nearest gym was the Normal-type gym in Rustboro City, with Norman as the leader, and the first badge players could earn was the Rock Badge from Roxanne. But in reality, as long as a town wasn’t too small, it would usually have a gym.

However, this kind of gym was privately run and not authorized to issue badges. If they wanted to become an official gym, they needed to apply to the League, which would send an inspector to evaluate the gym. Only if they passed could they be promoted to badge-issuing status.

Of course, if the gym leader had the strength of a tournament champion, a Masters’ champion, or one of the Elite Four, that would greatly increase their chances.

“Are you here to enroll?” came a stranger’s voice.

Zhao Fang turned around and saw a young man in training clothes, looking a bit nervous.

“Oh, no, I was just curious about why there was a gym here… I always thought only Rustboro City had gyms like this. Sorry for the misunderstanding,” Zhao Fang quickly waved his hands. Judging by the boy’s attire, it was obvious he was connected to the gym.

Though Zhao Fang’s parents had given him some League coins for his journey, as a civilian trainer without a Pokédex, the proper way to travel was to work odd jobs along the way; otherwise, he wouldn’t even be able to afford healing items.

So he had little interest in joining a Fighting-type gym.

“I see… Sorry for the misunderstanding. I’m the leader of this gym. You can call me Yaning.” The boy named Yaning looked disappointed at first, but he quickly smiled and offered his hand.

“Hello, I'm Zhao Fang, just setting out from Weibai Town, aiming to collect gym badges for the Hoenn League.” Zhao Fang shook his hand and introduced himself.

“Would you like a battle?” Just as Zhao Fang was about to head to the shop to check on berries, Yaning suddenly issued a challenge.

Zhao Fang pressed his temples in exasperation. Even though he’d only been in this world a short while, he’d already discovered a peculiar phenomenon—trainers in the real world seemed to have an unusual enthusiasm for battles. From the moment he left Weibai Town until now, every trainer who saw he had Poké Balls immediately challenged him, as if playing Gwent.

“All right, but I’m just a civilian trainer—you shouldn’t expect too much from me.” Zhao Fang shrugged. The trainers he’d encountered along the way—shorts-wearing kids, bug catchers—had all used very ordinary Pokémon. Although Magikarp was weak, it had managed to defeat them with Tackle.

But as for this gym leader in Gumei Town, Zhao Fang was genuinely curious to see which Pokémon he would use. Only by battling strong opponents could Magikarp grow quickly.

After two hearty breakfasts this morning, Magikarp’s base stats had already increased by 1.2—it was now a different creature from an ordinary Magikarp.

“Then please, come inside.” Yaning cheerfully opened the gym doors and led Zhao Fang in.

Just as Zhao Fang expected, the Fighting-type gym was very simple and barebones, though it was well-equipped with various training apparatus. Yet, for a gym about eighty square meters in size, there wasn’t a single other person inside. Zhao Fang gave Yaning a curious look.

How weak must this gym leader be to have not a single apprentice?

“Um, well, that’s because Rustboro City is right next door, and Norman is so famous—I don’t have any students,” Yaning scratched his head, embarrassed, having caught the meaning in Zhao Fang’s gaze.

“Besides, I’m also training hard every day to defeat Norman! I take my Pokémon to practice punching under the waterfall, honing our strength and technique. One day, I’ll definitely beat his Slaking!” Yaning punched the air spiritedly, exuding the aura of a true Fighting-type trainer.

Zhao Fang offered an awkward smile. Although Norman was a Normal-type gym leader, his strength was considerable, and Slaking, despite being an ordinary Pokémon, had a base stat total of 670—equal to the legendary Groudon. If not for its Truant ability, even pseudo-legendaries would struggle against it.

“Then, I’ll send out my Pokémon first. Go, Machop!” With Yaning’s shout, a sturdy Machop appeared on the gym’s training field.

“Machop, huh… Looks well-trained. Then I’ll send out my Pokémon, too. Magikarp, it’s your turn!” Zhao Fang tossed out a Poké Ball, and an orange Magikarp landed on the floor, flopping about.

“Ma… Magikarp?” Yaning was taken aback. He’d thought, from Zhao Fang’s confident demeanor, that he might send out a starter Pokémon—but a Magikarp?

“Yes, my starter Pokémon is Magikarp,” Zhao Fang shrugged. This look was all too familiar; those bug catchers wore the same expression, and soon enough, they’d learn their lesson from Magikarp. While Magikarp was weak, it could still handle a Caterpie or two.

“Machop, use Karate Chop!” Yaning gave the order without hesitation.

At his command, Machop shot forward, leg muscles tensed, and swung a Karate Chop directly at Magikarp.

If it were a Gyarados, Yaning might have been cautious, since Flying types countered Fighting types. But a pure Water-type Magikarp…

“Magikarp, dodge! Then counter with Tackle!” Watching the swiftly approaching Machop, Zhao Fang was a little surprised by its speed, but he still gave his command in time.

Magikarp immediately used Splash—but unlike other Magikarp, this one leapt impressively high, easily dodging Machop’s Karate Chop.