The vast majority of Gyms stand in the center of their cities, and Mauville Gym in Mauville City was naturally no exception.
This was a Gym specializing in Electric-type Pokémon. From the Gym Leader down to the apprentice trainees, every single one was an Electric-type specialist.
Viewed from afar, Mauville Gym looked more like a massive power plant. The entire building's walls were painted in a brilliant golden-yellow color, with three enormous thick antennas on the roof. Lightning bolt decorations resembling Thunderbolt adorned the Gym's nameplate, making it look extremely spectacular.
There was a small plaza at the Gym's entrance, though not because this particular Gym held any special status.
Rather, it was because the vast majority of the city's official departments and facilities were located near the Gym.
For instance, the Hoenn region's only television station, "Mauville TV," stood right next door to the Gym.
The commuters coming and going in suits and carrying briefcases were almost all TV station employees.
There were also quite a few people wearing trainer outfits clearly decorated with lightning bolt designs. Most of these were Gym staff members or apprentices.
"Beep~ Welcome to Mauville Gym!"
As soon as Sieg approached the automatic doors, a mechanical welcome sounded beside him.
A receptionist immediately jogged over, displaying a sweet smile as she inquired about Sieg's purpose for visiting.
"I'm here to register for a Gym challenge!"
Sieg stated honestly while handing over his League ID card for registration.
"So you're a trainer, sir. Please rest here for a moment while I immediately arrange your battle."
Seeing the identification Sieg handed over, the receptionist's expression became noticeably more respectful.
Although she'd gotten this Gym receptionist position through connections, she didn't want to needlessly provoke a trainer, especially one with powerful backing.
"You seemed quite surprised when I said I was here to challenge the Gym?" Sieg asked idly, making conversation out of boredom.
The receptionist's smile never faded as she continued operating the computer, simultaneously replying: "I thought you were here to tour the Gym or register as an apprentice."
Sieg nodded thoughtfully, quietly admiring the exquisite interior décor.
Historically prestigious Gyms like this were generally a city's tourist attractions. Therefore, some Gyms looking to generate additional revenue would offer touring services.
Just from ticket sales and selling souvenirs alone, they could make considerable profits.
Of course, most Gyms couldn't bring themselves to do this, though he didn't know why Mauville Gym had opened this service.
Judging from the interior decoration and luxury level, it didn't look like they were short on funds at all.
"Could it be Gym Leader Wattson?"
"But even if he needed money, there's no need to do something that diminishes the Gym's prestige, right?"
Every Gym Leader essentially had absolute authority over their Gym, possessing 100% decision-making power.
This could be seen from how certain Gyms were controlled long-term by powerful families behind the scenes.
Although the League nominally unified all Gyms, in reality it only held assessment and advisory authority over them.
The true decision on the next Gym Leader successor was still determined by the current Gym Leader's own wishes.
Besides that, situations where children inherited their parent's position were quite common, such as the Fuchsia Gym that Sieg had thought about last night, and the Lavaridge Town Gym he'd challenged previously.
"Hello, sir. Your Gym challenge registration has been completed. It's scheduled for approximately two hours from now."
"Which mode would you like to challenge?"
Every Gym had its own operational methods. For instance, the Gym he'd challenged in Lavaridge Town previously required defeating three apprentices before challenging the Gym Leader if you only paid the minimum registration fee.
"I wonder what Mauville Gym's system is like?"
Sieg stood up and walked leisurely to the front desk, looking at the dozen or so different battle modes displayed on the screen, thinking to himself that there really was quite a variety.
Besides some standard battles, there were also fun battles and entertainment matches. Quite a diverse selection indeed.
Of course, the fees weren't cheap either.
Even the most basic 1v1 battle with an apprentice required a 1,000 Pokédollar registration fee, and even if you won, you wouldn't get a badge, just a souvenir.
To participate in a legitimate challenge with the Gym Badge as the prize required at least a 3v3 regulation match or higher.
"Trainer sir, we recommend you select either Hard Mode or Elite Mode."
"Hard Mode requires a fee of 200,000 Pokédollars. The Gym will send out a senior apprentice to battle you. Upon victory, you'll receive the Dynamo Badge and a common TM."
"Elite Mode requires a fee of 500,000 Pokédollars. The Gym will send out one of Gym Leader Wattson's personal disciples. Of course, there's also a slim chance the Leader himself will appear. Upon victory, you'll receive the Dynamo Badge and a rare TM."
After finishing her explanation, the receptionist looked at Sieg with a smile, anticipating his choice.
After all, this was all money.
She received commission from the Gym challenges she processed. Although it was only one percent, if several generous challengers came each day, it was still a substantial sum.
This commission-based income far exceeded her fixed salary.
Sieg frowned, thinking: "Is Mauville Gym really that desperate for money?"
Sieg also asked about the difference between common TMs and rare TMs.
The former were nothing more than low-power moves like Electro Ball, Thunder Shock, Quick Attack, and Nuzzle.
While the latter rare TMs were generally Thunder Punch, Thunder Fang, Volt Switch, and someone had even received a Thunderbolt TM in the past.
After thinking briefly, Sieg chose Hard Mode to battle a senior apprentice.
His reason for not choosing Elite Mode wasn't about the 300,000 Pokédollar difference. After all, he still had adequate breeding funds, with just over 2 million remaining.
He didn't choose Elite Mode purely because the cost-effectiveness was too low.
Spending 500,000 for a chance to spar with a Gym disciple meant if you lost, it all went down the drain.
Even if you won and got a Thunderbolt TM, it wasn't that profitable.
After all, Thunderbolt on the Black Market was only worth about 300,000 to 400,000 Pokédollars.
As for the so-called chance to battle the Gym Leader, that was just empty talk. At least according to information he'd found online, no one had actually seen Gym Leader Wattson in a Gym battle in nearly a year.
Since all the battle arenas in the Gym were currently full, with bookings extending two hours out, Sieg didn't wait around foolishly.
Instead, he toured the Gym's interior. During this time, he naturally passed by some exquisite scenic spots and spent a little money purchasing souvenirs.
But what truly caught Sieg's attention was a breeding house. He hadn't expected Mauville Gym to actually operate one.
On the breeding house's display screen were Electric-type Pokémon eggs and hatchlings all listed for sale.
"Why does Mauville Gym seem so desperate for money through and through? Could it be that the New Mauville Power Plant project has started up again?"
Sieg couldn't figure it out, though he did spot some Pokémon among them that genuinely interested him.
For instance, an Elekid.
This Pokémon's final evolution, Electivire, was currently the Electric-type Pokémon with the highest known base stats.
With a whopping 540 base stats, even higher than starter Pokémon, the only slight drawback was that its second evolution required an item called an "Electirizer."
(Note: Excluding Mega Evolutions, Legendary Pokémon, and Mythical Pokémon)