A Huge Thank You and Welcome to our New Patrons: Asariel & Gaming Plan!
--------------------
Ten minutes later.
By constantly harassing the opponent with Kilowattrel's agility, Aiden eventually won this challenge easily.
"I lost..."
Kato shook his head helplessly and decisively admitted his defeat.
What a pity. He had thought there might be a chance to break through Sunshine Gym directly, which would earn him some face at school...
He didn't expect Teacher Azure's backup plan to be Kilowattrel. The two Pokémon he had confirmed couldn't do much against it.
Krokorok couldn't reach it, and Armarouge's moves couldn't lock onto Kilowattrel, continuously flying with Tailwind. The entire match could be described as torture.
If it weren't for hitting one Psyshock after Tailwind disappeared, as a final "consolation," Kato's mindset might have slightly collapsed.
However, at least through this battle, he quickly discovered his shortcomings again—
Krokorok only having close-range moves was obviously insufficient. In real battles, it might be easily toyed with by Flying-type Pokémon like today.
Therefore, he needed to add moves like Rock Tomb or Rock Slide that could hit distant opponents, also serving as a coverage for his attacking options.
It's true that Ground-type can't hit Flying-type Pokémon, but they generally can learn Rock-type related moves, especially effective against birds.
So this is what Teacher Azure meant by "coverage" back then!
Following this line of thought, Kato soon realized that he seemed to have found a treasure that had been overlooked before—
If in a battle you encounter a disadvantageous type matchup, suddenly pulling out a move that counters the opponent could yield surprising results!
And this method applies to any Pokémon because there should be no Pokémon in this world that can't be countered. As long as there are weaknesses, they can be exploited!
Teacher Azure, I understand!
Kato, who had gained something, quickly dispelled the gloom on his face and looked at Aiden again with a passionate gaze.
"Teacher Azure, thank you for your guidance!"
"Next week, I'll come to challenge again. Please take care of me next time too!"
Losing to Teacher Azure can't really be called losing. Every battle is a solid high-quality lesson; how much you learn depends on your own understanding.
At least in terms of comprehension, Kato felt he wasn't too bad.
After a few more challenges, once he supplements his basic battle knowledge, the reborn self will surely pass Sunshine Gym!
"Wait, I didn't say your challenge was over yet?"
After hearing Kato's words, Aiden quickly smiled.
"Although you didn't win this challenge, passing the gym test isn't just about winning."
"From the previous battle, I can feel Kato's efforts this week. Your improvement should be intuitively felt by the live stream audience."
"It's truly impressive progress. If I were to give your performance a score..."
"Probably around 70 points, at least above passing level."
Deng deng dong—
Kato, who had already consoled himself, was stunned, momentarily even stopping his breath for a few seconds.
Teacher Azure actually praised me? And...
From what Teacher Azure said, does this mean I've gained his recognition?
Yay!
Soon, under Kato's expectant gaze, Aiden spoke again:
"So, this gym test—"
"You, pass!"
[Ohhhhh—, to be honest, this is quite inspiring. The guy who was the most embarrassing in last week's gym challenge passed this week. Other Paldea students, work hard and don't lose points for us viewers!]
[Getting Teacher Azure's recognition, is that something you can achieve just by working hard... But, it seems he did achieve it through effort, guys, drink this bowl of poisonous chicken soup!]
[Don't go. According to Teacher Azure's style, the next challenger will unlock phase two. Let's observe for now...]
[So Kato's rotation earlier wasn't just all luck was it?]
[Teacher Azure personally certified it, can there be any doubt?]
Regarding the discussions in the Rotom Phone's chat, Aiden also glanced up.
However, he didn't really care about this point.
Every step of command in Pokémon battles is essentially a manifestation of the Trainer's strength.
Perhaps Kato himself didn't realize it, but he indeed underwent a transformative change under this week's diligent study, possibly unconsciously making optimal decisions.
If he can continue to consolidate this, gradually turning accidental insights into his instincts and maintaining rational thinking in battles...
In the future, he might become at least an elite-level Trainer.
So, it's worth encouraging.
Guiding every challenger onto the right path is also the duty of a Gym Leader.
Aiden firmly believed this today.
When receiving the round badge from Aiden, Kato was so excited that he could barely speak.
The design elements of Sunshine Gym's badge largely reference a special item unique to Hoenn and Kalos regions called "Mega Evolution Stones," which have the powerful effect of stimulating the life potential of specific Pokémon and breaking their evolutionary limits.
Teacher Azure must have chosen the Evolution Stone with deep meaning.
I understand!
It must be that he hopes we challengers who pass can also continuously break through our strength limits like Mega Evolved Pokémon and show our brilliance...
That's right, it's just a Sunshine Badge. I shouldn't get carried away just because I passed Sunshine Gym. There are still more challenges waiting for me!
"I understand your teachings, Teacher Azure!"
Staring at Kato, who suddenly got hyped up and seemed like fire could shoot out of his eyes, Aiden tilted his head slightly, slowly forming a question mark.
This kid, did he imagine something again?
...
"Hehehe!"
Walking on Poco Path, Kato's smile couldn't be contained.
Occasionally meeting students coming to challenge Sunshine Gym on the road, whether he knew them or not, he would deliberately greet them, then "accidentally" open his palm to reveal the gym badge he tightly held, followed by a radiant smile.
"How do you know I passed Sunshine Gym?"
???
"Impossible, how could Teacher Azure let someone like you pass? Isn't it a mistake?"
"Holy crap, no, you damn bastard!"
"Who asked you? Go away, go!"
Then, amidst countless students' complex gazes of envy or shock, Kato walked towards Mesagoza like a triumphant rooster.
Even though he had walked this route many times, today Kato unexpectedly got lost. After circling Mesagoza several times, he barely returned to the student dormitory at night.
After returning to Naranja Academy, the first thing Kato did was—
Open the school's internal forum homepage and post a thread:
"First-time newbie challenging Sunshine Gym, what does this purple badge Teacher Azure gave me mean?"
[Who asked you?]
[Bro, how did you get lost here?]
[Getting a gym badge makes you so smug, show your skills in the finals of the Victory Road!]
After using all possible ways to show off he could think of, listening to the continuous notification sounds of replies to his post, Kato lay on his bed, suddenly feeling a surreal sense of unreality.
Never had such a wonderful day!
Not only did he completely wash away the shame of embarrassing himself in front of countless viewers in the live stream last week, but he also became the first "lucky one" to pass the gym test this week.
I am truly the chosen one!
"Even passing Sunshine Gym, if I don't win the Victory Road, who else can?"
"Now I'm terrifyingly strong, the other seven gyms are no match at all!"
"Tomorrow, I'll challenge the Cortondo Gym nearby. It feels like I can challenge all the gyms in one go!"
With the continuous notification sounds as lullaby music, Kato had a good night's sleep tonight.
...
In the following days, Sunshine Gym, like last week, welcomed a large number of challengers.
With the first passer, Kato, as a reference, the students of Naranja Academy quickly pulled out their interpretations.
The school forum quickly discussed thousands of posts on how to pass this week's test.
[Unexpectedly, Kato's understanding was so advanced. Ground + Dark + Taunt Krokorok really feels like the version answer!]
[It's not afraid of Togekiss's interference and can counter-taunt the opponent. Ground-type can also immune Kilowattrel's charged-up ultimate moves. If paired with Rock Slide, isn't it invincible?]
[But the problem is, evolving Sandile within a week seems impossible...]
[Darn, but it seems reasonable. We don't have that much time to train a Pokémon every week. If we had that ability, wouldn't we already be elite Trainers!]
[Is it possible that Kato was just a blind cat bumping into a dead rat...]
[Impossible, absolutely impossible. How can there be such a coincidence in the world? If it's true, this guy's luck is too unbeatable!]
However, although Krokorok's strategy couldn't be copied, many students brainstormed and quickly came up with a series of substitute choices.
Using a Dark-type Taunter to break through Togekiss, then synchronously rotating Ground-type Pokémon. If they could learn moves countering Kilowattrel, it would be even better.
In Aiden's four working days, he met dozens of challengers using the same strategy...
Although it indeed had some merit, facing Kilowattrel with incredibly fast speed under Tailwind, there was still no good solution.
It was at this moment that a challenger appeared before Aiden, immediately catching his eye.
------------------------------------------------------
Join my Patreon to read an exclusive novel – 'Douluo: Rebuilding Hao Tian Sect'
40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)