"Truly luxurious... though I wonder what salary they offer."
Minato glanced about. The exterior alone contained numerous battlefields. The interior featured private battle rooms as well.
He estimated that field maintenance alone consumed staggering monthly sums.
"Eevee!"
Eevee grew concerned as well. Minato's wealth effectively meant Eevee's wealth. Higher-end Juice Milk lay within reach.
"You are Minato, yes?"
Minato waited only briefly in the lobby before an unfamiliar middle-aged man emerged from a corridor and addressed him.
"That is correct."
"Let us dispense with formalities. Yosuke referred you here. While he vouched for you, we must verify your actual skill. The Starlight Battle Club operates as a business, not a charity."
"Thus, you will accompany me. I shall arrange a battle. Your opponent is also a novice trainer. Victory secures your position as a sparring partner. Defeat means collecting today's wages and departing permanently." Mr. Sanmei spoke.
"Regarding personal coaching, have no concern. I promised Yosuke. I shall assist you to the best of my ability."
Minato nodded, though his heart sank.
Apparently, Yosuke's relationship with Mr. Sanmei was not as close as he had imagined. Whether he secured this position actually depended upon his own capabilities.
From this exchange, Minato gathered information. His opponent was a novice trainer. Against peers, Minato felt no fear. Unless facing Psychic or Ghost-types that Eevee currently could not handle, their comprehensive training provided a substantial advantage.
"Excellent demeanor." Mr. Sanmei observed Minato and Eevee's expressions, smiling slightly. "Yosuke possesses some discernment. Come. I shall brief you on your opponent's details."
"He attends Heiwa First High School, as do you. His starter Pokémon is a Munchlax. That Pokémon possesses astonishing fat stores. Ordinary attacks struggle to penetrate. With this Munchlax, your opponent achieved nineteen consecutive victories at public battle venues. These were all fellow novice trainers, however, so do not overtax yourself with anxiety."
Munchlax?
Absorbing Mr. Sanmei's warnings, Minato's thoughts raced. Simultaneously, he relaxed.
Truly, only the wealthy patronized the Starlight Battle Club.
Munchlax carried the title "Big Eater Pokémon." Even newborns require nearly fifty kilograms of food daily.
Had the trainer fed it cheap crops like potatoes or corn, the cost would be manageable.
However, providing nutritious food in such quantities proved terrifying. Few families could sustain such an expense unless fabulously wealthy.
With proper nutrition, Munchlax developed rapidly. This explained why most novice trainers faced nightmares against it. That thick, fat layer alone nullified many attacks' potency.
Nineteen consecutive victories seemed natural under these conditions.
Yet despite its strength, Munchlax possessed a critical weakness: sluggish movement.
Minato felt no concern.
"Play to your strengths and avoid your weaknesses."
Entering a private battle room with Mr. Sanmei, Minato had already formulated his strategy.
Stepping onto the battlefield, Minato felt involuntary excitement. This marked their first formal battle. No nervousness, only anticipation. Though they had experienced combat in the Special Zone, wild battles and formal matches differed fundamentally.
"I am Raku."
The chubby youth introduced himself first upon seeing Minato enter. His aura projected confidence. For novices, Munchlax's advantages were overwhelming. This had cultivated Raku's carefree attitude.
"I am Minato. I am your opponent."
Observing Raku's substantial girth, Minato thought silently: Wealth is truly wonderful.
"Your Eevee is quite adorable." Raku smiled, dismissing Minato even more thoroughly.
"Eevee." Eevee nodded proudly.
Minato: "..."
The opponent mocked you as harmless, you fool.
Minato decided to assign his language arts homework to Eevee. Such assignments might prevent future misunderstandings of this nature.
Mr. Sanmei clapped, interrupting the introductions. "Friendship first. Battle second."
"We shall observe from above. Enjoy your match."
Only then did Minato notice a middle-aged man seated in the observation gallery. From his physique... this appeared to be Raku's father?
Disregarding this, Minato and Raku moved to opposite sides of the battlefield as the referee entered and awaited instructions.
"The battlefield is standard terrain. Rules are one versus one, a single match for victory. Trainers, release your Pokémon."
"Eevee, go."
Following the announcement, Eevee leaped from Minato's shoulder, gazing curiously toward Raku's Poké Ball.
"I am counting on you, Munchlax. As before, victory earns you a deluxe feast."
With this, Raku hurled his Poké Ball forcefully. Red light flashed. The Ball rebounded, which Raku fumbled to catch, lacking grace.
Munchlax possessed deep blue skin and a small, pale belly. It walked upright. Its large, round eyes currently displayed eager hunger.
"Munch! Munch!"
Hearing its trainer's promise of a feast, Munchlax fixed heated eyes upon Eevee.
Eevee's thoughts turned inexplicable. The Pokémon suddenly looked back at Minato.
Meeting Eevee's gaze briefly before it turned away, Minato felt heartache.
This little rascal... probably wanted a deluxe feast as well.
Once the battle commenced, Raku issued commands immediately: "Use Defense Curl."
Defense Curl: The user curls up to conceal weak spots and raise its Defense stat.
This move caused Munchlax to curl into a ball shape.
"Ha! Your son is interesting. He intends passive defense?" Mr. Sanmei laughed from the gallery. His experience allowed him to recognize this Munchlax's remarkable Defense. Clearly, it had consumed high-nutrition foods extensively.
"This is purely negative engagement." Raku's father shook his head.
"Observe how Minato breaks through. Ordinarily, Eevee's attack options struggle against Munchlax. This may prove a bitter struggle for him." Mr. Sanmei turned his attention to Minato and Eevee.
Yosuke had requested guidance for Minato. Mr. Sanmei did not know where to begin instruction. This battle might reveal suitable starting points.