Seeing Turtwig successfully evolve to Level 10 and use its moves with increasing skill, Wen Qi felt a deep sense of satisfaction.
However, he knew that a Pokémon's growth couldn't be achieved through training alone. It was time for Turtwig to face real combat, to test the fruits of its recent development.
With this thought, Wen Qi could no longer contain his excitement. He quickly checked his phone for information on nearby battle venues.
In the city, especially in crowded areas, Pokémon battles were strictly regulated to prevent unnecessary harm to others. Large Pokémon couldn't be released casually, and even those used for riding or flying required a proper license to be on the road.
Thus, Pokémon battle gyms had emerged. They weren't just places for trainers to hone their skills but also clubs that gathered many battle enthusiasts.
Inside these gyms, trainers could arrange battles between Pokémon of different levels based on their needs. For those who won matches at the same level, there was a win-streak reward system.
For example, one consecutive win earned a reward of 1,000 yuan, and with each win up to nine, the prize accumulated to 9,000 yuan. Once a trainer achieved ten consecutive wins, the reward soared to 20,000 yuan.
However, after reaching ten wins, the gym would ask if the trainer wanted to continue. If they chose to proceed, they would face stronger opponents, typically five levels higher than their own Pokémon.
While some Pokémon excelled at their level and could fight above their weight, jumping five levels was still a massive challenge. As a result, continued victories were rare.
Currently, the club's highest win streak was only twenty consecutive wins, because after that, challengers faced opponents ten levels higher—a gap nearly impossible to bridge.
Wen Qi discovered a battle gym called "Cold Front" near his home, which had good online reviews and reasonable prices. Without delay, he eagerly took Turtwig there.
Entering the battle hall, he found it bustling with activity—the sounds of combat and cheers rising and falling, the atmosphere intense.
Wen Qi looked around, searching for a suitable battle spot. Just then, an enthusiastic staff member approached with a smile and asked, "Welcome to the battle gym! Are you here to participate in a battle?"
Wen Qi nodded in affirmation.
The staff member warmly explained the gym's rules and procedures, recommending several evenly matched opponents for him to choose from.
Just as Wen Qi was about to pick an opponent, a familiar figure caught his eye. Wasn't that his former classmate, Li Xiang? What was he doing here?
Li Xiang seemed to notice Wen Qi's gaze too. He turned around, and upon seeing Wen Qi, his face showed surprise.
The two hadn't met since graduation and rarely kept in touch. Running into each other here was indeed unexpected.
Li Xiang walked over, looked at Turtwig beside Wen Qi, and asked curiously, "Is this your Pokémon? It looks special."
Wen Qi nodded and introduced it, "Yes, it's called Turtwig. I recently caught it. What about you? Why are you here?"
Li Xiang explained, "Actually, I work here. My relative owns this place. Since it's summer break, I train my Pokémon while working here."
Hearing this, Wen Qi was a bit surprised. He looked at the Pokémon beside Li Xiang and asked curiously, "So, what's your Pokémon?"
Li Xiang took out a small Poké Ball from behind him and tossed it lightly. A Charmander appeared before Wen Qi.
The Charmander looked adorable, with a determined glint in its eyes.
Wen Qi stared in amazement, checking its information through the system.
Pokémon: Charmander Level: 10 Type: Fire Ability: Blaze (Boosts Fire-type moves when HP is low) Talent: Green Moves: Scratch (Beginner), Growl (Beginner), Ember (Proficient), Smokescreen (Beginner), Dragon Breath (Proficient)
This Charmander had green talent, was at Level 10, and had mastered Ember and Dragon Breath. It seemed Li Xiang's family background wasn't ordinary; otherwise, he couldn't have such an excellent Pokémon.
A surge of competitive desire welled up in Wen Qi. He looked at Li Xiang and said, "I didn't expect you to have a Pokémon like Charmander. It looks strong."
Li Xiang smiled back, "Yeah, Charmander is a Pokémon I got from the League. We've been together for over a month. It's full of fighting spirit and loves to battle."
Hearing this, Wen Qi was even more convinced that Li Xiang's family was special. After all, owning a starter Pokémon with green talent wasn't easy.
Watching the eager Charmander, Wen Qi felt a strong urge to challenge. He said to Li Xiang, "Since we've met here, how about a battle? I'd like to see Charmander's strength."
Li Xiang paused, then nodded, "Sure, I'd love to battle you too. But we need to register at the front desk first, and then the staff will arrange a battle area for us."
They went to the front desk together and paid the 1,000-yuan battle fee. Then, they were assigned to a battle area with no spectators, as neither wanted to reveal too much about their Pokémon.
Standing on opposite sides of the battlefield, they both shouted, "Go, Turtwig! Go, Charmander!"
The two Pokémon stood in the arena. Looking at Turtwig on the field, Wen Qi felt a special sensation. Two years had passed since he came to this world, and he was finally standing on this long-awaited stage. He felt a mix of excitement and nervousness.
Just then, the system's voice echoed in his mind: "Win a battle. Task success: 1,000 points reward; task failure: 1,000 points deducted."
Hearing this, Wen Qi became even more determined to win. This wasn't just about the points; it was Turtwig's first battle, and he wanted it to be a brilliant victory.
Although Turtwig was at a type disadvantage against Charmander, Wen Qi had full confidence in it. He believed that through recent training and growth, Turtwig was ready to face Charmander.
He took a deep breath, steadied his mindset, and prepared for the challenge.
The electronic referee gave the command, and the match began.
Li Xiang immediately ordered Charmander to attack. Charmander quickly launched an Ember attack, but Wen Qi's Turtwig seemed dazed, not yet receiving its command, and was hit by the flames.
Turtwig didn't dodge, clearly lacking battle experience, and took significant damage.
Wen Qi's heart tightened as he watched Turtwig groan in pain. He quickly composed himself, focusing his attention. He asked softly, "Turtwig, are you okay? Can you keep going?"
His eyes were full of concern and determination. He knew the situation was dire, but he wouldn't give up easily.
Wen Qi took another deep breath, calmed his emotions, and said to Turtwig, "Turtwig, you've done well. Now, we'll face this challenge together. I believe in you—you can do it!"
Turtwig seemed to understand. It struggled to its feet. Though still weak, its eyes sparkled with unwavering fighting spirit.
Wen Qi looked at Turtwig, filled with confidence. He knew that as long as they worked together, they could overcome this strong opponent.
Just then, Charmander attacked again. It rushed toward Turtwig, ready to finish it off with another Ember.
Seeing this, Wen Qi shouted to Turtwig, "Turtwig, dodge quickly! Then counter with Razor Leaf!"
Turtwig obeyed, swiftly evading Charmander's Ember and launching Razor Leaf from behind toward Charmander.
While Charmander dodged the Razor Leaf, Wen Qi quickly instructed Turtwig, "Use Ingrain to absorb energy, then use Growth to recover stamina!"
Turtwig followed the commands, and soon, the damage it had taken was nearly invisible.
Li Xiang watched in awe at Turtwig's incredible recovery, realizing this would be a prolonged battle.
Charmander refused to back down and attacked again. It used Smokescreen, filling the area with smoke that blinded Turtwig.
Inexperienced, Turtwig panicked, losing its sense of direction. Sensing its distress, Wen Qi quickly comforted it, "Turtwig, stay calm! Trust yourself, don't give up!"
Hearing its trainer's voice, Turtwig immediately regained composure.
Seeing Turtwig calm down, Wen Qi continued, "Keep using Ingrain to absorb energy, then use Growth to recover. Finally, aim at nine o'clock and use Energy Ball!"
Turtwig followed the instructions, successfully launching an Energy Ball that hit Charmander. Charmander howled in pain, clearly badly hurt.
Li Xiang grew uneasy. He noticed something off about Turtwig—a Grass-type Energy Ball dealing such severe damage to Charmander was unusual. He quickly said to Charmander, "Hold on! Use Dragon Breath to counter!"
Charmander nodded, gathered all its strength, and let out a mighty roar. A powerful energy burst from Charmander, shooting toward Turtwig.
Turtwig was hit by the Dragon Breath, its body swaying as if it might collapse. But seeing Wen Qi's worried gaze, a strong conviction surged within it. It couldn't let its trainer down!
Suddenly, a strange power emerged from Turtwig's body. Wen Qi was astonished to see Turtwig use a variant of Grassy Terrain—a move it had never used before!
With Grassy Terrain's boost, Turtwig's body rapidly recovered. Li Xiang was deeply shaken by the sight. He had seen ordinary Grassy Terrain before, but never one used by such a low-level Pokémon with such fast recovery.
Seizing the moment, Wen Qi gave Turtwig a new command: "Use Razor Leaf!"
Before Li Xiang and Charmander could recover from their shock, they were hit by the Razor Leaf. Charmander groaned in pain, then collapsed, losing its fighting ability.
The electronic referee's voice rang out: "Battle over! Turtwig wins!"
Wen Qi and Turtwig looked at the fallen Charmander, both letting out a sigh of relief. They had triumphed over a strong opponent, proving their strength.