"Cheedo!"
The Mawile, caught out in its little scheme, raised a tiny fist and punched him, glaring with an expression that read "Am I really that vain?".
Baimu wanted to affirm but decided against risking it in front of the Strongman Trait and instead chose to find Aggron.
In just a few days.
The Big Monster gained quite a bit.
First, it learned Invisible Rock, then it grew further in battle awareness through mutual sharpening with Da Wu's two Aggrons.
Each Pokémon has its own preferred fighting style, like Hitmonchan excels in using fists, while Hitmonlee is skilled at kicking; and different Pokémon personalities further refine these differences.
Aggron learned a battle technique extended from instinct from the two seniors—
Explosive Charge.
Of course.
This is different from Tauros's Fierce Charge, which relies on long-distance sprinting. Aggron's Explosive Charge features long-distance leaps.
Simply put, it creates a propulsion force beneath using attribute energy, and then smashes into the opponent like a rocket cannon.
As soon as Aggron demonstrated it, Baimu understood.
In the anime, Da Wu's Aggron combined this technique with Heavyweight Charge to win in a direct clash against Ash Ketchum's Dracovish's Dragon Dive, successfully overpowering it.
Much better than the leaping charge he had been using Aggron for, as the leaping attack tends to create an arc-like path that could give opponents a chance to evade.
"What a gain."
Baimu smiled, gently patting its shiny steel shell.
Currently, Aggron's level is seventy-three, and with the level rewards shortening its path, this speed of increase is already scarily slow, and it's not uncommon for it not to gain any level for half a year.
Potential exhausted?
He had considered it, but the thought soon dissipated as long as ability value increases even if level doesn't.
Furthermore, similar to Mawile learning text, a few words and a period of growth cannot easily determine Aggron's limit.
If the level is slow, let it be slow; at most, rely on simulation rewards to feed it. Pikachu grew to the point of battling against Dan Emperor Charizard, which didn't happen overnight, and losing battles by the gap abounded.
Training Pokémon is a lifelong marathon!
Following the level sequence after Aggron, the Pokémon is still Steelix, who has just reached the bottom of level seventy, followed by Mawile and Dragapult at level sixty-nine, Hydreigon at level sixty-seven, and Blissey at sixty-five...
That's right.
Originally below Blissey, Hydreigon has successfully come from behind, truly deserving the term "excellent" Pokémon.
Following them are Porygon II at level fifty-eight, Galarian Corsola at fifty-seven, and the altered-color Milotic, who has newly reached level fifty thanks to level rewards.
These three newcomers captured after leaving Ore have already been working hard, and they haven't been short of level rewards.
Growing to this point might not compare to Ash Ketchum, who entered the world championships after only a year of training Pokémon, but it still ranks among the top trainers.
What surprised Baimu was Corsola showing no signs of evolving.
Although personally considering its non-evolution might be better, if Corsola were to evolve, he wouldn't stop it but be happy for its growth.
Unexpectedly, it's akin to Ash's Squirtle, with not even the slightest trace of evolution.
The Lonely Wanderer's Bulbasaur at least withstand Evolution Light once... Perhaps Corsola doesn't have the desire to evolve; a Pokémon's own intentions matter.
The team's bottom tier of levels.
Two Dreepys that are both below level twenty; if Baimu doesn't capture a low-level Pokémon soon, those level rewards will either accumulate or be fed to them.
But if one evolves into Drakloak, then wouldn't he need to find two more Dreepys again?
The Dragapult family really is a headache.
Baimu decides to someday go to the Galar Region and definitely consult with Dan Emperor, asking his advice on handling such matters.
For now.
"It's about time to set off!"
He packed his things and checked the time on his phone.
The Gym Battle starts in an hour; he should arrive early at the venue to ensure the Gym Leader sees him promptly.
——
Mossdeep Gym.
At first glance, it resembles an astronomy museum, with its transparent glass forming a mesh-like spherical structure, a golden arch-like roof at its base, and a pink heart with a ruby in the center hanging at the entrance.
Baimu examined it closely—
It's the Mind Badge! Luckily, it's large enough not to fear theft.
He stepped inside the gym, as the automatic doors opened, a woman with blue hair and eyes approached, "Hello, are you today's scheduled challenger?"
"Yes."
"I'm Rey, the manager of this gym. Please follow me," the woman named Rey directed.
Unlike the previous gym assistants Baimu encountered, Rey is a main manager of the gym, because Mossdeep Gym's leaders are a pair of underage twins who can't handle many matters.
After passing the hall and tunnel.
Soon.
A spacious enclosed battle field appeared before Baimu.
Above it, several large spheres representing planets floated, orbiting around the center while slowly rotating.
The siblings Xiaofeng and Konan, who looked alike in appearance, stood not far away, eagerly watching him.
"Good afternoon, challenger!"
"Is your pre-battle preparation all set?"
The two spoke in succession, both dressed in light blue tunics and pants, almost resembling cultivators aspiring for longevity.
In the game, they possess psychic communication abilities, which seemed absent in the anime, but... Baimu wasn't sure they really didn't have it.
"Always ready, please guide me," he nodded in acknowledgment.
"Alright, there's something you need to know in advance."
"Mossdeep Gym adopts a double battle format. You must send two Pokémon to engage with us in battle, including the planets above as part of the field."
Xiaofeng and Konan spoke in turns, their statements clear and organized.
Baimu nodded again.
The siblings exchanged a smile, then looked at Rey, who walked to the referee position, signaling her to announce the rules.
Thus.
"The upcoming battle is a Mossdeep Gym double battle. Each side can use up to four Pokémon, and the loss of all Pokémon's battle ability signifies victory. Furthermore, neither side can switch their Pokémon!"
Mossdeep Gym's double format seems like a double battle, but not quite.
After all, where else is there a double battle against two trainers while prohibiting challengers from freely switching Pokémon? It's quite unique.
Fortunately, Baimu had done his homework before arriving and prepared the Pokémon to face off.
"The battle begins!"
As the words fell, all three threw their Pokeballs forward.
"I trust you! Lunatone!" "Go! Solrock!"
"Battle preparation!"
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Four Pokeballs opened with explosive sounds.
Baimu usually didn't vocalize when releasing Pokémon, but seeing the other side doing it made him feel something was missing, so he borrowed Shinji's catchphrase.
Xiaofeng and Konan started with their most skilled Pokémon—
Lunatone and Solrock.
These Pokémon, in a sense, come from outer space, possessing rock and psychic attributes, both with the Levitate trait, identical species values, only differing in ability value distribution and technique pool.
Baimu didn't underestimate these two and chose his "trump card combination" for the battle.
"Cheedo~"
"Pali!"
Porygon II and Mawile landed, gazing at the distant floating Lunatone and Solrock, showing no hint of tension, only anticipation for what's next.
The battle is about to erupt!