The next day.
At a public battleground in the Imperial Capital.
Owen, dressed in a red and white jacket, arrived at the scene. He was planning to visit People's University later today, but before that, he intended to find a suitable opponent for Magnemite's very first battle.
Since Owen took it in, Magnemite had been practicing its moves in isolation. It had never experienced real combat. Making Pokéblocks counted as practice, but there was a massive gap between theory and the chaos of a live match.
Previously, Magnemite's flight control had been too unstable for a fight. Now, with its mastery over Thunder Wave significantly improved, its flight was much smoother.
Owen felt it was finally ready to face the world—especially since his Magnemite possessed a "cheat code" in the form of psychic energy.
"Still, let's look for a rookie who seems a bit on the weaker side..."
Owen planned to pick an "easy" target first. After all, the "God-vee" wasn't the one stepping onto the field today. If he accidentally challenged someone like Lynnea, a single Flamethrower from Growlithe would make Magnemite's life very miserable.
With its current grasp of psychic power, Thundershock, and Thunder Wave, Magnemite should be at a solid middle-tier level among rookie starters. After circling the grounds, Owen's gaze landed on a girl with a bit of acne.
"Her starter is a Tangela... such a nostalgic Pokémon. I even have a training guide for Tangela saved in my notes."
"A girl choosing a Tangela as a starter is rare. You're the one."
The girl, LiLu, was looking around with her Pokémon, likely searching for an opponent as well.
"Hey there, would you like a battle?" Owen approached and greeted her.
"Me?" LiLu turned around, surprised. "Sure!"
She didn't refuse. Owen beamed, glad it was this easy.
"Rookie trainer, Owen."
"I'm a rookie too, LiLu."
After the introductions, they headed toward an open arena. Through some quick small talk, Owen learned she was a local from the Imperial Capital, attending a nearby prestigious high school.
"Don't you guys have supplementary classes?" Owen asked curiously. It was still a while before the Spring Festival, and Fairview No. 1 was definitely still in session.
"Our school doesn't do that. Most students just hire private tutors during the break," LiLu explained simply.
Owen fell silent. What kind of wealthy background is this?
Once they reached the field, LiLu's Tangela slowly waddled into position. "Your turn to release your Pokémon," she said.
"Right." Owen took out Magnemite's Pokéball.
He had kept Eevee in her ball to avoid unnecessary explanations. If people saw him with a high-level Eevee on his shoulder while he sent out a "new" Magnemite, it would look like he was smurfing or mocking them.
"Go, Magnemite!"
The magnet-like Pokémon appeared on the field, hovering steadily.
LiLu blinked. "Oh?"
If her type-matchup knowledge was correct, Electric moves weren't very effective against Tangela, and Grass moves weren't very effective against a Steel-type like Magnemite.
This was a battle of endurance. She looked at Owen, thinking he had chosen her specifically for this balanced matchup.
"Ladies first," Owen offered, momentarily forgetting how he had used "trash talk" to rattle girls during the Young Ho-Oh Cup. This was just a friendly spar, after all.
"Alright! Tangela, use Vine Whip!"
Whoosh!
Tangela, a round body covered in thick blue vines, lashed out with two whips directly at the floating Magnemite.
As an "experienced" rookie, Owen immediately judged the strength of the move. Not bad... if she were at Fairview, she wouldn't make the school team, but she'd be top-tier in any regular class.
"Thundershock against the vines," Owen commanded.
Magnemite lacked Eevee's rigorous physical training and battle intuition. Afraid Magnemite wouldn't react in time to the "God-tier" command of "Dodge it!", Owen opted for a direct clash.
Magnemite focused its mind and released a bolt of electricity.
Crackle!
The current accurately wrapped around the vines, traveling back to shock Tangela. Simultaneously, the whips slammed into Magnemite's metallic body.
The trade was made. Neither side took significant damage. It was a classic rookie exchange—a bit clunky and straightforward, like a kindergarten scuffle. It was a far cry from Eevee slamming a Magmar across a stadium.
"Tangela, Vine Whip again!"
"Try to dodge and use Thundershock."
Owen didn't want to repeat the same trade. He tried to get Magnemite to move, but its lack of combat experience showed. Tangela's vines adjusted their trajectory mid-air, and Magnemite couldn't keep up with the rhythm. It was caught and bound tight by the vines.
Owen facepalmed. The moves are there, but the basics are lacking. I'll definitely have to put Magnemite through the 'Eevee Special' training later.
"Kuo-yi!!"
Bound by the vines, Magnemite began to feel its energy being drained as Tangela used Absorb. Owen didn't want to use Hidden Power (Psychic) yet; that move was too powerful for this level and would likely result in a one-hit KO, defeating the purpose of a "practice" match.
"Hold your ground! Concentrate and use Thunder Wave," Owen ordered.
Under the effects of Absorb, a Pokémon usually feels weak and sluggish. Owen pushed Magnemite to focus its willpower.
Thanks to its excellent mental strength developed through Pokéblocks and meditation, Magnemite regained some clarity. It skillfully manipulated a specific frequency of current into the vines.
This was its one true advantage: precision control.
Unlike the raw power of Thundershock, the subtle pulse of Thunder Wave delivered a numbing sensation that Grass-types couldn't easily ignore.
In an instant, Tangela's body locked up with paralysis. The vines twitched and retracted involuntarily.
LiLu's expression turned solemn. This guy... is tougher than he looks.
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