Chapter 35: This wave of experience points was so satisfying!
Magmar's appearance caused a huge heatwave.
Xia Mu's attention was originally on Growlithe, as it had leveled up after three battles.
Seeing Magmar, his attention was inevitably drawn to it.
As a very special Fire-type Pokémon, Magmar's body temperature is rumored to reach 1200 degrees Celsius when it erupts.
Previously, he only saw text descriptions in games, but now he experienced it firsthand; it truly is like a walking miniature volcano.
Speaking of which, Xia Mu had conducted in-depth research on Magmar.
The reason was simple: it looked very imposing and cool in the game, and it was a powerful offensive Pokémon.
If it weren't unobtainable at the start, it would be the best choice for players to progress through the game.
If Magmar is like this, not to mention its later evolution into Magmortar, it has always been one of Xia Mu's main Fire-type Pokémon.
Of course, Magmar's advantages don't stop there. Its family boasts a rich movepool, covering a wide range of types.
For example, it can learn Poison, Fighting, Dark, Ground, Electric... even Psychic and Ghost types.
Anyone who's used it knows that aside from its relatively weak HP and Defense, its Attack, Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed are among the best in the early game.
So even without the Magma Booster to evolve into Magmar and reach a base stat total of 540, Magmar's base stat total of 495 is still quite high.
It's worth mentioning that having three Pokémon nearing level 40, plus a level 42 Magmar, makes it a top-tier NPC in the game.
Xia Mu felt that even with a higher-level trainer in the real world, this level of strength would easily put it in the top 16 at the Indigo League.
Xia Mu was increasingly excited.
He had previously underestimated ordinary trainers; this wave of experience points was incredibly satisfying.
Perhaps Yuichi has two more high-level Pokémon. After defeating them one after another, Growlithe might even level up by 1.
However, this battle was indeed a bit more difficult than before.
Fortunately, Magmar's Flame Body ability wouldn't affect Growlithe. If Lucario or Beedrill had been brought in at the start, they would easily have been burned upon touching Magmar's body, resulting in a burn status.
He never considered this situation when playing games before, because it was either you KO'd them or they KO'd you.
Even if he got a status effect while progressing through the game, he could heal with medicine.
Now it's different. While melee teams are strong, an all-melee team can be countered by certain abilities.
After clearing the Mewtwo stage, he definitely wanted to train two Pokémon focused on Special Attack.
"Let's see what you do now! Magmar, Flamethrower!" Yuichi's voice rang out, bringing Xia Mu back to his senses.
'Whoosh!' A deep roar came from Magmar's mouth, and at the same time, a powerful Flamethrower shot out, reaching extremely high temperatures.
Xia Mu made a decisive move: "Let's use Flamethrower too!"
Growlithe wasn't afraid at all, and unleashed a powerful Flamethrower.
'Boom!!!'
The two flames collided, their power terrifying, creating a gust of wind and heat, causing many onlookers to gasp in surprise.
Growlithe was suppressed!
Because its Special Attack wasn't outstanding, even a 3-level difference was useless.
However, Growlithe still managed to block this wave of attacks.
Yuichi seemed to see a glimmer of hope for victory and shouted without hesitation: "Looks like your Growlithe's time is up! Magmar, Flamethrower!"
Upon hearing this, Xia Mu's expression changed slightly.
Learning Flamethrower at level 42 was understandable; Growlithe had also learned Flamethrower at a low level.
But Flamethrower was different.
Even if Magmar didn't evolve, it would need to reach level 48 to learn it, and according to Magmar's level setting, it would need to reach level 58 to learn Flamethrower.
If Magmar used Flamethrower at level 50, Xia Mu wouldn't be surprised.
But this level difference means that unless a TM is used, it's impossible.
"Don't hesitate, Growlithe, use Agility to dodge!"
Xia Mu decisively dodged.
Growlithe's strength level isn't enough to withstand this attack head-on.
Even though it's a Fire-type, it won't be instantly killed, but if it takes this hit, things will get much harder.
Flame Burst is incredibly powerful, but Growlithe, with the help of Agility, avoids the attack.
The ground was scorched by Flame Burst, leaving a large, indeterminate mark.
"Still using that trick? Magmar isn't Golduck! Use Smoke Screen to cover the field!" Yuichi shouted.
His Magmar was indeed quite capable; his Smoke Screen covered half the field with flames and ash.
This kind of field-like move is difficult to counter in the game; you just have to take it head-on.
Not only did it have a power value of 80, but if it were a Pokémon of another type, it would likely suffer a burn.
"Your Magmar is indeed very well-trained, but it doesn't seem to have learned any moves of other types!" Xia Mu's eyes gleamed with excitement.
The thrill of this battle was something that wild Pokémon battles couldn't provide.
"Growlithe, use the smoke screen's fire to launch a frontal attack with Fire Wheel!" Xia Mu gave the command.
Growlithe roared amidst the smoke screen, and as it spun, flames enveloped its entire body, swirling the flames and ash to form an even more powerful Fire Wheel.
In real-world Pokémon battles, everything can be utilized; using fire to enhance the power of Fire-type moves is certainly feasible.
Xia Mu studied this as he battled.
"What?!" Yuichi witnessed this unbelievable scene and was shocked.
The Flame Wheel hit Magmar head-on, causing direct damage.
However, being a Fire-type, even with its relatively low physical defense, it couldn't defeat Magmar in one hit; at most, it would only cause Magmar some pain.
Of course, Xia Mu's attack didn't stop there.
"Crunch!" With a command, Growlithe changed its attack stance, dispelling the Flame Wheel while its Dark-type Fangs lunged at Magmar's body.
Seeing this, Yuichi hurriedly shouted, "Fire Punch to counter!"
'Boom!!!'
The moves collided, creating a violent explosion.
Growlithe was sent flying backward, and Magmar was also knocked back several meters.
Seemingly evenly matched, both had suffered significant damage.
"One more Flamethrower!" Yuichi gritted his teeth and quickly gave the order.
Magmar's Flamethrower burst forth again.
"Protect!" Xia Mu shouted.
Growlithe let out a roar, its entire body radiating a crystalline light, forming an invisible shield.
The flamethrower was blocked by the light shield at close range, causing no damage.
As the attack ended, a bead of cold sweat slid down Yuichi's cheek; he hadn't expected Growlithe to have such a move.
"Fire Wheel!" Xia Mu continued to command.
Growlithe unleashed Fire Wheel again, like a fiery meat grinder, heading straight for Magmar.
Yuichi quickly regained his senses; although his brain was somewhat blank, he still issued the command as fast as possible: "Avoid Fire Wheel."
Magmar was indeed fast and successfully dodged Growlithe's Fire Wheel.
However, Xia Mu's attack wasn't Fire Wheel.
Fire Wheel created an opportunity, causing Magmar to expose an opening while moving, and Xia Mu immediately shouted: "Stop Fire Wheel, use Crunch again!"
At this moment, Growlithe's reaction speed, honed from years of battling wild Pokémon, came into play.
'Woof!'
Growlithe roared and turned to attack.
Crunch successfully struck Magmar's arm, causing significant damage.
The Magmar groaned in pain, staggering backward.
Yuichi was in a panic: "Fire Punch to knock it back!"
"Your rhythm is off, Growlithe! Use this opportunity to retreat and avoid Fire Punch, then unleash a Flamethrower!"
Growlithe was incredibly agile; as it dodged Fire Punch, it simultaneously spewed Flamethrower from its mouth.
'Boom!!!'
Flamethrower hit its mark.
The continuous attacks caused the Magmar to howl in agony, finally collapsing, unable to continue, and losing its ability to battle.
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(End of Chapter)