The taxi soon stopped beside a magnificent building.
The moment Evan Lane got out, waves of heated cheers were already rolling out from inside the venue.
“You can hear it from this far away?
How many people are in there?” To be honest, this was Evan’s first time about to battle in front of this many spectators.
Saying he was not nervous would be a lie.
However, the state tournament would have even more people watching, and the entire event would be broadcast on television.
This could count as adapting in advance.
Although it was called a battle arena, the entire building was seven stories tall.
Each floor was nearly the size of a standard stadium from his previous life.
Evan could hardly imagine just how wealthy the owner of the Kingsport Battle Arena had to be.
Arriving at the front desk in the first-floor lobby, the receptionist’s gentle voice rang out.
“Are you here to purchase tickets to watch the matches, or to register as a competitor?” “Hello.
My name is Evan Lane.
I’m here to see Manager Linden.” There was no petty drama or unnecessary hostility.
The staff at a professional battle venue like this were well trained and treated every guest with the same level of courtesy.
“Please wait a moment.
I’ll make a call to confirm.” Before long, a man of medium build wearing a fitted suit stepped out of the elevator.
Putting aside his eye-catching slicked-back hair, the biggest difference between Manager Linden and Elena Greenhill was that the moment he came out of the elevator, his face was full of smiles.
At a glance, he was clearly someone smooth and experienced.
“You must be Evan Lane, right?
Elena has already told me about your situation.
Come with me first.” After saying that, without waiting for Evan to answer, he led the way ahead.
“Each floor of our battle arena corresponds to a different area, ranging from Professional Trainers down to Intermediate Trainers.
The second floor is used for Intermediate Trainer battles.” Manager Linden introduced the place as he walked in front.
Soon, they arrived at a private office on the second floor.
“Sit.” First, he brewed Evan a cup of tea.
Then Manager Linden sat down on the sofa across from him, and the smile on his face faded quite a bit.
Seeing this, Evan knew that the enthusiastic introduction from earlier had just been courtesy.
Now they were getting to the real matter.
“The Kingsport Battle Arena is the largest battle arena in Kingsport, and it has a certain level of fame across the entire state.
Although Elena introduced you, so I won’t charge you any participation fees, if you compete frequently and lose frequently, even I, as the manager of the Intermediate area, will have a hard time handling that.” “I won’t make things difficult for you, Manager Linden.
If that kind of situation really happens, I’ll leave on my own.” Evan answered calmly.
He did not feel angry because the other party’s words seemed to look down on him.
On the contrary, Manager Linden’s attitude made Evan relax.
Even with Elena’s connection, the other man had no reason to help him unconditionally and affect his own work.
Standing firmly in a battle arena of this size was definitely not an easy thing.
If the other party had really behaved in an utterly selfless manner, Evan would have suspected he had some other motive.
Seemingly satisfied with Evan’s answer, a smile climbed back onto Manager Linden’s face.
At the same time, he reached beneath the table, took out a metal box, and pushed it in front of Evan.
“This is the smart bracelet used exclusively by battle arena members.
After reading your membership card information, it will notify you of your battle times.
It will also display the items that can be exchanged with battle points.” “I’ve already arranged your room.
Someone will take you there shortly.” After explaining these matters, Manager Linden politely saw Evan out of the office.
Outside the door, a staff member had already been waiting for some time.
He led Evan toward his room.
Along the way, the staff member treated Evan respectfully.
This made Evan understand that being able to live inside the battle arena probably required a certain level of authorization.
After swiping the card slot on the door, there was a soft ding, and the door opened.
The interior layout suited Evan’s tastes very well.
The overall decoration was quite plain, but all the necessary facilities were present.
Across from the bed was a display screen, which was currently showing a battle taking place in the second-floor venue.
After briefly putting away his luggage, Evan sat down on the bed and began examining the transparent smart bracelet in his hand.
He put it on his wrist and gently touched it with the membership card.
In an instant, an electronic synthesized voice rang out in the room, startling Evan.
[Member: Evan Lane.
Card Number: 12138.
Login successful!] As the bracelet released a light-particle effect, a display screen formed in front of Evan’s eyes.
When he swiped his finger, the projected page also slid along with it, forming a series of interactive functions.
This scene left Evan deeply amazed.
He had not expected that after Pokémon had integrated into the world, technology would already have developed to this degree.
“Found it!” After studying it for a while, Evan found the point exchange interface.
He began browsing the items one by one.
“Fire Stone, Leaf Stone, Focus Sash…
oh?
There’s even a Moss Rock!” In the exchange list, not only were there various types of items and Evolution Stones, but there was also a considerable stock of starter Pokémon Eggs.
At the very bottom, one point could also be exchanged for $100.
However, most people would not do that.
In the battle arena, the value of one point was equivalent to nearly $250.
Every time someone participated in the arena, the ticket price was around $150, changing with the number of participants that day.
It could be used continuously until the competitor lost.
In the Intermediate area, winning one battle earned 0.5 points.
In other words, winning three battles was enough to break even.
The remaining points could then be saved and used in the exchange list to obtain rare items at prices lower than the market rate.
This was the battle arena’s core operating model for constantly attracting people to participate.
“This is…
a Goomy Egg?!” As he kept scrolling, Evan saw a Pokémon Egg with only one in stock on the exchange list, and a shocked expression appeared on his face.
As the initial form of Goodra, the pseudo-Legendary from the Kalos region, Goomy’s combat power was basically nonexistent.
It was known as the “weakest Dragon-type Pokémon.” But after evolving into its final form, its strength would increase drastically.
In particular, Hisuian Goodra was a Dragon and Steel dual-type.
If it also had the Sap Sipper ability, it would have nine resistances and two immunities.
Combined with outstanding Defense, Special Defense, and HP, it would be absurdly bulky.
After Dynamaxing, Goodra’s defensive ability would rise even further.
It could be considered one of the rare tank-type pseudo-Legendaries.
However, in the XY&Z anime, Ash’s Goodra first tied with Sawyer’s Slurpuff.
Since Slurpuff was Fairy-type, and Dragon was restrained by Fairy, that could barely be accepted.
But later, in the battle against Alain’s Bisharp, it was hit by Guillotine, a move with only 30% accuracy, and was instantly knocked out.
It achieved the miserable league record of one draw and one loss.
Add in the fact that Goodra was not particularly outstanding in appearance among pseudo-Legendaries, and for a time, its presence was very low.
As for strength, though, it was absolutely solid.
Ash just completely failed to use it properly!
After counting the zeros behind Goomy’s price, Evan swallowed.
Fortunately, he could not catch it anyway.
Even if he exchanged for it, he could only use it to make money.
He quickly came to terms with that.
It was absolutely not because he could not afford it!
Aside from Pokémon items and Pokémon Eggs, Pokémon food could also be exchanged through the list.
With 0.5 points, Snivy could eat for a day.
Her food expenses had doubled again, but fortunately, the food was unlimited for the whole day.
This was also a benefit only members could enjoy.
After sorting out his emotions, Evan prepared dinner for Snivy.
Then, after taking a shower, he lay down on the bed and prepared to rest.
Starting tomorrow, his free training time would be greatly reduced.
Most of his time would be spent participating in battles, gaining real combat experience while earning points.
“Snivy, training alone gets lonely, doesn’t it?
As long as you fight hard, you’ll have a new partner soon!” “Sni, Sni?” “Very soon, you’ll be the big sister boss!” That’s right.
Evan had set his eyes on the Moss Rock in the exchange list.
This thing was generally not easy to buy on the market, unlike Leaf Stones, which were more common.
The power emitted by the Moss Rock could not only assist Snivy in training, but also guide another Pokémon’s evolution!
Thinking of the adorable appearance of his next Pokémon, Evan was so excited that he tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep.
“Sni~” Snivy looked at Evan wriggling around nonstop on the bed, and the disdain in her heart grew even stronger.
Trainers really were hopeless flirts!