Dim lighting illuminated the gray rock walls.
Unlike the grandeur one might imagine, it was just like the attribute of the Rustboro Gym itself—the entire gym was filled with dark tones.
The surrounding walls and floor were made of genuine rock, uneven and rugged.
Upon entering, there were statues of a Graveler and a Nosepass on the left and right respectively.
Right in front of Leo was the entrance to a cave, pitch-black and leading to who knows where.
The entire layout perfectly displayed the low-key and reserved nature of Rock-types.
The rest was just sheer weight and hardness!
Taking a deep breath, Leo knew this was the beginning of the assessment!
A long rocky mountain path—as long as he defeated the Gym Apprentices ahead, he would be able to see the Gym Leader.
This was also to make it convenient for the Gym Leader to judge his strength.
Stepping into the dark cave, the scattered lights inside weren’t so dim that he couldn’t see the path.
Following the road straight ahead, he could feel by instinct that he was climbing upward.
“Are you a challenger?” While in a daze, a boy wearing a straw hat walked out from a corner.
“Hello, I’m Leo from Dewford Town!” Nodding, Leo’s mood gradually calmed down.
“Very good.
I am an apprentice of the Rustboro Gym, a Beginner-tier Trainer!” With a slightly proud expression, the boy introduced himself.
“My name is Josh.
Looking at you, you’re a Rookie Trainer, right?
First time at a Gym?” “Uh, yes!
I am indeed a Rookie challenging a Gym for the first time!” Undeniably, Leo was a Rookie; there was no way to deny it.
“A Rookie, and you’re already here to challenge the Gym?” Exaggeratedly shaking his head, Josh had a pitying look on his face.
“I think you should seriously consider it.
After all, the gap between a Rookie and a Beginner is still quite significant!” “It is!” Leo nodded earnestly, acknowledging this.
“But I still want to give it a try.
Please advise me!” “Alright, alright!
Since I’m a Gym Apprentice, let the great Josh teach you a lesson!” Pulling down the brim of his hat, Josh nodded rather smugly and threw his Poké Ball.
“Go, Geodude!” “Geodude!” With a flash of white light, a healthy-looking rock-shaped Pokémon appeared before them!
[Pokémon: Geodude, Lv.15, Rock Pokémon.
It lives in mountainous paths and often buries half its body in the ground to observe mountain climbers.
Gender: Male Type: Rock / Ground Nature: Calm Ability: Rock Head (Protects the Pokémon from recoil damage) Friendship: 0 (Ps: Aside from the protagonist’s team, Friendship will no longer be displayed.
It’s useless) Moves: Tackle (Proficient), Defense Curl (Proficient), Rollout (Mastered), Harden (Proficient), Rock Polish (Proficient) Egg Moves: None TM Moves: Rock Tomb (Proficient)] Much stronger than imagined, especially in move proficiency.
He had the System’s help to raise move proficiency so quickly.
These Gym Apprentices, however, had raised theirs through solid training and countless battles.
Although their levels weren’t high, they definitely had strength.
Among Beginner-tier Trainers, they were considered experts.
Especially Rollout!
Such a large gap in proficiency meant a difference in usage.
In reality, Rollout didn’t need 5 turns of hitting the opponent to grow stronger; rather, the longer it rolled, the greater its power would become!
It was a very formidable move.
But there was no need to worry.
After all, his Marshtomp was also very strong.
“A very fine Geodude!
Then, on my side, I choose you, Marshtomp!” “Marshtomp!” With a confident shout, Marshtomp appeared on the field, its spirited eyes locked onto Geodude, eager to try!
“This…” Josh looked at Marshtomp, a bit stunned.
“This is Rookie-tier?” “I never said I was Rookie-tier!” “But aren’t you a Rookie who just started his journey!?” Josh felt cheated.
Generally, Rookie Trainers who came to challenge used their starter Pokémon.
It was rare to see a first-stage evolved Pokémon.
Even if they had one, they would boldly declare it, thinking they were amazing, and then the Gym would select a corresponding Gym Trainer to battle them, not an apprentice like himself!
One had to know that Gym Apprentices corresponded to challengers who were Rookies or had just stepped into Beginner-tier.
They would just hold back a little and then hand them over to the Gym Leader.
But a low-key and steady boy like Leo was rare!
“Whatever, maybe it’s just a fraud!” Calming down, Josh displayed the good self-control of a Gym Apprentice.
“The rules are one-on-one.
As long as you defeat my Geodude, you can continue forward!” “Understood!” “Let’s begin!
Geodude, Full Boost!” Full Boost?
What move was that?
Geodude’s body flashed with a gray light, becoming heavier.
The rocks clacked together, seemingly becoming smoother and rounder!
“…” Leo understood.
This was combining Defense Curl, Harden, and Rock Polish—three status moves—into one use.
Every move was unique and had its own way of energy circulation; it wasn’t as simple as one plus one.
And using them in combination was fine for same-type moves, but combining moves of different types required solving the issue of type compatibility!
This was not a technique a Beginner-tier Trainer could master.
As expected, Gym Trainers were truly the League’s elite; even the apprentices they taught were this strong!
However, it was just a bit troublesome.
“Marshtomp, stand ready.
Don’t rush!” “Underestimating me?
Geodude, another round of Full Boost!” “Geodude!!” Once again, a combo move!
“Interrupt it, Supersonic!” Invisible sound waves emanated from the fin on Marshtomp’s head, enveloping Geodude.
But in its boosted state, it seemed completely unfazed.
After all, what feelings could a stubborn rock have?
“Let’s go!
Rollout Tackle!” As expected, Rollout was the core!
Then let’s test Marshtomp’s strength!
“Marshtomp, Rock Smash!
Catch it!” “Marshtomp!” With a loud shout, Marshtomp spread its arms, coating them in Fighting-type energy.
Facing the direction Geodude was rolling, it stood directly in its path.
“Hmph, a Geodude that has gone through two rounds of Full Boost cannot be stopped!
Accelerate, Rollout!” Along with Josh’s shout, Geodude’s speed increased again, and the power of Rollout grew accordingly!
Under their watchful eyes, it rolled straight toward Marshtomp blocking the way.
Bang!
The sound of bodies colliding was exceptionally loud in the cave.
Amidst the intense friction, Geodude pushed against Marshtomp’s body, trying to continue forward!
But it had underestimated its opponent’s strength!
During the collision, Marshtomp’s arms suddenly burst with power!
Massive strength erupted, bursting with white aura!
With the boost of Rock Smash, it forcibly lifted Geodude off the ground!
Off the ground!
How much power could your Rollout unleash now?
“What!” “Finish it!
Marshtomp, Water Pulse!” “Marshtomp!” Still holding Geodude up, blue Water-type energy gathered in its mouth, forming a blue water column that blasted completely onto Geodude’s body!
Sending it flying directly, crashing into the distant wall.
[Ding!
Marshtomp obtained victory in an official battle.
Obtained 100 Training Points!
Obtained a medium amount of experience!] [Rock Smash proficiency raised to Mastered max and cannot be increased further!
Supersonic proficiency increased!] Official battle?
Training Points are 10 times that of wild battles?
“Geodude!” Josh quickly ran over, briefly checked it, and shook his head, recalling the unconscious Geodude into its Poké Ball.
“You won.
You can continue the challenge!
Good luck, the trainers ahead are much stronger than me!” “Alright, thank you very much!” Returning to Leo, the now-calm Josh told him the designated direction to proceed.
He then nodded and disappeared into a dark corner.
“Come back and rest!
You did great, Marshtomp!” It was mostly uninjured, but he still gave Marshtomp a recovering massage before recalling it into its Poké Ball.
He then headed in the direction Josh had pointed.
Inside the break room of the Gym Leader’s hall at the very top of the Gym, a young girl with a ribbon-like hairstyle, wearing a black floral dress and pink leggings, was watching the monitor with great interest, the corners of her mouth slightly raised.
“Mm…
Marshtomp, huh?
So cute!
Even though it’s not a Rock-type, Rock and Ground are from the same family!” “Trained very well.
Looks like he’s no ordinary Rookie…
Josh’s going to lose!” “Oops, Josh you idiot, your eye for detail is terrible.” “As expected, he lost cleanly!” “It’s a gap in raw power.
This Marshtomp’s strength is quite good!” “I’ll have to make them do more strength training in the future!” “Mm, can’t use the usual tactics for Rookies anymore…” “Let’s keep watching.
Let Marc give it a try and see how he handles it!” Meanwhile, the completely oblivious Leo continued on the mountain path, constantly climbing upward.
On the path ahead, a young man in hiking gear and cargo pants had been waiting for a long time!
“Hello, I am a Gym Trainer, specializing in Rock-type Pokémon, Marc.
Pleased to meet you!” ——————————————————