Ding!
Daily Mission Released.
Mission: Participate in ten battles using Beldum.
Rewards: – 200 System Points – Beldum’s Special Attack +1 Failure Penalty: None.
At exactly eight o’clock that morning, while Adrian Sterling was enjoying breakfast, the familiar voice of the System echoed in his mind.
The mission was straightforward.
Participate in ten battles.
There were no restrictions on the opponents’ levels, nor was there any requirement to win.
As long as Beldum fought in ten matches, the mission would be complete.
The System’s daily missions were generally reasonable.
As long as Adrian put in the effort, completing them wasn’t difficult.
However, what truly caught his attention wasn’t the 200 System Points.
It was the additional reward.
Beldum’s Special Attack +1.
That reward was far more valuable than the points themselves.
— A Pokémon’s strength was determined not only by its level but also by its six core attributes.
These were: – HP – Attack – Defense – Special Attack – Special Defense – Speed The higher these stats, the stronger a Pokémon became in their respective areas.
Naturally, leveling up increased these attributes.
But beyond that, Trainers could also improve them using rare medicines, special resources, or priceless treasures.
Anyone could gain levels through training.
The real difference between Trainers lay in the quality of the resources they invested.
Items capable of permanently increasing a Pokémon’s base stats were incredibly expensive.
Even worse, as a Pokémon grew stronger, each additional increase required rarer and more valuable resources.
That was why two Pokémon of the same level—and even with equally skilled Trainers—could display vastly different combat power.
The Pokémon with superior base stats would almost always dominate the battle.
This was also why genius Trainers frequently challenged opponents above their own level.
Some exceptional prodigies could even defeat Elite-level opponents while still at the Quasi-Elite Rank.
If a Quasi-Elite Pokémon possessed base stats comparable to an Elite Pokémon, defeating a stronger opponent wasn’t impossible.
After all…
Level didn’t always determine true combat strength.
— “Gardevoir, I’m finished.” Without realizing it, Adrian had already finished his breakfast.
“Gardevoir.” The elegant Psychic-type Pokémon nodded before gracefully clearing the table.
Gardevoir belonged to Adrian’s mother.
Ever since Adrian, his elder sister Xia Yan, and his younger sister Xia Chuchu were children, Gardevoir had practically raised them.
It handled nearly everything in their daily lives, from meals to household chores.
Although the Sterling Family employed countless servants, Gardevoir personally cared for the three siblings.
Especially after Adrian’s mother had a serious falling out with his father and returned to her own family’s estate, Gardevoir became even more devoted to looking after them.
As for the reason behind their parents’ separation…
That was a story for another day.
— “Gardevoir, I’m heading out.” “I probably won’t be back for lunch, so you only need to prepare a meal for Chuchu.” “Gardevoir.” Its gentle voice carried a clear meaning.
“Understood.
Be careful on your way.” Because they had grown up alongside Gardevoir, Adrian and his sisters could naturally understand what it was saying without telepathy.
For ordinary people, however, Gardevoir usually communicated using psychic abilities.
Beautiful, graceful, and immensely powerful, Gardevoir was one of the rarest Pokémon in existence, with a rarity rivaling that of many Pseudo-Legendaries.
— Instead of asking the family chauffeur to drive him, Adrian chose to drive himself.
His destination was one of Yindu City’s most famous Battle Clubs.
The moment he stepped inside the luxurious lobby, a beautiful receptionist with a warm smile approached him.
“Good morning, sir.
How may I assist you today?” The moment she saw Adrian, her eyes brightened slightly.
His elegant posture and refined temperament immediately revealed that he came from an extraordinary background.
After all, the bearing cultivated by a thousand-year-old noble family couldn’t be imitated.
“I’m here to battle.” Adrian glanced around the spacious lobby.
“It’s my first visit.
Could you give me a brief introduction?” Normally, he sparred against professional Trainers within the Sterling Family.
The only reason he’d come here today was because he wanted a change of scenery.
Ever since summer vacation began, he’d been staying inside the family estate.
His younger sister constantly teased him for being a shut-in.
To be fair…
She wasn’t wrong.
Today’s trip was simply a chance to get outside for a while.
— “Are you a newly registered Trainer, sir?” “Yes.” The receptionist nodded politely.
“Our Battle Club offers three levels of sparring partners.” – Normal Rank: ₹10,000 per match – Elite Rank: ₹50,000 per match – Gym Rank: ₹1,00,000 per match “If you purchase a membership today, you’ll also receive a 10% discount.” Trainer battles were one of the most popular forms of entertainment in Xia Country.
Naturally, numerous industries had grown around them.
Battle Clubs were among the most important.
Yindu City, one of Xia Country’s five great metropolitan cities, was home to well over a hundred Battle Clubs of varying sizes.
Their purpose was simple.
To provide Trainers with professional battle experience.
Someone might ask: “Why not just battle people at public arenas?” That was certainly an option.
However, improvement there was limited.
Most Trainers naturally chose opponents close to their own strength.
Even if they lost, the winner usually wouldn’t provide any meaningful guidance.
Public battlefields also charged venue fees.
Battle Clubs were entirely different.
The Trainers here were professionals.
Some had previously served as assistants to Gym Leaders.
Others were reserve Gym Trainers themselves.
More importantly, they specialized in guided battles.
During each match, they carefully observed their opponent’s strengths and weaknesses.
Afterward, they provided detailed advice to help Trainers improve.
The difference was obvious.
Public battles were self-study.
Battle Clubs offered professional coaching.
Anyone with sufficient financial resources naturally preferred the latter.
— Adrian hadn’t come for coaching.
His only goal was completing today’s System mission.
Besides…
Any Trainer randomly chosen from the Sterling Family could easily surpass the instructors working here.
“Gym Rank.” “Ten matches.” Without hesitation, Adrian immediately purchased a membership.
Money had never been something he worried about.
The Sterling Family was one of Xia Country’s Eight Great Families.
It controlled more than 70% of the nation’s metal ore resources, while also holding significant investments in the country’s real estate industry.
Controlling metal mines wasn’t merely a business decision.
It was a strategic necessity.
Many Steel-type Pokémon survived by consuming rare metals and mineral ores.
By controlling those resources, the Sterling Family effectively controlled one of the most important supply chains for Steel-type Trainers.
— The receptionist’s smile became even brighter after seeing Adrian sign up without asking a single question.
After all…
She would receive a generous commission from such an expensive purchase.
“May I ask what level your Pokémon is, sir?” “Level 9.” Adrian answered calmly.
“Understood.” “Please follow me.” “I’ll escort you to the battle arena.” She quickly entered a few details into the tablet in her hands before leading Adrian into an elevator.
She pressed the button for the eighth floor.
A few moments later, the elevator doors opened.
The receptionist turned toward him with another polite smile.
“Please wait here for a moment, sir.” “Your battle instructor will arrive shortly.”
Give me more motivation!