"Y–You… how are you this strong?!"
Staring at his Machop, now sprawled on the ground with spiral eyes and completely unable to battle, Kohu looked utterly stunned.
Aiden Flint merely smiled in response.
"So, young man," he said lightly, "time to hand over all that allowance."
Kohu clearly came from a well-off family. Even though he'd lost, he took it in stride and obediently handed over all the money he had on him.
When Aiden counted it, it came to over 5,000 PokéDollars.
As Aiden left the Pokémon Center, Kohu muttered under his breath,
"With strength like that… maybe you really can win the Petalburg Gym Badge."
In the games, challengers needed four Gym Badges before they were even allowed to challenge the Petalburg Gym.
But this was the real Pokémon world.
As long as a Trainer had three Pokémon, they were qualified to issue a challenge.
Gym Leaders existed to cultivate Trainers, not block them. In real battles, they would adjust their lineup based on the challenger's strength.
If a Trainer earned their recognition, even a loss could still result in receiving the Gym Badge.
Aiden currently had Grovyle and Pidgeotto with him—
And in his System Space, he still had Rayquaza.
If needed, Rayquaza could always be the third Pokémon.
When Aiden arrived at the Petalburg Gym and formally stated his intent to challenge, the staff led him inside.
He didn't see May or Max anywhere.
That likely meant Norman's two children had already left on their journey with Ash.
Combining this with what Nurse Joy had said—only about half a year left before the Ever Grande Conference—it was very possible Ash had already cleared his third Gym, or was currently on his way back to Petalburg City for a rematch.
After all, Professors didn't distribute starter Pokémon on a fixed annual schedule.
Any child could apply once they turned ten years old.
Which explained why Lily, whom Aiden met earlier, didn't set out at the same time as May—there was nearly a half-year gap between them.
Soon, upon hearing that a challenger had arrived, the Petalburg Gym Leader, Norman, stepped onto the battlefield.
"Oh? A new challenger?" Norman said with a hearty smile.
"The Petalburg Gym uses three-on-three battles. Challenger, can you meet that requirement?"
Looking at the man known as the strongest Trainer in Hoenn beneath the Elite Four, Aiden felt his fighting spirit rise.
"Of course," Aiden replied calmly.
"My name is Aiden Flint, from Littleroot Town. I'm a newly registered Trainer."
"I'll be relying on your guidance today, Leader Norman."
Hearing this, Norman laughed loudly.
"It's been a while since I've seen such an energetic newcomer. Very well—let's begin today's Gym Battle!"
Before the match, Gym Leaders were informed of a challenger's age and career length.
Though Aiden was eighteen, in terms of Trainer history, he was undeniably a rookie.
Because of that, Norman had no intention of sending out his strongest Pokémon right away.
Norman's disciple stepped forward as the referee, waving the flags as Aiden moved to the challenger's platform.
"This Gym Battle between Challenger Aiden Flint and Gym Leader Norman will be a three-on-three match!"
"Only the challenger is permitted to switch Pokémon!"
"The battle will end when all three Pokémon on either side are unable to continue!"
"Gym Leader Norman, please send out your first Pokémon!"
At the referee's signal, Norman tossed a Poké Ball forward.
A red flash burst forth—
Slakoth appeared on the field.
Pokémon: Slakoth
Level: 25
Ability: Truant
Type: Normal
Potential: Blue
Bond Evolution: Locked
Mega Evolution: Locked
Moves: Scratch, Yawn, Slack Off, Encore, Headbutt, Brick Break
Seeing Slakoth as the opening Pokémon, Aiden felt a flicker of delight.
Its level was high—but Truant was a glaring weakness.
Against Truant, outplaying your opponent was absolutely possible, even across levels.
"Then… I'll be counting on you," Aiden said calmly.
"Go—Grovyle!"
With a flash of light from a Luxury Ball, Grovyle landed on the field, standing tall and composed as it faced Slakoth from across the arena.
Seeing Aiden's choice, Norman smiled.
"Choosing Petalburg Gym as your first challenge, evolving your starter into Grovyle so quickly…"
"Aiden, you're clearly a Trainer with real potential."
"But even so—don't expect me to hold back."
"Slakoth! Brick Break!"
At once, Slakoth shed its lazy demeanor.
It leapt forward, claws glowing white as it swung straight toward Grovyle!
Aiden's command came instantly.
"Grovyle—Leaf Blade, head-on!"
Grovyle roared, green blades of light forming along both arms as it charged forward.
The two Pokémon collided—
Brick Break vs. Leaf Blade!
The impact echoed through the arena.
For a brief moment, neither side gave ground.
But then—
Slakoth's fatal flaw appeared.
Truant.
As the next turn arrived, Slakoth's body stiffened—its energy draining away.
It could neither attack nor evade.
"That's it!" Aiden shouted.
"Grovyle—Energy Ball!"
A swirling green sphere of power fired from Grovyle's mouth and detonated squarely against the immobile Slakoth.
Boom!
Slakoth was blasted backward, slamming hard into the ground.
Though powerful by nature, Pokémon with Truant simply couldn't withstand relentless pressure.
"Finish it—Bullet Seed!"
A storm of seeds rained down.
Already heavily injured and unable to move, Slakoth was completely overwhelmed.
It collapsed.
"Ding! Grovyle defeated Slakoth."
"Experience gained: 230."
"Grovyle leveled up. Current level: 26."
Aiden had taken the first round cleanly and decisively.
Norman wasn't upset—instead, he looked pleased.
"Excellent battlefield awareness," Norman said approvingly.
"You've already surpassed the level of an ordinary rookie."
"Identifying Slakoth's Ability and exploiting it perfectly—that was impressive."
"But…"
Norman recalled Slakoth and smiled sharply.
"The next Pokémon won't be so forgiving."
With that, he threw his second Poké Ball.
A far more energetic presence burst onto the field—
Vigoroth.
Pokémon: Vigoroth
Level: 28
Ability: Vital Spirit
Type: Normal
Potential: Blue
Bond Evolution: Locked
Mega Evolution: Locked
Moves: Fury Swipes, Slash, Throat Chop, Body Slam, Flamethrower
The real battle—
Was only just beginning.
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