Chapter 157: Snot Lighter

Although Rhydon looked battered, Whitney had undoubtedly held back.

Otherwise, it would not have just been superficial bruising. With her fighting style, a direct charge like that without causing severe internal injuries and continuous health drain would have been impossible.

Rhydon’s tonnage was nothing to scoff at, but the real issue lay in the lack of synchronization with its trainer.

Commands like "dodge quickly" were practically impossible to trigger for them; going head-to-head like Iris's delinquent Dragonite back home was their only choice.

And then they were mercilessly sent flying.

"Armor and skin are fine, elemental energy circulation is normal. Just apply some ointment."

Zhusuichan mixed a batch of soothing medicinal paste. "Rest for two days. Challenging Gyms isn't something to rush. Is Goldenrod Gym your final stop?"

"Yes. As long as I clear it, I can participate in this year's Indigo Plateau Conference."

The young man sounded somewhat regretful. "Gym Leader Whitney's Miltank is just too strong."

Given that it was his final Gym, getting wrecked like this was somewhat understandable.

On the other side, Rhydon sat obediently on the ground, holding its hands together in a very awkward manner.

Because right in front of it was Milcery, whose gaze was full of scrutiny. The sheer intensity of the life force radiating from the little creature told Rhydon that it was definitely no match for her.

"Milcery?"

Are you a dragon?

"Rhydon."

I am not a dragon.

Even though my trainer told me that once our strength improves a bit more, we can save up to buy a set of TM and let me learn the Dragon-type move Outrage.

Rhydon explained in a hurry, sweating profusely.

"Rhydon!"

I really am not a dragon!

Just because someone can learn Dragon-type moves doesn't make them a dragon, does it? That standard is way too harsh!

"Milcery!"

Milcery wore a serious expression, but I think you are a dragon!

After all, your name has the character for dragon in it, so you must be a dragon!

"Rhydon!"

My name is Rhydon, not Rhyhorn!*
*(Note: In the original Chinese text, the pun involves the nickname "Iron Armor Tyrannosaurus" versus its proper species name "Rhydon/Rhyhorn variant". Adapted naturally for English context.)*

There was a time when it thought the name Rhydon wasn't cool at all, but things were different now!

My name is Rhydon!

What Iron Armor Tyrannosaurus? Never heard of it!

"Alright, stop cosplaying as WarGreymon over here."

WarGreymon's gag-battle passive: when I think you are a dragon, your combat power has to at least double, plus there's a 98% ultra-high chance of landing a one-hit KO.

Zhusuichan pinched Milcery and placed her on top of his head. "Give him a dollop of cream to calm his nerves. Look at how badly you've scared the patient."

Milcery assumed a venerable, sage-like tone. "Milcery~"

My, oh my, young dragons just lack emotional stability.

Milcery whipped up a ball of cream and tossed it into Rhydon's mouth. The latter's terrified expression instantly melted away, and its mighty, majestic tail began to sway gently.

"Rhydon~"

Delicious, so delicious!

Rhydon felt its soul being purified, and even started reflecting on why it had ever fought with its trainer.

My trainer has endured so much hardship for me, supporting each other with our companions all the way to the final Gym—how could I possibly fall here!

Decided! After resting up, we're challenging the Goldenrod Gym again with the trainer!

"Rhydon!"

Rhydon was brimming with fighting spirit. This time, if the trainer tells it to dodge, it will definitely not stand there like an idiot and take hits!

The young man standing nearby: ???

Rhydon's injuries... are already healed?!

"No loud noises allowed in the Pokémon Center."

Zhusuichan patted Rhydon's chest. "I've handed the medicine over to your trainer. Here is the medical bill; please use the self-service computer over there to pay."

"Rhydon."

Rhydon very sensibly lowered its volume and casually hoisted its trainer over its shoulder to go pay the bill.

"Hey, hey, Rhydon, put me down! How am I supposed to reach my wallet like this!"

"Rhydon."

Stop making a fuss, I am Rhydon, not Iron Armor Tyrannosaurus.

The young man was stunned. "Didn't you think that name wasn't cool at all?"

The past is the past, now is now!

Having dismissed the Gym challenger, Zhusuichan turned his attention to the next trainer in line.

"Next."

A red Pokémon leaped up from beneath the counter, immediately wrapped its arms around Zhusuichan's palm, and rubbed its cheek against it with starry, pleading eyes.

"Magby, Magby~"

"S-Sorry!"

A young girl hurried over with a flushed face and pulled her Pokémon away from the counter.

"I'm so sorry, Nurse Joy / Mr. Joy! My Magby is a bit of a glutton."

"Magby!"

Magby began to struggle, its eyes fixed longingly on the Milcery resting on top of Zhusuichan's head.

I want to eat cream too!

Zhusuichan maintained a polite smile. "Let's talk about the symptoms first. What's wrong with your Magby?"

"When I woke up this morning, I noticed a few scorched marks near Magby's nest,"

the young girl explained. "I looked it up in the library, and it said that when Magby catches a cold, they can blow flames from their noses. In severe cases, fire just leaks out like running water."

"So I was wondering if Magby might be sick, and brought it to the Pokémon Center to check."

Zhusuichan nodded. "Mm, that's the absolute right thing to do. Any issues should be looked at promptly."

Seeing Joey Hua emerging from the treatment room, Zhusuichan took Magby and gestured for the young girl to take a seat in the waiting area for a moment.

"Mewtwo, Milcery."

Milcery whipped up a dollop of cream to entice Magby, while Mewtwo used psychic power to make the cream float in the air, sending Magby into an eager chase after the airborne treat.

"Physically, there are no issues."

Applying the diagnostic scanner to Magby, Lapras skillfully hummed a soothing lullaby, calming the lively little fellow down.

"Abnormal elemental energy fluctuations, and its body temperature is a bit low. Truly symptoms of a cold."

Zhusuichan tossed a Return Ball to the side. "Mewtwo, control Flamethrower to circle around Magby."

Using the machinery as assistance, once Magby's body temperature returned to normal, he began a massage to further elevate its body temperature, guiding the heat toward its nostrils following anatomical pathways.

Achoo!

Magby sneezed several times in succession, each sneeze carrying a flurry of sparks that landed neatly in a container prepared by Zhusuichan.

"A Pokémon's constitution is just increasingly absurd the more you look at it."

Catching a minor cold, getting the body back to normal, and doing a bit of circulation-boosting—just by sneezing a couple of times, it's cured. The efficiency is simply too high.

Zhusuichan glanced at the "liquid fire" in the bottle, set it aside, and didn't toss it into the recycling bin like the metal rod from Raticate's teeth.

"Mew?"
*(Note: Mewtwo's telepathic communication)*

"Yeah, this stuff is still quite useful. For instance, after taking it back and processing it, you can load it into lighters as fuel."

Zhusuichan said, "Though, strictly speaking, this stuff is basically Magby's nasal mucus. Not sure if other people can accept that."

Unlike teeth, mucus-fire definitely couldn't be handed back to the patient. What if it triggered another cold?

Never underestimate a youngster's curiosity and execution skills, regardless of species.

Strictly speaking, this kind of "drop" could also be considered a loot item, cut from the same cloth as Silver Powder or Tail Meat.

Once recycled, specialized personnel from the League would come to collect and pay for it, and the resulting funds would be used to cover the board and lodging expenses of League-certified trainers.

A League-certified trainer was really just a title, nothing mystical about it.

The simplest certification process was that as long as you completed a certain quota of commissions each year, the Pokémon Center would indeed provide you with room and board, and the commission rewards would be paid out as usual.

Essentially like outsourced personnel without benefits.

[Using nasal mucus]

Mewtwo felt a bit squeamish. Calculated that way, were the grass seeds on Oddish's body basically dandruff?

Compared to that, Mewtwo suddenly felt that the venom extracts sold in stores coming from Poison-type Pokémon sweat wasn't entirely unacceptable.

"Stop thinking about it. Go see if Sister Hua needs help with anything."

Handing the sleeping Magby back to the young girl, Zhusuichan estimated her age and decided to offer a bit more advice.

"The weather is gradually getting cooler. Due to Magby's racial traits, normal levels of warmth might not be enough for it. You should pay a little extra attention."

"I'll prescribe some nutritional supplements for you, but the rest will have to depend on you as its trainer."

"Mm-hm, I understand. Thank you, big brother."

The young girl's tone grew much warmer. "I'll go shopping at the mall later. I remember they sell body pillows made of Arcanine fur there. Magby will like that."

Zhusuichan's mood instantly brightened. "If conditions permit, you should sort out some elemental materials too. For example, adding specific materials to customize Magby's nest. The breeding shops and malls should offer services like that."

The young girl nodded in gratitude. Magby also sensed a familiar presence and slowly woke up. Judging by this, she probably wouldn't have to worry too much about moves like Hypnosis in the future.

Just a quick "wake up" call would suffice.

"Magby!"

The awakened Magby instantly latched onto Zhusuichan, deploying big, watery eyes.

Cream!

Milcery clicked her tongue. Outwardly she looked indifferent, but inwardly she was thrilled, her Dao-heart as the Dessert Emperor almost shaken by the devotion.

Is this the joy of having someone specially assigned to sing your praises on the path of the Emperor?

Without even needing the Empress herself to speak!

"Milcery."

My reward to you.

A blob of cream flew with pinpoint accuracy straight into Magby's mouth. Hugging her gluttonous partner, the young girl ran off to pay the bill, profusely thanking him, likely feeling a bit embarrassed.

Who grabs the doctor for snacks?!

"Still just a kid."

Zhusuichan pinched the smug-looking Milcery. "Unlike you, acting all senior and world-weary."

"Milcery~"

Milcery hugged Zhusuichan's finger and rubbed against it gently, feeling zero remorse for her old-soul demeanor.

He who touches ink is stained black!

Zhusuichan: ?

"Suichan, come help out."

Joey Hua beckoned to Zhusuichan. "I've run into a bit of an issue here."

The white-haired youth hurried over. "Sister Hua, hmm, a Magneton?"

Zhusuichan examined the anxious trainer standing nearby. "What's the problem?"

"It's not a Magneton, it's three Magnemite."

Huh?

[The mental fluctuation of the topmost Magnemite is completely abnormal, extremely nervous and confused.]

Only then did Zhusuichan focus his gaze on the top one, and Lapras curiously leaned in as well.

Since Little Mew-Mew said so, this miraculous combination was definitely three separate Magnemite, rather than an evolved Magneton.