-148- Battle Against Aji (Part 1) (Subscription Requested!)

"In that case, I won't hold back!" Touji gave a slight smile and issued his command: "Electivire, use Quick Attack to speed up, then Brick Break!"

"Ele-ki!"

Electivire let out a battle cry and charged straight toward Persian.

Just as it reached Persian, its right arm glowed with a brilliant white light, and it brought down a fierce Brick Break.

Against the Normal-type Persian, Fighting-type moves were super effective.

"Persian, use Power Gem to defend!"

Aji made a quick judgment.

"Meow~"

Persian looked completely calm and composed.

Facing Electivire's attack, it showed not a trace of panic.

Rock-type energy rapidly gathered all around its body.

Numerous crystal-clear, gem-like rock formations materialized, blocking its path like a massive rock barrier.

"Ele-ki!"

Electivire's Brick Break landed heavily on the rock barrier formed by Power Gem.

Boom—!

"Crash..."

Under Electivire's relentless blows, all the gem-like rocks were shattered and scattered.

Even though Persian continued to release Power Gem to generate more boulders, Electivire's chopping speed was clearly a step faster.

"My Electivire is particularly skilled when it comes to smashing rocks!"

Touji explained.

Back in the backyard of the daycare, even when it was still an Elekid, it had constantly practiced Brick Break, over and over again.

The number of boulders Elekid had smashed was already countless.

"Is that so? In that case, Persian, counter with Fury Swipes."

Hearing Touji's words, Aji decided to abandon defense with Power Gem and switch to an all-out offensive.

"Meow~"

Persian took a step back and then leaped swiftly into the air.

Sharp, formidable claws instantly grew from its soft paw pads.

Right in front of Electivire, it began a frenzied barrage of Fury Swipes.

"Use Iron Tail!"

"Ele-ki!"

Electivire reacted instantly. Faced with Persian's Fury Swipes, it countered directly with Iron Tail.

Both of Electivire's tails instantly turned metallic.

Both tails struck at the same time!

Persian's Fury Swipes and Electivire's dual Iron Tails collided head-on.

Clang—!

The harsh, metallic screech echoed loudly.

After a brief exchange, every single one of Persian's claws snapped in half!

"What?!"

Aji couldn't believe his eyes. Persian's claws were supposed to be immensely tough; how could they break?

"Give it the finishing Brick Break!"

Touji snapped his fingers. With Persian completely undefended right now, it was the perfect opportunity to finish it off.

"Ele-ki!"

Electivire raised its arm and brought it down fiercely.

Boom—!

"Meow—!"

Accompanied by the sound of impact and a miserable cry, Persian collapsed to the ground, unable to battle.

"Persian..."

Aji ran over to Persian, knelt down, and checked its injuries.

"Phew~ Thankfully, the injuries aren't too severe. Persian, return for now and get a good rest."

Afterward, Aji recalled Persian into its Poké Ball.

"Touji! You're truly strong!"

Having witnessed Electivire's formidable power, Aji couldn't help praising him.

"You're not bad yourself!"

Touji's reply was meant as a polite compliment.

"Then I'll send out my second Pokémon. Come forth, Tauros!"

"Moo~"

Aji tossed his Poké Ball, and before Tauros even materialized, its echoing bellow rang out.

Thud—!

Tauros landed heavily on the ground, and Touji could practically feel the earth tremble.

It was evident that this Tauros was quite heavy.

"Tauros, huh?"

Touji muttered to himself, checking Tauros's detailed stats through his data interface.

Tauros
Level: 33
Potential: Gym Leader Tier
...

"Still Gym Leader Tier?"

Touji couldn't help wondering if every single Pokémon belonging to Gym battle assistants possessed Gym Leader Tier potential.

"That's enough!"

Suddenly, a rough, booming voice echoed through the area.

Touji and Aji looked over at the exact same time.

It was actually that burly man?

"Master—"

Aji called out timidly.

"Aji! Do you have any idea what you're doing?"

The burly man walked over, looking extremely angry.

"Master, I..."

Aji lowered his head, completely submissive in front of the burly man.

"I saw that whole scene earlier when Persian lost its ability to battle. With a pathetic level like that, you actually dare to battle others?"

Facing the burly man's questioning, Aji remained silent, keeping his head hung low.

"Young man, take this silver badge. Consider it compensation for this fellow's rudeness."

The burly man pulled out a silver badge—the Nanwei Badge of the Nanwei Gym.

"Huh?"

Touji was slightly taken aback. Handing him a badge just like that?

What was the meaning of this?

Did they take him for a fool?

"Why are you giving me a badge?"

Touji questioned.

"I just said, consider it an apology for this guy's impoliteness!"

The burly man pointed at Aji.

"Aji only wanted to have a Pokémon battle. Is there something wrong with that?" Touji retorted.

"Hmm?"

The burly man glared fiercely at Touji, his heavy breathing audible.

"Master... I... I want to finish this Pokémon battle."

Aji said timidly.

"Silence!"

The burly man's stern, thunderous voice made Aji shudder.

Clearly, the burly man was usually extremely strict with Aji, which explained why Aji was so terrified of him.

"I want to finish this Pokémon battle with him, too."

Touji slowly stepped forward, locking eyes with the burly man without a trace of hesitation.

A gust of wind swept past. Under the setting sun, the standoff between the three of them attracted the curious gazes of quite a few elderly onlookers.

The burly man glanced around, then extended his hand once more. "You came to challenge the Nanwei Gym solely for the silver badge, didn't you? I'm giving it to you, so why insist on fighting him?"

Touji looked at the silver badge resting in the man's palm.

It was true that Touji very much wanted this silver badge.

However, the League instituted Gym trials specifically to test a Trainer's caliber.

If badges were simply handed out as gifts, what would be the point of a Gym challenge?

Touji refused to accept unearned rewards.

Besides, the system had an active quest requiring him to win the Gym's silver badge through battle.

Would the burly man's hand-out method allow him to complete the quest?

No way!

"I don't need your charity. Unless I defeat the Gym's challenger upright and honorably, I will not accept this badge."

Touji declared righteously.

Hearing these words, coupled with the surrounding elderly spectators watching, the burly man found himself in a rather awkward position.

"Master... just let me finish this battle with Touji, in the name of the Nanwei Gym!" Aji mustered his courage and spoke up.

The burly man glanced sidelong at Aji, then looked back at Touji.

"Hmph! Do whatever you want!" With that, the burly man turned and walked away, casually tossing the Nanwei Badge backward over his shoulder before leaving.

It landed in the direction of Aji.

Aji caught the silver badge with one hand. As he watched the burly man's receding figure, a stinging sensation pricked at the bridge of his nose.

"Master..."

... (To be continued)