November 8th, Saturday.
Early in the morning, Aiden sat in the hall waiting for challengers to arrive and simultaneously analyzed Rika's battle footage to predict tactics she might use next week.
Because of last night's intense training on Terastalization, Eevee was still sound asleep in the bedroom;
Riolu, on the other hand, was consistent in maintaining its habit of early morning runs and had already disappeared by the time Aiden woke up.
Thus, only Aiden himself and an excited Nemona were present at the gym.
"Teacher Aiden, will many people really come to challenge the gym today?"
While Aiden watched a video, Nemona had already asked this same question countless times.
Upon meeting her star-filled expectant eyes, Aiden couldn't help but smile wryly.
"I guess so; before yesterday's stream ended, many viewers said they would come to try. Anyway, let's prepare first."
Only yesterday did Aiden suddenly realize a crucial point affecting his gym's popularity—
Due to the widespread education system, most new trainers in the Paldea region who have time to challenge gyms are currently students at Naranja Academy.
According to League rules, except during the Victory Road period each semester, students are not allowed to leave campus at will.
So it was completely normal for no one to visit on weekdays; those days, they were probably preparing for their final exams at the academy...
But today was Saturday, and the school couldn't control them anymore.
The Sunlight Gym, relatively close to Mesagoza and with recent high popularity, held significant appeal for them.
"Great! I hope there will be challengers with abilities similar to mine!"
Nemona nodded repeatedly.
As a gym apprentice, helping the gym leader handle several challengers was quite normal, right?
She hadn't had a chance to battle with Teacher Aiden in the past few days, which was quite boring!
"Of course."
Aiden nodded.
Under his guidance (using Blue's breeding notes), Nemona and her Pawmi had grown rapidly.
It wouldn't be long before it evolved into Pawmo.
Knock knock knock—
During their idle chat, the gym door was soon knocked on.
"Oh oh oh, has a challenger finally arrived?!"
Before Aiden could react, Nemona immediately stood up and ran over to open the door.
She opened the door, looked down, and only found a Delibird carrying a package. Her originally excited expression instantly fell.
"Coo?"
Delibird tilted its head, emitting a confused call.
It was rare for someone to dislike seeing it…
Wait, is she going to return it?!
"I was just about to remind you..."
Aiden walked over, looking at the completely petrified Nemona, unable to decide whether to laugh or cry.
"Is this my ordered Tera Shards and Balloons? Did they arrive so quickly?"
Aiden squatted down, signed off according to procedure, and quickly took the online shopping package from Delibird.
It must be said that Pokémon integrated into human society far surpassed humans in efficiency across various industries.
Besides Delibird delivery services, there were also Pelipper/Altaria logistics, Machamp moving companies, and Conkeldurr construction masters etc. ...
Human life had never been so convenient, no wonder the Pokémon world became a utopian society.
"Coo~"
Delibird waved its wings, emitting a long call.
Aiden faintly felt he understood what it meant…
Remember to give a good review, dear~
It seemed that human and Pokémon languages were somewhat mutually intelligible to a certain extent.
"So it wasn't a challenger…"
After Delibird walked away, Nemona finally recovered, feeling much more disheartened.
"They'll come; just be patient a little longer."
For this, Aiden could only offer words of comfort.
As she officially became a trainer, Nemona's latent battle frenzy seemed to be gradually awakened.
Desiring battles was certainly not a bad thing for trainers; after all, real combat was the best way to improve skills.
No wonder Nemona would speedrun to become champion.
As Aiden thought this, he suddenly noticed a youth wearing a school uniform and holding a Poké Ball standing nearby without him noticing.
"Hello, I heard this is the viral Sunlight Gym?"
Seeing Aiden look at him, the youth politely greeted.
"My name is Okamoto, here to challenge the gym!"
Suddenly, a fresh challenger appeared. Aiden and Nemona instinctively exchanged glances, then simultaneously revealed friendly smiles.
"Welcome to the Sunlight Gym. This gym welcomes all talented young trainers to come and challenge~"
...
"You actually need to do quizzes for your gym assessment?"
Looking at the test paper in his hands, Okamoto's face clearly struggled to maintain composure.
As a prominent figure in his class, with both parents being elite trainers, Okamoto had earned four gym badges on his first Victory Road attempt last year, thus familiar with the gym battle process.
Although Paldean gyms always had peculiar little games before challenges, they at least had some unique features.
But how could your small gym's trial be doing questions?
Holding back the urge to complain, Okamoto roughly scanned the questions on the test paper.
Then, unsurprisingly, he was dumbfounded.
"What kind of questions are these!"
Okamoto's lips twitched.
What berry can cure sleep status?
What is the effect of the Technician ability?
Asking such detailed content, is this a gym assessment or a researcher's interview question?
Sure enough, a shoddy gym; no wonder it didn't advance to the eight gyms.
If he hadn't recently heard classmates say that this gym leader was very powerful and even Elite Four members weren't tactical opponents, he would have left right away.
To be the first to pass the gym assessment and show off to his classmates, he endured and looked at Aiden beside him.
"Can we skip the questions and start the battle directly?"
"Are you sure?"
Aiden raised an eyebrow, obviously not expecting the first challenger to bypass key information.
You're quite brave!
Skipping the tutorial to face the boss belike—
"Of course, I'm very strong. These extra assessments should stop here!"
Okamoto appeared full of confidence.
However, he seemed not to notice that Nemona, serving as the referee near the centerline, had already revealed a nearly pitying gaze.
Not a fan of Teacher Aiden, no wonder he's so confident.
I wonder if he can still smile after witnessing Teacher Aiden's tactics…
"Well then, as you wish, let's get straight to the point."
Aiden mainly played along.
Since this little fellow wanted to start quickly, let him be.
"Before the battle begins, allow me to ramble a bit more."
Okamoto nodded.
Having challenged multiple gyms, he naturally knew that every gym leader would say some inexplicable things before a challenge.
Probably for the so-called sense of ritual?
Though he didn't understand, he respected it.
"I've always believed that a trainer's level is the most important factor in Pokémon battles, and this ability is closely related to the trainer's basic common knowledge."
"Whether you can see through your opponent's intentions and fully utilize your Pokémon's power determines whether you can become an excellent trainer."
As he spoke, Aiden slightly lifted the corner of his mouth and took out a Poké Ball.
"Please shine brightly, challenger."
"Go, Breloom!"
A flash of red light, and Breloom appeared in front of Aiden.
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