"Are you wondering if there's another reason?"
Ren immediately understood what Jason was getting at.
Jason nodded. If Diantha were considered a max-level, boss-tier Pokémon, then the three Pokémon he currently owned were unquestionably complete rookies.
Yet for a rookie Pokémon to withstand so many attacks from another rookie of the same level was simply illogical.
Especially when Vulpix's later Embers had been strengthened by its Fire-absorbing trait.
"This has to do with the relationship between Pokémon types," Ren explained. "You should've already noticed that Pokémon have different types—just like my Diancie."
"As for Rock-type and Fairy-type, we've already seen those in the Pokédex," Lily said as she hugged Charmander and blinked her large eyes.
"That's right. Diancie is a Rock- and Fairy-type Pokémon. In total, there are eighteen different Pokémon types."
Ren paused for a moment, then laughed.
"Eighteen?"
Emma and the others were instantly stunned.
Eighteen types?
That was absurdly many.
"Boss, what are the eighteen types?" Jason asked, clicking his tongue.
He had guessed there would be a lot—after all, Ren had previously said Pokémon types could be understood as elemental affinities.
But he hadn't expected there to be as many as eighteen.
Emma and Lily were just as curious.
"Normal, Fighting, Flying, Poison, Ground, Rock, Bug, Ghost, Steel, Fire, Water, Ice, Grass, Electric, Psychic, Dragon, Dark, and Fairy."
Ren recited the list clearly and steadily.
"Ghost? There are actually ghosts?"
"So Dragon-types really exist?"
"And what about Dark and Fairy types?"
Their reactions differed, but Lily's was the most dramatic. The moment she heard "Dragon-type," her eyes lit up again.
"It's Ghost-type, not literal ghosts," Ren corrected calmly.
"As for Dragon-types, of course they exist. I've already mentioned it—one of Charmander's mega evolutions includes the Dragon type."
"As for Dark and Fairy types… it's hard to describe them precisely. You'll understand more once more Pokémon are discovered in the future."
Like a teacher patiently answering students' questions, Ren explained everything one by one.
Finishing a beginner's guide for Trainers was no easy task.
"The reason Vulpix's Ember didn't seem to deal much damage to Charmander earlier is because Pokémon types interact through resistances and weaknesses," Ren continued.
Jason and Emma suddenly understood.
"Charmander is a Fire-type Pokémon. Fire-types naturally resist Fire-type moves, so Ember's damage to it was limited."
As he spoke, Ren glanced at Lily—who was listening with great enthusiasm—with a strange expression.
Just how unlucky was Charmander?
It had actually been forced to take Ember after Ember until it lost the ability to battle.
"Hey, hey, hey! Boss, that look is super rude!" Lily instantly caught on, standing up in embarrassment and indignation. "It's obviously this guy who's shameless—he wouldn't dare face my Charmander head-on!"
"Mm-hmm," Ren nodded in agreement.
How perfunctory.
Lily clenched her fists angrily.
Just wait—things change fast.
…Actually, maybe it wouldn't even take that long.
She blinked, realizing she might be overthinking things.
"Then what about my Squirtle?" Emma asked, finally turning her attention back to her own Pokémon.
"That's right," Ren replied. "Squirtle is a Water-type. Water-types counter Fire-types. At your current level, Squirtle should be the strongest among the three Pokémon."
"Squirtle! Squirtle!"
Squirtle immediately jumped forward, seizing the moment to show off.
Jason: "..."
Ren phrased it politely—after all, they were all rookies. But when rookies fought each other, type advantage mattered far too much.
"Boss, I should be able to buy more than one Pokémon from you, right?"
Lily suddenly asked.
"Of course," Ren said, blinking. "But the three of you have already received your free draws. If you want to draw more Pokémon, you'll need to pay."
As he spoke, he found Lily looking especially dazzling right now.
"A big spender."
"Money's not a problem! I want to draw right now!"
Lily waved her hand arrogantly.
Didn't people call her an RMB warrior?
Sorry—this young lady lacked everything except money.
Emma slapped her forehead helplessly, already used to her best friend's habits.
"Please."
Ren handed Lily the shop's Pokédex and spoke solemnly.
After all, she was a major customer.
"Hmph! This lady is pulling a Dragon-type this time!"
Lily rubbed her hands seriously against her shorts. Ritual was important.
Once she pulled a Dragon, she'd teach that fox who bullied her Charmander how to behave.
Fire absorption, my foot—how arrogant!
Jason stroked his chin, watching Lily prepare to draw, falling into deep thought.
He wanted to draw again too, but his allowance was almost gone. He'd already borrowed money from his cousin to get Vulpix.
Cousin…
Jason began seriously thinking about how to borrow more money.
"Give me a Dragon-type…"
Lily solemnly pressed the "Start" button.
Black silhouettes flashed across the Pokédex screen.
Emma leaned in curiously, eager to see what Lily would draw this time.
"Dragon-types aren't that easy to get," Ren said, shaking his head as he looked at Lily's tense expression.
Among all Pokémon generations, Dragon-types were extremely rare—one of the least numerous types in existence.
Soon, the black silhouette on the shop Pokédex began to take shape.
What was it?
-----------Author---------------
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