Chapter 63 Who Can Withstand One Blow?
"To deal with Fire-type, use Water-type! Go, Slowbro!"
On the battle arena, as the first challenger proactively sent out his Pokémon, Xia Mu was somewhat dumbfounded.
This was too confident, too self-centered! Was he being treated like air?
Seriously, didn't they even ask him, the acting Gym Leader, what Pokémon they were sending out?
And shouldn't he be the one sending out his Pokémon first?
Most importantly, it had to be a Fire-type?
"Go, Gyarados." Since the opponent had sent out their Pokémon first, there was no need for him to hesitate.
A Shiny Gyarados appeared, immediately using Intimidate to lower the opponent's attack.
"Why is Gyarados red? Wait, why are you using a Water-type Pokémon?" The challenger was clearly shocked by Gyarados's color first, then couldn't help but question it out.
This left Xia Mu speechless for a moment.
He realized that, as Blaine had said, most of these challengers were indeed mediocre.
"The one-on-one battle rules don't say I can't use Pokémon other than Fire-type. You think the Cinnabar Gym only uses Fire-types in battles?"
Xia Mu's words turned serious the next second.
He didn't want to waste any more words with this challenger.
Besides, a level 37 Slowbro was clearly a recent evolution, too weak.
"Gyarados, Thunderbolt!" At the command, the red Gyarados launched an attack.
This was the move boost Xia Mu had given Gyarados earlier; besides learning Electric-type moves, it also learned Ground-type moves.
"Wait, Slowbro… Damn it, isn't the trainer supposed to attack first?" Before the challenger could stop it, Slowbro was hit by Thunderbolt and rendered unable to battle.
"The rules have been changed to one-on-one, and the rule announcement also states that the challenger can no longer attack first." Xia Mu rolled his eyes and glanced at the referee.
This kid clearly hadn't even read the details of the battle rules after the gym reopened before barging in.
The first challenger was immediately escorted out of the battle ring by the security guard in black.
No matter how much he struggled and resisted, it was all in vain.
...
The second match continues.
"Hmph! I didn't expect the Cinnabar Gym's Acting Gym Leader to use a Water-type Pokémon, and even know Electric-type moves. That idiot did manage to glean some useful information. In that case, I'll use a Grass-type to deal with you! Go, Exeggutor."
"A An Exeggutor? Since you're so confident in your Grass-type, Gyarados, show him a real Flamethrower!."
Sending out a red Gyarados again, Xia Mu gave the command directly.
This challenger looked pretty cool, but he was actually a goofball, not even letting him send out his Pokémon first, thus losing the initiative.
"A red Gyarados that can also breathe fire? How is that possible?... Exeggutor!!"
The second match ended amidst exclamations.
Another challenger was escorted out by security guards in black.
...
The third match featured a very pretty girl, who caught Xia Mu's eye a few more times.
"I heard from those two losers that your Gyarados is not only red, but it can also use Thunderbolt and Dragon Breath. Hmph~~ I don't believe your Gyarados is all-powerful. Watch my Magneton..."
"Electric types are indeed super effective against Gyarados, but you guys are all rushing in to die, didn't you even ask what Pokémon I'll be sending out? After all, I don't only have Gyarados." Xia Mu sighed deeply.
Pretty, not particularly busty, but so brainless.
If he were a Gym Leader, he'd probably be furious. This kind of challenger doesn't deserve a badge? No wonder the Indigo Conference is getting worse every year. They
're all just trying their luck and trying to get badges.
Blaine's decision to close the gym was correct.
If the level were higher, Xia Mu might have been more interested, but the three challengers were only around level 30, which speaks volumes.
It's likely that even one-tenth of these challengers possessed Pokémon above level 40.
These three might even be top-tier in strength, which is why they secured the first challenge slot.
Beedrill easily KO'd Magneton; ignoring the Ground/Drill type advantage, the level difference alone meant any move would have been an absolute crushing defeat.
After all, Beedrill was level 53.
...
The gym challenge continued.
Xia Mu even considered pulling up a chair, sitting down, and enjoying some sunflower seeds and tea while facing the challengers.
As he expected, most were around level 20 or 30. Even with his Pokémon freely playing against the type disadvantage, he could easily KO his opponents in twenty or thirty matches.
How boring.
The few who sent out Pokémon above level 35 couldn't even withstand a single move.
Experience points were indeed gained, but after so many battles, none of his Pokémon had leveled up.
The level gap was too large; to accumulate enough experience for leveling up, it would have to be done gradually.
Challengers came one after another, losing, then switching to another, only to lose again… This continued for two hours, with over a hundred people unable to withstand a single blow from Xia Mu. Everyone's confidence was severely shaken.
Who could withstand a single blow?
This acting gym leader was a devil.
…
Noon.
Xia Mu, Blaine, Professor Magnolia, and Sonia sat together eating.
They had a deep understanding of Xia Mu's strength. Even Blaine, who had fought Xia Mu several times, hadn't expected Xia Mu to be hiding such great power.
A feeling that there was a worthy successor filled Blaine's heart.
Blaine even thought that if this kid hadn't experienced that incident from a young age, he might already be a Champion-level player,
perhaps even a contender for the regional champion title.
Of course, this is just wishful thinking. After all, there's also the possibility that without these experiences, Xia Mu might not have possessed such talent.
Just as Xia Mu said, it was because of his experiences and accumulation over the years that he was able to reach this level of strength in one go.
"Are you still serving as the acting gym leader this afternoon?" Blaine asked.
Xia Mu nodded without hesitation. Although the gains were indeed small, there was no better way at the moment.
He didn't want to run around aimlessly for the last two days.
"Since we've started, let's finish it. In short, let those challengers know that the Cinnabar Gym is not something to be trifled with. If you want badges, you have to rely on your own abilities. Let those who try to sabotage us in the shadows know that swarm tactics are useless." With that, Xia Mu put down his chopsticks.
"I'm finished eating. I'll go check on the Pokémon."
With Blaine and Professor Magnolia's agreement, Xia Mu got up to go to the yard.
Sonia stood up at this moment: "I'll go too."
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(End of Chapter)