There's Something Off About My Pokémon [95]

To train a powerful Pokémon, you first have to become a powerful Trainer. This involves not only the art of command and cultivation methods but also requires excellent physical fitness. This is exactly why the Armed Forces require newcomers to undergo physical training. In the wild, a strong physique can significantly increase a Trainer's survival chances during unexpected encounters.

As the saying goes, cultivate the spirit, toughen the body—an ideal mantra for any Trainer.

After completing his warm-up and fitness test, Lu Cheng began his training under Gao Chi's guidance. To his surprise, Gao Chi's Machop, trained alongside him.

"Can Pokémon learn human martial arts too?" Lu Cheng asked, astonished.

"Of course," Gao Chi nodded. "Many Trainers choose to train alongside their Pokémon. Quite a few Pokémon moves actually evolved from human martial arts."

Thinking back, Lu Cheng realized it made sense. After all, his Grovyle's Slash move had been taught by an unknown sword master.

Gao Chi then taught Lu Cheng the importance of stance and position. Grovyle, curious, watched closely from the side as well. As for punches and kicks, those were more advanced skills and had to be taken step-by-step.

Before they knew it, an hour had flown by. Lu Cheng's back was drenched with sweat, while Grovyle and Machop were both equally soaked from their own training.

"Alright, let's take a break," Gao Chi exhaled.

Lu Cheng nodded, glancing around the empty dojo. He asked curiously, "It's already ten. Why are there no other students here?"

Gao Chi's expression turned slightly awkward. Clearing his throat, he replied, "Well, most of them usually come in the afternoon."

Gao Lu chimed in, "This batch of students is a real handful. One of the Trainers is especially unruly!"

Lu Cheng was a little surprised. He'd assumed that most people here were regular students, but it seemed there were other Trainers, like him and Gao Chi. After all, becoming a certified Trainer required registration and accreditation from the Pokémon Association, which wasn't easy to come by. Then again, with Yixin Dojo's ability to train Pokémon, it made sense that certified Trainers would be drawn to it.

Just as they were about to resume training, a commotion came from the entrance. A young man with a yellow mohawk sauntered in, yawning widely. What really stood out was the Pokéball hanging at his waist, positioned very visibly.

"How many times have I told you? You need to wear proper training attire," Gao Chi said, frowning.

The mohawk just crossed his arms, glancing at Lu Cheng. "What about him? He's not in uniform either."

"He's a new student!"

"A new student?" The mohawk circled Lu Cheng, sizing him up before giving a mock smile. "Welcome, welcome."

Lu Cheng smiled back politely.

Noticing the Pokéball on Lu Cheng's belt, the mohawk's gaze turned intense. "You're a Trainer too?"

"Alright, get to training!" Gao Chi interrupted, as if he'd already predicted what the mohawk was going to say.

"Come on, don't stop me!" The mohawk crossed his arms again, turning to Lu Cheng with a smirk. "Hey, if you're a Trainer, then you're probably here for the Yixin Badge, aren't you?"

Yixin Badge? Lu Cheng looked at Gao Chi in confusion.

After a moment's hesitation, Gao Chi sighed and began to explain.

"Although Yixin Dojo has had its certification revoked, the Yixin Badge is still acknowledged by a few private organizations," he said. "Back then, to keep Yixin Dojo running, we put up a notice stating that any Trainer who completed Taekwondo training could receive a Yixin Badge—without needing to participate in Pokémon battles."

Mohawk scoffed, muttering, "Why not just sell the badges outright instead of making a show of it?"

Gao Chi's expression turned cold, his voice stern. "This is simply a different form of assessment. Besides, dedicated training benefits you too."

Mohawk snorted but wandered off to the punching bags on his own.

Lu Cheng fell into thought. Perhaps, when Yixin Dojo had been replaced by Jitian Dojo, Gao Chi had resorted to this badge-for-training system to keep the dojo alive. While it wasn't exactly conventional, it was understandable given the circumstances. But if things continued this way, Yixin Dojo's reputation would only worsen over time...

Every family has its own struggles, Lu Cheng sighed.

Just then, a system notification chimed in his ear.

"Ding—Task Unlocked: 'Revitalize Yixin Dojo'

Task Objective: Within one month, increase the number of Yixin Dojo's students to 100.Reward: 5 potential points, 100,000 yuan, and unlocks the Title System!"

Even without the system's task, Lu Cheng wanted to help his friends in any way he could. But how exactly was he supposed to revitalize Yixin Dojo?

As he pondered, he noticed Mohawk had released his Pokémon for training.

A pink-skinned, skeletal creature with a skull for a face stood before him. The Pokémon, which looked like a collection of skin and bones wrapped in bandages, could easily be mistaken for an escapee from the Pokémon Center. This Fighting-type Pokémon was precisely the one Su Xiangrou had mentioned—Tyrogue.

Lu Cheng instinctively pulled up the magnifier to analyze it.

Tyrogue

Nature: Lonely

Ability: Guts

Moves: Tackle, Mach Punch

Analysis: Aggressive, on the verge of evolution.

Seeing the system's analysis, Lu Cheng's eyes lit up, and a plan started to form.

Seizing the opportunity, Lu Cheng pulled Gao Chi aside to the backyard and whispered, "Have you ever thought about changing the way you distribute badges?"

Gao Chi frowned. "If you're suggesting Pokémon battles, then forget it," he replied. "My dad and I just don't have the level needed to compete as a certified dojo."

"No, I mean creating a unique style for Yixin Dojo!"

Gao Chi looked perplexed. "Isn't Yixin Dojo's unique style Taekwondo?"

"Think about it!" Lu Cheng said, exasperated. "Most Trainers aren't interested in Taekwondo; they only take your classes because they want the badge. If this goes on, Yixin Badges will continue to lose credibility among Trainers."

"So if Taekwondo isn't attracting Trainers, we need to try something else!"

Gao Chi looked confused. "Something else? Like what?"

At some point, Gao Minglang had joined them, for once wearing a serious expression. "Trainers usually come to dojos for Pokémon battles. But you know as well as I do, compared to Jitian Dojo…"

"Well, different hot pot places have different specialties, don't they?" Lu Cheng said with a grin.

"If Jitian Dojo focuses on Pokémon battles, then let Yixin Dojo focus on Pokémon evolution!"

"Evolution?" Gao Chi and Gao Minglang exclaimed in unison.

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