SWNOVELXO Chapter 23: Chapter 23: Poké Ball Level
Even on a weekday, the area in front of the Rising Sun Gym was crowded and bustling with activity.
Gyms in this world were far more than just places to issue badges or accept challenges like in the animations.
Across the country, there were eighteen gyms representing different attributes. These served not only as battlegrounds for aspiring trainers but also as the designated venues for alliance-sanctioned qualifying competitions.
The Rising Sun Gym, where Victor's father held an administrative role, was no exception. It boasted training grounds, competition arenas, and various other facilities. Essentially, it functioned as a comprehensive hub for Pokémon trainers and enthusiasts.
Upon entering the gym, Victor contacted an agent who worked under his father to explain their purpose for coming.
The agent, surnamed lux, was a middle-aged man with a kind demeanor and a slightly portly figure. Over the years, Uncle lux had become a reliable presence in Victor's life, often stepping in to handle matters when his parents were unavailable.
Soon, Uncle lux guided Victor, Roman, and Tessa through the long lines and into the inner offices, where they quickly completed the registration process for the qualifying round.
The efficiency of the internal staff was impressive, and the trio's registrations were completed in no time. Uncle Lux also took a moment to explain how the matches worked.
Participants could use the official trainer app on their mobile phones to find matches. After both parties confirmed, they had to arrive at the designated venue on time, or they would forfeit.
Victor opened the app and saw that his profile now included a ranking certification.
Trainer Profile
Name: [Victor]
Age: [17]
Trainer ID: [114514]
Rank: [Poké Ball Level]
Occupation: [Student]
A small Poké Ball icon even appeared next to his profile picture in the app and other platforms, signifying his participation in the rankings.
Victor initiated a match, and the app quickly found an opponent for him. The system informed him to head to Battle Site No. 13 for his match.
Roman and Tessa also matched with opponents and were directed to nearby battle sites, Nos. 14 and 15, respectively.
---
Victor arrived at Site No. 13, which was equipped with a standard battlefield, a referee Rotom, and spectator seating. A few parents sat in the audience with their children, watching the matches.
Official matches like this were an essential stepping stone for trainers aspiring to face the Elite Four. Even at the lowest Poké Ball level, the battles drew attention.
Victor's opponent, a boy of the same age, was already there. As Victor approached, the boy's intense gaze made him seem familiar.
"I didn't expect my first qualifying match opponent to be you!" the boy exclaimed.
Victor finally recognized him—it was Fanta, the trainer he and Carbink had defeated during their first battle a month ago.
After verifying their identities with the Rotom referee, the match began.
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[This match is officially sanctioned by the Chinese Pokémon League Poké Ball-level Ranking.]
[Participants: Victor vs. Fanta.]
[Rules: One Pokémon per trainer. Begin!]
"Revenge, Teddiursa!" Fanta shouted.
"Come on, Torracat!" Victor responded, releasing his newly evolved TORRACAT Pokémon.
Fanta was momentarily stunned. "Not Carbink? Is he underestimating me?"
Although Teddiursa had grown stronger since their last battle, Fanta felt confident that his Pokémon could handle this newly evolved Torracat.
Victor, however, wasn't worried. A quick scan of Teddiursa's stats revealed its strengths and moves.
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Pokémon: Teddiursa
Type: Normal
Ability: Quick Feet
Level: 21
Moves: Scratch, Lick, Baby-Doll Eyes, Fury Swipes, Payback, Slam, Thunder Punch, Protect
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"Fire Fang, Torracat!" Victor commanded.
Torracat leaped forward with flames engulfing its sharp fangs.
"Thunder Punch, Teddiursa!" Fanta countered.
Electricity crackled as Teddiursa's punch met Torracat's fiery attack. The two Pokémon clashed, sparks flying, but Torracat's Fire Fang gradually overpowered the Thunder Punch.
With a final burst of strength, Torracat broke through, biting Teddiursa's paw and tossing it into the air.
In an instant, Torracat leapt again, striking Teddiursa mid-air with Fire Fang. The move left Teddiursa badly burned.
---
Fanta's face fell. Burns would weaken Teddiursa, but they also triggered its ability to power up moves like Payback.
Victor noticed this and decided to play it safe.
"Torracat, use Flamethrower!"
Flames roared from Torracat's mouth, forcing Teddiursa to defend with Protect. The bear managed to block the attack but at the cost of further exhaustion.
Fanta realized continuing the battle would only hurt Teddiursa more. With a sigh, he called out, "I surrender."
---
The match ended, and Torracat stood proudly as the winner. Victor walked over to thank Fanta for the battle, acknowledging his growth since their last encounter.
Though disappointed, Fanta shook Victor's hand. "Next time, I'll win for sure."
Victor smiled. "I'll look forward to it."