Pokemon:I'm redThe strongest champion

"Oh! It's actually one of the steel-type moves, Steel Wings... Tsk tsk..."

Seeing this, Robert couldn't help but picture something in his mind—the scene of the Rock Gym he was about to challenge being completely overwhelmed.

"Iron Tail and Iron Wings… these two steel-type skills seem to counter Rock-type Pokémon effectively. With just two solid hits, even the sturdiest Rock-type Pokémon will crumble."

"Pidgeot!"

Pidgeot swiftly descended from the sky and stopped in front of Robert, looking as if it was waiting for praise.

"Alright, the moves you've learned are impressive, but you should spend some time mastering them. I hope they'll be even more powerful the next time you use them," Robert said as he patted Charmeleon and Pidgeot on the head.

"Roar!"

"Pidgeot!"

Charmeleon and Pidgeot nodded firmly. They already understood that the moves they learned from the skill discs were only at their basic level. To maximize their strength, they needed continuous practice.

What followed was self-explanatory. As they searched for a place to set up camp, Charmeleon and Pidgeot began training, determined to perfect their new moves. They tirelessly attacked rocks and trees, refusing to stop until they could wield Iron Tail and Steel Wings with precision.

Robert, observing their enthusiasm, didn't intervene. Instead, he set up his tent, retrieved ingredients from his inventory, and began preparing dinner.

---

Nibi City – Pokémon Center

"Your Pokémon have fully recovered," Nurse Joy said with a warm smile as she returned Charmeleon's Poké Ball to Robert.

Taking the ball, Robert fastened it onto his belt and asked, "Miss Joy, what are the opening hours for the Rock Gym Challenge in Nibi City?"

"The Nibi City Rock Gym is open daily, but only in the morning and at noon. It's currently 11 AM. If you'd like to participate in the challenge, I can schedule an appointment for you and sync your information with the gym."

"Really? That would be great. Thank you, Nurse Joy!"

"No problem, that's my job! Just a moment, please," she said as she entered his Trainer ID into the system.

"Alright, based on your trainer record, your current status is Rookie Trainer with three Pokémon. Since you're a Rookie Trainer, you get one free challenge attempt. If you fail, you'll have to pay a fee to challenge the gym again. Do you understand, Mr. Robert?"

"Yes, I understand."

"Good! Then I wish you luck in your challenge!"

"Thank you, Nurse Joy!"

Despite being slightly surprised by the rules, Robert expressed his gratitude and left the Pokémon Center, heading toward the gym.

---

Arrival at Nibi Gym

Using the virtual map from his system, Robert easily found Nibi Gym. The moment he saw it, he realized just how true to its Rock-type theme it was. The entire building was constructed from massive stone slabs, and at the entrance stood two large statues of Rock-type Pokémon, reinforcing its identity.

"So this is Nibi Gym… Definitely feels like a Rock-type fortress."

Unlike the early anime depictions, which were drawn in a simplistic style, the real-world version of the gym had a more imposing and realistic presence. It made sense—after all, this wasn't just an animated world; it was reality. And in reality, things functioned differently.

For instance, gym leaders weren't just handed their positions; they had to be at least at the peak Gym Leader level or a Quasi-Elite Trainer to qualify. Those below this level had no chance of opening a gym, regardless of connections.

Additionally, challenging a gym wasn't as simple as walking in and demanding a battle. Trainers had to have an official ID issued by the Pokémon League—typically a Pokédex. That was why Nurse Joy had checked Robert's credentials before booking his challenge.

The Rookie Trainer benefit also made sense. Each trainer received one free gym battle, but if they failed, they had to pay a fee to challenge again. More experienced trainers didn't even get the first free attempt—they had to pay upfront.

And why was there a fee for gym battles?

Simple: gyms were expensive to maintain. The League provided subsidies, but those alone weren't enough to cover all expenses. Every gym had upkeep costs, staff salaries, and most importantly, battlefield repairs. Every battle caused some degree of damage, and those costs had to be covered somehow.

If a battle caused minimal damage, the fees were reasonable. However, if a trainer went overboard and caused significant destruction, the gym leader would be left with a hefty repair bill.

Robert smirked as he glanced at the gym's sturdy exterior. "Well, let's see just how much damage I can deal."

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