"Traveling from Saown, huh? A solid choice," Reggie remarked, recalling the nearby Gyms accessible from Saown. Other than Pastoria City, most options seemed well-suited for a novice Trainer's first challenges.

  Of course, Reggie had no doubts about Paul. Regardless of where he started, Paul would undoubtedly earn his Gym Badges—though the journey might be riddled with challenges.

  Suddenly, a faint "Bibi~" sound came from outside, causing Paul to frown.

  "I'll go check it out," he said, downing the rest of his e juice before stepping outside.

  The sight that greeted him was as bizarre as it was amusing: a chubby, seemingly harmless Bibarel inning down his Elekid with its stubby fs. Despite Elekid's desperate attempts, its strength was no match for Bibarel's overwhelming power. Not even its Thutack could break free, leaving only its mouth capable of movement.

  Pio the ground, Elekid could only rage helplessly, shouting threats about how Bibarel would pay for this humiliation.

  From Paul's perspective, however, Elekid still looked defiant. Its cries grew louder, as if it were hurling challenges rather than begging for mercy.

  "Bibarel, that's enough for now. Step aside," Paul anded, walking toward them.

  "Bibi~" Bibarel obediently released Elekid, shuffling aside to give Paul space to tend to his Pokémon.

  "Oran Berries—they'll help you recover," Paul said, taking a few berries from his pocket and pg them in front of the battered Elekid.

  "Bzzzt~" Elekid snatched up the berries, dev them. Warmth spread through its body as the energy from the berries began to heal its wounds aore its strength. Within moments, Elekid was ba fighting shape.

  "Good recovery," Paul aowledged with a nod before stepping back. "Bibarel, tinue."

  "Bzzzt???" Elekid froze, its eyes wide with disbelief. Wait… was the healing just so it could get beaten up again?

  Arm bells rang in Elekid's head. With a quick tactical roll, it narrowly avoided Bibarel's ining tackle.

  "Bzzzt!" Sneak attack?! How dishonorable!

  Angered, Elekid charged at Bibarel, fists crag with electricity as it unched a Thunder Punch.

  Pow!

  Moments ter, Elekid found itself flying backward, defeated once again.

  Watg this, Paul smirked and pced a bowl of Oran Berries nearby. "Bibarel, let it recover when it's down. O's healed, tihe battle."

  With the resources from the Day Care, berries and medies were plentiful. As long as Elekid wasn't mortally injured, it could keep fighting—and learning.

  Satisfied, Paul grabbed a book and sat uhe shade of a tree, occasionally gng at the ongoing battle. Still, he didn't harbor much hope that Elekid would defeat Bibarel anytime soon.

  In this world, Pokémon strength levels were generally categorized as follows: Rookie, Normal, Elite, Advanced, Gym Leader, Honorary (Quasi-Elite Four), Elite Four, and Champion.

  Gym Leader-level Pokémon were sidered strong enough to warrant the establishment of a Gym. However, due to limited Gym slots and stiff petition, many Gym Leaders surpassed the Gym Leader level, reag Honorary or evee Four strength.

  Reggie's Bibarel, seemingly zy most of the time, was his sed Pokémon and had the Unaware Ability. Its strength was at the peak of the Gym Leader level. In prolonged battles, even most Honorary-level Pokémon would struggle against it—far from the underwhelming Bibarel seen in the anime.

  Elekid, oher hand, was still at the Normal level. While it wasn't impossible for it to win, the odds were… astronomical.

  Time flew by, and as dusk fell, Paul finally carried an utterly exhausted Elekid inside for treatment, ing up a productive day.

  Two days ter.

  As Paul packed his things and bid farewell tie, outside, at the same spot, Elekid faced off against Bibarel once more.

  This time, Elekid felt like a new Pokémon, having trained hard and even learned new moves.

  Determio win before leaving, it threw everything it had into the battle. Its punches were fiercer, its discharges brighter. Yet Bibarel handled every move with ease.

  Out of options, Elekid grinned.

  Floating into the air, it unleashed aromagic pulse that altered the surrounding magic field, lifting its body off the ground.

  Eleagic Levitation!

  "Bzzzt~" Elekid smirked, h fidently above its oppo. What now, you goofy beaver? 't reach me anymore!

  "Bibi~" Bibarel yawned, unimpressed. It zily exhaled a cloud of white smoke that floated toward Elekid.

  Despite its efforts to dodge, Elekid's unfamiliarity with levitation made it sluggish. The smoke hit its mark.

  "Bzzzt… zzz…" Before it could attack, drowsiness overtook Elekid, and it plummeted to the ground, fast asleep.

  "Bibi~" Bibarel g the sleeping Elekid, unimpressed. Flying? Big deal. If it weren't for Paul leaving today, I'd have used Blizzard instead of Yawn.

  "Pathetic," Paul muttered, recalling Elekid into its Poké Ball. "Bibarel, thanks for your help."

  "Bibi~" Bibarel waved as Paul departed, then turo stand beside Reggie, who had been silently watg.

  As Paul's figure disappeared into the distance, a faint smile crossed Reggie's lips.

  "Paul's journey is just beginning."

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