...
Three days later.
"Sorry, our club is not accepting sparring trainer at this time."
At the entrance of a battle club in Saffron City, the receptionist at the front desk spoke to Natsu very politely.
"Okay, thanks."
Natsu bowed and turned around with Weedle.
This wasn't the first time he had been rejected by Pokémon battling clubs big and small in Saffron City.
After three days of training, he and Weedle showed off their new appearance.
According to his idea, he hopes to get a sparring job at a battle club.
Saffron City is the largest city in the Kanto Region and is filled with a large number of Trainers.
In order to gain profits, a number of powerful people established clubs in Saffron City that provide various services such as fighting, recreation, and training for various Trainers.
It's a shame that Natsu, who dresses like a beggar and only has one Weedle, bumps into walls everywhere and is never accepted.
For this.
He got used to it gradually.
After all, if he were a manager, he would also look down on a Trainer who only had one Weedle.
Everyone could see that it was a Pokémon obtained by chance, and such people often lacked experience in Pokémon training and battles, and were not suitable as sparring targets.
Weedle was about to give up after most of the day.
However, Natsu remains the same as before his departure, even being polite when faced with rejection.
Get used to it.
The social beatings experienced in the past life were much more serious than what was happening now. At least people here refused more politely.
"Don't give up, there's still one more place today. If it doesn't work out, we'll move cities tomorrow." Natsu comforted Weedle.
Weedle lowered his head slightly in a reproachful tone.
It was clear that he was a big reason why Natsu was rejected today.
"That's not your excuse, they don't know your efforts, it's just because of the subjective assumption of Pokémon like Weedle that think you're weak, but you shouldn't lose confidence, we went through three days of Hell training, it can't be said how amazing, but at least it's no longer weak."
Keeping Pokémon confident at all times is also a Trainer's responsibility.
A Trainer who punishes and blames his own Pokémon for whatever reason is not destined to be an outstanding Trainer.
"Wee!!"
Natsu's confidence gave Weedle confidence, and he nodded heavily, conviction shining again in his eyes.
Natsu was pleased with the change.
Walking through the streets, arriving at a club on the outskirts of Saffron City.
The Silph Pokémon Battle Club is part of the largest company in Saffron City, or the largest company in the entire Kanto Region, the Silph Corporation.
Natsu put the final goal here because the success rate was so low.
Natsu took a deep breath and entered.
Anna, who was sitting at the front desk as a receptionist, saw Natsu walk in, glanced at his clothes and the Weedle on his shoulder, and understood his intentions.
She was silent.
How dare someone like a beggar come to their club?
However, her professional qualities still made her maintain a professional smile and stand up, "Sir, how can I help you?"
Natsu stepped forward and said frankly: "I wonder if this club is still accepting workers for sparring practice?"
Of course.
Anna thought to herself.
Just as she was about to say no, she suddenly caught a glimpse of Weedle over Natsu's shoulder, nodded apologetically and said, "Wait a minute, I have to ask the superior first."
"Alright. Yeah, no problem." Natsu was a little surprised.
Isn't it usually rejected outright?
Watching Anna disappear into the staff hallway, Natsu took note of the layout of the club hall.
Dazzling beaded lampshades, shiny tiles that reflect orange light, inlaid with unknown metals, large stone pillars with intricate patterns, and murals.
The entire layout is meant to highlight one word.
Luxurious!
Inside the supervisor's office.
"Director, someone outside asked us if we are still recruiting sparring trainer. That person must be short of money." After thinking for a moment, Anna finally used a more euphemistic word like "short of money".
Director Rotto, who was a typical social elite, put down the report in his hand and said, "Do I also need to handle this kind of problem?"
His calm appearance, his cold gaze, made Anna who was looking at each other feel uneasy, her heart could not help but tremble, her gaze glinted strangely.
"I.. I will let him go." Anna scolded herself in her heart for being so troublesome.
"Wait." Rotto stopped him as he was about to leave, "What Pokémon is that person using?"
"Weedle," Anna whispered back.
"That's how it is." Rotto thought, "One of the clubs uses Weedle as a Pokémon sparring partner. Has his Weedle evolved?"
"Mmmm." Anna was very afraid of this serious director, even though he usually didn't act cruelly.
The Sliph Pokémon Battle Club has one feature that no other club has or can have, which is the claim to be able to find all Pokémon in the Kanto Region while training at the club.
It's just to highlight a word.
Arrogant.
Of course there was something that no one else knew, but Rotto, the director, knew it.
The reason for completing all types of Pokémon is to provide parent company Sliph with constant data on various Pokémon to use in the production of the signature Poké Ball.
"Then arrange for him to compete, tell the technical department to collect data, and let him stay if he wins." Rotto waved his hand.
"Yes, Director Rotto." Anna replied and hurriedly left the office.
Lobby.
Seeing Natsu standing in front of the Lobby, looking at the club's decorations, Anna couldn't help but sigh.
Good luck, friend.
"Sir, our director let you play once. If you win, you can work," Anna said.
Natsu's eyes lit up.
"Okay, thanks."
Then, under Anna's leadership, he came to a fairly closed battle room inside the club.
A research-looking staff member with goggles, special equipment, and a small computer in his hand stood beside him, apparently preparing to measure and collect battle data.
On the opposite side, Rattata whose eyes were a bit glazed, remained in place.
Seeing Rattata's appearance, Natsu couldn't help but frown.
The club did not make things difficult for them.
Rattata as Weedle's opponent doesn't count as a nuisance.
That is only
The silent and dull Rattata is like a tool, without the cunning and agility that a Pokémon like Rattata should have, it is as if it has no soul.
Weedle also had a sympathetic expression on Natsu's shoulder.
Different Pokémon face different people, and their fates will be very different.
"The rules of the fight are one-on-one, and the fight ends when one party completely loses the ability to fight. If you win, you can stay, but if you fail, I can only apologize," Anna said.
Natsu nodded and
"Now we can't even take care of ourselves, so don't sympathize too much in battle, fight hard and win. Respect that."
"Woo!" Weedle agreed, jumping off his shoulder.
This will be his first fight, and this will also be Natsu's first fight since he came to this world, and this will be a fight to see if he can survive in this world.
"Go!"
Anna, who was working as a part-time referee, fell.
The battle begins.
...
(end of this chapter)