Chapter 350: This Has Nothing To Do With The Golden Touch!

Chapter 350: Chapter 350: This Has Nothing To Do With The Golden Touch!

When training first began, finding it difficult and feeling like the body could not bear it was only natural for Pokémon.

But as long as they truly devoted themselves to training, no matter what Pokémon it was, they would soon fall in love with the feeling of constantly becoming stronger.

The most important thing was to quantify the Pokémon’s progress.

During battle, relying on data had many limitations.

But during training, quantifying data would stimulate the trainee to pursue better results.

It increased initiative.

Measuring these basic physical values did not require particularly advanced machinery.

Relying on his relationship with Professor Rowan, Julian had bought a second-hand data-measuring machine from the Rowan Laboratory.

Although it was second-hand, its performance was no worse than a new machine.

However, aside from Blaziken, Electabuzz, Eevee, Bagon, and Gengar, the other Pokémon did not care that much about changes in their numbers.

As long as they felt their muscles ache after training, they knew the previous day’s work had not been wasted.

Whether or not they knew the exact numbers was not actually important.

Would knowing their physical values help them defeat enemies more easily?

Rather than spending time calculating numbers, they might as well spend that time training. Perhaps they could become a little stronger.

But for a Pokémon like Magikarp, who had only just begun accepting training, changes in the numbers would better motivate him.

Of course, encouragement from Julian as his Trainer was also important.

Cynthia had entrusted Magikarp to Julian, so Julian naturally hoped not to betray her trust.

He would strive to raise Magikarp into an outstanding Pokémon.

After being influenced by Veilstone Gym for so long, Magikarp finally showed signs of setting aside his troublesome nature and beginning to improve himself.

The next day, the floating platforms Julian had purchased were delivered to Veilstone Gym.

They had only just been installed in the reservoir when a Trainer came to challenge the Gym.

Screening was still handed to Kai.

Julian stayed behind to explain Magikarp’s training to him.

It was similar to when he had played by ramming the floating platforms on his own before.

The platforms would serve as targets to train Magikarp’s physique and attack power.

Julian had also bought a traction harness that Magikarp could wear.

Behind the harness, he attached an air-filled ball.

Magikarp’s other training task was to swim underwater while dragging the ball.

The ball’s buoyancy would act as Magikarp’s additional load.

Since training had only just begun, Magikarp’s load could not be too heavy.

Magikarp clearly did not think that this ball, which could be sent flying several metres with a light flick of his tail, could create any obstacle to his swimming.

Julian only smiled.

The ball did not look large, but once it was completely submerged in water, the weight of the water it displaced was around fifteen kilograms.

Under the effect of that buoyancy, Magikarp’s movements underwater would not be easy.

After putting on the harness, Magikarp tried dragging the ball into the water.

He was surprised to discover that once the seemingly ordinary ball entered the water, it actually created this much pull.

Magikarp refused to accept it and swung his tail, continuing to drag the ball while moving underwater.

But as soon as Magikarp relaxed even slightly, the ball would pull him towards the surface.

Magikarp could only keep swinging his tail to fight against the pull created by the ball.

Before ten o’clock, Kai came over to tell Julian that today’s first challenger had been selected.

Julian raised an eyebrow.

"That fast?"

Kai looked a little confused.

"I don’t know why, but today’s challengers are clearly much stronger than they were a few days ago."

"Sorry, Master. I let down your trust."

Julian patted Kai.

"Your job is to screen out strong Trainers. Since the other party really is strong, you haven’t let down my trust."

Leaving Magikarp to train on the side, Julian went to receive the challenger.

Julian had read the posts on the Trainer forum, so he naturally knew this was because challengers were spreading the idea that the chance of triggering his golden touch was higher on the first day after his holiday.

Combined with the advice from the other day, telling challengers to improve themselves before coming back to challenge...

Of course today’s challengers would be much stronger.

The fact that Kai could still stop two of them showed that Kai had also improved greatly.

Once Corphish evolved into Crawdaunt, perhaps he could arrange for Kai to complete his apprenticeship.

The truly strong Trainers were actually still training their Pokémon to increase their chances of triggering the golden touch.

Today’s challenger happened to be someone who, after training for a while, had grown impatient and felt his Pokémon had no more room for improvement.

He thought it was time to challenge Veilstone Gym and trigger the golden touch to become stronger.

He had brownish-green hair, and his clothing also carried strong forest elements.

His name was even Forrest.

He was from Eterna City, and his goal was his sixth Badge.

Julian thought for a moment and sent out Electabuzz first.

Seeing Electabuzz, Forrest’s expression clearly became somewhat excited.

"Go, Cacturne!"

As expected, Forrest was a Trainer skilled at using Grass types.

Grass resisted Electric, but he was challenging a Fighting Gym.

Young man, you were obviously happy too soon

"Cacturne, Pin Missile!"

Only after Cacturne approached did Julian give his command.

"Fire Punch."

Blaziken had learned Thunder Punch from Electabuzz.

How could Electabuzz have learned nothing in return?

Flames suddenly burst from Electabuzz’s fist. His left arm tensed as he knocked aside the Pin Missiles, while his right fist slammed into Cacturne’s abdomen with fire.

Fortunately, Forrest had indeed trained his Pokémon.

Cacturne was not knocked down in one hit.

Forrest shouted, "Cacturne, get up quickly!"

Cacturne responded to his Trainer and stood from the ground.

Forrest immediately said, "Sandstorm!"

Julian nodded.

This move finally made the battle slightly interesting.

Combined with Cacturne’s Sand Veil ability, Cacturne disappeared directly from sight.

"Cacturne, Stomping Tantrum!"

It even knew a Ground-type move, allowing it to strike Electabuzz effectively.

Electabuzz stood motionless in place, as if he had no way to deal with Sand Veil.

Cacturne appeared like a ghost behind Electabuzz.

It stomped down.

But Electabuzz suddenly turned and grabbed its foot.

Julian shouted, "Now. Brick Break!"

Electabuzz swung his palm and struck Cacturne’s neck hard.

With one chop, Cacturne let out a cry of pain.

Electabuzz used the technique he had learned from Toxicroak and followed with another Brick Break.

Cacturne’s eyes rolled back immediately.

Forrest found it somewhat hard to believe.

The Sandstorm and Sand Veil combination he had been looking forward to had actually failed to produce any effect.

It seemed his own training was still not enough.

But since he had already come, he had to at least try and see whether he could trigger the golden touch.

"Go, Tangrowth!"

"Mega Drain!"

Julian calmly ordered, "Counter with Thunderbolt, then rush in and use Fire Punch!"

Electricity surged from Electabuzz and shattered Mega Drain.

He rushed in front of Tangrowth, both fists wrapped in fire, and continuously struck Tangrowth’s body, making Tangrowth cry out repeatedly.

Forrest became somewhat anxious.

"Tangrowth, use Slam to knock Electabuzz away!"

Amid the pain, Tangrowth’s ferocity was stimulated. Its two vine arms lit up with green light, and it directly sent Electabuzz flying.

Forrest was overjoyed.

"This is... Power Whip!"

It had really triggered the golden touch!

The corner of Julian’s mouth twitched.

Tangrowth had clearly been beaten so painfully that it had released all its strength in one burst.

Pain had stimulated Tangrowth’s potential.

This had nothing to do with the golden touch...

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