Training Again

The last thing to talk about is Goldenrod Game Corner, a massive gaming center located in the heart of Goldenrod City.

Goldenrod Game Corner is filled with all kinds of gambling machines, but the most common are slot machines. This type of thrilling game is popular among both ordinary people and Trainers. The air is always filled with shouts of excitement and groans of frustration, making it a lively and energetic place.

Originally, the Game Corner was controlled by the largest gang in Goldenrod City. However, due to disputes over profit and involvement from too many powerful individuals, the gang was eventually forced out. Now, the Game Corner operates openly under the League's jurisdiction. Of course, Team Rocket still has its hands in the operation, though the exact details of their influence remain unknown to Aoki.

In reality, the Game Corner is managed by several gang factions within Goldenrod City, but they follow orders from the League and are nominally overseen by Goldenrod Gym.

The Team Rocket member stationed here is a high-ranking executive, one powerful enough to rival Goldenrod Gym itself. Aoki doesn't know who it is, but anyone capable of competing with a Gym Leader is certainly no weakling.

However, the Game Corner isn't just about playing games. The Game Coins used in each game can be exchanged at a fixed rate for Pokecoins, and vice versa. Players can also use Game Coins to redeem items from the exchange list, provided they have enough.

Rumors suggest that even rare pseudo-legendary Pokémon can be exchanged for enough Game Coins, but Aoki has never heard of anyone actually managing to get one.

The exchange rate between Pokecoins and Game Coins is 100 Pokecoins for 1 Game Coin. While the exchange is always available, few people trade their Pokecoins for Game Coins.

Some items that can be bought with Pokecoins cannot be obtained with Game Coins, while some rare goods exclusive to the Game Corner are unavailable for direct purchase. It's up to each person to decide whether the trade is worthwhile.

As Aoki pondered these things, the luxury car drove into a massive estate on the outskirts of Goldenrod City. This was Whitney's home.

Whitney interrupted his thoughts. "Aoki, we're here! Do you want to come meet my grandpa with me, or do you want to explore on your own?"

Aoki considered her question for a moment. "I won't go with you. This is my first time in Johto, and I'm more interested in seeing the Pokémon here."

As the head of the family, Whitney's grandfather was likely an Elite-level Trainer. Facing such a powerful individual without any real preparation wasn't something Aoki wanted to risk.

"Okay! Then I'll go see Grandpa first and find you later. Uncle Lee, arrange a room for Aoki." Whitney didn't hesitate before giving the order.

"Understood." Uncle Lee nodded.

With that, Whitney happily ran toward the main house in the center of the estate.

"Master Aoki, this is the key to your room. Your room is in the small building on the west side, where the guest rooms are located. Everything has been cleaned, and if you need anything, just call a servant." Uncle Lee smiled and handed Aoki a key.

"Alright, thank you." Aoki took the key, speaking politely.

He didn't mind being placed in the guest quarters separate from the main house. Many wealthy families kept the guest rooms apart from their living space for privacy. There were advantages to this setup.

Aoki nodded, then turned and walked out of the estate.

Uncle Lee watched him leave, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. "Young people are becoming harder and harder to understand these days."

Aoki, of course, was unaware of Uncle Lee's musings. Although Whitney's estate was located in the suburbs, a wide road led directly into Goldenrod City.

However, Aoki didn't head for the city. Halfway there, he veered onto a side path leading into the woods.

As he ventured deeper, wild Pokémon began appearing. However, they kept their distance, deterred by the presence of Slowpoke at Aoki's side.

After about thirty minutes of walking, Aoki arrived at a dense forest, its undergrowth thick with wild vegetation. The place was completely deserted—only the occasional cry of Pokémon could be heard.

In Johto, Ledyba and Spinarak had largely replaced Weedle and Caterpie as the most common Bug-types found in the forest. They clung lazily to branches and leaves, barely moving unless startled by a passing Spearow or Pidgeotto.

"Come out, Murkrow, Miltank." Aoki threw two Great Balls.

Since obtaining Miltank, he had replaced her original standard Pokéball with a Great Ball, ensuring she had a more comfortable environment.

"Caw!!" Murkrow, having been inside his Pokéball for too long, took to the sky immediately, flapping his wings and cawing loudly to release his energy.

Miltank, on the other hand, was much quieter. She simply stood beside Aoki, waiting obediently.

"Gastly, come out too and check if anyone else is around."

"Heh-heh-heh~~"

Gastly emerged from Aoki's shadow before vanishing again, swiftly slipping between the shadows of trees to scout the area.

At Gastly's speed, it didn't take long to circle the entire remote grove. Upon returning, it signaled to Aoki that no other Trainers were nearby.

"Good work, Gastly." Aoki praised him before continuing. "We haven't had proper training for a few days. Since no one's around, let's get to work today."

"Caw!"

"Yawn~"

"Milu!"

Murkrow and Slowpoke responded enthusiastically, while Miltank, having only experienced this kind of training once before, simply followed along.

Aoki didn't mind and began assigning training tasks.

"Murkrow, focus on controlling your Dark-type energy today. Also, try to speed up the release of Hidden Power."

"Slowpoke, your training today is water energy control. Work on using Water Gun more quickly, then use Confusion to manipulate the water for an effective turning attack."

After arranging their training, Aoki paused. He needed to think carefully about the best training plan for Gastly and Miltank.

"Gastly, your level is still low, so today's training will be simple—you'll battle. The Pokémon in this forest are all your opponents. Defeat as many as possible!"

"Miltank, your role is support. Provide milk for recovery, then do some endurance training. You didn't absorb enough nutrients when you were living in the wild, so your body hasn't reached its full potential yet."

With Aoki's instructions given, each Pokémon began their respective training.

When he had free time, Aoki took out a psychic training manual and followed its meditation techniques, attempting to enter a focused state.

Even if the chances of strengthening psychic powers were slim, it was still worth trying. After all, having psychic abilities could only be an advantage. Aoki wasn't willing to give up on the possibility just yet.