Chapter 13: The Jindu Gym
For once, Gabriel realized his shortcomings. Despite his extensive knowledge about Pokémon, the finer details of training and nurturing them paled compared to Elle, his maid, who had successfully raised a well-trained Pokémon. Gabriel found herself frequently consulting Elle during the process.
He had underestimated how challenging Pokémon training could be.
With Elle's assistance, Dratini's training accelerated significantly. From initially struggling to control the move Extreme Speed to meeting Gabriel's training requirements, Dratini had come a long way.
"150 seconds! Well done, Dratini! You're getting really skilled now!"
Dratini lifted its head proudly.
"Mu!" (Of course! Who do you think I am?)
Thanks to the Everstone suppressing its life energy, Dratini could now focus entirely on training. After a week of effort, it finally mastered Gabriel's training regimen.
Over the past few days, Dratini's control over its body had improved drastically. Extreme Speed no longer felt rigid, and it could now move flexibly even at full speed. This would make Dratini much harder to hit during battles.
If Dratini were to face that Growlithe again, its Flamethrower definitely wouldn't stop Dratini so easily this time!
Thinking about Gabriel's constant companionship over the past week, Dratini happily nudged him with its head.
As Gabriel gently patted Dratini's head, he couldn't help but feel moved. Pokémon were truly incredible creatures—so pure and devoted. Once they formed a bond with their trainer, they gave their unwavering loyalty.
As long as the trainer didn't abandon them, Pokémon would never leave their side.
Seeing the scars on Dratini from training, Gabriel felt a twinge of guilt.
"You've done great, Dratini. Let's take a day off. Training nonstop isn't good—balancing work and rest is the best way to improve."
Hearing this, Dratini leapt into the air with joy.
A break! Finally! I'm going to make up for all the fun I've missed because of training!
Seeing Dratini's excitement, Gabriel couldn't help but chuckle and pat its head. He hadn't realized how much a day off meant to Dratini—it was like a child being promised a holiday.
Although Dratini had a break, Gabriel, as a trainer, couldn't afford to slack off. He planned to go out, buy some supplies, and learn new knowledge. After all, he was still far behind Elle.
Luckily, Gabriel's father had a branch office in nearby Jindu. While not as bustling as the capital cities of Modu or Jingdu, Jindu was developed enough for Gabriel's needs and conveniently close by.
Since there was no training scheduled for the next day, Gabriel decided to take a trip to Jindu to shop for supplies and improve his understanding of Pokémon training.
The next morning, Gabriel and Elle boarded a high-speed train to Jindu. Feeling the train's speed, Gabriel couldn't help but marvel at how infrastructure advancements in Donghuang made travel so convenient. Without high-speed trains, traveling would have been a major hassle.
High-speed trains really were the best mode of transportation!
This time, Gabriel didn't bring Dratini along. Even though he knew Dratini wouldn't harm anyone, the absence of a Pokémon League in this world meant that Pokémon were still referred to as "monsters," and people were generally wary of them.
Of course, monster trainers did exist in Eastern Empire. Government agencies conducted strict examinations, and only those who passed could obtain a trainer's license to carry "monsters."
This system had its advantages. At least in Eastern Empire, there weren't any powerful villains like Team Rocket from the Pokémon anime. Trainers didn't have to worry about poachers stealing their Pokémon since all Monster Trainers were closely monitored by the state.
Dratini was deeply disappointed about not being able to join the trip, expressing its sadness by eating far more PokéBlocks than usual during dinner, turning its frustration into appetite.
Fortunately, Elle had a trainer's license, so she was able to bring her Garchomp to accompany Gabriel and ensure his safety.
When they arrived in Jindu, Gabriel couldn't help but marvel at the city. While not as grand as Modu or Jingdu, Jindu had everything he needed. He quickly found the training equipment he was looking for at the local monster training center. With these tools, Dratini's training efficiency would improve even further.
After arranging for the equipment to be shipped back to the villa, Gabriel had one more goal: visiting the Jindu Gym.
Jindu, being a significant city, naturally had its own gym. Gyms were essential for any trainers aiming to become a champion, serving as milestones on their journey. However, Gabriel wasn't here to challenge the gym—not with no Pokémon on hand.
Instead, his goal was to learn how to better nurture Dratini. With nearly a century of history, the Jindu Gym was one of the oldest in Eastern Empire, known for preserving traditional Pokémon training methods. hoped to gain some valuable insights here.
When Gabriel arrived at the gym, its traditional architecture immediately caught his eye. The antique style of the building matched Donghuang's rich cultural heritage.
Gabriel reached out to touch one of the wooden pillars at the entrance, marveling at its authenticity.
"Hey, kid! Don't touch that. This is a historical artifact, not a place for graffiti!"
An elderly man in a straw hat waved a fan to swat Gabriel's hand away, speaking slowly but sternly.
"This is a historical artifact?"
The old man gave Gabriel a pointed look before nodding.
"Of course! That pillar's older than your parents combined. If you're not here for the gym, go play somewhere else."
Gabriel stared in shock at Elle, who nodded knowingly.
"It's true. This gym has been around for over a century. Experts have verified its authenticity as a historical relic. The old man's not wrong."
The old man gave Elle an approving look.
"You've got sharp eyes, young lady. There's no other gym in the country as old as this one. All those other ones built with concrete are nothing compared to this real deal!"
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