Chapter 16: Secrets of Pokémon Tech
"Miss Giselle, can you show us around the academy now?" Brock asked.
"Since I lost, I will take you on a tour," Giselle replied.
"Mr. Brock, can you tell me why you are so strong?" Giselle asked studiously.
"Alright, I'll tell you. The knowledge you learn at this academy can be said to be very comprehensive. What you lack is battle experience," Brock answered Giselle.
"But I've battled many people here at the academy! I shouldn't be lacking in battle experience. Mr. Brock, I don't understand what you mean," Giselle said. After speaking, she thought, I'm the younger sister of Cynthia, the Champion of the Sinnoh region! How could I possibly lack battle experience?!
"I know you're not convinced, and I don't know who you've battled here. Some knowledge can't be learned just at this academy. Wanting to become stronger isn't just about making your Pokémon stronger; the trainer's own abilities must also improve significantly. Even if your Pokémon reaches Champion level strength, it's useless if the trainer's ability isn't sufficient. Because during a battle, if the Pokémon is much stronger than you, it might not listen to your commands. Even if the Pokémon does listen to your commands, so what? If your own ability is lacking, your judgment will easily falter, creating many opportunities for your opponent to defeat you. Therefore, what you lack is the experience of making judgments as a trainer during battles," Brock explained.
"Mr. Brock, I still don't quite understand what you're saying," Giselle said, tapping her head with her hand.
"Miss Giselle, if you didn't understand my words, you can ask your family when you go home. Perhaps your family can give you a better answer. For now, can you show us the special features of this academy?" Brock suggested to Giselle.
After speaking, Brock thought, It's good that you didn't understand, because even I don't fully grasp what I just said... Sigh, my strength is still too weak.
Hearing Brock's words, Giselle thought, After I finish showing them around the academy, I'll take leave and go home. Once I'm home, I absolutely must ask my sister to explain it clearly!
Nearby, Misty and Daisy also fell into deep thought after hearing Brock's words. Only Ash remained, looking completely clueless at the other four, asking, "Hey! What's wrong with you guys? You're all spacing out!"
Ash's words jolted the other four out of their thoughts. Misty looked angrily at Ash and snapped, "You stupid Ash! I finally had a chance to figure out how to get stronger, and you interrupted me! You owe me!"
"Misty, don't be angry. It's not Ash's fault; he meant well," Daisy consoled her.
Hearing Daisy, Misty shot Ash a fierce glare and said, "Ash! I'll forgive you this time! But if you dare do it again, I absolutely won't forgive you!"
"Mr. Brock, Mr. Ash, Miss Daisy, and Miss Misty, if you want to tour the academy, then follow me!" Giselle said, then walked out of the room. Seeing Giselle leave, Brock and the others followed her.
Giselle took Brock and the group to the academy's cafeteria, library, battle training grounds, classrooms, and dormitories.
"Brock, besides the impressive buildings, there's nothing really special here," Ash commented to Brock.
Hearing Ash, Brock replied, "Ash, don't say that. The environment and facilities here are excellent!"
"Miss Giselle, besides these places, there must be other areas we haven't seen, right?" Brock asked skeptically.
"Yes, Pokémon Tech is very large; I don't even know how big it truly is. The places I've shown you are just part of the beginner division academy. I can't access the intermediate or advanced division areas myself. I only know that the intermediate and advanced divisions are very strong. I don't know much else. To enter the intermediate division, you must graduate from the beginner division and also place in the Top 8 in any regional League competition. Getting into the advanced division is even harder. You need to graduate from the intermediate division, and your trainer strength must reach the Pseudo-Elite Four level," Giselle explained.
Hearing Giselle, Ash asked Brock, "Brock, I've only heard of Champion, Elite Four, Gym Leader, Elite, Entry, and Novice ranks! I've never heard of this 'Pseudo-Elite Four' rank."
Brock answered Ash, "Ash, the rank between the Gym Leader level and the Elite Four level is called Pseudo-Elite Four. It's distinguished like this: reaching the Elite Four level is a major hurdle that blocks many, many trainers. Their strength is higher than Gym Leader level but lower than Elite Four level, so we call these people Pseudo-Elite Four." (Pseudo-Elite Four can also be divided into early, mid, and late stages).
"Oh, so that's how it is!" Ash said after hearing Brock's explanation.
Brock then asked Giselle, "Miss Giselle, based on what you said, Pokémon Tech should be very strong overall. Why is the strength level in your beginner division so weak then?"
"It's like this: our current beginner class just arrived not long ago. They're mostly rich kids who haven't endured any hardship. They spend all their energy studying Pokémon knowledge and playing simulation matches. They basically don't train their Pokémon at all. Of course, I'm different from them," Giselle replied.
"Oh, I see! Giselle, I suggest you could try traveling to collect badges and then enter the League competition. You'd gain much more experience that way! Anyway, it's getting late. Ash, Misty, Daisy, time isn't early; we should go get dinner," Brock said after checking the time. After speaking, he started walking off with Ash and the others to eat.
Giselle was left alone there, looking at the scenery. She watched the view and thought, Brock... why did he suggest I go traveling? What exactly did he mean? I can't figure it out... Giselle gently tapped her head and muttered, "If I can't figure it out, I won't think about it anymore. It's so annoying! I'll take leave tomorrow and go ask my sister!" After muttering to herself, Giselle also walked away.
"Brock, why are we leaving Pokémon Tech to cook and eat ourselves? Couldn't we eat inside the academy?" Ash asked just as they stepped outside Pokémon Tech.
"Ash, are you stupid? They didn't invite us to eat there! Wouldn't you feel embarrassed just going and eating their food?" Misty retorted.
"I wouldn't feel embarrassed! What's the problem? If we can scrounge one meal there, it means one less meal we have to cook, and one less time we have to gather firewood! Misty, don't you get it?" Ash explained.
Hearing Ash's logic, Misty was speechless and finally said, "Ash, you're really shameless!"
Brock heard their conversation and interjected, "Ash, Misty, stop arguing. Since we're outside Pokémon Tech now, let's just eat out here!"
Daisy also agreed, hearing Brock, "Ash, Misty, Brock's right! Let's just eat out here!"
"Ash, you and Pikachu go gather firewood. Misty, Daisy, and Meowth set up the tent. I'll prepare the ingredients and cook. Sound okay?" Brock directed the group.
"No problem!" Ash, Daisy, and Misty replied together.
And Meowth added, "Brock! I know how to set up a tent! I'll get it done! Meow!"
And so, they each went off to do their assigned tasks. The next morning, Brock and the group continued on their journey.
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