Chapter 35: Dirty? Not Really.
Chapter 35: Dirty? Not Really.
Morning.
Warm sunlight filtered through the curtains of the Pokemon Center, casting a gentle glow on Jing He's face.
"Kuppa!"
Gastly deftly licked Jing He's cheek, affectionately waking him up.
With Dianthus watching with a peculiar expression, Jing He's body trembled slightly.
Without opening his eyes, Jing He reached into his bag on the nightstand and pulled out a Parlyz Heal.
He popped it into his mouth, feeling the spicy taste flood his palate.
Slowly opening his eyes, his eyelids slightly red, he nodded calmly at Gastly.
"Thank you."
"Kuppa, kuppa!"
Gastly circled him with a cheeky grin.
It's no big deal.
A bead of sweat rolled down Dianthus's forehead.
So, the berries in the bag are all for him?
The Parlyz Heal to cure paralysis, the Lum Berry to cure poisoning, and as for other conditions...
Gastly can't put Jing He to sleep, and it wouldn't use Will-O-Wisp to cause a burn. As for confusion...
Once confused, it doesn’t matter whether he has a berry or not.
Jing He's movements were so practiced that it was almost heart-wrenching.
Yesterday's "adventure" went smoothly, though it was busy. For Jing He, it was relatively easy.
However, upon returning, he was dragged into a motivational meeting by Duf, which kept him up late.
After a quick wash, they headed to the Pokemon Center's dining hall, where breakfast was provided free of charge.
"Here's yours."
At the table, Jing He poured a cup of Milk Drink for Gastly and handed him a piece of paper, which he had written during the meeting yesterday.
"What's this?"
"Some tactical and move suggestions for Armaldo."
"Armaldo?"
Dianthus was taken aback, then showed a look of surprise.
"Teacher Jing He, you know tactics? I mean, you know Armaldo's tactics?"
Dianthus no longer saw Jing He as just a regular psychology teacher, as he did when they first met.
While Jing He's expertise in Pokemon psychology impressed Dianthus, he also realized that Jing He was skilled in training Pokemon and Pokemon battles.
Curious, Dianthus unfolded the paper and began to read.
"Stealth Rock, Spikes, Roar, Substitute, Roost, Taunt, Iron Defense, Protect... Hmm?"
The content was entirely different from what Dianthus had expected.
There wasn't a single offensive move?
"Offensive moves, I think you're better at those. I won't give you advice there," Jing He explained, noticing Dianthus's confusion.
Dianthus nodded but still had doubts. "But these moves..."
"A lot of Armaldo haven't mastered these yet, but I believe with your skills, Armaldo can learn them easily."
"I still don't quite understand," Dianthus admitted.
Jing He paused, then said, "Let me give you an example. If you face... let's say, Azumarill."
"She's a typical strong attacker and has a type advantage over you. So while you're not afraid, it's best not to choose a strong offensive approach. You can start with Stealth Rock and Spikes for Armaldo."
"Then what?"
"Then use Roar to blow it away."
"?!?"
Dianthus was smart; he just needed a different perspective. With Jing He's explanation, he began to understand.
He felt that today he might hear something "revolutionary."
Just the continuous use of Roar alone could be extremely annoying to the opponent.
"Given Armaldo's characteristics, if the opponent has strong physical attacks, use Iron Defense. If they have strong special attacks, use Substitute, Roost, and Protect."
Jing He then briefly explained the characteristics and tactics of a "spike team" and how Armaldo should "stall."
Honestly, the concept of a "spike team" fit well with Dianthus's Pokemon lineup.
Besides Armaldo, the subsequent Pokemon also needed to be coordinated.
And this was just for single battles; double battles and wild encounters would be different.
"I thought you only had a deep understanding of Gastly's tactics, but I didn't expect..."
Dianthus's expression was complex, but his eyes sparkled with excitement, as if someone had opened a new world to him, one that was so clear!
"Gastly's tactics?"
Gengar is still far from ready. Its strategy can only become somewhat viable once it learns 'Toxic,' 'Protect,' and 'Substitute.' Jing He said this calmly.
As a seasoned Pokemon enthusiast, once Gengar evolves, the tactics can become much more varied and complex.
Especially in this world where there are no restrictions on learning four moves.
Toxic-Protect-Substitute?
That’s just the basics.
“Geng?”
Gengar, who was drinking milk, perked up at Jing He’s words, its eyes gleaming.
At that moment, Daimu noticed Yasha and Cuckoo standing behind Jing He, holding breakfast trays. A large bead of sweat rolled down Yasha’s forehead.
Jing He, who also noticed Daimu’s gaze, guessed who was behind him and cleared his throat. "Ah, that’s about it. If you have any more questions in the future, feel free to ask me."
Let’s just say it’s in exchange for the 'Toxic Orb.'
"Too dirty! Teacher Jing He, that tactic is way too dirty!"
Yasha, who was sitting down, exclaimed. The combination of Spikes, Stealth Rock, and repeated Whirlwinds, along with the excellent HP and defense of Armaldo, made her unsure how she could ever face Daimu again.
Cuckoo, on the other hand, had a thoughtful expression.
Dirty?
Is a 'Spikes team' considered dirty?
We’re just getting started.
Jing He and Gengar exchanged a glance.
Dirty?
“Geng—”
Gengar shook its head vigorously.
It’s just on par with my sneak attack tactics.
Perhaps because Jing He used Yasha as a simple example, she felt a strong sense of it and reacted intensely.
"Teacher, you can’t do this. Daimu is already strong, and now you’re teaching him these tactics—"
She stared intently at Jing He.
"So, when will you teach me?"
Jing He: “?”
After breakfast, Jing He took Gengar to a secluded spot for training.
Today’s schedule was a real autumn outing, with all the classes and teachers gathering together. With so many people, his absence wouldn’t be noticed much.
He briefly explained to Du Fu and smoothly left the group.
Of course, Jing He wouldn’t go too far; he could return immediately if anything happened.
“Geng?”
How will we train?
Gengar was eager and couldn’t wait, especially after hearing Jing He’s tactics in the morning.
Sneak attack tactics?
Forget it!
Jing He took out a small box and opened it, revealing several energy cubes inside. Some were bright red, others orange.
Jing He explained, "Foxfire’s tail fur and Crystal Luxray’s wick are too hard to get, and we can’t be sure if they’re reliable yet. So I asked Cai Zi to help me make these energy cubes to assist with your training today."
Since they were custom-made, this small box cost Jing He a thousand League Coins!
“Geng geng?!”
Is this for real?
Gengar opened its mouth wide.
Gengar: “..”
"These are energy cubes made from 'Choco Berries.' They can moderately enhance the power of Fire-type moves."
As he spoke, Jing He tossed an energy cube to Gengar.
“Awooo!”
Gengar swallowed it in one bite.
Sweet, spicy—Gengar’s eyes sparkled.
“Sss—Geng!(`)”
A bit spicy, but delicious.
It opened its mouth, urging Jing He to continue.
"This one is made from 'Dragonfire Berries.' It can enhance Special Attack, but it’s a bit spicy."
Jing He couldn’t help but add, "And it might be a bit bitter."
Gengar hated bitter flavors the most.
“Geng geng!”
Hurry up! Faster!
“Awooo!”
As Jing He threw the fire-red energy cube, Gengar caught it without hesitation.
But as it ate, its expression gradually turned stiff.
"How is it?" Jing He asked.
Suddenly, Gengar’s face turned bright red, then quickly turned into a bitter expression.
“Geng! Geng!!”
So bitter!
Tears streamed down its cheeks, unable to stop.
(End of Chapter)
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