Chapter 593: The Mage Caught in the Net

Perseverance seems to be a mage's byword.

【You once again ran off to the docks to hawk potions】

After two failures, the mage finally took to heart the lesson from last time in Vermilion City and began to change her strategy.

【You took out three badges and invited the dock sailors to battle — anyone who could defeat you would get a free bottle of potion, while losers had to pay for one】

"Will this actually work?"

Baimu figured the dock sailors wouldn't be that bored, and that the mage would get taken away by Officer Jenny.

But facts proved otherwise.

In the mage's era, Pokémon battles were already a beloved form of entertainment for countless people.

The weight of three badges made sailors flock to challenge the mage in an endless stream.

The Officer Jenny he worried about never showed her face at all.

And the mage truly lived up to her reputation as a potion-popping grandmaster — not a single one of the many sailors at Ascorbia Harbor could defeat her, and Hoothoot even evolved during the consecutive battles.

【Your Hoothoot evolved into Noctowl; the timer gains a flashlight function】

What the hell does "the timer gains a flashlight function" even mean…

But evolving so soon after being caught — was Hoothoot already trending that way, or is the mage's nurturing so skilled that talent isn't from potion-popping?

Baimu couldn't tell.

He only knew that in the fast-forwarded footage, the little expression in the speech bubble above the mage's head gradually shifted from happy to ecstatic.

【When your Murkrow fell, you ended today's battle-bundled sales, having sold over thirty bottles of underwater potions, leaving you overjoyed】

However, the mage's joy didn't last long.

【You noticed many sailors tossed the potions onto the ground right after buying them, which made you realize this sales strategy wouldn't make them value the potions】

Clearly, the mage hoped to earn travel money from the potions, but didn't want the potions to be despised on her account.

And most sailors didn't care about such blatantly suspicious stuff as potions — they only stepped up to challenge because of the mage's strength, and after losing they simply bought a bottle as agreed.

【You decided to buy the potions back from those sailors】

Baimu watched the mage in the footage chasing down the sailors who'd challenged her to buy back the potions, and was left speechless.

In the final analysis.

The reason the mage couldn't sell her potions was that "Pokémon magic" was just too suspicious, and she was a "traveling merchant" — to the people of big cities in that era, she was practically indistinguishable from a swindler.

Traditional Chinese medicine would be more credible than Pokémon magic; in the Pokémon world, traditional Chinese medicine actually has quite a long history.

However.

Even a swindler can always swindle one or two fools.

And as someone hawking legitimate magical potions, the potion-buying-back mage caught the eye of a Gym Leader.

【You were stopped by the Ascorbia Gym Leader, who appeared out of nowhere; he claimed to be the captain of a large ship and was very interested in your underwater breathing potions】

This era apparently hadn't yet developed something like "scuba gear," so after testing the potion's practicality, the Ascorbia Gym Leader immediately cleaned out the mage's stock.

He even bought quite a few potions with other effects.

For example, potions that let you not smell bad odors, potions that let you sleep without snoring, potions that kept vegetables fresh, and so on.

【You made a killing and immediately decided to take your Pokémon out for a big feast】

Truly… simple and honest.

Earn money, go eat big.

Baimu grabbed the shiny Gengar's paw and kneaded it, recalling with the latter's bewildered expression how he himself had felt when he earned money from Team Aqua back then.

Seems like there wasn't much difference.

Also taking Pokémon out to shop and eat.

The scene shifted.

The mage stood on the deck of a large ship, gazing out at the sea.

【You continue on toward the next city; the deep blue sea makes your mouth water, but unfortunately you can't swim, and the ship doesn't stop】

Is she craving the sea, or craving water-type Pokémon?

Baimu had come to know the mage's temperament fairly well — she liked to fleece wild Pokémon to make magical potions, and insisted on fresh and all-natural ingredients.

Sure enough.

Just as he'd thought, the mage was craving Pokémon.

【You borrowed a fishing rod from a crew member, trying to hook Pokémon from the sea】

The mage was seen standing at the side of the ship with her three Pokémon, solemnly casting her line downward, with an expectant little tag popping up above her head.

Fishing…

Net fishing would be more reliable.

How do you fish while the ship is moving? Fish for Sharpedo? That's not impossible — that kind of Pokémon likes chasing ships and gnawing on them.

But obviously, ordinary ships wouldn't normally sail routes known to have Sharpedo.

【You waited a long time, found no wild Pokémon taking the bait, and so improvised a Pokémon-luring potion to pour into the sea】

【You continued fishing】

"Hmm…"

Baimu twitched the corner of his mouth, feeling the mage's brain wasn't working quite right.

What is this even?

Carving a mark on a boat to find a lost sword?

His attention then shifted to that Pokémon-luring potion, and he recalled the potions that had appeared in the simulation.

He found that aside from the ones that could temporarily boost a Pokémon's combat power, most of the mage's potions were somewhat lackluster to him.

Whether it was invisibility, underwater breathing, or other potions with various functions, in his era there were far more convenient substitutes.

He hoped he could produce something more miraculous later on.

Baimu was rather looking forward to the kind of magic potion from the anime that could transform one into a Pokémon.

【You have arrived at Cerulean City】

The Mage returned the fishing rod to the captain — without question, this "carving the boat to find the sword" style of fishing had yielded her nothing, and feeling somewhat indignant, she immediately chose to challenge the Gym to vent her frustrations.

This decision received a response from her other three Pokémon.

【You have challenged the Cerulean Gym】

The current Gym Leader was a white-haired old man who, like the later Fourth, used Fighting-type Pokémon.

He was very strong.

This could be seen from the fact that the simulation footage wasn't sped up too much.

In the battle, Murkrow and Noctowl certainly held the advantage of the Flying type, but the Cerulean Gym Leader was also a highly experienced Trainer — the Hitmonlee in the simulation footage was darting around like a flying top.

It actually kicked Noctowl down from the sky.

Baimu couldn't help feeling that this Hitmonlee's hovering ability was outrageous — could it be that spinning fast enough turns one into a bamboo dragonfly? Mawile spins that fast and still falls when it should.

Not only does it not fall, but after hovering for a while it can keep rising?

One could only say that the gap between Pokémon and Pokémon really is enormous.

Of course.

This Hitmonlee ultimately failed to take down the Mage's potion king — Misdreavus; compared to it, Murkrow and Noctowl were nothing but small fry.

【You have defeated the Cerulean Gym Leader and obtained the Cascade Badge】

"Misdreavus's level is really high."

Through this fairly detailed battle, Baimu clearly saw Misdreavus's strength.

No wonder the first three Gyms were all sped through with footage on fast-forward — it wasn't just the potions' doing; Misdreavus's own strength was inseparable from it.

Does this count as a Sword God of Ten-Li Slope?

Let's see how far one can advance relying solely on potion-chugging and Misdreavus's own power.

So far, aside from the battles at the dock to sell potions, the Mage hadn't battled any other Trainer, and the simulation hadn't revealed any footage of her training her Pokémon.

Could it really be a League championship won by potion-chugging?

But the League conference from several decades ago... seemed understandable enough.

At this stage, the various rules of the League conference were all figured out step by step by these mainstream regions themselves; the Mage's era didn't have technology as developed as now, and research on Pokémon was far less thorough than now — anything was possible.

Leaving the Gym.

The refreshed Mage, as usual, put out her badge and began setting up her stall.

She never expected that she, who had always been able to sit quietly until dusk, was for the first time driven away by Officer Jenny.

【You asked Officer Jenny why you couldn't set up your stall; the latter asked whether the goods you sold had undergone ingredient testing by a professional company; you answered no】

Too honest!

Watching the Mage answer every question truthfully under Officer Jenny's interrogation, Baimu felt that Officer Jenny probably hadn't seen such an innocent "swindler" before either.

【You were very defiant toward Officer Jenny, stating that although you didn't have a business license, your magic potions were genuine, and you drank one on the spot to show her】

【You were taken to the police station by Officer Jenny to receive an education】

【Your potions were confiscated】

In the footage, a scorching hot afternoon.

The Mage stood at the police station entrance holding an empty little bag, a string of ellipses over her head, as Murkrow flew overhead as if mocking her.

"Hahahaha."

Baimu laughed.

But he was also very curious why Cerulean City's Officer Jenny was so strict, when Officer Jennies in other cities didn't bother with street stalls.

With the narrator's explanation, he roughly understood the situation.

It turned out Cerulean City had a traditional Chinese medicine shop with a long history — nearly five hundred years.

Because its fame in the surrounding area was too great and the medicines required reservations, many swindlers from outside used its name to cheat people.

The Mage was obviously also taken for a swindler using the name to commit fraud.

But after communicating, Officer Jenny felt she was perhaps more like a lunatic than a swindler, so she only confiscated those suspicious magic potions and let her go.

【You looked back at the police station, wondering whether to find a way to get back inside and retrieve the potions, but after thinking carefully that the materials for making potions were still with you, you gave up】

The Mage clearly wasn't so arrogant as to clash with Officer Jenny, and slinked away from this city that had hurt her heart, heading for the wilds to gather raw materials.

"Lucky that the cost of the potions, apart from her own labor, was just the glass bottles."

Baimu felt that if the losses were too great, the Mage would definitely take desperate risks.

Route 47.

The steep terrain failed to stop the Mage's steps to recoup her losses, and seemingly adhering to the principle that the higher the risk the higher the reward, she actually found quite a few materials that had previously been hard to obtain.

She even captured a new Pokémon.

【You captured a Ditto; the universal neutralizer has increased】

Why is Ditto called the universal neutralizer?

Because in Pokémon magic, although the materials from a Ditto after it transforms into a specified Pokémon cannot take effect, its mucus is a top-grade material that can increase the stability of magic potions.

The narrator stated that many magic apprentices hoped to own a Ditto, but unfortunately this Pokémon was extremely rare and hard for ordinary people to find.

Most crucially, it was helpful for making the Nirvana Potion.

【You looked at the Ditto happily, feeling that your luck had turned; the confiscation of the potions and everything else were all thrown to the back of your mind】

The Mage left the large island where Cerulean City was located in high spirits.

During the boat trip.

The smartened-up wizard didn't fish this time, but bought a large net and tried to net fish.

But soon she discovered another fatal problem.

【You discover you simply can't haul the heavy net up from the sea. You go ask the crew, but the crew tells you fishing is prohibited in these waters.】

Canglan Star got nerfed hard!

Two attempts to scheme against the Pokémon in the sea both failed — it really damages a Hunter's reputation.

【You regretfully untie the fishing net and look toward the bustling big city in the distance.】

Inside the light screen.

A slightly modern pixel-texture metropolis came into All Baimu's view.

She came straight to Goldenrod City?

He was a little surprised the wizard didn't go sweep the Nature Park one more time — looks like Route 47 really stuffed her bag to the brim.

The ship docked.

【You arrive at Goldenrod City. The rows of skyscrapers dazzle you — you never expected it to be so bustling here.】

Goldenrod City is the foremost big city in the Johto region. The very first maglev train pilot program was launched here, so All Baimu wasn't surprised it had this level of prosperity decades ago.

The newly arrived wizard couldn't wait to start setting up her stall. This time she'd learned her lesson, and stationed her Murkrow and Noctowl as lookouts on both sides of the street.

She herself kept her ears and eyes on everything — if Officer Jenny showed up, she'd be ready to bolt immediately.

This state of affairs reminded All Baimu of those street vendors back in his previous life dodging city management officers.

Unexpectedly.

The wizard, who had suffered repeated defeats in other cities, actually managed to sell quite a few potions in Goldenrod City.

【You enthusiastically hawk various potions at them.】

Are big-city folks just more receptive?

All Baimu could only think so, but if it were him, not knowing Pokémon magic actually existed, he'd probably be skeptical too if someone tried to sell him potions.

【You finally manage a sale to an ordinary person. Your good mood drives you to challenge the Gym.】

Goldenrod Gym.

The Gym Leader is a burly auntie who, like Whitney, uses Normal-type Pokémon, with the same core Pokémon — Miltank.

Its Rollout was ferociously powerful — neither Murkrow nor Noctowl could beat it.

In the end, it took the potion-chugging emperor Mismagius to step in, using Ghost-type's high mobility to take it down.

【You defeat the Goldenrod Gym Leader and obtain the Plain Badge.】

The wizard smoothly obtained her fifth badge.

Anyone else would probably take these five badges and show off to boost their fame, but the wizard didn't do that — she was solely devoted to being a potion peddler.

【You suddenly recall your experience in Cianwood City and decide to hawk potions to the Gym Leader.】

Great idea!

All Baimu was very gratified that the wizard had finally seen the light. Reputation, if there aren't enough ordinary people to spread it around, must rely on people of status like Gym Leaders to help promote it.

The Chef's success started with cooking a meal for the Gym Leaders.

And, as expected.

The Goldenrod Gym Leader was very interested in the wizard's potions. She runs a farm at home, and the Pokémon there are always getting sick big and small, so she really needs potions to cure them.

【You try to sell all your healing potions to the Goldenrod Gym Leader, but unfortunately she seems to be having cash-flow problems lately and can't come up with that much money right now. She asks if you can wait, or take other items as payment for the goods.】

It was the wizard's first time encountering something like this. She hesitated, then agreed.

【You obtain a Yin Bu's Pokémon Egg and two Dusk Stones from the Goldenrod Gym Leader.】

"Holy crap, potions are worth this much?"

All Baimu was a little surprised.

Evolution stones from decades ago and now aren't priced the same.