Chapter 592: Invincible Potion-Popping

In the screen.

The Mage marched off proudly with Dream Eater in tow, leaving Kagi Gym behind.

【You once again return to the street and set up your stall, but this time you flash the badge you just obtained】

You could tell she was quite persistent when it came to selling potions.

Is she that hard up for money?

Baimu pinched his chin in thought.

If he were the one holding a potion that could temporarily boost a Pokémon's strength without being noticed, he absolutely wouldn't be brazenly selling it out in the open.

After all, once the League caught wind of this thing, it would surely be banned.

The potion-popping style violates the principle of fair play.

Did the Mage sell Dream Eater any potions that were used in the Gym battle?

The narration didn't say, so he didn't dare to be certain.

He was just wondering whether the Mage's 【Nurturing Talent】 ability had something to do with the potion-popping style — like, keep popping potions and the Pokémon gets stronger, that sort of thing.

Baimu's attention returned to the simulator, and he suddenly realized the Mage and Dream Eater had already been manning their stall until dusk.

Murkrow circled above their heads.

The bleak scene signaled that the Mage's plan to sell potions had once again fallen through.

Clearly, she was still being treated as a swindler.

【You still couldn't sell your potions; the hunger in your belly made you give up complaining, and you decided to head into the forest to dig wild vegetables and pick wild fruit to fill your stomach】

Ah, this.

Does she not know that Pokémon Centers provide trainers with free food and lodging, or did Pokémon Centers charge money in this era?

Baimu recalled the oldest simulated-era Aromatic Lady so far, and suddenly realized the latter had barely stayed at a Pokémon Center at all — she wasn't short on money!

And the other ordinary simulations that picked the impoverished background mostly had timelines very close to the present.

"Porygon2, help me— hmm? Never mind!"

He was about to look up whether the old Pokémon Centers charged fees, when he suddenly saw several black shadows and a few Ariados appear around the Mage and her two Pokémon on the light screen.

【You have been ambushed】

The shadowy pixels didn't waste a word before having Ariados use String Shot, trying to kidnap her.

Baimu had thought the Mage was done for, but unexpectedly she tossed out several bottles of potions without hesitation, having Dream Eater and Murkrow help break them open; colorful mists instantly spread out.

And the Ariados that came into contact with the colored mist actually turned around and left, ignoring even their trainer.

【Your mixed bug-repellent potion successfully drove off the opponent's Pokémon】

Bug-repellent potion?

Probably the predecessor of Repel Spray.

A thought flashed through his mind, and he then watched in amazement as the Mage handed all sorts of bizarre potions to Dream Eater and Murkrow; the latter two, leveraging their aerial advantage, poured various strange concoctions down onto the shadows' heads like bombers.

Itching ones, pungent ones, ones that made people uncontrollably fart.

For a moment.

The shadows retreated step by step, crying out for their dads and mothers.

The Mage and her two Pokémon pressed the advantage, clearly intending to "go on a killing spree" fueled by hunger and the day's frustration of waiting in vain.

Is this really a Mage apprentice?

There are way too many tricks in Pokémon magic!

And was the old Johto region this chaotic? Kidnapping people in broad daylight?

The more he watched the Mage and Dream Eater's coordination, the more alarmed he became, secretly remarking that the female characters he simulated really were "bursting with martial virtue," one more than the last.

When the ambush failed, the shadows quickly tore off their disguises—

They were actually the ninjas the Mage had tried to peddle potions to earlier.

【You have discovered the true identity of the attackers】

Baimu was a little surprised.

What's going on? They didn't buy any potions either, and they weren't scammed by the Mage, so why come after her? Could it be that selling potions touched on the ninjas' interests?

Even more impossible.

The Mage didn't sell a single bottle.

Don't the Johto ninjas do intelligence work? The whole duty of ninjas is intelligence work.

At this moment.

A popping bubble squeezed into the upper half of the light screen, followed by a white-haired old man walking in from outside the frame.

【You hear the other party express their apologies to you, claim this was a misunderstanding, and hope you will stop】

The Mage didn't agree at first.

But after the white-haired old man pulled out something resembling banknotes, she decisively put all the potions in her hand back into her bag.

The whole idea was that money can make even the devil turn the mill.

The scene shifted.

The Mage was brought into a familiar Gym, and the old man warmly entertained her.

【You are informed by the Ninja Master that they observed you all day, confirmed you are not some suspicious person, and intend to purchase invisibility potions from you】

Baimu: "..."

No way.

They buy potions that can't even hide your head?

The Mage, on the other hand, seemed very happy, smiley emoticons popping up one after another on her forehead, not even thinking about the fact that they specifically came to kidnap her just to buy her potions.

【You've successfully sold your first batch of potions, and you're overjoyed. The guidance counselor wasn't wrong—Pokémon magic really is the easiest profession in the world for finding work and making money】

This guidance counselor... why does he sound like a scammer?

All Baimu tugged at the corner of his mouth, inevitably thinking of the two most famous vocational schools from his previous life—New Oriental and Lanxiang.

Do magic schools also mass-produce magic talents for society?

But mages don't really seem like the type to work in factories.

【You've made a small profit and are very happy. You decide to take Murkrow and Misdreavus out for a big meal】

The mage left the gym in high spirits.

All Baimu stared at the light screen, having originally assumed the ninja had some other scheme, and that buying the invisibility potion was merely a diversion.

But when the mage safely got through the night and set off for the next town, he finally understood these guys had genuinely taken a liking to the head-concealing invisibility potion.

"This is like a joke..."

He lay on his side atop the shiny Gengar, a bit speechless.

The latter's body stiffened for a moment, then quietly breathed a sigh of relief upon realizing the trainer was merely leaning against it.

It began to wonder if it was overreacting, then glanced at the other Pokémon keeping their distance from this spot, feeling quite bewildered.

That's it?

Meanwhile.

Under All Baimu's gaze, the mage swept through the forest's Pokémon as was her habit, advancing toward Zhu Zi City.

This reminded him of when he played Arceus—walking and catching the whole way, a true devastation for the locals.

He heard that in Scarlet and Violet, catching Pokémon also gives you materials.

And materials can be used to make TMs, like using Gible's scales to make Dragon Dance... he nearly laughed out loud when he saw that screenshot.

What did Garchomp ever do to you!?

GF, you Garchomp hater!

... Could it be that Garchomp can learn Dragon Dance in Gen 9? Feels like the sun would rise from the west before that's possible.

All Baimu shifted his position, his heavy attention returning to the mage sweeping wild Pokémon and the two accomplice Pokémon.

【You caught an Oddish and obtained Oddish's Grass Juice】

【You treated Rattata's leg injury and obtained Tooth Powder by filing its teeth】

【You successfully scared a Jigglypuff into crying...】

Seeing Murkrow enthusiastically chasing after other Pokémon, All Baimu finally understood why the mage's 【Appearance Reflects the Heart】 had attracted this one.

Clearly birds of a feather!

This made All Baimu start looking forward to what the mage's remaining Pokémon would turn out to be.

While he was thinking, the mage had already passed through the forest, ended her life of camping out, and arrived at a new place.

【You've arrived at Zhu Zi City. Your longing for the Sacred Ash drives you toward the Bell Tower】

Zhu Zi City.

A prosperous city.

Modeled after Japan's capital Kyoto, one can also glimpse traces of Japanese culture in its architecture and layout.

The real-life photos are far more beautiful than the pixel version.

All Baimu had seen Zhu Zi City listed as one of the best cities for tourism more than once, but never had the chance to visit in person.

Watching the mage head straight for the Bell Tower, he knew this one wanted to try her luck.

However, in the anime's backstory, Ho-Oh stopped interacting with Zhu Zi City's humans three hundred years ago—a hundred and fifty years earlier than in the games.

At the same time, the Burned Tower was also built by humans for Ho-Oh, and has no connection to Lugia.

【You've been stopped by someone】

In the scene, a man in monk's robes appeared before the mage.

【You hear the other party introduce himself as Mao Jie, a monk who has guarded the Bell Tower through the generations. The Bell Tower is currently not open to outsiders at will; you can only visit the Burned Tower】

Monk.

Although there is no Buddha in the Pokémon world, monks still exist—they can be found at the Sprout Tower, the Bell Tower, and the Zhu Zi Gym.

How could the mage give up.

Even though she knew climbing the Bell Tower would most likely not yield any Sacred Ash, she still wanted to try.

【A light bulb flashes in your mind and you challenge Mao Jie to a Pokémon battle, saying if you win he'll let you up】

A light bulb appeared over the mage's forehead, but Mao Jie across from her responded with a smile of refusal.

【If you can successfully challenge the Zhu Zi Gym, I'll let you up—hearing Mao Jie say this, you were stunned for a moment, then agreed without hesitation】

She was going to challenge the gym anyway.

It happened that the Zhu Zi Gym was located not far from the Bell Tower, so the mage turned and walked straight in.

No potions?

All Baimu was somewhat surprised by her drive to act, then noticed that upon entering the gym, the mage didn't rush to find the Gym Leader, but found a hidden spot and began feeding Misdreavus and Murkrow all sorts of potions.

In no time at all.

Two Pokémon maxed out on tech... no, maxed out on magic were born.

The mage, full of swagger, took them and began challenging the gym.

【You challenge the Zhu Zi Gym】

At this time, the Zhu Zi Gym Leader naturally wouldn't be Falkner, but a slightly older woman.

The type she specialized in was, however, exactly the same as Falkner's.

All Baimu wasn't surprised by this. Falkner mentioned in the anime that the Bell Tower was a building guarded by his ancestors through the generations, so this Gym Leader might well be his grandmother or maternal grandmother or something.

Perhaps because the Gym battle lacked suspense, the simulated battle visuals were rather crude.

Dream Eater and Dark Crow won without breaking a sweat.

【You have defeated the Crimson Gym Leader and obtained the Crimson Badge】

Mao Jie, watching from the sidelines, had a surprised expression pop up over his head — he hadn't expected this scatterbrained Miss to be so capable.

【You have obtained permission to ascend the tower】

The Mage ascended the Bell Tower as she had wished.

However.

There she found only a statue of Ho-Oh and silver bells hung at the four corners.

【You learned from Mao Jie that when the four silver bells ring together, it heralds Ho-Oh's return — but sadly, they haven't rung in several hundred years】

The Mage gazed at the silver bells, a string of ellipses floating above her head.

For some reason.

All Baimu seemed to glimpse a trace of sorrow on the pixelated little figure — failing to find the Sacred Ash seemed to have dealt her a real blow.

"..."

He watched in silence, preparing to sink into the mood.

The scene shifted.

The Mage, who had just been so dejected, was back on the street with her stall. This time she displayed two badges beside her, trying to boost her persuasiveness.

Dream Eater and Dark Crow flitted around her.

The mood took a sudden turn, leaving All Baimu with a tightness in his chest.

But the two badges, combined with the Mage's signboard, did indeed draw plenty of people in.

Only when others asked what she was selling did the Mage bluntly reply "magic potions," and launch into an unending lecture on what Pokémon magic was.

The moment they heard that Pokémon magic meant boiling and using various parts of Pokémon,

the passersby around her all had nauseated expressions pop up on their foreheads.

All Baimu twitched the corners of his mouth, deeply feeling that the Mage was an honest little girl — who else would explain the raw ingredients right alongside the potions when giving a lecture?

So the gathered crowd quickly lost interest in the potions.

They asked the magician to perform some magic for them.

You loudly retort to those onlookers, insisting that Pokémon magic is not stage magic but a power that can create miracles — but no one was willing to listen to your explanation.

【You packed up your stall in a fury and left】

"She didn't even manage to earn a single coin?"

All Baimu was a little surprised.

He had assumed the Mage was money-grubbing enough to pose as a stage magician if it meant selling her potions, but now it seemed magic itself was sacred and inviolable to her.

Leaving Crimson City, that sorrowful place.

The Mage pressed on and arrived at a stretch of dense wilds.

【You have arrived at the Nature Park. It is said to be home to large numbers of Bug-type Pokémon. You excitedly charged in with Dream Eater and Dark Crow】

Another bout of "bloodshed and carnage."

All Baimu felt the Mage could win an annual "Most Hated by Wild Pokémon" award, but interestingly, her potion-brewing skills grew ever more refined.

【Watching the success rate of your Swift Potion climb, you know you'll soon be able to shake off the title of magic apprentice】

Hmm?

Can talent actually rank up?

He froze for a moment when he saw that narration, then realized the Mage would probably shed her magic-apprentice stage after the League Conference.

In the Nature Park.

Apart from the wild Pokémon that had their venom, scales, fluids, and moves harvested, the Mage was very lucky to find a third companion —

she had been brewing a potion and couldn't find her pocket watch, so she grabbed a Hoothoot from a nearby tree to keep time.

Later she found the Hoothoot quite handy, so she simply kept it.

【You caught a Hoothoot — your potion-brewing timer has increased by one】

"Another tool pet."

All Baimu shook his head and sighed.

After sweeping through the Nature Park, the Mage didn't continue on to Goldenrod City, but pressed westward instead. After several days and nights of braving the elements, she arrived at Olivine City.

【You rushed to the docks, enthusiastically hawking "Water Breathing" potions to the sailors】

Water Breathing potions...

Isn't Pokémon magic a little too omnipotent?

All Baimu watched the Mage eat another closed door, half curious about how many kinds of magic potions there actually were, half dumbfounded by her salesmanship.

And her target audience was problematic too! Selling "Water Breathing" potions to sailors who are naturally adept at swimming?

Cursing them to drown?

In any case.

The Mage, having failed to make a single sale again, stormed off to challenge a Gym.

【You begin your challenge of the Olivine Gym】

The Olivine Gym, huh...

All Baimu had recently exchanged words with the current Olivine Gym Leader, Jasmine — this Gym didn't seem to be the kind passed down through generations.

Sure enough.

The Gym Leader the Mage faced specialized in Water-type Pokémon, and was male.

His strength was quite formidable; even with his Pokémon's power restricted, he could still go blow for blow against three Pokémon that had been hopped up on drugs.

Unfortunately, the drug-buffing style was simply too powerful — the strength a Gym with only its third Badge could muster was no match for it.

【You have defeated the Asagi City Gym Leader and obtained the Asagi Badge.】