Chapter 594: The Wandering Witch

Two Dark Stones.

Just enough to meet the evolution requirements for her Musharna and Murkrow.

Baimu was surprised that the Mage sold her potions so expensively, but at the same time gave a thumbs-up to the Goldenrod Gym Leader for being so thoughtful.

Setting aside the undercover villainous big boss that is Giovanni, the character of every Gym Leader in the anime world is worthy of praise.

【You discover that these two Dark Stones can evolve your Musharna and Murkrow. Overjoyed, you immediately give the other party two extra bottles of beauty potions.】

In the Mage's era, her Pokémon knowledge could be described as erudite.

It was hard to imagine that such a talent was only a Mage Apprentice.

If it were some hot-blooded protagonist who received the Dark Stones, without anyone to remind them, they'd probably only find out much later by accident that they could help Musharna and Murkrow evolve.

After leaving the Gym.

The Mage couldn't wait to use the Dark Stones on Musharna and Murkrow.

A brilliant light flared up.

【Your Musharna has evolved into Musharna】

【Your Murkrow has evolved into Honchkrow. New feather material added.】

Hm?

Why are the two Pokémon treated differently?

Baimu suddenly realized that Musharna was the Mage's true love. Otherwise, every other Pokémon had tags like "tool" and "raw material" — why didn't it?

But to say she treated them differently… that didn't seem right either. The simulation footage never showed the Mage mistreating her other Pokémon; in fact, she often had them act together.

He couldn't help but glance at his shiny Gengar, thinking that maybe he had been treating his Pokémon too much like tools and should be a little nicer to them.

Uh.

Why was he reflecting on himself?

Baimu shook his head and continued watching the simulation footage.

The evolved Musharna and Honchkrow looked extremely similar to the Mage, especially the former — the Mage Hat was practically identical, making one suspect whether the origin of Pokémon magic came from Musharna.

And just as he was wondering when the Eevee egg in the Mage's arms would hatch.

Inside the light screen.

The Pokémon egg suddenly emitted a dazzling light.

He: "... That was fast."

Has it really only been a day since she got it? Even the previous blue-talent simulation subjects weren't this fast.

The light gradually dimmed.

Eevee~

A puppy-like Eevee replaced the Pokémon egg. Even in pixel form, it was cuteness overload, and the onomatopoeia in the speech bubble above its head made Baimu almost hear its cry ringing in his ears.

The Mage was clearly unable to resist this adorable little creature, her eyes shining as she gazed at it.

【Your Pokémon egg has hatched into Eevee. Fluffy-type raw material added.】

...... As expected.

Baimu regretted the thought that had flashed through his mind just now — "Actually, the Mage is also a little girl who likes cute Pokémon."

He began to suspect the Mage was a descendant of the Hisuian people.

It just so happens that Hisui, now known as Sinnoh, is located above Johto. If Unovans could migrate to Hisui, wasn't it perfectly normal for Hisuians to migrate to Johto?

The more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed.

Hisuians throw Poké Balls and various Apricorns and berries; she throws potions.

Exactly the same!

Speaking of which, what would the Mage evolve Eevee into? Espeon? Umbreon? Leafeon?

Baimu was somewhat curious.

The scene changed.

【You have left this place you can't bear to part with】

The Mage really liked Goldenrod City, a place that was quite "friendly" to outsiders, so when she left she looked back at every step.

But she still needed three more Badges, so she had to keep working hard.

【You have arrived at Route 34】

As soon as she arrived in the wild.

The Mage immediately began sweeping the wild Pokémon like a fierce tiger entering the forest — plucking fur, pulling grass, extracting bodily fluids, all in one smooth motion.

With the "abetting" of Musharna, Honchkrow, and several other Pokémon, the wild Pokémon suffered terribly.

Watching those chased Pokémon, Baimu suddenly realized that although the Mage rarely battled other trainers and rarely specifically cultivated her Pokémon's various abilities.

She often sent Musharna and the others to fight wild Pokémon.

Perhaps her team's overall strength was built upon this.

After all, battling wild Pokémon was also real combat, and as long as it was real combat, it could improve every aspect of a Pokémon's strength.

He realized he had been overthinking it.

So the Mage was actually a practical-combat type!

That made sense.

She wasn't a proper Trainer to begin with. In that era, not knowing how to train Pokémon was perfectly normal. Even when she entered the League, she went for Ho-Oh's Sacred Fire, not caring about her results at all.

"An improper Trainer obtained the honor that all Trainers yearn for."

Baimu could only sigh — worthy of the old era.

But very soon, the Mage ran into a bit of trouble.

Although the timeline is very early, Route 34 had already become home to numerous breeding houses, forming a small village.

【You didn't notice the fence serving as a boundary, helped a Growlithe "trim" its tail fur, and the breeding house owner rushed out upon hearing the Growlithe's barking】

In the footage.

The mage frantically defended herself, but since she called herself a Pokémon mage and produced a suspicious liquid, even though the Growlithe was fine and even seemed quite pleased with its new tail fur, she was still mistaken for a Pokémon thief.

Chased and beaten by nearby villagers and Pokémon.

Until she couldn't hold back any longer and used a hallucinogenic potion to fight back, causing the Pokémon chasing her to turn and attack those villagers instead — only then did this farce truly come to an end.

【You defeated the villagers, then used the opportunity of helping them to successfully clear up the misunderstanding】

"That combat power is legit top-notch."

Baimu couldn't help but sigh that the mage was no pushover — just the potions in her hand alone were enough to take down a whole group.

Another day winning Pokémon battles without using Pokémon. jpg

【Your Pokémon magic earned the villagers' recognition, and they asked whether you could cure some minor ailments of their Pokémon; you said you'd have to take a look first】

It appeared! The legendary traveling doctor!

Baimu was very curious about the medical conditions of this era, that breeding house people actually had to rely on a mage to deal with Pokémon illnesses.

Or perhaps Pokémon Centers hadn't yet been fully set up in every corner of the Johto region?

In any case, when the villagers discovered that the mage's magic potions could really cure illness — and were quite reliable — she received a completely different reception in northern Johto.

【You sincerely believe that southern Johto is simply paradise, and begin considering whether to advise the headmaster to move the magic school here or open a branch campus】

The mage left Route 34 with a smile.

【You no longer need to worry about travel expenses, which makes you very happy】

Passing through the oak forest.

Although Baimu was hoping the mage would encounter Celebi, unfortunately she didn't have that kind of luck, and arrived safely at Azalea Town.

【You have arrived at Azalea Town, a quiet little town radiating a peaceful atmosphere; you can't wait to start challenging the gym】

The mage headed straight for the gym with her Musharna.

The current gym leader was a middle-aged man who specialized in Normal-type Pokémon.

But perhaps because Musharna had evolved and become far too strong after all those potions, the entire gym battle was sped through with no suspense or twists whatsoever.

【You defeated the Azalea Town gym leader and obtained the Hive Badge】

Baimu was momentarily speechless.

Watching the mage's battle gave him an uncanny sense that gym leaders of the past were really weak.

Although trainers' overall strength does indeed rise with the times, and the more superior environment in every aspect making trainers stronger is perfectly normal.

But to clear the sixth badge this fast, one can only conclude that the mage's Musharna already has the makings of a "Champion"!

Just like Ash's Greninja — Hawlucha and the other Pokémon were honestly pretty average, Pikachu performed middlingly, good but not exaggerated, yet the bonded Greninja was an absolute bug-tier existence.

And with that, the gym battle ended.

As usual, the mage found a spot and set up her stall — peddling had already become her habit.

The six badges lined up neatly were quite eye-catching.

But just as Baimu had expected, the townsfolk of Azalea Town were full of wariness toward magic potions, so she only managed to sell one bottle.

【You are happy to have made your first sale, and after packing up you continue on to the next city】

Likewise, the mage's excellent habit of gathering raw materials hadn't fallen by the wayside — selling potions was selling potions, making potions was making potions.

【You need to craft large quantities of potions to increase your magic proficiency, so as to pass the official mage examination and raise the success rate of crafting the Nirvana Potion】

The mage constantly kept her goal in mind, and her sweeps of the area became all the more determined.

The strength of Honchkrow and the other Pokémon gradually improved through repeated wild Pokémon sweeps.

To be fair.

Baimu felt that the mage's Pokémon got far more exercise than his own at home — even if a large portion of it was wasted motion, getting stronger was still a perfectly reasonable outcome.

Could this count as "planting willows by accident and getting shade"?

【You have arrived at Violet City, the central part of the Johto region, surrounded by dense forests】

Violet City…

The games state that the Violet Gym was inherited by Falkner from his father, but the anime never mentioned it.

Is there a chance to meet Falkner's father?

Baimu recalled the Azalea Gym and felt there wasn't much chance.

Even Brock hasn't become a gym leader yet, so Falkner's dad probably hasn't either… Maybe he'll battle the mage at the tournament?

He stared at the light screen.

The mage had already stepped into the elevated Violet Gym.

【You begin challenging the Violet Gym】

A pixelated little boy who looked even a little younger than the mage appeared across from her.

Huh?

No way?

Baimu blinked, immediately turned and called over Porygon2 to help look up when Falkner's father took over as gym leader.

Twelve years old.

Porygon2's answer left him a bit embarrassed.

It really was Falkner's dad serving as gym leader!

Twelve years old — feels like Brock's little brother Jiro would be about that age too?

A twelve-year-old gym leader of this era probably wouldn't have low achievements in the games either; no wonder Falkner idolizes his dad so much.

However, before the potion-popping mage, Asu's father, as a Gym Leader unable to fight at full strength, ultimately lost to the former.

【You hear the other's praise and humbly reply that you still have a long way to go】

All Baimu tugged at the corner of his mouth.

The mage clearly didn't see potion-popping as cheating — what Pokémon mage doesn't feed their own Pokémon potions?

And he, also a cheater, had no standing to criticize the mage's potion-popping tactics.

As for whether the League later refined the rules, he figured they probably did — after all these years, surely more than just mages had sent out Pokémon dosed with magic potions.

It would have been noticed sooner or later.

【You don't linger in Violet City, because you feel you need to pick up the pace】

The last Gym.

The mage had clearly chosen Ecruteak City, nestled among Chongshanjunling.

But before that, she had to return to the magic school — partly to report on her training progress, partly to attempt the exam to break through to full mage.

【You, unusually, don't gather materials and quicken your pace】

Through the dense forest.

The mage returned to that somewhat eerie-looking Gubao, and once she went inside, All Baimu finally caught a glimpse of the interior.

—Much brighter than expected, and not nearly as flashy as Hogwarts.

Plain and simple, like an ordinary private university.

He couldn't help feeling a bit disappointed — so it really was an alchemy university that looked scientific but was actually into the occult?

Meanwhile.

The mage arrived at an office and met the academic dean.

【Your training results impress the academic dean; she not only approves your advancement exam but also says the principal has heard of your situation and decided to send you a Pokémon assistant】

The sixth Pokémon is actually a gift?

All Baimu watched the screen curiously, and then a Pokémon resembling a person, wearing a blue wizard's hat, suddenly appeared beside the mage.

【You obtain Birmier; your potion-making assistants have increased】

Birmier!

That's a Galar Pokémon! Has the magic school already had people go to the Galar region this early?

And they gave her the fully evolved form outright!

All Baimu looked at the mage's delighted expression on the screen and could almost feel the joy in her heart.

But good things never come easy.

The mage failed her advancement exam.

【You realize you still have some shortcomings, so you hurry off to continue your Gym challenge】

"She still didn't make full mage after all that… just how powerful are full mages?" All Baimu had watched the whole exam, but the pixel graphics left him unable to make heads or tails of what happened.

The Nectar Potion won't fail to brew, will it?

He grew a little anxious.

The scene drifts on.

The mage pressed on with her new assistant, and the two gradually grew familiar with each other.

During this time, Yin Bu evolved.

【Your Yin Bu has evolved into Moon Yin Bu; venom raw materials have increased】

Moon Yin Bu, huh…

Venom raw materials?

You mean Moon Yin Bu's sweat?

All Baimu felt the mage's team was truly a mishmash of types — everything under the sun.

"A full team of six Pokémon, finally complete." He looked at the six Pokémon icons lined up neatly at the bottom of the screen and felt this team was quite luxurious.

After all, in the anime, someone won the Silver Conference with a Rhyhorn — at least the mage's team had all reached their final evolutions.

【You arrive at Ecruteak City】

Over the mountains.

The mage finally reached the location of the last Badge.

【You recall the academic dean saying the Ecruteak Gym Leader was on friendly terms with her, and hoping you'd pay her a visit when you challenged the Gym; you hurry straight to the Ecruteak Gym】

The Ecruteak Gym Leader's outfit was identical to every other Dragon Tamer — blue tracksuit, vest, and red cape.

The leader warmly welcomed the mage's arrival, laughing heartily as she led her into the Gym.

"He should be Lance and Clair's elder, right?"

All Baimu thought.

He was also curious whether the Dragon Tamers of Ecruteak City were a branch of the Dragon Seekers — after all, the Tin Tower proved that a group of Dragon Seekers or Ecruteak Seekers had once come to the Johto region.

It's just that Ecruteak City and the Tin Tower are worlds apart — Tiannandibei.