Pokémon: My Titles Know No Limits! [149]

Blaine’s eye twitched as he watched August jot something down in his little notebook.

Even though he had been isolated on Cinnabar Island, away from most outside news, he had still heard about Cerulean Gym being restructured.

Clearly, now his own gym was being recorded as well.

Noticing Blaine’s concern, August reassured him, "Don’t worry, Leader Blaine. Cerulean Gym was restructured because its gym trainers were… well, embarrassingly weak."

"From what I understand, Cinnabar Gym may have been closed these past few months, but you’ve still awarded badges to a number of trainers. Given your strength, I doubt you have much to worry about."

Blaine was just about to breathe a sigh of relief when August continued,

"The League didn’t send me here just to assess gym leaders’ battle strength. That’s secondary. The real mission is to root out any Team Rocket spies hiding among them."

"Koga and Lt. Surge were both investigated and arrested because of their ties to Team Rocket."

"But as long as you have no connections to Team Rocket, there’s nothing to be concerned about," August said with an easygoing smile. He then looked Blaine straight in the eye. "You don’t have any ties to Team Rocket… right?"

Blaine forced a laugh. "H-ha… haha. Of course not! How could I possibly be involved with Team Rocket…?"

But internally, his thoughts were a mess.

No connections?

Not only did he have connections—he had been a key participant in the Mewtwo Project!

If Team Rocket successfully created Mewtwo, the damage it would inflict on the League would partly be his responsibility.

Sure, he had cut ties with Team Rocket, but… convincing the League of that was another story.

Far from reassuring him, August’s explanation only made Blaine more nervous.

August, seemingly oblivious to Blaine’s unease, gestured for Blue to start recording the assessment with the camera. Then, he pulled out a Poké Ball.

"Since I’m the examiner, I’ll send out my Pokémon first."

With that, he tossed the Poké Ball into the air.

A bright flash of white light erupted, followed by a thunderous roar as Gyarados materialized onto the battlefield.

A crimson-colored Gyarados—its appearance was oddly fitting for Cinnabar Gym.

Even with his mind preoccupied, Blaine forced himself to focus.

His Pokémon were all Fire-types, which meant he didn’t have many great choices against Gyarados.

After a brief moment of thought, he made his decision.

"I’m counting on you, Rapidash!"

A burst of flames shot out from the Poké Ball as it opened, materializing into the elegant form of Rapidash.

"Neigh—!"

Rapidash landed gracefully, its four hooves firmly striking the ground. The fiery mane and tail on its back burned intensely, causing the temperature in the arena to rise slightly.

Despite being affected by Gyarados’ [Intimidate], Rapidash held its head high, refusing to back down.

The two Pokémon locked eyes.

Gyarados, eager to prove itself in battle, and Rapidash, carrying its trainer’s expectations.

Sparks flew between them.

"Battle begin!"

The moment the referee gave the signal, Gyarados launched its attack.

"ROAR!"

Its massive jaws opened wide as it fired a powerful [Hydro Pump] straight at Rapidash.

The blast of water surged forward, cutting through the air and temporarily dampening the heat in the arena.

Blaine analyzed the strength and volume of the [Hydro Pump] and quickly determined that this Gyarados wasn’t overwhelmingly strong.

We can fight this!

With that thought, he gave his command.

"Rapidash, dodge!"

At Blaine’s command, Rapidash’s hooves pounded against the ground as it accelerated, narrowly avoiding the [Hydro Pump].

Then, using its momentum, it charged straight toward Gyarados.

Even within the limited space of the battlefield, Rapidash showcased its incredible speed—capable of reaching 240 km/h at full sprint.

To disrupt Gyarados, Rapidash also unleashed bursts of flames from its mouth as it ran.

Gyarados tried multiple times to adjust its aim and intercept Rapidash with [Hydro Pump], but it couldn’t keep up.

Instead, it found itself getting pelted by embers, its massive frame getting singed as it flailed in frustration.

Seeing Rapidash closing in, its eyes flickered with unease.

The difference from its initial confident display was stark—now it looked more bark than bite.

Blaine noticed.

August may be an examiner, but at the end of the day, he’s still a young trainer. His Pokémon lacks battle experience.

Realizing that Rapidash was now within striking range, Blaine seized the opportunity.

"[Flame Wheel]!"

Rapidash’s eyes gleamed sharply as flames exploded outward from its mane, tail, and hooves, engulfing its entire body in a fiery vortex.

With a burst of speed, it charged at Gyarados like a blazing meteor.

Just as Blaine thought victory was within reach, something completely unexpected happened.

Gyarados, which had appeared panicked just moments ago, suddenly changed its expression.

The fear in its eyes vanished, replaced by a sly, almost devious smirk—one that looked entirely out of place on a Gyarados.

At the same time, its long, serpentine body shifted, revealing its tail—coated in swirling torrents of water.

Whoosh!

With a swift motion, its tail sliced through the air, striking toward Rapidash.

Blaine’s expression darkened.

"Damn it—Rapidash, watch out!"

He hadn’t expected Gyarados to fake its panic.

Rapidash hadn’t expected it either.

The supposedly terrified Gyarados had actually been lying in wait, pre-charging [Aqua Tail] for a devastating counterattack.

But Rapidash was already mid-charge—moving too fast to stop or change direction.

The only option left… was to power through.

Making up its mind, Blaine clenched his teeth. "Rapidash, push forward at full force!"

Judging by Gyarados’ earlier [Hydro Pump], it wasn’t overwhelmingly powerful. There was a chance Rapidash could break through and still come out on top.

Rapidash’s eyes sharpened.

Without hesitation, it stomped down harder, its flames surging even higher, turning itself into a massive fireball as it hurled toward Gyarados.

Seeing this, Gyarados bared its fangs in a grin, the swirling water around its tail growing denser.

To an outsider, the scene unfolding would have looked bizarre—

A blazing Rapidash voluntarily charging straight into Gyarados’ water-coated tail.

Before their bodies even made contact, fire and water clashed in midair.

Boom!

The point of impact erupted into a massive cloud of steam, completely engulfing both Pokémon.

Then—

BAM!

A single figure was sent flying from the mist.

Rapidash, trailing a long stream of white vapor, was launched out of the cloud—

—before crashing heavily onto the ground.

---

T/N: August... corrupting pokemon since 1985

This is a fan translation of 人在实教，一之濑你会后悔的 by 作者：白良. All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!