I, Gary, Want to Become a Pokemon Master

Chapter 697 - 697: Cortondo

"I will assign you to the research base at the Great Crater of Paldea," Geeta explained. "The expedition team will take you along as they travel. Your role will be to act as their escort and protect them from being attacked by wild Pokémon inside the crater.""Wild Pokémon in the crater actually attack people?" Gary asked, genuinely surprised.

He wasn't very familiar with the Great Crater of Paldea. He had never been there before, and he didn't recall the anime showing much of its interior either.

"The Pokémon inside have been affected by excessive Terastallization," Geeta said. "Pokémon that undergo extreme crystallization tend to become aggressive and unpredictable. That's why we always send a strong Trainer along as an escort. There is still a certain level of risk inside the crater."

Gary nodded slowly.

It seemed that whether in the games or the anime, the Great Crater hadn't been fully developed yet. The internal environment was too complex and dangerous. Only observation stations had been built so far, used solely to monitor conditions inside.

"I understand. So for now I just wait here until the team is ready?" Gary asked.

"That's correct for the time being," Geeta replied. "If you feel bored in the meantime, feel free to go out and explore the region. Once the expedition is ready to depart, I'll notify you directly."

"All right. Sorry to take up your time."

Now that he knew the exact schedule, Gary didn't linger. He left Geeta's office.

Since I have nothing pressing to do, I might as well challenge the Gyms here.

After leaving the academy gates, Gary decided to make good use of his free time and challenge some of the Paldean Gyms. After all, defeating them would reward him with Tera Shards that could permanently change a Pokémon's Tera type. Those were extremely valuable, and the more he collected, the better.

Gary checked the map. The nearest Gym was in Cortondo, located in South Province Area Two. It was the first Gym faced in the games, and the Gym Leader specialized in Bug-types.

He released his Cyclizar.

"Let's go."

Gary climbed onto the motorcycle lizard's back. The Cyclizar let out a cheerful cry and sped off toward Cortondo.

Because the distance wasn't too far, the journey only took about an hour.

When he arrived in Cortondo, Gary recalled the Cyclizar and made his way directly to the Cortondo Gym. There were people everywhere nearby.

The reason was obvious. The best dessert shop in Cortondo was run by the Gym Leader herself, Katy. Locals came almost every day to buy her sweets.

Gary looked at the building in front of him. The Gym was integrated into the dessert shop. The battle court had been built directly on top of it—an open-air arena surrounded by viewing platforms. Tables and chairs had even been placed on the viewing platforms so customers could enjoy the surrounding botanical gardens and scenery while eating. If they were lucky, they might even catch a Gym battle in progress.

The dessert shop prided itself on using only fresh, homegrown ingredients. Everything was grown and prepared by Katy herself. She was a genuinely conscientious business owner.

Someone should really show these kinds of business owners to certain fast-food chains as an example to follow, Gary thought.

He recalled the Cyclizar completely and walked into the dessert shop. The interior was packed with men, women, and children, all lined up to buy sweets.

Gary scanned the area and quickly spotted his target. He walked straight over.

"Customer, if you're here to buy dessert, the counter is over there," Katy said gently, noticing Gary heading toward her. She assumed he was going the wrong way. This wasn't the registration area.

"Miss Katy, I'm here to challenge the Gym," Gary explained.

Katy blinked, then smiled warmly. "I see. But it's almost noon. If you'd like to challenge the Gym, I can only fit you in this afternoon."

She tilted her head curiously. "Are you a student of Naranja Academy?"

All the Gyms in Paldea were officially affiliated with the Academy, since the school was responsible for evaluating students' Tera evolution aptitude. The standard assessment involved defeating the Gym Trainers in the region. The Gym Leaders then evaluated whether the student had passed.

"No," Gary answered. "I'm from the Kanto Region. I've been a Trainer for several years now."

"I see. Then why don't we schedule the battle for 2 o'clock this afternoon? How does that sound?" Katy asked.

"That works for me," Gary nodded. "In the meantime, I'll grab a bite to eat here."

"Of course."

Gary went to the cashier and ordered. In addition to desserts meant for humans, the shop also sold Pokémon pastries. They were a bit pricier, but the quality of the ingredients was undeniable, and the Pokémon clearly loved them.

At 2:00 PM, Gary and Katy both appeared on the battle arena built above the dessert shop.

"Now then, Gary, are you ready?" Katy asked with a gentle smile.

"You can start whenever," Gary replied.

"Then let me treat you to a sweet battle." Katy nodded at the referee to signal that they could begin.

The referee stepped forward and announced, "The match between Gym Leader Katy and challenger Gary is about to begin! This will be a 2v2 format. The match ends when all of one side's Pokémon are unable to battle. Only the challenger is permitted to switch Pokémon during the match."

[Ding! Mission issued:]

[1. Obtain the Cortondo Gym Badge / Reward: Basic Rare Candy x2, Intermediate Rare Candy x2, Permanent Move Tutor: Leech Life, Top-Grade Silver Powder x1.]

[2. Obtain the Cortondo Gym Badge using a Paldean Pokémon / Reward: Basic Rare Candy x2, Intermediate Rare Candy x2, Bug-type Permanent Move Tutor of your choice, Random Held Item x1, Bug-type Tera Orb x1.]

Looking at the mission rewards, Gary could tell that Katy would send out a lower-level Pokémon first, followed by a Pokémon at the Gym level.

"Leader Katy, please release your first Pokémon."

The referee finished speaking.

Katy smiled softly, opened a Poké Ball without even throwing it, and gently released her Pokémon.

"Teddiursa, be careful now."

A small bear appeared on the field.

[Lv. 20 Teddiursa ♀ / Gym-tier]

Gary stared at the Teddiursa. Level 20?

He had specifically told Katy he had been a Trainer for years. Sending out a Level 20 Pokémon in response was almost insulting. He couldn't tell whether Katy was just being gentle by nature or if she genuinely didn't take him seriously.

Gary had several Paldean-region Pokémon on hand. Among them, his only fully-evolved one was Annihilape.

"Annihilape, you're up." Gary threw out his Poké Ball.

[Lv. 63 Annihilape ♂ / Champion-tier]

"Oh? That monkey looks a little unusual," Katy said with mild surprise at Annihilape's appearance.

Then she pulled out a beautiful, shimmering bead, which was a Tera Orb.