Chương 24: Officially Becoming a Ecruteak Gym Apprentice
A flash of inspiration struck Cain as the scene of Gastly's dying counterattack from yesterday appeared in his mind.
"Gastly, use Curse."
The scene from yesterday replayed, but this time the opponent was Duskull.
"If it were me, I would also choose to use Curse," said Morty, standing beside Yan.
Yan nodded in approval at his son, and even more so at Cain.
Gastly's entire eyes were filled with red light, its body trembling, suffering a seizure. Then, Duskull was also enveloped in red light, its expression as eerie as Gastly's.
Half of Gastly's health was stripped away, while Duskull's health was in a state of continuous loss.
Even strong defenses couldn't withstand the loss of health, and Duskull's health was simply not enough.
Seeing the light of victory, Raikou couldn't accept the reality before him.
"There's still a chance. Duskull, use Shadow Sneak. Your condition is better than Gastly's, finish it off quickly."
Raikou launched a desperate counterattack, but this choice was indeed the wisest move to take. Gastly, which had suddenly lost half of its health, was indeed in a worrisome state.
The shadow of Duskull on the ground seemed to be given life, extending towards Gastly's back.
"Gastly, go to the window."
Cain knew Gastly's condition better than anyone else. Its health was still at a disadvantage, and what he had to do now was to "stall." The longer it took, the more advantageous it would be for him. As for the Shadow Sneak move, Cain had already thought of a countermeasure.
Hearing Cain's command, Gastly floated to the window, gasping for breath. Now, every move was a struggle for life.
Duskull was not feeling well either. While using its Shadow Sneak, its health was still continuously declining. Using this move was not as simple as merely moving. It involved its will and every cell of its body, consuming even more energy.
Shadow Sneak was getting close to Gastly, the shadow forming a claw, just moments away from striking.
"You can dodge now."
Cain seized the opportunity, and Gastly's figure flickered, leaving the window.
"Pursue."
Raikou naturally wouldn't give up. The shadow could continue to chase Gastly, but things didn't go as planned.
Cain had already calculated everything. As soon as Gastly left, sunlight streamed in through the window, causing the shadow to vanish under the sun's rays.
After the failure of Shadow Sneak, Duskull's energy had reached its limit. It saw multiple Gastlys before its eyes, its consciousness blurred.
No matter how desperately Raikou shouted, it was just a buzzing sound in Duskull's ears.
"That's it, the outcome has been decided."
Yan waved his hand, and both Cain and Raikou withdrew their Pokémon.
"Congratulations to Cain and Raikou for officially becoming apprentices of the Ecruteak Gym. You two stay here, and I'll go over the rules with you in a moment. The other two can leave; I'll inform your school to give you extra credit."
After Yan finished speaking, the other two left, though they were reluctant to do so. The gap in strength left them no choice but to accept defeat.
Inside the main hall of the Ecruteak Gym.
Yan sat at the head of the table and said, "Cain and Raikou, you are both outstanding among young people. Train hard and study well here, and you will surely achieve great things in the future. While your senior brother Leo is getting your Ecruteak Gym apprentice certificates, take a look at the gym's rules."
Cain and Raikou each received an apprentice handbook.
There were roughly five sections:
First: A three-month apprenticeship period, during which outstanding performance could lead to becoming an official disciple. During the apprenticeship, they would be in closed-door training, not allowed to leave the Ecruteak Gym without Yan's permission, except when accompanying gym trainers to events.
Second: Wake up at six o'clock every morning for morning exercises, eat breakfast, clean the gym, eat lunch at eleven, start special training at twelve, eat dinner at five, and study basic knowledge and theory from six to eight in the evening. Rest at ten o'clock sharp.
Note: There are no rest days during closed-door training.
Third: In special circumstances, gym trainers will notify separately. Be prepared to serve as referees and deal with challengers at any time.
Fourth: The gym provides room and board for apprentices and their Pokémon, as well as all necessary supplies and nutritional products.
Fifth: Apprentices receive a monthly salary of 1,500 pokedollars, and bonuses for each victory over challengers.
Leo had already completed Cain and Raikou's work certificates and handed them over.
"How about it, have you finished reading? If you have any objections, raise them now, so you don't complain later," Yan said.
"No objections."
"Then let Leo prepare two dormitory rooms for you. Check if there's anything you need, go home to pack up today, and move in."
After Yan finished speaking, Leo led Cain and Raikou to the dormitory area in the backyard.
There were only ten dormitories in total. Since official disciples could freely enter and exit the gym, they would no longer live there. These dormitories were prepared for the apprentices.
Cain and Raikou, who didn't get along, chose rooms at opposite ends. Both had their own ulterior motives and didn't want to be discovered by others.
Having arranged the dormitories, Leo handed the keys to their respective rooms to the two.
They would move in tonight and needed to prepare beforehand.
Cain had lunch outside with Ditto. Gastly could usually last a week by absorbing life energy once, and since it would definitely find food on its own, there was almost no need to worry about its diet.
Back at home.
Cain unplugged all the power sources and packed the food in the fridge. The food that couldn't be taken was treated as garbage.
He also took 1,000 pokedollars in cash for emergencies and closed all the windows and drew the curtains before preparing to leave.
See you in three months.
Just after locking the front door, five well-dressed men appeared at the staircase.
Cain naturally recognized them as the staff of the orphanage. The fact that five people came this time meant they were determined to succeed.
"Cain, our investigation shows that the company on your work permit is a shell company, and it's suspected of employing child labor. The police have seized it. Here's the seizure report."
The leader of the group held a stack of documents in front of Cain.
Cain didn't even look and pushed his hand away, "So what?"
"So according to the league's regulations, you must come with us to the orphanage, where we will be responsible for your life, education, and other matters."
"No need."
Cain didn't want to waste time talking to them, and directly showed his Ecruteak Gym Apprentice Certificate.
All five of them were stunned. They couldn't possibly not know who Yan was, and they wouldn't dare to challenge him even if they had the guts.
They were all speechless.
Cain sneered, "Get out of my way."
The five people obediently made way for Cain to leave.
Yan, a gym trainer, had such a powerful deterrent effect. In this world, the desire for strength occupied Cain's entire being.
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