novelraw Chapter 196 196: The Meaning of a Badge
Chapter 196 196: The Meaning of a Badge
After his defeat, Reggie turned to leave.
He needed time to reflect—to learn from this battle and improve.
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"Mr. Reggie, wait a moment."
Sam called out to him directly.
"Are you interested in joining Viridian Gym?"
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No hesitation.
Straight to the point.
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"Join Viridian Gym?" Reggie was clearly surprised.
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He thought it over briefly—
Then shook his head.
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"I'm sorry, Leader Sam. I still want to continue traveling."
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Sam smiled faintly.
He wasn't surprised.
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A Gym could offer resources, connections, support—
But for a Trainer like Reggie, those benefits weren't enough.
And more importantly—
He wasn't from Kanto.
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Still, Sam didn't let it go easily.
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"If you ever change your mind, come find me."
He added calmly,
"You should know what Viridian Gym represents in Kanto. It can take you to the next level."
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That line landed.
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Reggie hesitated.
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The next level…
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For any Trainer—
That was hard to ignore.
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He stood there in silence for a long moment—
Before finally shaking his head again.
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"I appreciate it… but not now."
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He still believed in his own path.
Like most Trainers—
He thought he could reach the top through his own journey.
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Sam didn't push further.
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"Then I wish you the best on your travels."
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"Thank you. Goodbye… Leader Sam."
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As Reggie left, Sam sighed.
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Recruiting people is way harder than catching Pokémon.
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With Pokémon—
You could fight, dominate, and make them submit.
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With people—
That didn't work.
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So much for those stories where people instantly swear loyalty…
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"Raticate is unable to battle! Aerodactyl wins!"
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Back to reality.
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Another challenger stood in front of Sam—
Frustrated, fists clenched.
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"Damn it…!"
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He recalled his defeated Raticate, clearly struggling with the result.
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Sam spoke calmly.
"You're stronger than most beginners."
"But you're still not ready for Viridian Gym."
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"I suggest you travel more—then come back."
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That was honest advice.
---
In most Gyms—
This level might earn a Badge.
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But here?
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Not a chance.
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Viridian Gym wasn't built for beginners.
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And Sam had no intention of lowering its standards.
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"Come out—Pidgeotto!"
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The challenger refused to give up.
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Sam's eyes sharpened slightly.
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Pokémon: Pidgeotto
Type: Flying
Strength: Entry Elite
Potential: Elite
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"Good courage," Sam said coldly.
"But you still don't understand the gap."
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"Aerodactyl—finish it."
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He had no interest in dragging this out.
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Aerodactyl grinned ferociously.
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Pidgeotto froze.
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Before Aerodactyl could even move—
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It turned and fled.
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Straight out of the battlefield.
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Even Aerodactyl looked confused.
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It had been ready to enjoy the fight—
And now?
Nothing.
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It roared in frustration.
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"Pidgeotto has lost the will to battle! Aerodactyl wins!"
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Another challenger—
Entered confidently—
Left defeated.
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That had become the norm.
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Evening – Closing Time
"It's late."
Sam stretched slightly.
"Yellow, let's get dinner."
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No response.
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"Yellow?"
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Still nothing.
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"Yellow!"
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She snapped out of her thoughts.
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"Ah—sorry, Brother Sam!"
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"You've been thinking about something?"
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She hesitated.
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"It's okay. Just ask."
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After a moment, she spoke.
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"Isn't a Gym supposed to help Trainers grow…?"
"Then why…"
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She didn't finish.
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But Sam understood.
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He smiled faintly.
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"No."
He raised a finger.
"I already taught them the most important lesson."
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"The most important…?"
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"Self-awareness."
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His tone turned serious.
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"Who gave them the confidence to challenge Viridian Gym?"
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"This isn't a place for beginners."
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"Do they think this is where they come to learn type matchups?"
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He let out a short laugh.
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"That's a joke."
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He looked directly at her.
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"Do you know how many Badges Viridian Gym has given out in the past five years?"
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She shook her head.
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"Less than fifty."
"Not even ten per year."
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Yellow's eyes widened.
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"Gyms like Pewter Gym or Cerulean Gym exist to guide beginners."
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"But Viridian Gym?"
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"It represents strength."
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"Only Trainers who are truly ready deserve this Badge."
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"If I hand it out casually—"
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"I'd be insulting everyone who earned it the hard way."
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