He knows Pokémon better than me.

The crowd dispersed, leaving only Marie and her two companions, and then Ash came up as well.

"That was a great fight, Mary!"

Mary smiled and nodded in response, not expecting an unexpected surprise this time.

Being able to become a disciple of the legendary Master Ma Shide is a great thing. Of course, it's just a martial arts school, not a direct discipleship.

But if you train intensively before challenging the Punch Gate Arena, that's enough!

"Ah, Xiaozhi, is this junior sister the friend you mentioned?! She's really amazing!"

Clara approached with delight, and in the course of their conversation, she had already built a closer relationship with Mary.

This left Sai Baoli speechless and frustrated, with his head hanging low in the back.

"Come on, junior sister, I'll take you to see Master Ma. Everyone should be at the martial arts school right now!"

Clara warmly took Mary's arm and they headed north of the post station.

On the other side, Saibaoli also moved closer to Xiaozhi, his attitude appearing very humble and respectful:

"Hehe, Mr. Ash, how do you train your superpowers?"

"I don't actually have superpowers."

Ash followed behind, scratching his head. "Aura power is different from ordinary psychic powers, isn't it?"

For example, even the most basic superpower, telekinesis, cannot be achieved with Aura.

At most, they'll launch wave missiles to blow things up.

Of course, Saiboli hadn't even been talking for a few minutes before the topic shifted to Naz in Kanto.
The inn is less than 10 minutes away from the martial arts school. After crossing a small bridge over a river, a solemn and imposing traditional dojo comes into view.

It is accessible via a sloping path that leads uphill, with vegetable fields planted on both sides.

The house is flat and spacious overall, and there is a striking stone sculpture on the roof.

It looks like the head of a bear apprentice, posed with its mouth open in a roaring manner.

"Ta-da! This is Master Ma's Martial Arts School!"

Clara ran to the front and introduced the place with a smile under the eaves.

Mary looked on with curiosity; this type of architecture was not common in the Galar region.

Ash felt like he was back in the Green Country.

Indeed, many fighting dojos are built low and wide, providing enough space for sparring even indoors.

"It must have been fitted with a Ghost Sword Stone, right?"

As Ash approached the gym, he examined the floor. The advanced technology of the Galar region could elevate the scale of indoor battles to another level.

There was a lot of noise coming from inside, so it seemed like there were quite a few people inside.

Clara opened the side door first, and Ash and his friend curiously peeked inside, discovering that the room was extremely spacious.

The corners were piled with everyday items and fitness equipment, while in the middle was a sunken arena with professionally marked boundaries. At the four corners were four thick wooden beams wrapped in yellow sponge, supporting the suspended beams.

At this moment, there are more than ten people standing in the arena, lined up in two rows, each with their own partner Pokémon, their expressions serious.

Some of them were wearing their own clothes, while half of them were wearing matching yellow training uniforms.

Standing at the edge of the arena, above the threshold, are Ash's old acquaintances.

"Listen up, everyone! Pokémon battles can't be limited to indoor sparring. The entire island is where you really need to train," Ma Shide said, his body slightly hunched over.

He was still dressed casually, one hand in his pocket, the other stroking his goatee, looking very easygoing and ordinary.

Of course, the apprentices below the stage all knew Mastedt's true identity, and they all stood attentively, listening carefully and taking notes.

Just then, the door opened, and Ma Shide smiled as he saw Xiao Zhi and his group walking in, showing no particular surprise.

"Oh, a new guest?"

Xiao Zhi just sent him a text message. As someone who is always on his phone and uses it intensively, it's impossible for him to miss any messages.

Xiao Zhi pointed at Mary, then walked to the back for a moment, indicating that they would talk later.

Led by Clara and the other person, Mary walked to the center of the arena.

Facing the curious gazes around her, she straightened her face and solemnly bowed to Master Ma:
"My name is Mary, and I'm from Spiketown! Master Ma, nice to meet you from now on!"

"Oh, Mary from Spiketown~ Then you'll be a member of our martial arts school from now on~"

Ma Shide smiled, showing none of the airs of a martial arts master.

"Old man, my martial arts school doesn't really have many rules or restrictions. There's no fixed training content, and you don't need to stay here all the time."

"These are your senior brothers and sisters. You can ask them any questions you don't understand. Of course, your ultimate goal in cultivation is to hone your skills so that you are good enough to climb one of the Twin Fist Towers."

Masted was speaking to Mary, but also reminding the other apprentices around him:
"For example, your junior brother Mewtwo climbed the Tower of Evil in just one month of training, and then climbed the Tower of Water two months later. You should all take junior brother Mewtwo as your role model!"

Upon hearing this, the surrounding crowd instantly became flustered.

Master Ma, please stop using the term "junior brother"!
Half a year ago, when Mewtwo was still training on the Isle of Armor, he naturally came to the dojo, and was nominally their youngest "junior brother".

But he was someone who exuded an aura of power with his very presence, and whose mere gaze was enough to send chills down one's spine.
I've never seen a monster-level Pokémon before!

Who would dare call him "junior brother"?!
"Junior Brother Mewtwo?"

Upon hearing that word, Ash's lips twitched.

That's a good thing.
Mewtwo, who is already quite extreme and aloof, would probably have a much better personality if he could interact with more outsiders.

It's a pity I was on the Isle of Armor back then. I could have trained with Mewtwo and increased our friendship level at the same time!

"Everyone, just exercise on your own~"

After giving the reminder, Mastedt looked at Mary again:

"Go wait for me at the entrance. I'll give you a simple task to help you get familiar with your surroundings as quickly as possible."

"For accommodation, you can ask my partner; she'll arrange for you to stay in the girls' dormitory."

Mary nodded seriously, and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Masted turn and leave. Is this the former champion of the Galar region?
A group of martial arts students gathered around, asking questions and showing great curiosity about Mary.

Mary responded politely to everyone, but her immediate priority seemed to be finding her teacher's wife.
She looked around the room for a while but didn't see anyone who looked like an old lady, the same age as Ma Shide.

Just then, a capable and mature female voice came from behind:

"You're the new student Darling mentioned, right? My name is Honey Leaf. Come with me, I'll take you to your accommodation."

Mary raised an eyebrow. "Darling?"

Are you talking about Master Ma?
And that voice sounds a bit too young, doesn't it?! (End of Chapter)