He knows Pokémon better than me.

Soon, Xiao Zhi arrived at a gym on the next street. The huge "C" logo on the exterior wall was particularly eye-catching in the sunlight.

It's another property of the Marocomón Group.

There were two employees, a man and a woman, soliciting customers at the entrance, both dressed in classic Marocomón Group uniforms.

He wore a smart black and white trousers and jacket, with the Galar League logo on his chest, a hat and sunglasses, and several Poké Balls hanging from his waist.

It's a commercial company, but the employees are dressed like elite trainers ready to fight at any time.

This kind of design is quite common in the Galar region. Ash has encountered it many times before. It can be said that Master Rose's property is everywhere.

"Oh! Young man, are you here to work out? Welcome!"

"New users get their first lesson for free! Come and try it out!"

Before Xiaozhi could react, the two of them had already shown professional-level enthusiasm, crowding around him and welcoming him through the door.

Once inside, Ash looked around curiously.

The gym is extremely spacious, with rows of squat racks, stationary bikes, and other human-use fitness equipment on the left, exuding the smell of leather and metal.

The scene on the right side abruptly changes, with various oddly shaped ropes, specially made pressure-resistant protective gear, and soft mats simulating complex terrain piled on the ground.
Is this supposed to be a training area for adapting to all kinds of Pokémon?
Soon, a burly man in sunglasses and uniform approached, his physique resembling that of a bodybuilder, and his gaze swept over Xiao Zhi from head to toe.

He showed a look of approval, like that of a kindred spirit, as he observed Ash's muscular physique.

"Young man, you've got a great physique! What kind of needles do you usually use?"

"A needle? The kind used for mending clothes?"

What a load of nonsense! Little Zhi, bewildered but impressed, quickly pointed to the right:
"Uh, I'm not here to work out, I brought my Pokémon for a special training session!"

The coach paused for three seconds, then gave a "I understand" look.

That makes sense. Judging from Ash's size and build, he doesn't seem to need my help.

So he walked ahead and led the way, explaining in practiced ease:

"No problem! Our Marlowe Gym is extremely professional when it comes to Pokémon training. All programs can be customized and you can choose whatever you like!"

"For example, these specialized Power Bracers and Power Belts can specifically enhance a Pokémon's certain abilities."

"There is also a special Mint Therapy Room with different mint aromas. Three treatments can change a Pokémon's personality."

The coach lowered his voice, his tone carrying a hint of seduction:
"We even have a limited supply of Maxim Soup Nutritional Meal here, which can unleash the Gigantamax potential of certain Pokémon!"

Xiao Zhi listened attentively and nodded repeatedly.

They're really professional; they offer everything from rare personality mint to Dynamite soup.

Of course, the prices on the menu were also ridiculously high.

However, his focus today is still on extreme training.

So Xiao Zhi interrupted the fitness coach's introduction and pulled out a gold bottle cap:
"Um, I'm here for extreme training, can I use this here?"

Dorgonmesia also emerged, its little tail wagging excitedly.

The coach took off his sunglasses, revealing a surprised expression:
"A golden crown? That's an extremely rare item!"

Trainers who typically undergo extreme training use the Silver Crown, which can only be used to enhance one specific ability.

The golden crown is a rare and luxurious item that money can't buy!
"Yes, yes, yes! Of course it's possible!"

Realizing he hadn't answered the question yet, he quickly spoke up:

"All of our Marlowe Fitness locations support this! However, the Golden Crown has a rather high entry barrier."

Money is no problem!

Ash patted his chest proudly, a hint of smugness in his eyes. The castle's finances were in excellent shape these days. Clinging to Lucario's coattails, it was time for him to be the tycoon!

"The fee isn't actually that high; the threshold refers to the Pokémon's level."

The fitness instructor coughed, glanced at the two Pokémon on Ash's body, and hesitated before speaking.

Dorgonmesia, though a rare quasi-god cub, is still just a cub.

The electric mouse on the shoulder. That's a bit too common.

"Pokémon levels?"

Ash was stunned. Wasn't it said that extreme training would improve some kind of individual stats?

He didn't know much about individual values ​​or anything like that. They seemed to be innate talents, so logically, the earlier you improve them, the better, right?
For example, Master Gold, while still a Pokémon egg, essentially began "extreme training" to improve the Pokémon's Individual Values ​​(IVs).

The statement "increase individual values" is actually not accurate.

Seeing Xiao Zhi's confused expression, the fitness coach patiently explained that this was a very common misunderstanding in the fitness community.

Extreme training cannot actually change a Pokémon's Individual Values ​​(IVs).

It simply raises its ability to the level that a fully-qualified Pokémon can achieve at a high level.

"In other words, although a Pokémon may appear to have the same abilities as a Pokémon with full IVs after extreme training, its IVs are essentially unchanged."

"If you use them to hatch eggs, they will still be inherited according to their original individual values. By the way, our Marlowe Gym can also help with breeding!"

The fitness coach explained things in great detail, even going so far as to talk to Xiaozhi about breeding and mating.

Xiao Zhi scratched his head, and then he roughly understood—

Extreme training doesn't change "talent," but rather "current abilities."
If a Pokémon's level is not high enough and it hasn't been trained, then even if its "current abilities" are at maximum IVs, they won't be very high.

Therefore, for a cub like Duolong, whose foundation is too weak, it would be a waste to subject it to extreme special training.

On the contrary, veterans are more suitable.

"Messi."

Although the little dragon couldn't understand, it could understand Ash's comforting look. Immediately, its head drooped down, and the whole dragon seemed to become a little transparent, looking aggrieved.

Ash smiled and ruffled Draco's head, giving him a good comforting look.

His gaze then shifted to his partner on his shoulder.

Come to think of it, Pikachu would be quite suitable!

"Pickup!"

Pikachu understood perfectly, puffing up its chest like an inflating balloon; it was quite interested in this kind of technological training.

"Pikachu? Uh, are you sure?"

The fitness instructor's eye twitched, and he couldn't help but ask again.

That's a golden crown!

Ash immediately handed over the golden crown and said:

"I've made up my mind, Pikachu will undergo extreme training!"

To be honest, he didn't even know Pikachu's Individual Values ​​(IVs).

However, nowadays Pikachu can even defeat legendary Pokémon, so individual stats don't seem to be that important? (End of Chapter)