"Battle dance... Even Shangzhi couldn't use this style of play, yet I saw it in the simulator," Baimu deeply felt the uniqueness of the Double Blue Talent.
With this distinctive talent, perhaps the musician can achieve a remarkable success.
And after obtaining the first badge.
The musician on the way back didn't set the Liyong Gym as his second target.
[You decided to make your idol, Homiga, the target for your eighth badge challenge, feeling that only with her recognition can you play music at the Huiyuan Conference without hesitation]
Ah~
So that's how it is.
Baimu showed a knowing expression, then saw the musician return to his residence in Liyong City. First, he personally maintained his instruments, and after a bit of hesitation, he took away several other instruments.
[During this short journey, you realized that although the old guitar embodies your determination, other instruments are essential for a better performance of some pieces]
He stuffed a bunch of instruments like clarinets and violins, which Baimu couldn't recognize at all, into his space backpack. The originally empty backpack instantly became very full.
However, the guitar was still carried outside by him and not stuffed inside.
After doing all this.
The musician headed to Pokémon Hollywood behind Liyong City, specifically watching a few movies starring Homiga's dad before taking the ferry to Castelia City.
As the ship sailed.
The musician stood at the bow, blowing a trumpet. The loud sound carried far, attracting the attention of countless passengers.
Baimu slightly changed his posture.
"There's still no hint of the backstory... Are they not planning to reveal it?" he muttered to himself.
The scene shifts.
The musician had already arrived at the Pokémon World's leading metropolis—
Castelia City.
Skyscrapers stood alongside ordinary high-rises, and the bustling scene represented it as the commercial and economic center of the Unova Region.
Even in pixel style, Baimu couldn't help but feel a mighty and grand atmosphere.
What interested him more was the narration.
[Looking at this familiar yet unfamiliar city, you didn't expect to return so quickly. Unfortunately, things have changed, and what is lost cannot come back]
The narration mentioned briefly without further elaboration.
The musician, uncharacteristic of himself, skipped street performances with Jigglypuff and Chimecho, heading directly to the Castelia Gym.
Hall Master Yadi is an artist, skilled in painting, and has held many solo exhibitions, completing his dream in his words.
The musician admired Yadi so much that he played the violin for this battle's tunes, with the rhythm fast and aggressive.
Inspired by him, Jigglypuff's combat power increased significantly, and even Baimu on the sofa was affected, feeling his blood boil and wanting to pick a fight with a Pokémon.
The significant boost made Yadi unable to withstand the current lineup, losing to the high-pitched Jigglypuff.
Its Giant Sound was truly terrifying; even in pixel style, one could feel the enormous power the sound brought, as if waves could be shaken together.
[You defeated Castelia Gym Leader Yadi and obtained the Beetle Badge]
[During your conversation with Yadi, you sensed he seemed slightly impressed by you, causing you to flee and quickly leave Castelia Gym]
The musician dashed out of Castelia Gym, confirmed his Pokémon's status at the Pokémon Center, and hurried to the next target.
Not tasting Castelia Ice Cream or singing in the crowded streets.
Even though listeners were everywhere, much more than before.
Baimu knew clearly that the musician's past must be related to Castelia City. Perhaps it's a place of heartbreak he cannot face.
As if confirming his guess.
Walking on Route 4, the musician played the guitar full of sorrow, and Jigglypuff's song transitioned from a high pitch to a melancholic contralto, impressive in its range.
The Illustrated Guide describes Jigglypuff as having a vocal range of over 12 octaves, with the ability to change the wavelength of sound at will, making its ethereal vocal conditions intrinsic for singing.
It's just that there's variation among Jigglypuffs, some not singing well due to inaccurate pitches.
The musician's Jigglypuff did not have this issue.
The melancholy minor ended by the campfire.
The next morning.
After getting up, the musician found a cactus—Maractus—in front of the tent, making a sound like a rattle when swaying.
After listening carefully for a while, his eyes lit up, and he decisively took it along.
[You captured Maractus, adding a new member to the band]
Got another accompaniment successfully?
Baimu nodded in approval for the musician and continued watching.
He noticed, though the latter didn't approach capturing Pokémon from a battle perspective, he unexpectedly had a talent for nurturing them.
At least the trainers encountered on this short journey were no match for his "newly captured" two Pokémon. In the game, due to species value allocation and attribute issues, hardly anyone cared about Maractus, yet under the musician's nurturing, it exploded with extraordinary combat power.
The Chlorophyll trait also complemented it well.
Not to mention Chimecho, as a Psychic-type Pokémon, it's best at using intangible forces to attack opponents. When the attack frequency aligns with the trainer's musical rhythm, these two Pokémon could easily defeat enemies.
[Your Pokémon gradually understood the music you played, deepening your bond]
This line of narration was taken in by Baimu, happy in his heart.
Could the possibility of winning the championship be high?
It should be high.
After all, there's a Boundary Breakthrough that hasn't come into play from the beginning, possibly utilized at a critical moment.
The only thing is, after repeatedly comparing the musician's played pieces, there's no sign of originality, all being quite ancient classics, comparable to Oracion.
What the musician seems to be doing is transforming classical into pop music.
A bit strange.
Since he idolizes Homiga, he shouldn't be unaware of pop music, yet he has never played pop.
Soon.
The musician arrived at Nimbasa City.
[You arrived at Nimbasa City, still dazzling with Electric Light and extraordinarily glamorous. You gazed at the distant music theater, your face brushed with nostalgia, but you understood that place was no longer for you]
Music theater?
Baimu watched the musician, ellipses constantly appearing above his head, unexpectedly realizing the latter seemed to have performed in the music theater before. It looked like he had quite a glorious past.
Like Castelia City.
The musician also refrained from performing in this city's streets, directly heading to the Leiwen Gym.
During the encounter with Gym Leader Xiao Jue'er, a dialogue occurred.
[You greeted Xiao Jue'er, who asked where you'd been all this time. You told Xiao Jue'er you decided to pick up your dream again, forget the past, and start anew as a strong trainer and musician]
The two seemed familiar with each other.
And Xiao Jue'er appeared quite concerned about the musician, as if he had been quite famous before.
Baimu inexplicably felt a strange sensation as if playing a detective game, not wanting to search for spoilers of future events at all.
Despite familiarity.
Xiao Jue'er did not hold back in her battle with the musician. The musician succeeded in winning his third Gym using his current three Pokémon.
[You defeated Leiwen Gym Leader Xiao Jue'er and obtained the Volt Badge]
[Before leaving, you lingered near the music theater for a long time, then left as if completely severing ties with your past]
The musician briskly walked onto the Driftveil Suspension Bridge and began his new busking career in the middle of the bridge.
This time, the Pokémon attracted was a Swablu.
Of course, instead of the musician passively attracting it, it was more like he deliberately stayed on the Driftveil Suspension Bridge, waiting for Swablu to take the bait, as its evolved form is one of the few Pokémon that can showcase vocal talents.
The narration fully explained the reason why the musician would capture Swablu.