After finishing the commemorative photos with the fans on-site, Lionel bid farewell to Wattson and waved a smiling goodbye to Walter.
He recalled the still-unsatisfied Tyrantrum into its Poké Ball. This guy had been surrounded and petted by fans for a long time just now, and its tail was almost wagging up to the sky.
Afterward, Lionel left the Mauville Gym carrying Beldum.
Lionel didn't turn off the livestream. Instead, he adjusted the camera to a suitable angle and gave a mysterious smile to the screen: "Next, I'll take everyone to experience another essential activity in Mauville City—cycling on the Cycling Road. I guarantee it'll be an eye-opener."
While speaking, Lionel had already arrived at Rydel's Cycles in the city center.
In the display area at the shop entrance, two vastly different types of bicycles were neatly arranged:
The one on the left had a body as sleek as an arrow with wide, thick tires, looking at a glance like it excelled at speeding on flat roads;
The one on the right had extra-thick shock absorbers and a special spring structure on the handlebars, clearly designed for rugged and complex terrain.
The shop assistant was a young lad wearing blue overalls, with sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing sturdy forearms.
Seeing Lionel approach, he greeted him warmly with a bright smile: "Hello! Do you need to rent a bicycle?"
The one on the left is the mach bike. It's built for speed, perfect for sprinting to your heart's content on flat roads.
The one on the right is the Acro Bike. It features jump-assist functions, allowing you to easily hop over small mounds and obstacles, making it ideal for suburban exploration.
We offer hourly and daily rentals. If you ride a full lap along the circular track on the outskirts of Mauville City, you'll basically get a full view of the city's scenery."
Lionel's gaze fell on the mach bike, and he pointed to a silver-grey one: "I'll rent this one."
Then, with the help of the shop assistant, he installed a small basket with a padded cushion onto the front of the bike; this was Beldum's seat.
Beldum immediately pounced into the basket with excitement.
It wiggled its body on the cushion, its red eye looking around as it curiously inspected every detail of the bicycle.
From time to time, it rubbed its head against the edge of the basket, letting out a soft "ding-ding" sound, clearly full of interest in this new "mount."
At the entrance to the cycling path, there was a small grocery store. The wooden sign had "poké beans · berry Specialist" written on it in colored paint, and next to it were drawings of several Magnemite munching on beans, looking exceptionally cute.
Lionel stopped the bike and explained to the camera: "If you want to have a great time on Mauville City's Cycling Road, you must buy some things here."
These poké beans and Berries will provide a huge surprise during the ride!"
He walked into the shop, bought a small bag of mixed-flavor poké beans and a few bright red Berries. Not long after he started riding, the viewers in the livestream room noticed something unusual.
On the lampposts beside the track and at the edges of the green belts, several Magnemite were hovering at regular intervals.
They carried two round Magnet tentacles, acting like a group of dutiful staff members, slowly patrolling the road surface and occasionally bumping their Magnets together with a soft "zzt-zzt" sound.
When Lionel rode up a gentle slope, his speed gradually slowed down.
Just then, two Magnemite flew over from a nearby lamppost with a "whoosh," affectionately rubbing against the bike's rear rack, their bodies glowing with a faint electric light.
In the next second, Lionel felt the bike suddenly become much lighter, as if being pushed forward by an invisible force. The resistance of the climb vanished instantly, and the bike's speed even became a bit faster than on flat ground.
"Look, this is the secret of the Mauville City Cycling Road."
Lionel pedaled and smiled at the camera: "These Magnemite will proactively help cyclists accelerate."
And we only need to use the poké beans or Berries we just bought as a thank you to enjoy this 'Pokémon Chauffeur' service. Isn't it interesting?"
As he spoke, he took out two blue poké beans from the bag and held them out to a Magnemite that was diligently "pushing the bike."
The little fellow gave a cheerful "zzt," firmly attracting the beans with its Magnet arms and carefully moving them into its mouth.
It crunched and chewed, its eye narrowing into a slit.
After eating, it pushed the bicycle even more vigorously, not forgetting to rub its head against the back of Lionel's hand, as if saying "you're welcome."
Beldum sat steadily in the basket. Watching the busy figures of the Magnemite, it couldn't help but control its own body to hover slightly, poking its head out to touch a Magnemite flying nearby.
The other party also responded friendly with its Magnet arm. The two steel-type Pokémon bumped and rubbed against each other, interacting with great joy, making the livestream viewers smile knowingly:
[This is just too wholesome! Magnemite can actually be 'rickshaw pullers,' and it only costs a few beans as a reward. So worth it!]
[I've already added Mauville City to my travel list! I have to come and ride a bike once to feel the sensation of being 'pushed' by Magnemite!]
[The way Beldum and Magnemite interact is so cute!]
While riding, Lionel enjoyed the scenery along the way and introduced various sightseeing spots and activities in Mauville City to the livestream audience: "The building ahead is the Mauville Game Corner, which has the latest Pokémon battle arcade machines. Turn the corner further ahead, and you'll find the famous Food Court. I'll take everyone to try some fresh treats after the ride—"
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the roadside trees, casting mottled shadows on the ground.
The rustling of rolling wheels, the "zzt-zzt" of Magnemite, and the laughter coming from afar intertwined like a warm concerto.
Beldum swayed its body in the basket, its red eye reflecting the scenery along the way:
Colorful buildings flashing by, flowers blooming by the roadside, and other tourists also riding bicycles.
Its body occasionally let out a satisfied "ding-ding" sound, clearly having completely forgotten the jealousy it felt at the Gym earlier.
After the ride ended, Lionel returned the mach bike to Rydel's Cycles.
Beldum in the basket was still swaying its body unsatiated, its little head turning with the trajectory of the bike being parked, as if still savoring the thrill of speeding against the wind.
Immediately after, Lionel took Beldum and the livestream audience to the Mauville City Food Court.
As soon as they stepped into the square, the aroma of various snacks wafted over, mixing sweet, salty, and fresh scents that made one's appetite soar.
Besides the Thunder-Shock Cotton Candy and Lightning Potato Balls they had tried before, there was a long queue in front of the stall for another signature snack, "Electric Takoyaki."
The golden little balls sizzled on the iron plate, emitting a seductive aroma.
The stall owner was an auntie wearing an orange apron, deftly flipping the round little balls with a special circular iron plate.
The outer skin was grilled to a golden crisp, with slightly charred edges. After sprinkling seaweed flakes and bonito flakes, she drizzled a spoonful of sauce glowing with a faint blue light, instantly causing the bonito flakes to quiver gently on the balls.
"This sauce is very special!"
Lionel stood in the queue and explained softly to the camera, specifically giving the sauce a close-up:
One could see fine, current-like patterns inside.
"This uses the weak current from Electric-type Pokémon to stimulate the freshness of the seafood sauce. When you bite into it, there's a slight numbing sensation that makes the taste buds more sensitive, creating an exceptionally wonderful texture."
Beldum beside him was already unable to restrain itself, its little body squirming in Lionel's arms and frequently rubbing against his neck.
Its red crystalline eye was glued to the takoyaki on the stall, shining like a light-soaked ruby, filled with longing, and even its breathing became a bit hurried.
Lionel chuckled. When it was his turn, he immediately bought a portion and used a toothpick to pick up a ball, holding it near the Dark Void at the corner of Beldum's eye.
The little fellow carefully opened its "mouth" and gently "sucked" the takoyaki into its body. Its silver body visibly paused for a moment, as if carefully savoring that delicious flavor.
A moment later, it comfortably narrowed its eye, and a string of crisp, satisfied "ding-ding" sounds rang out from its body.
The small silver-white body also swayed gently, as if reminiscing about that wonderful taste of slight numbness and freshness, and even its red eye curved into a crescent shape.
The livestream viewers were amused by Beldum's unique way of eating, and the bullet chat flooded the screen:
[Hahaha, so this is how Beldum eats! So the little hole at the corner of its eye is its mouth? That's so unique!]
[Looking at the way it narrows its eye and sways its body, you can tell it's super delicious. I'm starting to salivate through the screen!]
[This little expression is so adorable, I really want to reach out and pet it~]
[Does this sauce really carry electricity? I want to try it but I'm also a bit scared. Is this what they call 'pain and pleasure'?]
[Host, hurry up and taste it! We also want to know what it tastes like!]
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