Chapter 243: Inter-Academy Exchange Tournament
Tuesday, November 13th.
Lu Ye was in his office, reviewing the curriculum for the semester.
"Teacher Lu."
Sitting across from him was a warm-smiling middle-aged woman named Wen Zi.
"If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I'll do my best to help."
Lu Ye nodded and asked curiously, "Are there only elementary and high school students in this academy?"
Though the campus was vast, there didn’t seem to be any university-level students.
It felt more like a secondary school than a higher education institution.
"That’s correct," Wen Zi explained.
"Due to different league policies… in the Kanto region, children as young as ten can begin their Pokémon journey." "The ultimate goal of this journey is, of course, competing in the Pokémon League."
"Aside from challenging Gyms, graduates from Trainer Schools can qualify directly for the League’s preliminary rounds."
"That’s why Kanto’s Trainer Academies typically enroll students aged 10 to 18… Yuhong University’s main campus only has a small number of graduate students, so it doesn’t need a separate division."
Lu Ye nodded in understanding.
So, this was basically an affiliated academy of Yuhong University, similar to the relationship between an elite university and its preparatory high school.
Most students graduating from this academy would choose to compete in the Pokémon League rather than pursue higher education.
That explained why, on his way here, all the students seemed quite young.
"Though, I just turned twenty myself, so I don’t really have the right to call anyone young…" Lu Ye thought to himself.
"Besides the Simulation Battle class you’ll be teaching, Miss Lijia will also be instructing Practical Battle Training."
Wen Zi smiled. "With you here, I’m sure Principal Oak will feel a lot more at ease."
The principal of this school, Mr. Oak, was also the head of Johto’s Trainer Academy.
Managing two schools at once left him stretched thin, and he was highly selective when it came to hiring teachers.
Lu Ye’s arrival definitely took a load off his shoulders.
"You flatter me," Lu Ye chuckled. "I just know a little about battle tactics."
Wen Zi blinked before suddenly realizing, "Ah… this must be what they call 'modesty' in the Donghuang region."
Before Lu Ye arrived, she had already heard Miss Lijia talk about him—
A Trainer with unpredictable strategies and a highly adaptable command style…
Someone who earned such high praise from a Gym Leader couldn't possibly be just "average."
Young, yet humble…
Miss Lijia really did recruit the right person!
"I'll let you get back to work. Let me pour you some tea." Wen Zi offered.
"No need, Gengar will do it."
"Huh?"
"Gengar! (～￣▽￣)～"
Lu Ye took the cup of hot tea from Gengar and continued reviewing the syllabus, his expression growing more complicated.
"End-of-semester goal… Inter-Academy Exchange Tournament…"
Each academic year followed a structured plan.
This so-called Inter-Academy Exchange Tournament—
Lu Ye scanned the details. It was a competition among Trainer Academies from various regions, held as a platform for inter-school battles.
Faculty members would also participate, with schools represented including:
Striaton Academy (Unova)
Kanazumi Academy (Hoenn)
Yuhong Academy (Kanto)
Jubilife Academy (Sinnoh)
Though not every region’s academy joined, this tournament had been a long-standing tradition.
Lu Ye’s expression turned odd.
"So… I have to train students, huh?"
Otherwise, if his students got obliterated the moment they stepped onto the battlefield, wouldn’t that be humiliating?
"Oh well… as long as Lijia’s handling things, I should still be able to slack off."
Lu Ye nodded to himself.
"Gengar!"
At that moment, Gengar poked Lu Ye’s side, signaling that it wanted to go out and explore.
"Oh, no problem. Go have fun."
Lu Ye nodded. "Send me your location through the Pokédex later. I’ll come find you after class."
"Gengar!" Gengar grinned, flashing a thumbs-up.
Watching Gengar holding a red Pokédex, Teacher Wen Zi looked utterly baffled.
Even Lu Ye’s Pokémon have their own Pokédex?!
That’s way too extravagant!
—
Meanwhile, Yuto Sundae trudged back to the classroom, looking dejected.
Immediately, a group of slick-haired boys swarmed around her, riled up.
"Yuto! What did that guy do to you?!"
"Don’t worry! We’ll get justice for you!"
Yuto Sundae sat down, resting her chin on her hand, and sighed softly.
If anything... she was disappointed that nothing had happened.
Wait, what am I even thinking?!
Her face turned red as she shook her head, scolding herself.
"Class is starting soon! Get back to your seats!"
The students hesitated for a moment. Someone weakly pointed out—
"Uh, Yuto… this period is a simulation class. We’re supposed to be in the computer lab."
Yuto Sundae coughed awkwardly, grabbed a thick stack of paper from her bag, and strutted toward the lab with forced confidence.
She figured she’d use class time to finish copying the Type Matchup Chart twenty times…
—
In the Computer Lab.
A handsome young teacher, looking slightly sleep-deprived with dark circles under his eyes, stood at the podium and greeted lazily—
"I’m your new instructor, Lu Ye."
The students curiously examined their new teacher, whispering among themselves.
"He’s so young…"
"Wait, isn’t this the guy who wrecked the Student Council on the field?"
"I never liked them anyway!"
Meanwhile, the girls in the class turned bright red.
Suddenly, class feels way more motivating!
"Eep!"
Yuto Sundae let out a small squeak, her face instantly flushing.
The slick-haired boy next to her immediately asked, "Are you okay, Yuto?"
"Mm…"
Yuto Sundae ignored him, staring daggers at the new teacher.
Why… why does it have to be him teaching the class?!
Hm?
Lu Ye suddenly felt an intense wave of resentment.
He glanced toward the source and relaxed slightly when he saw just a kid.
But Yuto Sundae’s face turned so red it could bleed.
She had clearly seen the way the teacher’s lips moved.
"30."
He wants me to copy it 30 times?!
—
"You might not recognize my name."**
Lu Ye leaned against the podium.
"Hmm… how many of you play Pokémon cards?"
"Of course!"
"Teacher, do you play? I can show you the ropes!"
"Hah! I’ve almost completed my SSR collection. I even have over ten UR cards!"
"That’s good." Lu Ye nodded.
"I’m Teacher Lu from Donghuang… If you’re interested, you can look up my Pokémon Studio. You might find a surprise."
The noisy classroom suddenly fell silent.
Pokémon Studio?
Why does that name sound so familiar?
Just as Yuto Sundae reached for her phone, someone in the class gasped.
"Holy crap! He’s THE Teacher Lu?!"
"No freaking way—he’s the guy who created the Pokémon card game!"
"I’m done! I play Plants vs. Zombies too!"
The previously quiet classroom exploded in excitement.
Students banged on their desks, thrilled beyond belief.
Their teacher… wasn’t just a player—he was the game’s creator?!
How lucky could they get?!
"Silence."
After repeating himself twice with no effect, Lu Ye finally knocked on the desk.
The room instantly went quiet, and all eyes locked onto him eagerly.
Someone timidly asked, "Teacher… can I get a UR card from you?"
Lu Ye smirked. "Study hard. If you do well, the new holographic cards and expansion packs might be within reach."
The classroom erupted again.
"Hell yeah!!"
"I’m gonna flex this so hard!"
"Teacher Lu’s battle tactics are insane, too! He’s at least Master-tier!"
As the classroom buzzed with excitement, a black-haired girl furiously scribbled away.
Twenty copies of the Type Matchup Chart… twenty copies…
Why is it so many?! Sob!