I Really Didn’t Want to Be a Trainer

Thursday, November 26.

The noble young man from Alola, Gladion, had completed his enrollment and gave Teacher Lu a heads-up.

“Hmm... where are you staying?” Lu Ye asked.

“I'm renting a place in Yuhong City, not far from the school,” Gladion replied.

“Train hard. If you have questions, feel free to ask Teacher Lillie. I’ve got high hopes for you.”

Traveling to Kanto alone, a warmth bloomed in Gladion’s heart at that moment.

“No problem,” he answered in a deep voice.

What Teacher Lu meant was probably—if it’s something simple, don’t bother him.

That’s a sign of trust in my ability! I definitely can’t let him down!

After hanging up, Lu Ye thought to himself. With Yuto Sundae in the mix, the three participating students were nearly set.

Given Gladion’s strength... bringing victory to Yuhong University shouldn’t be a problem.

That way, he’d be living up to the former principal’s kindness.

Leaning back against the headboard, Teacher Lu nodded in satisfaction and glanced to the side.

“Awoo~” Flopped out on the bedroom carpet, the fluffy Arcanine panted with a silly expression.

Of course, that was just appearances.

Last night, the overly energetic goofball had howled until four in the morning.

Lu Ye suspected that if Gengar hadn’t come back from training and hit Arcanine with a Hypnosis, this guy would’ve been pulling an all-nighter for sure.

Fortunately, it was his day off today. The lazy noon sunlight streamed into the room.

Lifting the blanket, Lu Ye spotted a round, egg-like body rolling around.

Togepi popped out its arms and legs with delight. “Togepi~!”

You found me!

“If it’s hide and seek, go play with Arcanine.”

Lu Ye, sporting dark circles under his eyes, gave Togepi’s little head a pat.

“I need to catch a bit more sleep.”

“Toge~!” Togepi puffed up its cheeks but obediently stood up.

Grabbing the edge of the bed with both hands, it cautiously reached its foot toward the floor.

From Togepi’s perspective, that drop was way too high.

“Toge...pi…” Life is tough, it sighed.

“Huh?” Suddenly, Togepi felt itself floating.

Turning back, it saw Lu Ye holding it up.

“Just so we’re clear—only half an hour.” Lu Ye said helplessly.

“Togepi~!” (Okay~!)

A faint blue light shimmered at Togepi’s fingertips.

Lu Ye’s expression shifted.

A floral fragrance suddenly filled the air.

As the blue light flowed through him, his fatigue faded significantly.

Command: Aromatherapy

Thankfully, it hadn’t rolled something like ‘Rock Smash’ today—Lu Ye breathed a sigh of relief.

Maybe on some level, a Pokémon’s own intent influenced how “Command” worked too.

The whole “willpower” thing from Sword Art Online might actually apply in the Pokémon World.

Feeling a bit guilty, Lu Ye gave a warm smile. “Thanks a bunch.”

“Togepi~ (๑•.•๑)”

Inside the water tank—

Squirtle was soaking in a crystal blue liquid, eyes closed in meditation.

Technically, with added Mystic Water and powdered Water Stone… this was a million-Pokéyen-level medicinal soak.

In full cultivation mode, Squirtle was currently pondering the “Dark Pulse” it got from Erika.

All things emit aura; different auras give rise to moves of different types.

But pure, untyped aura could host other types of energy.

For example, fusing Dark Pulse with Aura Sphere.

With that thought, a spark flashed in Squirtle’s eyes.

Master… is this what you want me to understand?!

“Squirtle!”

If Lu Ye could understand Pokémon speech, he’d probably be speechless by now.

You little s**t, you’re trying to learn Killing Intent Pulse Fist or what?!

But since Lu Ye couldn’t understand, he just glanced at Squirtle meditating and smiled in relief.

Looks like… having Togepi around has motivated the older crew to step up too!

…

As lunchtime approached, Gengar was about to go flirt with Sabrina—

Wait, no. Was about to go work at the Saffron Gym.

Lu Ye started prepping lunch for the gang while whipping up a new batch of dog food.

This was custom-made for Arcanine.

After evolving, Arcanine’s appetite doubled, and its food bowl was licked spotless every day.

Lu Ye added Ganlon Berries to boost defense and Apicot Berries for special defense.

Top it off with some Honey, and he had a sweet and tangy meal ready to go.

Staring at the finished product, Lu Ye instinctively reached out—then paused with a weird look on his face.

No way... I’m not that desperate to steal food from Arcanine, am I?

Sure, they were made of berries and technically edible for humans, but it’s not like I’m broke or anything…

“Bui~”

Under the warm midday sun, Sylveon pushed a yarn ball toward Togepi.

Togepi hugged the ball and ran straight to Lu Ye, presenting it like a treasure.

“Bui…” Sylveon looked utterly defeated.

After playing a round of Pokémon cards with Togepi, the group chat started getting lively.

Lu Ye tapped open the “99+” unread messages.

The first one he saw was from Gold.

“Teacher Lu, I’m coming to Kanto to crash at your place!” Gold said.

“No way!” Teacher Lu shot back.

“It’s Toge-taro, really. He wants to meet Togepi,” Gold scratched his head. “Just for one night. I can pay rent.”

“It’s not about rent,” Lu Ye nodded. “It’s about fulfilling Toge-taro’s wish.”

Of course, the rent thing was just a joke.

A friend from afar—must be dealt with, no matter the distance.

Wait... that doesn’t sound quite right?

“Kanto has a bunch of festivals going on lately too.”

Blue skimmed through her planner, full of event schedules for her merchant runs.

“This weekend… there’s a big fishing tournament with some pretty sweet prizes.”

“Fishing tournament!!” Erika practically lit up.

“I’m pretty good at fishing, actually.” Gold blew his bangs out of his face. “Getting a placement won’t be hard!”

“What are the prizes?” Lu Ye finally showed some interest.

Not to brag, but with Fishing Lv.3, he was easily pro-tier.

Granted, he couldn’t compete with masters like Yellow or Lana.

But stomping Gold and taking home the top prize? Totally doable!

“Dive Balls, a set of high-grade rods, Mystic Water…”

Blue scrolled through her notes and gasped, “There’s actually Mystic Water! That’s gonna attract a lot of competitors!”

“I’m planning to enter too,” Brock said with a squint.

The entire group chat suddenly went silent.

Ami hesitated, “Mr. Brock… I thought you were a Rock-type Gym Leader?”

Back during a Gym match between Kanto and Johto, she had once battled Brock—they’d gotten to know each other then.

A Rock-type Leader entering a fishing tournament… kind of clashed with the aesthetic, didn’t it?

Brock coughed awkwardly and scratched his cheek.

“To be honest, the prize money’s not bad…”

Lu Ye nodded in deep understanding. “Totally get it.”

“Oh?”

Brock’s eyes lit up. He and Lu Ye instantly formed a silent, manly bond of mutual respect.

“I’ll sign you up, Teacher Lu. I’m already following the tournament organizers,” Blue offered. “You’re sure you’re entering, right?”

Saturday… yeah, he’d be free after classes ended on Friday.

Lu Ye nodded. “Of course. Appreciate it!”

“Then let’s all go together on Saturday,” Gold said.

Even Yellow got fired up for once.

When it comes to this, I’ve got a bit of confidence too!

Far away, training on the Seafoam Islands—

Misty, the Water-type Gym Leader from Cerulean City, thought for a moment.

The fishing tournament... wasn’t it being held in Cerulean?

“Hmm... this is probably part of Teacher Lu’s plans too.”

Misty nodded and muttered:

“I better tell my sisters and get everything ready in advance…”