Chapter 278: Cilan’s Specialty
The next morning.
Cynthia was still fast asleep in the bedroom.
Lu Ye had already finished preparing a hearty breakfast and turned around.
“Let’s go. Time for the match.”
“Shouldn’t we wake Ma’am up?” Manchong asked.
“Let her rest a little longer. She’s exhausted,” Lu Ye said with some emotion.
After all, she had to juggle both her duties as Champion and her work as a mythology scholar.
Despite how carefree she seemed, Cynthia was carrying a heavy burden.
That’s why she had suddenly dozed off last night—completely worn out.
“O-Okay…” Yuto Sundae nodded meekly, face red enough to bleed.
Teacher Lu… is that amazing? Even the Sinnoh Champion can’t keep up with him?
The Inter-Academy Exchange Tournament Finals were about to begin.
Gladion was warming up his wrists, eyes sharp.
“Today, we’re going to win—clean and complete!”
Manchong didn’t speak, but the determination in his eyes said it all.
Lu Ye’s expression was a bit complicated. “Just win. No need to go overboard.” “Got it!”
Yuto Sundae, having turned heartbreak into motivation, had fire burning in her eyes.
“We’ll make you proud, sir!”
That’s… not quite what I meant?
Lu Ye paused, then gave a helpless smile.
“Anyway—just do your best. Don’t get hurt.”
After their overwhelming performance in the prelims, Lu Ye’s team had surely become the target of Sanyao Academy’s preparation.
Both the student and teacher matches would definitely be tougher than before.
Fortunately, Lillie arrived just in time after wrapping up her Gym challenge.
“The ace position is all yours,” Lu Ye said.
Lillie smiled gently. “This lady’s happy just assisting you.”
Lu Ye: ?
Pretty sure you just want to slack off!
Still, if they could win the championship, it would repay the favor owed to the first principal.
That would mark a perfect end to Lu Ye’s teaching work this semester.
The Zhuqing City Arena was bustling—tens of thousands of spectators had poured in.
Thanks to Yuhong University’s jaw-dropping performance this year, viewership for the tournament had been skyrocketing.
The number of attendees for the finals shattered all previous records.
Inside the lively venue, drones flew overhead, and the announcer reported from the front of the arena:
“This will be the most-watched showdown in tournament history!”
“Both teams are already in position—who will claim victory? Let’s find out together!”
In the audience seating, Roxie from Kanaz Academy was also watching the match.
Since joining the group chat, the chatter from the Champions and Elites had her—a newbie—trembling.
And yet, Teacher Lu was out here casually bantering with those big shots…
Yeah, this man was definitely not as simple as he seemed.
“Came to the rookie cup just to stomp newbies,” Roxie mumbled. “Classic Teacher Lu style…”
Under the eyes of thousands, the Inter-Academy Finals officially kicked off.
Yuto Sundae was the lead-off member, stepping into the arena first.
“She’s here!”
Among the Sanyao Academy team, the refined-looking Cilan furrowed his brow.
“That’s the team led by Teacher Lu.”
Next to him, Takuya chuckled boldly.
“Didn’t you already predict that girl would take the first match?”
“Braviary has no fear of Ground-type moves like Bonemerang!”
“Logically, yes,” Cilan said, arms folded as he tapped his nose bridge. “But I still feel uneasy…”
On the field, Braviary flapped its wings, slashing at Marowak with a powerful aerial strike.
“Detect!” Yuto commanded.
Marowak raised its bone club to block Braviary’s wings.
Though it was pushed back several meters, it stood firm and unharmed.
Then, Marowak spun its club as earthy energy gathered around it—sharp rocks rained down from the sky!
Rock Tomb!
“Super effective!” the announcer shouted. “That was a textbook counterattack!”
Lu Ye rubbed his chin.
‘Detect’ works similarly to ‘Protect’—blocking incoming attacks.
But Detect was a bit more aggressive and came with a higher failure risk.
Theoretically, it could achieve the same Protect-Non-Protect-Protect rhythm.
As expected of my personal disciple!
Lu Ye nodded with satisfaction.
Braviary, pinned under the rocks, was then knocked out by Marowak’s bone club.
The students of Sanyao Academy looked grim.
Meanwhile, the Kanaz Academy students were thrilled.
We know this scene all too well!
If everyone loses together, it’s way less embarrassing!
Still, Cilan’s prediction played a crucial role in the match-up.
Although they won, Yuto lost two Pokémon in the 3v3.
She walked back to the team looking dejected.
“Teacher Lu, I know what I did wrong.”
“What did you do wrong?” Lu Ye blinked.
“I didn’t 3-0 them…”
“Don’t worry.” Gladion stood up, brushing his blond hair aside with peak edgelord energy.
“I’ll shut them out!”
Gladion took the second slot and once again showed off his Midnight Lycanroc’s absurd bulk.
First move? A brutal Counter that sent a Toxicroak flying.
In the audience, Cilan pushed his glasses with a trembling hand—only to miss and poke his own face.
That makes no sense! How can Counter reflect another Counter?
That move shouldn’t even be legal!
Gladion’s raw, aggressive playstyle had the crowd in a frenzy.
“Where did they find these monsters?!”
“This team is unreal!”
Then came Manchong, the final player. He gave a shy smile to the camera, then his gaze turned firm.
Teacher Lu gave me this chance to prove myself. I won’t let him down!
“Magnezone, Flash Cannon!”
A blinding white beam burst from Magnezone’s magnets, accompanied by a high-pitched screech.
Zebstrika was blown off the field.
Sanyao Academy’s students turned ghostly pale.
The announcer swallowed nervously and said:
“This is the most lopsided final in tournament history!”
The livestream chat exploded:
“Coach, I wanna play too!”
“Teacher Lu has taken Yuhong University to heights it’s never seen!”
Inside Sanyao Academy, Takuya wiped his sweat and looked at Cilan.
“Captain… what now?”
As someone who valued data above all, Cilan always trusted intel, numbers, and frame-perfect command timing.
But facing Teacher Lu… his trademark foresight had lost all effectiveness.
“There’s nothing we can do,” Cilan sighed, rubbing his temples.
“In the teacher match… let’s just not embarrass ourselves too badly.”
“Th-Then…” Takuya gulped, “who’s going up first?”
“Me.”
Cilan’s eyes narrowed as he unbuttoned the top of his shirt.
Even data-driven Trainers get fired up sometimes.
Tactics and strategy—that’s my forte.
Besides, judging by his performance yesterday… I still have a shot!
“I’ll be the one to reclaim Sanyao Academy’s honor!”
Back at Yuhong University, Lillie spoke gently.
“Captain, should I take the lead this time?”
“…You’re the senior here, Gym Leader Lillie.”
“But,” she said, blinking, “when I wasn’t here, your team seemed to perform even better!”
You’re totally holding a grudge, aren’t you?!
“I’ll go,” Lu Ye coughed lightly.
The students’ performance had made him proud.
And besides—he rarely got the chance to battle himself.
Time to let the little guys shine too.
Lu Ye glanced down at Squirtle.
“Squirtle!”
Squirtle pushed up his sunglasses, eyes flashing.
The opponent looked strong.
I’ll need to give it everything I’ve got!