I Really Didn’t Want to Be a Trainer

Everyone knows, slide kicks can also be used to dodge damage.

With one good Grassy Glide, Sirfetch’d could slice open a Rhyperior’s stomach — no problem.

Of course… more likely, Rhyperior would just turn around and slam the ground with Earthquake, and our duck would be KO’d on the spot.

Lu Ye looked at his proud and confident Sirfetch’d, feeling a bit conflicted.

Even my slacker’s starting to learn moves on his own now?

And the one he’s learning from... is one of Leon’s main team.

Lu Ye sighed lightly.

Duck, you’ve changed. You used to be a slacker like me…

“ROAR!”

Rillaboom, with its flowing fur, sized up the massive leek and gestured awkwardly.

With that length, your attack power probably beats mine too… huh.

The whole yard was filled with academic vibes.

Lu Ye didn’t dare linger.

Who knows if Leon would pull out some kind of top-tier Fire-type secret manual and try to force it on him next… That price tag? Lu-sensei would need a couple months of streaming revenue to pay it off!

Their flight was in the evening, so Lu Ye and Cynthia were getting ready to return to Goldenrod City.

Leon got up. “Lu-sensei, let me walk you two out.”

“No need… I’m worried you’ll get lost in your own front yard.”

“Ahaha, that’s impossible…”

“Big bro,” Hop whispered, “last time at the Postwick Pokémon Center, I was the one who had to walk you home.”

Leon scratched his head, laughing awkwardly.

“Well then, Lu-sensei — until next time!”

Lu Ye nodded.

Then Leon looked at Cynthia, who smiled warmly. He gave a respectful nod.

They’d crossed paths in the Masters Eight Tournament, and he’d scraped by with a few wins.

But both he and Cynthia had continued growing ever since.

Just like him and Sonia — Cynthia didn’t battle alone.

Leon said sincerely, “Champion Cynthia, I look forward to the day we battle again.”

Cynthia replied with equal seriousness, “There will be a next time.”

—

It was getting late.

After saying goodbye to Leon, the two walked off into the twilight.

Leon and Sonia stood at the doorway. Sonia smiled, hands behind her back.

“Feels like… we’ve made new friends again.”

Leon nodded, lifting his golden eyes to the sky.

They’d come all this way for one reason — to help fulfill Jon’s wish.

This wasn’t the right time for a proper battle.

But Leon clenched his fist, smiling.

Next time we meet...

Maybe it really will be a Champion’s battle.

—

You can take the train from Postwick to the airport.

Their evening flight would bring them back to Goldenrod.

After that, Cynthia had to return to Sinnoh League to fulfill her Champion duties.

Because of the few days they spent in Galar, things back in Sinnoh were likely chaos.

Professor Rowan probably had so much on his plate his hair was falling out.

Then again… that was kind of standard for the Sinnoh League.

On the flight, a certain blonde Champion was deep in thought.

“Should I… maybe take a page from Leon’s book?”

“Hm? What part?”

“The responsibility of being Champion,” Cynthia said softly.

Since her debut, Cynthia had risen quickly to the top of Sinnoh —

but she never cared much for all the League’s administrative work.

To her, discovering new life on her travels and unearthing mythological truths was far more exciting.

Still, whether she liked it or not, she was Sinnoh’s Champion.

Seems like this trip to Galar left quite the impression.

“With great power… comes great responsibility?” Lu Ye chuckled.

Cynthia blinked her long lashes and glanced over at him, then gently nodded.

“For me,” Lu Ye leaned back in his seat, “everyone has their own way of living — and moments of confusion.”

“I’m not one for crowds. I’d rather spend time with my Pokémon.”

“That’s the path that suits me. Even if it’s not the best, it’s enough.”

Cynthia turned her head, studied him for a long moment, and smiled.

“You saying philosophical stuff like that… kind of reminds me of Leon.”

“I’m not a walking GPS error.”

Cynthia chuckled lightly.

Maybe the two of them really did have things in common.

They each walked their own path — sometimes stumbling.

He was such a coward, yet he’d fought Leon for the sake of a child’s wish.

He was so frugal, yet didn’t ask for a single cent during the exhibition match…

“I’m sleepy.”

Cynthia yawned behind her hand, cheeks flushed.

Stretching lazily, she added, “After a nap and a couple games, I’ll head back to Sinnoh!”

Lu Ye blinked.

That’s more like the real Champion Cynthia.

It’s like when Steven isn’t off mining and instead hangs around the League doing inspections — now that’s weird.

“Oh, there’s one exception to not needing the best.”

“Hm?”

“Except for the best Cynthia.”

…No reaction?

Lu Ye turned his head — and saw that Cynthia had already fallen asleep.

Her golden hair draped down her waist, her porcelain face tinged pink from the temperature difference.

Asleep, Cynthia looked like a delicate work of art —

so different from the powerful presence she usually carried.

Lu Ye dimmed the cabin light and stared at her side profile for a while.

Once he was sure she was truly asleep, he turned to the window.

Thunderclouds swirled, radiating a faint red glow — probably Eternatus flying by in secret again.

He slipped on his sleep mask and whispered, “Sylveon, Yawn.”

“Byii~”

Sylveon curled up on Lu Ye’s lap and gave a drowsy cry.

With Sylveon there, who needs a blanket?

Drowsiness crept in, his vision fading into darkness.

He felt a solid weight on his shoulder.

Cynthia was resting there now, her face calm and breathing soft —

making him feel inexplicably at peace.

“Good night,” Lu Ye murmured.

No more words.

The aircraft’s tail light glowed red as it soared through the night sky.

In a few days, the harshest cold of winter — the Great Cold — would arrive.

And then… Spring wasn’t far.

---

Galar trip — complete.

Back in their house in Goldenrod:

“Gengaa!”

Gengar popped out of its pocket dimension and began handing Lu Ye their luggage.

“We’re finally home.”

Lu Ye took the bags and sighed with satisfaction.

“Tonight, we’re eating well!”

As soon as the little ones heard their chef was cooking —

the house erupted in joyous chaos. “Byii~”, “Duii~”, and more filled the air.

“Sirfetch’d, come help me with something!”

“Gaa???”

Lucario stood nearby with arms crossed, casting sidelong glances.

I don’t approve of this relationship…

But man, his cooking is just too good.

“Chaaa~（¯﹃¯）”

Garchomp stood by Cynthia’s side.

Big meal or not, she just wanted to taste-test for her Trainer first!

Cynthia watched it all with a beaming smile.

At least before returning to Sinnoh…

she could enjoy a few more good meals!

---

In the kitchen.

Sirfetch’d stood nearby, swinging his leek, helping Lu Ye prep ingredients.

In Kalos, chefs supposedly used Farfetch’d to add leek fragrance when slicing vegetables.

But this Sirfetch’d’s leek was huge —

only suitable for tenderizing meat.

“Gaa!!”

Sirfetch’d pounded the cutting board rhythmically.

Lu Ye let out a quiet “huh.”

Didn’t expect this duck to have a knack for cooking!

Even Gengar’s cooking talent was limited to instant noodles…

Maybe next time, we can have a show called “Leek Duck Iron Pot Stew.”

Lu Ye wiped his mouth.

As he cleaned the ingredients, he mentally tallied the Galar trip loot:

He’d exchanged contacts with Sonia and Leon.

The Dynamax Band was now worn on his left wrist.

Looked just like a regular sports wristband.

Outside of Galar, there was no danger of accidentally Dynamaxing.

But still — next time he visits Galar, he’ll have to be careful.

“Doing good deeds and staying anonymous — and I still get flamed?!”

Lu Ye rubbed his temples, sighing.

Then he checked the two system reward items:

---

【Starfruit (Legendary)】: A mystical Berry that dramatically boosts one specific stat, depending on the Pokémon. (Yeah, it's basically a carambola.)

Lu Ye stared at the five-pointed, yellow-green fruit.

“…This thing’s legendary grade?”

He was stunned for a moment.

If he used this to make Pokéblocks, the team was gonna eat good.

Even Scaleseed Berries only boosted one level of speed.

A two-stage boost? Totally worthy of the Golden Legend title.

But different Pokémon might get different results.

For Blastoise, probably a huge Defense buff.

For Sylveon, maybe weight?

Sirfetch’d — probably crit rate.

And for Togepi… luck?

Good news: the system store now sold these berries, so supply wasn’t an issue.

Lu Ye nodded in satisfaction.

No wonder the system is so good at Berry stuff. Solid work.

【?】

The second reward was the Flame Orb.

---

【Flame Orb】: A mystical orb that radiates searing heat. Amplifies Fire-type energy. (“Let the flames purify all!”)

This thing was so hot, Lu Ye didn’t dare touch it with bare hands.

He slipped on some fingerless gloves and claimed the reward.

As soon as he did, the room temperature shot up.

Maybe only Arcanine could handle this heat…

Lu Ye’s expression twisted.

“You sure this thing won’t just burn down the house?”

On top of that — what if this Fire Orb makes Arcanine even more hyper?

This isn’t a reward — it’s a curse!

But once claimed, it couldn’t be returned.

Leaving it in a drawer felt like a fire hazard.

Lu Ye thought back to the time Gengar set the house on fire…

Shudder.

In the end, he decided to put his trust in the dog.

---

“Awooo? (O_o)??”

Arcanine tilted his head, staring at the orb.

“Uh… It’s kind of like charcoal. Should be good for you.”

Lu Ye cleared his throat. “Wear it around your neck. Don’t drop it.”

Lu Ye was always fair with his team.

Gengar had the Toxic Orb, Sylveon the Life Orb —

Arcanine deserved his too.

(Of course, Gengar’s Toxic Orb was almost melted from constant licking...)

“Awoo…”

Arcanine blinked, then gently nuzzled Lu Ye with his big head.

Then, his eyes burst into flame.

This… is Master’s trust!

Alright — less snacking, more running!

Tomorrow, I start my diet!

First — ten laps around the yard!

Lu Ye clipped the Flame Orb onto Arcanine’s neck.

And actually — with his thick, luxurious mane, it looked pretty awesome.

“Alright. Dinner’s soon. Go play for now.”

“Awooo~!!”

---

Dinner was ready.

Lu Ye and Sirfetch’d brought out dish after dish of steaming, fragrant food.

The Donghuang-style cooking was full of vibrant color and rich flavor.

Cynthia swallowed, whispering, “I feel like I’ve eaten way too much lately…”

“Travel’s exhausting,” Lu Ye said. “Of course you need a good meal.”

Irrefutable logic.

Cynthia clapped her hands together.

The house was silent — just the clinking of dishes.

“I’ll have to return to Sinnoh tomorrow,” Cynthia said.

“Once things settle down, probably not until February.”

Lu Ye paused.

By then, his work at Yuhong Academy should be wrapping up too.

“Then I’ll come visit Sinnoh.”

Cynthia’s smile grew.

If he ends up winning the League and makes it to the Champion round —

maybe she could take it easy for once.

“Sounds perfect.”

---

January 16, Saturday.

Lu Ye was busy testing Starfruit Pokéblocks.

“Gengaa~(￣～￣)”

Gengar once again stepped up as the official taster.

“How is it?”

“Gengaa!”

Gengar grinned, pulled out a dumbbell, and struck a bodybuilding pose.

Lu Ye blinked.

Whoa — massive physical attack boost!

“Looks like it works…”

He murmured, “Wonder if it’d work on me?”

After crafting a full batch of Starfruit Pokéblocks, Lu Ye looked up at the sky.

Cynthia had already returned to Sinnoh.

Despite slacking off often, she always took her actual work seriously.

She just hated red tape.

She’d be busy prepping for the Lily of the Valley Conference in the second half of the year.

“If the League’s in the second half of the year…”

Lu Ye muttered, expression turning thoughtful.

“Then doesn’t that mean Ash can head to the Sinnoh League in a few months, after finishing Hoenn?”

In real-world time, there’s no way it takes ten years to win a championship.

Three to six months per League? That’s more realistic.

So from his start to Champion — Ash might finish in under three years.

Can’t compare with monsters like Red or Blue, of course.

But Ash… he’s definitely the hardworking type.

Still, that’s just Lu Ye’s guess.

“I’ll DM him sometime,” Lu Ye nodded.

“See what his next League plan is.”

“Awoo! (｀0´)”

Arcanine, now wearing the Flame Orb, looked like his mane was on fire as he sprinted around the yard.

Lu Ye lounged on the second-floor balcony, sipping tea and watching happily.

Suddenly — his smile faltered.

“Morning training is fine, but Arcanine — NO Flare Blitz!”

“Awoo!”

With both Flame Orb and Flare Blitz, the fire-type energy surged to its limit.

Arcanine turned into a blazing comet of flame!

Lu Ye’s eye twitched as he glanced at his move list.

“Overheat” — one of Arcanine’s signature fire moves…

I get that you’re excited.

But at this rate, you’re gonna blow up the house!

“Blastoise, lowest-power Water Gun — now!”

“Ka-meh!”

Blastoise adjusted his shades and unleashed two torrents of water.

“This is Water Spout!! Arcanine, Protect!”

Smoke cleared.

The yard was a wreck.

“…We can just re-sod the lawn,” Lu Ye muttered.

No wait — sod is more expensive than renovations!

“Awoo~~ᕦ(･ㅂ･)ᕤ”

Arcanine grinned, eyes shining.

He was stronger now.

He hadn’t embarrassed Gengar or Sirfetch’d.

Well done, Arcanine!