I Really Didn’t Want to Be a Trainer

“Ramen okay with you?”

“Hmm… let me think…”

“Forget it, I’ll decide.”

Outside, drizzle tapped gently on the window.

Cynthia sat by the round table beside it, resting her chin in her left hand, long fingers tapping lightly on the surface, still lost in thought over her earlier options.

“Looks like it rains a lot in Sinnoh.”

Lu Ye brought over steaming bowls of tonkotsu ramen and glanced out the window.

“The western part, yes. Rainy weather actually makes it warmer. Up north it’s mostly snow…”

Cynthia smiled as she entered lecture mode:

“That’s why Shellos vary in color between the east and west coasts—because of moisture and temperature.”

“Pokémon really are amazing creatures…” Lu Ye sighed in admiration.

Cynthia gave a soft smile. As she lowered her head, her lips pursed and her throat moved subtly.

Steam and a rich aroma wafted up from the bowl. The noodles soaked in thick broth, topped with two slices of chashu, a soft-boiled egg, and finely chopped green onions.

“Smells so good…”

“Only used instant soup base—could’ve been better otherwise.”

As a chef, the moment Teacher Lu stepped into the house, he checked the kitchen and fridge.

The fridge was mostly stocked with instant curry, fried snack platters… typical NPC-favorite handouts from Sword and Shield.

But with enough berries (crossed out) and Lu Ye’s culinary skills, the flavor turned out just fine.

“Thanks for the meal!” Cynthia clasped her hands together and smiled sweetly.

“Make sure to pair the yolk with the pork… and stop staring at my bowl!” Raindrops pattered against the glass. The faint sound of rain echoed softly.

In the warm room, only the clinks of spoon and bowl could be heard.

Cynthia wasn’t used to making noise while eating, and Lu Ye was happy to stay quiet too.

He stood and said: “I’ll go prep some Pokéblocks for them.”

Cynthia’s cheeks were rosy, and she exhaled a faint puff of warm breath, nodding gently as if through a haze.

Lu Ye smirked.

It’s the pepper—I added extra pepper!

Teacher Lu’s Home 3.0 came equipped with a berry blender, collectible display cabinets, planting pots, and more.

Lu Ye planned to have Gengar “spit out” the 4D Pocket luggage later and sort things afterward.

“Rotom.”

Lu Ye patted the berry blender and grinned.

“Get in there. I’m counting on you!”

“Does not compute, Rotom! o(TヘTo)”

But Rotom obediently slipped into the new appliance.

Rotom: Berry Blender Form.

With Rotom’s help, and already a Pokéblock Crafting Master, Lu Ye was surprised to find—

The taste and effects could actually be even better!?

“Gengar, taste test!”

Lu Ye tossed a shiny Orange Pokéblock to Gengar.

“Aaah~!” Gengar chewed. “Gengarr~(￣～￣)”

Next moment, a figurative exclamation mark popped over Gengar’s head:

“Gengarr! (๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧”

Seems effective…

Lu Ye rubbed his chin, then patted Rotom inside the blender.

“You okay with a 996 work schedule?”

“Rotom!?”

“Just kidding.”

Lu Ye’s expression turned serious: “It’s actually 007.”

“Does not compute, Rotom! o(TヘTo)”

“Alright, let’s unpack.”

Lu Ye chuckled. “I brought the electricity boost module—you’ll be full in no time.”

“Beep beep… long live understanding, Rotom! (≧∇≦)ﾉ”

In the softly lit living room, Cynthia’s Pokémon were busy munching away at Pokéblocks, too absorbed to speak.

“I can see why you’ve raised your Arcanine so well,”

Cynthia crossed her arms, hand on her chin, nodding to herself.

“Is that so, haha, just average.” Lu Ye scratched his head.

Cynthia’s team included Garchomp, Lucario, Spiritomb, Glaceon…

All were now quite familiar with Lu Ye.

There was also Milotic—the rooftop pool was built for her;

The yard’s lawn was managed by Roserade.

Though soon, the job would likely be taken over by Rotom Mower and Farmer Blastoise…

Later that evening—

“Bui~” Sylveon walked gracefully on the exercise wheel.

“Iyfu~” Glaceon hopped on, her sky-blue hair gently poking Sylveon’s pink ears.

“Bui! (`皿´)”

“Iyfu!? Σ(°△°|||)︴”

Sylveon retaliated by wrapping her ribbons around Glaceon, bundling her up and tossing her off the wheel.

“Glaceon’s a female, right?” Lu Ye asked, a bit surprised.

“Yep. Don’t they get along great?” Cynthia smiled.

In the corner—

Lucario sat cross-legged, eyes closed in meditation.

Beside him, a huge turtle shell pulsed with overwhelming Aura.

“Luca…” Lucario wiped cold sweat.

It wasn’t that he couldn’t handle it…

But that fierce Aura nearby kept flaring up, breaking his concentration!

“Ka-meh?ヾ(⌐■_■)” Blastoise poked out his head, wearing an expression that said: ‘You got a problem with me?’

“Luca…”

Lucario, remembering tales of Blastoise’s world-saving feats, coughed dryly and went quiet.

Forget it… I won’t fuss with the Hero of the Tree of Beginning!

“Gengar, help me organize the luggage!”

“Gengarr~(～￣▽￣)～”

“Need a hand?” Cynthia offered.

“No need—you’ve got research papers to organize, right?”

Cynthia nodded and smiled.

“Later tonight—”

“Let’s game together!” she added, eyes sparkling.

“Eh? Don’t you have to go to Sunyshore City tomorrow morning?”

“No worries. I’ll skip a day or two. Lucian’ll cover for me.”

In Lu Ye’s mind, the image of Lucian’s shining hairline flashed.

Got it!

She’s trying to train Lucian harder so the Sinnoh League as a whole gets stronger!

So touching… This is what a true Sinnoh Champion looks like!

“But she’s heading out alone to face Dialga and Palkia…” Lu Ye muttered.

“What was that?”

“Nothing. Let’s game tonight!”

…

In the study, the blonde beauty pondered deeply, fingers brushing her brow.

In the living room, Teacher Lu arranged his luggage methodically.

“Grah?”

Garchomp drooled at the leek planted in a pot.

“That’s not for eating—that’s Sirfetch’d’s leek!” Lu Ye snapped.

Garchomp immediately turned to look at Duck Duck, eyes lighting up:

“Grah~！（¯﹃¯）”

“Gaa! (´థ౪థ)σ” Duck Duck was mentally exhausted.

You can’t eat the leek, and you definitely can’t eat me, you b******!

Thirty years east of the river, don’t bully the young—

Lu Ye broke the spell with a casual remark:

“Garchomp also knows Swords Dance, Duck Duck. Maybe you can learn something from her.”

After all, every other member on the team had their moment to shine.

Lu Ye saw the determination in Sirfetch’d not to be left behind.

And truly—Trainer and Pokémon do reflect each other.

Even if he didn’t plan to become a Trainer, helping Duck Duck grow stronger was still worth it.

“Gaa!? (;´༎ຶД༎ຶ`)”

That’s not what you said when you caught me.

I never wanted to be Champion Duck~! (´థ౪థ)σ

“Grah!” Suddenly, Garchomp looked at Lu Ye in surprise.

“This is the Rainbow Wing,”

Lu Ye said, planting it into the pot.

“It’s kind of like my personal good luck charm.”

He casually released a burst of Aura Power to nourish the gently swaying feather.

At the same time—

Garchomp sensed a surge in room energy and was stunned.

Enough.

I approve of this marriage!

Lu Ye gazed at the Rainbow Wing, deep in thought.

After the battle with Ash, the feather’s energy seemed to restore a little more.

Maybe… this kind of powerful, heartfelt emotion is the key to awakening the Rainbow Wing?

He shrugged.

Still, Aura Power is just so useful!

“Let’s do another one—”

Lu Ye extended his hand and released a pulse of Aura Power—

—straight onto Garchomp’s intense form!

A hush fell over the living room.

Lu Ye froze: (⊙ˍ⊙)

“Grah?”

Garchomp blinked, then her expression changed completely.

A single cold sweat trickled down Lu Ye’s face.

Next moment, Garchomp opened her mouth wide:

“Grahhh~~(′▽`〃)”

It felt like her whole body had been massaged—so comfortable~

Lu Ye: ?

Aura Power works even on a Champion-level Garchomp!?

But thinking deeper—Aura exists in all things. Aaron’s Aura could even heal the Tree of Beginning.

And that tree was said to be the origin of all Pokémon life.

Which is why Aura Guardians were said to be naturally likable to Pokémon.

That Aura could bring comfort and closeness—it all made sense.

Lu Ye looked up in realization.

No wonder Aura could rival Arceus’ “Power of Overcoming”!

I mean, Viridian Power lets Pokémon go berserk, Psychic power lets you blow things up…

And Aura Power’s just a flashlight? That’s so weak!

With that, Lu Ye casually flung a wave of Aura at Gengar.

“Gengarr!! ヽ(≧∀≦)ﾉ”

Overjoyed, Gengar lashed out his long red tongue.

Lu Ye ducked and felt a chill.

“This isn’t Aura Power—this is dmn massage magic!!”

He wiped cold sweat from his brow.

Feels like that “Divine Hands” title from Donghuang’s healer rankings is about to hit a hard revoke…