Chapter 436: The Mole Is... Adorably Cute?!
"The ruins are deep and slippery, it's normal to have some moisture," Lu Ye said.
"Gengaa~! (*⊙~⊙)" Gengar nodded eagerly, slurping its tongue in agreement.
Mustardseed eyed him suspiciously, then lowered her head to inspect the cube-shaped Spear Key, mumbling:
"Forget it... It won't affect the research."
"You know where it's from?" Cynthia asked curiously.
"I’ll need to analyze its elemental composition before I can say for sure."
Mustardseed slowly put on her reading glasses and said, "It’s said that ancient civilizations found ways to borrow divine power... I think it might be related to those old legends."
Cynthia raised her eyebrows slightly. "Borrow divine power?"
Mustardseed adjusted her glasses, her gaze profound.
"There was once a kingdom in Sinnoh called Michina. Legend has it that its king received power from Arceus." "And the deities of the three lakes—Time, Space, and Darkness..."
Mustardseed said softly, "A triangle is the most stable structure. That’s also the focal point in Sinnoh mythology."
Cynthia crossed her arms and rested her chin on one hand, a thoughtful expression flashing across her gray eyes.
"Oh, I see now!"
Lu Ye nodded slowly, looking like he completely understood.
"You actually got all that?" Cynthia and Mustardseed asked in unison.
Lu Ye froze, feeling like he’d just been caught bluffing.
Still, he did remember the Sinnoh movie trilogy: Dialga, Palkia, Giratina, and Arceus… They matched what Mustardseed just described.
But explaining that to her would be way too awkward.
"I got it," Lu Ye coughed into his fist. "Mostly."
"Fair enough."
Cynthia nodded thoughtfully. "Ancient civilizations are kind of your thing, after all."
"Whoa!"
It was the first time Mustardseed had heard her granddaughter praise someone this highly. She chuckled.
"Lu Ye, let me study this for a while, okay?"
That was exactly what Lu Ye had hoped. The fewer major-plot-related flags he touched, the better. He nodded immediately. "Be my guest!"
Mustardseed took an even greater liking to him and grinned, eyes crinkling.
"While I’m researching, you can just stay here at the house with Cynthia…"
"Huh?!" Lu Ye and Cynthia exclaimed at the same time.
Mustardseed tapped her cane and glanced at them. "Got a problem with that?"
Cynthia hesitated, then glanced at Lu Ye, a bit uneasy. "But… I still need to get back to the Sinnoh League…"
"It’s fine. Just three days."
Mustardseed chuckled. "Three days is all I need to fully analyze this thing!"
Lu Ye raised a brow.
Instinctively, he glanced to the side—only to lock eyes with Cynthia. Her expression held a mix of helplessness, a warning, and slight embarrassment…
They were already living under the same roof.
But now it sounded… different.
Wait a sec… Cynthia gently bit her lip, feeling a bit overwhelmed.
They just met last night, and her grandma was already this approving?
She was torn—happy that her grandma approved, but also unsure if things were moving too fast. Her cheeks flushed pink.
Meanwhile, Lu Ye was chatting and laughing with Mustardseed.
"You’re a true academic legend! Professor Oak always praises your work."
"Really now, haha, that Oak Snow Shigeru has a good eye!"
"By the way, warm Moomoo Milk tastes better. I’ve got a few recipe ideas..."
"Ohoho! When Cynthia’s not around, I’ll show you her room..."
"Grandma!" Cynthia crossed her arms and raised her voice a little.
"Alright, alright."
Mustardseed took the Spear Key from Lu Ye, placed it in a special container, walked over to her granddaughter, and said to Lu Ye:
"Cynthia and I have some things to discuss… You go wash up and get some rest."
Lu Ye nodded. He knew they hadn’t seen each other in a while, so of course they’d want to talk.
Just as he was about to step outside for some air, Mustardseed added:
"This key affects the surrounding space. It’s an incredibly rare resource..."
"As compensation, you can train near the Lustrous Orb and Adamant Orb while I study this."
"As for training methods," Mustardseed glanced at Cynthia, "I don’t think I need to spell it out."
Professor Lu: ???
Trade one Spear Key for access to the Lustrous Orb and Adamant Orb!?
Only three days of usage, sure—but with his team’s talent...
They might just level up hard enough to break the ranks!
Lu Ye wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Grandma, are you nuts?!
"Gengaa! (๑`▽´๑)۶"
Gengar pumped its little fists excitedly.
Relax, relax! Leave the training to me!
In these precious three days, I’ll make sure we all get stronger!
"I’ll help too."
Cynthia smiled. "That way we can prevent… certain training mishaps."
This setup was insane: Champion-level private tutoring with legendary-tier resources.
Lu Ye's face darkened.
This could fast-forward to Gengar using Spacial Rend and bankrupting the Pokémon Company in a single shot!
Even worse—
This wasn’t just private coaching for Gengar.
Looked like Cynthia was planning to give the whole team a lesson!
Oh no. This was a full-team mole operation. Even meeting the in-laws was a trap!
Lu Ye shivered and said awkwardly:
"Grandma, I’m totally fine with you doing the research. You really don’t need to compensate me..."
"Nonsense! Every day is precious for a Trainer."
Mustardseed widened her eyes. "The three days I’m using? Gotta make up for it somehow."
Then, as if realizing what Lu Ye was worried about, she whispered:
"Don’t worry. As long as you don’t take the container out, training near the Lustrous Orb and Adamant Orb won’t be a problem."
Lu Ye: "What if I do take it out?"
Mustardseed averted her gaze and muttered to herself, "Scientific accidents... happen. Worst case, Cynthia writes you a report."
"Grandma!" Cynthia scolded.
"Alright, no more jokes," Mustardseed said seriously. "I hope you make the most of these three days."
"After all..." She raised her brows, "Cynthia’s strength is no joke."
She clearly hoped Lu Ye’s strength would reach Cynthia’s level.
But Lu Ye had already laid his cards on the table with Cynthia.
He wasn’t chasing power—he valued the bond with his Pokémon most.
Still, it was a kind gesture from Mustardseed.
Lu Ye sighed deeply and looked at Gengar beside him.
"Take it easy. Watch your training hours and take care of your health!"
"Gengaa~(இωஇ)" Gengar was touched, and stuck out its long red tongue to lick Lu Ye.
Paralysis triggered!
In Cynthia’s nonchalant gaze and Mustardseed’s stunned expression—
Lu Ye pulled out a Johto specialty, the Anger Bun, and chomped down to cure the paralysis.
"Whoa, new flavor today!" Cynthia said in surprise.
"Mm… (￣～￣)" Lu Ye mumbled as he chewed. "Gengar’s got more in its pocket. Want one?"
Cynthia smiled. "Give me one too!"
"You two—"
Mustardseed angrily smacked her cane.
"Stop acting like I’m invisible, alright?!"
…
The clock struck 10:30.
Mustardseed, fueled by academic passion, took her granddaughter and the Spear Key to the research lab next door.
Cynthia was equally intrigued.
For the paper she was co-writing with Lu Ye—
The discovery of the Spear Key was priceless material!
Meanwhile, Professor Lu, blissfully unaware of the danger ahead,
stepped out into the moist night air, gazing at the starlit sky.
Still too early to sleep.
This town wasn’t bustling like Goldenrod—it was already silent by ten.
Just imagining Gengar being coached by Adorably Cute herself tomorrow...
Lu Ye’s expression turned complicated.
He might actually be on the verge of Elite Four-level strength!
If he ended up challenging Wusong or Da Ye in the Champion League—
"Wait, hold on… What am I even worried about?"
Lu Ye muttered to himself:
"I’ll just keep doing the Baby Cup."
Everyone knew—Professor Lu never entered the Baby Cup.
It was technically a league tournament, but you’d run into beasts like Ash and Darkrai’s trainer.
Fighting Legendary-mon users? No thanks!
Feeling more relaxed, Lu Ye strolled up a hillside outside town.
Twenty minutes later, he spotted Team Rocket’s trio still camping and shivering.
Lu Ye blinked. "I told you to wait on standby, not pitch camp on the spot."
"I-It’s fine, we’re used to it, nya!" Meowth wiped its nose and grinned.
"There’s a family inn in town, should still be open now."
The trio exchanged looks, then slumped. "Actually... we’re broke."
Professor Lu: ???
"We didn’t tell you this yet?"
Meowth glanced at him nervously and whispered:
"We used the money from selling cards to build a robot, and Hunter J blew it up, nya."
"But don’t worry!" Jessie declared boldly. "We’ll earn it back and pay you with interest!"
"This museum job is a great opportunity!" James rubbed his hands excitedly.
"..." Lu Ye sighed, pulled out his bank card, and handed it to Meowth.
"Huh?" Meowth blinked in confusion.
"Go get a room. Pay me back once you earn something."
Lu Ye scowled. "Take care of yourselves first, you three idiots."
The trio looked at each other, then lunged forward to hug him.
"Boss!! ﾍ(;´Д｀ﾍ)"
"Hey! I said I’d get it back—Wobbuffet, why are you jumping in too?! Wait up!"
…
Since it was still early—
Lu Ye brought the trio to meet Professor Mustardseed, introducing them as "reliable workers who can do everything except catch Pikachu."
"Oh?"
Mustardseed adjusted her glasses and examined the overly attentive trio. "The job will last about a week… can you handle it?"
"Leave it to us!"
Mustardseed nodded in approval, then muttered to herself:
"Is it just my old eyes playing tricks... or did Meowth just talk?"
Lu Ye glanced at the “working trio.”
After some thought, he opened a chat group.
He composed a message and sent it privately to a certain “Justice Warrior” known for cross-regional arrests.
“Senior Lance, could you send me all available info on the Poaching Syndicate in Sinnoh?”
He added a little emoji—blood dripping off a blade.
…