I Really Didn’t Want to Be a Trainer

March 8th, Monday.

Snowpoint City, Snowpoint Gym.

Snow blanketed the top of the gym, and thick snow covered everything in sight.

Far off on a mountaintop stood Snowpoint Temple, looming like a black shadow.

Gym Leader Candice stood outside the gym, exhaling a cloud of white breath as she looked toward the temple.

“Mr. Brandon, the disaster drill notice has been sent out.”

Candice spoke into the Pokédex on her video call:

“Starting this afternoon, Snowpoint citizens will begin evacuating to nearby towns. We've reinforced major buildings with Light Screens and Reflects… Hopefully, the damage can be minimized.”

“Good work.”

The tough-looking man nodded with his arms crossed. “I’m keeping an eye on Regigigas’s movements. If anything happens, I’ll let you know immediately.”

“But…” Candice sounded worried. “If it comes to that, won’t it be too late to call for reinforcements?”

Brandon was guarding the Snowpoint Temple all by himself.

If Regigigas really awakens…

Even someone like Brandon, the Pyramid King, might not be able to hold out until help arrives.

Brandon said, “Don’t worry. Based on my years of research and the inscriptions I’ve deciphered… Regigigas’s Ability may be one-of-a-kind.”

“What is it?” Candice asked.

“Its reactions are extremely slow. The revival process usually takes five days to a week. I suspect it has an Ability similar to ‘Slow Start.’”

Brandon furrowed his brow. “If it awakens, our best shot is to seal it again during that sluggish period. That’s the key to our victory.”

Candice admired Brandon’s vast knowledge and said, “Got it. I’ll proceed with the evacuation and do my best to keep people calm.”

“There’s also an Aura Guardian on the way to assist you.”

Brandon added, “His name is Aogen. You’ll recognize him easily from his appearance and outfit—I’ll send you a photo. He should arrive this afternoon.” “Given his Aura skills,” Brandon recalled their meeting and nodded,

“There are few people alive who could match him.”

The title of Aura Guardian carried enormous prestige wherever it went.

Candice felt a little more at ease and nodded. “I’ll be waiting for Mr. Aogen at Snowpoint Gym.”

The call ended.

Brandon stood amid the icy snowfield, pants sunk deep into the snow, arms folded as he gazed at the rumbling Snowpoint Temple.

“Trying to ‘soothe the rage’… is just lying to ourselves.”

He let out a quiet sigh.

“Let’s hope the Sinnoh League can send over an Elite Four or Champion soon. We’ll need all the help we can get against Regigigas…”

At the Snowpoint Pokémon Center, Ash leaned on the counter and asked Nurse Joy.

“Yes.”

With a gentle voice and lovely face, the Nurse Joys always looked like they were made from the same mold.

This Joy, cheeks slightly pink, kept sneaking glances at Mr. Lu as she explained to Ash:

“According to the disaster drill, we’ll be closing this afternoon and relocating operations.”

Mizuki, dressed in a wine-red suit with light purple curls, furrowed his brow and muttered,

“Strange… Snowpoint has no tradition of disaster drills. Something’s definitely up.”

Suddenly, Mizuki sighed.

Looks like I’m working overtime again…

Well, that’s just how it is. After all, I am one of Sinnoh’s Elite Four.

“Nurse Joy! Is the Snowpoint Gym still accepting challengers?” Ash asked eagerly.

“It should still be open.”

Joy thought for a moment. “Since Leader Candice is overseeing everything, she’ll probably be the last to leave.”

Hearing that, Lu Ye couldn’t help but admire her a little more.

Candice seemed a bit more mature than Lily or Erika.

Come to think of it, Sinnoh’s gym system was just starting out, so most Gym Leaders were younger, and their main goal was to “revitalize the gyms.”

To sum it up in one sentence: they hadn’t been beaten down by life yet.

Meanwhile, in the more entertainment-driven Unova, Gym Leaders often had side gigs—

Like model Elesa, movie star Brycen, or mining tycoon Clay…

Even if they didn’t climb higher as Trainers, they had solid backup career plans.

As for Mr. Lu, he planned to go into livestreaming after retirement.

Or maybe go back home and marry cute little Mengmeng…

Snapping out of his thoughts, Lu Ye cleared his throat. “Well then, let’s head to Snowpoint Gym.”

“You’re coming too?” Mizuki looked surprised.

“With this many people evacuating, just doing inspections will take until tomorrow afternoon.”

Lu Ye replied casually, “Might as well wait until the crowds thin out before heading out.”

Of course, the real reason for going to Snowpoint Gym—

I can’t wait to see Ash get smacked around!

And if he actually beats Candice… I get to watch a bonus exhibition match for free—what a steal!

“In that case, allow me to lead the way.”

Mizuki adjusted his glasses with a serious look that was surprisingly dashing.

“I’m planning to uncover the truth behind Snowpoint City…”

But this dramatic moment was completely ignored by the other two.

“Loto, navigate us to Snowpoint Gym.”

“Rotom’s not a GPS, Roto! o(TヘTo)”

“Oh hush, you know your job is to be entertainment.”

Ash pumped his fist. “I’ve gotta get that badge! Pikachu, let’s go!”

“Pika-chuu~! (`皿´)”

Mizuki stood there, a little stunned.

This is clearly a three-person movie, yet I never even got a name.

“You two—wait up!”

“Be good and listen to your parents, alright?”

Candice gently patted a little girl’s head. “Go out of town with Mom and Dad.”

“Teacher, you do your best too!” The girl waved as she walked away holding her parents’ hands.

Candice smiled warmly and nodded firmly.

With that, the students from the training academy had all been evacuated.

Now it was time to plan how to face Regigigas!

Besides being a Gym Leader, Candice was also a teacher at the Trainer Academy.

Her greatest idol was Professor Rowan, and her guiding figure in education was Teacher Lila.

She had even applied to last year’s inter-school exchange match, hoping to represent Sinnoh.

But due to lack of experience, she wasn’t selected in the end.

Still, Candice was determined to become a strong and gentle teacher—

Just like Mr. Lu!

Bang!!

While Candice was deep in thought, the gym doors burst open.

“Excuse us!”

A lively young voice rang out.

“Anyone here? I’m Ash from Pallet Town, here to challenge the Gym!”

Candice stepped out of the shadows and smiled apologetically.

“Sorry, due to some special circumstances, we’re not accepting challengers right now.”

“Aw… but we traveled all this way.”

Ash didn’t give up. “Can’t you make an exception?”

“Hmm…”

Candice was about to say, “That would really put me in a tough spot,”

when her eyes shifted to the two people standing beside Ash.

She froze.

“You’re… Elite Four Mizuki of the Psychic-type?”

“The very same.”

Mizuki smiled faintly, feeling an odd wave of emotion.

It’s been two days… someone finally recognized me as an Elite Four!

“And this is…”

Before Lu Ye could speak, Candice’s eyes lit up.

“Mr. Lu!”

Lu Ye scratched his cheek and gave a sheepish grin.

Man, the fanbase is everywhere…

Next time, forget the Masters Tournament—just do intra-community matches. It’s all water friends from our group anyway!

“If this Trainer is endorsed by the two of you, then of course I’ll accept the challenge.”

Candice smiled warmly and turned. “Please follow me!”

Led by Candice, the three made their way into the gym’s battle arena.

Seeing Ash’s excited face, Mizuki opened his mouth to speak, but decided to save the heavier topic for later.

“Isn’t Candice cold?” Lu Ye suddenly whispered.

Mizuki followed his gaze.

In the frigid environment, Candice was still wearing just a shirt and skirt, with leather shoes and knee socks—her pale thighs fully exposed.

“Young folks don’t feel the cold,” Mizuki muttered back. “Unlike us old farts.”

“Who are you calling an old fart?” Lu Ye teased.

“M-Myself, obviously…” Mizuki grew meek at the thought of a certain Sinnoh Champion.

“But,” Lu Ye said, “maybe this is a form of training.”

“Ali in the group eats only one meal a day for his training.”

“Such admirable willpower,” Mizuki sighed.

As they chatted, the ice-covered battlefield came into view, lined with towering ice pillars.

“The Snowpoint Gym battles take place on an Ice Field,” Candice explained.

“It’s normally a six-on-four match… but given the situation, we’ll do a 3v3 format.”

“No problem!” Ash beamed. “I’m pretty familiar with ice fields!”

And he wasn’t lying.

Pikachu’s iconic win over Regice happened on an ice field conjured by the Legendary Pokémon itself.

Ice-types, with their terrible resistances, were the perfect prey for Ash’s fast-paced attack style.

Like a ladder match with a hyper-aggressive deck—

Either you wipe me in one go, or I tap out myself!

“You seem pretty confident,” Candice smiled, her eyes flashing with sharpness.

“But I’ll be giving it my all too!”

“I’ll serve as the judge—expect a fair and flawless ruling, Roto!”

Rotom dove into the drone camera, taking its place as the signature aerial ref in the Masters League.

Lu Ye and Mizuki sat on the sidelines, ready to commentate.

“What do you think the outcome will be, Mr. Lu?” Mizuki asked.

“Depends on whether Ash uses his main team,” Lu Ye replied.

“But knowing him, he’ll probably send out his newly caught Pokémon.”

“Using new Pokémon in every region?”

Mizuki raised an eyebrow. “That makes becoming a Champion way harder.”

“Bonds are about forming new connections and bringing out the best in them.”

Lu Ye chuckled. “Ash believes every Pokémon deserves the chance to prove itself.”

“That philosophy…” Mizuki smiled. “I admire it too.”

First Round

Ash sent out the burly Grotle.

Candice chose Weavile, using its speed advantage to weave around and harass.

But Grotle didn’t turtle up defensively.

“Roar!!”

Despite its wounds, Grotle endured Weavile’s sharp double slashes and reared up its forelegs for a crushing blow!

Weavile’s crystalline Ice Punch clashed against Grotle’s attack—crack!—the ice shattered instantly!

“Superpower, huh?” Mizuki nodded in praise. “Ash seized the opening well.”

Four-times weak to Fighting, Weavile was KO’d in one decisive hit.

Lu Ye said, “Looks like he gets type matchups… though sometimes he still plays recklessly.”

Candice didn’t flinch.

She sent out her ace: the mighty Abomasnow, roaring and scattering icy crystals!

Towering like an evergreen, Abomasnow was covered in spiky frost and pine-like branches. As it swung its thick limbs, chilling mist surged.

Its Snow Warning triggered—hail began to fall!

Ash recalled his battered Grotle and sent out Gliscor. “Fire Fang!”

Lu Ye frowned.

Just after praising Ash, he sent out something 4x weak to Ice?!

Still, Fire Fang was super effective against the Grass/Ice Abomasnow.

It all depended on who landed the hit first!

“In a city constantly blanketed in snow, I’ve come to understand—ice isn’t as fragile as people think.”

Candice’s gaze sharpened. “Even flames that can melt steel can be swallowed by ultimate frost!”

“Abomasnow, Wood Hammer!”

A blur of icy white rushed forward as Abomasnow stomped the ground, charging like an avalanche toward Gliscor.

Its burning fangs bit into Abomasnow, leaving visible scorch marks, but it wasn’t enough.

“Roar!!”

Abomasnow followed up with a Heavy Slam, icy shards swirling around its arm, forming a frozen fist!

Thud!!

Gliscor went flying and was knocked out.

Even so, Ash didn’t waver.

Facing overwhelming odds, he threw another Poké Ball:

“Infernape, I’m counting on you!”

A scrappy little Infernape with fierce, unwavering eyes leapt into the fray.

Engaged in close combat, it erupted in golden flames, its crimson eyes blazing.

With blazing wheels of fire, it drove back the towering Abomasnow!

Abomasnow stumbled back several meters, a flicker of respect in its eyes.

Soon after, Infernape finished it off with a clean hit!

“Every time I see Master Bro, I’m a fan all over again.”

Lu Ye grinned. “Wonder when we’ll see it evolve?”

“Master Bro?” Mizuki asked, confused.

“Oh, it’s the nickname for Ash’s Infernape. It’s insanely talented.”

“I can tell…” Mizuki nodded. “But using it this match… might’ve been a stretch.”

Candice’s final Pokémon appeared—a hauntingly beautiful Froslass.

Still nearly full HP, it swept Ash’s two wounded Pokémon effortlessly.

“Victory goes to Gym Leader Candice, Roto!”

Rotom declared.

Ash and Candice shook hands. Ash scratched his head and asked,

“Candice, can I come challenge again in a few days?”

Candice blinked, then smiled.

“Of course. I look forward to seeing you give it your all.”

“Thanks so much!” Ash grinned wide.

“All right, now that the match is done…”

Mizuki stood, suddenly serious. “Candice, there’s something I need to ask—”

But he was promptly ignored again.

“Mr. Lu, could you please have a match with me?”

“Me?” Lu Ye pointed at himself, puzzled.

Candice nodded earnestly.

“My dream is to become a qualified teacher at a Trainer Academy.”

“I watched the inter-school tournament last year—your performance really left an impression.”

She looked up, eyes shining. “I’d love for you to teach me the path of a teacher!”

“Hmm…”

Lu Ye fell silent.

So ‘path of a teacher’ means using trading cards to trick students and entering the Baby Cup yourself?

“Ahem… I don’t mind, but honestly, I’m not sure what to teach.” Lu Ye replied sincerely.

“No worries.”

Candice raised a Poké Ball, eyes sharp. “Let’s battle.”

“In a match, a Trainer’s heart will naturally show itself!”

Mizuki’s words caught in his throat. He awkwardly sat back down and patted the seat beside him.

“Don’t just stand there, Ash—come study!”

“Got it~” Ash cupped his hands around his mouth. “Go get ‘em, Candice!”

Lu Ye blinked, then looked annoyed.

My own student, cheering for the other side?!

Still, Candice was completely sincere.

Lu Ye rolled up his sleeves, grabbed a Poké Ball, and walked to the edge of the battlefield.

Then he smirked.

“Rotom, bring out the rice cooker—no, microwave mode first!”