I Really Didn’t Want to Be a Trainer

March 10th, early morning, light snow.

After last night's victory banquet, Lu Ye felt utterly exhausted and went to bed early.

The newly acquired [Petaya Berry] would have to wait until returning home before Teacher Lu could experiment with new recipes.

Midnight.

Haunter led the group outside to admire the snow, standing on the hotel's open-air terrace watching crystal-like snowflakes drift down.

"Gengarrr~" The plump Haunter exhaled a white puff of breath, a red scarf wrapped around its body.

Stretching out its stubby arms, it watched snowflakes melt in its palms before grinning widely:

"Gengarrr! ヾ(^▽^ヾ)"

Cynthia, dressed in black, sat reading at a round table by the floor-to-ceiling window.

Warm orange light illuminated her elegant nose, giving her face an air of cool beauty and pride. But when she lifted her golden-haired face, propping her chin as she gazed at Haunter outside, a tender smile graced her lips.

"Apprehending poachers, facing Regigigas directly..."

Cynthia murmured softly with a faint smile:

"He must be exhausted too."

On the table before her lay a sketch covered with densely written and crossed-out item names.

The indecisive champion remained deep in thought late into the night about what reward the League should give.

"Roserade~" Roserade extended fragrant blossoms to offer a cup of coffee.

Clutching the warm mug, Cynthia slid open the glass door and stepped onto the terrace.

"Gengarr?" Haunter turned with a broad grin.

Then it waved enthusiastically at the Spiritomb behind Cynthia: "Gengarr! (￣▽￣)／"

Spiritomb shyly folded its fan-like body, responding with a muffled: "Shika...(*ﾉωﾉ)"

"Glaceon?"

The light-blue Glaceon shook its icy bangs, scattering crystals while looking around for Sylveon.

"Eevee...(*･ω-q)"

Meanwhile, Sylveon lay curled in Lu Ye's arms in the darkened room, lazily yawning.

This was a night where excessive physical exertion guaranteed sleep without needing [Yawn].

The night floated with hazy white mist like velvet draping over dreams.

Cynthia lifted her chin, slightly disappointed at the absent stars.

Sirfetch'd in snowy white plumage tugged her coat, brandishing its leek: "Quack!"

The leek whipped up strong gusts that swirled away falling snow and clouds.

Under [Defog]'s effect, the dark clouds parted briefly.

Starlight poured down to illuminate their small terrace before being veiled again.

"Quack! (๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧" The romantic white knight bowed with sword and shield.

"Beautiful,"

Cynthia smiled faintly, nodding:

"Thank you, Sirfetch'd."

"Quack! ⁄(⁄⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄⁄)⁄" The duck blushed.

"Lucario."

Lucario nodded slightly like a proud warrior toward Blastoise's scarred back.

Having witnessed Blastoise's courage against Regigigas, the aura Pokémon felt deeply satisfied with this junior.

"Garchomp."

Cynthia called softly.

"Garr?"

Garchomp turned its gaze.

The black hair ornaments on Cynthia's head were personally designed after Garchomp's spindle-shaped protrusions.

In another sense, Garchomp was her ultimate partner with deeply rooted bonds.

Much like a certain shady trainer and his sleep-inducing Pokémon...

Smiling, Cynthia said: "I've decided on the gift."

"Garchomp!?" Garchomp's eyes widened incredulously.

"The Lunar Wing - a mystical feather that dispels nightmares and brings sweet dreams."

Cynthia mused: "I believe this would be most appropriate."

As a legendary artifact preserved by Sinnoh League, the [Lunar Wing] was exceptionally rare.

Yet the contributions from these two incidents far outweighed such a reward.

Crossing her arms, Cynthia smiled helplessly.

"Somehow... the debt keeps growing..."

Dawn broke over a sunlit Snowpoint City, snow reflecting golden light.

Whoosh—

Lu Ye energetically drew back the curtains to a dazzling white vista.

Through the window, he could see scaffolding around the rebuilding Snowpoint Temple.

Remembering the contact number he'd given to Brandon, Lu Ye muttered:

"That Sinnoh-style renovation crew works fast..."

"Arf!"

In the courtyard, Arcanine rolled joyfully through snowdrifts like a fluffy Alaskan malamute.

Its body heat soon melted the thick snow into slush.

"Thanks to Teacher Lu... for having Arcanine help shovel," Candice leaned on her shovel, wiping sweat.

"Whoa! Is Arcanine's movement some training secret?"

Ash's eyes sparkled as he held a shovel.

"Let me try!"

He tossed his shovel aside and began rolling happily like Arcanine.

"Uh..." Candice blinked at Aaron beside her.

Aaron adjusted his glasses resignedly: "That's just him. Don't mind it."

"Oh... okay." Candice nodded blankly.

By noon, Snowpoint City regained vitality, and its Gym reopened.

Lu Ye and Cynthia's group watched Ash challenge Candice again.

"Chimchar, use Flame Wheel!"

Ash pointed dramatically.

"Char!" Chimchar wreathed in golden flames somersaulted toward Abomasnow.

"Roooar!"

Abomasnow blocked with crossed arms, skidding meters across ice before collapsing defeated.

"Abomasnow is unable to battle, Rotom!"

The Rotom Dex waved a flag cheerfully:

"Winner: Ash from Pallet Town!"

"Yes! I got the Icicle Badge!"

Ash cheered, spinning hand-in-hand with Chimchar.

Lu Ye twitched: "Candice went easy, right?"

"Not 'going easy,'"

Aaron said profoundly: "It's building a trainer's confidence."

"Besides, Ash's skills already qualify him for the League Conference!"

True enough.

Lu Ye thought wryly: If they used Red's tournament rules...

Legendary spammers? Darkrai? Latios?

Ash could probably one-punch them all!

"You're returning to Sinnoh League?" Lu Ye asked Cynthia.

She nodded, eyes thoughtful:

"I can't always have you handling my duties."

"As Sinnoh Champion, I have responsibilities too."

Lu Ye: "Just make Aaron work overtime."

Cynthia paused, arms crossed as she tilted her head:

"Hmm... feasible..."

Ultimately though, she decided to report the incident to Sinnoh League first.

She also planned to request the [Lunar Wing] from them—

as a surprise for Lu Ye.

While slightly disappointed, Lu Ye quickly recovered.

His priority now was recuperating in Sandgem Town to recover from exhaustion!

Both Blastoise and Teacher Lu felt drained after Mega Evolution.

After all, Bond Power stems from trainer-Pokémon emotions.

Deeper bonds mean stronger power—

which also meant Lu Ye's single Mega Evolution drained him like three or four uses for others.

Before departing, Lu Ye asked surprised:

"Ash, aren't you coming back with me?"

Ash grinned determinedly:

"I'm going to Iron Island with Sir Aogen for training!"

"I'll prove to Paul," Ash clenched his fist, eyes blazing, "the bonds between Chimchar, Staraptor... all of us!"

(If you used your old team, you'd have wrecked Paul already...)

But this was classic "Bond Person" behavior—new region, new team.

Recalling Professor Oak's words—"Titles are both talent and encouragement"—Lu Ye nodded.

Even the "Fighting Person" had faced Elite Four schemes alone.

The "Bond Person" training new Pokémon to forge bonds made perfect sense.

Come to think of it...

Lu Ye looked skyward.

As the "Strategy Person," having higher Hypnosis accuracy and better Ally Switch timing... was only natural!

"I should... return to Sinnoh League too," Aaron said weakly, lips pale.

"Go get 'em," Lu Ye flashed a bright grin:

"You must defeat that challenger!"

(Look how thrilled Aaron is!)

Aaron: "Ha... haha!"

Cynthia also returned to Sinnoh League.

The golden-haired beauty, hands in pockets and black coat crisp, elegantly mounted Garchomp.

With a faint smile, she nodded at Lu Ye.

He returned the gesture wistfully.

After farewells, Garchomp soared away trailing contrails.

Lu Ye turned to Haunter: "Let's go home."

"First thing—proper rest..."

Then he called to Ash:

"Ash, I might need your help soon—keep your schedule open!"

Ash cheered energetically:

"Roger!"

"Let's go, Sir Aogen! To Iron Island!"

Ash couldn't wait to test skills against the island's wild Pokémon.

Aogen exchanged an amused glance with his Lucario beneath his gentleman's hat.

His reason for allowing Ash to accompany him?

Aogen greatly admired Ash's innate aura talent.

With guidance, this youth—whose aura resembled their ancestor's—would grow rapidly.

But...

Recalling the Regigigas battle, Aogen grew thoughtful.

Even as an advanced Aura Guardian, he couldn't perceive Lu Ye's aura clearly.

It seemed... a primordial, pure aura power originating from the Tree of Beginning.

Suddenly sensing something, Aogen jerked his head toward Lu Ye's departing direction.

His eyes widened incredulously.

"No wonder I couldn't see through it."

He murmured hoarsely, "Teacher Lu... has been concealing his true strength all along..."

That was high-level aura capable of calming Pokémon and transferring energy!

Meanwhile.

Lu Ye had just crushed a [Special Upgrade Ticket], elevating his [Aura] from intermediate to advanced.

"Yo!"

Testing the intensified blue glow from his hands, he said cheerfully:

"Brighter flashlight now!"

Where intermediate level strained with legendaries,

advanced level should handle even legendary "negotiations" comfortably.

Pleased, Lu Ye gave Haunter an aura boost.

"Gengarr! (⁎˃ꌂ˂⁎)" Haunter's eyes glowed red before lashing out with [Lick].

"No! Bad! Rotom, save me!"

Chat Group:

Members had heard about Snowpoint's incident.

"Regigigas returned to sleep?"

Green sighed relieved, "Professor Oak wanted me to go... but it's resolved."

Red simply smiled:

"With Teacher Lu there, naturally."

Lu Ye paled.

(We nearly got wiped! Not everyone can solo a tier-one legendary!)

Ash declared: "I saw Teacher Lu's Mega Blastoise repel Regigigas!"

Lu Ye blinked.

(Regigigas did retreat one step...

but our shell got shattered mid-Mega!)

Though...

(Technically not wrong?)

The chat fell silent.

Facing a tier-one legendary head-on, repelling it, and preventing regional destruction...

Such feats matched champion-level accomplishments!

Ethan gulped: "Badass!"

Lance murmured: "You went to arrest poachers... and casually fought Regigasus?"

(Something feels off... but accurate...)

Lu Ye sent a 'Pikachu nodding' sticker.

Celadon Anemone: [Too scared to speak·jpg]

New member Candice smiled: "Thanks to Teacher Lu, Snowpoint Temple is being rebuilt."

Her testimony boosted Ash's credibility.

Everyone imagined Lu Ye single-handedly suppressing Regigasus—

"So this is the Kalos Champion's feat?" Silver murmured.

Comparable to Red vs Mewtwo, Steven vs Kyogre/Groudon!

On Mt. Silver, a red-jacketed figure tipped his hat, smirking:

"Things are getting interesting!"

The chat brimmed with elite energy.

Lu Ye felt something was amiss.

Fortunately, this was classified—no publicity.

Otherwise, headlines like [Teacher Lu Suppresses Regigasus!] might appear.

Clearing his throat, Lu Ye said:

"I'm resting in Sandgem Town."

"Understandable,"

Lila nodded gracefully: "Battling such Pokémon requires recovery."

Marshal popped in: "Wait, Teacher Lu wrecked Regigasus!?"

Brock, after tending siblings, read the chat and gasped:

"Teacher Lu repelled Regigasus unscathed!?"

New Island, Team Rocket Base.

Giovanni reviewed reports from Matori.

"Shinou shipments increased 12%, with rising satisfaction..."

Under their mentor's leadership, Team Rocket's reputation grew steadily there.

Unlike Team Galactic's "new world" fanatics, Rockets were pragmatic.

More importantly—

Giovanni frowned at the [Snowpoint Temple] report:

"Verified?"

"By Gym Leader Candice and Pyramid King Brandon!"

Matori said: "Mentor quelled Regigasus' rage and resealed it!"

Giovanni closed his eyes, picturing Lu Ye facing a deity.

Even he felt stirrings of excitement.

The middle-aged man smirked through wrinkles:

"You... always have new tricks up your sleeve!"