Chapter 476: Teacher Lu's Team Ranking
The Pokémon egg Cynthia mentioned would likely be delivered to Lu Ye within the next few days. To complete the necessary procedures, Cynthia needed to return to Floaroma Town briefly.
Lu Ye gazed at the distant figure in a black trench coat riding away on her Garchomp's back, her heroic silhouette fading into the horizon. Recalling yesterday's events, a faint smile appeared on his face.
"Wonder what kind of Pokémon it'll be," Lu Ye mused aloud. "Worst case scenario, Haunter can babysit. At least we won't hatch something with a terrible temper."
In Lu Ye's experience, pseudo-legendary baby Pokémon included Ash's shy and introverted Larvitar that was eventually released on Mt. Silver, and the energetic Gible that loved chewing on everything. Both belonged to the 'Monster' egg group - their adult forms were truly ferocious warriors, though their baby forms were adorable.
"But the real problem is..." Lu Ye wiped cold sweat from his brow. "I probably can't afford either of them?"
Though soon to escape poverty, according to Pokédex entries, Larvitar's evolution required consuming an entire mountain's worth of minerals. Gible was slightly more affordable, but still costly. If either of these two hatched, Teacher Lu's savings might go bankrupt again.
However... across all eight generations so far, there were nine pseudo-legendaries. Among them, Dratini and Goomy were equally cute with relatively lower raising costs.
A one-in-nine chance - you think you can beat those odds?!
Since his bond with Haunter deepened and Hypnosis' accuracy kept improving, Teacher Lu felt confident about probability again!
"Oh right!" A lightbulb seemed to appear above Lu Ye's head. "This time let Ducklett handle babysitting duty!" Last time, for some reason, Togepi started learning moves and managing itself immediately after hatching. Surely under Sirfetch'd's guidance, even a pseudo-legendary with stats rivaling mythical Pokémon would happily embrace slacking off!
Though Teacher Lu and his Pokémon lived in poverty with 'low combat power', they excelled at staying optimistic!
Full of ambition, Lu Ye called Olivia to check on the Pokémon game's development progress.
"We've reached the main story's Silph Co. segment featuring Giovanni," Olivia said, then frowned. "But his team's levels seem too high? Even Blue in the original games only had level 60 Pokémon."
Following Lu Ye's instructions, Giovanni's team averaged level 55+, a nightmare for new players.
Lu Ye: "That's called respecting canon."
Blue from that era might actually lose against Giovanni one-on-one. Besides, while other gym leaders prioritized fancy models, only Boss Giovanni cared about Pokémon levels. They had to fulfill this small request!
Olivia: "We should have a test version by May, then we'll invite gaming bloggers and streamers for trials and reviews."
"No problem, I'll help promote it too," Lu Ye said.
Olivia froze momentarily. She'd almost forgotten her boss was a gaming YouTuber with millions of followers! But... even handling sponsorships yourself? Isn't that too much?
Blushing slightly, Olivia murmured: "That's so like the boss..."
......
Lu Ye planned to send Giovanni a test copy later. "Wonder how his relationship with Silver is going."
Gazing skyward, Lu Ye mused that perhaps when father and son reconciled and Team Rocket gained recognition, he could reveal his mentor identity to the group chat members...
After all, hadn't everyone present been invited by Giovanni at some point and owned a Team Rocket uniform?
Right, Ethan?
......
It was another weekend - sunny with pleasant temperatures. Lu Ye lay with one arm behind his head, the other holding a Contest Guide as he yawned.
Despite his master-level Contest coordination skills, the event procedures were tedious. Having agreed to be a judge for Ruby, he needed to memorize these details.
"Apparently in Kalos Contests, judges score based on contestants' outfits, even style and appearance," Lu Ye read aloud, raising an eyebrow. "Wouldn't I get full marks then?"
"Gengarrr! ︿(￣︶￣)︿" Haunter was long accustomed to its trainer's shamelessness.
Taking advantage of the sunny weather, Haunter floated into the yard to wash and sun-dry its favorite little blanket. Meanwhile, Sylveon practiced battle drills with Sirfetch'd, maintaining several meters' distance.
"Fuuuu! (`皿´)"
"Quack~(´థ౪థ)σ"
Fortunately, Sylveon was training defensive techniques this time. A sparkling pink Barrier shimmered before it, blocking Sirfetch'd's strikes. Under sunlight, the combination of Light Screen and Reflect created unique beauty.
Currently only two layers were stacked - far from Diancie's signature Diamond Storm's absolute defense. But setting up dual screens early to weaken opponents' offenses was such a dirty tactic...
Lu Ye declared loudly: "I shall name this... the Silver Screen Mirror Wall!"
"Fuuu?" Sylveon knocked Sirfetch'd flying with its screens, tilting its head questioningly.
"Nothing." Lu Ye coughed into his fist. "Take it easy on Ducklett."
"Quack! (´థ౪థ)σ" Sirfetch'd lay on the ground, looking at Lu Ye with moved eyes.
"Blastoise! ヾ(⌐■_■)" The turtle Pokémon gave a thumbs-up while chewing on a herb. Don't worry, with the team medic here, no one's dying today!
Lu Ye blinked, then twitched. Ash's Sceptile chewing a twig looked cool, but... Blastoise, why are you chewing a Revival Root? Trying to scam insurance?
"Executing training plan, Rotom~!" The Rotom Dex spun midair, projecting numerous data screens.
"Regarding the training plan, I have a modest proposal," Lu Ye said seriously.
"Beep beep, cannot comprehend, Rotom! Σ(っ°Д°;
)っ" Rotom panicked. The master personally overseeing training? The end of an era!
"How about changing the training location?" Lu Ye grinned like a devil. "Let's all go to Professor Rowan's research lab!"
......
To help their trainer achieve Pokémon Master status sooner, the team trained extra hard, unwilling to miss any experience points in sight. The backyard rangers had long been traumatized, refusing any challenges from Haunter.
"Geng~" Haunter sighed regretfully. Winning could've earned more pocket money for its trainer.
Lu Ye awkwardly comforted the demoralized rangers. They'd be at the research lab long-term, so maintaining good relations was important. Couldn't overexploit them - needed sustainable development...
Coming along this time, Teacher Lu also wanted to practice his Contest Coordination. As a judge, he couldn't appear unprofessional.
Closing his eyes, Lu Ye recalled evaluations stating Sylveon and Togepi were his most Contest-suitable Pokémon. Especially Sylveon - even coordination masters couldn't find flaws. If not judging, he might've competed for Mikuri Cup prizes...
"What a shame!" Lu Ye sighed heavily. "Could've earned double the money!"
Nearby, Sylveon practiced Psychic Fangs, learned from Sabrina's TM. Unlike Psychic which attacked with psychic waves, Psychic Fangs materialized psychic energy into sharp blades for physical damage - perfect for Sylveon's close-combat style.
Using traditional 'pay-to-win training', the required item was a Dawn Stone Lu Ye purchased at great cost.
"Fuuu! (▼ヘ▼#)" Sylveon faced off against Haunter several meters away, battle imminent.
"I'll referee, Rotom!" The Rotom Dex extended a mechanical arm holding a referee flag.
Lu Ye: "Where'd you get a referee flag?"
Rotom replied: "I also bought a starter pistol online, Rotom!"
Lu Ye raised an eyebrow. So that's how Togepi kept making in-app purchases! This little rascal hacked my payment password!
Considering Rotom usually served as kitchenware, navigation, and spent all earnings on electricity, with only two hobbies - cosplaying as Dragonfly Captain and a washing machine - Lu Ye decided to let it off this time, keeping the payment authorization but making Rotom edit videos to repay.
"Cannot comprehend, Rotom! o(TヘTo)"
"Next time I'll make Electric-type Pokéblocks," Lu Ye smiled. "Battle's starting - go referee!"
Rotom's screen displayed a big smile as it floated upward.
"Geng! (ૢ˃ꌂ˂⁎)"
The battle began with Haunter forming a Shadow Ball lobbed at Sylveon! The shimmering Barrier weakened the attack significantly before it exploded into dark smoke. Sylveon shot out like white lightning, its ribbon glowing brilliantly!
Instantly, the area was bathed in Dazzling Gleam's radiant light, waves of energy converging on Haunter.
"Geng!" Haunter teleported away from the AoE, its crimson eyes glowing blue at close range. Hypnosis!
"Fuuu! (〃＞皿＜)" Sylveon anticipated this, closing its eyes while its ribbons glowed sharply, slashing out.
Psychic energy materialized into spinning blades that sliced through Haunter's Protect shield, leaving gashes in the ground!
"Geng!" Haunter dodged by floating upward, grinning.
Spectating rangers were stunned. "Holy shit, this is just practice?"
"Teacher Lu's Pokémon execute tactics without commands!"
"At this level, they could dominate Master Class..."
Lu Ye rubbed his chin, watching the friendly match with a complicated expression. Had his team gotten this strong already?
The battle continued. Under Sylveon's relentless Psychic Fangs, Haunter grew increasingly flustered. But seizing a charging moment, Haunter gathered a highly corrosive Sludge Bomb.
Super effective against Fairy-types, the Barrier corroded instantly. Though Sylveon dodged swiftly, Haunter's pre-placed Shadow Ball connected.
BOOM!!
When dust cleared, Sylveon struggled up before collapsing, pouting unwillingly.
"Fuuu..(｡•ˇ‸ˇ•｡)..." So close! Just a little more could've won!
Haunter panted heavily, triumphantly hands-on-hips before staggering back to play dead.
"Geng~（◑▽◐）"
Lu Ye mentally cheered: "High EQ move!"
Sylveon turned away: "Fuu! o(´^｀)o" This time I lost~ But for him, I'll get stronger and win next time!
The backyard was littered with craters from stray attacks, making rangers gulp. If these were just collateral effects... actually accepting Haunter's challenge would've been suicide!
Applying Potion spray, Lu Ye patted Sylveon's head as it drooped dejectedly.
"It's okay," Lu Ye smiled. "No matter your strength or battle results... what matters to me is you, not victories."
"Fuu..." Sylveon purred softly, nuzzling him.
"Togepri~! ヾ(◍°∇°◍)ﾉﾞ" Suddenly Togepi waved a toy clapper, cheering for the exciting match with crisp applause.
Lu Ye blinked: "Another online purchase?"
"Dui!" Togepi nodded proudly. Now I can clap too~!
......
As Lu Ye's starter Pokémon deeply versed in his tactics, Haunter remained the team's big brother. Against Blastoise in normal form, the turtle only defended without counterattacking.
"Fuuu! (*｀皿´*)ﾉ"
"Blas... ヾ(⌐■_■)" Blastoise endured the assault stoically until its shell cracked and it collapsed, eyes swirled.
Lu Ye stared blankly before asking Rotom: "Did it really faint or was it throwing?"
Rotom answered uncertainly: "Probably kept defending anticipating Sylveon's counterattack... then just... never attacked..."
Lu Ye couldn't help an astonished curse. Without commands, his Sylveon actually knocked out Blastoise! Given Blastoise's personality - without decisive killing blows, it would never strike carelessly...
Despite poor sparring records, its reliability made it a dark horse!
Rubbing his chin, Lu Ye concluded Haunter still held top position. Sylveon's wild training and Blastoise's push-up regimen placed them evenly. But with Mega Evolution, Blastoise could surpass Sylveon and challenge Haunter's Spear Key-enhanced strength for top spot.
Lu Ye nodded. "Then Arcanine, Togepi, Sirfetch'd... no need to rank them!"
"Quack! ヽ(`Д´)ﾉ" Sirfetch'd unusually protested. Ducklett objects! Ducklett appeals!!
"Oh?" Lu Ye noticed Sirfetch'd's dissatisfaction. "Then duel Rotom later!"
Sirfetch'd solemnly nodded: "Quack!" At least I joined before Rotom. This battle... must win!
......
At dusk, Sirfetch'd faced Heat Rotom in the final match. Overheat's flames illuminated by sunset surged toward Sirfetch'd!
Nearly becoming roast duck, Sirfetch'd narrowly lost.
"Maybe a form issue," Lu Ye consoled. "Against Frost Rotom, you'd one-shot it."
"Quack! (´థ౪థ)σ" Crestfallen, Sirfetch'd sighed deeply before nodding to itself. If I remain useless, nothing can hurt me!
Walking home, Lu Ye smiled satisfactorily. Frequent assessments breed student burnout. After so many battles, they should behave for a while, letting me earn money peacefully!
Meanwhile, the team burned with motivation to grow stronger and fulfill their trainer's championship dreams!
"Geng~(￣▽￣)／" (Train hard~)
"Fuuu! (#｀皿´)" (For master, must improve!)
"Blas... ヾ(⌐■_■)" (Next time try full-power Hydro Pump...)
"Quack~(´థ౪థ)σ" (Beating Togepi counts as success!)
Watching Teacher Lu and his Pokémon depart, the rangers exchanged awed glances before their leader called the number Lu Ye provided:
"Hello, construction company? Teacher Lu recommended you - said mentioning his name would suffice..."