I Really Didn’t Want to Be a Trainer

Enjoying a leisurely dinner surrounded by the little guys.

Teacher Lu picked up his constantly vibrating phone and opened the live stream backend.

The news of the return broadcast had already been announced on the platform three days ago.

The cover photo of the live room was Lu’s adorable Togepi at home.

Although Teacher Lu’s looks surpassed the internet celebrity Kibana, he firmly believed himself to be a technical streamer.

Using Togepi as the cover photo might just bring some good luck.

Inside Teacher Lu’s live room,

as one of the mascots, the stand-in Togepi, streamer Sylveon, and the card reader Rotom all enjoyed high popularity.

As for the casual spectators—Teacher Lu—

“Teacher Lu, don’t mess around, Sylveon is live streaming right now.” With the brewing news of the return broadcast, the live room was already filled with barrage comments.

“Saving a front-row seat!”

“Even the production team’s donkeys wouldn’t dare take such a break.”

“Wish Togepi luck, offering Teacher Lu ten years of good fortune so I can pull a rare Pokémon in a single draw!”

Teacher Lu’s last video was from a month ago.

But as a genuine monthly uploader, the quality of each video satisfied most users.

This was one of the reasons Teacher Lu could regain such high popularity after a long break.

Of course, the more crucial reason might be:

“Sylveon~ Sylveon!”

“Finally can see Eevee-chan again~”

“Isn’t Haunter-chan cute? Isn’t Sirfetch’d cute?”

Lu Ye glanced at this comment, then looked down at the snowy white Sirfetch’d.

“Quack?”

Ducklett was indeed adorable. Lu Ye nodded and clenched his fist to cheer it on:

“We’ll keep hatching eggs later. Just dropped you, Sirfetch’d!”

“Quack! (´థ౪థ)σ”

After dinner.

“Gengarrr~♪” Haunter grinned mischievously and started doing chores.

Rotom moved skillfully between the vacuum cleaner and dishwasher, showing excellent agility.

Lu Ye hugged Sylveon and sat down in the gaming chair.

“Bu-ee~” Sylveon blinked her sapphire eyes, quietly lying in his arms and yawning.

It wasn’t a move, just being full and lazily wanting to sleep...

Lu Ye gently rubbed Sylveon’s soft pink ears and nodded slightly:

“Let’s test the waters first. Play a couple of matches with A-Jin before anything else.”

Opening the friends list, Lu Ye looked at “DJ Walnut”’s avatar and asked in surprise:

“A-Jin, why are you online 24/7?”

“No, I just happened to come back from the Breeder’s House,” A-Jin said. “I was just waiting to watch your stream!”

“Then how about...” Teacher Lu pondered, “we play a match first?”

Finally catching this opportunity, A-Jin chuckled: “Fair warning, the Dynamax battle environment is completely different.”

“If I lose, don’t blame the version, Teacher Lu!”

Lu Ye: “Don’t worry, I’m more familiar with Dynamax battles.”

“???”

‘Dynamax’ was a mechanic introduced in the eighth generation and was exclusive to the Galar region.

Some Pokémon had ‘Gigantamax forms,’ while the rest could ‘Dynamax,’ with moves changing into ‘Max Moves.’

Unlike the massive ‘Ancient forms’ several times bigger, ‘Dynamax’ was merely a projection formed by borrowing energy from Eternatus.

Because ‘Dynamax’ better suited commercial league promotion, it was very popular in Galar.

Teacher Lu’s specialty before was doubles battles in the ‘Dynamax’ environment.

Lu Ye stroked his chin:

“So the official update... actually strengthened me?”

“Can’t slack off.” Lu Ye shook his head. “Although Max Moves don’t miss, the tactical considerations have increased.”

For example, ‘Max Airstream’ boosts speed, ‘Max Overgrowth’ heals... these all required trainers to think carefully.

Even A-Jin... might have secretly studied some of this.

“Even if it’s A-Jin, he’s a worthy opponent!” Lu Ye sat upright.

Sending the battle request, selecting the lineup, everything flowed smoothly.

‘Gold the Fifth’’s classic team, Typhlosion and Coalossal, appeared again.

Lu Ye: “Still bringing out your sunny day bros, huh?”

A-Jin’s eyes widened: “Holy crap, Rainy Pelipper!?”

A Rain team dominated by Water types was a dimensional downgrade attack against a sunny team mostly composed of Fire types.

It was like—

before the laning even started, the coaching staff’s BP had already been completely crushed!

Not a fight mistake, just the opponent being too cunning!

“Teacher Lu, did you peek at my screen!” A-Jin shouted.

Lu Ye looked up to the sky.

The whole world knew A-Jin was playing the sunny team.

Just like Steven’s backline was always the invincible silvery Metagross.

The Rain team didn’t arrange Dan Emperor but put A-Jin on the field first instead...

“That makes sense.” Lu Ye muttered, “That old grudge Dan Emperor has ‘Thunder Punch,’ which might counter the Rain team...”

When it came to quality battle parties, only Teacher Lu and Dan Emperor qualified!

A-Jin bit his finger, his gaze gradually sharpening.

He was a genius (or reckless) youth who once fought Liu Bo alone, saved the city, and challenged Arceus.

“Even Teacher Lu needs time to adapt to the new battle environment,” A-Jin thought silently, “I have the advantage in experience!”

Immediately, in the transition animation, the billiard boy used a cue stick to flip the enlarged Poké Ball into mid-air.

(A-Jin begged Steven for this transition CG made by Devon Corporation.)

Dark red energy poured out of the ball, spiraling into an energy vortex over the arena.

The Dynamaxed Typhlosion towered over ten meters tall, crashing to the ground, flames shooting up several meters from its neck!

“Roar—” Typhlosion stood majestic, a dark red aura swirling above its head, like a giant beast burning with fire!

Strong wind blew the black-haired young man’s coat tails, a beam of red light retracted Pelipper into its Poké Ball, and Teacher Lu’s ‘Dynamax Band’ shone brilliantly,

then the Poké Ball expanded several times in size, and Teacher Lu threw it out!

Boom!

The Dynamaxed Pelipper flapped its wings, the huge yellow beak capable of swallowing an armored tank, spouting a surging ‘Max Geyser’!

“La~ la la la~” The audience seats around the arena played the Dynamax battle BGM.

If this were the Gongmen City Arena with tens of thousands watching, the excitement would have already peaked!

Bang!!

The ‘Max Geyser’ crashed into the giant beast, and the already unhealthy Typhlosion was instantly wiped out!

Boom boom boom!

Explosions kept erupting, the dark red energy around Typhlosion continuously collapsed until it all shattered with a ‘boom!’

The score remained a glaring 4:0.

Although A-Jin had expected this result, he still gritted his teeth in hatred and tearfully said:

“Teacher Lu, how are you so skilled with Dynamax too!”

Suddenly, A-Jin recalled that citywide spectacular duel and gradually understood everything: “Makes sense.”

“You’ve been to the Gongmen City Arena and even battled Dan Emperor...”

Lu Ye: “...”

You know everything now!

However, Lu Ye could understand the unique appeal of ‘Dynamax.’

First, the visual impact of ‘Dynamax’ far exceeded the awkward ‘Z-Moves.’

The poor Galar region promoted the ‘Dynamax’ league to meet commercial demands.

Also, the popularity of ‘Dynamax’ was higher, and the ‘Dynamax Band’ was relatively common.

Dan Emperor, as a civilian trainer, created a myth of an undefeated streak.

It was closely related to ‘Dynamax.’

“So as long as I’m not counted officially, it means I’m undefeated forever?”

Lu Ye muttered quietly.

Regarding limitations, ‘Dynamax’ could only be used where energy points existed.

On TV, even when facing Eternatus, Dan Emperor could only use the initial form of Typhlosion.

In terms of versatility, it naturally couldn’t compare to ‘Mega Evolution’ and ‘Z-Moves.’

The friendly match with A-Jin came to an end.

“Not bad at all.”

Lu Ye smiled cheerfully, patting his own shoulder:

“At least I didn’t lose to A-Jin.”

“Let’s go again!” A-Jin shouted.

“No, I have to start streaming soon,” Lu Ye said. “Mainly just testing the feel.”

“???” A-Jin’s breath caught.

Am I just a training camp dummy for you to warm up on?

“Thank you, A-Jin.” Lu Ye said seriously. “Without you, my videos would be much duller.”

A-Jin hummed happily and curiously asked:

“Teacher Lu, what dirty tricks are you planning tonight... I mean, what new tactics?”

“Planning to use the Ice Fridge to try a Snow Team.”

“Ic-Ice Fridge?” A-Jin looked bewildered.

“That’s Rotom’s refrigerator form,” Lu Ye smiled. “You’ll see soon!”

If there was any change from last year’s live content,

it was that now Teacher Lu could use his Pokémon to perform a series of tricky maneuvers.

For example, in refrigerator form, Rotom’s ‘Blizzard’ had a 10% freeze chance.

And under snowy weather, ‘Blizzard’ never missed, reducing the risk of traitors in the team!

A powerful 110 base power guaranteed move without side effects, ‘Blizzard’ was the trump card of Snow Teams.

The 10% freeze chance... though for Teacher Lu, it was practically nothing.

But everyone must have dreams.

Like Togepi’s continuous ‘Air Cutter’ ‘cower’ tactic. A disadvantaged Snow Team might trigger a freeze on a single ‘Blizzard’ to turn the tide.

Also, it let Rotom learn the real use of home appliances.

Lu Ye looked at the floating Rotom Pokédex and said: “No ‘Ally Switch’ today.”

Rotom played the classic ‘Dou Di Zhu’ BGM, kindly reminding:

“What about the charity round, Rotom?”

“Hmm... we can play a few rounds first!”

...

At 7 PM, Teacher Lu officially went online in the live room.

The entire room was filled with fans who had come for him, the popularity exploding, and gifts even caused lag.

The barrage filled the screen, with Team Rocket, Interpol, trainers, and enthusiasts all happily gathered together.

“Why did this streamer appear on my follow list?”

“He’s back, that man with dirty tricks!”

“Wuwuwu, haven’t eaten for almost a month, finally the kid has food.”

Before getting into the main content, the live room had already climbed to the homepage, with more viewers pouring in.

Among them were many fans, water fans, music lovers, cloud fans...

“Bu-ee~” Sylveon lay on Teacher Lu’s lap, looking lazy and noble.

“Du-ee~!” Togepi ran back and forth behind the camera, chirping like a playful daughter at home.

“Awsl!”

“Hope this fan doesn’t ungratefully refuse and quickly give the spot to Togepi.”

“Got it! Togepi is the unboxing streamer pulling rare draws!”

During Teacher Lu’s month-long break, fans had heard countless rumors about him.

Like beating Regigigas, chaining the Temporal-Spatial Twin Dragons...

He basically had the male lead’s script from a Pokémon novel.

The last handsome and strong person was still the former Hoenn Champion Steven.

In fact, Teacher Lu’s popularity on some forums was even showing signs of overtaking...

“Teacher Lu, is the rumor about White Poplar Town true?”

Lu Ye glanced at the barrage and said cheerfully: “It’s true. I even smashed the Temporal-Spatial Twin Dragons.”

A wave of question marks appeared in the live room. Fans were used to Teacher Lu joking and sent teasing comments:

“As expected of you, Teacher Lu!”

“The Temporal-Spatial Twin Dragons? Even Arceus would have to kneel.”

“I saw them break with my own eyes! (Remember to delete this part)”

Opening the game, Lu Ye dragged refrigerator-form Rotom into the team.

Lu Ye said: “Let’s test the waters first. The streamer isn’t great at Dynamax battles, might lose a few rounds.”

“Appetite’s been bad lately, just counting on Lu Bao to lose some matches!”

“Rage! Why no Mengmengda today?”

Lu Ye said: “Mengmengda is busy writing papers. In a couple of days, I’ll attend a research summit. Hopefully no gold awards.”

“As everyone knows, before streaming, Teacher Lu was a Pokémon science PhD.”

“Teacher Lu isn’t really competing with Professor Samuel Oak for research awards, right? 23333”

“Scholar and Mengmengda... I get it! You’re Dr. Yew!”

Fans were used to Teacher Lu’s quick-witted style.

What excited them more was the much-anticipated battle segment.

“Today’s team is a Snow Team,” Teacher Lu said. “Different from the last sunny sand team, this Snow Team mainly relies on probability...”

Hearing the word ‘probability,’ barrage comments surged again.

“I’m already laughing out loud.”

“gkd!”

“You’re the traitor Lapras who missed four Hydro Pumps in a row!”

“No Lapras this time,” Lu Ye explained. “The lineup is Snow Ninetales with Ice Body, main C Ice Fridge, specialized Barraskewda, and speed control with Whimsicott.”

After a long time, the official tutorial caused a cheer in the barrage:

“Ohhhhh”

“Calling it Ice Fridge team, but actually it’s a Barraskewda team.”

“How can Barraskewda be such a cool shell-breaking cutie?”

Fans still felt conflicted.

Teacher Lu hadn’t streamed in the ‘Dynamax’ environment yet.

If he was going to steamroll, it would be a bit difficult.

But... if Teacher Lu showed off, it would be a pleasure to watch;

if Teacher Lu played badly, they would feast.

Just hurry up and finish!

[Matching you with a suitable opponent...]

“Holy crap? Why is Teacher Lu’s score so high!”

“Because he was world number one last season, the settled score is high.”

“Oh no, does that mean he’ll directly face Master Class players and can’t fish in the pond?”

Teacher Lu said: “You think I’m just an entertainment streamer? I’m about to show off!”

He opened Dou Di Zhu and started performing a ‘bomb show’—

The barrage was silent for a moment, then a fan said:

“I really didn’t expect Dou Di Zhu to be so appetizing...”

“I’d call it ‘soil block’!”

“Let’s watch the battle... damn, matched against a big shot!”

Lu Ye glanced at the opposing lineup, then carefully at the character card, slightly surprised.

Gray long eyebrows, green baseball jacket, a hunched little old man.

Lu Ye said in astonishment: “Master Ma?”

The barrage buzzed with commentary, full of schadenfreude:

“Master Ma is already on a seventeen-win streak.”

“Here comes Master Ma’s universe number one martial arts bear master, ready to redeem himself!”

“Since Dynamax was introduced and the Isle of Armor DLC loaded... Master Ma is getting epic buffs.”

“No big deal.”

Teacher Lu stopped pretending and smiled, eyes sharp:

“Because for me, ‘Dynamax’ is a buff too.”

“????”

“Oh no, Teacher Lu’s playing hard!”

“Charge, universe number one shell-breaking cutie, martial arts bear master!”

“Blazing Roar Tiger: Just a rookie replacing an old-timer, huh?”

“Lu Bao, kill for grandpa!!”

...