I Really Didn’t Want to Be a Trainer

Meanwhile, at the Isle of Armor.

A sorrowful cry echoed through Master Ma's dojo:

"Oh my goodness, I ran into Teacher Lu again!"

The pink-haired, purple-eyeshadow-wearing Klara hugged her chest and asked the dojo mistress:

"What's wrong with Master this time?"

"Same as always," Honey sighed. "A grown man obsessed with playing games all day—he must be losing again."

"Mistress, I must disagree."

Another disciple dressed as a magician with a tall hat, Mustard, cleared his throat:

"From what I know of Master, in this game that tests trainers' skills, there are no more than three people who can defeat him."

Honey smoothed out the wrinkles in the sheets as she hung them on the clothesline, casually remarking: "That game where your master sits in the dojo all day without moving?"

"Precisely."

Mustard adjusted his round glasses and declared:

"Dan Emperor, Kabu, and Master Ma... are currently the three most skilled trainers at Dynamaxing!"

"And you dare say that!"

Honey suddenly raised the clothesline pole angrily:

"Instead of encouraging him to exercise, you just sit around analyzing games with him all day!"

Mustard steadied his tall hat and fled while covering his head: "Mercy, Mistress!!"

Klara shrugged.

She took out an exquisite trainer card from her pocket and held it up to the sunlight, squinting as she examined it.

The card shimmered with a rainbow hue under the light—an 'UR' rarity card.

The card depicted 'Teacher Lu and Haunter·Partner Combo.'

In the Galar region, these trainer cards had become far more popular than the League Cards promoted by Chairman Rose.

Klara had traded her 'Dan Emperor' card for this 'UR' one on social media.

"Teacher Lu is so much more handsome."

Klara cupped her cheeks and giggled:

"Dan Emperor's beard is so unappealing, while Teacher Lu is so refined!"

Mustard suddenly appeared behind Klara and murmured:

"You traded Master's treasured 'Dan Emperor' card for this 'Teacher Lu,' didn't you?"

Klara maintained her smile, but a dark aura seemed to emanate from her as she sweetly said:

"If you tell anyone, I'll kill you~"

"Actually, I approve."

Mustard adjusted his glasses and analyzed: "From a long-term commercial perspective, 'Teacher Lu' is bound to appreciate significantly..."

"Oh my goodness!!"

Master Ma's shout rang out again, causing both of them to turn toward the dojo.

"Master lost?" Mustard looked puzzled. "That's impossible..."

Klara's eyes sparkled slightly as she grinned:

"Let's go~ and comfort Master."

You clearly want him to lose... Mustard broke into a cold sweat.

......

In the livestream, the audience held their breath, waiting to see the opening Pokémon from both trainers.

When Master Ma's lineup appeared, all the viewers tensed up.

[Urshifu·Single Strike Style]

The muscular gray bear, with its flowing headband and imposing stature, was even regarded as a legendary Pokémon in Galar.

Different fighting styles gave Urshifu different dual typings.

The Single Strike Style Urshifu's signature move, "Wicked Blow," always landed a critical hit—often deciding battles in an instant!

"Did Master Ma pay Devon Corp. to get this Pokémon's data?!"

"How do you even fight this thing Dynamaxed? No wonder Master Ma has a 17-win streak!"

"Lu-buddy, losing to a legendary Pokémon isn't shameful!"

Urshifu's base stats totaled only 550, lower than pseudo-legendaries, but it was undeniably a legendary Pokémon.

After all, Arcanine was also described as a legendary Pokémon in the Pokédex.

"Professor Oak's Pokédex isn't reliable... maybe next version, some Pokémon will get demoted from legendary status?"

Teacher Lu mused while carefully examining Master Ma's team.

Urshifu, Kommo-o, Venusaur, Incineroar.

Centered around Master Ma's expertise in Fighting-types, this team excelled at breaking defenses. Both Urshifu and Venusaur could Gigantamax.

In terms of raw power, it far outclassed Teacher Lu's Snow team, which lacked defensive synergy.

However, Teacher Lu's strength wasn't in one-on-one battles but in controlling the field to create advantageous situations.

This Snow team had Whimsicott for speed control, ensuring they wouldn't fall behind Master Ma in that regard.

In the battle intro.

The hunched little old man dramatically ripped off his green baseball jacket, revealing traditional martial arts attire.

It wouldn't have been out of place if he'd suddenly pulled out nunchucks.

Their trainer cards collided mid-air, sparking a flurry of flames.

The battle began.

"Go, Incineroar, Venusaur!" Master Ma roared.

A wave of heat spread across the field as Incineroar spread its arms and roared, flames bursting from its belt.

The elderly Venusaur squinted, the giant flower on its back unfurling spotted petals.

"Two starters right off the bat!"

"Just looking at base stats, Teacher Lu's team is already outmatched..."

"If battles were decided by stats, what would trainers even do?"

The chat erupted with comments.

Pale blue ice crystals began falling from the sky, the chill seemingly piercing through the screen and silencing the discussion.

The elegant Alolan Ninetales stretched its snow-white tails, raising its slender forelegs with an ethereal cry.

As it called, snowflakes swirled, transforming the battlefield into a world of white frost.

"Alolan Ninetales, with the Snow Warning ability," Teacher Lu explained. "One of the cores of a Snow team."

"The other lead is our old friend, 'Prankster' Whimsicott."

Whimsicott floated effortlessly on cotton-like fluff but shivered as hailstones pelted it.

In terms of sheer cuteness, Snow teams were undoubtedly popular among players!

"But what about strength? Won't this just get wrecked by the 'Universe's Strongest Incineroar'?!"

"I hereby declare Incineroar the one true god!"

The battle commenced.

Master Ma raised his eyebrows and commanded: "Flare Blitz, target Whimsicott."

"Venusaur, Sludge Bomb!"

A ruthless offensive. Venusaur's giant flower condensed a pitch-black "Sludge Bomb."

"Ugh~" Alolan Ninetales instinctively frowned as a rainbow-colored light rose beneath its feet.

Aurora Veil!

The strongest dual barrier under snow, boosting both Special Defense and Defense.

The oncoming "Sludge Bomb" pierced through the shimmering ice barrier with a corrosive hiss.

As the sludge landed, Alolan Ninetales winced in pain.

Meanwhile, Whimsicott activated "Tailwind," giving Teacher Lu control over the speed advantage.

But the next moment, Incineroar erupted with a roar, flames bursting from its belt and engulfing its body as it charged toward Whimsicott!

BOOM!!

"Eeeek~~" Whimsicott's eyes swirled as it plummeted from the air.

"Roooar!!" Incineroar glared triumphantly, spreading its arms and roaring.

"Damn, Teacher Lu's Whimsicott got one-shot?!"

"Even with Aurora Veil up... this is why Incineroar is the Universe's Strongest!"

"It sacrificed itself just to set up Tailwind!"

A red beam recalled Whimsicott as Teacher Lu said warmly: "Thank you, Whimsicott."

A fierce wind blew across Teacher Lu's side of the field, the Aurora Veil shimmering faintly.

At the cost of one Pokémon, he had secured dual barriers and speed control.

Master Ma clicked his tongue, sensing something amiss.

The elegant snow-white Ninetales watched calmly with icy blue eyes.

It seemed like bait, luring the type-advantaged Incineroar to stay in.

"Incineroar, Protect." Master Ma frowned slightly. "Venusaur, Sleep Powder!"

The livestream exploded with comments.

"Master Ma, you traitor! Using Sleep Powder too?!"

"He's trying to stall out the Tailwind by predicting Teacher Lu's switch!"

"Damn, he even used Protect! Barraskewda could've OHKO'd Incineroar with 'Fishious Rend'!"

The newly sent-out Pokémon was a Rotom·Frost form, floating in the air with blue ionized wings.

"Pay attention." Teacher Lu glanced at his Rotom. "Ice Fridge, Ally Switch!"

Rotom gasped: "Rotom?! Σ(っ°Д°;

)っ"

You said we weren't bringing "Ally Switch," Rotom!

"Ally Switch" was crucial for disrupting the opponent's rhythm and creating openings for key Pokémon.

Like now, as Ice Fridge and Alolan Ninetales swapped places.

Alolan Ninetales, now protected by a shimmering barrier, completely blocked the falling "Sleep Powder"!

The next moment, a blizzard howled as Teacher Lu snapped his fingers:

"Rotom, Ninetales—"

"Blizzard!!"

A whiteout of ice crystals obscured vision as hail pelted down in the gale.

The dual "Blizzard," guaranteed to hit in snow, surged forward like an unstoppable avalanche!

Amid the blizzard's roar, Teacher Lu mused:

"Snow team players may be scummy, always fishing for freezes."

"But they're also simple... because once snow is up."

Teacher Lu smiled. "You just spam Blizzard."

The livestream audience shuddered at this radiant smile.

This wasn't some luck-based freeze-fishing strategy.

The terrifying power of dual "Blizzard" was enough to overwhelm most opponents!

As the blizzard subsided, Venusaur was buried in snow, only its giant flower visible.

Incineroar stood motionless in the snow, its eyes blank, shoulders and head covered in white.

The next second, flames burst from its belt as the barely-standing Incineroar charged at Alolan Ninetales with bloodshot eyes.

BOOM!!

Teacher Lu frowned slightly.

The flames illuminated the field as Incineroar's "Flare Blitz" dealt heavy damage to Alolan Ninetales before recoil knocked it out.

With Incineroar collapsing in the snow.

In just one turn, the tides had turned—dual Blizzard secured a double KO.

"Oh my goodness!!"

Despite anticipating it, Master Ma had still been outplayed by Teacher Lu!

Master Ma took a deep breath and grinned: "Go, Kommo-o, Urshifu!"

The battlefield's atmosphere shifted instantly.

"Roooar—!!"

'Fight Dragon' Kommo-o, clad in metallic scales, could unleash terrifying speed and power with its fists.

The dark Urshifu stood silently, its forehead ribbon fluttering as its gleaming black eyes locked onto its opponent.

Then, Urshifu clenched its fist, unleashing an overwhelming aura.

"So cool! This is Single Strike Style Urshifu!"

"Cuteness is justice! Alolan Ninetales, go get 'em!!"

With no time to stall, Master Ma opted for an all-out offensive.

"Rooar!" Kommo-o closed in rapidly, its metallic scales creating sonic booms as it unleashed a flurry of "Close Combat" punches!

There was no dodging—Alolan Ninetales was on its last legs.

The silent Urshifu lurked nearby, its "Surging Strikes" ignoring all defenses, including "Protect."

"Even in the coldest snow, there burns an unyielding will to win."

Teacher Lu declared solemnly.

The blizzard raged, as if the soul of the "Snow team" burned behind him.

"Since when did Snow teams have souls?!"

"I'm getting hyped just watching!"

Teacher Lu commanded: "Alolan Ninetales, Sheer Cold."

Sheer Cold—a one-hit KO move with a chance to freeze solid!

"Uuu~!!" Alolan Ninetales reared up, gathering brilliant ice energy as all surrounding cold concentrated into a single, devastating beam.

The temperature plummeted as Sheer Cold froze the ground beneath it, hurtling toward Kommo-o with unstoppable force.

"Roooar—!!" Kommo-o's pupils reflected the incoming ice beam.

It desperately closed its eyes and threw a punch—hitting Alolan Ninetales instead.

THUD!!

Alolan Ninetales was sent flying as the audience groaned—"Sheer Cold" had missed.

"Ugh, so frustrating."

"Teacher Lu's bond with Snow teams isn't strong enough, lol."

"If this were a Sleep team, that 'Hypnosis' would've hit for sure!"

Teacher Lu wiped his brow.

After all, his specialty was "sleep" status, not "freeze." There was a difference.

Like a Dragon-type enthusiast trying to play a Dark Magician deck—it just wouldn't flow right.

But "Sheer Cold" wasn't his last resort—Teacher Lu still had a backup plan.

Ice Fridge's Blizzard raged again.

Urshifu stepped forward, vanishing in the snow before reappearing with a punch that split the air.

BOOM!!

Urshifu·Single Strike Style's signature move: [Wicked Blow].

Ice Fridge wobbled but held on thanks to the earlier 'Aurora Veil.'

"Still didn't KO..." Master Ma clicked his tongue, then paused. "Wait, what's Teacher Lu's backup...?"

The next Pokémon to appear was a bizarre, almost comical upright creature.

With a dopey fish head, powerful jaws, and stubby dinosaur legs—

Barraskewda.

"Damn, that Pokémon is ugly."

"Yikes... it's holding a Choice Band locked into 'Fishious Rend'!"

"Barraskewda." Teacher Lu shouted. "Fishious Rend!"

To the audience's shock.

Barraskewda opened its mouth, water forming razor-sharp fangs as it clumsily chomped down on Kommo-o.

A sudden dread gripped Master Ma's heart.

"Fishious Rend has 85 base power, STAB 1.5x, Choice Band 1.5x, Strong Jaw 1.5x..."

Teacher Lu was mid-explanation when his eyes widened. "Damn, it crit."

Barraskewda clamped onto Kommo-o's neck like an ancient predator.

CRUNCH!

The pseudo-legendary Kommo-o's eyes bulged as it collapsed in pain—OHKO'd by Fishious Rend!

The livestream went silent before exploding with comments.

"Universe's Strongest Pokémon, Barraskewda!"

"How is Barraskewda this cool?!"

"I get it, but it's still ugly..."

Master Ma glanced at Barraskewda and muttered: "Oh my goodness... ugly-cute."

Then, he recalled Urshifu as his 'Dynamax Band' glowed brilliantly.

The Poké Ball enlarged dramatically before Master Ma hurled it skyward—releasing a torrent of dark-red energy!

BOOOOM—!!

The stadium was engulfed in a swirling dark-red aura.

The Dynamaxed Urshifu glared coldly, its 10-meter-tall form resembling a crimson war god.

Black energy coalesced in its fist as [Wicked Blow] transformed into the G-Max move [G-Max One Blow]—the sky itself seemed to split from the sheer force!

Fists clenched in excitement!

"No wonder this is marketable." Teacher Lu murmured. "Not only does it avoid property damage, but the visuals are insane."

Meanwhile, the once-dominant Barraskewda stared blankly upward—

BOOOOM!

The chat, which had been praising it moments ago, fell silent before finally commenting:

"Barraskewda did its best."

"Calling this a Snow team is a stretch—it's a Barraskewda team."

Only Rotom·Frost and Urshifu remained.

But Rotom's Blizzard still raged, giving it a health advantage against Urshifu.

Amid the whiteout, Teacher Lu was about to recall Ice Fridge and Dynamax.

But the livestream suddenly froze, with no new comments loading.

"Lag?" Teacher Lu blinked.

The next moment, the screen flooded with 'OHHHHHH's as hype erupted.

The battle log read—

[Rotom] used "Blizzard."

[Urshifu·Single Strike Style] was frozen solid!

"Blizzard froze a Dynamaxed Urshifu?!"

"This... is the power of a Snow team!!"

"Redemption! Alolan Ninetales' Sheer Cold miss is avenged!"

"Teacher Lu, did you let Togepi play for you?!"

"If you lack bond with your team, don't blame my Snow team for freezing a Dynamaxed Pokémon."

Teacher Lu nodded solemnly before hurling an enlarged Poké Ball.

Dynamaxed 'Ice Fridge' transformed into a colossal freezer, conjuring a massive 'G-Max Ice Wind'!

"La~ lalala~" The Dynamax battle theme played.

Urshifu stood frozen as the icy tempest engulfed it.

BOOOOM!!

The dark-red energy shattered as the explosion echoed.

Master Ma's 17-win streak ended as he clutched his head and wailed:

"Oh my goodness!!"

Meanwhile, in Teacher Lu's livestream.

"Genuine question—is this the science-loving Teacher Lu?"

"These freeze rates defy all science."

"This is why Togepi is the stream's mascot!"