I Really Didn’t Want to Be a Trainer

Amidst the howling blizzard, the Gigantamax Urshifu, resembling a crimson martial deity, was frozen solid.

The livestream instantly exploded with hype.

The image of the black-haired young man with fluttering clothes was deeply imprinted in the audience's minds.

The chat flooded with "OHHHHH" as viewers marveled at the incredible play.

But when Teacher Lu opened his mouth, his previous "demon king" image shattered instantly.

"How's that play, my dudes?" Lu Ye grinned smugly. "Not too shabby, eh?"

The performance was so mesmerizing it made takeout go cold, but they couldn't let Teacher Lu get away with showing off.

"Is this all you got?"

"Let's mourn for Master Ma for three seconds... The old man finally caught up with the meta just to get stomped."

"With Togepi as a mascot, even my grandma could reach Master Ball tier!" Despite the banter, serious viewers were already taking notes.

Teacher Lu analyzed: "While Snow teams have low freeze chances, stacking Double Blizzard, Scope Lens crit rate, and Sheer Cold's OHKO probability... these combined create possibilities where none should exist."

"Just like Sun teams or Trick Room... every strategy has its loyal followers and unique charm. For Snow teams, it's the thrill of freezing opponents against all odds."

"So," Lu Ye smiled, "even when behind, keep your cool... you might just win!"

Snow teams' poor resistances often make them unfavorable against other strategies.

This frustrates many Ice-type enthusiasts.

Yet, the exhilaration of seeing a raging blizzard freeze colossal beasts is unmatched by any other strategy.

Teacher Lu's words reinvigorated the chat:

"I get it now - it's basically gambling with extra steps!"

"Holy crap, Teacher Lu's relying on RNG now? End of an era."

"Didn't Teacher Lu skillfully trigger Double Blizzard through positioning though?"

"And he claimed he wasn't good at Dynamax battles?"

This comment made viewers do a double take.

Wait, didn't Teacher Lu say he wasn't familiar with the new meta...

"And THIS is how you 'adapt'? By stomping Master Ma?!"

"Absolute savagery! Can't wait for Dan Emperor to avenge Master Ma!"

The comeback stream's first battle ended with breaking Master Ma's win streak.

Teacher Lu's Snow team showcased today opened new possibilities for Ice specialists and weather team enthusiasts.

His upcoming tutorial video would likely attract even more attention from Ice-type experts.

On another level, Teacher Lu had demonstrated terrifying dominance across three weather systems: Sun, Sand, and Snow.

Combined with his speed control and switching fundamentals, he truly lived up to his "Tactician" title.

In weather systems, perhaps only Wyndon's Dragon Gym Leader Kabu, with champion-level skills, could rival him.

Of course, influencer Kabu was busy posting selfies on SNS (Galar's social media).

He'd never share strategies openly like Teacher Lu.

Watching Teacher Lu's streams was entertaining and educational...

Plus Sylveon and Togepi were adorable.

Maybe they'd let him have this victory.

"Thank you 'Lorelei of Seven Islands' for the... Super Rocket!" Teacher Lu gasped. "Incredibly grateful!"

Gifts flooded the stream again, viewership soaring beyond pre-hiatus levels.

Chat exploded at the generous donor: "Ice-type Elite Four?!"

"I remember you! That Cloyster swept my whole team in the Champion League!" a Master-tier viewer wept.

"Getting noticed by a rich lady~ Teacher Lu better step up his game (lol)"

"Step up what? Coach Meng says go take a cold shower first!"

"Auntie, I don't want to work hard anymore!!"

Regardless, earning an Elite Four member's attention proved Teacher Lu's expertise.

The mature, gentle, voluptuous redhead Lorelei had never been involved in scandals.

This fueled endless fantasies among viewers.

Youth wasted on chasing lolis when milfs are the real treasure!

"What nonsense is this." Lorelei adjusted her glasses, scoffing.

She'd clicked the link Misty forwarded, catching Teacher Lu's brilliant Double Blizzard setup.

His Snow team commentary showed wisdom reminiscent of Elder Pryce...

"I wonder what Pryce would think of this."

Lorelei crossed her arms, smiling wryly.

"Then again, elders like him probably don't even use social media..."

Meanwhile, Rotom mechanically thanked donors:

"Thanks 'Ad Space For Rent' for the plane gift~ Rotom!"

"Thanks 'Rocket Delivery Official' for the Super Rocket! Rotom!"

Chat: "Damn, even Team Rocket's sending rockets?"

"Officer, they're sending rockets too?!"

"Just saw Nurse Joy at a Pokémon Center spamming her phone like crazy."

"Who ISN'T watching this?!"

Teacher Lu petted Sylveon on his lap, sent Master Ma a friend request, and continued streaming.

Later matches were purely for entertainment, with the Snow team "charging stomach-first."

"Give up Teacher Lu, your Sheer Cold won't hit—"

"This isn't Sheer Cold, it's Sheer Miss."

"Did he even freeze anything after the first match?"

He even matched against Marshal, surprising Lu Ye: "Slacking off work?"

Marshal puffed his cigar in the captain's quarters, swirling whiskey:

"Ocean voyages have plenty of downtime!"

"Perfect, let me farm some points then."

"??? I'm not that idiot A-Jin."

Several minutes later.

Marshal wanted to cry.

Teacher Lu was very pleased.

Feeding didn't matter - he'd just farm A-Jin later for content!

The stream ended roughly even in wins/losses.

Victories brought "OHHH" and "that's it?"

Defeats brought "LOL" and "I'm stuffed."

"Teacher Lu truly is a food streamer."

"10-year Snow team veteran here - after this stream, I feel reborn."

"Washing Machine, Ice Fridge, Fire Oven... technology is amazing!"

As night fell, the Snow team stream was a resounding success.

Before ending, Teacher Lu mentioned his upcoming "Pokémon" game, shocking viewers:

"So you're making your own game because Devon's RNG sucks?"

"Down with monopolies! Go Lu Ye!"

"Mod warning... wait, mods are fans too? Nevermind."

Lu Ye planned to edit the video overnight.

With Rotom-PC form, he didn't even need a graphics card - specs were maxed.

Though Rotom could edit... Teacher Lu was still human. He'd pull an all-nighter if needed.

"Haunter, make me instant noodles." Lu Ye called out after some thought. "With tea egg and sausage!"

"Gengarrr~" came the distant reply.

"Getting fancy! Teacher Lu's adding tea eggs now!"

"Damn, classic speed-run ending?"

"Ugh, another day without Mengmengda."

"All rise!"

Night deepened at the Isle of Armor's Master Dojo.

In the Eastern-style kitchen, a round wooden table was laden with aromatic home-cooked dishes.

"Hmph..." The hunched, gray-browed Master Ma ate a few bites before setting down his chopsticks moodily. "Hmph..."

At the table's left, orange-headbanded Kabu whispered to bearded Dan Emperor:

"Your master... doesn't seem to like me."

"We're uninvited guests." Dan Emperor replied quietly. "It's impolite..."

"Too many rules." Kabu grumbled, eyeing the table nervously. "Actually I wanted to ask..."

"How do you use these?" (chopsticks)

Dan Emperor: "..."

Mistress Honey set down her chopsticks, breaking the silence:

"Dan Emperor, what brings you to the Isle with a friend?"

Dan Emperor scratched his head sheepishly: "Got lost..."

The table fell silent again. Disciples Klara and Mustard: "Pfft—"

"Hey." Kabu glared. "At least show some respect to a Champion?"

"Ahem, of course... ahem!"

"It's fine." Dan Emperor smiled. "Dojo students are all my juniors."

Mustard adjusted his magician's hat, thinking:

It's just that this junior traded your trainer card for 'Teacher Lu's'...

"And you, guest?" Honey looked at Kabu.

"Dan got lost, so I flew over on Flygon." Kabu sighed. "Then... one turn later, we're at Master Dojo..."

Everyone stared at Dan Emperor.

Dan Emperor smiled apologetically: "Sorry... got lost in thought and wound up here..."

"Dan boy."

Master Ma savored each bite, eyes closed in appreciation before asking softly:

"Were you thinking about White Poplar Town?"

Dan Emperor nodded silently:

"I keep wondering... if Galar faced such crisis, what should I do as Champion?"

"I might have hesitated or retreated..."

He raised golden eyes, smiling at his master.

"But now, I have my answer."

Seeing Dan Emperor's profile, Kabu was startled.

This guy... acts so mature despite his youth.

Shaking his head, Kabu mused: Maybe getting lost is part of finding his path...

"Dan boy..."

Master Ma's aged eyes gleamed as he smiled warmly.

Then his face fell like a petulant child:

"Please sub for me again! Just get me to #1 and I'll quit!"

Kabu: "...What."

Dan Emperor: "...You lost again?"

Master Ma blinked pleadingly.

Dan Emperor sighed: "To whom?"

More blinking.

Dan Emperor facepalmed: "What team was used?"

"Snow team." Master Ma rubbed his hands. "Devon imported your Charizard data! Gigantamax would crush him easily!"

Dan Emperor's champion cape now featured Devon Corporation ads promoting their gaming division.

Pokémon world's tech kept advancing - holograms, HP bars... simulated battles were popular among trainers.

Dan Emperor used simulations to test Charizard's movesets, like Thunderpunch against Lance's red Gyarados.

"Snow team?" Kabu sprawled on his seat. "Weather systems aren't that easy."

"Teacher Lu previously used Sun and Sandstorm." Mustard whispered.

Klara teased: "Seems more skilled than you, Gym Leader Kabu?"

"Tch." Kabu raised his chin. "I've mastered ALL weathers!"

Dan Emperor nodded unconsciously.

Kabu's team: Flygon, Goodra, Turtonator, Duraludon...

Calling him a Dragon master... weather master fit better.

"Lu boy." Master Ma looked up, eyebrows wiggling. "Sun, Sandstorm, Snow..."

"What's the last weather?" he asked Kabu.

"Rain." Kabu yawned. "Most complex weather, pairs with Electric Terrain, Trick Room etc."

"Oh..." Master Ma drawled, then blinked at Dan Emperor:

"Dan boy, how about you hit #1 then lose to me on purpose?"

Dan Emperor: "..."

Master, your gaming addiction is showing...

"Just tactical variety alone, I'm not confident against him."

Dan Emperor stroked his beard, picturing the kind, handsome trainer with a smile.

"But I'll give it a try."

"If you want weather practice, I'm right here." Kabu grinned challengingly. "Come to Wyndon Stadium for Dynamax battles!"

Dan Emperor: "No, field maintenance is too expensive."

Kabu: "..."

Clang!

Honey set down her chopsticks: "Food's getting cold~"

Champion, ex-Champion, and Master all bowed their heads to eat.

Kabu struggled clumsily with chopsticks, sweating.

"Holy moly!"

Master Ma checked his phone suddenly:

"Lu boy's teasing next episode's preview now."

Dan Emperor: "What?"

Klara cheered: "Teacher Lu? Let me see!"

Kabu recalled the handsome black-haired trainer from Wyndon Stadium, scoffing:

"Tch, weather master... besides me, who else could be that genius?"

Dan Emperor murmured:

"Next episode preview... Teacher Lu's strategy is..."

"Rain Perish Song."

At Teacher Lu's home in Masago Town:

"Wow." Lu Ye marveled. "Episode 15 already?"

After uploading the Snow team video, he checked his schedule:

"Hmm... need to visit Canalave City for Mengmengda."

"Gengarrr~~" Slurping sounds came nearby.

Lu Ye turned to see Haunter happily eating noodles with a fork.

"Gengarrr~(￣～￣)"

"You started without me... I want pickles, sausage, and duck feet."

"Quack?! (´థ౪థ)σ" Ducklett teared up instantly.

"Kidding... want me to make you some too?"

"Quack! (≖ᴗ≖)✧" Sirfetch'd immediately brightened.