I Really Didn’t Want to Be a Trainer

April 5th, Monday.

"Teacher Lu's Battle Guide 15: Snow Team" appeared on the homepage as scheduled for fans.

"Here it comes!"

"Before anyone sees, let me use Max Airstream first."

"Did you guys buy property on Bilibili?"

Even before clicking the video, the comment section already had trending comments.

["For a patient with severe illness and 90% surgery success rate:

'This is in the bag' - average player.

'Let other patients go first' - toxic MMO player.

'We're doomed' - Teacher Lu."] 『I literally laughed out loud.』

『Would letting Togepi perform the surgery be better?』

『Togepi as surgeon? Teacher Lu would just roll out a Guillotine!』

Amidst the jokes, fans couldn't help feeling a bit sad and sympathetic toward Teacher Lu.

But in this episode, when 『Blizzard』 froze the 『Gigantamax』 Urshifu, viewers went wild.

"He's standing up! Teacher Lu is standing up!"

"How did that even freeze? Who are you?!"

"This freezing rate makes no scientific sense!"

The few Ice-type trainers watching Teacher Lu's "Snow Team" guide teared up.

"Ice-types have the strongest control, even instant KO potential, but their resistances rank lowest among all types... High risk high reward, that's Ice-types for you."

"Turning the tables with a freeze in desperate situations! That's the soul of Snow Teams!"

"If even Teacher Lu can freeze opponents, why should I give up... Thank you Teacher Lu for giving me reason to keep using Ice-types!"

Trainers generally specialize in certain types or maintain balanced teams.

Ice-types' weak power, questionable accuracy, and terrible resistances... have always drawn criticism.

This often makes Ice-type specialists consider quitting.

But at this moment, when Teacher Lu's Rotom froze the opponent, their hearts reignited with passion.

"Freeze! No moving!"

"Youth restored! Taking my grandpa's Lapras to crush Green at Viridian Gym!"

"Even Lorelei liked it. Never thought Teacher Lu's Snow Team could be this professional."

If the previous episode's theme was "faith"—

Faith that even Pokémon with poor stats can shine in Master-level battles.

Then this "Snow Team" episode's theme is "perseverance".

Landing that crucial Blizzard freeze in desperate situations.

Without unbreakable determination, who would dare use "Snow Team" with such bad luck?

"I'll always love Alolan Ninetales!"

"Though Snow Teams aren't as aggressive as Sun Teams... Lapras and Alolan Ninetales are just too cute."

"Barraskewda cries—I did all the damage but you get all the love..."

When the regular guest, the billiards kid, appeared, fans couldn't hold back laughter.

"Does Teacher Lu have beef with Sun Team trainers? Always using them as bad examples."

"I get it! Teacher Lu wants us to choose Pokémon that suit us, not blindly follow meta and textbooks!"

"Sou desu ne~"

"Teacher Lu's intentions are so profound!"

Within a day, views surpassed a million. Many noticed Teacher Lu's subtle hint—

"Pokémon: FireRed" would release in May, introducing story mode alongside simulated battles.

Teacher Lu's timing clearly promoted the new game.

"Not updating the PTCG pool but doing side projects instead?"

"Criticize when needed, but buy when... a Pokémon Company game? SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY!"

"I saw the last MV too—'Aim to Be a Pokémon Master' was so hype!"

Most comments were positive, with some questioning sponsorship—reasonable enough.

But Teacher Lu's character speaks for itself.

Besides smurfing, being dirty AF, occasionally playing like trash, and flexing relationships...

Wait...

Holy shit?!

So THAT'S what "character speaks for itself" means!

In chat groups, Ice-type trainers agreed "Snow Team" was scientifically sound.

With crit rates, freeze chances, OHKO probabilities... stacking up for qualitative change.

But when Teacher Lu does it? Pure nonsense.

Not just crits, but freezing opponents too!

"You have bonds with Ice-types too?" Lorelei teased.

"Everyone knows Teacher Lu was an Ice master before using Sleep teams," A-Jin blurted.

"You know this meme now?" Lu Ye was surprised.

A-Jin grinned: "Because there's Grass, Poison, Steel, Ground... it's a whole set."

Teacher Lu: "..."

Ground-type was real though.

Boss Giovanni even taught the ultimate technique, "Essence of Earth".

Haunter keeps licking that textbook... the words are practically worn off.

Candice smiled: "I think even regular Ice masters might not specialize in Snow systems."

"Kanto has few Snow specialists," Green said coolly. "Sinnoh has more, plus Galar's snowy areas."

Silver remained expressionless, eyes flickering.

He recalled that Ice specialist, the harsh old man persisting for decades.

Despite his crimes... his family ice sculptures and hunched back once made Silver waver.

"He kept persisting," Silver thought. "Persisting to find his Pokémon."

Johto, Mahogany Town.

A city of perpetual snowfall.

In a simple gym buried in snow.

A stern old man in a wheelchair carved ice with 'clunk' sounds.

The sculpture gradually took shape—a Swinub.

The Swinub resting on his lap snorted happily.

The old man's lips twitched briefly before he wheeled back to his sterile single room.

Once, this gym echoed with children's warm laughter that could melt ice.

Liu Bo sat motionless, stern-faced, Swinub sleeping on his lap.

From afar, they resembled an ice sculpture.

Beep beep—

The communicator added modernity to Mahogany Gym.

Liu Bo's only connection to the outside was through old friends.

"There's a talented Snow Team junior—a Pokédex holder," said the Breeder's House grandpa.

"Snow Team..." Professor Oak stroked his chin. "Sinnoh's Berlitz?"

"It's Teacher Lu," the grandma corrected. "Looks quite professional."

"Lu Ye?" Professor Oak laughed. "That makes sense."

With his talent, after all.

Mr. Steel: "Yukishiro, aren't you traveling soon?"

"Right, heading to Canalave for an exhibition."

"My apprentice is bringing new Apricorn Ball techniques—don't lose to me."

"Haha, take the trophy—I've got dozens," Professor Oak joked.

"... ..." Mr. Steel.

"Snow Teams," Liu Bo said slowly, "aren't for youths."

"They lack resolve, retreat from setbacks, believe in fleeting bonds. They forget Ice's fragility is its sharpness—the trainer's blade."

The chat fell silent.

"Never mind, you wouldn't understand," Liu Bo said coldly.

Old Man Kukui scoffed: "You're as pleasant as ever, Liu Bo."

Professor Oak thought: Pot calling the kettle black...

Liu Bo didn't respond.

He turned off his phone, leaned back, and closed his eyes.

Before him stretched frozen plains—an injured Lapras and a frail boy.

Outside, gray snow swirled as radio static hissed.

The old man dreamed of blizzards.

April 6th, Tuesday, clear skies.

"Arf~" Arcanine shook his fluffy mane in the yard, gleaming red.

Teacher Lu packed indoors.

"Phone, Poké Balls, incubator... no, Ducklett can hatch it naturally."

Trainer belt, black-red fingerless gloves, deep purple jacket, cap.

Adjusting his cap before the mirror with Haunter, Lu Ye nodded:

"Looking good."

"Gengarrr! (*ﾉ▽ﾉ)" Haunter did a "Crayon Shin-chan" shy pose.

Actually, another outfit was en route—a pink trainer set.

A prize from Ms. Melisa: hoodie and shorts in trendy "catboy" style.

"It's perfect, absolutely perfect!" Melisa breathed heavily.

"...Could you wipe your drool first?"

"Oh? Was I?" She dabbed elegantly with a handkerchief. "You're so funny."

Lu Ye: "..."

At 6 feet tall, pink really didn't suit him...

But the gift arrived anyway via Delibird.

"Hey, you're delivering today?" Lu Ye leaned on the mailbox, grinning.

"Woo! (ಥ﹏ಥ)" The penguin facepalmed.

The boss wouldn't accept my resignation, so I walked right into this!

"Here, a tip." Lu Ye offered a glistening Pokéblock.

Professionally trained Delibirds don't accept food...

But... it smelled so good...

After intense internal struggle—

"Nom!" The penguin shuddered, wings flapping wildly.

"Woo! Woo!"

Lu Ye blinked.

Pretty sure I didn't poison it...

Then the effects kicked in—the penguin grinned dopily.

"Woo...（¯﹃¯）"

Lu Ye: "...Too intense?"

Watching the happily waddling penguin, Teacher Lu pondered.

Shaking his head, he grabbed his backpack.

"Let's go—boat to Canalave for three days with Mengmengda!"

Haunter floated alongside wearing a 『Haunter Hat』, waving tiny fists.

"Gengarrr!（๑`▽´๑)۶"