Chapter 611: How Could There Be Such a Dirty Trainer
The match against Lucian will be held tomorrow morning.
Before that, training and the leisure plan proceed as usual.
Lu Ye lay on the sofa, flipping through a novel written by Fumiko to pass the time.
The snow-white Sylveon squatted beside the sofa, the summer lethargy gradually surfacing, slightly narrowing its deep blue eyes: “Bui…”
Holding the book in one hand, Lu Ye’s gaze wandered over the pages as he reached out to gently pinch Sylveon’s soft pink ear. He softly recited:
‘The small but resilient Pokémon looked up to its trainer, only to see a seed of hesitation taking root and sprouting—
Their opponent, unprecedentedly powerful. The Pokémon soothed its trainer with a gentle call as the battle began…’
Reading to this part, Lu Ye’s heart stirred slightly.
Small but resilient Pokémon… He recalled his first meeting with Sylveon and lowered his head slightly.
His eyes met Sylveon’s upward gaze. “Bui! (▼ヘ▼#)”
Lu Ye: “…Sorry, I squeezed too hard.”
“Bui~o(´^｀)o” Sylveon turned its head to the side, signaling forgiveness this time.
Lu Ye laid the book face down on his chest and stared at Sylveon’s ribbons, suddenly struck by an idea—
He wanted to try tying a tight knot!
Teacher Lu pursed his lips.
Too bad he didn’t have the physique of a true Super Newbie.
Otherwise, he could catch Sylveon’s “Steel Tail” barehanded and then lift it high with “Earth Throw”!
His peripheral vision fell on Sirfetch’d, crouched under the air conditioner, folding its wings.
Lu Ye: “Leek Pancake, come here.”
“Gah?” Sirfetch’d put down its sword and shield and slowly walked over.
Lu Ye bent down and petted the duck’s head.
Ducklett shrank its neck, confused: “Gah?”
“Have you gained some weight recently?” Lu Ye smiled widely.
“Gah!” Sirfetch’d shuddered all over.
It felt like there was a hidden meaning in his words~~
“Gah!” (I’m going to train!) Sirfetch’d grabbed its sword and shield and hurried outside.
Lu Ye was slightly stunned and shouted, “Be careful of heatstroke!”
“Gah! (´థ౪థ)σ” Sirfetch’d’s spine chilled.
Could something happen if it got heatstroke!?
Should it go out or not… this is really hard, duck~~
In the end, Ducklett still went out to train Blastoise’s Ice-type moves.
The young Sirfetch’d had yet to realize that every leek in the world had an early price tag.
In the East, there is a famous dish called “Chilled Duck”...
Sword and Shield’s true deity (×) emergency ingredient (√)
Lu Ye continued reading.
“Chajidui~! ヾ(◍°∇°◍)ﾉﾞ”
Togepi ran from the room to the kitchen, using Telekinesis to open the upper fridge, took out a large bottle of cola, and then closed it with Telekinesis.
Pressing its cheek against the cool bottle, Togepi looked completely content: “Dui~”
“Yoji…” Larvitar’s eyes were focused as it stacked the leftover building blocks from Togepi.
Placing the blocks at the highest layer, Larvitar sighed in relief: “Yoji!”
Lu Ye saw this and tossed a Hard Stone: “Catch it, Larvitar!”
Larvitar suddenly turned its head, leapt, and caught the Hard Stone, crunching it with a ‘crack crack’ sound.
“Yoji! (￣～￣)”
Lu Ye: “…”
A semi-legendary baby is quite fun.
There were plenty of these Hard Stones, rewards from the Lily of the Valley Conference champion, serving as Larvitar’s rations.
Combined with the previously obtained “Endure Fruit.”
Larvitar’s special meal was completed with both flavor and nutrition, enough to support the semi-legendary baby until evolution.
During the Pupitar phase, it would not consume any minerals, allowing Teacher Lu a temporary respite.
But once it evolved into Pupitar… the feeding problem would cause headaches again.
Lu Ye rubbed his forehead.
No wonder Gym Leaders, Elite Four, and Champions often have side businesses.
Besides leveling and fighting monsters, spending money on breeding was indispensable!
“Awwo~” Arcanine’s thick mane sprawled on the ground, its big tail wagging as it panted.
In battle mode, it was a mighty lion;
otherwise, a handsome and wise husky.
Big Dog was walking the kids.
Togepi and Larvitar sometimes stuck out their tongues as well.
“Dui~”
Lu Ye: “…”
This was just too cute!
Teacher Lu cleared his throat lightly, got up from the sofa, and shelved Fumiko’s novel.
The bookshelf was filled with Cynthia’s collection, including Fumiko’s novels and various Sinnoh history and mythology studies.
His gaze swept over the spines, suddenly recalling the words from yesterday when Giovanni prepared to hand over his position.
Like Steven passing the champion position to Wallace.
It was not slackening or discouragement.
It was about having more worthy pursuits and feeling the other party was trustworthy.
“Being the boss is impossible, only behind-the-scenes advising.”
Lu Ye muttered, looking up at the sky: “Storm Plan… to isolate the effects of abnormal weather…”
Wait a minute!
“The boss wouldn’t really deploy a Delta Stream Rayquaza, would he?!”
Teacher Lu’s expression turned strange.
It was probably just his overthinking.
Also, according to the personnel change document submitted by Matori—
Due to Musashi, James, and Meowth’s outstanding performance in Michina, they were promoted to squad leaders, with ranks equivalent to junior officers.
This promotion matched the anime plot: after Sinnoh, the trio wore black uniforms, promoted to officers. (Later demoted again)
Currently, the trio were still lone wolves, with no subordinates.
If they worked hard, they could become senior officers, equivalent in status to the “Three Officers.”
Teacher Lu’s expression was subtle.
The old “Three Officers”: Nassi, Ami, Marshal.
The current “Three Officers”: Musashi, James, Meowth.
Is this a contrast between strong huskies and thin huskies?!
The image was already forming in his mind!
……
Lilycove Island, library.
Lucian wore a burgundy suit, legs crossed, with light purple glasses, rapidly flipping through the hardcover book in his hand.
Reading was Lucian’s greatest hobby.
Busy with work lately, now preparing for the Champion League, he finally had some free time.
Snap!
Lucian closed the book, exhaling.
“Phew… finished reading…”
As the Psychic-type Elite Four member, Lucian mastered “Speed Reading” and “Photographic Memory.”
The so-called “Speed Reading” could rival the ‘Quantum Wave Reading Method.’
Compared to Caitlin’s mastery of telekinesis and Gardenia’s prophetic abilities, Lucian’s powers were somewhat inferior.
But for a tactically skilled trainer, these abilities were crucial.
“Next, study Teacher Lu’s tactical system…”
Lucian picked up pen and paper, murmuring to himself.
“That Haunter needs special attention… if it uses Hypnosis, counter with ‘Sleep Talk.’”
“If it uses Perish Song, counter with switching and ‘Taunt.’”
“If Teacher Lu aims for a fast offense, with ‘Trick Room’…”
Lucian’s forehead was covered in cold sweat as he scribbled a full page.
Finally, he leaned back in his chair, took off his glasses, and wiped the sweat.
There was absolutely no way to counter this…
God only knew what tactics Teacher Lu would pull out—
Haunter-centered tactics were countless!!
“Hypnosis, poison, Perish Song, speed control with Icy Wind, high-speed Shadow Ball…”
Lucian felt a trace of despair, slapping the pen down on the table.
The key was that Teacher Lu wielded all these with ease, even making tutorial videos for every season…
Lucian: (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻
How could there be such a dirty Haunter breaking out of its shell!
How could there be such a dirty trainer as Teacher Lu!
……
A-Jin and others were still on Lilycove Island, planning to leave after watching the Elite Four matches.
Professor Samuel Oak and Green had research work and took the ship back to Kanto early, bringing along Aunt Delia and Ash.
Lilycove Island’s harbor.
The snow-white ferry was about to depart, the long whistle blowing.
“Goodbye, Teacher Lu!” Ash leaned on the deck railing, waving vigorously, “Goodbye, Senior A-Jin!”
“That kid’s quite lively!” A-Jin rubbed his chin.
“Maybe in the next Unova Hinoki Conference, Ash could win the championship?” Kris stood nearby with her handbag, smiling.
Teacher Lu looked up at the sky.
He understood the logic;
Pikachu in the BW region was both a drama king and ‘canoe’…
Could Unova be the Hollywood of Pokémon, and Pikachu simply fitting in?
“Did Nassi-nee ever act in a movie in Unova?” Misty, wearing a sunhat, asked curiously.
Brock, in a black and red shirt, stood silently.
Calling “Nassi-nee” in front of everyone, but privately calling her “old woman.”
“From the special effects and music, it was a terrible film.”
Lu Ye folded his arms, giving an honest evaluation:
“The plot was the same.”
The movie starring Nassi was called “The Magical Gate of the Demon Country,” with Nassi playing the villainous witch.
The name and plot had many flaws… yet somehow it was popular among viewers.
Nassi successfully transitioned from a Team Rocket member to a movie star… somewhat similar to Musashi’s dream.
“Maybe because the lead actress had no real acting skills~” A-Jin shrugged.
Lu Ye was stunned.
Luckily, you were muted in the chat group…
Otherwise, no one could save you!
**
Afternoon.
Lu Ye found the trio still diligently running their stall and took them to a quiet corner to announce the personnel changes.
“We’re… squad leaders?” Musashi’s voice trembled.
“All three of us…” James swallowed hard, “all promoted?”
Meowth looked up at the officers eagerly: “Is it true, meow?”
Teacher Lu nodded.
The trio was stunned.
“Awesome, meow! (இωஇ)”
“Our efforts weren’t in vain!”
Lu Ye: “…Alright, don’t attract others over.”
“Yes!”
Although there were no substantial changes, the title promotion alone was enough to move them.
Teacher Lu thought there was no one easier to fool—cough—more competent than them.
Lu Ye: “Work hard and keep earning funds… maybe even become senior officers in the future.”
The trio from Climbing Tech and Team Rocket Logistics—
Hmm… well matched professionally!
The three hugged, tears brimming.
“Such a great feeling~~ o(╥﹏╥)o”
“Slo~~ nashi!!”
……
June 6th, Sunday.
The main hall of the Lily of the Valley Conference, the battle between Teacher Lu and Lucian was about to begin.
Bang bang bang!
Brilliant fireworks exploded.
Drones circled above the venue as a surging crowd flooded in.
The trio enthusiastically recruited customers.
“There’s a Haunter doll sticking out its tongue, meow~”
“And a Sylveon ear headband, very cute!”
Teacher Lu stayed in the players’ resting room, looking at the big screen broadcast, somewhat surprised:
“There are actually so many spectators?”
Staff smiled: “Thanks to your popularity, this Champion League’s attention rivals the Lily of the Valley Conference finals.”
The Champion League was already one of the highest-level battle shows.
Both Teacher Lu and Lucian were popular players.
A clash of titans greatly stirred the audience’s enthusiasm.
“Go, Teacher Lu!!”
“Lucian, Lucian!!”
The cheers reached the resting room.
Teacher Lu was surprised by the huge audience and felt a faint sense of anticipation.
He could afford to lose other casual matches… but this one had to be won!
On the big screen, the broadcast showed Lucian entering.
The roaring crowd filled the venue.
Lucian stepped out from the player’s entrance, wearing leather shoes and holding a book.
Sunlight reflected off his light purple glasses.
Snap!
He closed the book and slightly raised his head, giving Rotom’s drone a faint smile.
Instantly, the venue erupted.
“Lucian’s quite popular.” Amid the tidal cheers, Misty whispered to Ami.
Ami smiled gently and softly replied:
“Because Lucian performed excellently in previous Champion Leagues… he attracted much attention.”
On the second-floor viewing seats, Cynthia crossed her legs, wearing a dignified black coat with a black velvet collar, her gaze fixed on the battle arena.
The cheers grew louder and more genuine as the host’s passionate voice echoed throughout the venue.
“Next, please welcome the Lily of the Valley Conference Champion, Lu Ye—!!”
“Recording mode activated, Loto!”
On screen, the red Rec dot flashed.
The camera tilted upward from below;
Lu Ye’s back faced the lens as he strode toward the roaring venue.
Mobile Rotom hovered around, and fans instantly flooded into the live chat.
“He’s here, first-person perspective!”
“Teacher Lu isn’t playing the Baby Cup anymore! (crying voice)”
“The Elite Four match is nothing but Baby Cup?”
“Lu Bao, kill for grandpa!!”
Lu Ye walked out of the long player corridor.
Sunlight shone down.
The crowd in the stands exploded in cheers.
Standing at the center of the roar, Lu Ye looked at Lucian standing firm before him, suddenly feeling unreal.
A year ago, he watched Lucian vs. Cynthia in the Champion League on TV.
One year later, he stood here challenging Sinnoh League’s strongest Elite Four member.
Thump, thump.
The heartbeat was not fast.
Lu Ye calmly accepted it all, as real as the Pokéball in his hand.
“When the trainer and Pokémon’s hearts are in sync, a brilliant battle unfolds,” Lucian said, crossing his arms with one hand supporting his glasses, smiling.
“What?”
“It’s a novel I just read.” Lucian shrugged. “If I don’t hurry, I might not have time to read it.”
“No…” Lucian corrected himself, smiling faintly: “Maybe there will be more time in the future.”
Lu Ye: “...I have no intention of taking over the Elite Four position.”
Lucian was stunned.
“No, no intention of taking over?”
“I forgot to tell you earlier.” Lu Ye apologized: “After a while… I plan to travel to Kalos.”
“…” Lucian stretched out a trembling hand to adjust his glasses.
So in the end—
Accepting Teacher Lu’s challenge was just another part-time job!? (*꒦ິ⌓꒦ີ)
“Let’s hurry…”
Lucian ‘slapped’ his forehead and groaned:
“Let’s start the battle quickly!”
……