September 17th, Thursday
Modu, Bull Training Club
Watching the livestream, the receptionist casually munched on a chip and mumbled,
"Teacher Lu really is handsome!"
Haunter swiped a chip for itself and nodded in agreement.
Summer Quan, cradling a gentle-looking Growlithe, asked offhandedly,
"By the way, you asked me to find a renovation team last time. What was that for again?"
Growlithe wagged its tail awkwardly.
When the tournament ended, Haunter carried Growlithe back home, looking dejected.
The area had plenty of residential complexes, but the red villa stood out the most.
On the second floor, a massive hole had split the wall, exposing the brickwork.
The inside was clearly visible, revealing a charred floor and a soot-covered ceiling.
It looked like the aftermath of a fire—utter devastation.
Haunter scratched its head, pulled out a notebook from its shadow, and scribbled with a ballpoint pen.
The doodles were abstract at best.
But if Sylveon were here, it might have deciphered Haunter’s training notes:
[9.14 – Will-O-Wisp: Minimal effect.]
[9.15 – Major chaos: Super effective.]
[9.16 – Flame Wheel: Mastered.]
For any Trainer, mastering a new move in just three days was an accomplishment to be proud of.
Though… the cost had been significant.
Still, Growlithe had improved tremendously, and Haunter was quite satisfied.
Now, all it had to do was fix the house before its Trainer got back…
Haunter pushed the door open and looked at the disaster inside.
Sweat trickled down its forehead.
Inside the room, Sister Liu was already overseeing a group of workers as they renovated.
Glancing back at Haunter, she smiled.
"I already found the renovation team."
"You don’t have to feel bad. I’ve been wanting to remodel this place for a while."
"Haunterrr…" Haunter looked utterly defeated.
Master told me to be careful… yet I still messed up.
Growlithe widened its eyes, full of wisdom.
Sister Liu crouched down and patted their heads, laughing.
"Money isn’t the important part… Learning a new move—Little Lu will be pleased, don’t you think?"
Haunter and Growlithe exchanged glances, their spirits lifting.
A grin slowly stretched across their faces.
Imperial City, Ho-Oh’s Nest
The University League finals had reached their climax.
Everyone stared in disbelief at the outstanding Trainer standing on the battlefield.
"A… A one-vs-five sweep?!"
"Imperial University is down to their last Pokémon!"
"There’s still a chance! Sylveon is already running on fumes!"
Despite the hopeful words, a wave of despair surged through the Imperial University supporters.
Because the final Pokémon of Gu Fengyuan, Imperial University’s contestant—
Was none other than Garchomp, its powerful arms lined with sharp, white bone spurs and razor-like fangs.
Against most opponents, this future pseudo-legendary would have been a beacon of hope.
A Dragon-type Garchomp against a Sylveon was a natural disadvantage.
Sylveon’s sharp gaze locked onto Garchomp.
A cold sweat trickled down Garchomp’s forehead.
"Imperial University’s trump card is Garchomp," Du Yuanshan mused.
"President Sun, you really planned this one well."
Sun Huaian’s face darkened, and he let out a long sigh.
"I’ve embarrassed myself again… Lost to you once more!"
"You’ve never won against me!" Du Yuanshan burst into laughter.
"And since you lost the bet, you know what to do."
"It’s just an Ice Punch TM," Sun Huaian grumbled.
"But you sure are invested in that kid."
Du Yuanshan stroked his beard as he gazed at the young Trainer in the center of the battlefield, his heart filled with admiration.
He might just grow into something truly terrifying!
"Sylveon, Quick Attack!"
Sylveon’s figure blurred, its ribbon-like feelers slicing across Garchomp’s belly.
Garchomp cried out, its razor-sharp claws slashing out in retaliation.
The wind howled as its attack missed.
Sylveon nimbly leaped back, gracefully avoiding the blow.
Then, it twirled its ribbons—
A dazzling Fairy Wind swept across the battlefield!
Garchomp stiffened mid-motion as if frozen in time.
Then, Garchomp collapsed backward.
A cloud of dust billowed up.
At the same time, the referee blew the whistle.
"Modu University… Wins!"
For a moment, the entire stadium fell into complete silence.
All eyes were on Teacher Lu.
After a long silence, someone finally murmured,
"Did… Teacher Lu just sweep Imperial University?"
"Holy sh*t, a one-vs-five!"
Only now did the audience snap out of their daze.
The once silent stadium erupted into cheers.
Even Imperial University supporters had no choice but to applaud in defeat.
He single-handedly crushed Imperial University…
Teacher Lu, do you even see your opponents as people?!
Confetti rained down from above.
At the same time, a system notification rang in Lu Ye’s ears.
[Ding! Achievement ‘Youth Cup Champion’ unlocked.]
[Reward: Random Skill Lv3; Commemorative Ball ×1]
Lu Ye’s eyes lit up as he opened his rewards.
[Performance Lv3: Enhances musical perception, improves proficiency in all instruments, and boosts understanding of rhythm, melody, and music theory… (Keep the music playing, keep on dancing!)]
Being able to master any instrument…
This skill was just as broken as [Cooking].
After carefully sensing the change, Lu Ye nodded.
This ability also improved his composition and melody-making skills to some extent.
While it didn’t directly enhance his singing, as long as he nailed the rhythm, he could totally become a cover singer.
He had considered copying songs before.
But his lack of music theory knowledge had always been an obstacle.
Now, rubbing his chin, Lu Ye muttered,
"Looks like… I can pivot into a music content creator now!"
With the conclusion of the Donghuang Youth Cup, the name Teacher Lu was on everyone’s lips.
For Imperial University supporters, just hearing his name was enough to give them a headache.
Meanwhile, Modu University fans affectionately called him:
"How can a Trainer be this dirty?!"
"So this is the ‘Pride of Modu’? I love it!"
With his total domination of Imperial University, Lu Ye was also named MVP.
Though he didn’t feel too much excitement about the title—
That changed when 2 million was deposited into his account.
At that moment, a grin spread across Teacher Lu’s face.
After so many tournaments lost…
Finally, he had made a profit!
As for the Mystic Water, a crystal-clear pendant, Lu Ye handed it to his Squirtle.
Squirtle carefully accepted the pendant, a gleam flashing in its eyes.
Master once said—outside of official matches, there was no limit to how many items we could carry…
What if I stockpile a few hundred Mystic Waters?
Staring at the teardrop-shaped pendant around its neck, Squirtle fell into deep thought…
A sudden wave of unease surged in Lu Ye’s heart.
Suspiciously glancing at Squirtle, he scratched his head.
"Nothing bad should be happening at home, right?"
"Sister Liu is watching over the place…" Lu Ye chuckled and shook his head.
"There’s no way they tore the house down again… right?"