Thursday, January 7th. In the hazy night, the renovation crew had just left.
"Quack!" Sirfetch’d nodded in satisfaction. Looks like training moves isn’t that hard after all!
Lu Ye’s eyelid twitched, thinking of Sirfetch’d’s Swords Dance just now. Different Pokémon had their own ways of performing Swords Dance. Because Sirfetch’d’s leek was so large, the move gave off a strong "wildly flailing" vibe.
Is Swords Dance supposed to deal damage now? How is this any different from a Trainer roaring loudly to wake someone from Sleep?
What if the opponent complains: Teacher Lu, I suspect your move is illegal. Then what am I supposed to do!?
Lu Ye’s expression was complicated, but he nodded firmly. Don't ask — it's all about the bond!
Who would’ve thought that even the team’s slacker had started down the path of demolition?
Teacher Lu and Sirfetch’d exchanged a look.
Fortunately, the damage wasn’t too extensive. Because Lu Ye was an old customer, the renovation foreman didn’t charge him. But precisely because they didn't charge him... It somehow made things even more heartbreaking.
In this cold winter, only Cynthia could bring him a little warmth.
The night before heading off to Donghuang. Teacher Lu logged on to play games with Cynthia.
"Next week," Cynthia said, stifling a yawn. "I should be free."
"Done dealing with League matters?"
"Nope, not even close," Cynthia said bluntly.
No surprises there. Lu Ye paused. "And you still have time to game?"
Cynthia sat alone in her villa in Jubilife City, the surroundings dead silent except for the 'shh shh' of a Dewgong climbing the walls. She gently stroked the Glaceon in her lap. "Because I felt like playing."
"Missing me, or missing the game?"
A slight smile appeared on Cynthia’s flawless face, hidden beneath her golden hair. "I want to play games with you."
"You should've just said so earlier," Lu Ye chuckled. "Come on, log in — I’ll show you how to play a Sandstorm Team!"
A few rounds of Pokémon: Battle later... As expected, Teacher Lu lost.
No mercy was given this time either... Mostly because his Venusaur’s Sleep Powder just kept missing — even a god couldn’t save that.
Cynthia: "As expected of you."
Teacher Lu: "One more match!"
That night, Lu Ye experienced firsthand the bitterness Gold must have felt. Got it. Next time, I won’t mute Gold anymore!
"I need to get some sleep," Cynthia said, stretching lazily. "I’ve got to go to the League tomorrow."
Lu Ye grunted an acknowledgement, also preparing to head to Magic City with Lt. Surge.
"Good night," Cynthia said.
In the cold winter night, for some reason, Lu Ye smiled faintly.
After replying, he put away his phone.
Next on the agenda: Traveling with Brock and Lt. Surge on the Waterstream to Magic City.
Sailing at night really had a bit of that sea-fishing vibe.
Lu Ye bundled up in his down jacket and headed to the Vermilion City port by train.
The moment he stepped outside, a sharp wind sliced across his face like a knife.
"Awooo~! (｀0´)" Arcanine's fiery red mane billowed proudly against the wind, standing protectively in front of Lu Ye, its plump body radiating warmth and security.
"Let’s go!" Lu Ye rubbed Arcanine’s big head with a laugh and mounted up.
With a snap of his fingers, the shimmering blue light of Aura flared, illuminating the night road ahead— Sure, it wasn’t glamorous, but it was seriously practical!
Lt. Surge wore a heavy army coat, and Brock had his hands tucked into his sleeves. The two locked eyes.
After a long silence, Brock said, "...Nice to meet you."
Lt. Surge: "You don’t seem very good at making conversation, huh?"
"No... it’s just really cold," Brock muttered, shivering.
"Hahaha, we’re setting sail at night!" Lt. Surge laughed heartily and slapped Brock’s shoulder. "Maybe we’ll even run into a Gyarados!"
The waves crashed against the shore, the lighthouse beacon blinking through the mist.
"Oh, Lu Ye’s here," Lt. Surge said, spotting Arcanine’s figure.
"Teacher Lu!" Brock greeted.
Lu Ye nodded. Glancing left and right at Brock’s glowering face and Lt. Surge’s grizzled veteran look, Lu Ye paused. Why is this sense of déjà vu getting stronger!?
Through the misty sea, schools of Tentacool shimmered faintly. There were also Lumineon, Finneon, Chinchou... The sea was teeming with Pokémon.
"Whooo—" The ship’s horn sounded.
Lt. Surge’s Waterstream set sail.
Customs paperwork was all handled by Captain Surge himself.
Lu Ye stood on deck, facing the night wind, pulling out a fishing rod with great interest.
"Not bad — sea fishing is what a real man’s supposed to do!" Lt. Surge laughed around a cigar. "I'll join ya!"
Brock, watching the two of them, casually asked, "Teacher Lu, the trip will take about two days, right?"
"After the awards ceremony, I need to get back to Pewter Gym. Can’t stop worrying about Jiro."
"Maybe Jiro and the others can take care of themselves," Lu Ye smiled. "It’s just the big brother instinct making you overthink."
Brock squinted, deep in thought.
"Oh, oh, Teacher Lu, you got a big one!" Lt. Surge shouted.
Lu Ye glanced at his Super Rod, then at his own [Fishing Lv4].
Lu Ye: "Don’t tell me... I really hooked a Gyarados?"
Obviously, Teacher Lu's worries were unnecessary.
A fat Magikarp flopped onto the deck, bounced a few times, and then jumped back into the sea on its own.
After a few hours of fishing, aside from Magikarp, Lu Ye also caught a Staryu.
"Gengarrr?" Gengar examined the Staryu closely, confirmed it wasn’t edible, then tossed it back into the sea.
Fortunately, there were no disasters like "James evolving a Pokémon by accident" that night.
"Teacher Lu’s fishing skills are definitely something," Brock acknowledged. ...Even though it was all just Magikarp.
"Something’s off," Surge scratched his head and muttered. "Why can’t I catch anything?"
Lu Ye gave him a side-eye. "Being an Air Force (catching nothing) is kinda lame!"
Lt. Surge’s face turned green, then white. "Cut the crap — I’ll dive in and grab one if I have to!"
"Uh?? No need — seriously, no need!"
As the sky brightened into a misty dawn, Blastoise stood tall on deck, meditating to the rhythm of the waves. The morning light gleamed on Sirfetch’d’s leek stalk.
"Quack!" Sirfetch’d began its morning training.
Brock went into the cabin to prepare sandwiches for breakfast. Lu Ye was genuinely touched.
Having Brock as a traveling companion... was just too comfy!
In the distance, Magic City Port came into view.
Lu Ye planned to first return to Magic University, and then attend the award ceremony that evening.
As for Lt. Surge and Brock... They were free to roam; it shouldn’t be a problem.
After some paperwork, once they disembarked—
Lu Ye gazed at the rising sun over the port, murmuring emotionally: "I can’t believe... I spent three whole months in Kanto."
Three months... During that time, many of the little guys in the team had achieved Master level strength.
Teacher Lu’s heart was filled with complicated feelings — he wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry.
Clearly, Gengar’s training ability as a Trainer had been completely maxed out!
Learning that Lu Ye needed to visit his school first, Lt. Surge and Brock both nodded.
"Are you a visiting professor at Magic University?" Brock asked.
"No," Lu Ye scratched his cheek awkwardly. "I'm... a finance student."
"Anyway, let’s meet up again tonight."
Lu Ye checked the time and looked up at the sky. "I still have to, uh... go take a final exam first!"