"This Sylveon is adorable, though its gaze seems rather fierce..."
Mallow looked down at her own trembling Sylveon in her arms and thought to herself:
"It's completely overwhelmed by the aura..."
"What's it saying?" Lu Ye asked curiously.
Mallow replied softly: "It's telling me to stay away from you..."
That certainly matched his Sylveon's personality. Lu Ye continued:
"Then do you think my Sylveon is cute?"
The moment the question left his mouth, Teacher Lu mentally slapped his thigh.
Damn it, wrong question! What I meant to ask was about training methods!
Lu Ye imitated Mallow's gesture, pulling Sylveon into his arms and stroking its smooth white fur.
"See? She said you're cute."
"Eevee~o(´^｀)o" Sylveon refused to play along, its ribbons coiling around Lu Ye's arm.
Mallow observed this entire interaction.
She smiled and said, "You share an incredibly deep bond with your Sylveon."
"I actually came regarding Sylveon matters," Lu Ye said thoughtfully. "I wanted to consult you about advanced Fairy-type training methods."
"And also whether my current training approach might pose any risks to Sylveon..."
Even a Champion might not surpass a Fairy-type Gym Leader in their specialized field. As his Pokémon grew stronger, Lu Ye had become acutely aware that his previous training methods might cause health issues.
This consultation with Mallow about Fairy-type techniques stemmed from genuine concern for his Pokémon's wellbeing. Ironically, his Pokémon's desire to grow stronger was entirely for his sake. Their goals formed a peculiar contradiction that somehow achieved harmony...
Mallow examined Sylveon carefully before saying, "It seems specialized in physical attacks and has the 'Pixilate' ability, correct?"
"Close combat has always been one of Sylveon's fighting styles," Mallow said softly. "From my observation, both its training and care are practically perfect..."
Lu Ye blinked in surprise. "Do you know if Sylveon can learn advanced Fairy-type moves after mastering 'Moonblast'?"
Mallow's doll-like face showed contemplation. After a long pause, she said slowly, "I've heard the power of the new moon can amplify 'Moonblast' to greater heights."
"This requires an extremely rare Lunar Wing..." Mallow sighed. "But such items are nearly impossible to..."
"You mean this?" Lu Ye waved the crescent-shaped pendant in his hand.
The girl's expression cycled through bewilderment, shock, and finally barely concealed envy.
Mallow gave Lu Ye a deep look. "Yes... that's indeed a Lunar Wing."
"What about specific training methods?"
"It varies by individual and requires continuous exploration," Mallow said, covering her sleeve as she smiled faintly. "Or you could find Cresselia - it would undoubtedly provide purer lunar power."
"Cresselia..." Lu Ye frowned in thought.
The legendary Lunar Pokémon, though Psychic-type, possessed lunar power deeply connected to Fairy-types. Legends said Cresselia could foresee nightmares, its "Future Sight" ability making it rarely appear before humans with ill intentions.
"I probably won't get to see it then," Lu Ye thought. "But at least I've confirmed Sylveon's condition - that's valuable enough."
"If you're concerned, you could leave Sylveon with me," Mallow extended her hands. "I could examine it more thoroughly."
"Eevee! o(´^｀)o" Sylveon turned its head away completely, ignoring Mallow.
"That's quite alright, thank you," Lu Ye smiled. "I've obtained valuable information."
"Not at all~" Mallow watched Teacher Lu holding Sylveon, smiling behind her sleeve.
In Fairy-type training, emotional bonds were crucial. In Teacher Lu and Sylveon, Mallow saw profound connection - the very ideal she'd always pursued between trainer and Pokémon: mutual understanding and trust. Like when dreaming of butterflies, the butterflies might be dreaming of you too.
Unconsciously, unlike her previous formal smile, a genuine bright expression blossomed on Mallow's face.
Lu Ye noticed: "You seem happy."
Mallow touched her cheek, the smile lingering. "Do I?"
"Your earlier smile seemed distant, merely for socializing," Lu Ye glanced at the large wings behind her. "But this smile... like you've finally set down a heavy burden."
Mallow fell into prolonged silence before sighing. "Because often, I can't act as I wish, Teacher Lu."
"I want to open my own little shop, but I have the entire Parfum Palace behind me."
"I must constantly hold fashion shows, design new styles, interact with clients... to make them accept this foreign style, and help those who crossed oceans with me to survive."
"You mean the geisha who followed you from Ecruteak to Kalos?" Lu Ye asked.
Mallow stared blankly for a moment before looking at Lu Ye. "You truly seem capable of 'Future Sight,' Teacher Lu..."
"Teaching long enough gives you insight into people," Lu Ye's eyes sparkled as he smiled. "Do you know Galar's Champion, Leon?"
Mallow blinked slightly before nodding gently. "I've heard of him."
"That guy carries all of Galar on his back," Lu Ye recalled. "For Galar's sake, he must keep winning, keep defending the title of 'Strongest Champion.'"
"But he isn't just a tool bearing the 'Champion' title," Lu Ye continued. "Before becoming Champion, he was first and foremost Leon, the strongest trainer."
Mallow gazed dumbfounded at Lu Ye.
"Before bearing others' destinies, he was first an independent individual, a free soul. No one is born to carry fate - it's fate that drives them to grow stronger."
Lu Ye looked at Mallow. "And the weight on your shoulders isn't borne alone - your companions, your Pokémon share it."
"I'm not telling you to shirk responsibility, but when it becomes too heavy, there are always things to support you... even if that support comes from the responsibility itself."
Mallow trembled slightly, her dark pupils reflecting the mentor's figure.
Softly, she asked, "Then... how has your destiny made you stronger?"
For a moment, complex emotions flashed across Lu Ye's face.
He nearly wanted to show Mallow his scar-riddled back.
After a long pause, Lu Ye touched where his diary rested beneath his clothes and said hoarsely:
"Hatred. My past constantly chases me."
Mallow looked at this young mentor who seemed to have weathered countless storms.
Something resonated within her as she comforted softly:
"Then you must have suffered greatly..."
"Gengarrr! ヾ(≧∇≦*)ヾ" Haunter, who'd been floating nearby watching the show, suddenly burst into laughter.
Lu Ye cleared his throat and composed himself. "Anyway, thank you for the information. Sylveon and I should get going now."
"Eevee~" Sylveon happily tugged Lu Ye's arm with its ribbon, ready to leave.
"W-wait please!" Mallow called out anxiously. "I... I brought you a gift!"
Lu Ye: "I told you not to prepare anything?"
"Since you mentioned it, I naturally understood what you meant."
Mallow smiled faintly, producing an exquisitely wrapped box and pushing it toward Lu Ye.
Inside the box lay an elegantly designed, fashionable scarf. Lu Ye blinked in surprise: