In the invitation seat.
Shizuku's gaze was complicated as she watched the scene unfold, murmuring, “This isn’t looking good...”
“It’s not looking good,” Lu Ye chuckled.
“For Togekiss as a defensive pivot to hold out is already quite impressive.”
Shizuku frowned, staying silent.
Although Lance had won the first round, the tactical positions of the two Pokémon were different.
Just as that guy said,
Lance had clearly built his strategy around his red Gyarados and its Dragon Dance boosts.
But at this moment, the red Gyarados was fast asleep.
Shizuku couldn’t help but look up, carefully scrutinizing Lu Ye.
He seemed to have everything on the battlefield — and the tactical moves of both Trainers — completely figured out.
“Who exactly are you?” Shizuku frowned.
“A passing friend in the supporters' section.”
Lu Ye ruffled Eevee's head, completely unaware of the little one’s excited gaze.
“More importantly... Lance’s situation doesn’t look great.”
Lu Ye fought to suppress the grin creeping up his face.
Everyone was part of a supporters’ group, after all.
Whoever’s friend won would have the bragging rights, right?
Setting a flag before the match...
Look at your cousin; he’s almost been beaten to tears by you!
Lance recalled the sleeping red Gyarados and sent out his second Pokémon — Aerodactyl.
Lu Ye couldn’t resist a comment.
A Dragon-type Elite Four member who hasn’t used a Dragon-type Pokémon twice in a row — seriously?
Aerodactyl was incredibly fast but had mediocre staying power, making it a high-speed striker.
Cynthia sent out her Spiritomb, and after a few exchanges, Lucario's Meteor Mash took down Aerodactyl.
The Pokémon continued rotating in and out, each side winning and losing, with the air thick with tension and fierce combat.
As the match progressed, Shizuku, the Gym Leader of Sootopolis City, grew increasingly unsettled.
Maybe because Lu Ye’s commentary got to her, he kept babbling in her ear.
“See that Salamence? It’s about to get one-shotted, just watch!”
“Whoa, look at that — a four-times Ice weakness just taken out by Glaceon!”
“Oh no, Gastrodon can’t beat Dragonite; it’s going to go the full six rounds...”
Shizuku didn’t want to listen.
But damn it, everything he said was spot on!
Even she had to admit that his understanding of battle tactics outstripped her own.
Annoyed, Shizuku gritted her teeth and interrupted,
“Enough... I know where I went wrong.”
“Where did you go wrong?” Lu Ye looked puzzled.
“I shouldn’t have given advice so easily.” Shizuku sighed.
I was so foolish, really.
How could anyone invited by Cynthia be weak?
With his grasp of battle tactics, he’s definitely at least a master-level Trainer!
What Shizuku didn’t know was that Teacher Lu was just a master of talking big...
If he really had to fight Lance with Cynthia’s team, he’d probably fall flat on his face.
Lu Ye’s expression was complicated as he coughed lightly. “Only one match left...”
Garchomp vs. Dragonite.
When Garchomp took the field, Lu Ye clearly felt Cynthia’s demeanor change.
It was a confidence born from countless battles.
Loving Pokémon, forming bonds, and receiving their response.
In this regard, even Lance and his Dragonite couldn’t compare to Cynthia and her Garchomp.
In a one-on-one match, Cynthia trusted her Garchomp completely — they wouldn’t lose to anyone!
Garchomp spread its crimson claws, eyes glowing red, its form shooting toward Dragonite like a missile.
Dragonite’s face was serious, wings beating as it launched a frost-covered Ice Punch at the incoming Garchomp.
The frigid wind left a layer of frost on Garchomp’s head fin.
But Garchomp spun while using Swords Dance, its speed increasing rather than dropping!
Dragon Rush struck first, Garchomp dodging the Ice Punch with a sidestep and hammering Dragonite out of the sky with a headbutt!
The announcer shouted in disbelief, “A critical hit! Dragonite is unable to battle!”
The silent arena erupted into cheers.
“The victor is Cynthia from the Sinnoh Region!!”
Lu Ye finally let out a sigh of relief, his tense heart relaxing at last.
He glanced at the somewhat dejected Shizuku and grinned.
Why did it feel so satisfying to see someone else lose a match?
Clearing his throat, Lu Ye patted Haunter and Eevee, smiling,
“Pretty brutal, huh? Don’t worry, I can still afford to raise you two...”
Before he finished, Eevee jumped onto Lu Ye’s lap, biting his sleeve hard.
Haunter also had a look of longing, dreaming of winning a championship for Lu Ye, and started giggling foolishly.
Suddenly, Haunter’s eyes lit up.
Wasn’t their purpose for attending this match to motivate them?
Surely he meant that with hard training, they’d have their chance on the battlefield too!
“Gengarrr!” (We need to train harder!)
“Eevee seems eager to train,” Shizuku smiled. “It’s quite a diligent little one.”
Lu Ye’s face twitched.
Wait, that’s not why I brought you here!
But with Eevee’s determined expression, Shizuku’s guess was probably right.
Lu Ye sighed long and hard, then noticed Haunter beside him.
“Gengarrr! (๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧”
Haunter patted Lu Ye’s shoulder, nodding seriously.
Lu Ye was touched. “You really get me, Haunter!”
Cynthia and Lance’s battle wrapped up.
The match had lasted almost an hour.
But they didn’t have to leave yet — other veteran Trainers’ exhibition matches were coming up.
Lu Ye had promised Cynthia he’d wait, so he leaned back on the sofa, munching on the free fresh fruit platter...
Free stuff really did taste better!
“Huh?” Lu Ye glanced at Shizuku beside him. “Why are you still here?”
“I’m waiting for someone.”
“Who else?!” Shizuku snapped.
It must be her cousin, Dragon Master Lance.
Lu Ye nodded thoughtfully, then his face paled.
This morning... Red had called him for a reason, hadn’t he?
Lu Ye slapped his forehead, cold sweat dripping.
Damn, now I remember!
Lance wanted a friendly match!
An invite seat was the worst place to hide — Lance would definitely find him!
The sound of high heels clicked closer; Cynthia must be near.
Running wasn’t an option now.
And he still had to take Cynthia home later.
Lu Ye stared at Haunter.
“Haunter, it’s up to you!”
“Gengarrr?! Σ(っ°Д°;)っ”
Lu Ye sighed inwardly.
A friendly match wouldn’t be too brutal, right?
Even if he lost, Haunter might gain some experience points!
But then realization struck, and Lu Ye sighed.
“It's all a scheme! Haunter leveling up just means more money for Pokéblocks!”
A pleasant fragrance wafted over.
Cynthia entered the booth, gracefully sitting beside Lu Ye, resting her chin on her hand. “I won.”
“I also mentioned you to Lance.”
Next to them, a red-haired man in a cape nodded at Shizuku.
Turning, Lance checked his phone, compared it to Lu Ye, and smiled.
Lance swept his cape aside, revealing his red-and-blue Champion outfit, and extended his hand.
“I’m here on Red’s behalf... for a friendly match with you!”