Early in the morning, Lu Ye got up, washed up, and prepared to head to the Trainer Academy.
Last night's new video stirred up quite the discussion, even in the group chat.
[Gold: You stalled me out for two turns straight yesterday, completely bare! That's not scientific at all!] Gold shouted
Green covered her mouth and chuckled.
[Green: With strong bonds, moves can be enhanced too, you know.]
[Brock: Emotional energy is truly fascinating. I know a Trainer whose Pikachu can even hit Ground-types with Thunderbolt...] Brock nodded.
[Blue: Wait... you're not talking about Ash, are you?] Blue's expression turned strange.
[Brock: Huh? You know him too, Blue?] Brock was surprised.
[Blue: If we're talking about Electric moves hitting Ground-types or Quick Attack hitting Ghost-types... he's the first one that comes to mind.]
[Lorelei: No way, a Trainer from Pallet Town... who still doesn't have the type matchup chart memorized?] Lorelei looked a bit shocked.
Trainers from Pallet Town were famous across multiple leagues.
Listening to Blue's description, Lorelei found it hard to believe.
Misty thought for a moment and said.
[Misty: @Lorelei, could it be the Trainer who challenged you on Sevii Island?]
[Lorelei: Oh! Now I remember! That super adorable Pikachu!] The airheaded Lorelei clapped her hands.
Lu Ye's expression was complicated.
Somehow, it felt like if Ash ever joined this group chat, his status might rival even Gold's!
But in this timeline, Ash should be traveling solo in a movie-exclusive adventure.
As the "Rainbow Hero," his personality should be more mature than usual.
"Still, I'd love to meet the legend himself one day," Lu Ye stroked his chin and nodded.
---
Closing the group chat, Lu Ye looked up and checked his bearings.
Today's main task was reporting to the Trainer Academy.
Located on the outskirts of Celadon City, it connected north to Vermilion City and south to Cerulean City.
The round trip for work was about two hours—not too far.
"How much farther?"
"Gengarr!"
Gengar glanced at the map on the Pokédex, then suddenly froze.
The Pokédex flashed and vibrated.
"Oh, that's the phone function. I registered my number in it too."
Lu Ye took the Pokédex and looked up. "Hello, who's this?"
"Teacher Lu, as per our agreement—"
A familiar voice rang out—it was Matori.
"After you upload your video, I distribute your rewards."
"Ah, no need to be so formal!"
Lu Ye was briefly stunned, then laughed heartily.
"Bank transfer or mobile payment?"
"Ahem... due to certain reasons, the year-end stipend might be delayed."
Matori coughed lightly. "But don't worry, you'll receive everything you're owed!"
"Oh, that's fine."
If Matori hadn't mentioned it, Lu Ye would've completely forgotten that, as a Rocket Executive, he was eligible for a year-end bonus.
But Matori's next words made his expression change.
"I've sent you a TM—Dark Pulse."
Matori spoke seriously, "This is a legacy move from a Dark-type Elite Four member... its value is immeasurable."
Dark Pulse?
Lu Ye's expression grew heavy.
"This Dark-type Elite Four... who are they?"
Lu Ye had already collected a ridiculous number of elite moves.
Thanks to ambushing Gym Leaders and Elite Four members, his move collection was nothing short of luxurious.
Whether it was Gengar or Sylveon, their movesets were absolutely top-tier.
I really don't need any more of these…
"It's Karen, the Dark-type Elite Four from Johto."
Matori stated directly, "Her Houndoom is famous for its mastery of Dark Pulse..."
"I believe this move will be quite useful for you."
Lu Ye's expression turned odd.
Holy sh*t, another move straight from an Elite Four member!
"Wait a sec—"
Before he could finish speaking, the Pokédex's transfer function activated.
A remotely uploaded TM file was automatically integrated into the Pokédex.
As soon as Gengar got hold of the Pokédex and opened the TM file, it could immediately start learning the move…
"Any other questions?" Matori asked.
She had already consulted Karen about the specifics of Dark Pulse.
Karen had refined the move, making it stronger while removing potential drawbacks.
The only downside?
It was expensive.
But... who gets strong without spending money?
Especially for a Trainer at Lu Ye's level—Elite Four, maybe even Champion-tier.
This kind of expense was nothing more than a drop in the ocean!
"Nothing much... just make sure your grandfather doesn't play chess for the next few days."
"Huh? Why?"
"I'm afraid people might start pointing fingers at him."
"I appreciate your concern, but my grandpa doesn't play chess much."
Matori coughed lightly, suddenly feeling a little flushed.
Why is he so concerned about my family?
Could it be... that Teacher Lu has been moved by my sincerity?
Oh no!
Teacher Lu is really handsome, but this can't happen…!
---
Meanwhile, on the other side—
Lu Ye felt a sharp pang in his chest as he silently gazed at the sky.
Deleting the TM file outright… that would be a bit too much.
And Dark Pulse was, in fact, a move Gengar hadn't learned yet.
From another perspective…
Once Squirtle evolved into Blastoise, Gengar could even pass the move down to it.
Wait a minute...
Lu Ye's expression shifted slightly.
"Gengarr?" Gengar looked at Lu Ye blankly.
"It's nothing."
Lu Ye shook his head and coughed lightly.
The Pokémon card game was still wildly popular.
With new expansion packs and upcoming game releases...
These were just small expenses!
Lu Ye calmly nodded to himself.
"Karen and Matori... I'll remember this!"
---
After obtaining Dark Pulse, the first day of work suddenly felt dull.
Lu Ye entered the Trainer Academy with a downcast expression.
As an affiliate of Celadon University, the academy had both middle and high school divisions, with students ranging from ages 12 to 18.
Right now, it was break time.
Students sat in small circles, playing Pokémon cards, while others gathered around simulators, engaging in virtual battles.
The familiar scene made Lu Ye pause for a moment.
This scenario… doesn't it seem a bit familiar?
In the original series, wasn't this the Trainer Academy that Ash once visited?
Just as Lu Ye was lost in thought—
A group of high school students, wearing armbands, blocked his path.
"Stranger, this is a Trainer Research School."
The one in front was a cute-looking girl with silky black hair, a pleated skirt, and white thigh-high socks.
"If you wandered in by mistake, please leave immediately."
She looked somewhat familiar. Curious, Lu Ye asked, "What's your name?"
"You think you're worthy of knowing the name of Giselle-senpai?!"
A male student beside her scoffed, "She's a Trainer with over three badges!"
...You literally just said her name out loud.
"So what?" Lu Ye sighed.
Already frustrated from getting backstabbed this morning, he glanced around.
"And if I refuse to leave, what are you going to do?"
"Then we'll have no choice but to make you leave!"
Giselle elegantly tossed out a Poké Ball.
"Go, Cubone!"
At the same time, several male students beside her threw their Poké Balls as well.
"Go, Weepinbell, Zubat!"
Surrounded by unfriendly Pokémon, the system suddenly chimed—
[Ding! Task 'Leading by Example' detected.]
[Task Objective: Teach these rude students some discipline.]
]Reward: Max Revive 1]
Lu Ye frowned slightly at the sight of these weaklings.
"Teacher here... is getting a little annoyed."
He glanced at the Pokémon on the field and furrowed his brows.
"Togepi, Dazzling Gleam."
A white light burst forth as Togepi wobbled onto the battlefield, happily waving its tiny hands.
"Tchugki-briee~~ヾ(◍°∇°◍)ﾉﾞ"
A blinding Dazzling Gleam engulfed the entire field.
Giselle instinctively turned away.
As the light faded, the air fell silent.
The entire scene froze.
Giselle's pupils shrank.
"Impossible!"
A single Togepi... wiped out all the Student Council's Pokémon?!
That's not how the textbooks say it works!
Lu Ye calmly removed his sunglasses.
"Allow me to introduce myself."
"I'm your new Simulation Battle Instructor."
New teacher?!
Giselle's face turned pale.
No way—he's too young!
Lu Ye checked his watch.
"Class has already started five minutes ago, yet you're still loitering outside."
"Anyone still on the field—write out the Type Matchup Chart ten times and submit it to my office before the afternoon."
"Giselle, you—come to my office separately."
---
Under Lu Ye's overwhelming presence, the students scattered like startled birds.
Giselle followed behind him, looking utterly dejected.
"This was my mistake..."
"Please punish me, but don't involve the other Student Council members!"
"Any punishment will do?"
"A-anything..."
"Then copy the Type Matchup Chart twenty times and submit it before the end of the day."
Giselle flinched, glancing at Lu Ye.
She seemed relieved... but also slightly disappointed.
With that matter settled—
Lu Ye suddenly realized he had no idea where his office was.
He sent the disheartened Giselle back to her classroom first, then headed to the principal's office to report in.
---
"Since this is a prestigious academy, the students do tend to be a bit... proud."
In the principal's office, the round, chubby Principal Michael [1]handed Lu Ye a cup of tea.
"I also manage a Trainer Academy in Johto, so I'll be relying on you to handle things here."
"Still, isn't it a bit much to chase away every unfamiliar face?"
Lu Ye frowned as he explained what had just happened.
"It's probably due to the closed-campus policy."
Principal Michael coughed. "There have been incidents where outside Trainers came in looking for trouble… And also, well, you do look quite young..."
"Please don't take it personally!"
Principal Michael had long heard of Lu Ye.
A Trainer with unfathomable strength, battle tactics rivaling even the Elite Four…
Having him as an instructor was a huge asset to the academy.
But now, it seemed like his first impression of the school wasn't great.
Feeling guilty, Principal Michael sighed.
Lu Ye, on the other hand, felt a bit embarrassed at how polite the principal was.
"You're being too kind," he chuckled. "I can be a bit impulsive too."
That said, at least he got a Max Revive out of it.
He had already stashed it away in Gengar's treasure trove, planning to use it the next time Squirtle battled.
Principal Michael let out a relieved sigh.
"In any case... you're free to use the school's training facilities as you please."
"We have Weather Rooms, Electric Rooms, Gravity Chambers, and more."
He smiled. "Celadon University's facilities are quite advanced!"
Lu Ye remained composed as he listened—
But beside him, Gengar's mouth was practically watering.
"Gengarr! (¯﹃¯)" (These sound way better than the training rooms at the club. Decision made—I'm definitely trying them out later!)
[1] I can't find the name of the principal so I will be using an OC's name. Please do tell me by commenting the real name of the principal. Thank You.