Early in the morning, Teacher Lu's fan group chat was already buzzing.
Misty, fresh off her training at the Seafoam Islands, had just returned to Cerulean City and asked in the chat:
[Misty: Teacher Lu, did you already get the Cascade Badge?]
Lu Ye replied, a little drained.
[Lu Ye: Yeah… got it.]
[Misty: Good thing I contacted my sisters ahead of time, Otherwise, they might've been too busy with performances to give you the badge.] Misty sighed with relief.
A giant question mark popped up over Lu Ye's head, 'No wonder they handed me the Cerulean Badge as a tournament prize. So you were the mole, Misty!'
[Green: I watched the recording of yesterday's Fishing Tournament, Looked like there was quite a commotion?] Green said, surprised.
[Lu Ye: Just an accident] Lu Ye coughed awkwardly.
Thanks to Team Rocket's impeccable scapegoat skills—Lu Ye had unexpectedly won the whole fishing tournament.
Squirtle also managed to master Hydro Cannon, continuing on its steady path to becoming Thousand-Hand Hashirama.
All in all, sending Squirtle out to battle might soon mean upgrading from using Full Restore to handing out Mystic Water like candy.
"At this rate… feels like I'm getting ripped off," Lu Ye muttered.
As for handing out badges like candy—well, that was a Cerulean Gym tradition.
Regaining his composure, Lu Ye pinned the newly gifted Cerulean Badge to the inside of his jacket.
Gazing at the now-glittering row of three badges, he nodded thoughtfully.
"No rush. Still got five more to go."
'Five badges! What are you gonna do, delete me from existence?! Laying a trap like this—there's no way I'm completing this mission!'
---
Sunday, November 29.
Being the weekend, everyone was lounging around at home, watching TV together.
On-screen was a movie starring Diantha, with a Gardevoir as her co-star.
Lu Ye, rubbing Arcanine's warm fur, casually joked, "I think Gengar could be a lead too."
Maybe not the idol type—but totally suitable for horror flicks.
Heck, maybe even try filming Magical Girl Gengar?
"Gengarr!" Gengar munched on popcorn and nodded in agreement.
"Veeon~" Sylveon, curled up on Lu Ye's lap, yawned—clearly uninterested in the movie.
With a graceful leap, Sylveon hopped down and headed for the cat door.
"Be back soon!" Lu Ye called after it.
"Veeon~" (Got it~)
Even Squirtle was relaxing with everyone for once.
Suspicious of the popcorn, it nibbled on specially-made energy cubes instead, looking deadly serious.
Even a movie star Gardevoir is this strong?!
Gotta stay sharp. I'll prep before every battle from now on!
"Tchugki-briee~"
Togepi, wearing its Pikachu onesie, was rolling back and forth across the couch.
In its little hands was Lu Ye's phone, and it was playing Angry Dodrio.
When it finally knocked out a Spoink, Togepi kicked its tiny feet in glee.
"Tchugki-briee~ o(*≧▽≦)ツ"
Lu Ye smiled faintly.
Machamp was fun and all, but a real tough guy raised Togepi!
---
That afternoon.
While Lu Ye was catching up on work, he got a call from Oleana.
"The mobile version of the Pokémon TCG is in development," she said. "Also, several single-player DLCs have been completed. Pokémon Auto Chess has officially entered the production timeline."
"Nice work," Lu Ye nodded. "Roughly how much of my own capital can I currently move?"
"Well, considering we're balancing other industries…"
Oleana thought for a second. "About 10,000,000 Pokedollars under your personal control."
Lu Ye blinked, 'So after a few months… I've somehow saved up 10,000,000 Pokedollars? Didn't think I'd live to see the day I became a certified stingy landlord!'
But really, it wasn't that much.
The single-player hits hadn't been on the market for long, and the Trainer Club's real-world business was still burning money.
10,000,000 Pokedollars wasn't even enough to buy an apartment in Modu.
Granted, Lu Ye had spent over 10,000,000 Pokedollars on his team already—
But compared to Champions and Elites who dropped billions on Pokémon training?
That kind of money didn't even buy a Mega Stone.
Lu Ye sighed, 'That's why I'm so paranoid about getting backstabbed once I get the Key Stone… Still, at least he didn't have to worry about borrowing money for now!'
In high spirits, Lu Ye tucked Togepi into a shopping basket and went grocery shopping with Gengar.
Gotta cook a fancy dinner before Sylveon gets back~
---
With snowy white fur, Sylveon stood proudly at the Fighting Dojo's front door.
Its sky-blue eyes gleamed with determination.
Everyone else was growing stronger—Sylveon wasn't going to fall behind.
Just like Gengar trained on its own—Sylveon had its own method: grinding experience solo.
With its Pixilate Ability and residual danger-sensing from its Eevee days—Sylveon could now sniff out ideal "grind spots."
"Veeon!" (For Master… I have to become even stronger!).
Sylveon narrowed its eyes.
It pushed open the Fighting Dojo doors with its ribbons.
All eyes turned toward it.
---
As one of Saffron City's two major Gyms, the Fighting Dojo had lost its official standing after being defeated by Sabrina.
Even so, its strength was nothing to scoff at.
The Dojo Leader Kiyo, a man nicknamed the "Karate King," was preparing to battle challenger Bea.
Suddenly, the dojo doors swung open.
"Another challenger?" Kiyo squinted.
Then he looked closely… and instantly turned into a lovestruck teen girl.
"So cute!!"
He dashed over to Sylveon, fussing like a doting uncle.
"What's wrong, little one? Did you get separated from your Trainer? I'll help you find them, okay?"
The disciples around him looked weirded out.
Control yourself, Master…
Across the dojo, challenger Bea folded her arms, deep in thought.
Why does that Sylveon look so familiar…?
"Veeon! (〝▼皿▼)" Sylveon bared its teeth, pointing a ribbon at the Kiyo's Poké Ball.
He blinked. "You want to challenge me too?"
Sylveon nodded, proud and fearless.
The disciples looked at each other, confused.
"A wild Pokémon?"
"No, wait… didn't the Saffron Gym also get kicked down by a Pokémon once?"
"This is getting out of hand!"
Bea's expression turned serious.
If this was one of Teacher Lu's Pokémon—Then challenging this dojo herself shouldn't be a problem either!
One of the students stood up. "Master, I'll take care of it!"
"Don't hurt it!" Kiyo warned nervously.
"Relax," the student chuckled. "Go, Machoke!"
The brawny Pokémon charged, fist cutting through the air like a blade.
Sylveon lifted its chin and let out a piercing cry!
Hyper Voice, boosted by Pixilate, rang out like a sonic boom.
Everyone in the dojo clutched their ears.
Machoke got blasted across the room and crashed into the wall—instantly knocked out.
"Veeon~" Sylveon tilted its head cutely.
Only that much EXP? Not enough!
Kiyo gulped audibly.
This Pokémon… might even be stronger than Sabrina's Mr. Mime!
"Well then." He tied up his headband, expression turning serious.
"I'll take your challenge myself!"
---
[Ding! Dojo challenge complete!]
[Unofficial dojo—no badge reward. Host, please be advised.]
Back in the kitchen, prepping dinner, Lu Ye's mouth twitched.
"Do I look like I'm challenging dojos?!"
The system once again fell silent.
This isn't right… this can't be right…
At that moment, Sylveon popped back in through the cat door, hopping up onto the couch.
Sensing something, Lu Ye gave it a look.
"You went and kicked another dojo?"
"Veeon~" the little one nodded innocently.
"But the Saffron Gym already has Gengar working as a coach. Everyone should recognize you…"
Lu Ye scratched his chin, then froze.
"Sylveon—did you go to the other Fighting Dojo?"
"Veeon!" Sylveon grinned.
Lu Ye clutched his chest.
Saffron City has two gyms: the Psychic Gym and the Fighting Dojo.
One of you cleared one. The other just bulldozed the second?!
Sure, it's totally in character for his team.
But this isn't Modu, and the Gym Leader isn't Tang Hui…
Sending Pokémon to raid Gyms without warning… probably not the best look.
Lu Ye's expression turned weirdly serious as he mumbled: "…Guess I better head to the Fighting Dojo and check it out myself"