The Sinnoh League.
When Aiden went live, it was already deep into the night in the distant Sinnoh region.
Inside the league office, three young men with different hair colors and expressions were each busy with their own work.
"Ah... why do I have to stay late with you too these days!"
Flint, sitting on the left, leaned back in his chair and started slacking off in a triangular pose, glancing at Lucian beside him with a somewhat helpless expression.
"There's no way around it. With Champion Cynthia not around the league lately, we Elite Four have to handle the affairs of all the cities."
Lucian didn't say anything, seemingly ignoring Flint's thoughts. Instead, Aaron on the far right looked up at Flint with a slightly helpless expression.
"If even someone like you, who's usually single-minded, is here handling paperwork, you should realize how short-staffed the league is right now..."
"Hey, what do you mean? Do you want to fight?!"
Flint, provoked by Aaron's words, immediately stood up angrily but was quickly silenced by Lucian's sharp glare.
"What's with all the noise? Cynthia has her reasons for taking leave. All we need to do is keep the league running smoothly until she returns."
"Besides... if anyone feels they have too much work, they can switch with me—I don't mind."
"..." ×2
After exchanging glances, Flint and Aaron silently returned to their seats, saying nothing more.
What a joke! Lucian's workload was probably four or five times theirs. If he weren't a psychic-type genius with a sharper mind than most, he would've collapsed from exhaustion long ago!
If it were them taking over, their brain cells would evaporate instantly...
"You're right. After all, Cynthia's main job is being a mythologist, and some new ruins have been discovered recently."
Aaron sighed helplessly and returned to his desk, resting his head on his hands.
"If only I could become champion—it feels like being the Elite Four is much harder than being champion…"
Upon hearing this, Lucian couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.
"Hmph, train for another ten years before you think about becoming champion. You still want to be champion after nearly getting swept 6-0 by Cynthia?"
"The title of champion is itself an absolute symbol of strength. Simply stepping in during critical moments is enough. Helping the champion is also part of our duty as the Elite Four."
As he spoke, Lucian's pen continued to dance across the paper.
In fact, this was one of the reasons he aspired to the position of champion.
Apart from President Geeta in Paldea, champions in other regions aren't explicitly defined positions within the league but are more like symbolic figures.
It's not that becoming champion makes one strong; rather, only the strongest trainer in the region can become champion!
Once you're the strongest in the region, who needs formalities?
Being able to quell crises with your absolute strength at critical moments is their sole responsibility.
Most of the league's daily operations are handled by the Elite Four and other league staff.
Thus, most regional champions have their own primary careers. Someone like Cynthia, who regularly helps manage the league and clocks in like a model worker, is rare.
"Ah... you're right..."
Hearing Lucian's pointed words, Aaron didn't refute him but instead shook his head helplessly.
For the Sinnoh region, having a powerful champion is undoubtedly a good thing.
Cynthia's dominant victory in the Dragon-type Master Tournament had brought significant overseas attention to the Sinnoh League.
However, for them—young Elite Four members with aspirations to climb higher—it felt a bit cruel.
Standing in their way was a monstrous talent who had defeated the previous generation of Sinnoh's Elite Four using only three Pokémon, even forcing three of the older veterans into retirement!
As strong as a monster, unbeatable!
Only Lucian, stubborn as ever, was still planning to challenge Cynthia again next year to see if he had a chance at becoming champion.
Good luck with that!
"By the way..."
As Aaron and Lucian were lost in thought, Flint, who had unknowingly been slacking off for a while, suddenly raised his hand.
His movement immediately drew their attention, and they realized Flint had already packed away the league documents, leaving only a notebook filled with text on his desk.
"Teacher Azure has gone live, right?"
Noticing their gazes, Flint quickly flashed a bright smile and threw an uppercut into the air.
"Today Teacher Azure is finally going to explain the Sunny Day team. Ever since he mentioned Talonflame, I've been waiting for this day—it's finally here!"
"Teacher Azure, the GOAT!"
Reminded by Flint, Aaron and Lucian exchanged glances and immediately abandoned the remaining work without hesitation.
Work was endless—it would always refill with new tasks.
But Teacher Azure's live stream, once missed, was truly missed. You could only watch the later-updated videos to learn a fraction of what he taught.
Those foundational teachings were simple enough for trainers at their level to understand.
Thus, their focus was always on the live streams, especially the thought processes and predictive insights Aiden unconsciously revealed during battles.
Even their Cynthia praised Teacher Azure's command skills highly.
If they could master this, wouldn't dominating the Elite Four of other regions be a piece of cake?
With such thoughts, Aaron and Lucian quickly entered the live stream.
Immediately, they saw the ten Master Balls gifted by Flint and the conspicuous message below.
"..."
Lucian couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, his lips curling involuntarily.
Asking Teacher Azure how to counter Trick Room teams with a Sunny Day team right in front of me?
How interesting.
"If you want to beat me, let's have a full-team battle tomorrow."
Lucian adjusted his glasses and gave Flint a challenging smile.
The three of them were roughly the same age and had known each other for a long time, so even after becoming Elite Four members, they sparred quite often.
For someone as straightforward as Flint, Lucian had at least ten ways to punish him.
To Lucian, Trick Room teams were sacred—they brooked no argument!
Under Lucian's "death glare," Flint instinctively shrank his neck but quickly regained confidence, puffing out his chest.
"Prepare to die, Lucian! After learning Teacher Azure's lineup today, I'll transform completely in a few days!"
"I look forward to it."
Lucian also smiled confidently, their gazes meeting as if sparks were colliding in the air.
It wasn't that he doubted Teacher Azure's teaching ability.
In fact, Lucian firmly believed that Teacher Azure's tactics were absolutely viable.
But for someone as single-minded as Flint, Lucian didn't think he could grasp even a fraction of Teacher Azure's teachings.
Thus, he was utterly unconcerned!
Lucian's gaze quickly returned to the computer screen.
While they were bickering, Aiden had already finished configuring the entire Sunny Day team.
Key weather setter and briefly explained—Torkoal;
Two of Kanto's starter trio—Venusaur and Charizard;
Gastrodon, commonly seen in Sinnoh;
One of Alola's starter trio—a relatively obscure Pokémon that many people might not even recognize, Incineroar;
And finally, a Pokémon from the Paldea region—the mysterious "Scovillain" whose details they didn't fully know.
"As expected of Teacher Azure, his thought process is much clearer than that Fire-type Elite Four 'Will of Fire'."
After a quick glance at the lineup on the screen, Lucian quickly understood Teacher Azure's intentions, nodding repeatedly and smiling in satisfaction.
It was still Teacher Azure's unique style—a mix of Pokémon from various regions—but each time, it created dazzling sparks.
This was the greatest charm of Teacher Azure's live streams.
He could pull out a Pokémon from another region at any moment and provide his own unique understanding. Perhaps only Teacher Azure had such profound knowledge.
Back to the topic, what does the Sunny Day team fear most?
Of course, its lifelong rival—the Rain team.
If the weather is overridden, the power of many Fire-type Pokémon will be greatly diminished.
Facing this situation, Teacher Azure directly chose Gastrodon as the solution—an absolutely brilliant idea.
Gastrodon isn't known for its offensive capabilities, so it can serve entirely as the team's shield, handling awkward situations.
If Lucian guessed correctly, Gastrodon must have the Water Absorb ability. Against a Rain team, it becomes a veritable wall of despair, putting immense pressure on opponents through synergy.
As for its single Grass-type weakness, it was nothing to fear in front of the fiery mainstays of the Sunny Day team.
Using a Grass-type Pokémon against a Sunny Day team? That's practically inviting death!
Unfortunately, Lucian didn't know much about the last two Pokémon in the lineup—Incineroar and Scovillain.
But since Teacher Azure had chosen them, they must have their own unique strengths, right?
Lucian began to feel excited.
Watching Teacher Azure's live streams had another benefit: you could learn about many Pokémon from other regions that you'd never normally encounter, and quickly gain an understanding under Teacher Azure's explanations.
In a sense, it expanded their knowledge base.
"Tsk..."
Surprisingly, Flint's notorious temper didn't flare up in response to Lucian's taunts.
Because he really didn't understand Teacher Azure's lineup...
Wouldn't it be embarrassing to admit it?
But if he didn't say anything, it felt like Lucian had a deeper understanding than him, the Fire-type Elite Four, and he couldn't grasp Teacher Azure's ideas at all...
Flint quickly became conflicted.
At this moment, Aaron suddenly exclaimed:
"Quick, look at Teacher Azure's opponent this time!"
Flint, lost in thought, quickly looked up, and sure enough, Aiden had successfully matched with an opponent without them noticing.
The opponent's information soon appeared before countless viewers in the live stream, making them gasp collectively.
Long scarlet ponytail, glasses exuding intellectual charm, a slim coat unable to hide her curvaceous figure, paired with an icy aura.
Undoubtedly, a cold beauty who naturally drew admiration.
And her name was undoubtedly familiar to many viewers.
One of Kanto's Elite Four, the lifelong rival of Dragon-type Elite Four Lance, and despite serving as an Elite Four member for over a decade, still claiming to be eighteen...
Elite Four Lorelei!
Seeing this familiar senior, Lucian's lips couldn't help but curl slightly upward.
"It seems this will be an exciting battle."
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