Piplup Cup semifinals would convene next Wednesday, with one week of promotional warm-up beforehand.
Coincidentally, Lu Ye's final exams were during this time. After completing exams, summer vacation would begin.
Lu Ye did not plan to return to his hometown during summer vacation, so he decided to visit his parents during review week.
"Students, this is our final class this semester. After attendance, class is dismissed!"
The meticulous Professor Chen stood beside the podium, adjusting his glasses.
As this class concluded, everyone in the classroom erupted with cheers.
Although review week lasted a full week and exam preparation proved quite painful, it still counted as a short vacation.
Tian Youwei from the front row turned around, asking eagerly, "Big brothers, want to game together later?"
Brother Dayou seemed to have aged several years. "I need to study for Computer Science, Criminal Law, and Advanced Mathematics."
"Understood." Tian Youwei swallowed. "Brother Lu, you probably need to train, right?"
"Ah, I actually have free time."
Lu Ye shrugged. "Anyway, I have full credits. Failing these two courses would be fine."
"You are something else."
The news that a Magic University freshman reached the semifinals while being a Finance major had already spread throughout the entire Economics School.
Even South Campus's Pokémon Academy had many people specially coming to witness this master's appearance.
No fewer than three Battle Department students had already issued battle invitations to Lu Ye.
However, you all were not roadside NPCs. Winning battles would not drop money, so Lu Ye naturally declined them all.
The day's classes concluded.
Lu Ye opened his phone, checking the Late Night Diner series' gains.
Teacher Lu being a dirty tactic UP master, was a recognised fact in the Gaming section.
Although these dirty tactics could also be used in reality, without Teacher Lu's commanding level, the final results would obviously be quite tragic.
This also led to polarised opinions about Teacher Lu's reputation.
"Dirty! Teacher Lu is genuinely dirty!"
"How can there be such a handsome tactical master like Teacher Lu!"
However, this time, Teacher Lu released a food video, genuinely exceeding everyone's expectations.
Setting aside late-night poisoning, Teacher Lu's cooking skills received unanimous fan recognition.
Combined with plain camera narration and editing style, this Late Night Diner series unexpectedly moved people somewhat.
Especially Gastly's smiling face during evolution at the end genuinely conveyed that humans and Pokémon could harmoniously coexist.
In the comment section, one popular comment attracted Lu Ye's attention.
"Onix used Harden: Teacher Lu's Late Night Diner strips away worldly glamour and noise, featuring only simple narration yet deeply touching hearts. I believe he mainly wants to express these points."
"Want to Raise Garchomp: Damn, your analysis is spot on!"
"Art is Electrode: You wrote a lot. I am following you!"
Lu Ye's expression became quite spectacular.
"So that is how it works? Wow, it can be interpreted this way!" Lu Ye's eyes widened.
Under numerous fans' unanimous praise, this video's popularity continuously rose.
Although still some distance from completing the task of reaching Lifestyle section's top ranking, it was only a matter of time.
Lu Ye nodded with satisfaction.
For Piplup Cup semifinals, Haunter cared more than Lu Ye himself, so Lu Ye was too lazy to train.
Currently, his main priority was preparing for final exams.
"Alright, time to study."
Inside the library, Lu Ye took out his notebook, muttering to himself.
His phone buzzed with vibrations.
From his only special attention contact, the attitude was forceful and words concise.
"Game."
Lu Ye's mouth corner twitched.
Why is it you again!
Why do you always appear when I want to study properly!
Do you really think Teacher Lu is a kept man?
Lu Ye's attitude was equally forceful.
"Coming."
"Wait ten minutes. I will be home immediately!"
Cynthia's smile slightly curved upward, her expression quickly becoming focused.
On her game screen displayed an enormously massive Tyrantrum.
Cynthia had already attempted over ten times, each time failing at the last moment, so she thought of this professional gaming partner.
"This level is so difficult."
Cynthia brushed aside the golden hair blocking her forehead, murmuring. "Having a Master accompany me in gaming, would that be too unfair to him?"
However, Cynthia soon pressed the controller forcefully, clicking her tongue. "No problem. I will just calculate it separately later!"
Running through the streets, Lu Ye had only one concept in mind.
Time was money!
If this rich lady found another gaming partner, then I would have wasted my effort!
Panting, he returned home.
Haunter was currently holding a paint bucket, nervously painting walls, when it suddenly stiffened completely.
Trembling as it turned around, Haunter floated before the pockmarked, fist-print-covered wall, grinning foolishly at Lu Ye.
"No problem. I was already mentally prepared." Lu Ye sighed.
"Kekeke?"
"Keep painting. We will eat something good later."
Haunter froze momentarily, then grinned widely and nodded.
"Kekeke!"
This world's gaming consoles were manufactured by Hoenn's Devon Corporation. Reportedly, the console concept was first proposed by Steven Stone himself.
This rich second generation, although not focused on business, was a commercial genius. If he could not find stones, he could only return home to inherit billions in family assets.
Besides Devon Corporation, Kalos region's Lysandre Labs continued researching AR and 3D technology.
Lu Ye murmured, "Wonder if virtual projection technology could eventually be used for card games or something."
Complaints aside, Lu Ye swiftly connected to the game.
"What are we playing today?"
"Monster Hunter."
Lu Ye clicked the game open, using his rental account to rush to the mission location where a Garchomp was already waiting in the mission hall.
"Still using Gengar?" A slightly magnetic female voice came through team voice chat.
The voice was slightly hoarse but possessed a unique charm impossible to ignore, sounding very pleasant.
"You are also using Garchomp." Lu Ye replied with effort.
"That is true." Cynthia nodded. "Anyway, how much does defeating one Tyrantrum cost?"
"What do you think is appropriate?"
"Umm, I do not understand your country's prices. Just send me next week's bill."
Lu Ye could not help tearing up.
Was this a rich lady? No, this was simply an angel!
"Not clearing it is also fine." Cynthia pondered. "After all, this is a five-person level. I can find one more person."
Cynthia's teammate candidate in mind was Diantha from distant Kalos.
That person was an all-around genius. Whether gaming or performing, she handled everything with ease.
However, Lu Ye was an old player after all and sneered coldly. "You are underestimating me."
Gengar, flexing its wrists, grinned viciously as it approached that roaring Tyrantrum.
Watching the skill list's complex Destiny Bond combo, Lu Ye grinned widely.
"Die for me!"
Cynthia watched this Gengar tangling with Tyrantrum with a bewildered expression.
Even in this game, Teacher Lu still used SubToxic tactics.
"This is truly very consistent." Cynthia deliberated momentarily.
Ultimately, both sides suffered mutual destruction. The Destiny Bond combo was successfully executed as the sky-covering Tyrantrum crashed down thunderously.
Boom!!
The timer panel showed under five minutes. Cynthia's exquisite face showed slight astonishment.
"This was way too fast!"
PS: Never knew without checking, but Diago in Black White 2 is already 43 years old. This book's Champions will be relatively younger.