April 26th, Monday.

Cool raindrops drifted down from the sky, creating ripples across the pond, where lotus leaf children peeked out above the water.

The pond’s surface reflected the road beside it, where a trainer was cycling by with the cheerful “ding-dang-dang” of the bike bells, splashing water droplets along the way.

With a stylish drift, Lu Ye stopped his Rotom bicycle and looked at Haunter holding an umbrella, asking,

“Did we take a wrong turn?”

“Gengarrr…” Haunter scratched his head, then tapped the dozing handlebar.

The handlebar suddenly blinked an “eye,” and Rotom’s navigation voice sounded:

“Beep beep… approaching Hearthome City, Rotom!”

Today, Lu Ye was invited to travel to Hearthome City.

The fiery fourth-generation Electric-type Gym Leader, Volkner, had invited a group of trainers to participate in Hearthome City’s Gym Open Tournament.

Ash, Flint, and Teacher Lu were all on the list.

Of course… the main reason was that their house was under renovation.

So Lu Ye planned to take Larvitar out to forage (scratch that)… to train.

Riding a bike with Pokémon on a drizzly open field had its own charm.

“As long as I don’t bump into Ash while cycling, I’m good,” Lu Ye thought.

They paused briefly at a bus stop to rest. Lu Ye sat on the bench and drank mineral water.

“Gengarrr~” Haunter sat beside Lu Ye, chewing on potato chips and occasionally handing some over.

Sylveon stretched her ribbons, picked fruit from a low shrub, and handed it to Larvitar and Togepi.

The two little cuties jumped up happily at the fresh dew-covered fruit.

“Bu-ee~” Sylveon shook her damp fur, her deep blue eyes forming a slight smile.

After resting, they set off again.

Togepi climbed into the bike basket and waved at Larvitar: “Dooy~”

Larvitar’s eyes widened, first climbing onto the bench, then closing his eyes and pouncing onto the basket: “Yoji!”

Boom!

The 72-kilogram Larvitar slammed into the basket, deforming it immediately. Rotom quickly jumped out of the bike in shock.

“What happened, Rotom!”

Larvitar fell on his buttocks, looking innocent and confused.

“Haunter, put away the broken bike,” Lu Ye calmly sipped his water. “Next time, we’ll scam Ash for compensation.”

“Gengarrr~” Haunter smiled and pulled out a large bag woven from shadows, putting the bike inside.

Togepi was unharmed.

Using its signature Metronome to summon Bubble, Togepi was wrapped in a transparent bubble, rolling through the air like playing “bubble rolling.”

Lu Ye popped the bubble and caught the giggling Togepi, saying,

“Let’s walk. Hearthome City is just ahead.”

Clack—

Crunch, crunch.

Larvitar casually grabbed a floor tile, stuffed it into his mouth, and shouted back, “Yoji!”

……

“How was it? Did you win?”

In the chat group, Flint was asking Ash about the results of the Lake Acuity battle.

Ash rarely frowned but after a moment said, “I don’t know how to put it… but maybe Paul has some things worth learning from.”

“So you lost?” A-Jin asked.

Ash hung his head, then shouted, “Ahh! I won’t lose next time!!”

Low EQ: I lost.

High EQ: Paul has things worth learning from.

Teacher Lu chuckled and asked, “You didn’t use an old Kanto region teammate, did you?”

After Ash confirmed, Marshal sneered, “Serves you right, baby Ash.”

Ash lowered his head, saying, “I want to prove that even companions from Sinnoh can beat that guy…”

This was the disadvantage of the “bonded person” concept—always trying to win with bonds rather than levels.

Lu Ye shook his head. However, the Lake Acuity battle was an important growth process for both Ash and Paul.

Just like A-Jin losing to Xiao Yin at the Lake of Rage years ago.

“As long as you learn from failure,” Green said, “failure isn’t unacceptable.”

Red was slightly stunned, suddenly recalling Giovanni in his black cloak, shaking his head before encouraging,

“Keep it up, Ash.”

Ash’s eyes burned with renewed fire, rallying himself: “I will. My next goal is to get the Hearthome City badge!”

“Starting today, there will be the Hearthome Gym Open Tournament.”

Flint flipped through his phone and muttered, “That guy really leaves no way out… planning to battle Ash, Darkrai, and Teacher Lu consecutively.”

The Hearthome Gym Open Tournament attracted much attention in the Sinnoh region.

After all, Volkner hadn’t appeared publicly for a long time, and Hearthome Gym had been closed to avoid battles.

Yet, under these circumstances, Hearthome Gym was still recognized by the Sinnoh League as the ‘Eighth Gym.’

The power of Electric-type Gym Leader Volkner was evident.

Many insiders believed Volkner had the strength to be an Elite Four member.

If not for being countered by the Ground-type Elite Four member Bertha, Volkner would have already succeeded the retiring Bertha and become a new Sinnoh Elite Four member.

This time, the revitalized Volkner was also seen as a strong contender for the next Elite Four.

“I’ve met that old man before,”

Old Man Ironspin stroked his stubble and smiled: “That young man’s electronic machinery is quite impressive.”

“Pfft.” Marshal waved his hand dismissively, “He’s just a youngster.”

The girl giggled, “After all, Marshal has used Raikou to power a maglev train.”

“Hahaha.” Marshal grinned, “And even used Zapdos for electricity!”

Lu Ye’s eyelid twitched.

No wonder you’re the big electricity thief, Marshal!

“Wait… does that mean I can catch one to charge Rotom too…”

Quickly, Teacher Lu shook his head and coughed.

Possible, but that’s ridiculous, so no need.

“I wonder if Larvitar can eat circuit boards.”

Lu Ye pondered, “Hearthome Gym should have plenty of those…”

They arranged to meet Ash at the Pokémon Center. Flint said he would arrive soon.

Larvitar looked around the shiny marble tiles, knocking left and right, seemingly pondering where to start.

Lu Ye hurriedly stopped him, “Those floor tiles aren’t edible!”

“Yoji…” Larvitar clutched his stomach and pitifully made a ‘gurgle’ sound.

“Gengarrr~” Haunter performed a magic trick, pulling out a lump of coal and tossing it into the air.

“Yoji! (￣～￣)” Larvitar pounced and caught it, chewing happily.

Nearby trainers all cast glances over.

A pseudo-legendary, synonymous with strength, when fully evolved possessing earth-shattering power.

Yet, watching this pseudo-legendary cub’s confusing behavior… was actually quite cute!

“That must be Teacher Lu…” someone whispered.

“He should be here for Volkner’s Gym Open Tournament.”

“Why not the Hearthome City doubles tournament?” the person whispered. “The reward is rare ores, perfect for Larvitar… I guess Teacher Lu is here for the Baby Cup.”

The “Aura” enhancement sharpened hearing and unintentionally reached Teacher Lu’s ears, making him slightly pause.

Before battling Volkner… maybe he could give Larvitar a little appetizer first?

Before entering the competition, Teacher Lu used the system to scan Larvitar’s move list to check his condition.

In just three days, Larvitar’s progress was astonishingly fast.

This was thanks to the special training at Black Gold Gym… and the Essence of Earth manual, plus various expensive minerals.

“After all, he’s a big eater who devoured an entire house…” Teacher Lu felt conflicted.

The new moves included “Dig,” recorded in the Essence of Earth manual.

Also, “Rock Tomb” learned at Black Gold Gym and the Dark-type “Bite.”

Larvitar: (￣～￣)

Lu Ye glanced at Larvitar chewing on coal.

Hmm… reminds me of Ash’s biting Gible!

“Bite is a divine skill…” Lu Ye thought.

On TV, Ash’s Gible could bite through Team Rocket’s huge robot and even chain into Dragon Rush after biting.

Judging by Larvitar’s jaw strength… it should be close.

Also, Teacher Lu himself flipped through Essence of Earth.

It involved various expensive minerals like sandy rock and soft sand.

The rare ores rewarded in Hearthome City’s doubles battles probably related to this.

The pay-to-win training method didn’t disappoint!

“Yoji?”

Larvitar looked up at Lu Ye stroking his head, blinking.

“Later, I’ll take you to the Baby Cup… no, I mean, take you to get some snacks.”

Lu Ye said, “Just do your best. If you can’t win, Togepi’s got your back.”

“Chaji Duyi! ヾ(◍°∇°◍)ﾉﾞ”

Togepi popped out of the Poké Ball with a ‘bang,’ suddenly looking a bit like Sylveon’s ‘big sister’ figure.

Teacher Lu looked up to the sky.

A-Jin, look what you taught Togebro!

Hearing there was food, Larvitar’s eyes slowly lit up, then he nodded vigorously:

“Yoji! (✪ω✪)”

If Sirfetch’d’s growth route was “I really just want to slack off,”

then for Larvitar, it was “Eat to get stronger.”

As long as I stand on the earth, I can keep eating!

Not starving is success!

To forage for Larvitar and for his first battle,

Teacher Lu opened his phone and found the Hearthome City doubles tournament registration link in recent news.

The prize was a “Hard Stone” that enhances Rock-type moves, reportedly excavated from the seabed… related to the period when Regigigas dragged the continents.

It was also quite rare… food.

“Need two people to participate?”

Lu Ye was slightly stunned.

Since it was a doubles tournament, that was understandable, but where to find a partner—

“Teacher Lu!”

A hurried shout came.

Ash dashed into the Pokémon Center like a gust of wind, Pikachu on his shoulder calling out:

“Pikachu~!”

After catching his breath, Ash clenched his fists, eyes blazing: “Volkner’s Gym Open Tournament is tomorrow.”

“I can’t wait to get the eighth badge!”

“That’s secondary.”

Lu Ye patted Ash’s shoulder and showed him the registration form on his phone.

Ash was stunned: “Huh?”

“First, come with me to the Baby Cup… cough, no…”

Lu Ye wiped his face and said, “The doubles tournament!”

……