The next day, early morning.

Delibird was still freeloading at Teacher Lu’s house.

The dining table was laden with rich dishes: berry salad, three Diglett sandwiches, Whiskers nuts smoothie, and sweet honey pancakes.

Larvitar opened its big mouth and swallowed a fully loaded sandwich in one gulp: “Yoji~(￣～￣)”

Haunter sipped through a straw, the glass of nuts smoothie dripping with cool water droplets: “Gengarrr~(*⊙~⊙)”

Lu Ye chewed on a lettuce leaf smeared with cream in the sandwich and glanced at Delibird.

“Woo!” Delibird crunched on a pancake, crumbs full at the corners of its mouth, wiping its face messily with its two short wings.

It was just too delicious;

it wanted to stay here a few more days! o(╥﹏╥)o

“Mew~~” Mew was floating midair, holding a bag of cucumber-flavored chips.

“Togepi~(ﾉﾟ∀ﾟ)ﾉ” Togepi sat in the baby chair, signaling that those chips were shared with Mew!

“Mew~! ꉂꉂ(ᵔᗜᵔ*)” Mew nodded happily, circling twice in the air, then suddenly looked surprised.

The chips in the bag rustled and began to fall downward.

Haunter pounced into its shadow and opened its mouth wide below: “Gengarrr~”

A blue light stopped the chips mid-air, sending them all back into the bag. Mew made a face at Haunter: “Mewroo!”

“Gengarrr!” Haunter laughed joyfully, eyes rolling wildly, waving its claws and wagging its tongue.

“Stop messing around.” Lu Ye scooped some Miltank cereal, mumbling, “The doorbell’s ringing, who’s going to open it?”

Rotom, charging nearby, shouted loudly: “I’m on break, Rotom!”

Lu Ye then looked at Sirfetch’d.

Ducklett was calm and collected, holding a knife and fork with impeccable dining etiquette: “Gah~”

Elegance never goes out of style.

“Awoo?” Arcanine tilted its wise head.

If it were a Golden Retriever, maybe it would open the door on its own.

But being a Husky, not shoving guests outside was already a blessing...

So, all eyes turned sharply toward the freeloading Delibird.

“Woo?” Delibird looked at itself in confusion.

Me? Open the door?

Everyone nodded in unison.

“Woo!” Delibird was incredulous.

I’m someone who can easily defeat Ho-Oh!

And now you want me to open the door?!

Glancing again at the abundant breakfast, Delibird flared up in anger and leapt down.

Moving its short legs, the Giant Penguin ran eagerly toward the door.

If it didn’t hurry, the breakfast would soon be devoured by the others!

Outside the door, the Little Penguin carried a heavy sack of mail, looking a bit timid.

Every time it came to this house to deliver newspapers, the Little Penguin always felt uneasy.

“Woo!” The Little Penguin patted its cheek, giving itself courage.

It’s just delivering a newspaper! Remember, never accept food from guests!

If they insist on feeding...

Then there’s no helping it~

The Little Penguin was covered in little pink bubbles, exchanging glances with Delibird who had come to open the door.

“Woo? (〝▼皿▼)” Liu Bo’s Delibird was full of hostility.

“Got business? Speak up quickly. Don’t disturb this master’s meal!”

The Little Penguin froze for a moment, then handed the newspaper to Delibird with trembling hands and carried its bag away.

“Woo! (ಥ_ಥ)”

He must have another penguin waiting outside!

...

Lu Ye looked at the returning Delibird: “Oh, the town’s morning paper.”

Eh… didn’t that Delibird just meet that little mail penguin?

Lu Ye frowned slightly, regretting not tapping its head this morning!

The post-meal drink was black coffee;

Teacher Lu sipped while reading the paper.

A leisurely retirement life doesn’t get better than this.

Haunter created a substitute, put on an apron, and hummed a tune while doing housework.

Delibird sighed regretfully: “Woo!”

Sure enough, in the blink of an eye, all the food was gone!

The newspaper covered the upcoming Fireworks Festival, the ongoing preparations for the Lily of the Valley Conference, and the announcement that Michina had suspended tourism.

To handle the aftermath of the Arceus incident, the entire Sinnoh League was as busy as a study group during June’s college entrance exams.

But the traditional Sinnoh festivals and league conference had to proceed.

Ash had already begun special training to prepare for the Lily of the Valley Conference.

This top leader of the expansion zone now considered winning against Paul as the definition of victory.

No choice... the reason was that the idiot refused to bring old teammates.

However, experiencing defeat was an important growth process for the trainer himself.

“The Fireworks Festival is at the end of May.”

Lu Ye browsed the paper: “Better fill out the registration form first.”

Near noon, the temperature was scorching, enough to make a shell-less sea hare shed a layer of skin.

At the far end of the villa, the sparkling beach welcomed a large crowd of tourists.

Lu Ye lay on a third-floor balcony sun chair, wearing sunglasses, and said to Haunter:

“Come closer.”

“Gengarrr?” The little purple fatty scratched its head and floated over.

“Phew~~”

The surrounding temperature instantly dropped, a wave of coolness.

Lu Ye exhaled: “That’s better.”

“Gengarrr! (￣▽￣)~” Haunter waved helplessly, put on matching sunglasses, and took out a dazzling white A4 registration form.

Haunter was literate and was very familiar with filling out registration forms.

Filling forms required a trainer’s ID photo, but the format was not strictly enforced.

“Little Rotom.”

Lu Ye sipped his iced cola through a straw, the Iceproof Ice floating up and down, calling out: “Come take a photo!”

“Beep beep... captured a precious photo, Rotom!”

It was a group photo, Haunter squeezed close to Teacher Lu’s face, posing in the narrow frame.

“I know this academic term.” Lu Ye held the photo, pondering: “It’s called a selfie.”

“Gengarrr?” Haunter scratched its head.

Lu Ye casually picked up the gracefully walking Sylveon and rubbed its bow against his cheek.

“This is called a selfie.” Lu Ye explained.

Sylveon’s ribbon glowed with a sharp white light from its move, angrily retorting: “Byee! (*｀皿´*)ﾉ”

Teacher Lu’s face changed slightly: “Rotom, save me!!”

Intimidated by the big sister’s aura, Rotom slipped into a “cowering” state.

“Beep beep... cannot comprehend, Rotom! (⊙x⊙;

)”

...

In the afternoon, the temperature rose further.

Rotom switched to air conditioner form, blowing a chilly breeze (?). Read complete version only at NoveI(F)ire.net

Teacher Lu, slowed down by one level of heat, was too lazy to go out and lay on the sofa chatting online.

Today was A-Jin’s turn as group admin.

The entire chat group was shaken, unable to understand why Teacher Lu had lost his mind.

But the matter was settled: A-Jin ascended to admin throne!

[Group owner ‘Teacher Lu’ appointed group member ‘Muted Person’ as admin!]

Lorelei was shocked: !!!

Marshal’s eyes went wide: “WTF? Did the owner not wake up today?”

Whitney shouted: “There’s even such an operation!”

Lance was in his office, wearing a cloak and spraying styling gel on his hair.

Seeing A-Jin appointed admin, Lance was stunned and murmured:

“Was Teacher Lu coerced?”

Lu Ye explained: “It’s because when facing Arceus, A-Jin almost sacrificed himself, so I promised him one day as admin.”

Kris nodded blankly: “I see.”

“Little Jin always turns danger into safety.” Red smiled: “That’s a skill too, I guess.”

“Not really, mainly because I have reliable comrades!” A-Jin proudly wiped his nose.

“I can’t accept this!” Whitney crossed her arms.

[Group member ‘Whitney’ muted by group admin ‘A-Jin’ for 24 hours]

[Group member ‘Whitney’ nickname changed to ‘Goldenrod City Miltank’!]

(Whitney: ???)

Then followed the enjoyable personal vendetta announcements.

Marshal and even Xiao Yin couldn’t survive, all locked in the little black room.

Mainly because Lorelei and Lance were admins, otherwise they wouldn’t escape either!

The group was swept by a bloody storm.

Lu Ye watched the growing mute list, twitching his eyelid.

Didn’t A-Jin know... after today, tomorrow would be the darkest day?

He should know.

But living in the moment was the nature of the ‘Incubator’.

Lorelei was at her girlish-feeling home on Lilycove Island, holding a doll and scrolling on her phone.

As the Ice-type queen, she naturally didn’t worry about summer heat.

Seeing A-Jin rampaging wildly in the group, Lorelei sneered coldly.

This month, if I can get you out of the black room, it’ll be my responsibility as the Ice-type queen!

Then, Lorelei privately messaged Lu Ye, asking: “Teacher Lu, can I ask you something?”

Teacher Lu quickly replied: “What?”

“The Sinnoh region’s Champion League is about to start...”

Lorelei gossipily smiled: “Cynthia will be presenting the championship award. Are you participating?”

Lu Ye was slightly stunned.

Although Lorelei had a big sister vibe, she had no partner for years, which somehow made sense.

“I’m participating in the Lily of the Valley Conference.”

Lu Ye said, “The registration form is already filled.”

Lorelei was taken aback: “And then challenge the Champion League?”

“No, clearing the Baby Cup means victory.”

Lu Ye answered.

Lorelei: ???

“I still need to train.”

Teacher Lu sincerely said: “A legendary beast guy might suddenly appear midway. I’m not completely confident.”

Lorelei sent a string of question marks again: ???

“Still need training,” “not completely confident”?

Does that sound like someone who just crushed Arceus?

Lorelei adjusted her glasses to calm down.

“You know the league conference publishes the player list, right?”

If the players knew Teacher Lu was among the opponents...

It might cause a huge sensation, possibly triggering a withdrawal frenzy!

Teacher Lu was stunned: “There’s such a thing?”

“So,” Lorelei earnestly advised, “you should challenge the Champion League, or go back to Donghuang to challenge the champion path...”

Her implication was: please leave some room for other newcomers!

“Probably not.”

Lu Ye pondered: “Mainly because I promised Bamboo Lan to win the championship...”

Lorelei opened her mouth, saw this message, and immediately closed the chat window.

So annoying!

Lorelei took off her glasses and rubbed them angrily.

Damn it...

Not sour at all... really not sour!

...

Sinnoh region, Lilycove Island.

Cynthia was handling the Arceus incident, her dignified and delicate face showing a trace of fatigue.

She glanced at the incoming call display and answered: “Caitlin?”

“Coming to Undella Town for vacation next holiday?”

Cynthia looked at her schedule and pondered: “Probably not.”

Caitlin asked softly: “Why not?”

“Going to watch fireworks.” Cynthia’s laugh carried a hint of apology: “Already promised Lu Ye.”

“Woo...” Caitlin made a small animal-like whimper.

“Sorry, next time I’ll accompany you.” Cynthia comforted: “I’ll bring dessert to make up for it.”

“Then you’ll definitely take a few months choosing.” Caitlin said.

Upon hearing this, Cynthia thought for a moment, maybe that was true...

But having Lu Ye help pick was better;

he was good at desserts.

Cynthia lifted a faint smile, took the file handed by a staff member, and nodded nobly and efficiently.

“I’ll get back to work.”

Holding the phone in one hand, Cynthia examined the file and warned: “Caitlin, don’t throw a tantrum.”

“Mm…” Caitlin buried her head in the blanket: “So, Arceus...”

“Has been properly dealt with.”

Cynthia’s eyes flickered, recalling the figure who stood before Arceus, softly saying:

“Just like your prophetic dream.”

Caitlin fell silent.

The continuous dream fragments seemed to let her see the young man’s inner pain, sadness, and final determination.

Through the dreams, Caitlin seemed to gain a deeper understanding of ‘Teacher Lu’.

At least... she would no longer hold arrogance and prejudice against him.

“Goodbye.” Caitlin said faintly.

“Goodbye.” Cynthia said gently: “Good night, sweet dreams.”

After hanging up, Cynthia’s expression returned to focus, her eyes glancing at the circled days on the schedule.

A faint blush spread over Cynthia’s snowy white neck.

She lowered her head, brushed back the golden hair at her neck, and gently exhaled.

Her gaze was sharp, feeling her heartbeat;

Bamboo Lan’s lips curled slightly.

She wanted him... to confess to her one last time!

...

Masago Town, Professor Rowan’s Research Lab.

Professor Rowan took the registration form and confirmed:

“You really want to participate in the Lily of the Valley Conference?”

Lu Ye nodded seriously: “Winning or not doesn’t matter;

mainly I want to train myself!”

“Kame!” Blastoise stood behind Lu Ye, nodding earnestly.

This tournament would definitely have frighteningly strong opponents.

We must give our all too!

Professor Rowan pursed his lips.

Who would have thought that an ancient language expert would also be a champion?

And now, this champion wanted to use the Lily of the Valley Conference to hone himself!

“You’re too cautious in your approach.” Professor Rowan cleared his throat lightly.

“Kame…ヾ(⌐■_■)” Blastoise pushed up its sunglasses;

its shell shimmered with the metallic glow of Iron Defense.

Teacher Lu and Professor Rowan fell silent together.

If trainers and Pokémon become more alike over time,

Sirfetch’d must represent Lu Ye’s hesitation and courage.

Blastoise symbolized steady and cautious consistency.

Through the time learning with Delibird, its ice-type mastery had become more skillful.

Truly another ace up Lu Ye’s sleeve!

After completing the registration formalities for Lu Ye, Professor Rowan said:

“The official website will announce the player list in a few days. Remember to check it.”

“No problem.”

Stepping outside, Delibird carried its bag and looked up expectantly.

Lu Ye was surprised: “Aren’t you going back?”

“Woo!” Delibird proudly lifted its head.

I’ll mooch one more dinner before leaving...

Such joy, no thoughts of leaving!

...