Three days had clearly passed since the conclusion of the Champion League.

Ash had arrived in the Unova region, and counting the Unova League's Vertress Conference, he was embarking on his "five conferences, zero championships" career.

The timing of each league's conferences wasn't uniform.

The Vertress Conference would take place in four months, while the Kalos Conference was scheduled for early next year.

This also meant that if Ash lost a league conference, it didn't matter much—

He could just pack up and immediately go lose the next one!

However, Lu Ye had high expectations for Ash's Greninja.

Plus with his own and Green's coaching... they should be able to achieve quite a decent level.

Lilycove Island, Sinnoh League.

Lucian faced the mountain of folders piled on his desk, holding his head in his hands, before finally activating his "Speed Reading" ability to tackle them.

Aru and Flint sat nearby, discussing gossip.

"Who do you think really has the final say between Teacher Lu and the boss lady?" Aru asked curiously.

"That's hard to say," Flint scratched his head. "Depends on how good Teacher Lu's skills are."

"I think Teacher Lu's skills are pretty excellent," Aru added. "I've tasted his ice cream—the flavor was absolutely amazing!"

"What are you talking about?" Cynthia asked as she pushed the door open, casually brushing back her golden hair.

"Ice cream," Flint and Aru said simultaneously.

A faint voice came from behind the desk.

"Work."

Mentioning ice cream made Cynthia's beautiful eyes light up, and she said with a cheerful smile:

"This season is exactly when the famous specialty of Castelia City, Tundra Bear Ice Cream, goes on sale!"

"Are you going to Castelia City in Unova?" Aru asked curiously.

"We have plans to vacation in Undella Town..."

Cynthia rested her slender chin on her hand, her gray eyes thoughtful as she said:

"But I still need to consult Lu Ye for his opinion."

"Anyway, after the Lily of the Valley Conference, we can all take some time off."

Flint leaned back with his arms behind his head, calling over his shoulder: "What are your plans, Lucian!"

Lucian lifted his gaze and sighed deeply: "I plan to get some proper rest."

Buzz buzz—

"I'll step out to take this call."

Cynthia took out her phone and glanced at the caller ID.

Alder's hearty laughter came from the other end of the line.

"Hey, Cynthia, long time no see, hahaha."

Alder, the Unova Champion, was currently in a semi-retired state, looking for a suitable successor.

He was old friends with both Caitlin and Cynthia, and was also an excellent senior who excelled at nurturing newcomers.

"Let's skip the pleasantries," Cynthia said with a slight smile. "Is there something you need?"

Alder cleared his throat and said:

"Well... the World Championships Junior Cup is about to be held in Lacunosa Town in Unova."

"The time is tentatively set for one month from now. I'd like to invite you and Lu Ye to visit Lacunosa Town, and if possible, put on a battle exhibition during the opening ceremony."

"I've also extended an invitation to Caitlin."

Alder said with emotion: "If I can discover some talented newcomers in this tournament... I can leave the Unova League with peace of mind."

Alder's partner Pokémon had passed away from illness several years ago, leaving him without the heart to continue battling.

To this day, Alder's greatest wish was to discover promising young trainers and pass on his champion position.

Alice had just begun her journey from the Village of Dragons, and later succeeded Alder to become the Unova League Champion.

"The Junior Cup..." Cynthia pondered for a moment before smiling slightly: "I'll consider it."

Cynthia was inherently a kind and gentle champion, full of patience toward newcomers, paying attention to the growth of Ash and Paul.

In contrast, Teacher Lu enjoyed crushing Baby Cups... but was unexpectedly reliable when it came to mentoring juniors.

"He probably won't refuse to attend this kind of event," Cynthia thought to herself.

......

"World Championships... Junior Cup?"

Lu Ye looked at Cynthia in surprise.

Cynthia nodded gently, showing a faint smile that said 'I knew you'd be interested.'

"It's being held in Lacunosa Town, very close to Castelia City... I'll treat you to Castelia City's famous specialty, Tundra Bear Ice Cream."

"Let's put the Junior Cup aside for now," Lu Ye said. "I just happened to recreate [Tundra Bear Ice Cream]."

Cynthia's eyes suddenly focused, staring intently at Lu Ye.

"Gengarrr! (￣▽￣)~*" Haunter carried a cup of ice cream, the cream mixed with ice crystals gleaming transparently, topped with a cherry, emitting faint wisps of cold air.

Tap!

Haunter placed the ice cream on the small coffee table in front of Cynthia, extending both hands with a toothy grin: "Gengarrr!"

Enjoy your meal, gengarrr~

Cynthia raised a smile, squinting her eyes as she picked up the ice cream cup, silver spoon in hand.

"Thank you, I'll enjoy this~"

"How does it taste?"

Lu Ye looked at Cynthia expectantly.

Cynthia crossed her long legs, wearing a sky-blue shirt, lightly scooping up some ice cream cream, her tongue gently touching her red lips as she whispered:

"Come sit closer."

Lu Ye slightly frowned, leaning in to examine the dew-covered glass cup, murmuring:

"I should have recreated it correctly..."

"You—" As he turned his head.

Moist, cool lips pressed against his, a sweet, melting ice cream delivered by her tongue, the fragrance of golden hair tips filling his senses, warm breath, his eyes reflecting a shy Cynthia with closed eyes, her long, pale fingers gently brushing against his cheek.

After a long kiss, they separated.

Cynthia's breathing was unsteady, her cheeks flushed, her gray eyes beneath golden hair shimmering with moisture as she said with a faint smile:

"Thanks for the treat."

Lu Ye pursed his lips and commented:

"The sugar level exceeded standards."

"Then we'll pay attention next time."

"No need for next time." Lu Ye kissed her again.

Several heads peeked out sneakily from behind the sofa.

Haunter did a 'Vietcong peek,' Garchomp's eyes widened in shock, while Lucario coolly covered Togepi's eyes.

"Togi dru ee?" Togepi tilted its head curiously.

"Yoji..."

Alder said emotionally: "If I can discover some talented newcomers in this tournament... I can leave the Unova League with peace of mind."

The TV was showing a tokusatsu drama featuring Mechanical Pupitar vs. Ancient Golurk. (BW Episode 82)

Kaboom!

Exaggerated sound effects rang out.

It was worth mentioning that this tokusatsu drama actually starred Ash, who had just arrived in Unova.

Alice with her purple braids, playing an ancient priestess, shouted:

"To defeat Mechanical Pupitar, we must awaken the power of Ancient Golurk!"

Ash: "Pikachu, lend me your power!"

"Pika—chu!"

Brilliant electric light converged into the sculptural Golurk, its eyes glowing red.

Kaboom!!

Like a rocket launch, two pillars of fire rose from Golurk's feet as it stood before Mechanical Pupitar.

Thud!! ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ NoveI(F)ire.net

Ancient Golurk collided with Mechanical Pupitar.

"Yoji!!" Larvitar's eyes shone with excitement as it shook the potato chip bag.

Go Mechanical Pupitar!!

As the sun set in the west, Mechanical Pupitar hung its head low, emitting black smoke.

Ancient Golurk nodded toward Ash and Alice before taking flight and disappearing deep into the clouds.

"Yoji... (｡•́︿•̀｡)"

Pupitar should have won!

Larvitar felt depressed, lifted the potato chip bag, poured them into its mouth, puffing out its cheeks:

"Yoji yoji... (•́へ•́╬)"

After tidying their appearance.

Lu Ye discussed the World Championships Junior Cup matters with Cynthia.

"Alder invited us to put on a battle exhibition at the opening ceremony?"

Lu Ye vaguely remembered this plot, but his memories were distant and might be mixed up.

Cynthia nodded and replied: "Caitlin might participate too."

Caitlin—

Lu Ye's mind conjured the image of the silent golden-haired girl whose psychic powers surpassed even her Pokémon.

As a Unova Elite Four member, Caitlin owned numerous luxurious mansions and lent them to Cynthia for free.

Of course, besides being wealthy, Caitlin was also a golden retriever...

A golden retriever loser.

"Completely pear-ed," Lu Ye said with emotion.

"The time is one month from now."

Cynthia looked at Lu Ye and asked: "Before that... want to travel to Kalos first?"

Lu Ye nodded and said: "I plan to open a café in Kalos."

"Although it might lose money, I can invite everyone and their Pokémon to slack off together at the coffee shop." Lu Ye said: "It brings me one step closer to my original dream."

"Your original dream?"

"To open a café with Mengmengda and the little ones." Lu Ye said.

Cynthia's eyes were clear as she looked at the serious Lu Ye, praising him with a smile:

"That's a wonderful dream~"

"Is that how you talk to children?"

"Huh? Because you're younger than me."

"I can ask Dialga for help, so that's not a problem," Lu Ye said.

"Typical of you," Cynthia nodded.

"Thanks for the compliment."

"Lying in the large pot form can accelerate maturation, rotom!" Rotom interjected.

Accelerate maturation... that's the effect of the 'Dragon Transformation Pot.'

Lu Ye silently facepalmed.

No wonder they say trainers and their Pokémon grow more alike.

As a master chef.

Not only did he have emergency ingredients, but also legendary kitchenware!

"Gah! (´థ౪థ)σ"

......

......

Matters at Lilycove Island came to a close.

Cynthia and Lu Ye returned to Masago Town to prepare for moving.

Professor Rowan had heard about their relationship and said to Lu Ye during his visit, stroking his mustache:

"When I introduced you two back then... I never imagined this day would really come."

"I'll take good care of Bamboo Lan."

Cynthia's breathing was erratic, her cheeks flushed, her gray eyes beneath golden hair shimmering with moisture as she said with a faint smile:

Professor Rowan chuckled briefly before returning to seriousness:

"Kalos's specialty is Mega Evolution. I believe traveling through the Kalos region will be beneficial for a trainer's strength."

Lu Ye nodded, bid farewell to Professor Rowan, and left the research institute.

The rangers watched Teacher Lu's retreating figure with tears streaming down their faces.

Wonderful... Teacher Lu is finally leaving!

No more getting beaten up by his Sylveon!

That evening, Delibird carried its bundle, coming to deliver the evening newspaper to Teacher Lu's mailbox.

"Ooh..." Looking up, the little penguin happened to see Lu Ye packing his luggage.

"Hey, I won't be living here for a while."

Lu Ye bent down and patted Delibird's head, offering energy blocks with an open palm, smiling: "If there's a chance, I'll come back to live in Masago Town!"

Delibird instinctively covered its forehead, not expecting Lu Ye to affectionately stroke its head.

"Ooh..."

It carefully accepted the energy blocks, glanced at Lu Ye, then offered them back to him.

If I return these to you, can you not move away?

Lu Ye rubbed his chin, looking at the pitiful little penguin.

Thinking of the café with its undetermined location and no staff yet.

Teacher Lu smiled and asked:

"Would you be interested... in changing jobs?"