Miare City, Pokémon café.

The bell shaped like a Chimecho tinkled crisply.

"Gengarrr~"

Haunter, wearing an N-style baseball cap and clutching the backpack straps with both hands, looked around the shop and nodded in satisfaction.

I'm back~

Lu Ye reached up and pressed the cap brim down to block Haunter’s view, which made Haunter immediately start waving its hands and feet.

"Gengarrr~(ノдヽ)"

At the same time, Blastoise, wearing sunglasses, fixed his sharp gaze on a potted plant shaped like a Bounsweet and finally nodded.

Not an explosive, not a real Bounsweet… risk check complete!

Having been away from the café for an entire month, the place was spotless—clearly someone had been taking care of it.

In Lu Ye’s mind he pictured a Delibird standing on a small stool, wiping the counter with difficulty, and he couldn’t help smiling.

In that case, Rocket Delivery should give Little Penguin a raise!

"Gengarrr! (｀ω´*)" Haunter took off the cap, hopped up, and gave Lu Ye’s cheek a slurpy lick with its tongue.

The tongue-lick paralysis effect successfully triggered!

Lu Ye froze for a moment, rubbed at his prickling neck, and calmly walked toward the courtyard:

"Put the luggage in the back room first."

"Gengarrr~ o(ﾟДﾟ)っ!" Haunter blinked in surprise.

Sylveon moved her slender, snow-white limbs and ran ahead, the first to dash into the courtyard. She lightly leaped up to the swing frame and wrapped the ribbon tightly around the ropes.

After rollers, swings had once again become a Sylveon artifact!

"Bu-bii! (`皿´)" Sylveon stared with her intimidating round eyes at Meloetta, who was invisible and floating in midair.

Meloetta paused briefly, then flashed a sweet smile and handed the little flower she’d picked from the treetop to Sylveon:

"Me-lo~ヾ(✿ﾟ▽ﾟ)ノ"

For you~

Lu Ye passed by the stunned Sylveon and tossed out casually:

"Be nice to your sister, Sylveon~"

"Bu-bii! o(´^｀)o" Sylveon accepted the flower with her ribbon and lifted her proud little head.

It’s just an ordinary flower;

I won’t be bribed~!

"Awwoo…" Arcanine yawned, baring his teeth, lying on his side in the courtyard and sunning his belly as he squinted to look at Pupitar nearby.

Wasn’t he just an egg when he was little… how did he suddenly get so tall…

"Bangii~" Pupitar sat in the sandbox, focusing entirely on building a sandcastle.

Blastoise was watering a ring of Revival Root planted around the "Tree of Beginning—ultra budget model."

The grandpa-like Blastoise carried a Squirtle-shaped watering can and, passing by, poured some water over the sandcastle to help it hold.

"Bangii!" Pupitar roared happily, startling a passing Fletchling from the treetop.

Sirfetch’d stood motionless, holding his leek sword and shield.

"Ga! (・｀ω´・)"

A sharp blade, sharp eyes!

A single leaf drifted down on the breeze.

Sirfetch’d slowly closed his eyes again, like a swordsman sheathing his blade.

Victini: "Nimi~! ˚*̥(∗*⁰͈꒨⁰͈)*̥"

Sirfetch’d: "Ga~_(:3 ⌒ﾞ)_"

It's so hot… when’s a vacation… Hoenn is no fun at all~

"Phew… luggage is packed."

Lu Ye wiped the sweat from his brow and glanced back at the lively courtyard. Though not as big as Professor Oak’s place, the atmosphere was full of fun.

Let the little ones play by themselves.

Lu Ye checked Rocket Team news and found the Trio’s location wasn’t far from Miare City.

James was a devoted PTCG collector, and with rumors about the PTCG World Championship, he’d persuaded Jessie and Meowth to come to the Kalos region.

The kids’ and Rocket Team’s schedules matched up in a curious way.

Lu Ye shook his head and contacted Matori on the Rocket channel, asking her to come to the café.

"Understood." Matori replied respectfully. "What is it about?"

"The PTCG World Championship planning—staff are short. I believe in your ability." Lu Ye planned to recruit a few extra helpers.

"Understood." After replying, Matori paused for a moment.

Wait, isn’t this Pokémon Company business?

So I’m doing free work for you!?

But thinking it over… if I get to sample the boss’s homemade late-night snacks, maybe it’s worth it…

Matori tidied her appearance, changed into a sharp office suit, held a folder, stepped into heels, and walked toward the south street of Miare City.

Outside the café, Matori squinted, sensing danger, and inspected another professional woman walking toward her.

The woman wore a researcher’s white coat over an office outfit, a pencil skirt with a slit revealing long black stockings, chestnut hair, and a high forehead—otherwise an impeccable career beauty.

Matori straightened her chest and stared at Olivia, who’d worked with her once before, and silently clenched her teeth.

Damn… she’s so tall, I’m completely intimidated!

"Matori." Olivia halted, wearing contact lenses over highly nearsighted eyes and appearing somewhat aloof. "Are you here for the PTCG World Championship matters as well?"

"Yes." Matori offered a polite smile. "As an important project for your company, it should be entrusted to competent hands."

"But you’re not an internal Pokémon Company staff member, are you?"

"Mr. Lu Ye trusts me, so he invited me."

"I see… I look forward to Miss Matori’s performance."

"Of course. I hope Miss Olivia brings her A-game too."

An invisible rivalry ignited between the two assistants.

Sometimes, internal competition isn’t a bad thing…

The café door opened.

Both women paused at once and looked at the apron-clad manager.

"I’m making afternoon tea." Lu Ye explained. "Come in and we’ll talk!"

Clack.

A teacup shaped like a Cherubi was placed on a delicate saucer.

"This tea set…" Matori took a sip of her black tea, set down the cup, and looked astonished. "Is this authentic?"

"No." Lu Ye lifted his cup calmly. "I carved the inscription on the bottom myself in an ancient script."

Matori: "……"

Please, don’t try to fake Pokémon professor antiques!

"This is the PTCG World Championship plan for next week." Olivia handed over a folder carefully. "I’ve annotated all the specific points to watch—please review them."

Matori retorted, drawing a folder: "Rocket Delivery will rent Prism Tower for a day, and the whole Central Square can be used for the PTCG event!"

Lu Ye swapped their folders: "Thanks, both of you. Check each other’s plans and point out improvements immediately—don’t feel obligated to spare my feelings!"

Matori &

Olivia: "……"

A little flame seemed to ignite in both their eyes.

The mistakes I find won’t be fewer than yours!

Watching the two focused, fired-up women, Lu Ye happily picked up his teacup.

Compete away—go all out!

…

Miare City, Professor Sycamore’s Research Institute.

Professor Sycamore, wearing a white coat over a purple shirt, rubbed his stubble and looked thoughtful.

"Professor." Alain, wearing a black jacket, approached.

"Alain." Sycamore smiled and teased, "Where’s that little girlfriend who’s traveling with you?"

"Professor!"

"Haha, I heard about your deeds with Mr. Steven and Mr. Lu Ye in Hoenn."

Sycamore’s expression grew serious. "Alain, I was a trainer in my youth too, so I know how tempting strength can be. But pursuing strength blindly can end up consuming the trainer."

Alain looked down at his Keystone bracelet and recalled the instant Charizard was struck by Precipice Blades. "I understand…"

"To protect others, you must first become strong yourself." Sycamore patted Alain on the shoulder with a smile. "By the way, a trainer from Pallet Town will arrive in Miare City today—do you want to meet him?"

"No, I plan to keep traveling with Charizard and work toward becoming the strongest Mega Evolution user." Alain hesitated, "Manon is with me too."

"Has the old spirit returned!" Sycamore put his hands in his pockets and laughed.

"I’ve heard Flore’s institute has been active again recently." Alain said.

"I know… it seems related to holographic projection technology. As long as it doesn’t bring disaster, scientific progress is a good thing."

"Professor, what kind of person is Mr. Flore?" Alain suddenly asked.

Sycamore recalled his old friend and was silent for a moment, his gaze flickering. "He’s a very gentle, perfectionist man."

"He became disappointed with the world and tried to create a beautiful world without conflict." Sycamore smiled. "In a way, he’s a rare kind of genius."

"A beautiful new world…" Alain fell into thought.

"Enough about that." Sycamore closed his expression. "Alain, come take a look at the data for this Froakie."

"Froakie?"

Alain followed Sycamore’s line of sight into the courtyard.

There sat a battle-scarred Froakie with sharp eyes, alone on a treetop, looking pensive.

"What’s wrong with it?" Alain asked.

"It was returned by its previous trainer." Sycamore sighed. "It refused commands and wouldn’t battle. And this isn’t the first time."

"Is this Froakie just too weak?"

"No, on the contrary, its physical stats are the best among this batch of rookie Pokémon."

Sycamore scratched his head. "Could it be the trainer’s level is too low? But Froakie is still at its initial stage—this is strange."

Froakie sat alone on the treetop, eyes narrowed to slits.

"Maybe it wants to stay in the courtyard. In any case, it’ll meet the right trainer eventually." Alain said.

"Let’s hope so." Sycamore sighed.

"Well then, Professor, I’ll head out."

"Okay, be careful with your little girlfriend."

Sycamore’s words had a double meaning as he waved cheerfully.

Watching Alain’s retreating back, Sycamore stroked his chin and looked up at the sky:

"Pallet Town trainer… Ash, right? He’s probably acquainted with Mr. Lu Ye…"

…

Pink braided pigtails and a shapely figure—Malva took off her crimson sunshades.

Her gaze reflected a red standalone villa—the place where Flore was serving a life sentence.

This was the kind of life many coveted.

Because Flore’s institute had influence, many members of the Kalos Alliance were his juniors.

Before being imprisoned, Flore was friends with Champion Karine and Professor Sycamore.

This businessman set up Team Flare in pursuit of his ideal world and was later dismantled by Green, who was active in the Kalos region.

As the fully realized Green… don’t even mention Flore—Boss Giovanni would have to yield a bit too.

Malva saw Flore pondering on the balcony, put on her shades, and walked away slowly.

"Looks like he’s doing okay…"

Kalos’s Fire-type Elite Four member Malva was also a holographic communicator news anchor and had once been Flore’s subordinate.

Given the region, her appointment as Elite Four wasn’t a problem despite worrying battle performance.

Inside the villa.

Flore wore a suit, his flaming lion-man hairstyle striking, holding a goblet and gazing at the sky.

"Team Rocket’s transformation, Galactic Team exposed by Interpol, Team Plasma reborn… what a strange world."

Flore turned slowly. There were no communications devices in the room—only a few Pokémon cards on the table stood out.

He had imagined whether, if Pokémon battles were replaced by holographic projection matches, the world’s conflicts might lessen.

After all, some Pokémon aren’t born to fight, yet trainers capture and force them into battle…

Because of that idea, Flore’s institute invested heavily in holographic projection technology.

Flore shook his head.

Perhaps it was my delusion.

A world that solves conflict with holography might create more conflicts.

We can only hope Team Rocket, Team Plasma, and the mentors…

Maybe they can make this world a little better…

……

"Did we get Flore Institute’s technology license?" Lu Ye asked in surprise.

"Yes." Olivia answered meticulously. "The current Flore Institute is managed on his behalf by Malva, and they responded quickly."

Lu Ye nodded lightly.

It was strange: the whole Kalos region knew Malva and Flore were villains.

Yet many citizens still adored Flore and even petitioned to join Team Flare.

So Malva wasn’t removed and Flore wasn’t executed.

Considering Flore’s contradictory character… he even funneled institute profits from the holographic communicator into charity… so it wasn’t baseless.

"Born in the wrong era, Lion Head." Lu Ye sighed.

With Flore’s hairstyle, if he’d been born in Mahogany Town he could have been a company president.

You don’t need to build a world-ending weapon to create a new world—just play cards!

Of course, Flore’s villainous nature wouldn’t change. Lu Ye was simply borrowing their holographic technology to add some flair to the PTCG World Championship.

Tasks were assigned and time moved to four in the afternoon.

Lu Ye received a message from Clemont.

"Ash has already arrived in Miare City!?"

……

"Pikachu, look—so many Pokémon I don’t know here!"

Ash’s eyes shone as he ran along the brick pathway around the picturesque Miare City, like a country bumpkin at a grand exhibit.

Pikachu ran alongside Ash, hopping happily: "Pika!"

"Ash, slow down…" Clemont panted behind them. "You’re running… too fast!"

Bonnie was also out of breath: "Brother, wait for me…"

"Up ahead is the park’s battle field." Ash shouted back. "Clemont, let’s battle there!"

"I know…" Clemont wiped his brow.

Prism Tower had been rented to the Pokémon Company for the PTCG World Championship.

The temporary gymmaster Clembot hadn’t gone haywire. But since Ash asked for a battle, Clemont would face him personally.

Arriving at the shaded park not far from the south street, the sign for Sycamore’s Research Institute was visible.

"Here." Ash had already changed into a new hat. "Please battle me in a gym match, Clemont!"

"Whew…" Clemont steadied his breath and smiled. "Alright, let me show you Miare Gym’s strength!"

"Go, Magnemite trio!"

Three small Magnemite burst from their Poké Balls and circled together, the magnets flashing blue electricity.

"Okay, Pikachu—I choose you!"

Ash stretched out his arm, and Pikachu nimbly leaped onto the field, paws on the ground, cheeks sparking. "Pika!"

"Use Thunderbolt!!" both of them shouted together.

Blinding electric light erupted;

the two bolts collided and kicked up a burst of black smoke.

After several exchanges, Pikachu panted, clearly out of energy!

Clemont muttered: "Strange… why does it feel like Pikachu’s holding back…"

Suddenly, a mechanical arm shot out and easily grabbed Pikachu.

"Who—!" Ash turned sharply.

Spotlights dropped in an instant.

"Since you asked with such sincere curiosity."

"Then we shall mercifully tell you…"

Quick-cut forward, a sharp-eyed Froakie burst through!

"What is that thing, meow?" Meowth cocked its head.

"Looks nasty…" James whispered.

Froakie’s foam bubble was thrown and covered the machine, then exploded.

The Trio, caught completely off guard, turned into streaks shooting toward the sky!

"That’s such a gross feeling~"

"Sosa~ nashi!"

Ding.

Lu Ye was watering the sapling in the café courtyard and looked up at the sky blankly.

"Did something just fly by…"

Never mind.

His gaze returned to the egg-shaped planting pot holding the sapling. The system description popped up.

[Tree Fruit Planting Pot: A portable cultivation container that lets you easily grow tree fruits anytime.]

The system could redeem tree fruit directly, but growing them yourself had its own charm.

Bury the seed in the pot, wait for it to sprout into a seedling, then transplant it into the courtyard—hopefully it will grow into a Galar-style fruit tree.

Lu Ye nodded in satisfaction.

If Steven is a mineral collector, then Teacher Lu is definitely a tree fruit fanatic!

With Olivia and Matori handling management, Lu Ye didn’t need to micromanage the PTCG World Championship.

He only had to show up at the venue.

To encourage competitors, Matori even cooked up a gimmick that the champion could battle the company founder for prize UR cards.

Lu Ye strongly suspected Darkrai would bring his "tagalong" Darkrai to compete.

Not afraid of losing to Darkrai though.

If you can’t win, bluff. If that fails, print cards on the spot—after all, it’s our company…

Evening drew near.

Humming a tune, Lu Ye was in the kitchen washing ingredients when a memory surfaced and he frowned:

"Ash arrived in Miare City on his first day… did something big happen…"

Reaching the top of Kalos, then jumping off Prism Tower!?

Lu Ye gasped and smacked his forehead.

Oh no, this is going to make big news!

…