Teacher Lu’s card match with Darkrai came to an end.

“I lost…”

Darkrai looked completely dejected, as if his soul had been taken;

he braced both hands on the ground and cards scattered around him.

The invisible Darkrai and Latios materialized beside Darkrai, hovering to comfort him.

Lu Ye rubbed his chin.

Where is this strange sense of déjà vu coming from...

Never mind — playing cards is just joyful!

Lu Ye smiled like sunshine and bent to inspect his Eevee Hero deck, feeling a twinge of regret.

The so-called Eevee Hero build is a pure hero deck made up of seven different Eevee V variants—Flareon, Glaceon, and so on.

But Darkrai collapsed before he even got to summon One-Blow Urshifu VMAX.

Lu Ye sighed softly.

I was planning to try G-Max One Blow.

G-Max One Blow deals a whopping 270 damage. Darkrai-GX only has 180 HP, and take into account its double weakness. That’s a total of 540 explosive damage — Darkrai would owe me two lives!

“All right, don’t be disheartened. This is your champion reward.”

Lu Ye handed a holographic card to Darkrai.

“What is this…” Darkrai lifted his head, eyes flickering, “A global limited UR card — a Master Ball!?”

The card face showed a purple-red Master Ball with an M emblem, shimmering with rainbow colors.

Teacher Lu couldn’t afford a real Master Ball as a prize… but printing a few card replicas was easy enough.

Darkrai bowed sincerely in thanks, shrugged off his cloak, and left with his floating companions, Darkrai and Latios.

Lu Ye watched their retreating figures and fell into thought.

Although Darkrai’s character prototype was originally a PTCG World Champion…

Has the worldline already converged now that I developed PTCG…?

“Come on out, Togepi.”

Lu Ye called toward the empty sofa, “Darkrai is gone. We should head back to the shop too.”

The little eggshell wobbled and toddled out from behind the couch on tiny feet.

“Chee-ji-dwee~ヾ(◍°∇°◍)ﾉﾞ”

Lu Ye nodded slightly.

Darkrai could bring an accompanying spirit like that.

Then it makes perfect sense for me to bring a Togepi to play cards with me!

…

The two-day PTCG World Championship concluded.

The fairground in Central Square began to be dismantled, but citizens and players were still buzzing about it.

Ordinary people naturally welcomed entertaining, spectator-friendly events.

Players bonded over cards and made many like-minded friends with smiles on their faces.

Companies like Devon and Silph were amazed at the images produced by the Holographic Imaging Communicators.

Using cards to simulate Pokémon battles combined entertainment, spectacle, and competition.

Calling the Pokémon Company and the self-made Teacher Lu industry benchmarks was not an exaggeration!

Thanks to this championship.

PTCG’s popularity rose again, sparking a wave in trainer academies in various regions.

“I finally made a decent profit this time~”

The girl from Cerulean City covered her mouth and giggled.

“I also captured quite a few Pokémon from the Kalos region.”

Kris carried her luggage and smiled, “I’ll release them after I finish collecting research data.”

Xiao Yin lowered his head, silently flipping through a Holographic Imaging Communicator.

“Hey hey, you didn’t steal that again, did you?” A-Jin squinted.

Xiao Yin rolled his eyes at A-Jin, then turned to the girl from Cerulean City. “Teacher Lu’s café is on the south street. We can visit him and Professor Sycamore while we’re at it.”

“Free food!” The girl snapped her fingers.

Kris hesitated, “I don’t want to disturb him all of a sudden…”

“It’s fine.” The girl smiled. “Teacher Lu’s grudge is against A-Jin anyway!”

A-Jin slung a cue over his shoulder and spread his hand;

a question mark popped on his forehead.

A red beam flew from a Poké Ball and Togebro furiously scratched A-Jin with his wings.

“Bok!! (╬◣д◢)”

Hurry up, I want to see my sister!

“Ahem… I know, let’s get going!”

**

Central Square, Prism Tower.

Olivia handled the final handover formalities and politely said, “Thank you for leasing Prism Tower to us.”

“No problem~” Clemont scratched his head. “With Clembot here, gym challenges can carry on as usual, haha.”

“Miss Olivia!”

Bonnie’s eyes lit up;

she stepped forward, kneeled on one knee, and offered her small hand: “If you don’t mind, please take my brother with you.”

Olivia glanced at her folder, a hint of puzzlement in her expression.

“Bonnie!”

Clemont’s face flushed red. A mechanical arm extended from his backpack and tugged Bonnie’s collar, pulling her away.

Olivia turned her questioning look to the owner beside her.

“A piece of traditional entertainment.”

Lu Ye nodded. “And a man who can accurately identify Officer Jenny and Nurse Joy;

his backstory was heartwarming.”

Ash was looking around and asked, “Teacher Lu, is Darkrai already gone?”

“Yes. He’s off to continue training to get stronger.”

“Okay, Pikachu and I will keep traveling too. We’re going to try for our first badge—the Bug Badge!”

“Pika-chu~”

Watching the boy’s eyes spark with determination, Lu Ye fell into thought.

Ash is about to start his Kalos gym journey…

Speaking of which, I should find out where the Fairy Plate is.

If I move onto the main quest line before Ash arrives, with luck I might avoid running into the awakened Yveltal and Xerneas.

“First, I’ll go home and check on the little ones’ strengths… make a ranking.”

Lu Ye thought, “Also grab the Revival Root from the Turtwig’s stash, stock up on berries, and prepare for a long trip!”

When it came to the Fairy Plate, Lu Ye immediately thought of the Fairy specialist Mallow.

She’s the Kalos Fairy-type gym leader and a fashion designer;

she once crossed paths with Teacher Lu.

Yet what was missing from the Kalos badge box was exactly the Fairy Badge…

A chill ran down Lu Ye’s spine;

his gaze grew solemn.

This matter cannot be rushed — it needs a long-term plan!

**

Assistant Olivia returned to the Pokémon Company headquarters in Goldenrod City to resume management duties.

That afternoon, Lu Ye planned to loaf at the café and handle employee recruitment.

Cynthia’s butler Jerome recommended several reliable Pokémon employees, including a butler Indeedee, a pastry chef Alcremie, and a waiter Espathra.

These Pokémon integrate into human society as independent individuals earning their keep.

If anyone mistreated them, citizens would report it, and once the data got recorded in the Pokédex and Pokémon Center, Officer Jenny would come speeding in to bring the offender to justice.

Lu Ye couldn’t be at the café all the time.

With these employees plus Little Penguin handling deliveries, things would be much easier.

Interviews were scheduled for this afternoon.

With these new hires, plus a Farfetch’d in normal form and a Mr. Mime as assistant cooks, the café could open officially!

Lu Ye had considered human staff too.

But involving humans introduces a lot of complications;

Pokémon are simpler in that sense.

No matter what kind of Pokémon—even Muk or Trubbish that few like—once a bond is formed, they’ll respond.

“How should I interview an Alcremie… lick the cream off it?”

Lu Ye joked to himself as he rode his Rotom bicycle and turned back onto the south street.

Outside the shop, a quartet in outlandish outfits caught his eye.

“Oh!”

The cap-wearing boy waved and grinned. “Teacher Lu, we came to see you.”

Bang!

A red beam shot from a Poké Ball;

Togekiss approached Lu Ye and chuckled.

“Bok~”

I came to see my sister.

“Go play with your brother, Togepi.”

Lu Ye let out a breathy laugh. “Remember to come back for dinner.”

“Chee-ji-dwee~”

Togepi stood on the pavement tiles and gave a small, obedient nod, then waved at Togekiss:

“Dwee! (oﾟ▽ﾟ)o”

“Bok~ (′▽`〃)”

Togekiss carried Togepi and floated off toward Miare City streets.

“That looks like the direction of the arcade…” A-Jin muttered.

Lu Ye: !?

They actually dare to lead Togepi astray!?

What? I like arcade games too, so it’s fine…

“Togepi and Togebro still get along as always.” The girl smiled.

“Come inside first. By the way, watch your Ditto—it might flinch.”

The girl tilted her head. The Ditto in her arms suddenly trembled like a sieve.

“Mi…” Ditto shivered.

A terrifying aura is scanning me!

“Do you have a projector that broadcasts Hoenn radio?” Xiao Yin asked.

“Of course. I’m a vintage tokusatsu fan,” Lu Ye said with a laugh.

Xiao Yin nodded slightly, a faint light stirring in his eyes.

Inside the shop.

On-duty Sirfetch’d stood holding his leek and shield, awakened from sleep.

“Gah…” Sirfetch’d narrowed his eyes into slits, V-shaped brows furrowing, radiating a sharp, extraordinary aura.

Then his head lolled to the side and he fell back into dozing off.

Lu Ye: “…”

Work like that really can’t be entrusted to Ducklett or a husky.

Only Turtwig is the most reliable!

“So pretty…” Kris looked around the interior décor and breathed softly.

White wooden tables, linen tablecloths, potted philodendrons—the style was simple and cozy.

“This is the basic setup. For holidays like Halloween or Christmas, we’ll decorate more.”

“Why not put a pool table?”

A-Jin hugged his cue and traced a square with his hands.

That one remark snapped Lu Ye back to reality.

He almost forgot to make spicy curry for A-Jin!

In the midsummer heat, Haunter carried a tray with four glasses of chilled Pachirisu Pizz Pop sparkling drinks.

“Gengarrr~” (please use ~)

Haunter set down the iced drinks neatly, grinning with bared teeth and extending a hand.

How could Haunter be so adorably goofy!

The four all had the same thought.

The chilled sparkling drink had lemon slices fizzing ‘pitter-patter,’ ice cubes bobbing.

Dessert was Pikachu parfait pudding—Pikachu-shaped pudding surrounded by a ring of berries.

“Take pictures, I have to take pictures.” The girl’s eyes sparkled.

Even the usually impassive Xiao Yin showed some wavering expression.

“These must be expensive, Teacher Lu…” Kris asked softly.

“Not expensive.” Lu Ye grinned. “Charge it to A-Jin’s head.”

A-Jin: “Ahem, ahem!”

During the chat, Lu Ye learned Xiao Yin planned to visit Professor Sycamore to inquire about Mega Evolution related to Gyarados.

A-Jin was in a bad spot—he didn’t have a single Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution;

version buffs were useless to him.

Of course, it’s also possible any new Mega forms simply haven’t been discovered yet.

Unintentionally, Xiao Yin’s gaze fell on the cabinet behind the counter;

his tense, expressionless face softened somewhat.

I must not be seeing things…

That’s the legendary tool, the DNA Splicers… Teacher Lu has it displayed like a crystal ball!?

Xiao Yin glanced at Lu Ye, who was chatting calmly.

He was listing the orchard berries planted in the courtyard as if they were family treasures:

“My next goal is to collect eighteen different berries that resist various types…”

Kris parted her lips slightly, lost in reverie.

Lu Ye, the so-called Tactician?

It feels like he could be called the Berry Man now!

Xiao Yin wasn’t interested in berries, and his gaze moved to the sunlight outside the window;

his pupils suddenly constricted.

A Rainbow Wing planted in a potted plant!?

That would draw Ho-Oh’s wrath, Teacher Lu!

Yet the Rainbow Wing didn’t darken;

instead it gleamed crystal-clear…

Xiao Yin’s worldview was shaken;

he fell into deep silence.

…

At sunset.

After saying goodbye to A-Jin and the others per plan, Lu Ye interviewed Jerome’s recommended butler Indeedee.

This was a female Indeedee with drooping horns and a smiling mouth—more approachable in appearance than the male Indeedee.

Indeedee is called a ‘thankful Pokémon,’ drawing energy from feelings of gratitude and so eager to help humans and Pokémon.

Her signature moves: Follow Me, Aromatherapy, Ally Switch, Helping Hand…

Ally Switch!?

Lu Ye was startled and opened the Rotom system function that had been dormant for half a year after inviting her to the team.

[Indeedee, Psychic + Normal

Gender: Female

Ability: Psychic Surge

Moves: Follow Me, Aromatherapy, Ally Switch, Helping Hand…]

“Uroo?” Indeedee tilted her head slightly.

“Psychic Surge” is Indeedee’s hidden ability that sets up Psychic Terrain.

Another Pokémon with that ability is Tapu Butterfree, demonstrating how rare and powerful the trait is!

With Psychic Terrain active, Ally Switch’s area and power would be enhanced.

Lu Ye couldn’t help but be impressed.

She can run the shop, clean, and also hit hard.

Jerome truly is a top-tier butler—recommending SSR-level café Pokémon right off the bat!

“You’re hired!”

Lu Ye ushered forward the bashful Hasty Little Penguin, scratching his head. “Get along well with Little Penguin, okay.”

“Uroo~” Indeedee smiled faintly.

“U!” The messenger bird’s eyes sparkled with tiny stars and the backpack on its shoulder seemed lighter.

The second interviewee was the waiter Espathra.

Also female, Espathra could be found in many cafés. Mostly white-bodied with soft ears and tail, she stands on two feet.

Using Psychic power, even if a teacup fell, Espathra could instantly control the tableware and the tea together.

This waiter kept a serious face.

But after confirming colleagues like Haunter and Togepi were friendly, she allowed a slight smile and nodded.

The third was the pastry chef Alcremie.

Adorned with strawberry sugar decorations, pink-and-white Alcremie was shy and stood bashfully before the owner.

Lu Ye remembered Jerome mentioning Alcremie worked in an old lady’s pastry shop.

When the old lady’s children took her away to enjoy her retirement, Alcremie still loved making desserts, so she applied for the pastry chef position.

Lu Ye rubbed his chin, studying Alcremie’s creamy, vanilla aroma.

Alcremie can produce whipped cream;

the happier she feels, the richer the cream tastes.

Owning an Alcremie is a dream for countless pastry chefs—her sweet cream can be used to garnish berries.

Her signature move, Decorate, greatly boosts a teammate’s stats and makes ingredients taste better.

Because Alcremie has little battle capability, when faced with an enemy she escapes by flinging a sedative whipped cream at the foe. If the enemy eats enough, they won’t chase Alcremie anymore…

A pitiful emergency food supply…

Looking at Alcremie’s head drooping lower and lower, looking so pitiable,

Lu Ye made his decision:

“You’re hired!”

Haunter studied Alcremie and scratched his head.

I guess I can’t lick this one… ah well.

“Gengarrr~ (￣▽￣)／” Haunter extended a small hand.

Pleased to meet you~!

The pink-and-white Alcremie gathered courage, lifted her head, and nodded hard: “Eemai…”

“Gah~”

Sirfetch’d peeked at the sweet-scented cream on Alcremie, then looked down at the leek in his hand.

Would a leek decorated with cream taste better~

Suddenly, Sirfetch’d froze.

“Gah! Σ(っ°Д°;

)っ”

Oh no~

If all the cream is eaten first, will it be my turn next!?

“Maybe we’ll start with scallion pancakes.” Lu Ye joked.

“Gah! (´థ౪థ)σ”

Alcremie looked at the joking owner and Sirfetch’d, and her nervous tension relaxed into a faint smile.

“Eemai~”

Alcremie exhaled, her eyes shimmering.

Starting tomorrow, I’ll make desserts properly~

Come on, I can do it—I’ll bake the world’s best cake!