I Really Didn’t Want to Be a Trainer-Chapter 681: Ash Sets Out for Kalos

I Really Didn’t Want to Be a Trainer-Chapter 681: Ash Sets Out for Kalos

According to the planned itinerary, Lu Ye set out for nearby Celadon City with Latias to undergo the gym inspection.
"So the Goldenrod Gym already passed the inspection?" Little Latias asked, curious.
"Yes." Lu Ye replied.
Nassi's father was only acting as the interim gym leader;
once Nassi formally took the test, they would have to stay in Goldenrod for a few more days.
Besides, if they were to have a serious battle with Nassi, the whole gym might be in peril.
Nassi's strength was obvious. Rather than wasting time on Goldenrod Gym, it was better to inspect those gyms that were clearly slacking off.
I'm talking about you, the water ballet, bikini and all that crossed-out nonsense… Celadon Gym!
"Are we heading to Celadon City now?" Latias brightened up and became noticeably lively after getting more familiar.
Lu Ye nodded and declared righteously:
"Water ballets and bikinis aside, the main point is the gym inspection!"
When they arrived at Celadon Gym, they happened upon the Celadon Sisters' water ballet performance—
While cheers filled the hall, Misty stood at the rear door of the gym with a hand to her forehead, looking exasperated.
As her sisters' hobby, Misty didn't object…
But weren't there supposed to be four sisters?
Is this the same logic as "there are five Elite Four members"?
Celadon Gym was split into two sections: the performance showroom and the gym challenge area.
New trainers from Kanto often underestimated the difficulty of the gym challenge because of Celadon Gym’s reputation.
In truth, those who chose Charmander as their starter would find out what real hellish difficulty meant when facing a Water specialist like Misty…
Amid the uproarious cheers in the front hall, Lu Ye walked into the challenge area and just then saw a rookie burst out of the gym in tears, shouting:
"Pokémon is a lie! Pokémon battles are not fun at all!"
Lu Ye: "……"
Another day of dissuading newbies, then.
"Teacher Lu, are you the League's appointed inspector?" Misty asked in surprise after learning the news.
"That's a long story… you could say I'm acting on someone's request."
Lu Ye rubbed his chin. "But is it a gym tradition to run a side business while accepting challenges?"
Misty nodded seriously. "Yes. Kanto’s captain Lila even runs a perfume shop herself."
"Our sisters opened the water performance showroom out of interest and to promote the gym!"
"Latias!" An idea-lightbulb lit above hidden Latias's little head.
Strange knowledge acquired!
Lu Ye didn't find it inappropriate;
it was part of the gym leader's revenue, and perhaps the gym leader was the one running the side business.
He made a mental note to mention it to poor Lily… tell her to start a battle training class—better than eating a Berry every day!
"So, are you going to battle me next?" Misty asked softly.
Knowing Teacher Lu was the inspector made the pressure overwhelming.
Misty was already prepared to send out her Mega Gyarados;
in no circumstance could Celadon Gym afford to be disqualified!
"No need." Lu Ye said. "The water ballet was excellent, so the gym inspection is passed."
Misty: ???
"In my view, cultural and spiritual life is an important part of Kanto gyms' development."
Lu Ye pushed up his nonexistent glasses and said in a serious tone, "This is exactly what a senior inspector should consider!"
Misty nodded in respectful bewilderment.
Latias: (⊙o⊙)
Learned it, learned it~!
Declining the Celadon Sisters' banquet invitation, Lu Ye leisurely rode Arcanine into the dusk and murmured:
"At this pace, we can finish inspecting gyms in three days."
"I want to try battling…" Latias whispered.
My own slacker self, yet my Pokémon are surprisingly battle-hungry…
Lu Ye had mixed feelings, glanced at the phone navigation, and said:
"The next gym is Pewter Gym… let’s try to team up for a match."
"Oh, and there's Vermilion Gym too—we need to inspect that one properly!"
**
The sunset's afterglow spilled across the rippling sea;
a white lighthouse stood on the distant shore.
Lu Ye found a vacant spot and decided to camp outdoors for the night.
"Haunter, please set up the tent~"
"Gengarrr! (￣▽￣)／" Haunter waved and split shadow clones.
The clones gathered firewood, built a stone stove, and pitched the tent… each busy with a task.
The orange-yellow sunset sank into the sea;
the horizon seemed to boil as Magikarp leaped from the golden water.
Lu Ye put on an apron at a stone stove to cook tonight's meal, his gaze sweeping over the little ones.
"Togepi-doo~ (ﾉﾟ▽ﾟ)ﾉ" Togepi sat obediently on a rock playing a game, while Victini watched nearby.
Meloetta perched in the treetop, locking eyes with him and returning a sweet smile: "Melo~"
Sylveon's blue round eyes flashed with a hint of displeasure before she looked away: "Bu-bii!"
Sirfetch'd closed its eyes to listen to the waves, seemingly meditating but actually loafing: "Gah… (Θ３Θ)"
Spurred on by Sirfetch'd's encouragement, Blastoise focused and, through Calm Mind, resumed training his Aura: "Ka-may! ヾ(⌐■_■)"
Latias, infected by the tranquil atmosphere, de-stealthed and floated up to Lu Ye's boiling pot: "Latias?"
Lu Ye looked in surprise at the little red plane hovering by his arm, continued slicing ingredients, and replied:
"Berry stew and rice balls… dessert is energy cubes."
"I don't want any… I just ate wild Berries earlier." Latias said awkwardly.
Having met less than a day ago, Latias had trouble accepting feeding from a stranger.
"Really sure you won't eat?"
"No!" Latias said firmly.
Five minutes later.
"Latias~ (′▽`〃)" (So delicious~)
Latias floated up, lifting her head, soup smudged at the corner of her mouth, beaming with joy.
Lu Ye smiled slightly, wanting to use a handkerchief to wipe it, but it wasn't that bad yet.
He reached out to stroke Sylveon's long ears and offered a Pecha Berry cube from his palm.
Sylveon looked up at Lu Ye, then leaned in and licked his hand, emitting a soft sound:
"Bu-bii…"
Hand on Sylveon's warm, snowy back, Lu Ye glanced to the side where Pupitar sat alone on the cliff watching the sunset.
The gray-shelled Pupitar sat dully on the cliff, staring at the darkening sea.
"Shaji…" Pupitar made a sighing sound.
Lu Ye gained a new understanding of this quiet little cutie.
According to the training method recorded in Essence of Earth, there have been cases where Pupitar evolved within one to three months.
He already had Tyranitar's Mega Stone and a big bag of chips ready… it was just a matter of when Pupitar would evolve.
"If Old Ban could learn Cliff Blade, that would be great."
Lu Ye pondered: "Even though it's not a same-type move… but it would look so cool!"
Of course, that move isn't legal, so it was just a fantasy.
As night deepened, Lu Ye stretched and crawled into the tent: "We're heading to Pewter Gym tomorrow, everyone rest early!"
"Sylveon sleep with you? Okay… Togepi too?"
"Wait, Arcanine is too big!"
In the end, Lu Ye lay outside the tent with his head against Arcanine's warm belly by the campfire and read a storybook to the little "egg shell" in his arms:
"Dividing the dragon to find the gold, wrapping mountains layer by layer… wait, is this really a kid's book?"
"Togepi-doo~ (⁎˃ᴗ˂⁎)"
Night thickened and the sky was dotted with brilliant stars.
In the distance, Mount Tsukimi shimmered with peculiar auroras—supposedly the handiwork of "Alien Clefairy."
Lu Ye, not worried about catching a cold, burrowed deeper into Arcanine’s thick fur and turned onto his side.
Sylveon curled in his arms and let out a cute yawn: "Bu-bii… (*･ω-q)"
Latias watched this scene curiously and then looked up at the glittering sky;
a shooting star streaked across.
Half-closed, Teacher Lu explained: "That's a little meteor, Rayquaza's food… hmm, kind of depressing."
"Latias!" Latias looked admiring and enlightened.
Another new fact learned!
…
The next morning, the sun rose.
Lu Ye rode Arcanine and arrived at Pewter Gym.
"Teacher Lu." Brock greeted him, wearing a yellow-green vest. "Long time no see!"
At the same time, a group of children poured out from behind Brock.
"Big brother!"
"Arcanine is so cute, I want to play too!"
Arcanine jumped at the crowd of kids, put on its most adorable face, and made a timid roar: "Awooo…"
Lu Ye patted Arcanine to let it babysit and jumped down with a smile:
"I suppose you've heard—I’m the inspector for this round."
Brock nodded and smiled. "Yes, Jiro and I are well prepared."
"Mr. Lu Ye!" A boy who looked ninety percent like Brock bowed deeply. "Please!"
"Is Jiro the one taking the inspection?" Lu Ye asked in surprise.
"Yes." Brock's eyes flashed with memory and pride. "This kid said he wanted to share my burden… said that if he could become gym leader too, I could pursue my own dream…"
"Because big brother works too hard!" Jiro cut in. "So many younger siblings, and I work part-time at Pewter Museum…"
The fourth sister turned back and made a face: "No wonder no one wants big brother."
"We should find brother a bride!" Kuro countered.
Brock's dark face flushed with embarrassment;
he scratched his head and smiled sheepishly: "Anyway… please inspect him carefully, Teacher Lu!"
One person shouldering the whole family's burden—the most reliable gym leader in Kanto.
Brock, a real man!
"I understand… if Jiro passes, maybe it will ease your burden." Lu Ye smiled. "But I won't go easy."
Brock was silent a moment and then nodded. "Thank you, Teacher Lu!"
Amid the children's playful noise, Jiro went back inside to prepare for the inspection.
Lu Ye and Brock stood together watching his siblings play fetch with Arcanine.
"They're not afraid of Arcanine's Intimidate at all." Lu Ye observed.
Brock crossed his arms and smiled. "Looks like they're having fun."
"By the way, Mr. Brock." Lu Ye asked, "Jiro mentioned your dream—can you share a bit?"
Teacher Lu was curious whether Brock's dream was to become a Pokémon doctor, a breeder, or perhaps find a kind and capable wife…
"My dream…"
Brock's dark face showed thought, then he squinted at his siblings and opened his eyes with a smile:
"My dream is to watch them grow up happily."
Lu Ye: "……"
Was that a trick of the eye?
Just now, I thought I saw Brock's pupils flash!?
At that moment, the gym inspection was ready—Lu Ye versus the acting gym leader Jiro.
"Will you follow my commands, Latias?" Lu Ye looked to his empty side.
Latias slowly manifested, her gaze serious: "Latias!"
That clash of emotion and conviction in Pokémon battle—that was why he traveled!
Lu Ye scanned Latias's moves:
Recover, Thunder Wave, Wish, Light Screen, Reflect…
"Good." A corner of Lu Ye's mouth lifted. "I'll show you what a Tactician can do!"
**
In the chat group.
"League-appointed inspector is Teacher Lu?!" Janine posted in despair.
Lila tilted her head. "Hmm… it does make me uneasy."
Green frowned slightly;
asking the second team of his gym to beat Teacher Lu was wishful thinking.
But… passing the inspection should be fine.
"Don't worry, as long as you choose a suitable format, passing is no problem!" Marshal said boisterously.
A-Jin snorted: "You should be the one panicking, Uncle Marshal!"
"No way." Marshal glared.
At worst, use formats I'm good at…
Suddenly Marshal's face turned sour;
he realized he'd once lost to Lu Ye even in a format he was familiar with.
Worse… Vermilion Gym might get blown out—
Crap! Rush back to the gym and prepare for inspection!
Brock recalled the morning's exam between Jiro and Teacher Lu.
When Lu Ye sent out the legendary Latias, Brock had been cold-sweating.
Jiro sent out Excadrill, employing Weakness Policy tactics, but he couldn't stand up to Latias.
Even when Rock Blast hit, Latias immediately used Recover to restore full HP!
However… after assessing Jiro's strength, Lu Ye recalled Latias.
"You already have the standard of a legitimate gym leader." Lu Ye said with a smile. "Congratulations, Jiro."
The memory froze on Jiro's stunned then elated expression.
Brock felt respect and gratitude and wrote in the group chat: "Everyone, just perform normally."
Siebold: "Oh oh oh! This old man is fired up too—I want to face a strong opponent directly!"
Maybe he spooked the other members;
the chat fell quiet again.
Until Ash bubbled up, dejected:
"I lost my match today…"
"Lost?" Green blinked.
"I watched Ash's match today at the Vertress Conference." Alice said helplessly. "Honestly, Ash underestimated his opponent!"
Cheren explained: "After all, no one expected Tocci's Riolu to evolve mid-match… and based on my stats, Ash's Pokémon evolve during battles far more often than other trainers'."
Lu Ye was slightly stunned.
What a gut punch, Cheren!
After all, the comedic Tocci grabbed the wrong script at Vertress Conference, so Ash beating someone who underestimated him was reasonable.
Besides, considering Ash’s Baby Cup roster in Unova…
Teacher Lu: "Try harder next year!"
Cynthia considered: "Hmm… early next year is the Lumiose Conference in Kalos… Ash, you should still be able to make it!"
"Teacher Lu… you probably won't participate in the Lumiose Conference, right?" Alice asked cautiously.
It would be tempting.
But Lu Ye had to return to Donghua early next year to pursue the Champion path;
he replied:
"There's a scheduling conflict, so I won't participate."
The girl sighed sadly.
Because Teacher Lu didn't enter this Vertress Conference, a large stockpile of Full Recovery Potions went unsold.
Next door, the "Meowth Coin Stall" business was as booming as ever.
Looks like strategy must change… avoid that competitor!
Perhaps annoyed by his student's underestimation, Green coldly said:
"@Ash, hurry back to Pallet Town and prepare special training."
I don't believe Pallet Town trainers can't win a conference champion!
Ash rallied, a fire in his eyes as he clenched his fist and replied: "Yes!"
Lu Ye looked up at the sky.
Ash is coming to Kalos…
Doesn't that mean he'll face his rival Alain again!
"To win the Lumiose Conference, he'll really need to train hard." Lu Ye murmured.
You can't rest yet, you idiot!
…

Chapter 681: Ash Sets Out for Kalos