I Really Didn’t Want to Be a Trainer-Chapter 683: Spiritual Badge, Go to Hoenn
August 8th, Sunday.
Summer was fading away, and lingering evening breezes swept across Twinleaf Island in the twilight haze.
Lu Ye wore an Alolan floral shirt, listening to old man Siebold pour out his woes with tears and snot.
"A year ago, I had rows of hot spring resorts on Cinnabar Island, but then the volcano erupted and everything went down the drain!" Siebold wiped the corner of his eye.
"Weren't you always looking down on those hot spring resort owners?" Lu Ye asked.
"Is there any contradiction between looking down on those people and opening my own hot spring resort?" Siebold said strangely.
"Hmm... not contradictory at all!" Lu Ye affirmed.
"Anyway, the current Volcanic Gym is just a small cave on Twinleaf Island now."
Siebold muttered, " to the Kanto League - either let me retire outright or approve the funding soon!"
"Definitely, definitely." Lu Ye chuckled awkwardly.
That damn Doduo, knowing the inspector position was thankless work, that's why he invited me!
Lance... (crossed out) Red hair... (crossed out) Xiao Yin... (crossed out)
I'll remember this grudge, A-Jin!
After bidding farewell to Siebold and leaving Twinleaf Island, Lu Ye headed to Vermilion Port by water route.
When approaching Kanto's sea landmark 'Twinleaf Vortex', he unexpectedly spotted a Lapras calling out in the twilight.
A gentle red-haired beauty sat sideways on the Lapras, extending one long leg to tap ripples on the water's surface, gathering her wind-tossed red hair, and pushing up the plain glasses on her nose bridge.
From a distance, the red-haired woman on Lapras's back looked deeply preoccupied.
Actually, this was just Lorelei spacing out... this Ice-type Elite Four member also had an airhead attribute.
Lu Ye remembered Lorelei's activity range was between Twinleaf Island and the Sevii Islands, so seeing her near Twinleaf Island wasn't surprising at all.
"What a nice auntie," Lu Ye sighed. "How come no one's pursuing her!"
It made sense - Gold the Fifth and Ash had grown up watching Lorelei's Pokémon battles since childhood, so calling her 'auntie' wasn't inappropriate.
Riding Blastoise forward, Lu Ye greeted Lorelei:
"It's Auntie Lor... it's Lorelei!"
Lorelei, sitting sideways on Lapras's back, lifted her gaze and snapped back to reality, surprised: "Teacher Lu?"
"I was assessing Mr. Siebold's Volcanic Gym... now it should be called Twinleaf Gym."
Lu Ye explained: "Just after leaving the dock, I saw you and Lapras."
"What a coincidence."
Lorelei smiled, "Would you like to visit my home? The Sevii Islands aren't far from here."
"No need, I want to finish the assessments quickly today so I can resign," Lu Ye replied.
Need to hurry and finish things in Hoenn quickly - maybe I can still buy return ship tickets!
Lorelei made an 'oh' sound, and the two chatted about Liu Bo's Ice-type Delibird. Halfway through, Lu Ye noticed Auntie Lorelei spacing out again while gazing at the sea sunset.
After spending more time together, you'd get used to Lorelei's 'airhead' nature, but to unfamiliar people, this simply meant Lorelei wasn't interested in the topic.
The nickname 'Ice Lorelei' didn't come from nowhere - this Elite Four member was consistently seen as the embodiment of cold elegance.
Teacher Lu roughly understood... spacing out once during a matchmaking meeting would make even the highest quality men retreat and not bother Lorelei again.
"Good luck, Auntie," Lu Ye thought inwardly.
Reaching the sea route fork, Lorelei, having snapped back to reality, bid farewell to Lu Ye.
By then, the sunset had dipped into the sea, and a Gyarados was patrolling the waters nearby. Seeing the slowly advancing Blastoise, it intended to mock.
"Ka-may...ヾ(⌐■_■)" Blastoise remained motionless.
As their eyes met, Gyarados's laughter caught in its throat, and it slunk away dejectedly.
In the chat group, Wallace mentioned the 'Litleo Constellation' meteor shower half a month later.
"It will appear above Littleroot City Gym."
Wallace said smiling: "Anyone want to come watch? Couple tickets are 30% off at the astronomy center."
Ash's cheeks instantly flushed red, wanting to invite Senior Red but not knowing how to start.
"Buy from me, only 40% off," The girl said cheerfully.
"Buying from you would definitely be fake," Red said helplessly.
"Who are you planning to buy for?" The girl teased, "Could it be to watch with Green?"
"That day I should be training with Gold at Mt. Silver," Red said.
"Spare me," Gold the Fifth sighed.
Since last time provoking Red and getting dragged to Mt. Silver, Gold the Fifth had experienced hellish training intensity.
With this kind of training intensity every day... Gold wasn't surprised at all if Red's hand injury recurred!
Wallace planned to invite Hoenn's Flying-type Gym Leader Winona to watch together.
This couple's on-and-off relationship made Wallace envy his own disciple Ruby.
After all, Ruby and Sapphire were inseparable, having already met each other's parents - their sweetness levels were simply off the charts.
Ruby: "@Sapphire, let's go together, I prepared new style outfits that will definitely suit you."
Sapphire blushed and smiled: "Okay!"
Lorelei had just returned to her home in the Sevii Islands, opened the group chat to shocking news, and went into lurker mode feeling depressed.
Lu Ye opened a private window and forwarded the 'Litleo Constellation' official website link to Cynthia.
After a moment, the private window blinked with notifications.
[Ice Cream Princess: Are you inviting me to go together?]
[Teacher Lu: No, I'm hoping you'll go with me.]
"I need to see if I'm free that day."
"I'm giving the Sinnoh League a holiday that day - not even Arceus can stop me," Lu Ye said.
Cynthia's lips curved into a slight smile: "Then there's no problem."
Kanto region, Pallet Town.
Ash's cheeks were still burning as he paced back and forth in front of Red's door.
"Senior Red... um... please, please come with me to watch the meteor shower!" Ash practiced again.
Wing flapping sounds rang out as Ash looked toward Mt. Silver's direction in the night sky, where an Aerodactyl was flying carrying a young man in a black tank top.
Red's black hair was damp, wearing a black tank top with a jacket slung over his shoulder, smiling:
"It's Ash, what's up?"
"Th-that..." Ash couldn't get the words out.
"Oh right!" Red slapped his forehead, remembering the daytime scene.
*
Gold the Fifth grinned mischievously, crossing his arms: "You want to invite that yellow-haired girl to watch the meteor shower?
Red sat cross-legged on Venusaur's back, speechless: "We're just ordinary friends."
"Ordinary friends don't go watch meteor showers together!" A-Jin shook his head: "Little Red, you're still too green!"
Red: "..."
Among all the juniors, only A-Jin called him that.
"Here, I'll teach you. First you need to corner her against the wall, then stretch your arm to block her, force her to make eye contact..."
A-Jin said seriously: "I want you to watch the meteor shower with me."
"That's too embarrassing!" Red covered his face.
A-Jin rested his head on his arms, lazily saying: "How would you know without trying?"
Anyway, I learned all this from those cheesy romance scenes in tokusatsu shows...
A-Jin chuckled.
Even if it backfires, that's the Fighting Man's problem... what does it have to do with me, the Breeder!
*
"I can't learn that method Gold taught, but, ahem..."
Red cleared his throat like Professor Oak, speaking seriously:
"Will you go with me to the Hoenn region to watch the 'Litleo Constellation' meteor shower? Celadon Anemone, aka Ash."
"Don't use my full name!" 'Steam Princess' Ash's cheeks flushed red, head steaming.
"Eh?" Red scratched his head, smiling: "I thought it would seem more formal, haha."
Ash remained silent, eventually nodding lightly, secretly observing the completely unaware 'Fighting Man'.
To Senior Red, this was just an ordinary date.
But... Ash cheered himself up inwardly:
I'm already quite satisfied!
......
The Pokémon world had twelve exclusive constellations.
July's constellation was named 'Crustle Constellation', corresponding to the zodiac Cancer.
August's constellation was named 'Braviary Constellation', corresponding to the zodiac Leo.
As for why Leo corresponded to 'Braviary', even Teacher Lu couldn't explain it.
Anyway, that's what the Unova constellation fortune-telling radio said.
Lu Ye gazed at Vermilion City's starlight, suddenly recalling that today was August 8th, the birthday of the 'Fighting Man' Red.
Why he specifically remembered Red's birthday... because this was the publication date of the first special episode manga.
Additionally, Red and Giovanni shared the same birthday, both blood type O... like two sides of the same coin.
Glancing at the group chat, as expected, celebrations had begun.
Lu Ye sent over congratulations, then switched to Team Rocket communication mode, sending Boss Giovanni a congratulatory message.
After a while, a cold reply came that reminded him of Giovanni's speaking tone.
"How did you know?"
"Deduced it," Lu Ye said casually.
After a long time, two stiff words came, carrying immense weight.
"Thank you."
To express specific gratitude, Giovanni said:
"The Hoenn region hasn't been peaceful recently. Be sure to consider your actions carefully."
"Received."
After editing and sending the message, Lu Ye pocketed his phone, his gaze falling on Vermilion Gym's signboard.
『Is this the last gym?』 Latias asked.
"Yes," Lu Ye smiled: "We'll train here tonight!"
As a League inspector, checking the quality of gym facilities is absolutely necessary!
......
Marshal looked dejectedly at the inspector.
"What kind of expression is that," Lu Ye scolded, "You're the only gym in all of Kanto that lost to Ash... of course we need strict assessment!"
"Alright, alright..." Marshal rose from his seat, muttering: "But in wild battles, other gym leaders can't beat Baby Ash either."
The assessment content was quite simple.
Marshal's Raichu once again experienced the fear of being dominated by the 'Tactician'.
"Rai rai~" Raichu wobbled and spun several circles, finally collapsing with swirls in its eyes.
Lu Ye: "..."
Wow... so that's where Ash's Pikachu learned such brilliant acting!
It learned it from Vermilion Gym!
To ease the awkwardness of the quick victory, Lu Ye asked:
"...Is your 'Waterflow' taking passengers tomorrow?"
"Day off tomorrow, why?"
"Perfect, take me to the Hoenn region, I'll pay the fare."
"Hoenn region?"
Marshal scratched his head: "You're not really going to Littleroot City to watch the meteor shower, are you!"
"That's just one part of the plan."
Lu Ye smiled: "Don't worry, I'll come back right after finishing my business, not staying a moment longer!"
"I can do that..."
Marshal muttered: "But according to old captains in Hoenn... these days are damn calm."
"Isn't that good?"
"No... usually when this happens, a big storm isn't far off."
Marshal laughed: "Of course, the probability is minuscule, Teacher Lu, no need to worry!"
Lu Ye: "..."
The moment you mention probability, I worry even more...
Night deepened.
Lu Ye actually received a call from the café.
Darkrai on screen yawned: "There's a package for you!"
"Ooh!" Delibird presented the gift like a treasure from the corner of the screen.
Lu Ye smiled slightly, curious:
"Where's the package from? Why don't you use Dark Void to transport it to Haunter?"
『Who uses the Reversed World to ship packages...』 Darkrai muttered inwardly.
Despite saying this, Darkrai still tossed the package into the shadows.
"Gengarrr..." Haunter pursed its lips, its small hand rummaging in the shadows, actually pulling out a package.
"Ta-da! (￣▽￣)／"
Lu Ye was quite surprised.
Haunter, building on 'Reversal Power', had obtained Giratina's permission to use the Reversed World... already showing signs of 'Hoopa Hoop'!
Of course, this special ability was limited to this world.
Hoopa's abilities were more powerful, able to summon even legendary Pokémon from parallel worlds.
Simultaneously, a call labeled 'Clemont' lit up.
After answering, an off-screen voice sounded in the video call: "Who am I?"
"Bonnie," Lu Ye replied.
"Correct!" Bonnie leaned into the frame, smiling sweetly.
"Stop messing around, Bonnie, I have important matters to discuss with Teacher Lu," Clemont said helplessly.
"What exactly is it about?"
"Well... it's about that package delivered by Delibird, I think it should arrive in two or three days..."
"I've already received it."
Lu Ye shook the package, expression complicated.
This couldn't be some explosive invention from Clemont, could it?!
『Haunter, open it carefully, take cover if something goes wrong!』 Lu Ye communicated mentally.
"Gengarrr~" Haunter nodded.
"Is that so, that's great!"
Clemont didn't question further, saying excitedly: "It's a message from Ms. Olympia of Geosenge Town Gym, entrusted to me for you!"
Ms. Olympia? That prophet?
Lu Ye was slightly stunned, seeing Clemont clear his throat and imitate Olympia's tone:
"I humbly request you come to the Hoenn region as soon as possible... please, Mr. Lu Ye!"
"Me?" Lu Ye pointed at himself, "How does she know me... and how does she know I'm going to Hoenn?"
"That might be a prophet's ability."
Clemont said: "Oh right, she also asked me to pass the gym leader's token to you, here, that one!"
Lu Ye turned around just in time to see Haunter opening the package, revealing a sparkling badge in its hand.
"Gengarrr! (๑`▽´๑)۶"
Haunter held the badge high, raising it up.
Great, it's a new gym badge!
Gym Badge, Get☆Daze!
Simultaneously, a long-awaited notification sound rang.
[Ding! Quest progress updated!]
[Badge Collection: (7/8)]
[Progress Description: One step away!]
Teacher Lu: ???
.
!
Chapter 683: Spiritual Badge, Go to Hoenn
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