Brawly?
In Lu Ye's mind appeared the image of a bronze-skinned surfing ace.
As the Fighting-type Gym Leader of Dewford Town in Hoenn, Brawly was also the fellow disciple of Bruno.
But—A mere Gym Leader, and he wants to stop me from getting back to Cynthia?
Lu Ye's lips curled into a sharp smile, his gaze fierce, "I'm sweeping next round!"
No one had ever seen Lu Ye this serious.
Brock and Erika were both stunned.
Is this… a sign he's about to go all in?
Brock couldn't help but feel a little sorry for Brawly.
If he had faced the laid-back Lu Ye who used the P1 Fighting Tournament to train his team… There was a chance he could've won by level advantage.
But now, the air around them felt charged with intensity.
That look in his eyes… For a moment, Brock was reminded of that man who always wore his cap low.
Erika paused in surprise too, as if wondering why Lu Ye was so fixated on attending the Christmas Eve gathering.
Then, a gentle smile spread across her face.
"Well then," Erika gave a slight bow and smiled elegantly, "This lady wishes you strength and victory in battle!"
---
Monday, December 23rd. Afternoon.
The sky was overcast.
It was getting colder outdoors.
But at the Fighting Tournament venue, the atmosphere remained fiery as ever.
Brawly pulled up his shirt to wipe his sweat and looked up at the scoreboard.
"Winner!"
His next opponent—In an instant, Brawly's eyes lit up with excitement and a tingle of anticipation.
That surge of adrenaline—the thrill that came from facing a powerful Trainer.
A battle with the legendary Teacher Lu!
At the tournament committee, Lorelei and Bruno also learned about the upcoming matchup.
"Seems like after the next round, Lu Ye plans to withdraw from the tournament," The red-haired Lorelei Auntie adjusted her rimmed glasses while sorting through paperwork.
"Oh?" Bruno, hair a mess and arms resting on his knees, mused, "Probably tired of this kind of event."
To be fair—If Bruno himself were to enter a tournament like this, he'd probably withdraw after two rounds.
Because… Even if it were to train new Pokémon, it lacked any real challenge.
It'd be better to end things early and go find a worthy opponent elsewhere.
That's why people like Blue and Bruno didn't bother joining the P1 Fighting Tournament at all.
"Maybe," Lorelei glanced at the invite on her phone and raised her brows, 'A Christmas party? Wait—so he's quitting the tournament just for this party? Isn't that a little too willful?'
"…Actually, fair enough," Lorelei paused, then nodded in satisfaction and muttered, "Having dinner with me is way more fun than some silly tournament anyway!"
Meanwhile—
Bruno found himself feeling a bit more respect for Lu Ye.
This was the mindset of a true strongman—constantly seeking the next peak.
"Maybe…" Bruno rubbed his chin with his large palm, "Brawly might actually reignite his fighting spirit."
"Huh? What makes you say that?" Lorelei asked.
"Brawly's my junior," Bruno narrowed his eyes, "And I know him well. He'll definitely give Lu Ye some trouble."
"Let's hope so," Lorelei smiled, stood up gracefully, and walked outside.
Leaning against the railing, her red hair swaying in the breeze, she pressed her phone to her ear.
"Misty," she said cheerfully, "Come spend Christmas with us, will you?"
---
Evening fell.
Outside the windows, dusk had descended.
Teacher Lu was sitting cross-legged on the hotel bed, his forehead resting against Sylveon, looking utterly helpless.
"1610, 1611, 1612…"
"Veeon~" Sylveon yawned adorably on Lu Ye's lap.
"Squirtlee!"
Squirtle's breathing was steady and calm as it performed flawless push-ups.
"Sir~fetched…⊙_⊙" Sirfetch'd, now fully recovered, looked on in disbelief. (Is this Squirtle… limitless or something!?)
Knock knock.
"Awwooo~" Arcanine scratched its head with a hind leg, then heard a knock at the door.
Obediently, it walked over, placed a paw on the handle, and opened the door.
"Master…"
Bea started to speak, then saw the towering Arcanine.
"Awwooo!" Arcanine grinned politely, baring its teeth.
Bea's expression shifted slightly.
Arcanine's Intimidate ability activated!
"Beabeast's" physical attack dropped by one stage!
Lu Ye poked his head out from Arcanine's mane. "What's up?"
Bea relaxed a little and said softly, "Just came to wish you good night, Master."
Is the master-disciple relationship in the Fighting world always this strict?
Lu Ye blinked in surprise and chuckled, "No need. From now on, don't worry about good morning or good night routines."
"But!" Bea immediately tensed up.
Just then, footsteps echoed from the hallway.
Korrina walked over, pouting, "I can train on my own!"
"Trust your grandfather's judgment," Gurkinn, eyebrows drifting like clouds, tried to persuade her, "A worthy guide can double your progress on the path of a Trainer!"
"You're already here… and I'm not taking a master anyway!" Korrina turned her head but then lit up and waved.
"Bea!"
Bea flinched. A second later, she was tackled into a hug by raw strength.
"I missed you sooo much!" Korrina nuzzled Bea's face.
"But… we just saw each other this morning…"
"Doesn't matter! Let's battle now! I'm totally ready!"
"Hehe."
Lu Ye and Gengar watched the scene, both grinning.
Gurkinn stepped forward and gave his granddaughter a silent shhh, then bowed politely to Lu Ye, "Lu Ye, I've heard much about you."
"You are…?"
"I am Gurkinn of Kalos," The elder smiled gently, "I came with a request…"
Lu Ye blinked. Recognition gradually returned.
The uncle from Kalos who teaches Mega Evolution!?
Oh no—this might be bad!
Lu Ye stiffened and said flatly, "Speak. I'm listening."
Gurkinn paused for a moment and then smiled knowingly. The air of a true master.
"It's like this," Gurkinn smiled, "I'd like to ask you to take my granddaughter, Korrina, as your disciple—"
Before he could finish, Bea cut in loudly: "No way!"
The elder looked at her calmly, "Miss Bea, why is that?"
Bea's face flushed red. For a moment, she couldn't get the words out, 'I was the first to become his disciple. And it took a lot of effort… So why…'
Korrina, the petite blonde, was startled.
This is the Trainer who beat Maylene today!
She lowered her head, then stole a peek at Lu Ye's face.
He doesn't seem like a bad guy to train under…
'Why is everyone lining up to become my apprentice? I'm running out of teammate slots here!' Lu Ye cleared his throat, "I'm not accepting disciples right now. Please leave."
Bea secretly let out a breath of relief.
Gurkinn, however, looked at Lu Ye with a knowing smile.
"As expected," He chuckled, "Then I only ask that you give Korrina a little guidance… a humble request from an old man."
Lu Ye let out a breath and smiled. "That's no problem. Just send gifts to the livestream!"
"Speaking of gifts…" Gurkinn pulled out a small item—an iridescent, pale blue scale, sealed in a transparent pouch.
At that moment, Squirtle stopped mid-push-up.
It cautiously walked outside and gazed at the scale, eyes flickering with curiosity.
Such powerful Aura…!
"What is this?" Lu Ye asked, confused.
"It's a scale from a Hydreigon," Gurkinn explained, "Its specialty is the move Dragon Pulse. For Aura-sensitive Pokémon, this scale can be used to imitate and learn Dragon Pulse. It's difficult to train, but a viable way to master the technique!"
Lu Ye's heart trembled and thought, 'Dragon Pulse!? And it's a move that perfectly fits Squirtle's Aura style? Old man, this is basically giving me a Mega Stone!'
"Squirtlee!" Squirtle tugged at Lu Ye's pant leg, eyes intense. (This is amazing, Master! Tomorrow's match is critical. With this move, our chances of winning skyrocket!)
As they left, Gurkinn had a satisfied smile on his face.
Korrina walked beside him, puzzled, "Grandpa, you just gave away a Dragon Scale. Why do you look so happy?"
"Because," Gurkinn patted her head with a smile, "This is the beginning of a great connection."
He thought of that Squirtle—quiet but powerful.
And that Gengar with its wicked grin.
Gurkinn couldn't help falling into thought. Before coming here, he had planned to teach Lu Ye some Mega Evolution techniques.
But what he felt through the Aura—the bond between this Trainer and his Pokémon—Utterly shocked him.
There was no need to teach, Or rather, Lu Ye had already mastered the essence of Mega Evolution, sharing a bond so deep it defied explanation.
Thinking of this, Gurkinn chuckled to himself and shook his head, "Perhaps I was the one showing off in front of a master."
---
Elsewhere—
Lu Ye looked at Squirtle, hands and feet cold, 'Never expected… I still couldn't resist Squirtle's puppy eyes. Coming at me at night like this—you sly old man! So dishonorable!'
"Squirtlee~"
Squirtle was carefully inspecting the Dragon Scale again.
"That's the fourth time already," Lu Ye said helplessly, "It's not a bomb. Relax, okay?"
"Squirtlee…" Squirtle scratched its head bashfully. It wasn't worried it was a bomb. It was thinking—(If only I had like… a hundred more of these… that'd be perfect.)