Chapter 33: You were not like this in the morning
Saturday, the weather was sunny. Perfect for showing off.
Lu Ye cracked an egg with one hand in the kitchen. As the oil in the pan began to sizzle, he suddenly realized that today was the Piplup Cup's round of 16.
"There goes my rare day off."
Lu Ye sighed, placing fried eggs and French toast on the table, and called toward the bedroom.
"Breakfast is ready!"
A faint progress bar hovered before his eyes, displaying: [Cooking Lv1 (82/100)].
As he stared at it, a Gastly's face suddenly popped into view, giving him a fright. With bloodshot eyes and dark circles beneath them, Gastly looked utterly drained, its pale face reflecting exhaustion. It floated weakly over to the table, slumping down with a soft thud and inching slowly toward the bread.
Pushing the plate toward Gastly, Lu Ye raised an eyebrow.
"Did you stay up all night?"
"Gengarrr…" Gastly mumbled while chewing on the toast, nodding vaguely.
"Reading or watching videos all night?"
"Gengarrr."
Gastly stuck out its tongue to lick the crumbs from its mouth, then floated to the bedroom and returned with a damp stack of printed papers. Though torn and crumpled, the word "Protect" could still be discerned.
This little guy… It must have been studying all night.
Lu Ye was touched but suddenly struck by another thought.
If we lose this match… I wouldn't have to wake up early next weekend, right?
"Eat slowly."
Lu Ye cheerfully transferred his own fried egg onto Gastly's plate.
"Winning or losing doesn't matter—you're what's most important."
Gastly froze, staring at the egg on its plate in silence for a long moment. Then, as if overwhelmed, tears began to drip down its face.
"Gengarrr! ﾍ(;´Д｀ﾍ)"
"Alright, alright, even if we lose, it's fine. Just do your best in the match!"
Gastly nodded, munching on bread and gulping MooMoo Milk. Its determination grew, and a fire burned in its eyes.
This match must be won!
Although the Piplup Cup was an entry-level tournament, it still attracted skilled Trainers from various Pokémon academies. There was always a risk that Gastly could get seriously injured. Lu Ye, ever laid-back, stuck to his original goal: Do your best, and leave no regrets.
The scorching sun nearly drove Lu Ye back indoors the moment he stepped out. At the corner milk tea shop, his two roommates, Tian Youwei and Liang Dayou, were already waiting.
"How are you two so free today?" Lu Ye teased.
Liang Dayou, looking sharp and well-groomed, replied righteously, "Cheering for you is secondary. The main goal is…"
"Checking out the girls!" Tian Youwei exclaimed, eyes gleaming.
"At least you're honest about it," Lu Ye laughed. "Alright, let's finish this quickly so we can wrap up early!"
At 10 a.m., the Piplup Cup's round of 16 officially began. Lu Ye had advanced through a bye in the previous round, giving him less exposure compared to other contestants. Even so, when he entered the arena, countless eyes turned his way.
"Lu Ye is up!"
"Isn't he that finance whiz? He looks even better in person than in photos!"
"Aww, his Gastly is so cute!"
Amid the clamor, Liang Dayou's booming voice rang out.
"Go, Lu Ye!"
Lu Ye smiled and waved in Dayou's direction, a gesture that made several girls in the crowd blush. They quickly raised their cheer sticks to cover their reddened faces.
"Go, Lu Ye!"
In an instant, Lu Ye gained a few more fans.
"Both contestants are ready!" the announcer declared. "We can see that Lu Ye has once again chosen his incredibly fast Gastly!"
"And representing Modu Jiaotong University, He Yu has sent out a robust Nidorino!"
The deep purple Nidorino, with its sharp horn, moved cautiously, its piercing eyes locked onto Gastly. Facing it, Gastly floated with a ferocious and menacing aura. Nidorino hesitated, unwilling to make the first move. Even its Trainer, He Yu, held his breath, watching Lu Ye's every gesture.
"You're not attacking first?" Lu Ye asked, puzzled. "The match has already started!"
He Yu was equally confused. "Are you… letting me make the first move?"
"No, I'm distracting you." Lu Ye shook his head earnestly.
He Yu glanced upward in bewilderment, only to see Gastly's shadow flashing closer!
"Nidorino, dodge and use Focus Energy!" He Yu shouted urgently.
A pale ghostly flame narrowly missed, Nidorino managing to evade it just in time. But Gastly wasn't done. Keeping close on Nidorino's tail, it launched another wave of sinister fire!
Boom!
White smoke filled the air. Nidorino, scorched black, staggered out of the flames. Lu Ye squinted, carefully observing He Yu's commands.
Double Kick wouldn't work on Gastly, and Poison Sting lacked the power…
His next move would likely be…
"Nidorino, use Peck!"
"Gastly, float to its rear!" Lu Ye's voice cut through the air first.
Fueled by Focus Energy, Nidorino lunged forward, only to find Gastly gone! A cold sweat ran down He Yu's forehead.
A loud explosion echoed. The ghostly flames had landed again!
"The Will-O-Wisp hits directly!" the announcer shouted. "This is a devastating blow to the already burned Nidorino!"
In the stands, a wave of murmurs arose.
"Why did Gastly dodge Nidorino's attack just now?"
"Yeah, it's almost like Lu Ye knew what He Yu was planning!"
Shen Tingzhi, watching from the audience, froze for a moment.
That familiar foresight… It brought her back to the match where she was utterly dominated by Lu Ye, her every move exposed and countered as if he could read her mind.
The smoke cleared. Nidorino trembled, struggling to remain standing.
Running was no longer an option. Gritting his teeth, He Yu yelled, "Nidorino, use Poison Sting!"
A glint of light shot from Nidorino's horn, aimed straight for Gastly's eyes!
Lu Ye tensed, but before he could react, Gastly opened its mouth wide and swallowed the Poison Sting in one gulp.
"What the—?"
"Gastly just ate the Poison Sting!"
The crowd erupted in disbelief as Gastly let out a satisfied burp and grinned menacingly.
Lu Ye was stunned.
You weren't like this at breakfast. Why are you so unstoppable now?!
"Gastly, Night Shade!"
Gastly darted forward, its shadow erupting into a towering, sinister figure. Shadowy hands reached out, hurling Nidorino into the air! With a thud, Nidorino crashed heavily to the ground.
The referee's whistle blew.
"Nidorino is unable to battle! The winner is Lu Ye from Modu University!"