Chapter 81: Lease Battle
Lu Ye's eyebrow twitched as he shook hands with Lance, still mulling over what he'd just said.
So Red asked him to arrange a friendly match with me in advance?
As if Elite Four-level opponents aren't enough, will I be facing world champions next?
I've only been a Trainer for less than 2 months!
Lu Ye coughed lightly. "Mr. Lance, actually… I'm not really a Trainer."
The red-haired man crossed his arms and nodded. "I heard from Red. A master of breeding and tactics is indeed rare."
"Trainer" was just a general term for the profession. Under this umbrella, there were specializations in training, breeding, tactics, commanding, coordinating, and more.
Red held this 'Teacher Lu' in high regard. Spikes, Perish Song, Minimize—he seemed to execute various strategies effortlessly. Unlike traditional Trainers who focused solely on strength, this type explored the limits of battles by breeding different Pokémon to develop new tactics.
To be honest, Lance admired these tactical masters who dared to experiment.
"Are these the new Pokémon you're raising?" Lance's gaze fell on Haunter and Eevee by Lu Ye's side. His eyes lit up.
"You… seem to have a strong bond with them!"
Lu Ye blinked. "You can tell that?"
Clair explained, "Lance once received the blessing of Viridian Forest. He can sense the emotions of Pokémon. This ability is known as…"
"The Power of Viridian?"
"You know about it?"
Lu Ye felt a wave of disbelief. He had thought this world was simply merged with the Pokémon world. But people here actually possessed supernatural abilities?
The Power of Viridian could heal, sense, and strengthen Pokémon. If abilities like this existed, didn't it mean some Trainers could even fight Pokémon hand-to-hand?!
Truly, being a Trainer is a dangerous job! Lu Ye sighed internally.
System, can I get something like that too?
[Ding! Abilities like 'Power of Viridian' and 'Aura' are limited and cannot be unlocked or purchased.]
Oh, never mind then.
"Pardon me…" Lance paused. "May I sense your Pokémon?"
Lance placed a hand on Haunter's forehead. Haunter tilted its head in confusion.
"Hauunter?" (Who are you?)
A gentle glow appeared, and Haunter shivered, then relaxed with squinted eyes.
Lance nodded to himself. Just as I thought. This Haunter had likely been newly caught, intended to form part of a new team. Yet it had evolved quickly and showed an endless drive to become stronger. Lu Ye's personality and breeding methods were clearly top-notch.
As for Eevee…
"Bui!" (`皿´)
Just as Lance reached for Eevee, the little creature opened its mouth and bit his hand.
Everyone froze. Given Lance's commanding presence, developed from years with Dragon-type Pokémon, this Eevee dared to bite him?!
Lance was surprised but still sensed Eevee's thoughts.
"I see…" He nodded. It's protecting its Trainer.
This genuine bond between person and Pokémon was rare. The stern red-haired man smiled, his resolve to battle Lu Ye growing stronger.
"You're battling now?" Cynthia frowned slightly, sounding a bit displeased. "I'm still waiting for him to cook…"
"It won't take long. A 1v1. If Teacher Lu agrees, we can start now," Lance smiled.
Lu Ye rubbed his temples. No avoiding it now. And I still need to cook for Cynthia later… Just treat it like a game!
"Sure, anytime!"
Clair glanced at the seemingly ordinary Lu Ye. This guy… is actually battling my cousin?! She sighed. If Lance lost, it would be embarrassing.
"Your Pokémon are all knocked out," she warned. "Even with recovery, they need at least an hour."
"That's what your Pokémon are for!" Lance chuckled. "Lease battles are a vital test for Trainers too."
In lease battles, Trainers used borrowed Pokémon to challenge opponents. This required exceptional command skills since the Pokémon's abilities and moves were unclear.
Hearing this, Lu Ye exhaled in relief. Haunter, you're off the hook!
"Hauunter? Σ(°△°|||)" Whatever you're thinking, it can't be good!
Clair asked, "You want to borrow my Pokémon? But they…"
"Use mine." Cynthia tucked a golden strand behind her ear and smiled at Lu Ye. "Pick whichever you like."
"But your Pokémon are exhausted," Lu Ye hesitated.
Cynthia took a jar of Pokéblocks from her bag and shook it lightly. "I fed them one before the match. They're good to go."
This was a special Sitrus Berry Pokéblock that Lu Ye had made for her, even better than Oran Berry Blocks. Concentrated with nutrients, its restorative effects were excellent.
Lance noticed and was astonished. "Such high-quality Pokéblocks…"
Cynthia: "Not for you."
Lance: "… Fine, fair enough."
Lu Ye looked to the sky, his eyes moist with gratitude. See, Haunter? Cynthia is an angel!
"Hauunter? (*⊙~⊙)" Haunter was already munching on Pokéblocks.
"Hey, save some for others!"
…
[Mission: Friendly Match with the Elite Four]
[Goal: Last at least 10 turns against Lance in a lease battle.]
[Reward: 1000 BP, 1 Commemorative Ball, 1 Random Orange Item]
[Note: Facing an Elite Four (Johto Champion)? Need tips, ASAP!]
Seeing the mission, Lu Ye's eyebrow twitched. Last 10 turns? What do you take me for?
A Dragon-type Champion from Johto… Can't he finish me in 5?
Lu Ye coughed, confirming his strategy: Survive!
…
Lance arranged a venue for the battle.
Clair lined up her Poké Balls and warned, "My Pokémon may not listen to you."
"That's fine… This one will do." Lance picked a ball, his eyes sharp.
Meanwhile, Lu Ye sized up six Pokémon. Garchomp looked ready to slice him if he chose her. Lucario was aloof. Glaceon and Togekiss were friendly but didn't fit his tactics.
Finally, he cleared his throat. "I choose… Spiritomb!"
"Spaaah?" Spiritomb's eyes widened in shock before tears welled up.
Cynthia smiled. "It seems happy you chose it."
Lu Ye stared at the eerie Spiritomb. "Well… After Haunter, Ghost-types seem kinda cute."
C-Cute?!
"Spaaah… o(////▽////)q"
[Spiritomb (Ghost + Dark, ♀)]
[Ability: Infiltrator]
[Moves: Hypnosis, Dream Eater, Curse, Sucker Punch, Foul Play, Destiny Bond, Pain Split, Will-O-Wisp, Shadow Ball…]
Lu Ye's eyes gleamed. Perfect for my style!