Chapter 83: I'm on Par with Lance
[Ding! The mission "Friendly Match with the Elite Four" is complete!]
[Mission Rewards: 1000 BP, 1 Commemorative Ball, 1 Random Orange Item]
[Mission Completion Rate: 150%, Bonus Reward: 1 Random Purple Item]
The system notification sounded. Although the goal was to last 10 rounds, Lu Ye achieved a draw in just a few rounds, exceeding the completion rate. If he managed to beat Lance within 10 rounds, Lu Ye estimated the rewards would be doubled.
But Lance was, after all, a champion-level Trainer with countless battles under his belt. Lu Ye's real battle experience was still limited. This extreme one-for-one trade already surpassed his expectations.
In just 2 months since starting out, he managed a draw with Dragon Master Lance!
Even though he was using Cynthia's Spiritomb, and its condition wasn't at its peak, Lu Ye's performance was impeccable.
Lance recalled his fainted shiny Druddigon and reviewed the battle in his mind. He had made a mistake, and Lu Ye seized that opportunity perfectly. If Druddigon's Sleep Talk hadn't randomly selected Dragon Claw, he might have lost!
Lance furrowed his brows. He even faced the risk of defeat!
Clair and Cynthia also noticed this. Overall, the two Pokémon were evenly matched. Spiritomb, though Cynthia's Pokémon, was primarily a physical tank. Moreover, it had just been through a 6v6 battle, and even with Lu Ye's Sitrus Berry Pokéblock, it couldn't recover to peak condition. In contrast, the shiny Druddigon was one of Clair's aces, built for extreme offense.
It was like a warrior going against a support role. Yet Lu Ye, despite the disadvantage, successfully executed a Destiny Bond strategy.
"Incredible…" Clair's eyes sparkled. "Absolutely brilliant!"
Cynthia smiled slightly. "If the lease wasn't a Dragon-type Pokémon, Mr. Lance would have had an even harder time."
Clair pondered Cynthia's words. To force a draw under such disadvantageous conditions… This guy's command skills… were on par with Lance, one of the Kanto Elite Four and the current Johto Champion!
"Miss Cynthia…" Clair couldn't help but ask, "Where on earth did you meet him? Why have I never heard of such a talented Trainer from the Donghuang Region?"
Cynthia thought for a moment and replied, "We met through gaming."
"Gaming?"
"Yeah… I've lost to him many times."
Even Cynthia lost to him?! Clair raised an eyebrow, staring at Lu Ye in disbelief. That meant his other Pokémon must be at least champion-level!
Instead of taking advantage of Lance's exhaustion from a 6v6 match, Lu Ye chose a fair lease battle… Clair nodded, her gaze toward Lu Ye filled with admiration. "A truly outstanding Trainer!"
"The road of a Trainer is endless." Cynthia smiled and nodded gently. "That's probably why he's raising new Pokémon from scratch."
The friendly match with Lance concluded. Aside from fulfilling Red's request, Lance also enjoyed a thrilling battle. Though Spiritomb's tactics were a bit conservative—perhaps overly cautious—that was probably Teacher Lu's style.
Lance reflected for a moment. In the end, lease battles were just one aspect of a Trainer's skills. If he used his own Pokémon… the outcome might have been different.
Lance exhaled, his sharp gaze softening. He approached Lu Ye and extended his hand with a smile. "I look forward to a full-scale battle with you someday!"
Lu Ye, still recovering from the battle, coughed and replied, "I've only caught 2 Pokémon. That's not happening anytime soon!"
Two Pokémon? Lance paused, then realized—Teacher Lu was building a new team. This was common among champions: starting fresh in new regions.
Wearing his champion's cape, Lance folded his arms, nodded, and smiled. "I believe I can wait until your new team is ready." He glanced at Haunter and Eevee. "They have a strong desire. If they don't see you reach the top of the League, I doubt they'll give up."
Lu Ye's expression turned complicated. Are you serious? Before they help me win a championship, I'll probably go bankrupt!
But Lance meant well. Lu Ye sighed. "Thanks for the kind words!"
Lance and Clair prepared to leave. Before departing, Clair glanced back at the Trainer who had "defeated Cynthia" and "drawn with Lance." Her sharp eyes gleamed. "If you challenge Blackthorn Gym, I won't go easy on you."
Clair's pride was strong. She had challenged the Elite Four and was one of the top Johto Gym Leaders. But she had never beaten Lance, not even managed a draw. So now, she saw Lu Ye as a worthy rival.
Lu Ye smiled slightly. "Don't worry, I won't challenge you."
Clair nodded in satisfaction, then realized something was off. "Huh?"
But Lance had already changed the subject. He fumbled around and apologized, "I came in a hurry and didn't bring a gift. This fang contains Dragon-type energy. Consider it a token of my appreciation."
"Oh, you shouldn't have!" Lu Ye smoothly accepted the Dragon Fang and grinned, "You didn't need to bring a gift just because you're here!" The sharp-edged, beautifully patterned fang looked valuable!
Seeing this, Cynthia rested her chin on her hand and nodded. "Speaking of which, I should give you something too. I'll give you a Return TM… It might help with Eevee's evolution."
She pulled a small gray USB drive from her bag, tucking her blonde hair behind her ear. "Return can be very useful if Eevee's friendship is maxed out."
Lu Ye paused, staring at the gray USB drive. He hadn't expected to get the most powerful Normal-type move this way. With max friendship, Return had a base power of 102, making it an incredibly reliable and powerful move. Though he wasn't picky about TMs, knowing it benefited Eevee, he accepted it gratefully.
Two top Trainers had now given him gifts. Lu Ye cleared his throat and glanced at Clair, who looked puzzled. Your cousin gave me a gift. Aren't you going to do something too?
Clair blinked, then clenched her whip, a vein appearing on her forehead. "Alright, I have a gift for you too!"
"No need!" Lu Ye coughed. "It's the thought that counts!"
Clair said nothing, removed a claw-shaped ring from her finger, and shoved it into his hand.
[Quick Claw: A sharp, lightweight claw that sometimes lets the holder strike first.]
Cynthia frowned slightly but said nothing.
After Lance and Clair left, Lu Ye smacked his forehead, suddenly realizing, "Wait, isn't this Dragon Fang better suited for Garchomp?"
"I feel bad taking your Return TM. Here, take the Dragon Fang!"
Cynthia's eyes flashed with surprise. Did he really just give away someone else's gift right after they left?
But the Dragon Fang would indeed boost Garchomp's power. Cynthia carefully accepted it, smiled warmly, and said, "Let's go home."