Chapter 191: The King's Proof
Friday, October 4th.
After a special welcoming ceremony, the group, led by Gold, made their way to the Pokémon Day Care on the outskirts of Goldenrod City. Though Gold had saved Johto multiple times, the events were too significant to be publicly reported. As a result, his daily life remained simple, revolving between the Day Care and Mt. Silver.
With a stipend from the Johto League and the ever-understanding Crystal, Gold was living quite the comfortable life. Their relationship wasn't officially defined yet… but considering how Gold often went to the Trainer Academy to help Crystal out, his emotional intelligence was definitely higher than a certain Battle Legend we all know…
Johto, Pokémon Day Care
"I'm starving! My stomach's about to cave in!" Gold pushed open the Day Care's gate, his pool cue resting on his shoulder, completely ignoring the disapproving glare from the old lady inside.
"Sorry for the trouble…" Crystal awkwardly put her hands together in apology.
The old woman nodded slightly before turning to the unfamiliar guest. "And this is…?"
"He's the guy who beat Dragon Master Lance!" Gold declared smugly. "Feel honored to have such a celebrity visiting!"
"Hey! Stop hitting me with that cane!"
As Gold ran around dodging the old lady's blows, Lu Ye cleared his throat and asked, "Uh… is he always this self-destructive?"
Crystal gave an awkward laugh. "Well… he's just a bit too straightforward."
"Please, have a seat." An elderly man, wearing reading glasses, poured Lu Ye a cup of tea, stroking his beard with a smile. "It's rare to have guests over… I apologize for the lack of hospitality."
"No, I should be the one thanking you for having me," Lu Ye smiled. These two unassuming old folks… were actually legendary figures hiding in plain sight. They were old friends of Pryce, and even Professor Oak himself.
Despite her sharp tongue, the Day Care Lady still waited for Gold to return before starting to cook. Meanwhile, he was outside in the yard, laughing and playing with the Pokémon. Crystal crouched to the side, resting her chin on her hands, smiling at the scene.
Lu Ye stepped into the kitchen to lend a hand, then grinned. "Granny, let me do the cooking instead. No need to trouble yourself."
"You?" She gave him a suspicious look. "Do you even know the difference between salt and sugar?"
Lu Ye chuckled. Come on… I'm a certified top-tier chef!
Using fresh mushrooms from the Petalburg Woods, he paired them with tender chicken, crafting a dish of thick, savory rice bowl stew with a mouthwatering aroma. Gold gulped audibly, his hands trembling as he scooped a spoonful into his mouth—only to devour it like a starved beast the next second. The Day Care Lady, resting her chin on one hand, cheeks slightly flushed, saw glimpses of her youthful days in that bowl of food…
2 PM. It was time for Lu Ye's scheduled appointment with Professor Elm. Meanwhile, Silver had sent a message, setting up a meeting in one of Goldenrod's alleyways. Crystal left first, heading back to the Trainer Academy.
Gold, now wearing his goggles, rested his arms behind his head as he walked Lu Ye to the gate. "You're not coming with me?" Lu Ye asked.
"Nah, that guy and I would just start arguing the second we meet," Gold clicked his tongue before grinning. "But if he really wants to see me, he'll come to me himself."
Lu Ye paused, then smiled and nodded. "That's true…" The Johto squad may have all been lone wolves… but as Gold once put it, their bond was built on trust between comrades.
"Garrr!" Haunter floated beside Lu Ye, waving its claws at Gold with a mischievous grin.
Gold, remembering how Haunter ambushed him that morning, ground his teeth in frustration… but still, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a metallic object. "Here, for you." Gold looked away and clenched his fist, coughing awkwardly.
"What's this?" Lu Ye blinked.
"It was a reward from Granny for helping out," Gold scratched his nose. "But my Poliwrath already evolved, so I don't really need it anymore… Consider it my apology for that surprise attack this morning!"
The metallic object looked oddly familiar… so Lu Ye scanned it with the system.
[King's Rock: A token of a ruler. When held, attacking moves have a chance to cause the opponent to flinch. (The Will of the King!)]
The value of this item went without saying. Yet, Haunter seemed completely uninterested—it didn't even have the urge to lick it.
"Garrr!" Haunter shook its head in disdain.
"Hey! That really hurts my feelings!" Gold protested.
"Garrr!" Haunter stuck out its tongue and made a silly face.
But still, it was a gift from Gold, a sign of goodwill. Lu Ye accepted the King's Rock, patted Gold's shoulder, and said with genuine emotion, "Don't worry, next time I record battle footage, I'll go easy on you!"
Gold blinked, then scoffed, blowing his bangs away. "No need. Whatever new tactics you've got, bring 'em on!"
After parting ways with Gold, Lu Ye's group chat suddenly exploded with notifications.
Gold: "Challenged Teacher Lu this morning—almost won!"
Crystal: "Sigh… That's because Teacher Lu was holding back." Executing a perfect tactical setup with only two Pokémon… It was hard to imagine what it would look like if he commanded all six.
Green: "A 6v6?"
Gold: "Ahem… It was an anything-goes match. I only lost by a few seconds!"
Green raised an eyebrow. Gold might be reckless, but in wild battles, he was a relentless attacker. And yet… Teacher Lu dominated even in this format?
Red suddenly clenched his fist, feeling a long-lost rush of excitement. Watching from the sidelines was nothing compared to being on the battlefield with his Pokémon!
Red: "@Teacher Lu, next time, come to Mt. Silver!"
Lu Ye's expression stiffened. He coughed lightly. "Sure… sure!"
Lorelei: "Now that you mention it… it's been a while since I fought alongside my Pokémon." Wild battles had been banned from official League tournaments. The conversation shifted to the older generation reminiscing about the past. Lorelei might be an older lady now, but her "Ice Dolls" were once monsters in wild battles…
Lu Ye wiped cold sweat from his forehead. "Yeah… I better take it easy with this mode… Without a Shonen Protagonist's endurance, this format is way too risky!"
According to unofficial statistics, Red had been: frozen twice, petrified once, and drowned twice… and somehow still survived. If that doesn't qualify him as a 'Battle Legend,' nothing does.
Shaking his head, Lu Ye closed the chat and played with the King's Rock in his hands. Then, bringing Haunter along, he headed to Goldenrod City. As Johto's most bustling city, Goldenrod had some of the best communication and trade facilities. And this trip… was for Haunter's evolution.
In a hidden alleyway, Lu Ye met the black-clad, red-haired boy with a cold expression. The 'Communication Legend,' Silver.
Silver glanced at his phone, checking the photo of Lu Ye, then gave him a silent nod. Lu Ye observed him carefully—the alleged son of Giovanni—and rubbed his chin. Hmm… Technically speaking, this 'Communication Legend' is also my Young Master.
"Let's go," Lu Ye said without wasting words. "To Professor Elm's lab first."
Silver gave a quiet nod. He glanced at the Haunter on Lu Ye's shoulder, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. So he waited until it reached this level before evolving it? A cautious Trainer… Interesting.
[Inorin Note:
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