That shout of "I'll teach her!" was decisive and firm beyond doubt.
Sometimes even Celebi found itself wondering—
Am I the Trainer, or is Oliver the Trainer?
Why did it feel like Gardevoir was being trained by Celebi most of the time?
Even so, Celebi agreed without the slightest hesitation, afraid that Oliver might change his mind.
"Good," Oliver said with a smile.
Trading a single game for personal guidance from a Mythical Pokémon with experience rivaling sub-legendary gods—
This deal was absurdly profitable.
After carefully considering Celebi's homebody tendencies and its frightening ability to binge-play nonstop, Oliver downloaded Civilization VI for it.
The Civilization series in this world differed somewhat from the one Oliver remembered from his past life. While there were still civilizations like Huaxia and Greece, everything else was tied to Pokémon.
Different civilizations started with different Pokémon and innate talents. Technological development didn't unlock weapons—it unlocked stronger Pokémon.
Though the two versions of Civilization weren't the same, they shared one terrifying trait:
Once you started playing, time simply ceased to exist.
Among players, there was a famous saying:
"I'll finish this one turn and rest."
When you look up again—dawn has already arrived.
That alone said everything about how brutally time-consuming the game was.
To prevent Celebi from causing trouble, this kind of game was perfect.
And thanks to its physique, Celebi didn't even need to worry about staying up late.
The moment the download finished, Celebi fell straight into the abyss.
In its first game, it barely understood the mechanics and got utterly crushed by the AI.
Even so, its enthusiasm remained sky-high.
The moment it lost, it immediately started a second match.
A bottle of freshly chilled soda placed beside the computer—
Life was complete.
Today was New Year's Eve.
There was definitely going to be a massive feast that night.
Oliver went into the kitchen to see if he could help, only to be immediately chased out by his mother.
"With Gardevoir helping, you'll just get in the way!"
Inside the kitchen, Gardevoir covered her mouth and snickered.
Ever since evolving, she hadn't just been practicing Energy Cube production—she had secretly learned cooking from Oliver's mother as well.
This made the Empress Ye absolutely delighted.
At last—
Her culinary legacy had a successor.
"Alright, I'll just wait to be fed," Oliver said, glancing out the window.
In the courtyard, Milotic was gently spraying water at the glass and outer walls using an extremely low-powered Water Gun, carefully cleaning spots she deemed dirty.
Suddenly, she noticed Oliver watching her.
"Miloo~"
She gave him a soft, gentle call, then continued her cleaning.
Milotic only ever showed this kind of tenderness to Oliver.
Toward everyone else—including Mu Xue, who had once guided her—she remained proudly aloof.
Watching this scene, a deep warmth rose from Oliver's heart.
This… this is what home feels like.
In many novels he had read in his past life, protagonists were often written as orphans—alone, without friends, struggling through the world until they stood at the peak.
But Oliver felt that what he had now was better.
This was the life he wanted.
Without people—or Pokémon—to share the journey with, even becoming the strongest in the world would still leave the heart empty.
Just as he was lost in thought, his mother walked over.
"I saw Miss Mu next door earlier. She's not going home for the New Year?"
"She said she's staying in Rongcheng," Oliver recalled.
"That won't do," his mother said firmly.
"A young girl spending New Year's Eve alone is far too lonely. Why don't you invite her over to celebrate with us? It's just one more pair of chopsticks."
Since Oliver often went to Mu Xue's place—and Mu Xue often came by as well—the two women had already built a good relationship.
Oliver thought for a moment.
"Alright. I'll go ask her."
Previously, Mu Xue had mentioned that she had never celebrated the New Year with family. Oliver had quietly tried to look into it afterward—but with no real information channels, and with the identity of an Elite Four being impossible to dig up online, the matter had been shelved.
Inviting her now felt… just right.
Mu Xue was deep in contemplation over one of life's three greatest mysteries—
What should I eat tonight?
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
She opened it to find Oliver standing outside, waving cheerfully.
"Hi!"
Her expression instantly cooled.
"What is it?"
"You're spending New Year's alone anyway. Why not come over and celebrate with us?"
"No need," Mu Xue replied stiffly.
Her gaze flickered slightly. She hadn't expected him to remember what she'd said before.
But still—
I don't need New Year celebrations.
I've spent years like this.
And if you invite me and I go just like that—where's my dignity?
"Don't reject it so fast," Oliver said seriously.
"My mom told me that if I don't invite you, I won't get dinner tonight.
Have a little pity on me?"
Seeing his pitiful—clearly fake—expression, Mu Xue felt her mood soften despite herself.
Still, she snorted.
"Whether you eat or not has nothing to do with me."
Oliver turned away dramatically.
"Looks like I'm destined to go hungry tonight…"
He took a step as if to leave.
Mu Xue gritted her teeth.
Can't you try a little harder?!
"Wait!"
With his back turned, Oliver's lips curved into a victorious smile.
When he turned back around, his expression was perfectly innocent.
"What is it?"
"…Since Auntie invited me, it wouldn't be polite to refuse."
She brushed past him and walked straight toward his house.
Oliver locked her door behind them and shouted:
"Hey—wait for me!"
Once inside, Mu Xue immediately joined the kitchen to help—
And to Oliver's surprise, his mother didn't chase her out.
She can cook too?
An Elite Four?
What Oliver didn't know was that before becoming a Heavenly King, Mu Xue's life had been far from easy. From a young age, she'd often had to cook for herself—honing real skill over time.
With two women and one Pokémon working together, the dishes were soon ready.
They even prepared special meals for the Pokémon, infused with Energy Cubes.
The clock struck eight o'clock.
New Year's Eve—also known as Chuxi.
For Xia Country, it wasn't just about family dinner and reunion—
There was also a yearly ritual:
Watching the Spring Festival Gala.
Even though its quality had declined in recent years, turning it on at this time was practically mandatory.
Festive music filled the room.
The table was covered in steaming dishes.
Oliver's three Pokémon and Mu Xue's six Pokémon made the once-spacious living room feel a little crowded.
Yes—
Oliver had forcibly dragged Celebi downstairs.
It had been in the middle of an intense civilization development campaign, but under Oliver's tyranny, it had no choice but to abandon the computer.
Laughter filled the room as comedic skits played on TV.
Even the Pokémon laughed until their mouths couldn't close.
Hot food.
Warm lights.
Mu Xue looked at the scene, and for reasons she couldn't explain, her eyes suddenly grew wet.
She had never celebrated the New Year like this before—
But every year, at this exact time, she dreamed of a scene just like this.
And now…
She was living it.
"Hey," Oliver said softly,
"it's New Year. You're supposed to be happy."
Mu Xue wiped her eyes. Her vision cleared, and in front of her was that handsome—yet slightly annoying—face.
Beside her, her Pokémon looked at her with gentle, approving gazes.
"…Thank you, everyone."
She wasn't the only one feeling this way.
Celebi had originally planned to scarf down its food and rush back upstairs to continue conquering the world—
But without realizing it, it had been swept up by the atmosphere, laughing along on the couch.
It felt like being back in the forest, playing freely with other Pokémon.
Outside, the jade rabbit hung high in the sky, moonlight cascading down.
Warm light spilled from the villa's windows.
And in this deep winter night—
Not a trace of cold could be felt.
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