The Piplup Cup semifinals are scheduled for next Wednesday, with a week-long promotional campaign leading up to it.
Coincidentally, Lu Ye’s final exams are also happening around the sa ti, after which sumr vacation will begin.
Lu Ye doesn’t plan to return to his hotown for the sumr, so he decided to use the study week as a chance to visit his parents.
“Class, this is our last lecture of the sester. I’ll take attendance, and then you’re free to go!”
Professor Chen, ticulous as ever, adjusted his glasses as he stood by the lectern.
As the class ended, the room erupted into cheers.
Even though study week is a full seven days and preparing for exams can be quite grueling, it still feels like a mini vacation.
From the front row, Tian Youwei turned around with an eager look. “Hey, you two, want to team up for a ga later?”
Dayou looked like he had aged a decade. “I... I have to study for computer science, criminal law, and advanced math...”
“Got it,” Tian Youwei gulped and turned to Lu Ye. “What about you, Lu bro? Shouldn’t you be training?”
“Oh, I’ve got ti.”
Lu Ye shrugged. “I’ve already earned all my credits, so it doesn’t matter if I fail these two.”
“You...”
The news of a first-year finance major from Modu University making it to the Piplup Cup semifinals had already spread throughout the Economics Departnt.
Even students from the Pokémon Academy on the south campus ca over just to catch a glimpse of this star player.
At least three students from the Battle Departnt had challenged Lu Ye to matches, but he turned them down.
After all, they weren’t NPCs you could beat for money.
The day’s classes were finally over.
Lu Ye checked his phone to monitor the performance of his Midnight Diner video series.
It’s a well-known fact in the gaming community that Teacher Lu specializes in "dirty tactics."
Though his strategies can be replicated in real life, without his level of skill, the results are usually disastrous.
This dichotomy has polarized his reputation:
“He’s so cheap! Teacher Lu is so cheap!”
“How can soone as handso as Teacher Lu also be a tactical genius!”
However, this ti, Teacher Lu surprised everyone by uploading a food video.
Setting aside the late-night craving-inducing factor, his cooking skills received unanimous praise from fans.
The understated narration and simple editing style of Midnight Diner struck a chord with viewers, making the series unexpectedly touching.
Especially the scene where Haunter evolves into Gengar with a smile—it genuinely conveyed the harmonious bond between humans and Pokémon.
One top comnt in the video’s comnt section caught Lu Ye’s attention:
“Onix used Harden: Teacher Lu’s Midnight Diner strips away the noise and chaos of modern life. With its simple voiceover, it resonates deeply. Here’s what I think he’s trying to express...”
Another comnter replied:
“GarchompFan1996: Whoa, bro, that’s so next-level analysis!”
“ArtIsExplodingThunder: Too many words, I’m sticking with you!”
Lu Ye’s expression shifted through various shades of astonishnt.
“Wait, is that what it ans?!” He widened his eyes.
Amid the overwhelming praise from fans, the video continued to gain traction.
Although it wasn’t yet topping the lifestyle section rankings, it was only a matter of ti.
Satisfied, Lu Ye nodded to himself.
The Piplup Cup semifinals had Haunter more excited than Lu Ye himself, so he saw no need to train further.
For now, his main focus was preparing for final exams.
“All right, ti to hit the books.”
Sitting in the library, Lu Ye pulled out his notebook and muttered to himself.
His phone buzzed—an alert from his one VIP contact.
The ssage was curt and commanding:
“Gaming ti.”
Lu Ye twitched his lips.
Why is it always you? Why do you always show up just as I’m about to study?!
Do you think Teacher Lu just coasts on favors?
His reply was equally blunt:
“On my way.”
“Give
ten minutes; I’ll be ho soon!”
Cynthia gave a faint smile before turning serious.
Her gaze focused on the ga screen in front of her, where an enormous Tyrantrum roared.
Cynthia had already failed over ten attempts and was at her wit’s end.
That’s when she thought of this professional gar-for-hire.
“This stage is so hard,” she murmured, brushing a strand of golden hair from her forehead. “I wonder if asking a master for help is too much...”
But soon, she pressed down on the controller and muttered, “Never mind, I’ll just pay him later!”
anwhile, Lu Ye was racing through the streets, his mind singularly focused.
Ti is money!
If this rich lady hires soone else, I’ll lose out big ti!
Panting, he finally reached ho.
Haunter was trembling as it held a bucket of paint, nervously painting the wall.
When it sensed Lu Ye’s presence, it froze, slowly turning to face him with an awkward smile.
The wall behind Haunter was full of dents and fist marks.
“Don’t worry. I was expecting this,” Lu Ye sighed.
“Gengaar?”
“Just keep painting. I’ll take you out for a good al later.”
Haunter paused, then grinned widely, nodding.
“Gengaa!”
The gaming consoles in this world were developed by Hoenn’s Devon Corporation, and the concept was reportedly first proposed by Steven Stone.
Though Steven was a wealthy heir, his business acun was remarkable. If he couldn’t dig up rare stones, he’d simply inherit billions instead.
Aside from Devon, the Kalos-based Lysandre Labs was still researching AR and 3D technologies.
“I wonder if we’ll be able to use holograms for card gas soday,” Lu Ye muttered.
Setting his musings aside, Lu Ye quickly booted up the ga.
“What are we playing today?”
“Monster Hunter.”
Lu Ye joined the mission using a rented account. In the quest hub, a Garchomp was already waiting, battle-ready.
“You’re still using Gengar?” A slightly husky yet alluring female voice ca through the team chat.
“You’re... still using Garchomp,” Lu Ye retorted.
“Fair enough,” Cynthia replied with a nod. “So, how much for taking down this Tyrantrum?”
“What do you think is reasonable?”
“Hmm... I don’t really know Donghuang’s prices. Just send
next week’s bill.”
Lu Ye felt like crying tears of joy.
Is this a rich lady? No, she’s a literal angel!
“It’s okay if we don’t win,” Cynthia said thoughtfully. “This is a five-person quest anyway. I can bring soone else to help if needed.”
Her mind drifted to a potential backup teammate—Kalos’ Diantha.
Diantha was a prodigy who excelled in both gaming and acting.
But Lu Ye, a seasoned veteran, smirked. “You’re underestimating .”
Haunter rolled up its sleeves (so to speak) and grinned nacingly at the roaring Tyrantrum.
Even in this ga, Teacher Lu relied on his signature Substitute-Protect-Toxic strategy.
“Well, that’s... consistent, I guess,” Cynthia murmured.
In the end, the “Destiny Bond” combo worked flawlessly. The monstrous Tyrantrum collapsed with an earth-shaking roar.
Boom!!
The tir barely hit five minutes. Cynthia’s refined features were etched with shock.
“That was... ridiculously fast!”
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