Early morning sunlight bathed the detached villa at the top of the hill, Karawey Bay sparkling.
"Gengarrr~" Haunter set down the storage basket, hung the clothes one by one on the open-air balcony, stared out at the distant sea, and grinned while nodding.
On the lawn in front of the courtyard, Rotom in mower form, "GrassGrassEarlyEarlyEarly," rolled by.
Under the shade of a tree, Lucario sat with eyes closed in ditation, while the Blastoise shell beside him remained immovably still.
Lucario turned his head, looked at the Blastoise emanating Aura, and fell silent.
Even while ditating, it retreats into its shell… that’s taking caution to an extre.
Inside, Cynthia wore a black hair ornant, her golden hair cascading like a waterfall, and a laptop sat before her, the screen showing Professor Mustardseed’s serious face.
"I have received the preliminary report on Alolan mythology, Bamboo Lan."
Mustardseed said, "It’s necessary to go to the Solstice Altar for further investigation, but... pay attention to safety. It would be best to bring Lu Ye along."
"Grandma, I am the regional champion." Cynthia smiled faintly, her gray eyes sparkling.
"Still, it would be better to have that boy lead the way..."
Mustardseed muttered, then asked, "Where is Lu Ye?"
Cynthia crossed her arms and replied, "Today is the trainer school’s opening day. He went to register early this morning."
"Oh... in that case, rember to investigate the Ruins of Conflict on lele Island, they found unusual Z auras there."
Mustardseed paused, then added, "Also, a few more stone tablets were unearthed in Celestic Town. If possible, have Lu Ye help translate them."
"I understand." Cynthia smiled, "That’s also within his field of expertise."
"Hmph, that’s only natural."
Mustardseed muttered things about 'spiriting away her granddaughter,' then chatted with Cynthia about recent schedules.
"I plan to..." Cynthia propped her hand under her chin and pondered, "I plan to try to master Z power."
Lu Ye kept getting stronger, and Cynthia was unwilling to fall behind.
A champion is not inflexible;
Lance had mastered both ga Evolution and Gigantamax powers.
With the World Championships happening later this year, Cynthia had to prepare.
"Z power... those flashy dances?" Mustardseed glanced and said.
"Those are called full-force poses." Cynthia smiled, "And I plan to start from the overlord aura... Garchomp has further potential. It could even learn new moves, like Scale Shot, giving more tactical options."
"I don't understand all this..." Mustardseed said, "But you have an important task this year."
"What?" Cynthia asked.
"Try to get a great-grandson as soon as possible." Mustardseed muttered, "Preferably a great-granddaughter... two would be fine too."
Cynthia’s cheeks flushed, she frowned, "Grandma!"
Mustardseed ignored her and muttered,
"Better make it six... one for each starter lineup."
Cynthia paused, a faint blush on her snow-white neck, and said briefly,
"Grandma, I will investigate the Ruins of Conflict... goodbye."
She ended the call and closed the laptop.
Cynthia sat on the sun-ward sofa, golden hair partially covering her delicate face, staring off into space.
After a while, the corner of her mouth curved up, then she frowned again and sank into thought.
…
Outskirts of Hau'oli City.
The trainer school stood atop the cliff, occupying a vast area.
There were sports fields, a swimming pool, a treehouse classroom building, battle facilities, and nearby a 'Forbidden Forest' known for appearances by Bewear.
On the mountain road winding to the summit, a black-haired youth leaned forward, riding the powerful Arcanine.
On the left, a row of warning posts lined the cliff edge;
on the right, the slope spiraled upward—an 'up-and-down road section' typical of almost every school.
Tapu Koko flashed rainbow light, suddenly appearing on the cliff and sensing aloud:
" and Sylveon are training in a nearby forest. If there's any problem, co find anyti."
"No problem." Lu Ye rembered one thing and reminded, "Be sure to avoid the Bewear in the forest!!"
Tapu Koko glanced at Lu Ye in puzzlent.
As the island guardian, am I supposed to be afraid of a re Bewear?
Lu Ye naturally knew what Tapu Koko was thinking and felt complicated.
Putting it bluntly, if it actually ca to a fight, Tapu Koko would probably get smashed by Bewear.
From Tapu Koko to Tapu Uh-Oh!
"Consider it my personal request." Lu Ye said.
Tapu Koko blinked, nodded, and vanished again.
"Howwwl! (｀0´)" Arcanine halted.
The trainer school was now in sight.
Lu Ye looked at the Alolan-style treehouse buildings and the surrounding coconut and palm trees. A breeze drifted fruit scents.
Several Tauros riders galloped around the large sports ground, dust flying. Far off lay a rectangular artificial lake. On the athletic field, children tead up with Machamp and Priape to play Pokémon basketball.
Professor Kukui was to et Lu Ye at the school gate, and there was still ti.
Lu Ye, curious, dismounted from the two-ter-tall Arcanine and stood at the school gate, watching the basketball ga.
In the "Black and White" ga plot, Pokémon basketball, baseball, and soccer appear with humans and Pokémon participating together. Humans lack Pokémon-level physicality, but dribbling and passing skills help teammates score.
Considering possible faculty-staff leagues in coming days, Teacher Lu pondered trying out these sports.
Trainer school, artificial lake.
A blue-haired girl sat on a fishing chair, focused and quietly fishing.
"No fish are biting today." Lana said softly.
"Lana, Lana!"
A vivacious green-twin-tailed girl sat riding a galloping Tauros, barely managing to stop it as she exclaid excitedly:
"A very handso trainer is at the gate. He looks like a new teacher!"
"A new teacher?" Lana blinked, "Is he the one Professor Kukui ntioned?"
"I don't know, co with to check... I’m too shy to go alone!" Mallow said nervously.
"Okay, wait a mont."
Lana slowly and carefully packed away her fishing gear, holding the rod and lifting her fish bucket. "Let's go~"
At the school gate.
Arcanine was massive, mane flowing, radiating champion aura, lazily baring its teeth and yawning.
This Pokémon was so eye-catching that even the champion of the Alolan island riding contest would struggle to compete with its presence.
Students cast curious glances;
so recognized this trainer as the one who had defeated the Island Kahuna yesterday and couldn’t hide their exclamations.
To avoid a fuss, Teacher Lu reined Arcanine in. Still, this young, handso trainer standing at the gate was enough to draw attention.
"Could that be the new teacher?"
"Really? Will he teach our grade?"
"Oh my god, it's Champion Lu! He's co to our school!"
Students leaned out from the treehouse windows, peeking toward the gate where the black-haired youth stood, as if waiting for soone.
One window after another popped out heads. Only when the mountaintop bell rang did the students scatter back to their classrooms.
Lu Ye fell into thought.
The student body was small... even fewer than at Celadon University.
Judging by the ani, grade levels and teaching content aren't uniform;
it's possible elentary and middle school students take classes together.
'Conference champion' Ash coming here to study really was a chance to rebuild, to re-learn basic education.
Of course, Ash’s travels since age ten left his basics shaky, and Alola's journey happened to fill those gaps and indirectly raised his trainer level.
"Alola~"
Walking up the downhill road outside the gate ca Professor Kukui in a white lab coat, one hand in his pocket, waving with a smile: "Sorry to keep you waiting, Teacher Lu!"
"Alola~" Lu Ye smiled, "I've been wondering which grade I should take."
"Haha, the new students, not many;
including Lillie there are only five." Professor Kukui laughed, "Co on, I'll show you around the campus and then introduce you to the principal!"
Strictly speaking, Lu Ye was assuming the principal’s role. But Alola didn’t emphasize hierarchy;
all titles beca 'teacher,' and relationships with students were more like friends.
Teacher Lu did not mind and rather liked Alola’s relaxed daily atmosphere. Retiring as a champion to teach students wasn’t a bad peaceful life.
Professor Kukui led Lu Ye on a tour of the school facilities, and with a glance at a sneaky figure in the corner, called out:
"Alright, stop hiding and et the new teacher!"
"Don't crowd , ouch..."
"Wait! Let battle Teacher Lu first!"
A chubby boy fell to the ground with an "ouch," Kaki flopped awkwardly on top of him.
Mallow gasped, and Lana had already pulled Lillie aside.
Professor Kukui rubbed his forehead in embarrassnt and said:
"Teacher Lu, these five are the students you'll be teaching. Don't be surprised... Everyone, introduce yourselves!"
The chubby boy stood, dusted himself off, and grinned: "My na is Mamane, I'm a super aweso computer genius~"
"This is my partner... Togedemaru, very skilled with Electric moves!" Mamane held up the round, electric mouse-like Togedemaru.
"I'm Kaki from Akala Island!" Kaki's skin was dark, hair fiery red, upper body bare, eyes burning with ambition, "I aspire to beco an Island Kahuna. Teacher Lu, please teach Z-moves and battle techniques..."
"Please!" Kaki bowed at ninety degrees and shouted.
Lu Ye stroked his chin.
A Z-move requires a trainer’s awkward dance to channel the aura, so the more practiced the dance, the stronger the Ultra Aura.
If that’s Kaki’s wish... then help boost that dream!
Lu Ye: "You want to use Z-moves so quietly? First, dance the 'Ultra Limit Blast Fla' pose ten tis!"
Kaki froze, then realized this might be the secret to getting stronger, and excitedly cried: "Yes, I understand!"
In front of Professor Kukui and the others, Kaki swung his arms and repeatedly hopped through the Z awkward dance with astonishing zeal, impressing Mamane and the rest.
Kaki: "Ohhh! My fighting spirit is like the erupting Mount Wela—"
"Ultra Limit, Blast, Fla, Ball!!"
Lillie and the others stood aside, and Mallow murmured: "Kaki is really proficient in full-force poses..."
Also... Mallow secretly noted Teacher Lu, who nodded from ti to ti, and marveled inwardly.
The new Teacher Lu is really handso!
"This new teacher... is going to be hard to handle..." Lana’s small face turned serious.
"Huh? Why do you say that?" Lillie blinked.
"It’s just a feeling." Lana said solemnly.
Professor Kukui admired Kaki’s familiarity with Z-moves: "No wonder—this dance is passed down through island families."
Having Kaki repeat the Z pose wasn’t aimless;
even Lu Ye could sense several errors through Aura, which would be convenient to correct later.
Lu Ye nodded: "Good spirit! Next!"
"Teacher Lu!" Mallow, a spirited green twin-tailed girl with sun-kissed skin, bead, "I’m Mallow. I dream of taking over my family's restaurant and becoming an excellent chef!"
"A very lofty goal." Teacher Lu comnted.
"I’m Lana from Konikoni City..."
The blue-haired girl took a deep breath, stared seriously, and declared loudly:
"My dream is to catch Kyogre!"
Everyone present froze.
"Every ti I hear Lana say that, I’m startled." Mallow said.
"Gyarados is one thing, but Kyogre is just fantasy." Mamane scratched his head.
Kaki stopped his Z awkward dancing and said gravely: "Kyogre is a legendary Pokémon. You can’t just catch it with a fishing rod."
"Maybe so..." Lana lowered her head, then lifted it resolutely, "But I will make it happen."
Lu Ye said slowly:
"If you need Kyogre size data, co find ."
Lana blinked: "Huh?"
"To catch Kyogre, resolve alone won’t do. Arm strength, fishing technique, bait... all the data needs careful asurent."
Lu Ye smiled: "Rotom and I will try to provide data support, but ultimately it depends on your own fishing skill."
Lana’s eyes shone and she nodded earnestly: "Yes, thank you, Teacher Lu."
The last student was Lillie, whom he had briefly t before.
Lillie still couldn’t touch Pokémon;
helping students overco such obstacles would be an important part of a teacher’s job.
Teacher Lu was sowhat familiar with these five students;
their personalities were not far from their animated counterparts.
If teaching went smoothly, against Ultra Beasts he wouldn’t need to step in;
students could handle them on their own.
"Alright, you all go to class. I still have to take Teacher Lu to the principal’s office." Professor Kukui said.
"Got it!"
On the way to the principal’s office, Lu Ye asked about the classes he would teach.
"Uh... the daily lesson plan isn't fixed. It generally includes Pokémon knowledge, breeding, battling, and field practice."
"How many teachers are there?"
"Counting you and , three!"
"...A very solid faculty."
They opened the principal’s office door. Lu Ye froze, slightly stunned.
An elderly man in a floral shirt stood by the balcony with his hands clasped behind his back. Turning, he bore a face almost identical to Professor Samuel Oak’s.
"Professor Oak... no, are you Professor Oak’s cousin?" Lu Ye hesitated.
"Haha, looks like Samuel already told you about ."
This 'Professor Oak' laughed heartily, skin darkened by the sun: "My na is Nene Oak, 'Rowlet's Ow!'"
Lu Ye: "..."
Wait, was that a dad joke just now?
This Alolan-form Professor Oak specialized in Pokémon dad jokes and cosplaying Pokémon;
he was also the original principal in the plot.
"Due to a back injury," Nene Oak explained, "my teaching duties were affected, so I asked Samuel to find a suitable successor. I personally serve as vice principal, responsible for lessons on regional form differences."
You yourself are the best living example of 'regional form differences'...
Lu Ye completed the handover with Nene Oak and would officially start teaching tomorrow.
He intended to visit the treehouse classroom building, but Teacher Lu received a long-awaited call from Team Rocket.
"What made you think to contact ?"
Lu Ye joked as he opened the video call and froze slightly.
On the screen, the Team Rocket trio looked pale, holding a finger to their lips to signal silence.
"Boss... Bewear is appearing..."
The trio were stuck deep in the forest, buried under a pile of fruit, unable to free themselves, faces wretched.
"Help!!"
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