August 14, Friday.
Modu Evening News published a major headline: [Genius Trainer Zeroes Modu Gym Leader, A Rising Star in the Tournament!]
[Editor's Note: During yesterday's public challenge match, Lu Ye, the champion of the Piplup Cup, swept Gym Leader Tang Hui with a 3-0 victory.]
This is the first badge awarded in the history of the challenge matches. Stay tuned for further reports from our newsroom...
The news quickly trended online, with plenty of tongue-in-cheek comments from internet users.
"Does anyone still think Teacher Lu is just a gaming streamer?"
"Well, it was a gauntlet match—Tang Hui was probably tired. Understandable."
"I was there! Teacher Lu didn't even treat the Gym Leader like a human!"
As Modu's only officially recognized gym, Tang Hui's strength was undisputed.
Even so, Lu Ye, as the challenger, still managed to sweep him 3-0.
This match? It was an utter massacre!
Tang Hui, upon seeing the report, adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses with a wry smile.
Being swept was bad enough… but to have it so widely reported… Does no one care about my dignity?!
That said, Tang Hui had a lot of respect for Lu Ye.
After all, the purpose of the public challenge matches was to discover promising young trainers.
Using evenly matched Pokémon yet still being swept, Tang Hui admitted defeat without complaint.
Shaking his head with a chuckle, Tang Hui mused, "Each generation surpasses the last… No reason to get upset… no reason at all…"
---
The third day of the public challenge matches continued.
Tang Hui, seemingly embodying the word "grudge," displayed astonishing strength.
"Holy crap, Swoobat's going berserk!"
"It's not that Tang Hui is weak—it's that Teacher Lu is too strong!"
The challengers from various universities were in tears.
Just because Teacher Lu swept you, don't take it out on us!
After three days, Tang Hui only lost one match in total.
Satisfied, he nodded and, true to his role as an educator, handed out another badge.
With the public challenge matches concluded, the group headed back to campus on the school bus.
Han Xiaoxiao chattered excitedly, recounting the events: "Teacher Lu, those two manuals are practically made for you!"
Lu Ye smiled wanly. "Haha."
The prize money was only 1,000,000 Pokedollars, yet gifts for the little ones cost 2,000,000 Pokedollars.
Add to that the random potions Squirtle had needed during the matches… Why do I feel like I ended up losing money?
"Here's this, too." Shen Tingzhi handed her phone to Lu Ye.
"Take a look at this report—it already has thousands of comments."
Lu Ye glanced at it and immediately froze.
Sure enough, it was an article from his old "friends" at Modu Evening News!
As much as they seemed to lack finesse, was it really necessary to throw Tang Hui under the bus? I'm still waiting for him to send me my prize money!
Now everyone thinks I'm a genius (which, fair enough, I am), but how am I supposed to keep fishing in newbie ponds?!
[Editor's Note: As the Piplup Cup champion, Lu Ye's training methods are exceptional. By forming emotional bonds with his Pokémon, he creates unparalleled synergy. His victory over Tang Hui is a testament to this connection.]
Spotting the author's name, Lu Ye became instantly wary.
It's him again, the male reporter who interviewed me last time!
Can you stop making up weird narratives about me already?!
"I'm just an ordinary finance student," Lu Ye sighed, putting down his phone.
"Why won't they believe me?"
The school team looked at him, their expressions a mix of awkwardness and disbelief.
Damn, we almost forgot—Coach Lu is technically a finance major!
Jiang Chen wiped the sweat from his brow and muttered,
"Coach Lu… could he be cheating?"
Lu Ye narrowed his eyes, staring silently at Jiang Chen.
Oh, so now you're playing prophet again? Tonight, I'll be targeting you!
Coach Zhai patted Lu Ye's shoulder with a grin.
"Principal Du contacted me. The manuals this time are personally prepared for you by him!"
Lu Ye blinked. "Principal Du?".
"The elder in the white robe with the long beard in the guest seats—he's Modu University's former principal," Zhai explained.
"He's also a past champion of the Donghuang Tournament. Your Squirtle happens to be descended from one of his Pokémon."
Lu Ye: ???
No wonder Squirtle's talent is so exceptional.
So, you're the mastermind behind this, old principal!
"He… What kind of manuals is he giving me?" Lu Ye stammered.
"Dig," Zhai said with a beaming smile. "He thinks it'll suit your Squirtle perfectly."
"How about it—excited?"
Lu Ye opened his mouth, a mental image forming of Squirtle digging its way from the sixth floor to the staircase.
Beads of cold sweat dripped down his forehead.
Forcing a laugh, he muttered, "Sure… sounds great."
Looks like I'll have to ask Sister Liu to help me move after this trip!
If I stay on the sixth floor, my neighbors might haul me straight to the police station!
Overall, this public challenge match was fruitful.
The most important reward—1,000,000 Pokedollars in prize money—had already been credited to Lu Ye's account.
Additionally, there were three bonuses: Stored Power, Calm Mind, and Dig.
On top of that, there was the Modu Badge, shaped like a gleaming pearl representing the Eastern Battle Tower.
Playing with the shiny badge, Lu Ye murmured, "It does look pretty… Too bad this is probably the last badge I'll ever collect."
Tossing the badge aside, Lu Ye opened his banking app.
After paying off the balance on the Water Stone purchase, he still owed Cynthia 5,000,000 Pokedollars.
Although Cynthia never mentioned the debt, treating the IOU like a binding contract, Lu Ye hadn't forgotten his goal to redeem it.
Back home, calculator in hand, Lu Ye mumbled, "Hmm… Calm Mind will help Eevee evolve—this expense is unavoidable. Dig shouldn't cost anything… Wait, no, this might be more expensive!"
His expression grew tense.
If Squirtle ends up digging through the building, wouldn't I be done for?!
Suddenly, Lu Ye slapped his forehead and groaned, "Crap, Eevee can learn Dig too!"
A bead of sweat trickled down his forehead.
"Maybe I should hide this TM first…"
Lu Ye skimmed through the Calm Mind manual, noting the encrypted digital version that came as a surprise.
However, he found it too difficult to understand.
After pondering for a moment, he decided to consult an expert.
---
Opening the group chat, Lu Ye sent a private message to Sabrina.
['Teacher Lu' patted 'Sabrina'.]
[Sabrina: ?]
[Lu Ye: Could you check this manual for me?]
[Sabrina: Sure, send it over.]
Lu Ye paused, surprised by her quick agreement.
She didn't even ask about compensation?!
After clearing his throat, Lu Ye typed:
[Lu Ye: It can't be forwarded, but I can record and send you a video.]
[Video Attached]
After a quick glance, Sabrina calmly responded:
[Sabrina: This training method pairs with Stored Power. I've studied it before. However, its effectiveness for training mental strength is limited… I can improve it for you.]
[Lu Ye: That's really not necessary…] Lu Ye hesitated.
[Sabrina: It's no trouble at all.]
Lu Ye grew nervous.
What if her modifications made the costs skyrocket?!
An hour later, a notification popped up:
[File 'Calm Mind 2.0' has been sent. Please check your inbox.]
[Sabrina: I've slightly optimized the required items.]
[Lu Ye: How… how much will it cost?] Lu Ye's heart sank as he blurted out.
[Sabrina: The total price remains unchanged at 2,000,000 Pokedollars. However, you'll need a higher-quality Dawn Stone.]
[Sabrina: It's rare, but still available on the market. Keep an eye out.]
Hearing there was no price hike, Lu Ye breathed a sigh of relief.
[Lu Ye: Thank you, Sabrina.]
[Sabrina: You're welcome.]
Closing the chat, Lu Ye muttered, "Time to consult Wilds Group and see if they can source a Dawn Stone. With some liquid funds and installment payments, it should barely be manageable…"
Clenching his fist, Lu Ye smirked coldly.
"Hah, a mere 7,000,000 Pokedollars…"
"If I can't pay that off, you'd be underestimating me, Teacher Lu!"