Chapter 350: Chapter 350

The orange-haired girl, wearing a brown jacket, waved with a bright smile. "Teacher Lu, long time no see!"

"The last time we met was at the research summit in Sootopolis City." Lu Ye nodded and asked curiously, "What brings you here?"

Sonia blinked her emerald green eyes and smiled. "As a beauty blogger, of course I got an invitation too~"

As Nessa’s close friend, she naturally had a sharp sense for fashion. Just her makeup tutorials alone had racked up millions of views. And as Professor Magnolia’s assistant, Sonia also carried the task of investigating myths and legends across the world.

Lu Ye paused slightly. "So, you’re here for the awards too?"

"Yup," Sonia said, holding up a finger and smiling. "And I’m also here to pick up Nessa’s award for her."

Nessa, the Water-type Gym Leader from Galar, was also a fashion star.

"Sounds like maybe Professor Oak might send someone to pick up his award too," Lu Ye joked.

"Huh, Professor Oak has an account too?"

They chatted as they walked with the crowd toward the battle zone. Sonia asked: "I remember, Teacher Lu, you’re a Master-level Trainer from Donghuang too, right?"

"Rumors. Officially, I’m just a gaming content creator."

"But I heard from Master Mustard of the Isle of Armor..." Sonia looked surprised, "That Leon’s been off his game recently because he lost a private match against you?"

Lu Ye froze for a second.

Sonia and Leon had grown up together, a classic childhood friends duo — a researcher and a Trainer, much like Red and Green.

As for beating Leon... Lu Ye coughed. "It was a simulated battle, not a real match."

Sonia’s eyes widened.

Even simulated battles tested a Trainer’s fundamentals: prediction, team synergy, and switching tactics. And Leon, ever since his debut, had rarely met an equal in either Pokémon raising or battling...

"Teacher Lu," Sonia said seriously, "you’re totally overqualified just being a researcher!"

Lu Ye blinked, about to say I’m not actually a researcher, but then remembered — technically, he was an assistant to Professor Sakuragi too.

Cough, standard practice.

Sonia’s eyes sparkled with stars. Suddenly, she clapped her hands. "By the way, the Dynamax Band I prepared for you is finished!"

"If you want, you can come to Professor Magnolia’s lab or I can mail it to you."

Because of a Christmas surprise ambush from Blue, Gengar and Blastoise in Lu Ye’s team had unlocked "Gigantamax forms."

Even in Galar, where Dynamax was common, Gigantamax was a rare ability.

Lu Ye massaged his temples. "I probably won’t need it for now..."

"Got it," Sonia nodded understandingly.

After all, Dynamax clashed with Mega Evolution and Z-Moves, and Trainers had different preferences. It was obvious Lu Ye preferred the emotional bond of Mega Evolution. Otherwise, his Gengar wouldn’t be so close to him.

"I’ll pass it to you when you come traveling in Galar," Sonia smiled.

Fun fact — originally in canon, Dynamax Bands were made by Olive. But since Lu Ye had "poached" Olive to be his secretary... Professor Magnolia had to step in and successfully create the Dynamax Bands instead.

Lu Ye felt a bit complicated.

Looks like... I almost need to apologize to Galar's people?

"Woof!" The yellow corgi with the heart-shaped butt — Yamper — circled around Sonia’s feet.

Sonia scooped up Yamper and whispered: "Actually, Teacher Lu, there’s another favor I wanted to ask you."

"It’s about a special charity event Galar holds every year — the All-Star Exhibition Match." Sonia said softly, "It’s for hospitalized children, to fulfill their wish of meeting celebrity Trainers."

"And this year... a lot of the kids wrote in asking to meet you..."

"Of course!" Sonia smiled brightly. "They just want to meet you. You’re not obligated to battle!"

Sonia knew that Trainers like Lu Ye commanded appearance fees in the millions. But she and Leon had volunteered at hospitals before. She knew that for those kids, playing the Pokémon card game, and the games Lu Ye made, was already the happiest time in their lives.

Even if most of them would never grow up to be Trainers, Lu Ye had let them experience the pure joy of being one.

That’s why the hospital mailbox was stuffed full of letters asking for Lu Ye.

She hadn’t expected to run into him here.

Sonia lowered her eyes, quietly spilling out the request, then hurriedly waved her hand. "Of—of course, if you’re busy, it’s totally fine—"

"Eh?" Sonia looked up at the handsome young man, blinking.

"I got it... if I have time, I’ll come by." Lu Ye waved his hand and smiled. "But for now, let’s enjoy the awards ceremony first!"

Sonia froze for a second, remembering her grandmother’s words. Maybe... what made a Champion truly strong wasn’t their power — but their character and heart.

Sonia’s eyes shimmered. When she looked up again, she saw Teacher Lu already heading toward the battle zone.

She hugged Yamper tightly and quickly chased after him.

"Wait for me, Teacher Lu! You’re going to join the exhibition match, right? I’ll be your cheerleader!"

Inside the venue, the crowd was packed for the exhibition match.

It could be said that over half the audience was here mainly for the battle.

And after the exhibition, it would be time for the night’s main event — the awards ceremony.

In this Pokémon-loving world, the battle zone was definitely the hottest ticket.

The crowd around the arena was packed, no less crowded than the college tournaments Lu Ye had competed in.

This was a showdown between Magic City and Imperial City’s Gym Leaders.

Even if you didn’t care about the awards, buying a ticket just for this battle was a steal.

Thanks to his Creator VIP pass, Lu Ye and Sonia found seats.

Brock texted that he’d be there soon. As for Lt. Surge — well, who knew if he even had a VIP pass...

"Chachidoyi~ヾ(^Д^*)/" Lu Ye cradled Togepi and placed it in the next seat to save it for Brock.

Sonia hugged her little Yamper and smiled. "Feels like the Palace Gate Arena vibe!"

"Wonder if Old Tang’s gonna use Mega Evolution." Lu Ye rubbed his chin.

Honestly, this exhibition match might be even more exciting than the awards...

The spotlight swept across the arena as the audience filled in, patiently waiting.

Backstage, Tang Hui, dressed sharply in a suit and glasses, spotted an old "friend."

Crap, isn’t that kid supposed to be causing trouble in Kanto? What’s he doing here?! Tang Hui wiped sweat from his forehead — then remembered he had brought his A-team today.

Wait, why am I panicking!?

Lu Ye was seated right near the front row.

Tang Hui thought for a second, then decided to come over and say hi.

Even though he acted petty sometimes, Tang Hui actually liked Sylveon — just not necessarily Sylveon’s Trainer.

The front rows were filled with Battle Zone creators, many of them Tang Hui’s acquaintances.

Nodding along the way, Tang Hui reached Lu Ye and sat down beside him.

He smiled politely at Sonia, then leaned over and said quietly: "The Gaming Zone’s not on this side, you know?"

"If I played in the Gaming Zone, it’d be a bloodbath," Lu Ye replied.

Tang Hui froze, then realized he had a point.

If Lu Ye went over there, the other content creators might not even bother going onstage.

"Old Tang," Lu Ye asked, "what’s that Imperial City Gym Leader’s deal?"

"Ji Shiyin — comes from a family of Dragon-type trainers. She’s also served as a judge for your college tournaments," Tang Hui explained. "But she’s a hardcore cosplayer too, that’s why she took the invitation."

Lu Ye blinked. Good grief, a full-on anime nerd!

Then again, Gym Leaders often had side gigs — models, water ballet performers, security guards... cosplayer wasn't even that weird.

"You think you can handle her Dragon-types?" Lu Ye asked.

"Doesn’t matter. Even if I can't, I gotta!" Tang Hui wiped his sweat. "Besides, pulling off a show match boosts Magic City’s economy too..."

No wonder you're the Magic City Gym Leader!

"Anyway, the MC’s announcing now. Remember, you owe me a dinner later!" Tang Hui jogged back toward backstage.

Lu Ye sat there blinking. Sonia tilted her head in curiosity.

Donghuang's official Champion and Elite Four didn’t have Teacher Lu’s records. Maybe... like Red and Mustard, he was simply too strong to care about titles.

Plus, having beaten Leon... that tactical awareness was insane.

Sonia clicked her tongue in awe.

"Next up, let’s welcome our Trainers to the stage!" The cheers exploded, a thunderous ovation.

Ji Shiyin stepped out, pale and slim, wearing a Dunhuang-style outfit, her long black hair reaching her waist.

Tang Hui, in a suit, adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and nodded politely.

"Battle, start!" The referee’s whistle blew.

Because it was a 3v3 exhibition match, both sides were just sparring lightly.

Tang Hui led with a Swoobat with the Simple ability. Stacking boosts with Calm Mind, then finishing with Stored Power — this was Magic City Gym’s signature tactic.

Ji Shiyin sent out a deep red-eyed Kingdra.

The audience gasped and cheered, fully immersed in the intense match.

Eventually, it came down to a 2–2 tiebreaker.

Tang Hui adjusted his glasses with his middle finger. The Keystone embedded in his frame flashed with brilliant rainbow light.

"Alakazam — Mega Evolve!"

Old Tang, are you secretly Ultraman?!

As the light faded, Mega Alakazam floated in the air in a meditative pose, five psychic spoons orbiting it, a ruby-like gem gleaming on its forehead.

The arena erupted with cheers and applause.

"This ticket was worth every cent!" "Forget casual sparring, bring out the real battles!" "Let’s go, Tang Hui!!"

Ji Shiyin elegantly released her next Pokémon.

In a gust of wind, Dragonite spread its wings and hovered beside her.

The clash of air and power drew deafening cheers. But Mega Alakazam, fragile as ever, couldn’t withstand the might of a pseudo-legendary Dragonite — one Dragon Claw shattered its spoons.

Clang! The psychic spoons splintered to pieces. Tang Hui sighed deeply.

"Good match," Ji Shiyin nodded.

Clap clap clap— The arena exploded into thunderous applause.

This was true Gym Leader-level battling.

Whether it was Mega Alakazam or the overwhelming Dragonite, they left a lasting impression on all the fans, audience members, and creators present.

"I posted it on social media — amazing!" "No wonder she’s the Dragon-type Gym Leader from Imperial City!" "Tang Hui did his best. Maybe let Teacher Lu sub in next time!" "Huh? Dude, wrong category — Teacher Lu’s from the Gaming Zone!"

The match pushed the whole ceremony to its peak.

But no one left yet — because next came the prize draw. With luck, you might get to spar with a Gym Leader!

Even knowing they’d get crushed — it’s like playing a solo match against Faker. Who wouldn’t want to try?!

"So the ‘mystery prize’... was a Gym battle?"

Sonia smiled. "At Palace Gate Arena, they draw audience members to fight Leon too!"

"I thought it was gonna be cash or something..." Lu Ye muttered, checking his vibrating phone.

Turning around, he spotted Brock and Lt. Surge waving from a side entrance.

Probably because of the crowd — or maybe because Lt. Surge didn’t have a VIP pass — they got stopped by security.

"Poor Major Surge..." Lu Ye sighed.

"Teacher Lu, are you leaving?" Sonia asked, surprised.

Lu Ye hunched over so he wouldn’t block the view and whispered: "Planning to hit the food zone. Time for a Shokugeki battle!"

He figured — when it came to Shokugeki, he could take on ten people easy.

Sonia tilted her head, a little confused.

Meanwhile, the host’s drawn-out voice echoed:

"Now, let’s randomly select our lucky audience member—"

The venue dimmed. Only glowsticks shone in the dark as the spotlight roamed.

Everyone started looking around, murmuring.

"Row 3, Seat 24..." Lt. Surge muttered, leaning toward Brock. "Hey, it's you, you bastard!"

Brock’s temple twitched as he tried to stay calm. "My seat’s being saved by Teacher Lu."

Whoosh! The spotlight landed on Togepi, sitting on the saved seat, swinging its little feet and playing games.

"Chachidoyi~ (ﾉﾟ▽ﾟ)ﾉ"

Togepi tilted its head in confusion.

"Aw, so cute!" "Hahaha, whose Pokémon is that?"

The light operator awkwardly adjusted the beam...

And caught Lu Ye trying to sneak away.

The big screen flashed — handsome, cool, 95/100 looks.

The entire venue went dead silent.

And then erupted into chaos.

"Wait, why does that guy look so familiar?!" "Holy sh*t — it’s Teacher Lu?!?!?"