Chapter 361: Chapter 361

After the weekend break, the weary Monday rolled around once again. Lu Ye returned to Yuhong University to oversee the students’ final evaluations.

The moment he neared the classroom, the students swarmed around him excitedly: “Mr. Lu, you’re the one who battled Leon, right? That was really you, wasn’t it?” “When did you catch Lucario? He was so strong and cool!”

Lu Ye explained, “That wasn’t my team—I just rented it casually.” After all, with Lu Ye’s connections, He could probably even rent Steven’s team. It just so happened the cute one was traveling with him.

The students exchanged glances, then realized Mr. Lu was joking. In front of tens of thousands of spectators, he’d nearly fought Leon to a draw… If it hadn’t been an exhibition match, Leon might’ve actually gotten wiped by Mr. Lu!

“Come on, Mr. Lu, don’t be so modest—there were tons of media watching!” “Even if you’re that strong and still play in the Baby Cup, we wouldn’t judge you!” “Exactly! We’re used to it by now, hahaha!”

Lu Ye: “I never go smurfing!” The students burst into laughter. Mr. Lu was the only one with Champion-level strength who enjoyed smurfing in rookie brackets.

Then followed another round of incomprehensible phrases like "Ally Switch backfires" and such. The classroom was filled with cheerful vibes.

After leading Yuhong University to dominate the exchange tournament, Lu Ye’s popularity now rivaled that of Ms. Erika.

But upon hearing that Mr. Lu would be leaving next semester, the students were clearly reluctant.

The other students all cheered her on. Lu Ye raised an eyebrow. Kid, why do you keep slandering me !

Another student, his hair flowing dramatically, also spoke seriously: “Mr. Lu, when will the Duel Cup be held? I’ve already written the Formula for Victory…” Lu Ye: “Stop thinking about card games or I’ll give you a zero on your final!”

In the afternoon came Yuhong University’s battle exams, supervised by Lu Ye and Erika. Once finals were wrapped up, the university term was just about done.

Students like Gladion and Manchong had already returned to Alola and Hoenn respectively. Another, his personal protégé Bea, was training hard to be worthy of a Galar Gym Leader. There was still a chance to meet again in the future.

Lu Ye returned to his office, holding a thermos to warm his hands in the chilly winter.

Across from him, past fragrant potted plants and elegant floral arrangements, Erika turned and said: “Mr. Lu, you’ve got a letter.”

“Oh, let me take a look.” Lu Ye swiveled his chair, took the envelope from Erika, and asked curiously, “No Gym duty today?”

“The League Conference is in preparation, so Gyms everywhere are taking breaks.” Erika tucked a short strand of hair behind her ear and smiled. “Just the right time to handle school matters.”

Lu Ye nodded and studied the envelope. “Sent from Galar?” Erika asked. “Yeah,” Lu Ye smiled faintly.

Inside the photo, Jon—wearing a chemo cap—was beaming brightly, With Charizard and a bearded man standing behind him.

This trip to Galar hadn’t left any regrets.

As he stashed away the letter, Lu Ye heard a distant rumbling from outside, his expression growing complicated. “Again… is that the solarium?” “Relax,” Erika reassured, “it’s been reinforced—won’t break that easily.”

Lu Ye gave a serious nod. Probably Arcanine getting used to Overheat again. After the remodeling, it hopefully wouldn’t explode so easily.

Lu Ye gave a dry cough. Honestly, not having to pay for property damage at Yuhong University—now that was the best employee benefit.

“Oh right, Mr. Lu,” Erika said, “For the year-end bonus, the school lets staff pick something from the collection room.”

Lu Ye blinked. “That’s a thing?” “I told you when I visited Donghuang, didn’t I?” Erika winked and giggled. “You only came to Yuhong for the benefits, after all.”

Lu Ye: “The salary doesn’t matter—I came here to teach and nurture talent.” Still, he was a bit curious. What kind of year-end gift did Yuhong offer?

If it was self-serve, he’d prefer straight-up cash—or at least a Mystic Water. Move Tutors? Pfft. Someone else can have those!

That afternoon, Arcanine stepped out from the shaky solarium, looking majestic as ever. “Awooo~~” Arcanine grinned, baring its teeth. Learning new moves isn’t that hard after all!

Meanwhile, Lu Ye was leading his class in a final battle against Erika’s students.

Originally, Lu Ye’s class focused more on battle theory. Yet when it came to performance, they were no less impressive than Erika’s team.

Though… most were still middle or high schoolers. The whole thing had the vibe of Kindergarten Sunflower Class vs. Rose Class.

With exams finished, Lu Ye graded the students and smiled warmly: “Well then, it’s been an honor spending this semester with you all. If fate allows—”

Before he could finish, the kids had already pounced on him. “Goodbye, Mr. Lu!!” “I’ll really learn how to Protect this time, I swear!” “Ya☆Daze! Mr. Lu just dropped a UR card!”

Erika folded her hands in front of her kimono, watching the scene with a smile.

After Lu Ye finished saying goodbye to the students, Erika said with a grin, “Mr. Lu, this is a good time to visit the collection room.”

Lu Ye nodded. Truth be told, he was a bit reluctant. But as a Police Inspector, Professor, and Team Rocket Commander… He probably had more students than he realized.

Who in the world doesn’t know Mr. Lu?

“Let’s go.” Lu Ye cautiously asked, “Any chance I can just get cash wired directly?” “The founding principal wouldn’t be that heartless,” Erika chuckled.

Inside the collection room were many familiar rare items. For example: Flame Orb, Toxic Orb, and so on.

Lu Ye even spotted a translucent, gently glowing Shiny Stone. With it, Togepi’s evolution could be completed into Togekiss.

But Lu Ye wasn’t ready for that yet. Or rather… he couldn’t bear to evolve Togepi just yet.

After pondering a while, he turned to Erika and asked, “Any recommendations, Ms. Erika?”

She tilted her head slightly, thinking for a moment. “Mr. Lu, which little one are you choosing for?”

Many of these treasures weren’t even available on the market.

Lu Ye cleared his throat, once again touched by the principal’s generosity, and gave it serious thought. Among the team, who had been training hard lately but didn’t see much payoff…

“Let’s go with Sirfetch’d,” Lu Ye said.

“Quack? (´థ౪థ)σ” His Poké Ball trembled. Duck Duck was exhausted already—and now you want to throw me under the bus too?! Shaking with cold and frustration… when will the slacker life begin!

Feeling the vibrations of the Poké Ball, Lu Ye smiled slightly. Looks like Sirfetch’d was happy with it too.

“I see…” Erika nodded with a smile. Though a Fighting-type, Sirfetch’d’s signature move was Leaf Blade. Even if it wasn’t a STAB move, it worked perfectly with Sirfetch’d’s high crit rate.

“In that case, I’d recommend a Miracle Seed, which boosts Grass-type moves.” Erika raised her eyes and reached for a delicately carved wooden box. “This Miracle Seed contains an abundance of Grass energy,” she said as a Grass-type Gym Leader. “It’ll definitely help with training Leaf Blade.”

“Is there a… way to use it without training?” Lu Ye coughed. I’m afraid one Leaf Blade from Duck Duck might split the wall in half!

“Eh? Without training?” Erika blinked.

Lu Ye opened his mouth to explain, but before he could, a red light shot out from his belt. Sirfetch’d grabbed the Miracle Seed with its leek, munched, and swallowed it down.

“Wait… why did you eat it?” Lu Ye asked. “Quack?” Duck Duck was confused too. Wasn’t this supposed to be a supplement for me?

“You were supposed to wear it, not eat it…” Lu Ye had a complicated expression, watching Duck Duck devour his year-end bonus.

Will eating the Miracle Seed make the meat more tender?!

“Actually… this might be even better,” Erika said with a smile. “Grass-type energy represents life and harmony—even consuming it won’t cause harm.” “If you need one to hold, just get another.”

Lu Ye’s face turned stiff. Another one? So I get nothing from my year-end bonus and still have to pay extra?

Suddenly, Erika seemed to understand. The energy within the Miracle Seed would enhance Sirfetch’d’s Leaf Blade either way. Swallowing it might’ve fulfilled Mr. Lu’s so-called “no training required” method.

“Quaaack~!” Sirfetch’d let out a full-bellied burp. Whether it trains or not remains to be seen— But that Miracle Seed? Absolutely delicious, quack~!