Chapter 498: Chapter 498

Fireworks illuminated the night sky over White Poplar Town.

The melody of "Oración" quietly faded away.

Someone took out their phone, the faint glow illuminating their face as they eagerly opened a music app.

The prelude to "Uchiage Hanabi" began playing, drawing collective gazes from people near the plaza fountain.

"How fitting..." someone murmured.

"Surviving that disaster... all thanks to Teacher Lu... and Wallace."

"I remember this song was dedicated to a Sinnoh friend, composed by... holy crap, Teacher Lu?"

"Yeah, we owe it to Teacher Lu for smashing those Temporal-Spatial Twin Dragons."

"I-I mean this song was also composed by Teacher Lu!"

Lu Ye and Cynthia returned to their nearby inn to rest.

"Where's Haunter?" Cynthia glanced around.

"Probably practicing boxing with Darkrai?" Lu Ye recalled the 'Night Hunter' catchphrase.

"Is it alright letting it train all night?"

Lu Ye sighed lightly: "It's always been at home... besides ghosts can't die from exhaustion."

Cynthia paused, found the logic sound, and nodded slightly.

The inn room was cramped - a narrow bathroom, an old CRT TV with static, plastic bedside tables.

At least it was clean and tidy with soft lighting. A potted green plant by the TV added some life to the space.

Cynthia glanced at the small double bed, then lifted her gaze to silently observe Lu Ye.

"Luxury hotels need rebuilding too," Lu Ye shrugged. "Palkia's spatial powers really dropped the ball."

"Combine the beds," Cynthia said.

Cynthia bent down, her back turned as golden hair cascaded over her slender waist, forcefully pushing one bed sideways.

Clapping her hands lightly, Cynthia smiled: "Done."

Lu Ye examined the now-combined "king bed" and mused:

"If you'd said that earlier, I would've booked a different room."

"Didn't you say this was the only one left?" Cynthia's cool gaze swept over.

"Ah right, my bad memory," Lu Ye slapped his thigh.

Cynthia pointed to the floor beside the large bed.

Lu Ye shook his head.

Cynthia raised an eyebrow, her smile growing increasingly gentle.

"Rotom, come help," Lu Ye bent down. "Set an alarm for tomorrow morning."

The Rotom Pokédex floated over to assist with adjusting the sheets:

Cynthia crossed her arms, watching Lu Ye fluff the pillows, her gaze softening slightly.

Lu Ye lay on the "king bed," turning sideways to observe Cynthia in her blue shirt.

Moonlight filtered through the curtains, illuminating her cascading golden hair and straight nose bridge. One eye visible beneath her hair shone with gentle clarity.

"Aren't you hot?" Lu Ye asked.

"Shh," Cynthia closed her eyes, long lashes fluttering as she whispered, "We need to return to the Sinnoh League tomorrow morning. Sleep early."

A trace of exhaustion was evident on her face.

Rushing to White Poplar Town, using the Spear Key to open the dimensional rift, battling the Temporal-Spatial Twin Dragons...

In just one day, she'd demonstrated the responsibility befitting the Sinnoh Champion.

Lu Ye quietly watched Cynthia's even breathing, her snow-white neck and delicate face faintly glowing in the moonlight.

Their breathing gradually synchronized, accompanied only by the ticking of an old wall clock.

After gazing for a long while, Lu Ye leaned down to gently kiss her rosy lips before turning away:

Moonlight softened, breeze fluttering the curtains as a faint blush colored the golden-haired beauty's cheeks.

April 1st, Thursday, clear with light breeze.

White Poplar Town was decorated with lanterns and banners, Drifloons drifting overhead.

Lu Ye sat on the bed edge with massive dark circles, yawning while wondering:

"Is my constitution becoming Ash-like now? Even Yawn can miss?"

Cynthia was changing clothes, draping her elegant black coat over the blue shirt.

Black wide-leg pants and high heels complemented the effortless flick of her golden hair cascading down to her waist.

"The Spear Key, plus the Lustrous and Adamant Orbs," Cynthia frowned slightly. "I might need to bring them to Grandma for further analysis."

The reason they could summon the "Red Chain" was due to the Spear Key recognizing him at the Solaceon Ruins.

This involved ancient text, Aura, and perhaps the Chosen One aspect of the "Rainbow Wing."

Now the Spear Key had gone silent, acting like it didn't know him.

Though the orbs still reacted faintly to Lu Ye's Aura, the response was much weaker.

Lu Ye clicked his tongue.

These orbs were total masochists, just like their dragon owners!

"At least I got fragments," Lu Ye thought. "I'll load them into Rotom later."

Cynthia hesitated: "About that Red Chain..."

Lu Ye looked up: "You have your considerations. Just fulfill your Champion duties."

Cynthia's eyes flickered as she nodded deeply.

When Lu Ye had chained the Twin Dragons, she'd instinctively felt a trace of fear.

Figures like Cyrus and FRL's leaders seemed to overlap with him in that moment.

Especially that legendary Kanto shadow, the long-unseen Giovanni...

"Lu Ye," Cynthia took a deep breath, her golden hair framing determined yet gentle eyes. "No matter what, I'll be here."

The atmosphere grew solemn as their eyes met before smiles reappeared.

"Until you come to the Sinnoh League to succeed me," Cynthia smiled.

"Can we go public then?" Lu Ye's eyes slowly brightened.

Cynthia averted her gaze: "A-at least wait until you confess properly again."

"Then I'll go buy a diamond ring now. Will a Diancie brand work?"

"It's about confession, not engagement."

"Understood. I'll pick an auspicious date to formally propose at Celestic Town."

"Don't bother Grandma!"

Against the azure sky, a white contrail streaked by as Garchomp flew past at extreme speed.

Rare to see Mengmengda blushing .

Lu Ye looked up at the sky in excellent spirits.

Miss Bamboo Lan wants me to confess?

As for those orbs... the backlash was too strong. Teacher Lu wouldn't take them even for free.

Unless one day the Twin Dragons begged him to use them, then maybe he'd consider it.

Lu Ye snorted proudly, tapping to retrieve the [Lustrous Orb Fragment] and [Adamant Orb Fragment].

Visually, they were just sparkly pearls and diamonds, albeit smaller.

"Anything under 1 carat is just fragments."

Lu Ye pinched the diamond, squinting at it, then examined the pearl.

"Hmm... even without effects, I could probably sell these to Steven for a mansion."

Fortunately, Teacher Lu wasn't that interested in money these days.

A mansion would come eventually after the game launched.

Worst case, he could rely on his charm.

"Rotom!" Lu Ye called. "Come here, I'm giving you some bling!"

Rotom flew over confused, scratching its head with a mechanical arm at the sparkly objects.

"I understand, Rotom."

Rotom's eyes suddenly lit up.

"This is White Poplar Town's treasure!"

Lu Ye: "...You're not wrong."

Rotom could automatically adjust its form based on possessed objects.

Loading the pearl and diamond was simple - just some electric flashes later, it was done.

"How does it feel?" Lu Ye asked expectantly.

"Burp~" Rotom hiccuped. "Full now, Rotom!"

"Full? Good. Now make seven batches of Pokéblocks today."

"Does not compute, Rotom! (⊙x⊙; )"

After some consideration,

Lu Ye realized the time and space powers... mainly made GPS and clocks more accurate...

Lu Ye: "Two mansions worth... for this?"

Rotom proudly declared: "Navigation will never fail again, Rotom!"

Lu Ye: "...Okay that's actually useful."

His defective GPS always positioned him in the middle of lakes.

Now using Palkia's spatial powers for positioning... was there any GPS more precise?!

"Guess even if trapped in a dungeon, Rotom can call for help now."

Recalling White Poplar Town's anomalies, Lu Ye rubbed his chin:

"Couldn't contact Red... at least could ask Ruby's Celebi for backup."

Additionally, Rotom became more proficient with "Ally Switch" and "Electric Terrain."

Now just yell "Rotom help!" for an instant "Ally Switch."

Even against Ash in the wild, he stood a chance...

Lu Ye: "Ash wouldn't punch Rotom to pieces, right... probably not..."

"Does not compute, Rotom! o(TヘTo)"

As for time applications:

Rotom's timing became perfectly precise, whether as alarm clock or cooking timer.

As everyone knows, legendary kitchenware includes preservation, flavor enhancement, etc.

Ingredients placed in Fridge Rotom might upgrade upon retrieval.

Dishes cooked in Oven Rotom could reach new heights.

This was how legendary kitchenware aided chefs.

"Holy crap, with time-space forged kitchenware, how can the Dark Cooking Society compete?!"

Rotom Pokédex blinked.

"Go make those Pokéblocks. I'll tell you the 'Detective Washing Machine' story next time."

"Hooray, Rotom! （๑`▽´๑)۶"

The fragments didn't visibly change Rotom much.

Just diamond and pearl inlays on the Pokédex's sides, looking extremely "boring."

Lu Ye paused: "Will other forms show this too?"

Rotom scratched its head: "They're in corners, unnoticeable, Rotom."

"Really..." Lu Ye sighed regretfully.

Was hoping to casually flash my Rotom·Rolex Diamond Edition.

Master's tastes are... unique, Rotom!

The fragments needed gradual absorption, so no major changes yet.

Lu Ye left the inn for lunch, planning to check on Haunter afterward.

At the Pokémon Center cafeteria, he coincidentally met Ash.

"Teacher Lu," Ash slurped spaghetti. "You look tired."

Lu Ye set down Moomoo Milk and a croissant plate, sighing as he sat:

"Stayed stiff all night yesterday."

"Stiff?" Ash drew from limited move knowledge. "Isn't that Hyper Beam's aftereffect?"

"That interpretation... works too." Lu Ye lifted his glass.

"Could it be..." Ash's eyes slowly brightened. "You trained Hyper Beam all night!?"

Lu Ye choked: "Cough! Cough!"

Ash's eyes burned with passion, clenching fists excitedly:

"I knew it! Humans can use Pokémon moves too!"

That must be Teacher Lu's secret to strength!

Odd glances came from nearby.

Lu Ye's expression complicated.

He sensed strange rumors brewing...

"Did Iron Island's Aogen teach you?"

"Yeah! He fires Aura Spheres barehanded!"

"Good luck then." Lu Ye patted Ash's shoulder hard. "Try one-shotting Bewear with Aura Sphere!"

Then Lu Ye looked out the window, face illuminated by "the light of justice."

Ash abandoning Pokémon Master dreams to cultivate his body, firing Aura Spheres barehanded...