On the way.
When Zhou Yue learned that Guo Yi had become the tennis club's coach, he couldn't help sighing.
"Teacher Guo, I really didn't expect you'd actually become the tennis club's president."
"You know, before, quite a few assistant teachers tried to join the club, but none succeeded."
Back then.
Even Zhou Yue himself had wanted to become the club's coach, but unfortunately, his skills weren't up to par and he was directly rejected.
Guo Yi, sitting in the passenger seat, was a bit puzzled by this.
"Is it really just a tennis club? Is it that popular?"
Zhou Yue laughed mischievously.
"Teacher Guo, you just don't understand the relationship between the club president and Director Tang."
"Their relationship is not simple. We tried joining the club precisely because of that."
After all, normally, Director Tang wouldn't even spare a glance at assistant teachers like them.
Um... except Guo Yi.
Knowing about Si Bing'an and Tang Ming's connection, everyone wanted to join the tennis club to bridge that gap a little.
Although Si Bing'an usually tried to hide her relationship with Tang Ming,
for the well-informed assistant teachers, this was basically an open secret.
"So that's how it is."
Guo Yi suddenly understood.
"I knew it!"
"I was wondering how just a small tennis club could have such appeal."
"So it's all about personal interests."
Guo Yi didn't comment further on the assistant teachers' actions.
After all,
it wasn't shameful to seek your own interests.
"We're here, Teacher Guo."
After about half an hour of driving, Zhou Yue stopped in front of an antique-looking tennis racket shop.
"Ancient Craft Rackets…"
Getting out of the car, Guo Yi muttered the store's sign softly to himself.
The shop in front of him wasn't large. One could practically see everything with a single glance.
"Teacher Guo, don't underestimate this shop because it's small."
"Their rackets are top-notch in all of Shanghai."
"Even Si Bing'an, the club president, buys her rackets here."
After parking the car, Zhou Yue explained.
"I trust your judgment," Guo Yi responded with a slight smile.
Given his current status, Zhou Yue naturally wouldn't dare deceive him.
Then, led by Zhou Yue, the two entered the shop.
Inside, the walls were hung with tennis rackets of various shapes and styles.
Below each racket were notes about the Pokémon types best suited for them.
"Are you two looking for a racket for Pokémon or for yourselves?"
Soon after they entered, a shop assistant approached to ask.
After all, the rackets used by humans and those used by Pokémon were entirely different.
"Pokémon," Guo Yi answered, releasing his Kubfu from its Poké Ball.
"Ku! Kub!"
The Kubfu was instantly excited, seeing the wall filled with rackets.
Naturally fond of tennis, Kubfu had grown even more eager for a racket after inheriting tennis-related skills.
"Calm down."
Guo Yi patted Kubfu's head, soothing its excitement.
Turning to the shop assistant, he said, "I need a racket suitable for him."
However, the assistant was immediately stumped, because he didn't recognize this particular Pokémon and had no idea what racket to recommend.
"Sorry, sir!"
"Could you briefly introduce your Pokémon?"
"Is he specialized in strength, speed, or does he have other requirements?"
The assistant asked apologetically.
"No need for all that trouble. Just treat him as an Ursaring and recommend accordingly."
Kubfu's overall stats were actually quite close to an Ursaring's.
The only major difference was their speed.
In terms of talent, Kubfu naturally outclassed Ursaring.
"Ursaring, huh?"
"Then how about this racket, sir?"
Upon hearing he could treat it as an Ursaring, the assistant perked up immediately.
After all, Pokémon like Ursaring were practically regulars here.
Then, the assistant took out an all-black racket and introduced it to Guo Yi enthusiastically.
"Sir, this racket is made of special metal, excellently channels Pokémon energy, and boasts great durability and flexibility."
"It's one of our shop's bestsellers."
Guo Yi swung the racket, feeling it out, and found it indeed felt good in hand.
He then handed it to Kubfu and asked, "What do you think?"
Kubfu repeated Guo Yi's gesture.
"Ku!" (Feels great!)
"Alright, we'll take it."
Seeing his apprentice satisfied, Guo Yi made the decision decisively.
The assistant smiled warmly. "That'll be one million yuan, sir."
Good lord!
As expected from Pokémon equipment, the price tag jumped directly to one million.
But still, for Guo Yi, this sum was barely a drop in the bucket.
"Here, swipe this!"
Before Guo Yi could respond, Zhou Yue rushed to pay.
Smiling, Zhou Yue explained, "Teacher Guo, just consider this racket my tuition for this afternoon."
"After all, I can't listen to your advice for free, right?"
Although they had only chatted for an afternoon, Zhou Yue felt he'd gained crucial insights into nurturing his Ninetales.
Such knowledge was worth far more than a mere million yuan in his eyes.
Hearing this, Guo Yi didn't refuse.
A million might be quite a favor for an average person, but to him, it really wasn't much at all.
...
After swiping the card, Guo Yi left the tennis shop with his satisfied Kubfu.
After bidding Zhou Yue farewell, Guo Yi headed straight home to enjoy a massage from his little maid Pokémon.
Opening sleepy eyes, he saw sunlight already climbing through the gaps in his bedroom curtains.
Guo Yi stretched lazily, sighing appreciatively.
"As expected of a professional housekeeper—other than cooking, she can really do anything!"
Thanks to yesterday's efforts by Miss Lilligant, Guo Yi woke up fully refreshed today.
After washing up quickly, Guo Yi headed downstairs.
Although today was Thursday and he had no classes, he had already promised Si Bing'an yesterday to train them, so naturally he wouldn't break his word.
"Lilli!" (Good morning, Trainer!)
Seeing Guo Yi come downstairs, Miss Lilligant greeted him warmly as she set out breakfast.
Of course, this breakfast had been delivered via takeout.
Truthfully speaking, although Miss Lilligant couldn't cook, she was remarkably skilled at everything else.
Guo Yi simply couldn't figure out why she had remained unsold for so long.
Did Pokémon-made breakfast really taste better?
Was takeout not delicious enough?
"Good morning, Miss Lilligant."
Guo Yi returned her greeting before sitting down at the table to enjoy his breakfast.
Meanwhile, Miss Lilligant quietly munched on tasty Pokéblocks beside him.
For a moment, the dining scene was exceedingly harmonious.
...
"Miss Lilligant, I'd like Suancai Fish for lunch today."
After finishing breakfast, before heading out, Guo Yi informed Miss Lilligant of his lunch choice.
After all, with training sessions, once the morning's schedule was set, the club members would handle their own training.
He'd still have time to return home for a midday rest.
As for whether the members might slack off during training?
Guo Yi felt that wasn't his problem at all.
If one didn't strive personally, relying solely on someone else's supervision wouldn't lead to greatness anyway.
"Lilli!" (Understood!)
Miss Lilligant responded courteously.
Stepping outside, Guo Yi climbed into his personal ride.
Then, he drove off swiftly, kicking up dust in his wake.
...
"Teacher, you're here."
The moment Si Bing'an saw Guo Yi stepping onto the court, she hurried over to greet him.
Guo Yi glanced around.
Not just Si Bing'an—other club members had also arrived bright and early.
"You're all quite early today!"
Hou Xi, the chatterbox, jumped in first: "Of course, Coach! When I heard there'd be special training today, I was so excited I couldn't sleep the entire night!"
He wasn't just flattering Guo Yi.
Before, because the Pokémon Tennis Club lacked a professional coach, their training had mostly been self-directed or led by Si Bing'an.
The effects had been, at best, so-so.
But now, with Guo Yi here, things had changed.
Perhaps…
This year, they might even stand a chance at breaking into the nationals for the team tournament.
Though Si Bing'an had competed at the national Pokémon Tennis tournament, that had only been in singles.
As for team events?
Forget the nationals—they hadn't even made it past the Southern regional qualifiers.
Now, each of them was itching with eagerness, ready to give it their all.
Looking at the fired-up crowd, Guo Yi nodded approvingly.
Their skills aside, their fighting spirit absolutely couldn't lose out.
Turning to Si Bing'an, Guo Yi asked, "Xiao'an, did you buy the equipment I asked for yesterday?"
Si Bing'an quickly answered, "Teacher, everything's ready. It's all right over there."
As she spoke, she pointed to the nearby equipment storage.
To avoid delaying today's training, Si Bing'an had run all over half of Shanghai yesterday to gather everything.
As for why purchasing some equipment required traversing half the city,
it was entirely because Guo Yi's demands were rather… eccentric.
"Good."
Guo Yi nodded.
"Then gather some people and bring out the equipment."
"Yes, Teacher."
Si Bing'an responded crisply and called Huang Zining and her Feraligatr to help move everything out.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
With a loud metallic clanking, Feraligatr carried out several chains, each as thick as a child's arm.
Besides the chains, there were also various specially-weighted tennis balls in a rainbow of colors.
The assortment was truly bizarre.
At this moment, Guo Yi pointed first at Ursaring and Sceptile, then at the chains lying on the ground.
"Tie the chains around those two."
Since they were training for teamwork, tying them together was naturally the easiest and most straightforward way.
"Yes, Coach."
Xiong Li and Chu Tai answered immediately and rushed into action.
Using this interval, Guo Yi pointed at the brightly colored tennis balls and said to Hou Xi, "Replace all the balls inside those launchers with these."
"Remember, mix the colors up well."
"Yes, Coach!"
"I promise it'll get done."
Hou Xi slapped his chest confidently, then bent down and pulled with all his might.
However, the basket loaded with balls refused to budge.
Hou Xi's face turned slightly awkward.
After all, he had just made a boastful promise, only to get a loud slap in the face immediately afterward.
Si Bing'an chuckled quietly from the side, explaining, "These tennis balls have been specially weighted; each is twice as heavy as a normal one."
Due to Pokémon's tremendous strength, the tennis balls designed for them were made of special materials and were already heavier than human-use tennis balls.
A normal person would already have trouble lifting a basket of regular Pokémon tennis balls.
Not to mention these weighted ones.
Thankfully, though Hou Xi's skills might be average, he had exceptionally thick skin.
With a few coughs to hide his embarrassment, he quickly called over his Reuniclus to help.
Psychic power surged from within Reuniclus, enveloping the basket.
With its help, Hou Xi finally managed to lift it up.
"Coach, they're chained up."
At this time, Xiong Li and Chu Tai had also finished chaining Ursaring and Sceptile together.
"If it's done, follow me!"
With that, Guo Yi led the two trainers and their Pokémon over to the ball launchers.
"The next training will be ball-return exercises for Ursaring and Sceptile."
"In a moment, these three launchers will fire balls at three different speeds."
"All they have to do is hit each ball back."
Hearing Guo Yi's instructions, both trainers relaxed visibly.
"Coach, this is easy!"
Ball-return training—they'd done it countless times already.
In their view, there was absolutely no challenge to this at all.
Even though Ursaring and Sceptile had a chain between them, they still felt it would be no problem!
"Easy, huh?"
Guo Yi smiled faintly, then walked over to the launchers to adjust their speed.
Half a minute later, Guo Yi finished his adjustments and warned them, "Get ready, it's starting now."
The moment his words fell—
Bang!
A tennis ball shot out from the launcher.
Since its speed was moderate, Ursaring wasted no time and rushed forward to intercept.
However—
Just as Ursaring's racket made contact with the first ball, a second ball suddenly burst forth, flying in the complete opposite direction.
Fortunately, Sceptile had long since prepared itself.
The instant the ball flew out, Sceptile blurred into action, chasing after it swiftly.
At that moment, neither Pokémon noticed that the chain linking them was rapidly stretching from slack to taut.
Just as Sceptile's racket was about to reach the ball, its movement suddenly jerked to a halt.
No mystery here!
The distance between Ursaring and Sceptile was no longer enough for the chain to extend further.
And just like that, Sceptile could only watch helplessly as the ball whizzed past its eyes.
Right afterward, the third ball shot out with a sharp whistle.
One Pokémon was on the left, the other on the right—both completely unable to react in time.
They could only stare blankly as the ball zipped neatly between them.
"This…"
Xiong Li and Chu Tai stared, stunned by what had just unfolded.
Their previous bravado was nowhere to be found now.
Easy?
Clearly, they'd underestimated it far too much.
At this moment, Guo Yi stepped forward to explain, "This happened precisely because your Pokémon have clearly defined roles."
"Slow balls are left to Ursaring; faster balls to Sceptile."
"You call this doubles, but it's actually more like two single matches played side by side."
"So your next step is to judge which Pokémon can more conveniently hit the ball—not just based on the ball's speed."
"And as for the purpose of the chain, it's to make the Pokémon constantly aware of their partner's movements and condition during motion."
"Alright, continue training!"
"You two, come over here."
Then, Guo Yi called Xiong Li and Chu Tai over.
"Coach, what instructions do you have?"
"After every twenty balls, adjust the speed of each ball launcher."
Given Pokémon's adaptability, using a fixed speed and position would soon become easy even without cooperation.
Therefore, periodically adjusting the launcher's parameters was absolutely necessary.
The best method was Pokémon doubles matches.
Unfortunately—
The club simply didn't have enough Pokémon, so this idea had to be shelved for now.
Upon hearing Guo Yi's instructions, the two quickly moved to the launchers, ready to execute their orders.