Chapter 259: Big Bro-in-Law Gladion
Outside the school gate, Giselle clenched her teeth, staring at the blonde-haired boy. "Your Cubone is already injured," the boy said indifferently. "If you treat it now, there's still time."
Giselle bit her lip. Just as she was about to forfeit—"Kara!" Cubone shakily pushed itself up, glaring with rage.
"You still want to fight?" The blond boy's eyes turned cold. "Sorry. If it's to get stronger, I have no choice." He raised his hand. His Midnight Form Lycanroc howled, razor-sharp stones gathering. "Rock Slide!" he shouted.
The stones shot toward Cubone. If they hit, the damage could be devastating. "I forfeit!" Though Giselle blurted it out, she was too late. "Cubone!!"
Dust burst up—but a flash of white darted through, yanking Cubone out of the impact zone. "Buii," Sylveon gently set the unconscious Cubone down.
"Made it just in time." Lu Ye let out a breath. He patted Giselle on the shoulder. "All right, if you're outmatched, that's how it is."
The blond-haired boy, a fringe hanging over his brow, spoke coldly. "Gladion, from Alola. If you risk letting your Pokémon suffer serious injury just to keep fighting… you're an unqualified Trainer."
His tone was sharp, but Lu Ye knew this cold-on-the-outside boy was incredibly gentle toward Pokémon. Well damn… another blonde tsundere.
Giselle wanted to defend herself, but her hesitation had been a sign of immaturity. She hung her head.
Gladion returned Lycanroc to its Poké Ball and looked at Lu Ye. "You're their battle class teacher?"
"Technically, simulation battle class," Lu Ye nodded.
"I see…" Gladion posed dramatically. To get stronger… I have to battle someone even stronger! "You—Teacher—battle me!"
Gasps erupted. "This guy… is he nuts?"
Gladion, after all, was Ash's rival in the Alola Region. Even without a Z-Ring, his strength was no joke. Lu Ye stroked his chin. He's a promising kid, but his personality needs some tuning. "You're not there yet," Lu Ye said, shaking his head.
Gladion's gaze sharpened. "I've already beaten everyone here!"
Lu Ye froze, glancing at the shivering students. You guys are that useless?! Looks like Teacher Erika has been too easy on them! Time to bring in Gengar for training, he thought grimly.
"What'll it take for you to battle me?" Gladion asked.
Lu Ye: "Simple. Beat Giselle one more time."
Everyone was stunned. Beat her again? Didn't you see how hard Cubone just got stomped?
Giselle was also confused. Could it be… Teacher Lu has a plan?
Gladion glanced at her, then back at Lu Ye. "If I beat her again, you'll battle me?"
"Of course." Lu Ye smiled and patted her shoulder. "Let's go heal up Cubone first."
"That Lycanroc's specialty is close combat and Counter. Keeping your distance is the best move," Lu Ye explained. "Use Bonemerang for maneuvering—stick to ranged attacks…"
Listening to him, Giselle was shaken. This was… all from just a few minutes of observation? Even Teacher Erika might not have this insight.
"Didn't your Cubone know Protect?" Lu Ye glanced sideways. "Why didn't you use it? Slacking off in class!"
You've only taught one class! Giselle mentally grumbled. Still… maybe I can win!
Giselle pulled out a Poké Ball. A flash of white light revealed Cubone's battered form, its eyes burning with determination.
"In the end… trust your Pokémon," Lu Ye smiled. "It'll answer you."
Giselle nodded. Lu Ye handed her a red Pokéblock. "What's this?"
"Made with Pecha and other Berries—restores stamina. Gengar's not a fan."
Cubone gulped down the Pokéblock—and its body suddenly erupted in a brilliant white light!
Lu Ye & Giselle: "???"
The surrounding students froze. Teacher Lu said a couple of things, and Cubone evolved?! What kind of cheat is that!?
Erika, who had arrived, smiled and explained: "It's the Pokéblock effect. Teacher Lu's breeding skill is world-class. And besides… that little one didn't want to lose either."
Lu Ye stood there, lost. It was just for stamina recovery… that was enough to evolve it?!
The newly evolved Marowak spun its thick bone club, its eyes full of fighting spirit. Gladion furrowed his brows. It was that man's influence… Even if it evolved, the match wasn't over yet! "Lycanroc, Rock Slide!"
The flying stones slammed into Marowak's glowing green Protect barrier. Marowak hurled a spinning Bonemerang that struck Lycanroc hard in the knee. "Awoo!" Lycanroc dropped to one knee, shaken.
Gladion gritted his teeth. "Charge in—Crunch!"
"Protect!" Giselle shouted. Marowak's shield shimmered again, deflecting the attack. The students erupted in cheers.
Gladion's expression darkened. This style… is totally different! Could it be all from his guidance? It's like… he completely saw through my tactics! In his shaken state, he slipped up on a command. Giselle didn't miss the chance. After several rounds, the Midnight Form Lycanroc collapsed!
The battlefield fell utterly silent. That Lycanroc—the one that wiped the floor with everyone—just lost? Everyone gulped, their eyes turning to Teacher Lu, calm as a breeze. That live coaching was too damn cool!
Gladion took a deep breath. He had lost to someone he'd already beaten. That man… could he really see through all my intentions?
On the other side, Giselle was hugging her Marowak with joy. She stole a glance at Lu Ye, cheeks flushing. Even if it's for Teacher Lu, I'll win the exchange tournament this year!
"All right, everyone back to class!" Lu Ye waved. He turned to Gladion, who looked conflicted. Erika stepped up. "Causing trouble gives the school the right to hand you over to Officer Jenny… So, explain yourself."
Gladion looked between them. Gritting his teeth, he finally said, "For… personal reasons, I need more strength. I came to Kanto to train."
"Then why not challenge Gyms?" Lu Ye asked, puzzled.
Gladion fell silent, glancing at Erika. "Apologies," she smiled. "I've been subbing, so I haven't had time to be at the Gym…"
Lu Ye looked up. Erika was subbing… because I went to Cinnabar Island… So this still traces back to me!
Gladion looked at Lu Ye, eyes burning. "I just want to know… can I transfer into your class?" In Lu Ye, he saw a real shot at getting stronger. For his mother, for his sister, for the father who disappeared… he needed power.
Lu Ye: "I refuse."
Gladion: "Huh?"
Sure, I plan to use you, but you think transferring is that easy?
"I can bring you water, tea—whatever it takes!" Gladion said, almost pleading.
Lu Ye thought: If I asked for your sister's number, I bet you'd hesitate. "Go to the station and finish your statement. Then I'll consider it," he said.
Gladion's expression twisted. If it means becoming his student… Thinking of Marowak's evolution… he took a deep breath. "No problem! I'll go confess and be right back!"
When Lu Ye said he'd take Gladion to see Officer Jenny, he was mostly joking. He asked a colleague to escort him for enrollment paperwork.
Erika, guessing something, asked: "Are you planning to make him one of your tournament picks?"
"Each teacher can bring three students," Lu Ye said. "If things go smoothly, he's one of mine."
"But isn't he a little too… intense?" Erika tilted her head.
Lu Ye crossed his arms. For Lusamine, for Lillie—Gladion carried a lot. "From what I know of him…" Lu Ye smiled, "He's a tough kid."
"For a first meeting," Erika teased, "you sure sound like his dad."
Lu Ye froze. "I don't look that old, right…"
"I meant your attitude," she laughed. "You've got that early-retirement vibe."
"Well, my Pokémon train themselves. Aside from the occasional home-wrecking, they don't need much from me…"
Erika blinked. Pokémon that train themselves? Could that be the secret to his strength?
After saying goodbye, Lu Ye caught up with Gladion and laid out a study plan. "Are you sure? I can really learn from you?"
"I'm just covering basic tactics. From now until finals—one month. Learn what you can."
Gladion smiled. "No problem." Seeing the rare, sunny grin, Lu Ye clapped him on the shoulder. "I'm off—see you next class!"
Gladion froze, his shoulder still warm. Childhood memories surged. He shook his head, staring at a calendar. The year-end exchange tournament… Teacher Lu—I won't let you down!
[Inorin Note:
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