The arena fell into total silence. The audience stared with their mouths agape.

Even the most diehard supporters of Teacher Lu were stunned by the scene.

D**n, he used a Togepi to take down three Pokémon?

Is Teacher Lu dunking on noobs so hard now that he doesn’t even treat his opponents like real people?

“This is the Indigo League Tournament, right?” one viewer asked, bewildered. “I don’t think I clicked into the Junior Cup by mistake…”

Someone beside him tried to reassure him: “Same thing, same thing.”

It all started with this Togepi.

That’s when everyone realized—Teacher Lu was kicking off one of his signature routines again:

[Activates hand card: Resets all tournaments to Baby Cup level!]

At 2 p.m., the first match ended in less than ten minutes.

The whistle blew, and the audience finally snapped out of their daze and started leaving.

They couldn’t even get into another venue, slapping their thighs in frustration.

“Next time, I’m not watching Teacher Lu’s matches. It’s over way too fast—totally not worth it!”

Of course, even if they said that, they'd still come.

Watching Teacher Lu demolish opponents like this… honestly, it was kind of fun.

“Battling really is all about spreading joy!” Gold said, arms folded, goggles on his head, letting out a satisfied sigh.

“The other side’s supporters probably don’t see it that way…” Daisy murmured softly.

“Forget it… Teacher Lu!” Gold waved toward Lu Ye as he walked out from the players' tunnel. “Let’s go grab some food! I’m starving!”

“Sure, let’s go.” Lu Ye wasn’t particularly hungry, though.

He hadn’t even gotten serious—his opponent was already down.

Or rather... Gengar played the match beautifully. Lu Ye had barely done anything more than toss a Poké Ball.

It was just the first round, after all.

When he faced tougher opponents later, he’d step in and command directly.

On the Indigo League’s celebration plaza.

It was crowded and bustling. Tourists stood around a massive screen, engaged in heated discussion.

“Even the Round of 64 matches are this intense.”

“Everyone’s going all out for the League Tournament… wait, what the h*ll? What’s with that sudden 3–0 score?!”

All eyes turned to the updated match results.

Teacher Lu vs. Keita—Togepi pulled off a clean sweep!?

Togepi actually managed a triple KO?

“Teacher Lu, you’re so popular!” Gold blurted out without thinking.

Lu Ye spaced out for a second—then realized everyone’s eyes were now on him.

“Teacher Lu, can we take a selfie? (´▽`)ﾉ”

“I just drew your Trainer Card~ (ﾉﾟ∀ﾟ)ﾉ”

“I’ve got a Level 15 badge in your livestream! Longtime fan, been here since day one!”

Despite not having any official accolades in major League events—his best finish being Top 64—Teacher Lu’s popularity was practically on par with Champion-level Trainers.

Probably because… Lu Ye paused to consider.

Is it because I’m handsome?

Thankfully, the next match was about to start, and the crowd gradually dispersed.

Lu Ye’s group ran into Blue, who was manning her usual booth.

“Let’s go. Can’t fight on an empty stomach!”

At the player village’s coffee shop.

Blue poked at her cream cake with a silver spoon, resting her chin in her palm and muttering gloomily:

“So weird. Why’s business been so slow lately?”

Lu Ye, adjusting Sylveon’s ribbon, looked up and asked:

“Any opponents I should be aware of? I’d like to prep ahead of time.”

“Bui~ (｡・`ω´･)”

Everyone paused. Gold stroked his chin and mumbled:

“I think they’re the ones who should be prepping for Teacher Lu…”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Blue pulled out her notebook and glanced over it.

“I’ve gathered quite a bit of intel.”

“In Johto, Ghost-type Trainer Zhuo Xiong used a Mismagius to score a 3–0 sweep—he’s said to be Johto’s top contender for the title.”

“In Sinnoh, there’s Guang Long from Swampland City, entering as a Water-type specialist.”

“Donghuang Alliance also has a 3–0 competitor. His ace seems to be a Venusaur…”

Lu Ye suddenly perked up. “What’s that Donghuang player’s name?”

“Hmm? I think he’s from Modu, same as you—goes by Feng Shu.”

No wonder that livestreamer with the Level 15 badge looked so familiar.

That guy was an old viewer!

Now that he thought about it—Yuto Sundae was also competing in this year’s League Tournament.

He wondered how that personal apprentice would perform.

Lu Ye took a sip of coffee and handed a delicate macaron to Sylveon, who turned her head away with a huff.

Not homemade. Not interested.

“Gengarrr~” Gengar stuck out his tongue and skillfully snatched the little cake with a slick roll.

“Teacher Lu’s next match is tomorrow, right?”

Gold, now full, sprawled out on the couch and grumbled, “Now that the opening ceremony’s over, we should probably head back to Johto.”

The Indigo League would last nearly half a month. Gold and the others couldn’t stay at the Indigo Plateau the whole time.

Given Teacher Lu’s strength… showing up again during the finals would be just fine.

“If you’re feeling lonely,” Daisy said earnestly, “you can always hang out at the player village’s training center. You might meet some new friends there!”

Training center in the player village…

“Gengarrr~!” Gengar grinned widely.

“Bui…” Sylveon let out a quiet snort.

“I’m not lonely. Brock’s also here at Indigo Plateau,” Lu Ye said with a cough. “Our hotel rooms are right next to each other.”

Since the organizing committee was led by Lance, everything from hotel to logistics was flawlessly arranged.

Everyone nodded in understanding. Whitney said, “Lots of Gym Leaders are planning to drop by, according to the group chat!”

Lu Ye blinked in surprise, then nodded in realization.

During the League Tournament, Gyms would temporarily close for renovations.

As a joint celebration of two major regions, the Indigo League was something Gym Leaders wouldn’t want to miss.

“Will Aunt Lorelei be coming too?” Gold asked curiously.

“Not sure about her schedule,” Daisy replied. “But Professor Oak definitely will…”

Suddenly, Daisy covered her mouth, her cheeks flushed pink.

Gold: “That old geezer Oak has that much free time?”

“He always represents Pallet Town at these League events.”

Blue rested her chin on her palm, smiling. “Even if Teacher Lu isn’t technically from Pallet Town, he’s almost just as strong!”

Lu Ye had mixed feelings.

All those Trainers from Pallet? They’re practically demi-gods in the flesh. I’m nowhere near that level!

As the sun set, the first day of the Indigo League came to an end.

Gold and the others decided to return for the finals.

Blue kept working her booth. Silver silently checked his phone’s balance.

Hmm… if I clear out the remaining merch, I should be more than covered!

That night.

Lu Ye treated Meowth and the others to a late-night snack, as promised.

The night sky over Indigo Plateau sparkled, so close you could almost reach out and touch the dream of becoming a League Champion.

Meowth rubbed his round belly and let out a loud burp. Staring at the sky, he suddenly remembered the song he’d written.

As he walked back to the booth with Jessie and James, Meowth gazed up at the stars and began humming softly in his raspy voice.

“Meowth, your singing is awful!” Jessie snapped.

“Keep singing! Maybe a Team Rocket Commander will pick it up!” James encouraged with a grin.

“N–No more!” Meowth turned red. “Just hurry up and prep tomorrow’s Trainer Cards, meow!”

“Yes, sir!” Jessie and James saluted and started bickering and chasing each other down the road again.

“Man, what a vibe~~”

“Sonanss!”

Monday, January 25 – Overcast

Day 2 of the Indigo League.

Lu Ye opened his eyes, ready to go all out.

Then his phone lit up with a message from Lance—bearing terrible news.

“A bye round?!”

Lu Ye was stunned.

When I don’t want to fight, Gengar solos the battle.

When I do want to fight, you give me a BYE?!

“Just so we’re clear, I didn’t rig this,” Dragon Master Lance coughed. “One contestant had an emergency and voluntarily forfeited.”

“This was a random online draw. You just happened to get lucky.”

Lu Ye blinked.

When did the draw happen? Why wasn’t I told?

Suddenly, Togepi waddled past, holding a phone and tapping away with a ‘bia-jib-bia-jib’ sound.

“Mew~” In the video call, Mew wore a smug little grin.

Lu Ye looked up at the sky, slowly realizing what had happened.

Only one match played… and I’m already in the Top 32…

Not even giving me a chance to go on a rampage?!

“When’s the Top 16 match?” Lu Ye asked.

“Tomorrow,” Lance replied kindly. “If you’re bored, you could visit the training center. Spar with a few Trainers… it’s all free.”

“Free training facilities?” Lu Ye raised a brow.

Immediately, Gengar—floating by Lu Ye’s side—lit up with excitement.

“Gengarrr! (✪ω✪)”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read