Tuesday, December 8
Jubilife City, with its complex network of roads, was built atop a mountain and styled in a monochrome palette of black and white.
As the largest city in Sinnoh, Jubilife's TV station consistently pulled high viewership numbers.
To broadcast the inter-academy exchange tournament live, a large team of reporters had been dispatched to the central Jubilife Arena.
"According to sources, this year's exchange tournament will feature four participating academies: Celadon, Striaton, Jubilife, and Rustboro."
Outside Jubilife Arena, the host was reporting live.
"Who will take home the gold in this tournament? Let's wait and see!"
Winning first place in the exchange tournament offered benefits in the academic resource distribution process.
But more importantly, student and teacher teams that performed well could receive rewards directly issued by the organizing committee.
For teachers, a strong performance in the faculty matches could help with career advancement—or personal growth in strength.
Even so…
Roxanne, a teacher from Rustboro Academy, wore a troubled look beneath her twin tails.
"Our first match is against Celadon Academy?"
Celadon Academy had always performed well over the years.
Especially under the leadership of Kanto's ace—Erika—they were known for always contending for the championship.
Thinking of that gentle yet deadly Erika-senpai… Roxanne let out a long sigh.
"But it seems Celadon's leading teacher this year… isn't Miss Erika."
Next to her, Iwamura, a bespectacled colleague, said in a low voice: "Instead, it's a new teacher."
"Is that so?" Roxanne's eyes brightened. "Who is it?"
"He's from Donghuang. A young man called Teacher Lu," Iwamura said thoughtfully. "At any rate, it's better than Erika."
Teacher Lu?
Roxanne frowned. That name sounded familiar.
She pulled out her phone and checked the public registration sheet.
Suddenly, Roxanne let out a sharp gasp.
"That game company's producer!"
"Game company?" Iwamura blinked. "You must be mistaken."
Roxanne shook her head. "No way. Plants vs. Zombies was made by him."
"But…" Iwamura trailed off, 'How did someone from a completely different field become Celadon's team leader?'
"So… that means we've got a real shot at winning this year?" another teacher chimed in.
Roxanne didn't answer. Her expression turned serious, 'If the rumors were true… This might actually be worse than Erika-senpai leading the team…'
---
In the prep room, Teacher Wen Zi spoke up: "We've drawn Rustboro Academy for our first match."
The other accompanying teacher was named Roger, a laid-back middle-aged man.
"Teacher Lu, any thoughts on our lineup?"
"Let my students go first." Lu Ye said, "They're new to this. Let them get warmed up."
"Sounds good. We'll cover the rest from behind," Roger said with a warm smile.
Wen Zi said nothing, lost in thought, 'Could it be… that Teacher Lu plans to finish the match with just one group?'
---
In the day's first match, Giselle was the first to take the stage.
Seeing a frail-looking girl walk out, Rustboro's Jiro relaxed a bit.
"You're that new teacher's student, huh?"
Jiro glanced at Lu Ye and smirked. "He didn't just bring you along because he likes you, did he?"
Clearly trying a trash-talk tactic, but Giselle blushed instead and gave a soft cough.
"Y-You think so too?"
"…?"
In return for the teacher's support, Giselle decided to give it her all.
"Marowak, Bonemerang!"
The boomerang struck with immense rotating force, slamming straight into Kecleon's forehead—
Giving it no time to shift type or react.
Marowak waved again—Bonemerang curved back and struck from behind.
Thud!
Kecleon collapsed in a heap, already unconscious.
"Marowak!" Marowak twirled its bone club with disdain.
A moment of silence, then the stadium erupted in gasps.
"She just… one-shotted him?!"
This was supposed to be a student match between equals…
Who expects a one-turn KO?!
This opening bout was way more exciting than anticipated!
Even walking offstage, Jiro looked completely stunned, 'This makes no sense. How is she this strong?!'
Boom!
Another thud echoed out.
Rustboro's second student was also instantly KO'd in an embarrassing performance.
If the first time was a fluke, The second was clearly raw power.
Looking at the poised and commanding girl on stage, Roxanne's expression turned grave.
"It's fine," Iwamura said. "We anticipated this. Our first students were the weaker ones."
'A Tian Ji Horse Racing Strategy?' Roxanne frowned and nodded solemnly. From a tactical standpoint, it was a good move.
But she couldn't shake this growing sense of unease…
The commentator shouted, "Celadon Academy wins the first round with a clean sweep!"
Applause thundered down, For both the girl—and her brilliantly calculated coach.
Another announcer remarked, "Looks like Celadon has placed their heavy bets on the first match, And we know Rustboro Academy has always favored late-game comebacks."
The main commentator jumped on the idea.
"You're suggesting Rustboro held back on their lineup?"
"That can't be ruled out."
After all, Giselle's performance was shocking.
She seemed to have perfectly predicted the opponent's tactics.
Unless her coach could see the future—To pre-read and pre-counter with such accuracy…
That's just on another level!
After successfully sweeping her opponents, Giselle finally let out a breath of relief.
The losing student muttered a little bitterly: "The next round won't be that easy!"
"It's fine, I'm actually the weakest one on our team!" Giselle beamed.
'The weakest? Who are you trying to fool?!' The Rustboro student looked skeptical.
On the coaching bench, Lu Ye sat steady as a mountain, 'You've got 3-4-5. I've got Jack-Queen-King. You're gonna try Tian Ji's strategy on me?'
"Gladion," Lu Ye reminded calmly, "Winning isn't everything—just do your best!"
Gladion rolled his wrists and pushed his blond bangs aside.
"Leave it to me," he said in a low voice.
"The second player from Celadon Academy is entering the field!" The announcer roared.
"Can he continue the streak? Let's find out!"
The audience collectively held their breath, 'One person winning three in a row was already rare. Two back-to-back sweeps? Was that even possible?'
Gladion used his strength to answer that question.
Not only was it possible— It was a one-sided slaughter!
"Lycanroc, Counter!"
The charging Mightyena was smashed back by a heavy blow from the bloodshot Lycanroc.
It crashed hard into the ground, skidding two or three meters.
"Winner: Celadon Academy!"
The crowd was quiet for a beat—then exploded in cheers.
This year's exchange tournament was a feast for the eyes.
Forget back-and-forth standoffs—It was brutal KOs that really got the audience going.
And now… Celadon had fielded two students who both swept their opponents.
"What the heck's going on with Celadon this year?!"
Rustboro's teachers looked shaken.
"Even with Erika leading, it's never been like this!"
Roxanne said nothing. She looked toward the calm, handsome young man on the coaching bench.
A strange pressure pressed down on her chest.
She murmured, "Because… he's Teacher Lu…"
"3–0!"
"3–0!"
Unified chants echoed in the arena.
Teacher Roger from Celadon looked so shocked, his glasses nearly fell off.
He thought Teacher Lu was sending students ahead to scout… But instead—'You just swept the entire team?! Looks like we're not even needed!'
Even Principal Michael, watching the broadcast live, was visibly surprised, 'These two students had been personally discovered and trained by Teacher Lu. But to have brought them to this level in under two weeks… Teacher Lu's ability is simply unbelievable!'
His blood boiled with excitement, 'All those broken facilities? Compared to Lu Ye's skill, they were nothing! Let the explosions come stronger!'
On the field, the one-sided matches continued.
Lu Ye leaned over to Wally and muttered, "This last round… ease up a little, show some mercy."
The green-haired boy nodded and walked slowly onto the battlefield.
Rustboro's final student—Kengo, a burly young man—said in a deep voice: "Kengo, student of Teacher Roxanne."
Compared to Kengo, Wally's build was extremely slim.
But no one dared to underestimate this final player.
There wasn't even a flicker of hesitation in Wally's eyes.
"Wally, student of Teacher Lu."
'Teacher Lu again?!' Everyone in the audience had the same thought. 'Who is this Teacher Lu? To have discovered and trained students this strong… With him here, could he just solo the entire tournament?'
"Go, Camerupt!"
"Gallade, I'm counting on you!"
Kengo was also one of Rustboro's prideful talents.
But against Wally, he found himself stifled at every turn.
Looking at the slim green-haired boy, Kengo gritted his teeth, 'I can't beat him!'
Even with Lu Ye's advice to go easy, Wally held back where he could.
But in the end, the final score still landed at 3–0.
Lu Ye's expression twitched.
"Didn't I tell you to go easy?"
Wally scratched his head.
"I did go easy, Teacher…"
The arena was dead silent.
"This is the first time in the tournament's history that we've seen something like this," the commentator whispered.
Teacher Lu, with just his student lineup, had wiped the floor with all of Rustboro Academy.
His coaching and leadership skills—Absolutely deserve to be written into the history books of every academy.
"Do we even need the next round?"
Lu Ye glanced over at the stunned Teachers Wen Zi and Roger.
Wen Zi finally snapped out of it and stammered, "N-Next up… is the faculty match…"
She wanted to convince Lu Ye to just skip it.
After all, the students' performance had been too overwhelming.
If Lu Ye went up and lost even one match, it'd be something people could criticize.
Roger also advised, "We've already advanced anyway. Let me handle it."
What he meant was: let me take the heat as a human shield.
The Rusboro teachers were all staring hungrily now.
This was their one chance to save face—they wouldn't give it up.
"It's fine. I'll go."
Lu Ye cleared his throat.
"It's just a friendly match. Even if I lose, it's no big deal."
Under everyone's watchful gaze, Teacher Lu rose to his feet and walked calmly onto the battlefield.
Looking at the grim expressions of Rustboro's teachers, Lu Ye smiled.
"I'm Lu Ye. Who's up first?"