Arcanine's overall strength was still a notch below Roxanne's ace, Nosepass.
But with the Trainer's commands, the impact of level difference could be minimized as much as possible.
What's more, Arcanine had already fought three battles.
Even with Morning Sun for healing, its stamina and reflexes were bound to take a hit.
At least today I don't have to worry about it tearing down the house.
Lu Ye shook his head helplessly and looked at the Luxury Ball.
"You did great—I'll reward you tonight."
The ball shook slightly, as if Arcanine's goofy smile could be seen inside.
Lu Ye turned his gaze back to the battlefield.
Roxanne had already sent out her second Pokémon—Graveler, its surface rugged and uneven.
As a Rock-type Gym Leader, this was also her specialty type.
Even so, when facing the adorable Sylveon, Roxanne couldn't shake a strong sense of unease.
Gritting her teeth, Roxanne took the initiative: "Graveler, Rollout!"
A classic combo of Defense Curl + Rollout—Graveler's speed kept increasing as it barreled toward Sylveon.
But in the next instant, the roaring in the air suddenly stopped.
"W-What is this?!" The commentator's voice got stuck in his throat.
Sylveon had extended one of her ribbons and effortlessly stopped the rolling Graveler.
Is this even allowed?!
The crowd collectively gawked.
It looked way too easy!
Roxanne froze, her gaze drawn to the metallic sheen on Sylveon's ribbon.
By using Iron Tail, Sylveon had instantly strengthened her ribbons to block Rollout…
Could it be… Arcanine isn't even his strongest Pokémon?!
Lu Ye stroked his chin, 'Why does this reinforcement method look so familiar… Armament Haki?'
Lu Ye cleared his throat and gave the command: "Iron Tail!"
Sylveon leapt into the air, her razor-sharp ribbons crossing with force—
Crack!
The front row audience could hear the snap, sweat pouring down.
She might just split Graveler clean in half!
Roxanne was completely stunned.
This Sylveon… is way too savage!
"Veeon~!" From her bow, Sylveon summoned a pitch-black Shadow Ball.
With a loud boom, chunks of gravel flew everywhere—Graveler was blasted clean out of the arena.
The audience unleashed a wave of stunned reactions.
"Too—too violent!!"
"She one-shotted it?!"
"Veeon~" Sylveon turned and gave Lu Ye a sweet smile.
This kind of exchange… is correct, right?
Looking at the cratered Graveler lying outside the field, Lu Ye felt complicated, 'Somehow… I get the feeling that if Sylveon ever gets jealous one day… it's gonna be terrifying.'
Roxanne's third Pokémon was the Rock/Grass fossil Pokémon—Lileep.
Also known as the "Money God Flower."
In Generation 8, Lileep could actually learn Leech Seed.
That said, nobody really used Lileep in actual battles.
Sylveon dashed in with Quick Attack, followed by a full-power Return, smashing into Lileep like a freight train.
Under the crushing aura, Lileep trembled—its rooted ground split into deep fractures!
With a shrill cry, the judge raised the flag: "Lileep is unable to battle!"
"The winner is—Lu Ye!"
Whether from Celadon or Rustboro Academy, the audience erupted into applause.
With sheer individual power, Lu Ye not only led his students to flatten an entire academy, but in the ace-vs-ace matchup, he once again pulled off a clean sweep.
This achievement… was far beyond anything they'd seen even when Erika was leading the team!
---
In the livestream, the chat exploded.
"Teacher Lu GOAT!!"
"1v3? Pfft, easy if you've got hands!"
---
"Veeon~" Finishing up cleanly, Sylveon pranced elegantly back to Lu Ye's side.
"I told you to… go easy on her," Lu Ye whispered.
"Veeon?" Sylveon blinked innocently.
"…Forget it."
Lu Ye sighed. "I was already mentally prepared for another sweep anyway."
Roxanne twitched at the corner of her eye.
'Are you even hearing yourself?! Then again… if Celadon Academy's next opponent also gets swept, it won't look so bad for us.' Thinking that, Roxanne couldn't help but start rooting for Lu Ye in her heart.
In the third match, Lu Ye didn't go up again.
After the bout with Roxanne, no one dared to underestimate this young teacher anymore.
Besides—he needed to go treat Arcanine. That was the priority.
The final result of Celadon vs. Rustboro: Student match 3:0, Teacher match 3:1.
But anyone with eyes could tell—If Teacher Lu hadn't held back… Rustboro might've really been carried out with zero points.
After the match, both team leads shook hands.
Roxanne handed Lu Ye a metal badge.
"This is the Stone Badge," Roxanne said.
"Think of it as a Gym Challenge keepsake."
"When you visit Rustboro City in the future, you won't need to battle the Gym anymore."
Roxanne put her hands on her hips and sighed: "I already have… a little trauma."
Lu Ye was momentarily stunned.
Trauma is one thing… but that's not really a valid reason to give me the badge, is it?!
Thankfully, the badge wasn't counted as a system task.
Lu Ye breathed a sigh of relief and accepted it with a clear conscience.
"And this too."
Roxanne smiled as she handed over a dusty-yellow USB drive.
"Rock Slide—it comes with the badge as a move record."
Lu Ye made a weird face.
Rock Slide's such a degenerate move—it's so scummy!
Who uses Rock Slide seriously?!
Still, Lu Ye took the USB.
"By the way, Teacher Lu…"
Roxanne looked hesitant, rubbing her cheek while holding something behind her back.
"Your Plants vs. Zombies… when's the DLC coming out?"
"Christmas. Why?"
"Really?!" Roxanne's eyes lit up. "No delays?!"
"Ahem." Lu Ye's expression got weird. "No guarantees."
"Anyway…" Lu Ye pulled out a QR code on his phone.
"There's a group chat—wanna join and check it out?"
Roxanne blinked, picked up her phone, and scanned with a beep.
The moment she joined, the silly friend group welcomed her with open arms.
[Gold: Report your measurements, height, and marital status!]
Still a little dazed, Roxanne turned to Lu Ye for help.
"Do I… really have to answer that?"
"No need to pay attention to him," Lu Ye said.
Then added, "Unless you want to."
One more member in the chat.
Roxanne was already familiar with Ruby and Sapphire.
But when she saw Steven, Lance, and others in the group… her eyes went wide as saucers.
"Holy sh*t!" She glanced at the group name.
"No wonder I lost to Teacher Lu!!"
Celadon Academy vs. Rustboro Academy
Teacher Lu's performance caused a massive stir.
On the other side, Striaton Academy from Unova had defeated the local Jubilife Academy, advancing to the finals.
Erika had also finished her Gym Challenge and was preparing to return for the upcoming finals.
"Should I… prepare a thank-you gift too?"
Erika looked down at the Rainbow Badge in her hand, lost in thought.
---
With prelims wrapped up, Teacher Lu decided to invite his students home for a short break.
"Are you sure we're not bothering Shimu[1]?" Wally asked hesitantly.
Lu Ye's eyes lit up and he clapped Wally on the shoulder.
"I'll cover all your energy cube needs for the next few rounds!"
Gladion gulped. "Shimu must be really pretty, huh!"
"Mm… yours are covered too."
Giselle , after a painful internal struggle, whispered, "W-Wishing you a happy baby soon…"
Lu Ye: "?"
The logic made sense, but the phrasing felt off somehow…
"Anyway," Lu Ye cleared his throat.
"Rest up for the day—get ready for tomorrow's final match!"
[1] (lit. "Teacher's wife")