Inside the villa—Abra, Aron, Chimchar, and Froakie were busy stuffing their mouths with Pokéblocks in the living room.
Aside from the three Pokémon Guo Yi had purchased from Zhen Fei, he'd also bought a Froakie from a proper Pokémon breeder.
Unfortunately, the Froakie's potential couldn't compare at all to the other three. Forget Elite Four-level, it didn't even reach Pseudo-Elite—just Gym Leader.
But thanks to Guo Yi's templates, potential wasn't a big issue for Froakie.
Watching the Pokémon happily gobbling down food, He Yongsen eagerly asked, "Teacher, when do we start training our Pokémon?"
Guo Yi smiled and shook his head. "Let's hold off on training for now. First, we need to settle whether Abra stays or goes."
"Stays or goes?"
He Yongsen looked puzzled. Hadn't he already brought Abra back? What was there left to settle?
"Don't tell me you really thought Abra followed you just because you asked nicely?" Guo Yi replied with a playful smirk.
He Yongsen answered honestly, "Isn't that the case?"
"Of course not," Guo Yi laughed. "Abra agreed because I promised him freedom—he didn't resist because of that offer."
"Oh, so that's why!" He Yongsen's face lit up with sudden understanding.
No wonder Abra had gone from wary one second to willingly jumping into his arms the next. He'd mistakenly thought his own charm had increased—turns out, it was just wishful thinking.
As for how his teacher had communicated with Abra, He Yongsen didn't think too deeply about it. After all, given how incredibly powerful his teacher was, having abilities beyond his understanding was perfectly normal.
Meanwhile, Su Qingxue and Hu Yan'er overheard this and couldn't help but ask, "Teacher, do we also need to discuss our Pokémon's willingness?"
"No need," Guo Yi replied, smiling faintly. "Yan'er's Chimchar was personally beaten into submission by her fists, so he's fully acknowledged her. As for Aron…"
He glanced at Aron, then added with a slight smirk, "Aron only needs to be fed."
Uhh...
Su Qingxue suddenly felt as if a flock of crows had flown overhead.
Three Pokémon: He Yongsen's Abra had his own ideals, Hu Yan'er's Chimchar had his own personality—and hers… was just a glutton.
She didn't quite know how to feel about that.
"Alright, seems they're done eating. Let's go ask Abra for his thoughts."
Guo Yi stood up and walked toward the Pokémon.
"Ko-ko!"
Seeing Guo Yi approach, Aron immediately trotted up, clutching an empty food bowl.
He's coming, he's coming! He's bringing more food!
In Aron's eyes, Guo Yi was nothing less than a walking food provider. After all, those delicious Pokéblocks earlier had been handmade by him.
Truthfully, with the energy contained in those Perfect-Grade Pokéblocks, Aron wasn't even hungry anymore. But due to unknown past hardships, even when full, Aron always wanted to hoard food.
When Su Qingxue sensed Aron's thoughts through the [Power of Viridian], her heart felt both amused and saddened. After all, only someone who'd truly experienced starvation would develop such habits.
She knelt down, gently rubbing Aron's metallic head as she softly assured him, "Don't worry, Aron. From now on, you'll never go hungry again."
"Ko-ko?"
Aron's bright blue eyes stared straight at Su Qingxue, and she stared back earnestly. Perhaps feeling the sincerity from his trainer, Aron finally dropped his precious food bowl and excitedly bounced around Su Qingxue's feet like a playful puppy.
This was the first time Aron had willingly put down his bowl. Even back in the iron cage, he had clung fiercely to it. One could easily see how precious food was to Aron.
But now, this simple gesture clearly showed he trusted and acknowledged his trainer completely.
Watching this heartwarming scene, He Yongsen felt a pang of envy.
Truly, the bond between trainer and Pokémon held irresistible appeal for any trainer.
Inspired, He Yongsen gathered his spirits and approached Abra, speaking seriously:
"Abra, would you be willing to be my Pokémon?"
This time, his expression was extremely sincere.
"…"
Abra fell silent at the question. He'd always been alone, never even considering the concept of companions, much less belonging to a trainer. Thus, deep down, Abra strongly resisted the idea.
But looking down at the Pokéblock in his hands, a sudden thought arose:
Perhaps staying with him wouldn't be so bad…
To sacrifice freedom for food, or give up comfort for freedom—Abra found himself stuck, unable to decide.
Sensing Abra's inner conflict through the [Power of Viridian], Guo Yi spoke gently, "Abra, if you can't decide right away, how about staying temporarily by Yongsen's side? If you truly feel uncomfortable later, you can leave anytime."
Right now, keeping Abra around was the priority. Whether Abra would leave in the future wasn't something Guo Yi considered. If after spending time together, He Yongsen still couldn't keep Abra willingly, it just meant they weren't fated.
Guo Yi greatly respected the Pokémon's own wishes. If Abra truly wished to go, he wouldn't force him to stay.
He Yongsen quickly caught his teacher's meaning, nodding earnestly, "Exactly, Abra. If you feel uncomfortable with me later, just tell me—you're always free to go."
"…"
With the matter so openly stated, Abra stopped hesitating. He nodded gently, signaling his agreement to stay.
At last, the four little ones had now tentatively joined the team.
"Teacher, when do we start training?" Hu Yan'er asked impatiently after Abra's decision was settled.
"Oooh!"
Chimchar stood nearby, fists raised enthusiastically.
Grow stronger!
This was Chimchar's favorite thing in the world.
However—Guo Yi shook his head, refusing Yan'er's request.
"We'll pause training for now. School starts in three days, so use this time to build up a connection with your Pokémon first."
"Once we're at school, I'll give you all detailed training plans."
These Pokémon had just been captured, after all. Training immediately would yield little result—only wasting energy and time. Guo Yi wasn't interested in futile effort.
All three disciples found their teacher's words sensible, nodding obediently.
After chatting a bit more, He Yongsen was the first to leave. Su Qingxue also took Hu Yan'er back to her own home, under the pretext of preparing gear for the upcoming semester.
Before long, the villa was left with only Guo Yi and Miss Lilligant.
Beep! Beep!
Just then, Guo Yi's phone suddenly rang.
"Director Tang? What could he want?"
Seeing the caller ID, Guo Yi was somewhat puzzled. From his understanding, wasn't Director Tang rather unfriendly toward him? Why suddenly call?
Though confused, Guo Yi still answered politely. After all, this was his future boss. Basic courtesy was necessary.
"Director Tang, is there something you need?"
"Nothing major," came Tang Ming's voice from the phone. "I'm just notifying you in advance to prepare—you'll be speaking as the representative teacher at the opening ceremony in three days."
"What?!"
Guo Yi was shocked speechless.
Was this a joke? With so many teachers at Shanghai Pokémon University, how could it possibly fall to him?
He hastily declined, "Director Tang, please choose someone else. I'm merely an assistant teacher—my abilities aren't good enough. If I went up there, I'd embarrass the school."
Hearing Guo Yi's self-assessment, Tang Ming silently grumbled over the phone:
"Inadequate abilities?"
Inadequate abilities—yet able to train a Pikachu in just two days to defeat a Raichu?
Inadequate abilities—yet Teacher Bai willingly passed this speaking opportunity to you?
That's right.
This year's representative speech was originally meant for Teacher Bai Cai. Her fame and skill unquestionably qualified her. Indeed, she'd given the opening speech every year before.
But when Tang Ming called Bai Cai to remind her about preparing the speech this time, she'd abruptly insisted on giving up the spot to Guo Yi—claiming generously, "It's important to give young teachers opportunities."
Heh!
If Tang Ming hadn't known the two of them already knew each other, he might've really believed Bai Cai's excuse.
But opportunities weren't normally handed out like candy—clearly, this was Bai Cai trying to give Guo Yi more exposure.
After all, it was the opening ceremony.
The whole university—students and faculty alike—would be there. Nothing could possibly surpass that level of publicity.
At first, even with Bai Cai's recommendation, Tang Ming wouldn't have chosen Guo Yi.
But after the last exam, Guo Yi truly amazed him.
That made Tang Ming want to give this promising junior a real chance.
"Director Tang, are you still there?"
Seeing there was no reply for quite a while, Guo Yi prompted again.
"Yes, still here!"
Tang Ming quickly came back to himself, continuing hurriedly, "Teacher Bai specifically recommended you, so please make sure you do well, Teacher Guo!"
"All right, that's it for now."
"I have another matter to attend to. Hanging up!"
Without giving Guo Yi even a second to refuse, Director Tang hurriedly ended the call.
"Ah..."
"These young people nowadays…you offer them opportunities, but they don't appreciate it."
Hanging up, Tang Ming shook his head helplessly.
It was one thing for Bai Cai to refuse, but Guo Yi was just a new teacher—still only an assistant instructor at that!
Given this kind of opportunity, shouldn't he be enthusiastically grabbing hold of it?
Tang Ming found himself completely unable to understand the mindset of young people these days.
Could this be the so-called generation gap?
On Guo Yi's side—looking at the now silent phone, Guo Yi felt somewhat speechless.
"So Bai Cai sees I'm reluctant to be a formal teacher, and found a different approach instead…"
With a resigned shake of his head, he dialed Bai Cai's number.
Doot! Doot! Doot!
A few seconds later, the call connected.
"Teacher Guo, what can I do for you?"
Bai Cai's voice came through, sounding puzzled.
Guo Yi's tone was filled with exasperation: "Teacher Bai, you know perfectly well what's up—you're just playing dumb now!"
"Such a good opportunity to speak, why push it onto me?"
"Hehehe…"
Bai Cai laughed softly, "Aren't I just creating an opportunity for you, Teacher Guo? Otherwise, wouldn't all your efforts at staying hidden go to waste?"
"Besides, I've given this speech for three straight years—I've been up there from the day they enrolled until the day they graduated. Honestly, I'm quite bored with it."
"So, I recommended you to Director Tang."
Facing such blatant humblebragging, Guo Yi rolled his eyes exaggeratedly.
"Then I suppose I should thank you?"
No sooner had he finished than Bai Cai smoothly replied, "Thanks aren't necessary—but let's talk some more when we have the chance."
"Oh, Teacher Guo, I have something else going on here. Hanging up now!"
Again, the exact same trick.
Before Guo Yi could protest, Bai Cai ended the call without hesitation.
"Let's see how you keep pretending after this!"
Glancing at her phone, Bai Cai let out a smug little huff.
At this moment, Leng Yue, who'd been observing from the side, asked curiously, "Bai Cai-jie, what's made you so happy?"
Leng Yue's grandfather and Bai Cai's grandmother were good friends. After all, one was a retired Champion, the other a renowned Pokémon Professor; their relationship could hardly be ordinary.
Consequently, Leng Yue had grown up close to Bai Cai.
Originally, Leng Yue had also received an invitation from Kyoto Pokémon University, but due to Bai Cai, she ultimately chose Shanghai instead.
In response to Leng Yue's inquiry, Bai Cai smiled gently and explained, "Oh, nothing much—I just handed off the faculty speech at the opening ceremony to a newly hired assistant instructor."
"A newly hired teacher?"
Leng Yue looked shocked.
"Bai Cai-jie, what's your relationship with him, for you to hand over a chance like that?"
Bai Cai replied easily, "Just ordinary colleagues. It's just that this new assistant teacher seems quite capable, yet he insists on hiding his true talents."
"So, I just thought I'd give him a little nudge in the right direction."
Hearing this, a certain name immediately flashed through Leng Yue's mind.
An assistant teacher?
Quite capable, but deliberately hiding it?
"Bai Cai-jie, the person you're talking about—could it be Guo Yi?"
Leng Yue exclaimed aloud.
"Yes?"
Hearing Leng Yue say Guo Yi's name, Bai Cai was slightly startled, and then asked, "Xiao Yue, do you know Teacher Guo?"
Leng Yue nodded earnestly.
"Yes, I know him."
She then continued, "Bai Cai-jie, do you remember when I mentioned those Ice-type Sandshrew and Vulpix to you the other day?"
Bai Cai nodded, "Of course I remember. Didn't the exploration team discover them recently in Dragon Country's Himalayan Secret Realm?"
At the time, Bai Cai herself had been surprised.
Who would have thought Pokémon like Sandshrew and Vulpix—originally unrelated to Ice-types, even having their original types weak to Ice—could appear in such forms?
Truly, Pokémon were full of unexpected mysteries.
"So, Bai Cai-jie, if I told you Guo Yi knew about those two Pokémon even earlier than the exploration team did, would you believe me?"
Leng Yue said this with deliberate mystery.
However—to Leng Yue's astonishment, Bai Cai's expression remained completely calm.
This made Leng Yue feel even more perplexed.
"Bai Cai-jie, aren't you surprised?"
Bai Cai smiled faintly, saying simply, "Why would that surprise me?"
"If you knew about Guo Yi's real background, you probably wouldn't feel surprised either."
"Background?"
These words instantly sparked Leng Yue's curiosity.
She immediately asked again eagerly:
"Bai Cai-jie, just what exactly is Guo Yi's background?"