Chapter 228: The Old Principal's Shock
November 6th, Friday
Modu University
Coach Zhai knocked on the door of the Battle Department's office. The department head, Deng Rui, looked at him seriously and nodded. "The school team's recommended candidates—have they been finalized?"
"Shen Tingzhi has applied to further her studies at Striaton Academy in Unova," Coach Zhai handed over a list. "And here's the recommendation for Celadon University."
Celadon University's Battle Department provided prestigious training opportunities at top institutions across various leagues. Its status was comparable to Kanto's Pokémon League Certification Center. Graduates of its courses were eligible to compete in league tournaments without needing to collect Gym Badges. Even in Modu University, such opportunities were extremely rare.
Coach Zhai had made his choice based on Lu Ye's astounding performance in the university league. Deng Rui glanced at the list and immediately wore a strange expression. Lu Ye? Wasn't he the old principal's personally selected candidate for a guaranteed spot? At such a young age, he had already won the regional championship. Even Deng Rui himself had to admit the boy was in a different league.
But what was even more ridiculous… this peerless battle prodigy—wasn't he a Finance major?!
Deng Rui took a moment to find the right words. "Coach Zhai, as it turns out, Principal Du had the same idea as you…"
Coach Zhai's eyes widened. Good lord… Even the old principal has his eyes on this kid? But thinking back to Lu Ye's absolute dominance, it was understandable. With his talent, winning the Kanto League Championship wasn't out of the question.
"The new generation always surpasses the old," Coach Zhai sighed. "Lu Ye really is the most outstanding student of this year's class."
Deng Rui's expression grew even more complicated. He hesitated before reminding him, "Coach Zhai… I don't think we can take credit for training him."
Coach Zhai froze, then cleared his throat awkwardly. "Well… anyway, this spot is settled, right?"
"No need," Deng Rui replied. "I'll be calling the principal myself in a bit." Just then, the phone rang. "Huh? We were just talking about him, and now he's calling?" Deng Rui picked up the phone. After a long pause, his face turned utterly bizarre.
"What did the old principal say?" Coach Zhai asked.
"He said…" Deng Rui looked like he had just seen a ghost. "Celadon University has invited Lu Ye… to become a professor?"
"Are you sure you didn't get the wrong person?" Du Yuanshan looked utterly dumbfounded. Celadon University? The number one university in the world. And Lu Ye? A sophomore Finance student. He had been considering recommending Lu Ye for further studies—but now, they were outright hiring him as a professor?!
"Yes, we mean Teacher Lu from Modu University—Lu Ye," Lisia's voice was gentle but firm on the other end of the call. "Celadon University is inviting him to be a professor in the Battle Department—specifically, for the newly launched Simulated Battle Course."
Du Yuanshan opened his mouth but was too stunned to respond. This is beyond the realm of "genius." This is obliterating every other genius who has been fighting tooth and nail to get into that university! With a strange look on his face, Du Yuanshan nodded. "The university won't pressure him—it'll be entirely his choice…"
"Celadon University will be sending him an official job offer as well," Lisia smiled. "We'd appreciate it if you could pass it along to Teacher Lu. Thank you!"
After hanging up, Du Yuanshan sat there in a daze. He glanced down at the list of recommended students. His feelings were… complicated. "Well, going to Kanto isn't bad either," Du Yuanshan shook his head. "If he really wins a championship, it'll bring plenty of glory to Modu University too!"
At Lu Ye's home, construction workers were busy repairing his shattered flooring. "What move was it this time?" the foreman was curious. "Another Dig?"
Lu Ye looked up at the ceiling, recalling what had happened that morning. Sunlight streamed through the window… Lu Ye yawned, then noticed Togepi happily standing by the window. "Oh? You finally learned Dazzling Gleam?" Glancing at the Pokédex, he let out a helpless chuckle. "Good job!"
"Togi~togi!" Togepi beamed, wiggling its tiny fingers. A faint white glow began to form around its hands as it used Metronome.
Lu Ye's face instantly changed. Crack! The floor beneath them sank slightly as Togepi's tiny fist slammed into it, snapping several wooden planks. It had used Rock Smash!
"Anyway… thanks for the help," Lu Ye coughed to the foreman.
"No problem!" the renovation foreman grinned.
Togepi's Metronome mishap was purely accidental. At least it hadn't rolled something insane like Precipice Blades or Dragon Ascent. Lu Ye glanced at Togepi, who was happily chugging from a giant bottle of cola. Rubbing his chin, he muttered, "Hmm… with my luck, it probably wouldn't have rolled those anyway."
Just then, his phone vibrated. It was the old principal. "What's up, Principal Du?" Lu Ye answered.
"Listen, don't be surprised by what I'm about to say," Du Yuanshan's tone was serious.
Sensing the gravity, Lu Ye straightened up. "Go ahead!"
"Celadon University has invited you to join their Battle Department as a professor." Du Yuanshan paused. "Listen carefully—a professor, not a student!"
An awkward silence followed.
Lu Ye: "…And?"
Du Yuanshan was baffled. "You're not even the slightest bit shocked?!"
"Should I be?" Lu Ye asked, genuinely puzzled. "It's just a faculty position, not a full professorship… probably doesn't even pay that well."
Du Yuanshan sat there, stunned. Is it me who has the problem… or is it you?
"You're still just a sophomore in the Finance Department…" he reminded cautiously.
"Which only makes Modu University look even better, don't you think?" Lu Ye chuckled.
Du Yuanshan froze for a moment. …Now that he put it that way, it really didn't sound like such a big deal.
"Ahem, well, either way, the school supports your decision," Du Yuanshan said. "If you head to Kanto, I'll even send you off personally."
Lu Ye nodded. He had already made his decision. He had promised Lisia before. Besides, meeting new people and encountering new Pokémon—that was the true charm of the Pokémon World. That said, there was still some time before he would leave. In the meantime, he could save up some extra money…
Speaking of which, Lu Ye felt a pang of heartache. Training Dazzling Gleam had cost him another million from Steven. Thankfully, Pokémon Cards were still exploding in popularity. With just the revenue from his share, he'd be able to repay Steven within half a month. A mere one million? Chump change.
After hanging up, Lu Ye scrolled through social media, checking the buzz about Pokémon Cards. More and more introduction videos were popping up. He even browsed videos from other creators. In one, a creator with a thick accent was passionately playing with their friends. Meanwhile, in the meme section, clips featuring him had started sprouting up like mushrooms.
"Teacher Lu: You Dare Intimidate Me?!"
"Musical Instruments: Old Lu's Philosophical Adventure"
"Teacher Lu's Cooking Disaster Show"
Lu Ye had always been tolerant of meme edits. Gold, on the other hand, kept spamming him with links, laughing hysterically.
Gold: HAHAHAHA, LOOK AT THIS! TOO FUNNY!
With a straight face, Lu Ye silently muted Gold—for 24 hours.
Just then, Lisia sent him a message.
Lisia: Teacher Lu, have you decided when you'll be heading to Kanto?
Lu Ye: Once my visa is sorted, I'll probably be there by December.
Lisia smiled. "That's perfect! The Kanto League Conference is in January—you'll make it just in time!"
Two months to clear an entire league? What do you think I am, Ruby and Sapphire? Lu Ye coughed. "I'm not really interested in competing."
Lisia thought for a moment before grinning. "Then December is just in time for Christmas!"
Christmas? That meant… a romantic event where things could get complicated. Lu Ye looked up at the ceiling and murmured, "I wonder how the Battle Legend spends the holidays…"
[Inorin Note:
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