novelraw Chapter 752: Beat the Cycle, Go Home and Sleep
Chapter 752: Beat the Cycle, Go Home and Sleep
Chapter 752: Beat the Cycle, Go Home and Sleep
"Awwooo!!"
Arcanine's white flames of burning fury gradually died down.
Sunlight pierced the clouds, pouring down on the standing Arcanine, its frame massive and heroic.
Lu Ye glanced back at Entei perched on the rock, sized him up, then withdrew his gaze.
Compared to the big dog, Entei standing on the rock behind looked noticeably dimmer!
Teacher Lu's eyes pierced Entei sharply.
Entei: "…"
Are you being polite, Trainer?
Entei and Arcanine were about the same height, roughly two meters, and their base stats weren't far apart either.
Blessed by Ho-Oh, the current Arcanine's strength even exceeded the rank-two god Entei—
As everyone knew, Entei had earned the nickname Little Arcanine!
"How do you feel?" Lu Ye put his hand on Arcanine's warm big head.
"Awwooo!" Arcanine affectionately nudged his palm and wagged his huge tail.
I could run nonstop for ten days and nights!
Lu Ye: "…"
Crap… I'm already thinking about decorating the new house!
The Flame of Life—Holy Fire—provided Arcanine with abundant life energy; upon leveling up, it further strengthened Arcanine's stamina.
In addition, Holy Fire could burn foes and inflict the burn status. Applied to himself, the sacred white flame could purge toxins, freeze, paralysis, and other abnormal conditions.
Holy Fire also boosted both offense and defense, and it increased the renovation budget for the house!
Fortunately, this trip also yielded Sacred Ash, so it wasn't in vain.
Lu Ye held up the glowing Rainbow Wing and stared at it silently.
If the Sacred Ash wasn't enough, could I just command the big dog to use Holy Fire to burn this feather and make fresh Sacred Ash?
Rainbow Wing: o(╥﹏╥)o
Big brother, don't do it, we're on the same side!
"My duty is fulfilled."
Ho-Oh retracted its seven-colored wings and settled on the emerald stone. Its golden crown shimmered, and its dark-ringed eyes watched Lu Ye calmly as it said:
"Sacred Ash and Holy Fire… I hope you will make good use of these two powers, Rainbow Hero."
Lu Ye pondered for a moment, looked at the neatly folded leaves in his hand, and asked, "How do you use Sacred Ash? Brew it into tea?"
Brew tea…
Ho-Oh had an ellipsis above its head and said speechlessly, "Use your Aura to draw out the power contained in the Sacred Ash. It can revive any human or Pokémon."
"Only one?"
"Only one."
Lu Ye showed a hint of regret.
He had hoped it would be like the game, where you could revive multiple near-death Pokémon at once.
But at least it was an extra life-saving card.
Even if someone like A-Jin did something reckless… there would still be a fallback.
Lu Ye took out the Commemorative Poké Ball and had Sirfetch’d tie the leaves securely with "Grass Knot."
Sirfetch’d glanced indifferently at the radiant Ho-Oh, stiffened for a moment, then bowed its head and tied the leaves using the same knotting technique used for binding incense.
"Gaa…(´థ౪థ)σ"
Why did you drag me out~
Ho-Oh looked at Sirfetch’d, and "Future Sight" revealed a blurry picture that surprised it slightly.
Indeed… this was a Pokémon with great luck.
Teacher Lu pocketed the Sacred Ash, recalled the timid Ducklett into its ball, and contemplated the PM world's "resurrection" mechanics.
As A-Jin had said, there were many mythical beasts in this world capable of reviving the dead.
Arceus and Ho-Oh possessed widely recognized resurrection powers.
In the Special Episode: Gems, Celebi altered the timeline and revived Steven, Qianli, and others—arguably paradoxical, but not worth deeper debate here.
Palkia and Dialga together could also reverse time and revive humans and Pokémon.
These legendary Pokémon's powers were exactly what gave A-Jin the reckless confidence to court danger!
"Don't let A-Jin rub off on me… if he really goes too far, it's over." Lu Ye muttered.
Holy Fire and Sacred Ash were entrusted to this Rainbow Hero as aid against disaster.
Ho-Oh didn't nag further. It beat its rainbow wings and flew skyward, its tail scattering crystalline light that formed a rainbow.
Lu Ye and Haunter looked up together, staring at the rainbow.
"Gengarrr…" Haunter let out an impressed sound.
Ho-Oh's parting telepathy echoed in the hearts of its guard beasts and Marshadow.
"Escort the Rainbow Hero down the mountain."
Marshadow gazed after Ho-Oh, then turned to look at Lu Ye and his Arcanine.
It was hard to imagine that he had truly received Ho-Oh's blessing, and that Ho-Oh had bestowed Holy Fire and Sacred Ash upon him!
The flames in Marshadow's eyes flickered as it fell into thought.
Ho-Oh-sama must have a deeper purpose.
Maybe it was a gesture of goodwill to the League, or perhaps preparation for an impending catastrophe…
A north wind howled, thunder rolled across the plain, warm air brushed past.
Ho-Oh's three sacred guardians walked slowly along Lu Ye's path down the mountain, clearing the way.
The fierce wild Pokémon of Celestial Blue Mountain, intimidated by the three sacred beasts' majesty, hid in the thick fog and remained silent.
Lu Ye looked at the three beasts' backs with some emotion.
One had to admit, Suicune was the prettiest among the trio, crafted perfectly by manga and anime aesthetics.
A trainer named Mizuki had spent over ten years searching for Suicune without success.
In the Special Episode, Suicune even single-handedly fought over ten Gym Leaders.
But in the anime, it was defeated by a fishing net.
One could only say the screenwriters didn't understand Pokémon—Suicune was not at fault.
Marshadow followed quietly in Lu Ye's shadow.
It held a black Gracidea tightly in its palm, clutching it a little harder.
The thought that Lu Ye would soon leave and that they might not meet again stirred a complex emotion.
Humans might call it parting, sadness, loss.
Lu Ye, walking ahead, suddenly spoke up:
"Do you have time off, Marshadow?"
"Marsh?"
Marshadow looked up blankly, then gently nodded.
"When you have time, come visit my shop."
Lu Ye smiled, "In Lumiose City, Kalos, you might meet new friends."
"If you need directions, Haunter can share the location through the shadows."
"Gengarrr~(。・∀・)ノ" Haunter appeared behind Lu Ye's shoulder, poking its head out.
New friends…
The flame in Marshadow's eyes danced. It lifted its small dark head and nodded very earnestly.
"Marsh!"
Yes, I'll come!
****
Celestial Blue Mountain, foot of the mountain.
"He said he'd be back quick, so why is he so slow?"
Shangren looked up at the thick fog on the summit and said.
"Maybe the trial was difficult. But rewards and risks go hand in hand." President Tang speculated.
At that moment, an unusual movement rippled along the mountain path, and thunder crackled.
Shangren grew wary, reached for a Poké Ball, and suddenly widened his eyes.
Three figures were walking side by side on the distant mountain path.
From left to right: Entei, the Volcano God; Suicune, the North Wind God; Raikou, the Thunder God!
Three waves of powerful auras of differing attributes became a cutting gust that dispersed the fog.
Shangren's expression hardened, cold sweat trickling down his forehead.
The legendary three sacred beasts, Ho-Oh's guard!
Crap… facing all three at once will be tough!
"They don't seem hostile."
President Tang narrowed his eyes and made out the figure following the three sacred beasts. "That is…"
Looking for someone in Paris today
A human silhouette stepped out of the mist, the three sacred beasts clearing a path, followed by Ho-Oh's envoy Marshadow.
As the face for the Rainbow Hero, the display was unmistakable!
Both men stared blankly at Lu Ye until he reached them.
"President Tang, Champion Shangren."
Lu Ye called out, "I've completed the trial. Let's go."
Shangren's Adam's apple bobbed. Under the gaze of the three sacred beasts behind Lu Ye, he said stiffly, "So… these three…"
"Whoa…"
Lu Ye looked back over his shoulder and said, "You don't need to escort me. Go back. Pass my thanks to Ho-Oh."
The three sacred beasts' expressions remained solemn. They nodded lightly, leapt onto the green stone, and then vanished into the fog.
At the parting, Entei sighed inwardly.
Back then, I shared the Flame of Life with his Arcanine to heal its wounds.
In the blink of an eye, Arcanine had been granted Holy Fire by Ho-Oh-sama—now even I would struggle to beat it!
Unpredictable, indeed!
After standing there dazed for a long moment, Shangren and President Tang finally realized: the three sacred beasts had been sent by Ho-Oh to guide Lu Ye down the mountain.
Not only were they protecting his safety, but they also demonstrated sincerity!
Champion Shangren: "…"
Damn it… We're all trialists. Why the unequal treatment!
"What did you get?" President Tang asked curiously.
Lu Ye replied magnanimously, "Ho-Oh's blessing for Arcanine…"
Champion Shangren felt more balanced inside.
If it was only a blessing with no tangible reward, it was less impressive than my Scorching Rock…
Lu Ye continued, "It taught Arcanine a move, Holy Fire."
Shangren: ???
Arcanine can learn that move?
No—Ho-Oh was even willing to teach this move!
"Oh… really… excellent!"
Excitement flashed in President Tang's eyes, barely concealed.
The ancient legend of Eastern Ho-Oh had bestowed Holy Fire upon an Arcanine.
Nearly a thousand years later, there really was a trainer who had once again obtained Holy Fire from Ho-Oh.
His partner was also a legendary from the East—Arcanine!
That meant this young man before them… had the potential to challenge for the modern age's title of battle-legend!
Once you become a battle-legend, whether you serve as champion becomes secondary.
After all, the battle-legend title required recognition across multiple leagues and was regarded as an honorific.
To this day, only a handful of trainers had achieved that title!
"I see."
President Tang glanced at Lu Ye, lost in thought, and mused:
"Retiring from the championship to better pursue the realm of legend…"
Lu Ye: "…"
Whether to be champion or not doesn't matter.
It's time to go back to the café and develop a new ice cream flavor!
President Tang's eyes burned brighter.
Indeed, Lu Ye had adventures across multiple leagues and now had Holy Fire granted by Ho-Oh.
Rather than staying on the Champion's throne, he might retire like Red did and keep traveling.
Become a battle-legend!
……
Three days later.
A week had passed since Teacher Lu cleared the Champion's Road and became the Eastern League Champion.
The commotion and influence caused by that week lingered on.
Pokémon Centers in major cities displayed promotional posters of Lu Ye and Haunter, drawing crowds of trainers.
The Nurse Joys checked the posters every day, brightening their workdays.
At the Trainer Academy, instructors began to emphasize battle tactics teaching, influenced by the champion.
Under the traditional education model of "focus on raising, less on commanding," new impetus was introduced.
Unconsciously, this elevated the new generation's command ability and trainer ranks.
Right now.
Teacher Lu had become the idol and aspiration of the next-generation trainers, sparking a brand-new wave!
His battle club boasted the best facilities in all leagues and was sought after by many trainers.
His Pokémon Company announced the formation of a charity foundation to aid children with severe illnesses like leukemia.
This was neither showmanship nor hypocrisy. It came from a champion who loved Pokémon, had a gentle heart, and mature tactics.
If being champion meant anything—
Each champion answered differently.
Dan, who carried Galar forward; Lance, who pursued justice; Karine, who sought romance and freedom…
Teacher Lu gave his own answer.
On November 1, a new batch of PTCG card packs launched.
At the press event, many new trainer cards were revealed.
Among them was an UR trainer card of Teacher Lu, which hinted at his retirement.
The card featured a handsome young man with black hair in a casual shirt, one hand in his pocket.
A small line of text underneath read:
[Teacher Lu, Occupation: Chef; Former League Champion]
The next day, the official confirmation of Teacher Lu's retirement cited "pursuing a higher realm of training" as the reason.
On this point, trainers across regions sighed yet expressed understanding.
Red, Master Ma—both had made the same choice as Lu Ye.
The former went to Mt. Silver and achieved legend.
The latter retired and bought Armor Island, founding Master Ma's Dojo.
This was a champion's personal choice—many regretted it, but had to accept the fact.
"Red, Master Ma, Steven… Teacher Lu is the fourth champion to retire."
"Graceful retirement to pursue higher goals is nothing to criticize!"
"Shangren is ecstatic!!"
"No problem, Lu will still attend the World Championships next year!"
People speculated and hoped in droves.
Lu Ye suddenly sympathized with Dan.
Carrying Galar's gaze, you mustn't lose, or you face public scorn and abandonment.
Under such pressure, Dan could still smile in battle—that man truly loved battling.
Teacher Lu was different.
Faced with trouble, he took long naps!
The Eastern Champion's Road was completed perfectly.
Wednesday, November 3.
Lu Ye had already returned to his café in Lumiose City and lay on the soft mattress, staring at the ceiling, zoning out as he said:
"After beating the first run, you always have to go lie in your own bed and sleep first…"
Lu Ye yawned, then froze.
Had he forgotten something important?
Suddenly slapping his forehead, he exclaimed:
"Damn, I forgot to visit Dragonite!"
The overlord Dragonite at the peak of Dragon Ridge had once agreed he'd come see it.
Lu Ye cleared his throat, pulled the covers up, and decided:
"Forget it. I'll take care of one thing first… then visit it later…"
The weekend was Lumiose City's traditional Food Festival.
There would be contests for big eaters, culinary showdowns, and tasty juice competitions.
The Lumiose Chamber of Commerce had invited Teacher Lu as a special guest and competitor in the festival.
The endorsement fee was already at the level paid to Dan and Karine.
To that—Chef Lu readily agreed.
Even Chef Siebold, the 'Chef King', wouldn't faze him.
Today, this 'Eastern Little Master Chef' was going to take on the entire food street in Lumiose City—single-handedly!