Recently, trainers visiting Suimài City received strange news:

[Water Vein Gym temporarily closed for renovations. We apologize for any inconvenience.]

"Why is the Gym Leader always absent? Now they're renovating again?"

"I told you, challenging this gym depends on luck... Maybe we should go to Seaside City instead."

"Seaside City has the eighth gym. Their leader should be stronger!"

"Stronger sure... but they just leave the Beacon Badge at the entrance for anyone to take..."

"You didn't tell me this earlier?!"

Seeing the damaged Water Vein Gym, visiting challengers could understand.

There must have been an intense battle! They thought to themselves.

Neither Roark nor Donggua could believe their eyes - how could such small-scale Mega Evolution unleash such destructive power.

Perhaps... this was Teacher Lu's extraordinary capability.

Teacher Lu initially wanted to refer more business to the renovation team and credit the points to his account.

Unexpectedly, Donggua had his own crew of construction workers, and Roark could source the materials.

Thus, father and son happily worked on renovations together...

"Well, alright then," Teacher Lu said with a complicated expression, "At least we tested Haunter's Mega Evolution."

According to Teacher Lu's assessment, the cooldown for Mega Evolution was about one week. As his Aura strengthened and proficiency increased, this cooldown would gradually decrease.

Achieving Mega Evolution every other battle like in the Kalos Conference was still difficult for him currently.

But at least he didn't need to worry about collapsing - with "Aura" as his foundation, not to mention his "Close Combat Lv5" physical conditioning.

With Teacher Lu's current combat ability...

While he couldn't defeat a Tauros, crushing a Metapod was no problem.

"After all, I'm the man who knocked out Regigigas..." Teacher Lu murmured, looking at his palm as he slowly clenched it.

"If Mega Evolution can't even last three minutes, that would be too embarrassing!"

Deciding to try Mega Evolution at another gym next time, Teacher Lu sat on the sofa with Togepi on his lap, scrolling through his phone.

[You have new mail]

[Kris: Teacher Lu, you can come claim the "Most Influential" award prize from the Scientific Summit now.]

Recently, words like "prize" or "surprise" gave him headaches.

Rubbing his temples, Teacher Lu replied: "Can I choose it myself?"

After a moment, Kris, assistant to Professor Oak, replied:

"Of course~! (Heart)"

"Wait there, I'm coming now!"

......

At Suimài City Library's reception hall.

Professor Oak, his temples graying, shook hands with Professor Rowan.

"Continue leading academia to new heights, Samuel," Professor Rowan said solemnly.

"Haha, of course," Professor Oak's eyes twinkled, "Studying Pokémon... that's my lifelong dream."

Knock, knock—

The door opened as Teacher Lu entered. Seeing the two familiar professors, he paused briefly before smiling:

"Professor Rowan, Professor Oak, I'm here to collect the award for our team."

"The trophy is secondary - the prize money and awards are the main point, right?" Professor Oak chuckled.

Teacher Lu: "Do I seem like that kind of person?"

Before leaving, Professor Rowan patted Teacher Lu's shoulder with his briefcase, saying seriously:

"Choose carefully. This might determine your next research topic and benefit your Pokémon."

Understanding the importance, Teacher Lu nodded.

Professor Rowan smiled slightly:

"I'll return to the lab now. Feel free to visit if you have any questions."

Professor Oak: "My work here is done. Lu Ye, let me take you to the exhibition hall."

"Thank you."

The prizes were extremely rare items of great research value - like chimney mountain meteorite fragments, ancient fossils, resin amber etc.

Teacher Lu recognized fossils containing Pokémon like Cradily and Aerodactyl waiting to be revived.

"Steven would love these collections," Teacher Lu remarked casually.

"Haha, they indeed have great collectible value, though we wouldn't sell them to individuals," Professor Oak laughed.

"Could Devon Corporation purchase them under the pretext of fossil revival research then?" Teacher Lu asked curiously.

"..." Professor Oak fell silent.

Apologies, but money really can do anything!

Under the exhibition lights, the items seemed to recreate ancient glories. Teacher Lu quietly walked down the aisle, surveying his surroundings as information about each item appeared in his vision.

Shield Fossil, Ancient Crown, Rare Bone... until he stopped before an oddly familiar display case.

"Ah, this meteorite was discovered at Mt. Moon, said to be related to Jirachi."

"Wild Clefairy and Clefable groups were found near the meteorite," Professor Oak explained. "Some believe Clefairy are extraterrestrial Pokémon, and the meteorite was their spaceship."

Related to Jirachi... no wonder it felt familiar. Teacher Lu nodded, checking the system description:

[Mt. Moon Meteorite: A mysterious meteorite discovered at Mt. Moon, said to contain cosmic power. Those who believe in shooting stars view it as a symbol of blessings and good luck. (Give up - luck buffs don't work on certain individuals)]

Teacher Lu: "..."

Though tempted to swear, he reconsidered.

If even Togepi can't save my terrible luck, how could a meteorite...

"I'll take this," Teacher Lu told Professor Oak.

Though incompatible with him, it strangely suited Togepi perfectly. He planned to gift this small meteorite fragment to Togepi.

"Are you sure? Not considering those stone tablets from other regions?" Professor Oak blinked.

"...I suspect you still want free translation work from me."

"Hahaha, of course not! It's entirely your choice!" Professor Oak scratched his head sheepishly, unconvincing sweat on his brow.

Ultimately, Teacher Lu successfully claimed the meteorite fragment. Compared to other strange fossils, this so-called "lucky charm" was more appealing.

Returning home, he presented the delicate, crystalline fragment to Togepi.

"Duwu~" Togepi's eyes widened slowly, shining brightly as it carefully cradled the fragment.

"A souvenir from our Suimài City trip," Teacher Lu smiled.

"Chaji duwi~(❁´◡`❁)*✲ﾟ*"

Togepi happily raised the meteorite like a bag of delicious chips, running circles around the coffee table.

Finally, it held up the fragment, staring intently.

Stare—

"Chaji duwi!ヾ(◍°∇°◍)ﾉﾞ"

Seemingly overjoyed, faint light glowed from the patterns on Togepi's shell.

Suddenly, a Pokédex description flashed through Teacher Lu's mind:

[Its shell is said to be filled with happiness. If treated kindly, it will share its luck.]

"Then why hasn't my luck improved?" Teacher Lu froze. "Unless..."

Metaphysics can't save an unlucky person?!

His mood instantly plummeted!

"Quack~(´థ౪థ)σ"

Witnessing this, Sirfetch'd shed tears of paternal pride.

Though Togepi seems stronger than me again...

(Teacher Lu: Hasn't Togepi always been stronger than you?)

As long as it grows stronger, my plan to get carried advances further!

Great~ This round I'll definitely get carried!

Teacher Lu: "Oh right Ducklett, Mr. Donggua also gave you a gift I forgot to give you earlier."

"Quack? (°ー°〃)" Sirfetch'd stood frozen, sword and shield in hand, utterly confused.

Then it saw Teacher Lu bring out an enormous steel plate, slamming it down with a "Thud!"

"I've already taken another piece for armor - we'll get it customized later."

Teacher Lu knocked on the [Metallic Sheets], grinning:

"Use this to practice your leek swings... Once you can split this, you'll truly take off!"

"QUACK!? o(ﾟДﾟ)っ" Sirfetch'd maintained composure, eyes sharp, but thunderstruck inside.

Teacher Lu felt sentimental.

Among his Pokémon, he understood Sirfetch'd's feelings best.

Though always claiming to slack off, it had an unyielding spirit, embodying knightly humility and courage.

As its trainer, naturally he should share its burdens—

No one understands Sirfetch'd better than me!

Teacher Lu: "Go Ducklett! You're amazing! Charge forward Sirfetch'd!"

Sirfetch'd: "QUACK!! (´థ౪థ)σ"

Just cook me already, I don't want to live anymore~

"Chaji duwi~(◕ᴗ◕✿)"

Togepi stood behind Sirfetch'd, beaming "bulin bulin" sparkly eyes at it.

Those adorable, admiring eyes were irresistible to any adult.

Teacher Lu broke out in cold sweat.

Isn't this Crayon Shin-chan's eye attack...?

Sirfetch'd also sweated nervously, gripping its leek and shield tighter.

Give up or rise to the challenge... That is the question.

Yet when Sirfetch'd peeked back at Togepi, its expression turned resolute.

As its coach, I must set an example for the child!

"Quack! (´థ౪థ)σ"

But this is so hard!!

Seeing Sirfetch'd, Teacher Lu nodded approvingly.

Ducklett must be moved by my encouragement...

I'm sure it understands my good intentions!

"Gengarrr~(*⊙~⊙)" Haunter floated by, licking its dark red Mega Stone.

"Eevee~" Sylveon walked gracefully, ribbons scattering crescent moon sparkles.

Rotom browsed new photos;

Blastoise did push-ups;

the big dog happily chewed [Forest Yokan]

Togepi stared seriously at its meteorite fragment before giggling.

Only Sirfetch'd—

Frozen in place, speechless with despair.

This city has gained another heartbroken duck...

Looking at his happy Pokémon, Teacher Lu smiled:

"Alright, let's pack up and go home."

"Gengarrr~(๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧"

"QUACK! (;

´༎ຶД༎ຶ`)"

......