Tuesday, April 20th.

A day had already passed since the Stark Mountain expedition.

Interpol agent 'Handsome Guy' returned to Flycloud City to report, while Flint headed back to Lilycove Island, stopping by to deliver a message to Volkner.

"Teacher Lu agreed to come to the coastal gym?" Volkner asked.

Flint scratched his cheek with a complicated expression. "He did agree... but he seems extremely motivated. He'll probably go all out in the battle."

"That's exactly what I want," Volkner said. "That kind of passionate battle... I'm actually looking forward to it for the first time in ages!"

Flint crossed his arms, hesitating to speak further.

I'm not worried about Teacher Lu.

I'm afraid your newly ignited fighting spirit will get crushed by him again...

At the same time.

Lucian received news about 'Stark Mountain's seal weakening'.

He wanted to ask the Psychic-type experts in their group chat for help... but Cynthia hadn't joined their chat yet, and Nassi was busy with her schedule.

Asking Cynthia to invite Cynthia to assist would be troublesome and time-consuming.

In the end, Lucian decided to personally go to Stark Mountain to reinforce the seal—

Despite being an active volcano, Lucian could only feel the chill of heavy snowfall there.

Snowflakes fluttered while the north wind howled!

Flycloud City, Interpol Headquarters.

'Handsome Guy' reported the Stark Mountain operation to his superiors and brought back Heatran's Pokédex data.

"Additionally, we apprehended several fugitives hiding in the battle zone."

The middle-aged man said seriously, "They've already been transported by local police via aircraft to await trial."

The Countermeasures Department head was a green-haired Officer Jenny with reliable laugh lines that spoke of experience.

"Good results, Mr. Handsome," Officer Jenny said. "Regarding rewards for this operation..."

The middle-aged man quickly interjected, "The detective already mentioned this to me—we don't need additional funding. Pokémon resources might be more appropriate."

"Mr. Lu Ye has an outstanding record, but it's still too early for promotion to superintendent..."

"Considering the exceptional results of this operation," Officer Jenny said with a smile, "it wouldn't be excessive to exchange it for resources related to a Legendary Pokémon."

The middle-aged man's eyes widened in surprise.

"It's a Water-type crystal recently obtained in the Sinnoh region. Our rangers saved a Phione and received this gift from its parent Manaphy."

Officer Jenny explained, "The locals call it 'Purification Water Drop', possessing purer Water-type energy and healing effects than 'Mystic Water'."

"Considering the burns and toxins from volcanic magma, this might be the most suitable reward."

Hearing this, 'Handsome Guy' couldn't help but picture Teacher Lu's sunglasses-wearing Blastoise.

Moreover, the [Purification Water Drop] had healing properties that might help Teacher Lu's Arcanine recover faster.

"I think," the middle-aged man chuckled, "the detective will be very satisfied with this reward!"

Sinnoh region, Masago Town.

Teacher Lu sat on his villa's sofa.

The eight badges were neatly arranged on the coffee table, gleaming brightly as Teacher Lu stared at them absently.

[Badges Collected: (8/8)]

Looking at the mission again, Lu Ye let out a long sigh.

At this point, there was no other way.

His notebook now included the fourth champion and an afro-haired man... who knew when he'd clear all these debts.

As for the mission reward [Gracidea Flower], Teacher Lu only found time to examine it carefully after returning home.

"I'll have to face it eventually."

Lu Ye murmured, getting up to head to the bathroom.

First wash my face to gather some luck!

"Arf~"

Through the corridor's floor-to-ceiling window, he could see Arcanine lifting its head and howling.

In just one day, Arcanine's injuries had mostly healed.

The [Flame of Life] from the Legendary Pokémon had profoundly influenced and enhanced Arcanine's strength.

Probably when Arcanine finally unleashes the [Flame of Life] move, Teacher Lu wouldn't even be surprised.

"Great, another illegal move."

Lu Ye rubbed his temples. "Whatever, magic is magic... as long as I don't use it in ranked battles."

The last battle between Blastoise and Bruno's Machamp had already severely drained Teacher Lu's savings.

Though Arcanine's recovery was remarkable, Teacher Lu still bought nutritional supplements... and mixed them into the dog food.

This was also one reason for Arcanine's rapid recovery.

"Guess I'll have to rely on Interpol's funding to recoup some losses."

Lu Ye looked up at the sky.

"I hope Mr. Handsome won't disappoint me..."

Clang!

A loud crashing sound caught Teacher Lu's attention.

Sirfetch'd's eyes gleamed sharply as it raised its leek high, the essence of its fierce technique materializing as tangible energy coating the blade's surface.

Then Sirfetch'd swung down violently, cleanly splitting the entire [Metallic Sheets] in two!

Lu Ye's eyelid twitched violently.

Ducklett's talent could be this terrifying?!

I must be dreaming—this can't be real!

Looking at the severed [Metallic Sheets], Sirfetch'd nodded slightly before placing its shield and leek blade on the ground:

"Quack! ❀_(:3」∠)_❀"

Finally time to rest~!

Lu Ye chuckled helplessly and nodded.

Now this was the proper attitude for a slacker!

After washing his face to refresh himself, Lu Ye returned to the sofa, pushing the gleaming badges aside.

He carefully examined the vase on the table—the beautiful pale pink petals bloomed quietly with tender green leaves and light yellow stamens.

[Gracidea Flower: A flower symbolizing 'gratitude', somewhat rare but without practical use. (Thanks for your relentless efforts, thanks to yourself, thanks to fate.)]

Teacher Lu: "..."

I feel like this system is mocking me!

Compared to previous rewards, the [Gracidea Flower] wasn't particularly rare. But it could attract the 'Gratitude Pokémon' Shaymin.

And in the movie "Giratina and the Sky Warrior", Shaymin played a key role.

Having already cleared the White Poplar Town dungeon and received this "abyss admission ticket"...

"I feel like this reward has ulterior motives," Lu Ye sighed.

Speaking of which, the [Gracidea Flower] can attract Shaymin...

Then the [Faded Rainbow Wing] would attract—

Lu Ye shuddered and quickly shook his head.

The doorbell rang—the air shipment from Flycloud City had arrived.

Glancing at his phone to confirm it was the reward 'Handsome Guy' applied for, Lu Ye froze momentarily.

"So fast..."

Lu Ye got up to answer the door, thinking:

"Maybe it's a safe full of cash... or a black card?!"

"Coming—"

Lu Ye's footsteps gradually faded away.

The sunset bathed the entire room in golden light as shadows lengthened across the floor.

"Gengarrr~(￣～￣)"

Haunter was soaking in a 'shadow' hot spring while munching on chips when it suddenly froze.

"Gengarrr! (°ー°〃)"

What's going on? Why does the shadow feel bumpy today?

Haunter floated up from the shadows, scratching its head in confusion as it examined the patch of darkness beneath its feet.

Swish swish swish!

The shadow seemed alive, moving rapidly across the floor to the ceiling, then darting along the walls.

"Gengarrr! Σ(っ°Д°;

)っ" Haunter watched in amazement, chip crumbs falling from its mouth back into the bag.

Then the shadow stopped moving.

From within that darkness, a small humanoid figure slowly emerged.

This Pokémon appearing from the shadows was pitch black all over, its eyes flickering like dancing torches.