Kalos, Miare City.

Professor Sycamore's Research Institute.

In the lush courtyard, a young man in a black jacket and blue neck accessory walked through the corridor, followed by a Charizard with burning tail flames.

The Charizard wore a conspicuous Mega Evolution device around its neck, with a Mega Stone embedded in the center of the device, shining brightly.

Professor Sycamore had one hand in his white coat pocket while the other stroked his stubble. His eyes lit up when he saw the young man, and he called out with a smile:

"Alain, perfect timing! There's something I need to ask of you!"

Alain walked up to him, and after hearing Professor Sycamore's explanation, he showed slight surprise, saying:

"Teacher Lu is coming to Kalos for travel?"

"Yes."

Professor Sycamore put both hands in his pockets, smiling: "You seem quite interested in him."

Alain nodded, his tone respectful: Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn noᴠelfire.net

"In the recently concluded Sinnoh Champion League, Teacher Lu used Mega Haunter to defeat Psychic-type Elite Four member Lucian."

"Oh? I've been researching the Bond Phenomenon recently, so I haven't paid much attention to competitions." Professor Sycamore blinked in surprise.

This professor had met Teacher Lu at the scientific summit.

That young scholar who was quite accomplished in the field of 'ancient scripts' still left a deep impression on him.

This genuinely surprised Professor Sycamore.

"The tactical game between both sides was quite brilliant, but Teacher Lu was still superior, shutting out Elite Four member Lucian with zero losses."

"What?" Professor Sycamore crossed his arms: "Related to Teacher Lu?"

Alain nodded: "After the Champion League ended, Teacher Lu publicly confessed to Champion Cynthia, and—"

"The two of them seem to have already been a couple for a while." Alain said.

Professor Sycamore confirmed he hadn't misheard, then took out his phone to search for more information.

"Hahaha, it seems my premonition at the scientific summit was correct after all!" Professor Sycamore laughed heartily.

Kalos people have a romantic temperament.

He greatly approved of their public relationship announcement... and was deeply moved by it.

"Looking at it this way... it's almost like they're coming to Kalos for their honeymoon."

Professor Sycamore smiled and said: "On the southern street of Miare City, Flore's café seems to have been vacant recently. Alain, go inquire about it."

Alain's Charizard's Mega device and evolution stone were both personally gifted by Flore.

However, after the gifting incident, Flore's 'create a new world' plan failed to materialize, and he was sent to prison.

But I heard Flore Research Institute has been tinkering with some 'virtual imaging' technology recently, planning to collaborate with Pokémon Company.

Not sure how the follow-up progress will be...

No matter what.

My goal is to win the next Miare Conference championship and become the strongest Mega Evolution user.

For this... I need to continuously learn from and challenge stronger trainers!

"I hope Teacher Lu's arrival in Miare City comes sooner rather than later." Alain thought to himself.

"Oh right, Alain—"

Professor Sycamore had walked halfway before turning back: "The evolution stone detector has been picking up signals again recently, coming from Shixiang Town."

"Based on the signals, preliminary analysis suggests it might be Pupitar or Garchomp's evolution stone."

"Could I trouble you to investigate the ruins there?" Professor Sycamore smiled: "If you can retrieve the evolution stone, that would be even better."

"No problem, leave it to me and Charizard!"

Alain clenched his fist, speaking with full confidence.

......

June 9th, Wednesday, sunny.

Sinnoh region, Lilycove Island.

The scorching sun blazed, with outdoor temperatures reaching 35°C.

"Quack...(›´ω`‹)"

Sirfetch'd glanced at the blinding sunlight outside the window, lay down beside the standing air conditioner, folded its wings, and comfortably narrowed its eyes.

I'm pretty much a useless duck now...

Drowsiness gradually crept in, the duck's snow-white head nodding up and down as it closed its eyes for a nap.

Sirfetch'd used 『Rest』!

Lu Ye, Haunter, and Blastoise sat side by side on the sofa.

From left to right: iced cola, iced cola, steaming hot tea.

Swish—

Teacher Lu and Haunter simultaneously turned their gaze toward Blastoise.

"Blastoise? ヾ(⌐■_■)"

Blastoise leisurely picked up the hot tea, blowing away the rising steam.

Having a stomach-nourishing Revitalitea in summer isn't that reasonable, is it?

Hard to argue, Lu Ye coughed lightly, looking up as he recalled the plot of "Pokémon XY".

Compared to Sinnoh's rival Paul, Ash's Kalos rival Alain was undoubtedly more powerful.

Long before Ash arrived in Kalos.

Alain had been traveling with Charizard, challenging Mega Evolution users everywhere, even having a record of defeating Fire-type Elite Four member Malva.

However, compared to Sinnoh's Elite Four who showed outstanding combat performance.

Kalos Elite Four's average strength was slightly inferior.

Besides the factor of downplaying Kalos... it might also be because they don't take training as their main profession.

Of course.

Teacher Lu's main profession is still chef, food channel uploader, part-time game producer...

So he's not really in a position to complain either.

Teacher Lu also has plans to open a café.

Not for profit purposes.

Occasionally developing new ice cream desserts, researching new recipes, inviting group members to visit the café.

Tricking (scratch that)... inviting more Pokémon and even legendary Pokémon to play and work part-time at the café.

This might become his motivation for going to Kalos.

"Finding the plates is secondary... opening a café and living a leisurely life sooner, that's the truth!"

Lu Ye nodded with satisfaction.

If those three squander their funds again... at least they won't be left homeless.

In the game "Pokémon XY", Flore had once opened a Sunrise Café that once took Miare City by storm.

"I remember... Flore's dream was to create a new world without conflict."

Lu Ye stroked his chin.

A new world without conflict... isn't that just a worldview where 'everything is decided by card games'?

"That lion head would be quite suitable for card games, and virtual imaging technology would be perfect for PTCG... could collaborate with his research institute."

Thinking this, Lu Ye paused slightly.

Team Rocket is a logistics company.

Flore's Team Flare... is a freaking toy manufacturer?

Lu Ye: "Ahem! Need to decide on the café matter first..."

The café could employ Pokémon as staff, even serving as a small Pokémon Garden.

Some stray Pokémon, or those inconvenient to catch.

For example, the singing Jigglypuff, Mew from the World Tree, Rainbow Guardian Marshadow...

I believe more little cuties will join the café's employee roster in the future.

Of course, this is just a preliminary concept about the café.

However.

Regarding the café's name, Teacher Lu already has a decision early on.

『Pokémon Colorful Café』

The name comes from the game of the same name... also one of Teacher Lu's more beloved Pokémon mobile games.

Curry rice, ice cream, macarons... these can all serve as the café's menu items.

"Quack~_(:3 ⌒ﾞ)_"

Glancing at the napping Sirfetch'd lying flat, Lu Ye fell into thought.

Otherwise, maybe add roasted big leek to the menu...

After all, if you stick the big leek back in the soil, it can grow again!

"Quack! (´థ౪థ)σ" Sirfetch'd woke up startled from its dream, as if having danger premonition, its back feeling chilly.

......

Goldenrod City, Silph Co., Pokémon Company.

Olivia, in a neat white coat, clapped her hands, addressing the employees before her:

"The president isn't in today, hope everyone can put in more effort and do your respective jobs well."

"Then... I'll leave it to everyone!"

With the release of "Pocket Monsters: FireRed", Pokémon Company leaped to become the most promising and influential emerging manufacturer.

Secretary and vice president Olivia handles almost half the tasks, completing them perfectly.

Additionally, stemming from Olivia's personal interest, she continues her Gigantamax research after work.

The noisy office constantly had phone rings sounding.

"Yes, I can hear you." Olivia held the phone between her shoulder and ear, efficiently signing documents, handling everything in an orderly manner.

This secretary's management ability could be called historic-level, having once managed the Macro Cosmos Group covering all of Galar by herself.

After a day's work ended, Olivia wrapped herself in a brown trench coat, walking through Goldenrod City's nightscape.

Buzz—

Her phone rang, Olivia answered: "Please go ahead."

"Today's work was tough on you too, Olivia." Lu Ye said.

"I've submitted an application to Galar's Gigantamax expert, Professor Mustardseed." Lu Ye said: "During the vacation, you can follow Professor Mustardseed to research Gigantamax."

Researching Gigantamax is Olivia's lifelong interest and motivation.

She once calculated Galar's energy crisis a thousand years later for Rose, and even single-handedly developed the prototype of the Dynamax Band.

However, in this timeline... Olivia is busy with overtime.

Chairman Rose is also exhausted from managing the company, with no time to bother about Eternatus.

This might be the best solution strategy for Galar's crisis.

Olivia took a deep breath.

Following Professor Mustardseed to research Gigantamax...

Like a long-cherished wish coming true, Olivia's eyes shimmered: "Yes... thank you endlessly!"

Lu Ye: "Also... I need to use some funds to open a café."

Olivia was taken aback, advising: "Forgive my bluntness, but rashly entering the food and beverage industry isn't a wise choice."

Lu Ye's expression turned complicated, thinking of his several big eaters.

Lu Ye sighed lightly: "...I wasn't expecting to make a profit anyway."

Olivia paused slightly, didn't raise objections, saying respectfully:

Hanging up the phone, Lu Ye looked up at the sky.

The trip to Miare City isn't urgent.

Teacher Lu also plans to return to Masago Town, White Poplar Town, and other places with Mengmengda.

If he can persuade some helpers for the café... that would be even better.

"Always have a bad premonition—"

"But a renovation family... that's just too ridiculous..."