June 27th, Sunday.

Teacher Lu decided to head for the Battle Chateau on Route 7 and find a spot to camp.

A clear stream babbled by, its surface sparkling.

Lu Ye rolled up his pants, picked up a pebble from the riverbank, squinted, and skimmed it across the water in rippling skips.

“Togepi chirp~˚*̥(∗*⁰͈꒨⁰͈)*̥”

Togepi stood at the water’s edge, eyes wide with a look of pure astonishment.

Lu Ye smiled and said, “You guys can try it too.”

The Larvitar straightened its little face and nodded earnestly, then dove into the water;

when it surfaced its cheeks were puffed out.

“Yoji! (￣～￣)”

Lu Ye: “...You didn’t actually eat the pebble, did you?”

The weather was cool, a breeze ruffling the water.

“Sylveon prance! o(´^｀)o”

Sylveon held its head high, its pale pink ears swaying, the ribbon at its neck fluttering proudly—it looked down on these childish tricks with disdain.

Arcanine happily ran along the riverbank, its mane damp and gleaming in the sunlight: “Awooo!”

Blastoise had tucked into its shell and was lying on a midstream flat rock, indifferent to the world.

“Gengarrr~” Haunter pulled out a simple tent from its pouch.

It produced shadow clones—four or five purple chubby copies—who set up the tent together, preparing the campsite.

A moment later.

They looked at the purple tent shaped like “Gengar with a huge open mouth.”

“Gengarrr~”

Haunter grinned, put its hands on its hips, and the shadow clones poofed into white smoke and vanished.

“Quick efficiency.” Lu Ye praised, rubbing Gengar’s head.

Gengar happily squinted its eyes and stuck out its long tongue to lick Teacher Lu’s cheek.

Lu Ye shouted, tongue tingling, “Ducklett, there are wild Chesto Berries on the bank—help me pick some!”

“Gak!”

Sirfetch’d extended its long leek, prodded at the fruit tree on the bank, and rustling sounds sent a pink Butterfree chrysalis tumbling down.

“Miiu~” The chrysalis blinked fearfully as Little Rotom scooped it up and returned it to the treetop.

“Gaa~~”

Sirfetch’d’s ‘V’ brow relaxed;

it turned to the chrysalis and nodded with satisfaction.

Protecting the weak is also a knightly deed.

Sirfetch’d arranged tree fruit inside its shield, then returned to camp. By then Teacher Lu’s paralysis status had healed naturally.

“Looks like we can have a good lunch.” Lu Ye said, eyes on Sirfetch’d and the fruit in his arms.

Sirfetch’d trembled in fright, and the fruit tumbled to the ground with a roll.

“Gak! (´థ౪థ)σ”

Don’t eat Ducklett;

Ducklett tastes awful~

They built a simple stove of stones;

the kindling crackled softly.

Pots and a grill had come from Gengar’s storage space—ample capacity.

Teacher Lu was cooking a Galar-style curry rice. The ingredients were coarsely ground meat sausages mixed with spicy Chesto Berries.

Stirring the pot as white steam rose and rich aromas unfurled, Lu Ye said casually:

“Do you know what’s the most important thing to raise a curry rice’s rating?”

“Gengarrr?” Gengar scratched its head.

“Adding lots of love.”

Saying that, he added a dash of Golden Razz Berry juice.

Lu Ye poured the rich, savory sauce over curry rice the color of gold and topped it with charred black-pepper sausages sizzling with oil—practically a “Golden Legend” level dish—and snapped off his apron.

“Charizard-level spicy sausage curry rice—please enjoy!”

The little ones all gasped in unison.

Blastoise fought to control its appetite, pushed up its sunglasses, stared at the curry rice, and then settled in.

“Kame...”

Checked with Aura...there’s no poison in this!

At camp the youngsters were busy eating;

Gengar tilted back and poured curry rice into its mouth.

“Gengarrr~ (￣～￣)”

Lu Ye glanced at Gengar, ladled a steaming spoonful of curry rice, and muttered:

“Ghost types not fearing heat—what a useful trait...”

The sun slanted;

noon approached.

Lu Ye lay inside the wide-open mouth of the “Gengar tent,” looking down at the gilded invitation in his hand.

[Golden Invitation: An invitation provided by a Hall of Fame member. Invitees will be granted the Battle Chateau title of “Count/Countess” and may reserve a promotion challenge.]

Staring at the invitation, an image surfaced in Lu Ye’s mind—Cynthia smiling as she handed it to him—

Cynthia folded one arm across her chest and pointed with a finger:

“Considering the Battle Chateau has many rookie trainers holding the title of ‘Baron,’ making you start from zero would be too unfair.”

Lu Ye: “New or not doesn’t matter — I mainly want to start from zero!”

Cynthia rolled her eyes and continued, “So I asked Karine for the top-tier invitation. You can reserve your ‘Marquis’ promotion challenge on Sunday.”

The Battle Chateau is a Generation VI Kalos battle facility.

It uses a nobility ranking—Duke, Marquis, Count, Viscount, Baron—designed to promote a ceremonious, duel-like traditional battle format.

In Kalos, the chateau is famous. The proprietor, the Elite Four, and even Champion Karine are among its guests.

Karine even holds the unique title of “Grand Duchess,” and is a member of the chateau’s Hall of Fame.

“Have you challenged the Battle Chateau before?” Lu Ye asked.

“I've participated,” Cynthia shrugged, “but I don’t come to Kalos often;

I mostly compete in Sinnoh’s Champion League.”

Lu Ye nodded.

No wonder Flint, Aru, and others feared Cynthia—likely because Garchomp had cut them down too many times in the Champion League.

“Each rank provides a corresponding reward when claimed,” Cynthia said with a slight frown. “As for the Mega Stone you mentioned, I’m afraid you’ll need at least the title of ‘Duke’ to get one.”

“Duke...what level of trainer is that?”

“The Kalos Steel-type Master, Grant, is a Duke. You can use him as a reference.”

Hearing that, Lu Ye had a general idea.

Grant is a trainer full of knightly spirit who wears medieval heavy armor and favors fair duels.

Hot-blooded fighters like Red or Bruno fit Grant’s ideals well.

As for me, a sly battle strategist... probably only fuels his fighting spirit twice as much.

“Clearly ‘holy light’ is the dirtiest.” Lu Ye thought darkly.

The memory ended there.

Cynthia had returned to her villa in Undella Town, planning to meet Lu Ye at the start of the month for the World Championships Youth Cup.

Lu Ye lay in the tent propped on his arm, using Gengar’s tongue as a blanket.

Sunlight streamed in;

the stream babbled and Fletchling chirped.

Lu Ye suddenly rose, stepped out of the tent, unfolded a retractable Super Rod, and walked toward the river.

“Today I absolutely won’t come back empty-handed!”

Teacher Lu went fishing—

A super-rare wild Magikarp leapt out!

Lu Ye cursed, “Level forty and still refusing to evolve into Gyarados, hiding in a little pond being a Magikarp!”

The burly Magikarp glanced at Lu Ye, splashed and thrashed its tail, shrugged off the hook, and insolently dove back to the riverbed.

Lu Ye: “...”

Looking around, Lu Ye hooked a bunch of waterweed called Waterside Herb and nodded in satisfaction:

“This stuff can be used as seasoning...another fruitful day!”

**

Sylveon lazily stretched its forepaws, posing gracefully at the golden rule focal point of the scene. The depth of field shows fruit-laden bushes and the shining river behind it.

Click!

A camera flash went off.

Sylveon’s gaze hardened, it bared a tiny fang, and the ribbon at its neck concentrated a black Shadow Ball, ready to fight.

"Sylveon, prance! ('皿')"

Did Little Rotom anger Sylveon?

No...that camera isn’t Rotom’s.

Seeing a figure step out, Lu Ye called:

“Wait, Sylveon!”

The Shadow Ball at the ribbon gradually dissipated.

The woman holding the SLR breathed a sigh of relief.

She looked about twenty-four, with silver-gray short hair, wearing a light short-sleeve top and utility pants. Besides the SLR, she had a digital camera hanging at her hip.

“Sorry...I found a great composition and took a shot without asking.”

She introduced herself:

“I mean no harm. I’m the leader of the White Sand Gym—Violet. May I show you the photos I just took? I can delete them if you prefer!”

“White Sand Gym?”

“That’s right.” Violet held up her camera and smiled. “I’m a Bug-type trainer and a photographer.”

Lu Ye nodded—he had a faint impression.

Violet is Kalos’s Bug-type Gym Leader. Her side job is professional photography;

she holds photo exhibitions. She’s straightforward and cheerful.

“She must be great at Pokémon Snap.” Lu Ye thought.

“Gengarrr~” Gengar stood at Lu Ye’s side.

“This Gengar is trained so well—so photogenic! Can it look at the camera?” Violet half-closed her eyes and raised the camera.

“Gengarrr~ (･ω

)☆” Gengar made a V-sign by its eye.

“So cute~”

Violet, like a professional spotting precious material, kept pressing the shutter and peered at the other Pokémon through the lens.

“And that handsome Sirfetch’d, and this rare Kalos Togepi~”

“Wait, this team composition.”

Violet slowly lowered the camera and looked at Lu Ye cautiously: “You’re Teacher Lu, right?”

Lu Ye: “Are my Pokémon more famous than I am?”

Violet laughed: “Sorry...I was just watching the Pokémon. Your team is extremely photogenic.”

“And...” Violet studied Lu Ye and said admiringly, “You’re also a very good model!”

“Thanks.” Lu Ye nodded politely and asked with curiosity, “Can I see the photos you took just now?”

“Of course.”

She flipped out the SLR’s screen and pointed at the photos like a connoisseur:

“This close-up of Gengar used a wide aperture—its expression is vivid;

this Sylveon has a scenic bonus, it could even make an exhibition...”

Violet watched Lu Ye’s expression for a moment and added:

“If you’d rather, I can delete them now. They won’t be backed up or restored.”

Candid shots are a photographer’s essential skill, but communicating with the subject is an art.

“Sylveon...” Sylveon sidled over, staring at the bright photo, its blue eyes flickering.

Even though it’s a bit aggressive, it still loves beauty.

Lu Ye smiled: “No need to delete. Could you give me a copy of those photos?”

“Certainly,” Violet said cheerfully. “I’ll send them now...and later I’ll print and mount copies for you.”

Little Rotom muttered after receiving the transfer:

“My shots aren’t much worse, Rotom~”

After the interlude, Lu Ye learned—

Violet had come to photograph the riverside and was also participating in the Battle Chateau’s Marquis promotion matches.

When Violet heard Teacher Lu’s itinerary, she pursed her lips: “So…there’s a chance we might be matched up?”

Lu Ye: “Don’t worry, I’ll only use Larvitar...probably.”

“Yoji! (▼へ▼メ)” Larvitar nodded earnestly.

Violet glanced at the determined Larvitar and felt complicated.

Can I still forfeit now…is that allowed?

“Will you come to White Sand Gym and challenge after you leave the Battle Chateau?” Violet asked tentatively.

There’s an urban legend among Gym Leaders—

rather than having Pokémon beat them to a pulp, some would rather hand over their badges—seems like a more satisfying option.

That was Violet’s thought.

“No.”

Lu Ye paused and looked at Violet warily: “You don’t need to hand over your badge directly to me or to Gengar.”

Violet nodded knowingly.

Maybe Teacher Lu didn’t bring his badge case or worried about losing it.

“I’ll just send the badge along with your framed photo delivery.” Violet thought.

**

Since Violet was heading the same way and was familiar with the Battle Chateau, she acted as their guide.

Walking along grass-swaying highlands, Violet raised her SLR and photographed small Rideable Goats grazing in the meadow below, smiling:

“These Rideable Goats are representative Pokémon of Kalos.”

Lu Ye gazed at the adorable little goats.

The growth of Rocket Delivery…certainly owes you some credit.

Flocks of pastel Butterfree, their colors varied, fluttered by in the wind.

Violet snapped while saying, “You may not believe it, Teacher Lu, but I’ve captured twenty different pattern variants of Butterfree!”

No wonder Violet is called a Bug specialist.

Lu Ye, thinking of the sixty-three varieties of Alcremie, said, “Ever considered catching them all to become a dessert expert?”

Violet: “Eh?”

As they chatted, a towering white stone castle rose ahead amid verdant trees.

Because today was a promotion tournament, many spectators, challengers, and Gym Leaders had come.

Lu Ye’s mood turned complex as he checked his system task progress.

[Badge Collection: (1/8)]

To me…this Battle Chateau is fraught with danger!

They passed through the castle gardens, the estate fountain, and the red carpet of marble tiles to reach the main gate.

An elderly butler wearing a monocle bowed politely and pressed a hand to his chest:

“Count Violet, it is an honor to serve you.”

“Sir Yikong, long time no see.” Violet smiled slightly. “I’ve returned to participate in today’s ranking matches at the Battle Chateau.”

“Understood.” The butler replied respectfully. “I will arrange suitable opponents for you. And the gentleman behind you is…?”

“Ah, Teacher Lu, this is your first time at the Battle Chateau, right?” Violet turned back.

Lu Ye nodded.

The butler politely asked: “In that case...would you like me to arrange a debut match? Winning the debut grants the title of ‘Baron,’ allowing you to challenge higher-ranked trainers.”

Lu Ye handed the Golden Invitation to the butler: “If possible, I’d like to know the details about Mega Stone rewards.”

“Of course.”

The butler showed just the right amount of surprise, inspected the invitation, and smiled:

“Count Lu Ye, Count Violet, please follow me to the hall and wait a moment.”

Led by the butler, the two walked to a side parlor. Violet whispered:

“Teacher Lu, will you take a random match or pick your opponent?”

“What do you mean?”

“A random match is arranged by Sir Yikong with opponents of the same rank. A named challenge is like a medieval duel—the challenged seldom refuse, but the challenger risks demotion if they lose.”

Violet said, “If you want a Mega Stone...you’ll likely need to go even higher in rank.”

Lu Ye nodded.

Above Count are Marquis and Duke. He’d need to win at least two or three matches.

The hall is where trainers exchange information while choosing opponents of the same rank.

“I will excuse myself for a moment. Sir Yikong will explain the Mega Stone exchange details later.” The butler said.

Lu Ye nodded: “Thank you.”

The hall’s decor was luxuriously restrained, with marble columns and faint cello music drifting in.

As Lu Ye and Violet entered the hall, heads turned;

some trainers paused in surprise.

“Teacher Lu?”

“Crap...I shouldn't have chosen today to come challenge.”

“No choice...if matched, I’ll grit my teeth and go for it.”

The trainers wisely did not issue a challenge to Lu Ye.

Lu Ye scanned the room and noticed a man oddly climbing a marble column, and he blinked.

Climbing...a marble column?!

He took a closer look.

A dark-skinned, muscular man was gripping the top edge of a marble pillar with one arm, swung, and hauled himself onto a beam across the ceiling.

Everyone else ignored it and continued their conversations.

“That’s Rock-type Gym Leader Grant.”

Violet rubbed her forehead in helplessness: “He’s a man who will start climbing no matter the time or place.”

Lu Ye: “No matter the time or place?”

Violet: “It’s said he even climbs while conducting Gym matches.”

Lu Ye: “...”

The Shimada household must recruit someone like you!

The sound of roller skates—

There was even someone skating indoors.

A girl with a yellow ponytail wearing roller skates came speeding by with protective gear, waving cheerfully:

“Master, long time no see!!”

Lu Ye came back to himself and smiled:

“Long time no see, Korrina.”