Chapter 159

Saturday, August 29.

Luke yawned and unconsciously put his arms around something, only to realize that the sensation was a bit different. It felt slender and not as soft as Eevee's fur.

"vui~!"

Suddenly, Sylveon emerged from the bed, her cherry-colored ribbons scattered, and she blinked her large blue eyes.

Luke looked puzzled.

No wonder I had that strange dream this morning, where I felt like I was flattened by a Snorlax's Body Slam...

After evolving, Eevee had gone from 6.5kg to 23.5kg. Plus, living in Teacher Luke's household, where good food is abundant, Eevee's limbs became more robust.

Stepping on my face this morning felt like being flattened by a steamroller!

"Eevee, you might need to go on a diet," Luke said in all seriousness.

"vui~! (｀Д´)ﾉ"

Luke chuckled and gently stroked Sylveon's head.

Even after evolving and learning "Disarming Voice," Sylveon still had a slender appearance. However, its personality remained the same, and its position in Teacher Luke's household was clear.

After getting up, Luke prepared a salad for breakfast. Haunter was holding a slice of bread and a notebook in hand.

"jie jie~!" Haunter pointed at the notebook and nodded, seemingly deep in thought.

Luke was taken aback. "What's this?"

Haunter opened the notebook, revealing Luke's face.

"Wow, you've even made a schedule instead of just a training plan?!"

Haunter adjusted the imaginary glasses on its face.

After all, as a Trainer, it's essential to schedule training sessions reasonably!

Squirtle, carefully holding a piece of bread, watched the exchange closely. It took a small piece and fed it to Haunter. Seeing no adverse effects, it nodded in approval.

Luke couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.

Your paranoia is getting worse, Squirtle!

Besides, Haunter is a Poison-type Pokémon. How can you use Haunter to test for poison?

"I always feel like all my Pokémon are a bit peculiar!" Luke sighed.

After breakfast, Sylveon, wearing the Soothe Bell, hopped onto the shoulder of a Robo Roller. Early in the morning, Teacher Luke rang a clear bell.

"vui~! (*≧▽≦)"

Luke chuckled and opened his notebook to work on a plan for the third game.

While the gameplay of phenomenon-level stand-alone games is often simple, the key lies in their fun and creativity. Luke's intended third game was also simple but required the use of a physics engine. However, with Steven's connections, getting technical support from Devon Corporation should be fairly straightforward.

Luke decided to call it "Angry Pidove." The game's premise was that a gang of Grumpig had stolen Pokémon eggs, and players had to use various Bird-type Pokémon to rescue them. Following the usual Pokédex Studio style, the game could offer Bird Pokémon as rewards. Accumulating integral points would also unlock their evolutionary forms, which should appeal to many Flying-type Trainers.

"Perhaps other Flying types can be added as well," Luke muttered to himself.

He called Mina, who was currently in Alola, and assigned her specific tasks.

Mina giggled and said, "Don't worry, Uncle, I've got this!"

"Don't forget, I'll be deducting 500 points," Luke replied, unfazed. "But work diligently, and your salary will remain intact."

"You're such a miser!"

Damien, whose receding hairline was becoming a growing concern, received some reassurance from Luke:

"Don't worry, Devon Corporation will provide the game engine. Just take your time!"

Damien gave a faint smile and raised a thumb in acknowledgment.

In the afternoon, the three Pokémon suddenly disappeared. This was a common occurrence in Teacher Luke's household, as they always returned home for meals.

After giving it some thought, Teacher Luke began to prepare for tonight's live broadcast.

"jie jie~!"

Haunter led two other Pokémon and floated towards a luxurious building, pointing at the signboard.

In front of the building's entrance, a large sign read, "Magic City Gym."

Tang Hui was engrossed in reading a book in the Gym when suddenly he was startled and muttered to himself:

"What's going on... Hasn't anyone come to challenge the Gym lately?"

Out of nowhere, a student rushed over and whispered urgently,

"Gym Leader, there are new challengers... but something seems off."

"Off? How so?" Tang Hui inquired.

The student looked puzzled and replied, "Well, the challenger is a Haunter!"

Tang Hui was taken aback.

Under what circumstances would a Pokémon attempt to challenge a Gym on its own?

"Let it be, let it be. Let's have it face the three examiners first," Tang Hui said as he took a sip of tea.

The student appeared worried and said, "The three senior examiners have already conceded, and Haunter is waiting in the front hall!"

Tang Hui suddenly coughed uncontrollably.

What in the world?

They couldn't even stop a Haunter?!

Meanwhile, in the front hall, Haunter grinned mischievously at the two little Pokémon trailing behind him.

The new dungeon, "Magic City Gym," had been unlocked!

Tang Hui, trying to appear composed, entered the front hall.

He found three examiners squatting on the ground, encircling Sylveon.

"Aww, it's so cute!"

"But it looks so fierce! I'm afraid to touch it!"

"By the way, doesn't this Haunter seem familiar?"

Tang Hui's eyebrow twitched.

Now he understood why Pokémon could enter the hall freely—because all his examiners were Ghost-type Pokémon!

Suddenly, a realization struck Tang Hui.

Wasn't this the very same Haunter that pranked him earlier, making him run through the entire building?

And now it was attempting to challenge Magic City Gym without a Trainer?!

But as Tang Hui gazed at Sylveon's adorable appearance, he couldn't help but soften and inquire,

"Haunter, how many Badges have you collected?"

Haunter scratched its head and gestured with a single finger.

Tang Hui chuckled, "Well then, don't blame me for going easy on you. I'll use the same lineup as last time!"

"Jie jie~!" Haunter nodded.

With a command, Sylveon gracefully hopped onto the battlefield and revealed its determination.

Tang Hui was slightly taken aback.

A Trainer Haunter was sending Sylveon to battle?!

Simultaneously, a pitch-black Shadow Ball formed at the tip of Sylveon's ribbon...

Meanwhile, back at Teacher Luke's house, where he was preparing dinner, the system's announcement suddenly rang in his ear.

[Gym challenge successful! Note: No reward will be provided for repeating Gym challenges.]

Luke's eyebrow twitched.

"How could I have challenged the Gym when I'm here cooking? Did you not notice that?"

The system remained silent.

At that moment, Haunter floated back into the house with the two little Pokémon.

"Jie jie~!"

"It's perfect timing. Wash your hands first..."

Before Luke could finish his sentence, a crisp sound was heard.

Haunter tossed a Badge onto the coffee table, hummed a tune, and drifted toward the bathroom.

Luke picked up the Badge and was taken aback.

This Badge... wasn't it the [Magic City Badge]?

After comparing it with the Badge obtained the last time, Luke found himself wearing a puzzled expression.

Now, was everyone capable of challenging Gyms on their own?

However, upon reflection, in the Viridian Gym succession ceremony, there was also an instance of a wild Pokémon battling...

Luke's expression became complex as he muttered,

"I have a strange feeling that I've unlocked a new achievement!"

Meanwhile, at Magic City Gym,

"Gym Leader, we're really sorry!"

"We were defeated one by one, it's as if one Haunter is as strong as six of us!"

Tang Hui almost couldn't believe his ears.

Was this the same group that was cheering for Sylveon just moments ago?

Who would have thought that Sylveon, without any commands, would defeat their entire reserve team?!

Gym Leader Tang held his head in his hands and let out a long, exasperated sigh.

"This is just too much..."