Chapter 55

All eyes in the audience were fixed on this dashing young Trainer.

Can it be believed that finance students from Magic City University managed to surpass a multitude of talents and secure a spot in the Piplup Cup finals?

A brief moment of silence enveloped the audience, followed by a sudden burst of exuberant cheers.

"Luke is amazing!"

"Haunter is stealing the spotlight!"

In the judges' area, Song Pengcheng couldn't help but nod approvingly.

Advancing to the finals without arrogance or pretension – this kid certainly possesses a dash of elegance!

Despite the outward appearance, Luke was left puzzled.

"It doesn't make sense... how could it be so weak?"

Luke's initial intention was to let Haunter partake in the tournament and not leave with any regrets.

Despite exchanging most of the Battle Points for consumable items, and even heeding advice from the experienced members of his group...

Regular training sessions were still lacking!

Yet, here he was, having made it to the finals!

"This year's rookie lineup isn't too great," Luke muttered.

Although she had lost in the semi-finals, Sally Han wasn't disappointed. On the contrary, she appeared entirely satisfied with the opportunity to face the Tactical Master himself.

"Teacher Luke, let's take a picture later!" Sally Han's eyes shimmered with excitement.

"I'd also like to ask you about your training methods!"

Luke appeared perplexed.

What training methods do I even have?

Is it possible that I have a training method?

Why am I completely unaware?

"Well, maybe... I'll share it in a live broadcast at a later time."

"Sure, I'll give you a present when I see you!" Sally Han replied with a sweet smile.

The semi-finals concluded.

News of Luke's advancement to the top four sent shockwaves throughout the entire Magic City Trainer community.

The viral sensation of "Tactical Master" combined with Haunter's rapid growth had people questioning the true extent of Luke's prowess.

Could a rookie Trainer really be as enigmatic as the rumors on the internet suggested?

However, the deeper one delved into the background of Teacher Luke, the more perplexing the truth became.

Numerous Gym Leaders lauded his strategic prowess, with Poison Type Elite Koga even re-sharing his videos.

According to hearsay, he was even personally acquainted with world Champion Red...

Within the Pokémon Association of Magic City.

Song Pengcheng, the chairman, set down the information he was reviewing, his expression a mixture of complexity.

"Could he possibly... be the illegitimate child of some influential figure?"

Luke's intentions for participating in the Piplup Cup to gain Pokémon experience were clear enough.

Yet, his profile appeared astonishingly ordinary, devoid of any pretense or concealment –

He resembled any other regular freshman in the Finance Department at Magic City University!

The more innocuous the background, the more it aroused Song Pengcheng's trepidation.

How could a background-less freshman forge connections with a world Champion?

There must be some unspoken reason behind this seamless resume.

"I can't investigate any further," Song Pengcheng muttered, wiping his brow of sweat.

"I should simply leave him be and treat him as an ordinary contestant..."

On the other end.

Unbeknownst to Luke, he had become the subject of speculation as a hidden powerhouse.

Having turned down a barrage of interview invitations from the media, Luke hurried home with an air of urgency.

"It seems like Eevee learned Bite..."

Luke murmured, a sense of unease coursing through him.

"It can't be. Its behavior seemed perfectly normal these past few days."

Despite his attempts to reassure himself, Luke had steeled himself for the worst outcome.

"As long as the house isn't in ruins, everything will be fine..."

According to the "Schrodinger's Everything" theory.

Huskies wouldn't wreck their home; the truth would only be unveiled once the door was opened.

Until then, the Husky's intentions were in a state of quantum entanglement, wavering between destroying and leaving the house intact.

In a way, Eevee's inner fox prototype could be considered canine as well...

Luke tentatively opened the door.

Scanning his surroundings, he released a sigh of relief.

The room remained unscathed, its walls pristine and white, permeated by the lingering scent of lavender – just as it was when Luke had left.

"Indeed, I was overthinking things."

Luke said with a grin, "Eevee is too adorable to destroy the house, right?"

"jie jie~?"

Haunter scratched his head, Eevee was nowhere to be seen. Instead, a trail of pawprints extended from the floor to the exterior of the house.

When the pawprints reached the cat flap beneath the door, they ceased to exist.

Haunter rubbed his chin contemplatively, resembling a shrewd detective. He nodded approvingly.

"Hey, where's Eevee?" Luke was taken aback.

"jie jie~!"

Haunter pointed towards the cat flap under the door.

Luke's expression changed slightly. "Did this rascal run away from home?!"

Unlike Meowth, the previous tenant's pet, which would venture out for strolls and return at meal times, Eevee wasn't accustomed to its surroundings here.

"Let's go, Haunter. We'll search for Eevee nearby."

Luke sighed, ready to step outside, when suddenly his phone buzzed with a message.

It was from the landlady, Sister Liu, whose tone seemed a bit curt.

"Luke, are you available now? Please come to Pokémon Center on Line 3."

In the past, the landlady wouldn't address Luke by his name, prompting him to suspect something amiss.

About to respond, Luke was met with another image from the landlady.

It depicted a bandaged Growlithe, its eyes filled with tears.

"The security guard said that it appears Eevee had a skirmish with Growlithe..."

Luke was taken aback by the message.

Suddenly, a rustling sound emanated from the door.

Eevee, bearing several scars, entered from outside. She bared her teeth, wagged her ears, and grinned at Luke.

"vui~!"

...

This incident occurred during Luke's online friend match.

Eevee had been curled up in a ball on the bed, rolling around playfully. Suddenly, she flipped over, her eyes alert.

She then slipped out through the cat hole beneath the door.

Eevee proceeded down the hallway of the community, embarking on a patrol of the surrounding area.

This was a habit she had developed during her time in the mountains.

Guided by her Anticipation ability, Eevee carried out patrols to assess potential risks within her territory.

However, unlike other Eevees with the Anticipation trait...

There seemed to be something distinctive about Luke's Eevee and how she interacted with her ability.

Eevee's ears twitched slightly, and in an instant, she dashed into the nearby grass.

From the flowerbed, two young boys emerged.

"My Nidoran♂ won't lose to yours!"

"Give it a shot! My Catterpie just evolved into Metapod!"

Just as Nidoran♂ and Metapod prepared to collide in a tackle, a swift Quick Attack burst forth from the grass.

Eevee swiftly connected with the two pokemon, leaving traces of blood on their heads. With a swish of her tail, she strolled away.

Had Luke's system been present, it would likely have exclaimed in an eccentric manner.

[Eevee's EXP is improving!]

The two boys remained frozen, their eyes locking onto each other as tears welled up.

"Mom, there's an Eevee!"

Within the community, wild Meowths were quite common. The residents had grown used to their presence, even if they couldn't exactly do anything about them.

As Eevee wandered, she suddenly huddled her limbs and twitched her ears.

The Anticipation ability had been activated!

Rather than retreating, Eevee's grin widened. She charged confidently towards a group of Meowths.

In her eyes, a fervent flame seemed to burn.

Executing the Laser Focus combat move repeatedly —

"I must become stronger!"

"Meow!"

Meowth's growl resonated with grim determination, sending the creatures scattering in fear.

Eevee, with droplets of blood on her brow, licked them away and smirked dismissively.

"vui~!"

[Eevee's EXP has significantly improved!]

As Eevee panted for breath, a passing Growlithe stood nearby, its tail wagging in curiosity.

Growlithe tilted its head, seemingly captured by a sudden surge of menacing energy, locking on to it like prey.

A sense of foreboding gripped Growlithe's mind, beads of sweat forming on its brow as it nervously yelped.

"Crack!" (I'm just passing by!)

Eevee turned her head, gently licking the corner of her mouth, offering a friendly grin to Growlithe.

"vui~ ~!"