It was a video call.
The background was a bustling street in the capital, crowded and lively.
On the screen were Luo Qingfeng, Ye Rong, and… Misty.
Were the three of them out shopping together?
When Ye Rong saw Lin Yu, he shot him a big thumbs-up —
with his other hand, he was holding Teacher Luo's.
He was signaling that his plan had worked.
Lin Yu froze for a second, then replied:
"It's finished. I just needed a little extra time recording data after Riolu evolved."
"Huh? You're also an evolution researcher?"
Ye Rong's eyes went wide at their conversation.
This was the first time he'd heard Lin Yu studied Pokémon evolution.
Is this kid good at everything?
Ancient text expert, Wave Guiding Aura wielder, top Trainer, Breeder… and now he's writing papers on evolution?
Misty looked surprised too, but she quickly recovered.
To her, it made a certain sense.
After all, Lin Yu was the one who'd helped her Magikarp evolve into Gyarados.
Luo Qingfeng shot the overreacting Ye Rong a glance.
"Surprised? This kid's way more talented than you."
She turned back to Lin Yu with a warm smile.
"Then upload it soon. Once I review and test it firsthand, your Senior Researcher certification will be approved."
Ye Rong mumbled under his breath: "He really is something…"
"Lin Yu! Lin Yu! I'm in 26th place now — did you see?!"
Misty leaned excitedly toward the camera, as energetic as ever.
"Just wait! Once I make it to the main tournament, I'll pay you back everything I owe you!"
Lin Yu encouraged her: "Keep it up!"
"Oh, are you staying at Sister Dira's place? I think I saw her in the back."
"Cough…"
Lin Yu turned and saw Ye Rong grinning knowingly behind him.
He sighed helplessly.
"We're having storytime. I told them the story about how your Magikarp evolved into Gyarados, and all the Pokémon love it."
"Evolved?"
Teacher Luo's ears perked up at the keyword.
"Magikarp evolving into Gyarados?"
As a total workaholic, she reacted instantly to research-related topics.
Misty said cheerfully: "Yep! My Gyarados evolved thanks to Lin Yu!"
"Xiao Yu, have you figured out the key to Magikarp's evolution?"
Luo Qingfeng asked urgently.
Lin Yu had been the one who gave them the breakthrough on Eevee's evolution last time.
After wrapping up that research, her team had picked Feebas and Magikarp as their next subjects —
two Pokémon whose before-and-after forms were night and day.
Unlocking their evolution secrets would shake the entire research world.
But those dimwitted Magikarp…
It was hopeless. Research from angles of strength or bond barely yielded anything.
Now she was hearing Lin Yu had cracked Magikarp's evolution?
Some kind of precise trigger?
"Cough…"
Lin Yu cleared his throat.
"It's still just a hypothesis, but I think I'm close."
Luo Qingfeng fell into thought.
Was she really qualified to be his teacher?
"Tell me about it some other time. Focus on the high school tournament first."
As eager as she was to know, she understood the tournament was Lin Yu's top priority right now.
"Got it, Teacher. Don't worry — I won't slack off on research or breeding."
Luo Qingfeng added:
"Intermediate Researchers get 500,000 in monthly research funding from the institute, plus standard Pokémon breeding privileges.
You can use that money for research or raising your team, no restrictions."
"Senior Researchers can carry two extra Pokémon in official matches.
Once I review your paper and discuss it with the panel, your certification should come through quickly."
"Thank you, Teacher."
Lin Yu blinked in surprise, then smiled. "Alright, I won't keep you any longer."
He hung up and let out a breath.
The leap from Advanced Professional Trainer to Master rank was huge.
The national tournament was right around the corner.
He already had six Pokémon. If he won the championship prize but got blocked by the Pokémon limit, it would be awkward.
"Whew…"
Lin Yu felt fired up.
He planned to pull several all-nighters to finish Hypotheses on Magikarp's Evolution into Gyarados, while also drilling his Pokémon on Aura sensing.
Somewhere in the capital.
After absorbing the Ice-type energy essence, Xue Nai had taken Vulpix through countless Secret Realms for training.
The hardships she'd endured couldn't be put into words.
But Vulpix's growth had skyrocketed.
And in an icy mountain Secret Realm,
she'd found a high-grade Ice Stone, allowing Vulpix to evolve successfully.
Her Ninetales was now at peak Gym tier.
The Trainer facing her was also top 50 in the qualifier rankings…
but his Pokémon was a Vibrava, which held no advantage in type or strength.
Let's be real.
Alolan Ninetales — Ice and Fairy-type.
Simple summary: he didn't stand a chance.
"Ninetales, Powder Snow!"
Unlike before, Xue Nai had cut her long silver hair into a short shoulder-length ponytail.
Her once gentle, smiling face had grown cold and sharp.
She'd clearly been through a lot these past months.
On the battlefield,
Ninetales stood gracefully, its fur bright as clouds, sky-blue eyes shining brilliantly.
Gone was Vulpix's cuteness — this Ninetales was the very image of a cold, noble goddess.
"Whoosh~"
Ninetales exhaled softly, sending cotton-like snowflakes drifting from its mouth,
covering almost the entire battlefield in one AOE attack.
"Vibrava, Sonic Boom!"
The opposing Trainer panicked and ordered Vibrava to fly upward,
trying to blow the snow away with sound waves.
But the gap in energy was too great. The Sonic Boom failed to clear the snow entirely.
"Sand Attack!"
Even though victory was practically impossible, the Trainer refused to give up.
"Dodge."
Xue Nai's light, cold voice rang out.
Ninetales blurred into a white shadow and dodged effortlessly to the side.
"Icy Wind, followed by Ice Beam!"
A frigid gale burst from Ninetales, engulfing the entire battlefield.
Vibrava couldn't escape the wide-range attack.
Even the spectators shivered.
At the same time, a sharp, white Ice Beam blasted from Ninetales' mouth, striking Vibrava midair at blinding speed.
"I… lost."
The Trainer smiled bitterly.
He'd known the outcome from the start, but it still stung.
Still, that girl was stunning…
"You're amazing! Can I get your contact info?"
Xue Nai stroked Ninetales' head. "Sorry. I already have someone I like."
"Alright… my bad for bothering you."
The Trainer left in disappointment.
The girl knelt down and looked up at Ninetales.
"Ninetales… do you think we've caught up to him yet?"
"Kyu~?"