Chapter Twenty-Three: Instinctive Use of Exclusive Skills

“All of this is incredibly helpful. The allure of Pokémon surely isn’t limited to trainers alone!”
Abi seized Zhu Suihan’s arm, eyes shining with excitement.
“Suihan, come to my Azalea Gym. Let’s join forces and build something magnificent—let’s create a glorious legacy for Bug-types!”
Zhu Suihan glanced at Abi calmly. “I have no academic background. I’m illiterate.”
Abi: ?
“I’ve never attended school. The documents I have were only processed recently.”
Abi: ?!
“Who would believe that? You’re full of ideas, and you’re telling me you’ve never studied?”
Zhu Suihan nodded. “Yes. Is there a problem?”
Abi took a deep breath, his blood pressure rising.
“That’s—at least pick a less perfunctory excuse when refusing me.”
“I’m not lying. My admission certificate is still being processed, though it should be ready soon.”
Abi asked, almost against his will, “Where are you planning to study?”
“It seems to be Joy Academy. Unless something unexpected happens, that’s where I’ll be.”
Abi’s curiosity was piqued. “You’re aiming to be a nurse? Or a Pokémon doctor?”
“Breeding, actually. And I want to encounter more Pokémon.”
Zhu Suihan smiled. “Just so you know, I was born barely over a week ago.”
Abi was dumbfounded. “You grew this much in a week?!”
“Alright, I won’t tease you. But everything I said was true—it’s just so outlandish it sounds like a joke.”
Zhu Suihan continued, “I have no bias against Bug-types, nor particular fondness for them.”
“In fact, what I love is Pokémon themselves. I want to travel everywhere, see different Pokémon with my own eyes, no matter their type.”
“With my companions.”
“Laa-luu.”
Lapras popped out of her ball, pressing her head firmly against Zhu Suihan’s cheek.
Let’s go see the world together, meet new friends with Lapras!
Let’s set out!
Abi burst out laughing. “I see. Even if you’re illiterate, you still have your own dreams.”
Zhu Suihan couldn’t help but smile. “There’s no need to keep bringing up being illiterate—I won’t be for much longer.”
“No worries, because right now, you still are.”
Abi said, “We all have to strive for our dreams. When you become famous, Suihan, you better come back and advertise for my events!”
Zhu Suihan replied, “Isn’t it possible—just possible—that when your events become wildly popular, I’ll be the one shamelessly chasing your fame?”
Abi was supremely confident. “No, I believe in you.”
Zhu Suihan tossed the Heavy Ball in his hand. “Funny, I believe in you, too.”
Suihan, such a true friend!
Abi blushed, nearly tempted to swear brotherhood with Zhu Suihan then and there.
“We’ve been at this for ages, must be hungry. Let me treat you to the gym’s specialty dishes!”
Zhu Suihan hesitated, pondering.
Specialty dishes of the gym… To put it bluntly, isn’t that just the Azalea Gym cafeteria?
After the meal—
“Laa-laa-laa-laa, Suihan, how can you eat so much?”
Abi was nearly in tears, feeling as if the funds reserved for special meals for Pokémon were doomed.
No way!
Abi clenched his fists, eyes burning with determination.
Time for drastic measures!

Just say a Snorlax barged in and ravaged the kitchen!
But that won’t work—without proof of Snorlax being captured, the League will surely add a “poor management” note to the assessment.
Zhu Suihan was curious. “You’re the gym leader; surely you don’t lack funding?”
Abi wore a mournful expression. “Funding is fine, but if meal expenses suddenly spike, the League will start asking questions and demand reports.”
Zhu Suihan patted Abi’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’ve got your excuse ready.”
“Just say it’s the same reason as the Caggy Gym—you both hosted the same guest.”
“You’re not the first gym leader I’ve eaten out of house and home. The League will understand your plight.”
Abi: ???
So you’re a repeat offender!
Alright, with Elder Liu on my side, Abi felt much better.
“By the way, Suihan, take these.”
Abi handed two spray cans to Zhu Suihan. “The black one’s bug repellent, the white one attracts bugs. You know how to use them.”
Zhu Suihan shook his head. “Repellent? What’s in it?”
“Just scents Bug Pokémon dislike—harmless to people and Pokémon.”
Abi said, “You’re heading to Joy Academy, and with only Lapras as your partner, you’ll have to take the standard route. These sprays will help.”
Zhu Suihan nodded in thanks. “I’m afraid they won’t last. Can I have two more?”
Abi rolled his eyes. “Don’t push it. These are custom-made, a gym leader’s blend. A little goes a long way.”
“Thanks, but I don’t have anything suitable to give you in return.”
Zhu Suihan pondered, then placed his hand on Abi’s shoulder.
“Let me share a bit of my luck with you.”
Abi: ?
He felt today’s confusion exceeded that of any month prior.
“Leader Abi, leader!”
A young apprentice rushed over. “You have a phone call—from Rocket Corporation. They’re inviting you to a joint development project!”
Abi was stunned. “Rocket Corporation? I hardly interact with them. Well, I’ll go see what’s up. Suihan, feel free to look around.”
?
Wow, that’s uncanny!
Zhu Suihan looked at Lapras. “Rocket Corp’s research project—could it be the one we mentioned to Ma Zhishi last time?”
“Laa-luu.”
Lapras nodded earnestly. Though she didn’t understand, it didn’t stop her from pretending she did for Zhu Suihan’s sake.
Zhu Suihan propped his chin. “Seems I’ll never have to worry about gifts again.”
Special limited gift—bestowing luck.
Abi ran over, elated. “Suihan, I got it, I got it!”
You passed the imperial exam, did you?
Zhu Suihan turned briskly to Lapras. “Freeze Beam, wake him up.”
“Laa!”
A beam of icy blue struck the ground near Abi, instantly cooling the heated trainer’s enthusiasm.
Zhu Suihan patted Lapras’s neck, satisfied.
“Alright, now tell me—what did you win, the lottery?”
Abi swallowed nervously. “In a few days, I’ll be heading to Viridian City. One of my former mentors recalled me for a project, invited me to join their research.”
“Oh, then it’s settled. That project’s related to me, to be precise—I sold it.”
“Bug-type and Flying-type lure modules. They’ll be a huge help to you. Good luck.”
Abi: ?

“Wait, how do you know it’s those two types… Oh, you said you sold it?!”
Even more outrageous.
“I told you, believe it or not, it’s from my era.”
Zhu Suihan’s expression remained unchanged. “Everything I tell you is true. Think about it—I just said I was born less than a week ago, doesn’t that make you wonder?”
With the goal of becoming a Pokémon Professor, Abi, who’d spent time exploring ruins, jolted as realization dawned, staring at Zhu Suihan in shock.
No wonder Mr. Steel’s attitude toward Zhu Suihan was so odd!
He’s a living relic dug out of the ruins?!
Zhu Suihan consoled him, “Relax, relax. It’s enough that you know; eventually, more people will.”
A living relic from the ruins is strange?
No worries, Zhu Suihan could just hand you a ‘List of Villains and Mysterious Figures.’
Take Hoenn League’s president, for instance—surely you wouldn’t want everyone to know the leader of Team Aqua is the TV station director.
Compared to those trying to destroy the world, or the exploration teams from Ultra Megalopolis, a relic who only wants to travel and bond with Pokémon is nothing.
“Well, you can consider that knowledge as typical of my era.”
Zhu Suihan tapped his head. “I have amnesia. Most things are forgotten, only fragments return now and then—and I sell those for money.”
“So long as civilization exists, every era needs money.”
Abi was genuinely curious now. “A living relic… I’ve heard the League stores ancient secrets, but I’ve never met someone alive.”
“No worries—you might meet a living ancient Pokémon someday.”
Take Omanyte, Kabuto, or ancient Relicanth—all possible, just depends if the main cast, or some lucky soul, stumbles upon them.
“Identity is just that—an identity. That’s why I aim to make some money.”
Zhu Suihan sighed. “It’s better to be independent, after all.”
Abi agreed, then sheepishly asked,
“Suihan, those lure modules—can you show me, or explain how they work?”
“I’m worried I’ll be the least knowledgeable and embarrass the mentor who invited me.”
Zhu Suihan laughed. “Don’t worry, you’re definitely not the most illiterate one.”
For such research, Ma Zhishi, as the ‘top performer,’ would surely be present. That guy’s an expert in Electric-types.
Hmm…
Zhu Suihan suddenly recalled Lapras and headed outside. “I’ll step out for a bit—almost forgot something. I’ll be back soon.”
Abi watched him leave, then was swept up by excitement for the upcoming seminar.
Leave, leave!
He didn’t want to spend another second on his shift!
Zhu Suihan picked up speed, heading toward Rocket Corporation’s convenience store.
He realized why mentioning Ma Zhishi felt odd.
His money!
“Boss, has my shipment arrived?”
“It has, it has! Don’t worry, sir, I’ll fetch it right now.”
The store manager quickly settled customers’ bills and dashed to the back—this was an assignment from the boss’s boss’s boss, and this guest must be treated like royalty!
Ma Zhishi’s goods were impressive: ten large mechanical crates, each about the size of three air conditioner units.
There was also a small, elegant box, likely the smart communication device Ma Zhishi mentioned.
In short, a phone.
After loading the materials and evolution stones into the incense burner, Zhu Suihan opened the small box, feeling the joy of owning his very first phone.
A large red R adorned the box, but the phone itself was plain black, with no markings. High-quality materials, matte enough not to reflect sunlight.