Chapter Sixty-Seven: Journey to the Lake of Fury

Liu Bo and Aju? What sort of bizarre pairing is that? But… did they really go all out this time?

Zhuyuehan’s expression stiffened. “Aju poisoned the Lake of Rage, and Liu Bo froze the entire lake over?”

A lake of deadly poison clashing with a lake of ice? If memory served, the Lake of Rage was the largest inland body of water in the Metropolitan Region.

Joey Jing: “What? How could you have such a dangerous idea? Were people in ancient times always this insane?”

“There’s a Dark Team stronghold by the maze of the Lake of Rage’s forest. Your old man and Aju wiped it out—tore through both their people and their base.”

“And, well, there was something odd about the Dark Team’s base. The aftermath was a touch more than they expected,” Joey Jing said. “Anyway, the plane arrives at three this afternoon. Assemble twenty minutes early. Once you’re on-site, you’ll understand.”

Zhuyuehan: Hm? The disturbance might have been a bit much, but that couldn’t be the whole story. These two’s battle prowess didn’t seem the type to cause utter annihilation. If it were, say, the future Lance and his dragon legion unleashing storms of nature, then sure, the Lake of Rage would be in for a real disaster.

But Liu Bo and Aju—neither froze the world nor left a poisoned wasteland behind. The Dark Team’s base had issues? Villains these days wouldn’t still be planting self-destruct devices under their own headquarters, would they? Wasn’t it nerve-racking to go to work sitting atop a bomb every day?

From the dean’s words, at least the Lake of Rage was mostly unharmed, or else this would have turned into a full-blown disaster relief operation. Even if the students of Joey Academy were called in, it would be immediate mobilization, no time to spare.

“Go pack up, we’re leaving on assignment soon.” Zhuyuehan briefly explained the situation, though he’d originally planned to gather materials in the next two days to prepare a Poké Ball for his little fairy cream. Now it seemed there wouldn’t be time.

He wondered what the best way to wring a profit out of the League would be. This kind of practical action would likely be calculated in credits and merit points, with different reward levels within the academy and the League. In any case, he’d get to chat with Liu Bo and earn some fast money.

The safety of the Pokémon wasn’t his concern; the fact that the operation was proceeding steadily was proof enough that the situation was under control.

“What I really care about is seeing Aju—the future Poison-type Elite.” Zhuyuehan sat on the sofa, passing the little fairy cream atop his head to Lapras, signaling the big and the small to amuse themselves. With the way slots were distributed by grade, he wasn’t sure if this fieldwork would be every man for himself, or more of a mentorship with the on-site professional team.

Not having a Blissey wasn’t an issue; Lapras could use Life Dew. If he wasn’t mistaken, even if first-years went, they wouldn’t just be errand runners, but they wouldn’t be handling complex cases either. At best, maybe something as simple as that silly Oddish’s ailments.

Once he’d sorted out his thoughts, Zhuyuehan smiled, his mood shifting at once. In truth, what piqued his curiosity most was what exactly had transpired at the Lake of Rage. In other words, he was here for the gossip.

At 2:40 p.m., Zhuyuehan appeared punctually in the open space behind the administrative building. In the distance, a large “H” encircled by rings marked the transport plane’s landing spot.

He’d made Lapras and the little fairy cream take a nap, while he packed his essentials into his censer. Of course, he didn’t forget the heavy ball—blessed by a villain—which he’d yet to use.

Zhuyuehan had confidence he wouldn’t miss any stragglers, but he couldn’t say the same for the others. If any diehard villain tried to resist, he’d just handle their scapulae with the heavy ball—unless, of course, they had the skills of future Karin, the famed “Capturer” Crystal, at even thirty percent of her power. Otherwise, they could forget about turning enemies into partners.

Joey Academy didn’t use terms like Rocket Class or Parallel Class, so all the outstanding first-years came from different classes. In the first-year circle, the white-haired monkey was the only male; the other twenty-nine were Joys or regular female students.

Zhuyuehan brushed his finger across the little fairy cream’s cheek, his face perfectly blank. “Honestly, I was prepared for this.”

When the transport arrived on schedule, Zhuyuehan, as the only male, naturally drew the crew’s attention. One older crew member even asked if it was his first flight, then produced a flat flask.

“Want a sip, brother?”

Zhuyuehan shook his head. “I’m not nervous, but as a crew member, isn’t it a bit much to carry a flask around?”

“It’s for some of the weaker researchers—just a drink to make things easier.” The man gave him a thumbs-up. “Good luck. I’m rooting for you.”

Zhuyuehan smiled back. After seeing the transport’s setup, he relaxed. At least, with this level of technology, the real world wouldn’t see any nonsense like “villains mastering core tech.” Even when Team Plasma froze a city, it was thanks to a covert operation, and no one in Unova League had imagined Colress could wield Kyurem’s power.

Whether it was Hoenn’s red, blue, and green orbs, or Sinnoh’s crimson chain, those were mythical artifacts fit to influence or even control legendary Pokémon. Even the GS Ball, crafted by Mr. Steel, was made from the feathers of Ho-Oh and Lugia—divine artifacts in their own right.

But Colress? What was he made of, to control Kyurem’s power with sheer science and freeze Opelucid City? Yet he did it—his technological prowess was, frankly, excessive.

Then again, Unova’s history was probably a fiery one. Alder, its Champion, was the only one across versions who clearly had a partner leave him for good. Just hearing about it made Unova sound dangerous.

Zhuyuehan suddenly recalled an obscure bit of lore, attached to a minor character—Marshal. In his gym, several of his underlings were former subordinates from his military days. Marshal had apparently served in Unova’s air force as a major, flying warplanes powered by Pokémon.

The Pokémon providing energy for his plane was none other than his formidable Raichu.

Formidable—meaning it got thrashed by a still-ascendant Pikachu.

Well, aside from Kyurem, only one other in Unova was worth his attention.

A strange smile appeared on Zhuyuehan’s face.

Ghetsis, Team Plasma’s boss.

If I get the chance, I’ll kill you.

Not out of justice or evil—those don’t interest me. I just simply dislike you, so I’ll send you a one-way ticket to the spirit world, free of charge.

Of all the region’s villainous teams, Ghetsis was the first to truly stir Zhuyuehan’s murderous intent. Unprecedented, with only Jubilife Village in the Hisui era coming close.

As for the two royal houses of Galar… He’d already seen too many fools like them online—third-rate villains who wouldn’t last three episodes, the kind that only appeared in urban “Dragon King” novels. Annoying, but at least decently strong.

Actually, even in modern “Dragon King Returns” web novels, if you wrote villains like that, readers would still call them brainless idiots.

His first reaction back then was, “Story team, have you lost your minds? I play Pokémon and you give me this?”

“Miloo, miloo.” The little fairy cream’s call snapped Zhuyuehan from his thoughts. The creamy dumpling gazed at him with worried eyes.

“Miloo?”

Your expression was off just now—what’s wrong?

“It’s nothing. Sorry to worry you.” Zhuyuehan smiled, pinching her cheeks. “I just remembered something, that’s all.”

“Miloo, miloo~” The little fairy cream turned around, tiny body swaying as she began to knead cream, releasing a rich, sweet scent.

“Miloo!” Suddenly, she spun around, hands cupping a flower-shaped cream—roughly made, but sincere.

For you! Cheer up!

Zhuyuehan laughed, obediently opening his mouth to accept her treat. He gently drew her into his palm, pressing his forehead to hers.

“Thank you. I really do feel better now.”

“Miloo, miloo~” The little fairy cream squinted in delight, rubbing against his forehead, basking in the warmth.

“Attention, all students. The plane will arrive at its destination shortly. We will begin our descent in eight minutes. Please check your seatbelts and prepare your belongings.”

Zhuyuehan: Hm? A warning before reaching the destination made sense, like a train announcing its next stop. But why announce the descent? Maintaining a steady descent was basic piloting, wasn’t it?

Wait.

“Come here.” Zhuyuehan lifted his collar, letting the little fairy cream snuggle into his arms, then adjusted Lapras’s Poké Ball to the ready position, gripping it tightly.

If his guess was right, he had no intention of testing his own hair roots’ strength with the little fairy cream’s arms, nor did he want Lapras to be knocked about.

Eight minutes later, a violent roar and forceful downward push came. Zhuyuehan grimaced. He’d guessed right.

This was a practical operation; all procedures followed the League’s standard protocols—not those of a passenger flight.

This was no routine descent—this was a rapid drop, at an angle that felt more like a crash!

Upperclassmen and second-years remained calm. A handful of first-years looked rattled, but seeing their classmates unfazed, they quickly composed themselves.

One of a doctor’s most vital passive skills was composure, and with everyone else acting unbothered, there was no reason to panic.

“The plane has stopped. Please disembark in order. This flight has reached its destination. Good luck with your mission.”

Zhuyuehan unclipped his seatbelt, let the little fairy cream float back to his head, and waited for his classmates to leave.

If this was how things were, maybe they should just teach the students parachuting next time.