Chapter 72: Riding the Dragon: One Interstellar Ticket, Urgently

Both Dragonet and Fretos were sent away, and the staff made it clear that this incident would be added to their contributions. Aside from rushing from the academy to provide medical assistance, this counted as an extra feat.

“Wuu wuu!”

After Dragonet finished chatting—or rather, after Dragonet’s parents evolved from the joy of seeing their child into wondering why their child was still here—Dragonet suddenly felt miserable. Being a trainer really is the best!

I’m out!

“Wuu wuu.” Dragonet feigned displeasure, bumping its head against Zhusu Han’s chest. Such a fun task as catching criminals, and you didn’t call me? You just took the little fairy by yourself? It’s not fair!

“You were meeting with your parents, and you were the one carrying us from the other side of the lake to here, not to mention fighting off that swarm of Tentacool in between,” Zhusu Han shook his head helplessly. “You need to rest too. I can’t just run you ragged without caring about your well-being, right? You deserve the highest credit for this outing.”

He wasn’t just placating Dragonet. Whether it was traveling, fighting, support, or medical aid, Dragonet had done it all perfectly. If this were a tower-pushing game, Dragonet would be the ultimate all-rounder—initiating, tanking, and dishing out damage all at once. If not for Zhusu Han and the little fairy also contributing, Dragonet would have ended up as the legendary “team orphanage director.”

For the sake of improving their family’s living conditions, the white-furred monkey was busy conning money, and Dragonet too had given its all.

“Miru!” The little fairy raised both hands in a cheer. The stability she felt sitting atop Dragonet’s head, as well as the composed demeanor in battle, gave her a huge sense of security.

That’s right! Big Sis is the best!

“Wuu wuu...” The little fairy’s innocence was matched only by the white-furred monkey’s shamelessness. Their voices were far from quiet, and both people and Pokémon passing by could hear their exchange. Even Dragonet, usually carefree, felt a bit shy under the beaming smiles and praise from everyone around. In the end, her cheeks flushed as she buried her head in Zhusu Han’s arms.

Let Dragonet back in the ball! She couldn’t stand even a second longer out here!

“Come on in.” The Beiming Ball recalled Dragonet. Zhusu Han then turned to find the League staff to see if there was any work he could help with. Since he was here as a student supporter, he shouldn’t shirk his responsibilities.

“Sir, I’m really strong. How about you give me a team and I’ll lead them to break the ice? I guarantee speed and efficiency.”

The manager looked puzzled. “Breaking the ice? We do have spare tools, but are you sure you can handle them?”

“No problem, I brought my own.”

“You brought your own tools? Let me see.”

He displayed the Heavy Ball.

The manager: ?

“If you’re that strong, go help with the heavy lifting. But you really can’t use that thing as an ice-breaking tool.”

If you used that for breaking the ice, it wouldn’t just be the ice that got shattered—who knows what else would get destroyed!

“Oh, okay.”

And so, Zhusu Han, with a villainous Dragonet in one hand and Nidoking in the other, gave the staff a genuine display of human strength.

Already, some Machoke and Machamp were considering whether to unleash their full power and challenge Zhusu Han to a true contest of muscle. Or rather, considering the existence of female Machamp, it would technically be a pure contest among muscle buffs.

Even Elder Liu couldn’t help but wonder if he and Xuecheng had accidentally let something bizarre loose. Thankfully, the Joy Academy had immediately put a seal on him, which should keep things peaceful for a few years.

If Joy Jing heard this, she’d just scoff at Elder Liu. A few years? That kid nearly turned the whole academy upside down. Less than two months after enrolling, his test results left his peers in the dust.

Who could put up with that? Get to work!

Besides, Zhusu Han had no intention of working at a Pokémon Center. If he chose to specialize, he’d graduate way faster than the average student. How long could the academy keep him sealed? Two years would be a stretch!

“Meal time, meal time! If you still have work, wrap it up—the camp is serving food!”

Meal time? Zhusu Han and the little fairy immediately looked up, almost tossing their ice blocks aside. The camp meals weren’t fancy, but the portions were generous and filling—enough to meet basic needs.

“Miru?” The little fairy floated at the table, falling silent at the sight of the square energy cubes before her.

Why did these look different from her usual meals? Was the staff meal a fake?

“Wuu wuu.” Dragonet explained in a knowing tone. The world is normal; it’s our trainer who’s unusual. You’ll get used to it.

“Miru.” If Big Sis says so, it must be right! The little fairy gobbled up the energy cube in one bite. She probably didn’t even taste it, but at least it was nutritious and not a fake.

Zhusu Han calmly queued up for food alongside the Machoke and Machamp. To be fair, the League’s preparations were thorough—at least there was no shortage of boxed lunches. It wouldn’t do for him to come to work and not even get a decent meal.

Dragonet and the little fairy, though, couldn’t make do with just the camp’s food. After finishing the boxed meal, they still needed the homemade energy cubes to replenish themselves.

“Miru~” The little fairy took a round, bouncy energy ball, her face saying, “Now that’s more like it.”

“Elder Liu, what’s the plan for this base? Blow it up?” Zhusu Han asked.

Elder Liu couldn’t help but ask, “Blow it up? How?”

Zhusu Han stroked his chin. “If we can’t use explosives, just call over a couple trainers specialized in Ground-types. Two full-powered Earthquakes should do the trick.”

Elder Liu considered it. “That might work, but now it’s the League’s problem. Not my concern.”

Zhusu Han was surprised. “No one from the League has tried to rope you into a promotion?”

Elder Liu’s face darkened. “Did Xuecheng tell you?”

“I guessed. Professor Oak told me he respects your strength, and Professor Oak is a former Champion. So if the Indigo League wants to restructure, they’ll definitely want a strong local on board. You’re one of the top choices.”

Not to mention, even the Dragon Clan folks respected Elder Liu. Never mind type advantages—Elder Liu didn’t have the temperament of a good-natured Champion. Anyone who got out of line would get benched on the spot. Decisiveness is a must-have trait for a Champion.

“I’m not going. I’m fine running my gym—why should I become an Elite Four or Champion?” Elder Liu explained, “Let me tell you something basic. In the League system, the Elite Four and Champion aren’t the only high-level positions. Some of the other old hands are just as strong.”

“The Elite Four and Champion are the shining stars of their era, a channel for promotion, and each League’s calling card,” Elder Liu pointed to himself. “I’m old. I’m not a calling card anymore. Those roles have to go to the next generation.”

Zhusu Han: ?

This “calling card of the era” and the next generation—those younger folks weren’t anywhere near ready yet. Even prodigies like Red, Blue, and Lance needed time to level up before they could hold their own as trainers. Not everyone could sit comfortably in the Elite Four’s seat; otherwise, the older generation wouldn’t still be holding the positions.

Zhusu Han figured Elder Liu was just being lazy. If not for the Lake of Rage incident, the rumors about Elder Liu’s strength would only have been vouched for by Professor Oak and Kikuko. Others wouldn’t believe it, but with Oak and Kikuko, their word was enough.

Now Elder Liu had outright revealed himself as a swordsman with a gun—American-style quick-draw, with an extended mag, no less. With a Delibird and Swinub spinning at 3,600 RPM, all he was missing were sunglasses and a cigar.

“Elder Liu, have you thought about moving your gym back?” Deep in a snowbound valley, even if League officials wanted to visit, they’d have to think twice about braving the blizzards only to be turned away.

Elder Liu was troubled by this, but for Mahogany Town’s future and his own health, he couldn’t move the gym back to the valley. Whatever—he knew the League wouldn’t give up. For some, it was about their performance; for others, it was about the future of the Johto League.

“Don’t worry about that now. Just rest at camp tonight. Tomorrow, you’re coming with me.”

Zhusu Han was taken aback. “What about my campus practicum?”

“It counts, and I’ve already coordinated with the other side’s camp. Even though you took three supplies, the Pokémon you sent over meet the quota.” Elder Liu added, “The Seel will be well cared for. After being sent to the rear, it won’t be long before its teeth grow back.”

“By the way, the other camp wants to know—what possessed you to make your energy cubes round?”

Normally, whether a commercial product or a master breeder’s work, the former would use distinctive packaging, and the latter might include a signature. In terms of energy cube shapes, it seemed only Zhusu Han had ever tried to boost recognizability by changing the form.

Elder Liu could only hope the energy cube market didn’t get too weird. Cubes and spheres were fine—just no more bizarre shapes, please.

Zhusu Han: ?

How should I know?

“So where are we going tomorrow?”

“This Team Dusk base is just a façade. What matters is below—a tunnel leading to an underground area,” Elder Liu explained. “Lake of Rage was once a volcano, and it was the Gyarados who gathered here and calmed nature’s fury, or so the legend goes. To completely stamp out Team Dusk’s plans, we have to check it out, no matter what.”

Zhusu Han’s mouth twitched. “Did Abi tell you?”

“No need. All the gym leaders know about the Crown Shell,” Elder Liu replied. “Abi is a lucky kid. After this, even if his gym doesn’t accept challengers, he could coast for half a year on this achievement alone.”

Whether for Mahogany Town’s tourism or archaeological value, the Crown Shell and the historical footage were extremely precious.

Zhusu Han nodded. Got it. Next time, Abi’s treating him to dinner—at least three months’ salary’s worth.