Chapter 505: Good News and Bad News

Hyper Beam!? Hearing Hearing Nimo first froze, then her pupils constricted sharply.

Ursaluna and Ursaring share the same types, both Ground and Normal, differing only in their stat focus; Ursaring excels at physical attacks, while Ursaluna specializes in special attacks.

These were all points Luo Mu had mentioned when introducing Ursaluna and Ursaring earlier, which Hearing Hearing Nimo had diligently committed to memory.

Thus, she was able to react instantly now, shouting without hesitation: "Ursaring, Protect!"

A terrifying beam erupted, turning nearly the entire field of vision white, shooting straight toward the Ursaring standing extremely close to her.

The power and momentum of this move far surpassed anything in Hearing Hearing Nimo's memory, even exceeding the "Facade" that Mr. Brother Qingmu's Staraptor unleashed while paralyzed during their full-power Gym Leader challenge.

Fortunately, Ursaring successfully expanded its Protect barrier and withstood the hit.

However—

Ursaring lowered its gaze, seeing that only the ground beneath its feet remained intact, while the surrounding earth, erased radially by the Hyper Beam, was a scene of total devastation.

Ursaring's bear body couldn't help but tremble.

If that had struck it directly, it feared it would be finished.

A flash of shock also passed through Hearing Hearing Nimo's Emperor Yan Di, but her increasingly skilled battle intuition instantly snapped her consciousness back to reality; she would not miss such a golden opportunity.

Amidst the rising cloud of dust, Ursaluna remained frozen in place, still holding the posture of exhaling the beam of destruction.

As the undisputed most powerful Normal-type special attack, "Hyper Beam" naturally carries a cost, or rather, a side effect.

That cost was Ursaluna's current state of immobility.

This was undoubtedly a perfect moment to sound the horn of counterattack.

The opportunity would vanish in an instant; Hearing Hearing Nimo shouted without hesitation: "Now, Ice Punch!"

Bone-chilling cold immediately surged over Ursaring's two claws; clenching its fists, it let out a fierce roar, dragging an ice-blue afterimage as it dashed several steps forward to reach Ursaluna. As if venting its frustration from being suppressed, its fists exploded outward! The fists, wreathed in astonishing cold, grew larger and larger before Ursaluna's frozen eyes, finally slamming solidly into its shoulder.

In that instant.

The cold current erupted like an avalanche; a clear sound of freezing rang out, and in merely the time of a Zha Yan De Gong, Ursaluna transformed into a vivid, lifelike giant ice sculpture.

"Ice Punch," which is super effective against Ground types, was a move Hearing Hearing Nimo had taught Ursaring—then still an Ursaring—on Glaseado Mountain.

To the side.

Mudip and the others were all surprised that Hearing Hearing Nimo could actually turn the tables.

That was so cool!

Shinji watched this scene silently; unlike Mudip and the others who relaxed, he made no sound and did not let his guard down, just like Hearing Hearing Nimo.

"A fine counterattack; the power of this Ice Punch demonstrates the gains you've made during your journey."

Luo Mu smiled and applauded, not sparing any praise.

Just as Hearing Hearing Nimo was about to express her gratitude, Luo Mu suddenly changed his tone.

"However, you missed some insignificant details."

"For instance—"

"For Ursaluna, the immobilization caused by Hyper Beam lasts an extremely short time, so brief that by the time you and Ursaring realize it, it can launch an attack again."

Many people have studied this.

The immobilization effect of "Hyper Beam" is essentially a short-term "overload" state after a Pokémon releases massive energy, similar to what happens after using "Blast Burn," "Hydro Cannon," or "Frenzy Plant."

For legendary Pokémon like Rayquaza, spitting out "Hyper Beam" repeatedly causes not even a millisecond of stagnation; it flows as smoothly as spitting on the ground.

The reason they can use "Hyper Beam" so freely is simple.

Their constitution is strong enough to exempt them from such immobilization; this applies to Serperior, to Rayquaza, and also to those Pokémon whose power was forcibly boosted by the villain's Dark Balls.

And an Ursaluna that has lived for several hundred years possesses a constitution far stronger than anyone imagines.

".!"

Hearing Hearing Nimo's pupils constricted as if she realized something.

One could say that entirely for the sake of this vinegar, Luo Mu and Ursaluna had wrapped the dumpling of being frozen by Ice Punch.

The preparation for the move was complete; Luo Mu slowly pointed upward and declared loudly: "Look up at the sky."

All six people simultaneously raised their heads to look at the sky and instantly froze in shock.

At some unknown point.

Hanging in the star-filled night sky was a scarlet blood moon.

Even that starry sky seemed faintly dyed red by the blood moon.

Vaguely, everyone understood why Luo Mu called "Ursaluna" by the name "Ursaluna."

"Crack—"

A clear sound of shattering ice pulled Hearing Hearing Nimo's stunned mind back; watching Ursaluna, with ice shards still clinging to its fur, slowly step out, a scarlet light bloomed atop its head, shooting straight into the clouds, creating a faint connection with the blood moon hanging in the starry sky.

An illusory blood moon hovered high above Ursaluna's head, emitting a heart-pounding energy fluctuation that dimmed the surrounding streetlights significantly; gray clouds were completely unable to obscure its imposing presence.

Only at this moment did Hearing Hearing Nimo realize the reason Ursaluna had deliberately taken Ursaring's Ice Punch and pretended to be frozen.

Compared to Hyper Beam, this move undoubtedly required a certain amount of wind-up and preparation time.

But it was also far more suitable for Ursaluna than Hyper Beam.

"Blood Moon."

Boom! The scarlet light surged dramatically; accompanied by a roar that sounded like the sky tearing apart, a pillar of blood-red light poured out like a dam breaking, rupturing the air and shooting straight toward Ursaring.

Everything in its path was dyed with scarlet light; the pierced air emitted a groan of unbearable strain, and the numerous fragments of rubble stirred up along the way were instantly reduced to powder.

At the exact moment the Blood Moon erupted, Hearing Hearing Nimo, feeling immense pressure, chose to go all in.

"Giga Impact!!!"

"Roar—!"

Ursaring let out a fierce roar; Bai Guang erupted from its body surface, enveloping it entirely in milky-white currents of air that rose from nowhere.

The Normal-type energy further transformed into swirling currents of white and purple; as Ursaring charged wildly, it created shockwaves that uprooted surrounding trees, fearlessly rushing toward that blood-red pillar of light that seemed capable of devouring it.

The moment of collision.

Inevitably, a deafening boom echoed across the sky above the peripheral zone of the Grape Academy; a terrifying shockwave swept outward, even uprooting several large trees, while gravel exploded like bullets in all directions, and the trembling ground itself cracked with countless fissures.

Fortunately, Shinji and the others had their Pokémon beside them, Luo Mu had Moltres, and the Poké Balls on Hearing Nimo's person automatically opened, a Goodra appearing voluntarily to shield her tightly.

Only this arena and the nearby trees suffered the consequences.

Hiding behind their Ursaring or Ursaluna, with the violent gusts blowing against them, Shinji and the others squinted, staring fixedly at the center where the moves collided, waiting for the result to be revealed.

A moment later.

The dust and smoke filling the sky dispersed under the airflow generated by Moltres flapping its wings, revealing the scene within.

It was an Ursaluna that had lost the ability to battle, and a Bloodmoon Ursaluna that felt utterly exhilarated after taking one hit from Blood Moon.

Hearing Nimo exhaled a breath, only to be choked by the dust and cough several times, forcing a helpless smile.

"It seems I still have a long way to go."

The next day.

October 23rd, morning.

Although Luo Mu had gone to the Grape Academy last night, strictly speaking, that counted as overtime work.

Unfortunately, his overtime only counted for overtime pay, not compensatory time off, so he still had to come teach during the normal class hours the next day.

He had even specifically brought Comfey and Bai Bai Pengpeng and the others to the Grape Academy.

The reason was none other than this.

The commotion last night had been too loud, and Principal Clavell had ordered the restoration of the area that had nearly been blasted apart by the two Pokémon.

The pitted craters were easy enough to solve; with so many Ground-type Ursaluna around, they were filled in within moments.

As for those collapsed and broken trees, since one couldn't watch an advertisement to revive them, the only option was to call upon Comfey and the others to redo the landscaping; before class, Luo Mu led several Pokémon, huffing and puffing as they worked there for half a day, finally restoring everything to its original state.

Exhausted, Luo Mu simply skipped the usual physical education class to welcome Hearing Nimo, letting the six students spar with each other to reacquaint themselves, while he took the opportunity to slack off—or rather, to observe with his own eyes the overall changes in the three of them after their journeys.

Hearing Nimo's team had basically evolved to their peak: Pawmi, Ursaluna, Goodra, Paldean Tauros (Aqua Breed), Decidueye, and Ribombee, totaling six Pokémon, and she had not caught any others besides these.

Regardless of how strong this team was, its composition was already very complete; coupled with Hearing Nimo's own talent, after a bit more intensive training, she could begin preparing to challenge the Paldea League's Elite Four and the Champion Assessment overseen by Geeta.

It was foreseeable that this team would likely be Hearing Nimo's championship-winning squad.

Aside from Ursaluna, Rika's team consisted entirely of Fighting-types: Annihilape, Croagunk, Breloom, Blaziken, and Crabominable; around their necks or waists hung medals or golden belts Rika had won by participating in fighting tournaments during her journey, making it clear they were battle-hardened veterans.

As for Penny, her team consisted of Mabosstiff, Greedent, Cloyster, Capsakid, Toedscool, and Ursaluna; aside from Ursaluna, the lineup matched the game configuration, lacking Garganacl, and excluding Mabosstiff and Ursaluna, all were related to food and cooking.

Penny's current strength was, to a certain extent, already sufficient for self-preservation; Luo Mu looked forward to Penny honing his culinary skills, so that when they descended into the Great Crater of Paldea next time, he wouldn't have to cook.

There was no need to elaborate too much on Eri's Eevee team; with her former Champion father and current League Chairman uncle, and given that Luo Mu had never taught a watered-down class, her strength had not fallen far behind the trio.

As for Shinji and Shizuka.

For one, they had become Trainers much later than the other four, so their teams were still being built; Torterra, Skeledirge, and Ursaring had already shown initial strength, holding promise for the future.

For the other, their entire combat power depended on how the Trainer Chansey cultivated Porygon and Bulbasaur; even Luo Mu, when watching them research move combinations, would sometimes feel a subconscious urge to retch.

How to put it? One couldn't call them a group of demons and monsters; one could only say that talented individuals emerged in large numbers.

After class, upon receiving the notification, Luo Mu went to the Chairman's office on the top floor of the Grape Academy with an anxious heart.

Without even knocking, Luo Mu opened the door and walked straight in; as expected, both Geeta and Clavell were there.

Seeing Luo Mu arrive, Geeta beckoned, "Come over and sit down."

Luo Mu nodded lightly and plopped directly onto the moderately soft sofa.

Clavell greeted Luo Mu, saying, "Teacher Luo Mu, I have seen the Treasure Hunt summaries of your three students; they are truly excellent, and this is all thanks to you."

Hearing Nimo, who had cleared all eight Gyms; Rika, who achieved excellent results in the Fighting Tournament; and Penny, who passed through six Gyms and even located the rumored sites of the five Titan Pokémon.

Each had achieved their own goals and satisfied their emotional needs; it was simply the best outcome imaginable for him, the one who had proposed the concept of the "Treasure Hunt."

Luo Mu responded modestly, "This is their own achievement; I merely played a supporting role."

"The teachers at the school, including you, Principal..."

Luo Mu returned the professional flattery, but he genuinely believed it as well.

He was equivalent to a catalyst, accelerating the growth of the few of them, but even without him, they would still have been able to rely on their own strength to rise to the corresponding heights.

Geeta cheerfully placed two cups of freshly brewed hot tea in front of Luo Mu and Clavell, interrupting their mutual flattery, and said, "Let's put this matter aside for now and talk about why we called you here."

"Ahem... my apologies."

Flushed slightly from Luo Mu's praise, Clavell cleared his throat, silently straightened his back, and maintained his sitting posture.

Luo Mu also looked toward Geeta, remaining silent.

Geeta smiled and said, "One good news, one bad news, two messages in total; which one do you want to hear first?"

"I knew you calling me meant nothing good."

Only then did Luo Mu speak in a leisurely tone.

Geeta smiled without speaking; the Paldea League had only just started over a decade ago, and she served as Chairman, Top Champion, and Academy Chairman all at once, busy spinning in circles all day, with only officiating matches under the guise of official duties offering a brief rest.

If Luo Mu hadn't insisted on retiring, and at a time when talent was urgently needed, especially since he was the talent she favored most, how could she have let him slip away?

Fortunately, now that Luo Mu served as a teacher at the Academy, she could occasionally call him over to assign a few tasks; otherwise, she feared she wouldn't even be able to catch a glimpse of him.

It's just that she couldn't do so under the guise of official business, but rather had to use the pretext of private matters.

She had called Clavell over because the matter concerned the Grape Academy.

After pondering for a few seconds, Geeta said, "Then let's start with the good news."

"Clavell, as Principal, you know better than I do, so you should be the one to explain."

"Yes, Chairman."

Clavell nodded lightly; a row of miniature commemorative Poké Balls hanging at his waist swayed slightly with his movement, clinking against each other and emitting faint sounds.

"Teacher Luo Mu, you must have heard similar rumors as well."

"Regarding the Blueberry Academy from the Unova region coming to visit the Grape Academy in the Paldea region, just like last time, to hold a 'Friendship Exchange Match'."

After Clavell's voice fell, he turned to look at Luo Mu.

Seeing Luo Mu nod slightly, he continued speaking.

"The date has been confirmed; they will arrive during the first few days of next month. Since the other party wishes to establish a friendly sister-school relationship with our academy, this battle is unavoidable."

"Originally, I was worried because the two students who went to Blueberry Academy were both on treasure-hunting journeys, while the other side's faculty strength has made significant progress, putting us at a disadvantage."

"Now, it seems we can be much more at ease."

A smile appeared on Clavell's face.

Friendliness aside, if one can win, who would want to lose?

Nowadays, the batch of students with the highest talent and strongest strength in the academy are basically all in Luo Mu's small class, which is why Geeta said this matter must be notified to Luo Mu in advance.

Listening to Clavell's narration, a thoughtful light flashed in Luo Mu's eyes.

This news is indeed true.

Geeta, standing nearby, seamlessly added upon seeing this: "The reason I call it good news is, first, I believe in the strength of the students you have cultivated, and second, there are no exhibition matches this time; you, as the teacher, just need to watch from the sidelines."

"How about it? Can this be considered good news?"

Geeta looked at him with a beaming smile.

Luo Mu: "."

It seems so.

It really does count as good news.

In Luo Mu's view, the current trio of Hearing Hearing Nimo, plus the combination with Mudan, was enough to utterly crush the Blueberry League's Elite Four and Champion.

This also meant that he only needed to give orders, and he could lie back and wait to watch the battle without worrying about anything.

Luo Mu's face showed an expression of satisfaction.

Seeing him like this, Geeta did not forget to issue a warning.

"However, do not be too careless. As far as I know, Champion Dai Ke is currently employed at Blueberry Academy, so an improvement in the students' level is inevitable."

"You are more familiar with Champion Dai Ke than I am, and you also know the terrifying oppressive force brought about after his ace fully recovered. I heard that recently, the evil organization 'Team Plasma' in the Unova region has been forced to avoid his sharp edge."

Luo Mu had more or less heard these admonitions from Geeta from Dai Ke himself; he merely nodded to indicate he understood.

Thinking of this, Luo Mu simply took this opportunity to reveal the matters he had been considering earlier to Geeta.

After organizing his words, he mentioned to Geeta the old couple Xue Zhong and Shu Zi from Kitakami, as well as Kuri and Danyu.

After listening attentively, a spark of interest flashed in Geeta's eyes, and she then said, "A craftsman skilled in making special masks? I am indeed very interested, not to mention that their family also includes two trainers whose talent you have acknowledged."

Talents like Xue Zhong, who inherit ancient skills, might not be strictly necessary for the Paldea League, but if there is a chance to invite them to settle down, Geeta would not hesitate for a moment.

As the League Chairperson, her vision was very far-reaching.

Even if they are not needed now, they might prove greatly useful on some future day.

Geeta also approved of Luo Mu's insight; with an excellent craftsman and two grandchildren with very promising trainer talent, Geeta could not help but want to poach them—no, to invite them.

However—

"You said those two students will compete for the qualification for the Friendship Exchange Match, correct?"

"Please allow me to give my answer after that day."

Geeta's voice paused for a moment, then she added, "So, let us now talk about the bad news."

(End of Chapter)