Chapter 615: Central Plaza, the Master-Student Legacy Battle!

The live broadcast of the Paldea Pokémon League Championship exam has ended.

Yet many Pokémon battle enthusiasts stared blankly at their blackened TVs or computer screens, unable to snap out of it.

Some might think their reactions excessive, but only they themselves knew what it truly meant to watch, from start to finish, a battle so brilliant it utterly dwarfed most other competitions.

Even the annual "Championship Defense Match" in Sinnoh, where the Elite Four challenge the champion, fell short in excitement, tension, and intensity compared to this Championship Exam.

The Elite Four are visibly inferior to regional champions.

The annual Sinnoh Championship Defense Match, publicly broadcast and even sold with arena tickets, was essentially just a fan celebration for Cynthia.

Yeah, it was merely watching Cynthia crush the Elite Four once again from yet another angle to retain her title.

In contrast, Paldea League's sudden, silent launch of this "Championship Exam" or "Championship Chain" live stream was an absolute feast for battle fans.

It broadcast the entire chain—four consecutive battles against the Elite Four, culminating in the final challenge against the Chief Champion—and featured real-time commentary by Gym Leaders.

Though the commentators inserted ads multiple times with near "inch-stop" timing, the battles themselves were undeniably spectacular.

After a long while recovering from the satisfaction of such a high-quality battle, some fans began replaying and analyzing the half-day-long match details.

During playback, some were stunned to discover that each of the Elite Four, and even Chief Champion Eiji, had mentioned one person.

In the beginning, during, or after their battles, they all referenced this individual, if only slightly.

Their remarks were nearly identical: "No wonder he's that person's student."

This instantly sparked curiosity: Who was "that person"?

The "student" clearly referred to the newly crowned Champion-level Trainer Nimo, but who was "that person"?

Nimo currently appears to still be a student at the Grape Academy in Tabletop City.

Whoever trained such an outstanding student—gifted, hardworking, and powerful—must be a teacher of great prestige.

Not long after noon, forums related to Trainers, besides heated threads discussing the high-level battle, began spawning new posts: "Who is that person?" and "Find that person."

Tabletop City, Grape Academy.

Luo Mu was unaware of everything brewing on the Trainer forums.

After watching the Championship Exam, he had ridden Dragonite back here.

Walking through campus, he watched the purple traits of Grape Academy slowly being replaced by orange—the signature of Orange Academy.

His expression was tinged with nostalgia.

The shift from Grape Academy to Orange Academy meant he had already served here nearly a year; counting his time as a Champion-level Trainer, it had been far longer than a year.

Yet in just one year, his experiences had not grown dull—they had become even more extraordinary.

The farm had expanded, his students had grown, his own mindset and his partners' strength had all advanced steadily.

"What a truly rewarding year."

Upon hearing Luo Mu's wistful voice, the Kyogre Core showed no special reaction, instead continuing to curiously observe its surroundings.

"So this is what your academy looks like—the place you visit every few days."

"Systematically gathering and nurturing young ones—no wonder humans have risen to become the dominant 'species' on this planet."

The Kyogre Core, still invisible, paused its gaze on scattered students passing by, its eyes brimming with interest.

Its duty was observation, surveillance, and maintenance—so such things naturally held its curiosity.

Precisely because it had seen so much, its mindset was far more stable and less extreme than those of younger "Cores."

—Though humans still cause trouble now, compared to the chaotic past, they no longer seem so bothersome.

Back in the Kalos region, a foolish creature once tried to revive a life by sacrificing countless others, creating a terrifying device.

The outcome, of course, ended in tragedy.

Compared to those grand calamities, today's events are mere child's play.

After a moment's thought, the Kyogre Core sent a mental message to Luo Mu: "I intend to split off a few cells and place them within this campus. You have no objection, do you?"

"Be my guest."

Luo Mu nodded slightly, having no intention of stopping the Kyogre Core.

In Kalos, its cells were probably everywhere, merely monitoring the ecosystem.

If so, what reason did he have to object?

Besides, the Kyogre Core on his shoulder looked utterly indifferent—no signs of human ethical notions, nor any hint of being a lolicon.

Let it install its cameras.

Kyogre cells would inevitably spread across Paldea anyway.

After verbally informing Luo Mu, the Kyogre Core began preparing to split its cells.

But hearing faint, unpleasant sounds—muffled grunts, exertion noises—Luo Mu hesitated, then whispered: "Would you mind if I sat down somewhere? You can split quietly then?"

Otherwise, even if he forced himself not to think about it, he couldn't help fearing the Kyogre Core might… well, leave something on his shoulder.

This psychological dread was unavoidable, even for him.

"Hmm, no. This way I can focus better."

Though puzzled, the Kyogre Core nodded in agreement to Luo Mu's suggestion—and added its own request.

"Find a place with wide visibility and sunlight!"

Luo Mu ultimately chose the Grape Academy library.

Though books were stored indoors, Eiji had designed the library with sunlit reading areas to stimulate student interest and enhance reading comfort.

This protected their eyes and prevented the feeling of stuffiness indoors.

The Kyogre Core could enjoy full sunlight there, and Luo Mu could also read a book and pass the time.

Today was a day off, and after watching the Championship Exam, Jinsi and the others likely had no energy for his private tutoring.

Rather than forcing himself to work overtime, he might as well pick up a book, brew some tea, and wait for Nimo to recover before meeting her.

As he flipped through *Newly Revised Pokémon Psychology*, searching for cases or solutions similar to the female Squirtle Taelbagos, he thought to himself.

With Grape Academy currently in its pre-term break, few students remained on campus; the scattered individuals walking about were likely boarders or students interested in the match who had gathered voluntarily to watch within the academy.

The reading environment was quite peaceful.

The message sent to Eiji had been marked as read—he assumed Nimo understood his intent—and Luo Mu immersed himself in the ocean of knowledge.

Even the occasional "effort" sounds from the Kyogre Core beside him were automatically filtered out by his ears and mind.

Yet an unexpected person approached him silently at this moment.

A slightly amused female voice sounded from behind Luo Mu.

"At a time like this, you're reading in the library?"

Luo Mu's page-turning halted. He turned his expressionless gaze behind him.

Reho's smiling face came into view.

"So calm? How boring~"

Reho had intended to tease him, but received none of the reaction she expected; her smile immediately faded slightly.

Had she observed closely, she'd have noticed Luo Mu's entire body had stiffened, his pupils slightly unfocused—he'd been startled.

But his control over his body was excellent; he never showed vulnerability to outsiders, so he appeared completely unfazed.

Luo Mu had indeed been startled by Reho appearing behind him like a ghost, but since she'd only come to greet him, he recovered within a second.

Still, he snapped at her: "What do you want?"

"I do have something. I planned to approach you after the term started, but I spotted you here in the library."

Reho pretended not to notice his irritation, her smile returning.

"I watched the Championship Exam—it was incredible! Your student is truly amazing; she even turned the tables on the Chairman!"

"But shouldn't you be taking that child out to celebrate? Why are you quietly hiding here reading?"

"—Or have you been so moved you're secretly wiping away happy tears?"

Reho's tone carried more teasing.

"You're imagining things. I've already made arrangements. Didn't you get the principal's text message?"

Closing the book, Luo Mu sipped his now-cool tea.

"Oh~ So that's how it is."

Remembering the mass message Principal Cravell had sent to resident teachers, Reho said with a knowing look.

"Though I've taught that girl only a few lessons, I can guess this is probably what she's been looking forward to most."

"Looks like I've meddled too much, Teacher Luo Mu~"

Luo Mu didn't respond, instead shifting the topic.

"So, what exactly do you want from me?"

"I'm right here. Just say it."

Luo Mu's interactions with Reho among the Grape Academy staff were limited.

But if she had come to see him, he suspected it was likely about one thing.

"Alright, since you want to hear it, I'll tell you."

"About the Calamity Treasures—I've made new discoveries through my recent investigations."

Reho plopped down beside Luo Mu, startling the invisible Kyogre Core, which leapt hastily to the other side.

Even as laid-back as it was, the Core now glared angrily at this rude woman.

Unfortunately, since it hadn't deactivated its invisibility, neither Luo Mu, who had been reading, nor Reho, who had just arrived, knew where it was.

This glare was wasted on the blind.

Reho pulled a small notebook from her waist bag, flipped to a page, and held it up for Luo Mu to see.

"Are you interested in information about the pure water that purifies all filth?"

As Lei He spoke, Luo Mu's gaze fell upon the notebook.

He wasn't interested in the long list of records, but the final sketch caught his attention.

Lei He smiled and explained, "The legendary Pokémon, Suicune."

"It's said to be the embodiment of the northern wind, possessing the power to instantly purify polluted water. I wonder if it can cleanse the corruption on the Calamity Treasures."

"I've investigated—its sightings are mostly in the Johto region. Though there are a few reports from Paldea, I believe the chances of finding it in Johto are high."

"I've also made progress on the precise locations of the Four Calamity Treasures and the stakes."

"What do you say? Shall we head to Johto first to find Suicune, obtain the 'pure water that purifies all corruption,' and then break the seals of the Four Calamity Treasures?"

Though she couldn't be certain Suicune could cleanse the curses, evils, and desires on the stakes, it was the only legendary Pokémon Lei He had uncovered so far linked to purification legends—and she felt it was worth a try.

Lei He assumed Luo Mu wouldn't refuse her proposal.

But to her surprise, after listening to the full explanation, Luo Mu shook his head. "No, it's unnecessary."

Lei He: "?"

Seeing the confusion in Lei He's eyes, Luo Mu explained, "Do you know how much effort it takes to chase a Pokémon whose movements are unpredictable?"

He remembered someone in Johto who had obsessively pursued Suicune for years.

Luo Mu didn't think Lei He had any way to find it, and even if she did, it would take an unknown amount of time.

Moreover, he doubted whether Suicune could even cleanse the corruption on the stakes and the Calamity Treasures.

Back in Johto, he had once encountered Suicune seeking his help—it had brought Hu Hu Brother and Hu Hu Sister back to the farm.

At the time, they had suffered severe burns from a fire, and Suicune had no choice but to turn to Luo Mu.

—If Suicune couldn't even heal burns, Luo Mu deeply doubted it could purify corruption.

Besides, Capu Fifi's connection to the Paldea waters has grown stronger, and its power is steadily recovering; in the future, it will grow even more powerful by monopolizing the purification.

Capu Fifi's purifying water is enough—there's no need to seek out Suicune.

But Luo Mu didn't immediately tell Lei He this.

Knowing her well, he feared that the moment he mentioned Capu Fifi, she'd drag him across all of Paldea to hunt for the stakes.

He brushed Lei He off with "I have my own method," got her focused on locating the stakes, then looked up at the time.

Five p. m. —it was about time.

After checking out the unread book with the librarian, Luo Mu headed straight to the rendezvous point with Dragonite, who had returned to the farm ahead of him, while Gengar's core leapt onto his shoulder on its own.

After confirming he was fully prepared, Luo Mu left through the exit of the nearby Grape Academy and headed directly to the bustling center of Tabletop City.

At the city's heart stood a central plaza named "Sun Square."

At this moment, Sun Square had been cleared by Claver, as Luo Mu had forewarned, with the battle arena completely empty.

Well-informed students and teachers had gathered nearby, some even among them "accidental passersby" who were Gym Leaders.

Occasionally, passersby paused, curiously gazing at the plaza, murmuring whether another battle event was being held today.

After a brief exchange with Claver, Luo Mu walked slowly into the battle arena under the watchful eyes of the crowd.

He would wait here for Nimo's arrival.

For what was about to come—the Master-Apprentice Transmission Battle, or rather, a battle between two Champion Trainers!

After the battle, Nimo would graduate from him and become a trainer capable of standing on her own.

(End of Chapter)