Eeveehad just finished its bath.

The once filthy, matted fur was now smooth, revealing its pale yellow coat and the soft, off-white fluff around its neck.

Dew clung to the tuft of fur on its forehead, andEeveeshook its head, glancing at the mirror in confusion before stumbling back in shock.

“You silly thing.” Lu Ye laughed out loud.

“Vee!”

Eeveeglared at Lu Ye angrily, but with its adorable face, the expression lacked any real threat, only making it more lovable.

Lu Ye grabbed its soft little paw pad, trying to trim its nails, butEeveestruggled violently, forcing him to give up.

“I’m just trying to keep them from growing into your pads.” Lu Ye clicked his tongue.

Now,Eeveehad returned to the cute creature he had first imagined, though its eyes were noticeably sharper.

“How do you raise anEevee?”

Brock was the first to reply: “Mr. Lu, did you catch anEevee?”

“Yeah, but I’m not sure how to raise it. It’s a bit of a headache.”

Brock nodded sympathetically.

“Eeveehas eight different evolutions, and each one needs a different approach. It’s definitely tricky!”

“LittleEevee! (Eeveerolling around cutely.jpg)” Erika joined in with a playful comment.

“Hmm, what evolution are you thinking about, Mr. Lu?” Blue chimed in.

“If you need an evolution stone, I can give you a discount.”

Lu Ye gazed at the sky, thinking about his fierce littleEevee.

Evolving it intoFlareonseemed like a good choice.

In winter, he could snuggle into its warm, fiery fur, maybe even drape it around his neck like a scarf or use it as a foot warmer…

Just imagining it made him excited!

“How much for an evolution stone?”

“Well, a regular-quality one is around 600,000, and the pricier ones can go for over a million. Which do you want, Mr. Lu?”

Lu Ye’s jaw dropped.

I can’t afford any of them!

Lorelei interjected, “You could go for a friendship-based evolution. Red’sEspeon, Abu, is adorable too.”

Green’s eye twitched.

You call aShadow Ballcapable of leveling a mountain “adorable”?!

As the chat veered off course, Lu Ye coughed lightly. “I think it’s best to respectEevee’sown wishes.”

Brock nodded solemnly, his face serious.

Respecting a Pokémon’s will…

Is this Mr. Lu’s training philosophy?

Compared to methods that focus solely on battle strength, this was a remarkably advanced and profound view.

“Though it’s not much, I can share someEeveeraising tips,” Brock offered.

Always the quiet supporter, Brock was willing to help once he’d acknowledged Lu Ye.

Lu Ye’s eyes lit up. “Thanks a lot!”

【File ‘Eevee Raising Guide’ received!】

Brock’s guide included general tips on feeding and care forEevee, but nothing about training since each evolution had different needs.

Lu Ye read the file seriously, occasionally nodding.

“Hmm, I don’t understand a word…”

It was pretty advanced stuff, but he picked up a few key points—

Eeveewas omnivorous, eating berries, meat, and grains.

Many breeders carefully balanced their diet, and some even fed themPokéblocksfor extra care.

“Wait, justPokéblocks?”

Lu Ye raised an eyebrow.

“Well, that’s a relief!”

He might be a novice at everything else, but when it came toPokéblocks, even Brock might not beat him!

With the care part settled, the training was still up in the air.

But Lu Ye never planned to be a Trainer.

There was no wayEeveecould train itself likeHaunterdid…

Right?

One Pokémon was already a handful. Two? No way!

Confidently stepping out of his room, Lu Ye froze.

…

Haunterwas teachingEevee.

“Haun!”

Haunterhad pulled out a blackboard from who-knows-where, covered in messy scribbles that barely resembled anything.

“Vee?”

YetEeveenodded seriously, occasionally asking questions.

“Haun-haun!”

Haunternodded, looking pleased, as if saying, “Good student!”

Lu Ye sat down with a cup of tea, a complicated expression on his face.

Something felt off.

Eeveewasn’t training itself…

But why wasHauntertrainingEevee?!

His chest tightened.

Lu Ye rubbed his forehead and sighed deeply.

“It’s fine. No big deal…”

“LikeHaunter’slessons will help. What, isEeveegoing to learn a new move?”

“Vee!”

At that moment,Eeveeraised its head.

A faint shimmer peeled away from its body, forming a perfect copy of itself.

Lu Ye’s eyes widened.

No way.

Is thatSubstitute?!

“Vee…”

It only lasted two seconds, but it was unmistakablySubstitute.

Eeveewas drenched in sweat, panting hard, eyes filled with excitement.

“Haun…”

Haunternodded with pride, wiping away an imaginary tear.

This was my bestSubstitutemove.

Now, I pass it on to you, littleEevee!

Lu Ye didn’t know where to start complaining.

“This is too much…”

Sure, Pokémon could teach each other moves.

But who mastersSubstitutein an afternoon?!

Was it the teacher’s skill, or the student’s talent?

One backstabbing Pokémon was enough.

Now a second?!

“Vee!”

Seeing Lu Ye,Eeveeexcitedly ran over, showing off its new move.

Lu Ye forced a smile, patting its head. “Good job!”

“Vee (′▽`〃).”

Realizing it had shown too much enthusiasm,Eeveestiffened and turned away, but its wagging tail gave it away.

Lu Ye sighed deeply.

I didn’t want to be a Trainer…

So why are my Pokémon more motivated than I am?

As he stared blankly,Eeveesnuck a glance at him.

For different Pokémon, battles meant different things.

In the mountains,Eeveefought to survive.

But now, Lu Ye had given it a new life and purpose.

To keep fighting—

To grow stronger and become the sharpest blade at his side.

Stronger thanHaunter, stronger than any other Pokémon.

Eevee’seyes grew firm.

I’ll make him the strongest Trainer!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com