Team Rocket's Second-in-Command!

"You're saying you want to teach at the Pokémon School for a while?" Kukui asked, his expression caught between surprise and confusion.

He'd never heard such an unusual request before.

Initially, Kukui assumed Luo Yuan would want to tour Alola's islands or delve into its cultural traditions. Teaching at a school? That was completely out of left field.

"Exactly. You see, I have a dream..." Luo Yuan launched into an elaborate explanation, piling reason upon reason as Kukui and Samson Oak tried to follow along. Just when their heads were about to spin, Luo Yuan added one final comment.

"But most importantly, isn't this the best way to foster cooperation between the Johto and Alola Leagues?" Luo Yuan asked with a smile.

All the other reasons he'd given went in one ear and out the other, but this last statement stuck. Kukui and Samson mulled it over and realized Luo Yuan had a point.

Many Alolans, Kukui included, had traveled to Kanto for training. Kukui himself had once challenged Kanto's Gyms, even suffering a defeat at the hands of Lance. Upon returning to Alola, trainers like him had driven changes that eventually led to the region joining the Pokémon League.

Now, Luo Yuan wanted to teach in Alola, bringing Johto's knowledge to the region. It could only be a good thing.

As for whether Luo Yuan was qualified to be a teacher... He was Johto's Elite Four! His reputation spoke for itself, and Professor Oak's glowing endorsement had only cemented his credibility.

After a brief deliberation, Samson Oak made his decision.

"I formally invite you, Luo Yuan, to become an Honorary Professor at Alola's Pokémon School," Samson declared with authority.

He then explained the role. In essence, being an Honorary Professor came with a flexible schedule. Luo Yuan could teach whenever he wanted and skip classes when he didn't feel like it.

For Luo Yuan, who only needed this title to get closer to Lillie and Lusamine, the arrangement was perfect.

As for Sabrina, her role would be as Luo Yuan's teaching assistant.

Professor and assistant—a thought that Luo Yuan found surprisingly amusing.

"Oh, one more thing," Luo Yuan said, reaching into his spatial backpack and pulling out a package.

"This is from Professor Oak—uh, Samuel Oak. He asked me to deliver it to you."

"From Professor Oak? He didn't mention anything about it in his last call," Samson said, puzzled.

"Open it up and see," Kukui urged, curious about what the renowned Pokémon scholar had sent.

Under Luo Yuan, Sabrina, and Kukui's watchful gazes, Samson Oak opened the package.

Inside was an entire box of instant noodles.

"...."

It was the kind of gift only Samuel Oak would send. His lifelong fondness for instant noodles hadn't faded one bit.

Though speechless, Samson ultimately accepted the box of Kanto-brand noodles. He made a mental note to send a box of Alolan coconuts back with Luo Yuan as a return gift.

With Luo Yuan officially set to teach at the Pokémon School, Kukui hurried home to clean off the mud from his earlier encounter with a herd of frightened Mudbray.

As for Luo Yuan, while he was eager to meet his prospective students and plan some home visits, he'd have to wait until Monday since today was the weekend.

---

Meanwhile, at the Aether Paradise...

Inside Lusamine's mansion, the woman herself reclined lazily on a sofa. Dressed in a flowing white gown, her golden hair cascaded over her shoulders. One hand absentmindedly spun a Poké Ball, while the other scrolled through the latest Alolan news on a tablet.

Most of the reports were mundane—occasional Pokémon incidents that posed no threat to the Aether Foundation's secluded paradise.

But as her finger hovered over one particular headline, she froze.

"Luo Yuan? What's he doing in Alola?"

Lusamine frowned as she read the report submitted by Team Skull. Their scouts at the port had spotted Johto's Elite Four, Luo Yuan.

She remembered the name from intelligence reports on the Hoenn incident.

For someone planning to open Ultra Space soon, the sudden arrival of a Elite Four in Alola was a major variable—and not a welcome one.

"Of all times, why now...?"

If it were any other moment, his presence wouldn't have mattered. But with her plans reaching a critical stage, even a small disruption could trigger a cascade of problems.

It was a frustratingly delicate situation.

What Lusamine didn't know was that Luo Yuan had come to Alola because of an invitation she herself had sent, albeit unwittingly.

As Lusamine pondered how to deal with Luo Yuan, a trainer from the Aether Foundation burst into the mansion.

The trainer's face was pale, her expression panicked. "President Lusamine, Cosmog... Cosmog is missing!"

"What?" Lusamine shot up from the sofa. "Wasn't it secured in the lab?"

Cosmog had been kept in a heavily guarded lab. How could it have disappeared without a trace?

Her piercing gaze fell on the trembling trainer. "Explain!"

Swallowing hard, the trainer hesitated before speaking cautiously. "According to the surveillance footage, Miss Lillie was the only one who entered the lab."

Crack.

The Poké Ball in Lusamine's hand split under the pressure of her tightening grip.

The mansion's atmosphere grew icy, and the trainer felt her legs nearly give out beneath her. Just as she thought she couldn't take any more, Lusamine spoke again.

"I understand. Leave."

Relieved to escape, the trainer quickly exited the room.

Lusamine's cold, lifeless eyes shifted to her communicator. She dialed a number.

"Guzma, find Lillie and bring her back to me."

After hanging up, Lusamine walked to the large floor-to-ceiling window, staring out at the distant sea.

Her voice dropped to a whisper.

"Lillie... what are you trying to do?"

---

...

If you're reading this, then you've wandered all the way to the end. I'm impressed. Stories are like wine—meant to be savored, not rushed. So if you took your time? Thank you.

Of course, the real thanks goes to WiseTL—the one who turned tangled words into something beautiful. I just got asked to wrap things up with a ribbon. Hopefully this counts!

If you enjoyed the journey and want to support the person who made it possible, you can find them here:

👉 [patreon.com/WiseTL]

Go on. Be generous. They've earned it.

Until next time—read well, rest often, and maybe come visit me at the Hostess of Fertility sometime.

– Syr ✨