Pokémon: I picked up a reborn Eevee at the start of the game

Lillie nodded hastily, "Oh, okay."

The three entered the restaurant.

Since Guleton and Volcarona weren't there, the private room was still big enough to accommodate two more people and a few more Pokémon.

Lillie and Lana released their respective spirits.

As trainers who had only recently started out, the two of them didn't have many Pokémon, only six in total.

Lillie's Pokémon are Vulpix, Clefairy, and Flowertherapy, while Lana's are Popplio, Araquoise, and Toxapex.

Its strength is only below the elite level, roughly the same as Sylveon when it first evolved, definitely a newbie.

But as the saying goes, "a newborn calf is not afraid of a tiger." Because the gap between them was too large, these baby-level Pokémon had no awareness of facing a powerful opponent. They curiously surrounded Xia Chen's Pokémon, chattering away.

Even more daring sea lions tried to crawl into the steel shell behind Goodra's tail, prompting Goodra to shake them out speechlessly.

…………

While the elves were having a heated battle, Xia Chen had already ordered his food.

"...Three more servings of grilled moonfish, please. Okay, that's about all I've ordered. Please help yourselves to whatever you want. This meal is on me; consider it a fan meeting."

Xia Chen smiled and handed the menu to Lillie and Shui Lian. The two of them were no longer as excited as when they first met, and obediently nodded and ordered their food.

A short while later, the three handed the dishes they had ordered to the restaurant's special waitress, Tian Lengmei, who then strode out of the private room with her long legs, and the three began to chat.

"Speaking of which, you're in fourth grade now, right? Around when did you start your journey as trainers?"

Xia Chen was curious about the system of the Alola Pokémon School, so he asked.

Water Lily replied, "Well... it just started at the beginning of last year. The first three years at school are all about learning about Pokémon, but Lillie is different. She studied for a full five years."

Xia Chen looked at Lillie with a curious expression.

The girl said somewhat shyly, "Due to some special reasons, I've been a little afraid of Pokémon since I was little, and I haven't been able to catch my first Pokémon for a long time, so I've repeated two levels..."

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

Xia Chen nodded. It seemed that this Lillie's character design was closer to that in the anime, as she was somewhat afraid of spirits because she was hurt by Nihilego when she was young.

But how did she overcome this difficulty in this world?

Xia Chen was pondering this question when Shui Lian revealed the answer to him.

"So I have to thank you, Master Pigeon. It was after watching your video that Lillie was willing to try to get in touch with the elves. Actually, Lillie was thinking of transferring to Donghuang to chase after her idols, but her family wouldn't allow it."

Xia Chen nodded knowingly.

This controlling nature... truly reflects Rosamund Perry herself.

Lillie, feeling a little embarrassed by what Shui Lian said, retorted, "It's not about idol worship, it's about healing."

Shui Lian hummed and hawed, "Whatever, it's all fine, we're going to find Master Pigeon anyway."

Watching the two bickering best friends, Xia Chen suddenly said, "Even if you don't transfer schools, it would be nice to take a trip to Donghuang. You can come and ask me for help while you're at it."

This question has a bit of a sting operation feel to it, the purpose of which is to bring up the topic of Lillie's family.

Shui Lian took the bait obediently, "This... Master Pigeon, you don't know, Lillie's family is very strict. Not to mention Donghuang, she has never even been to Hezhong, which is not very far away."

Xia Chen sighed, "That's such a pity. The outside world is vast, and it's better to go and see it for yourself if you have the chance."

When the topic came up, Lillie became somewhat silent, seemingly reluctant to talk about her family.

Xia Chen immediately stopped and changed the subject.

After all, it was their first meeting. Although he was still thinking of getting in touch with the Ether Foundation through Lillie, Xia Chen was unwilling to hurt this kind and strong girl from the bottom of his heart.

…………

"Speaking of which, Master Pigeon, it's been so long since you've made a video or done a live stream. When are you going to make another one?"

Shui Lian, not without a hint of resentment, urged for more updates on behalf of countless Xia Chen fans.

When this topic came up, Lillie started talking, nodding and complaining, "That's right, from being a diligent weekly updater at the beginning to now updating annually, you only took two and a half years to do it, Master Pigeon."

Xia Chen scratched his head and began to make excuses for himself: "Well... firstly, I've been too busy with competitions, research, and opening a dojo; secondly... I haven't had any good ideas."

Actually, it's not that there aren't any good ideas. If Xia Chen is willing, the little things during his trip can be recorded on his Rotom phone and edited to make a great vlog video. In fact, the heavy shooting and editing tasks that used to be done can be completely handed over to Rotom.

Even filming the elves training or eating would definitely attract a lot of viewers, but Xia Chen did not choose to do that.

The main reason is that... he doesn't want to expose his and the elves' lives too much to the public eye.

Anyway, he can always create a big news story from time to time, and his fans can also see him through this channel.

Moreover, when it comes to the effect of live streaming, this is definitely the best.

Lillie and Water Lily, however, believed Xia Chen's reasoning and nodded in understanding.

Before long, the food was served one after another. The elves stopped playing and began to eat heartily, while the three of them started to chat as they ate.

During the meal, Lillie asked curiously, "By the way, Master Pigeon, how long will you be staying in Alola?"

Xia Chen thought for a moment and replied, "It's hard to say, at least two or three months, but it won't be more than half a year. I have some things to do when I go back to Donghuang after that."

Lillie's eyes lit up. She hesitated for a moment, then mustered her courage and asked, "Excuse me, may I ask you some questions about Pokémon battles during this time?"

Chapter 486 I'm Super! Flash Zeraora!

Hearing Lillie's request, Xia Chen was a little curious. Did this girl want to become stronger?

Although she didn't say it aloud, that was undoubtedly the meaning she conveyed.

He didn't think Lillie said that because she wanted to see him more often, because Xia Chen was very familiar with what was in her eyes.

He couldn't quite put his finger on it; perhaps it was determination, or something deeper. In any case, Xia Chen had seen it in the eyes of Daigo and Nemo when they fought against him.

Everyone may have different reasons, but in essence, Lillie is the same person as them.

"May I ask for the reason?"

Xia Chen smiled and said, "Consider this a test I gave you."

After he finished speaking, he looked at Lillie quietly, waiting for her answer.

Although the situation was beyond Lillie's consideration, she answered Xia Chen's question without hesitation, "Because... I have a treasure I want to protect."

Xia Chen smiled wryly.

Beneath her gentle and delicate exterior, she is still the kind and strong Lillie...

Xia Chen didn't know what treasure Lillie was talking about. Perhaps it was a special elf, like Nebula; perhaps it was something she wanted to find her missing father; or perhaps it was something he didn't know.

Words weren't very persuasive, but eyes could. Although it sounds a bit cliché, he saw light in Lillie's eyes.

Looking at the girl in front of him with her long golden hair tied up in a high ponytail, Xia Chen nodded gently.

"Alright, you've passed my test."

"Eh...Eh—"

Lillie seemed surprised that the so-called "test" was passed so easily. She looked at Xia Chen with a mixture of surprise and delight, her beautiful eyes sparkling and her mouth wide open.

Xia Chen laughed and said, "What, is the test not difficult enough?"

Lillie blushed and waved her hand, "No, no, I'm just so happy. Um... can I call you teacher from now on?"

Xia Chen was taken aback. "Teacher...?"

This word is neither too light nor too heavy.

In this society, when you meet someone older, you have to call them "Master," making the word seem as insignificant as a feather. But Xia Chen knows that Lillie, this serious girl, truly treats him as a teacher.

So, should we accept it?

It seems...not bad at all.

After only a few seconds of hesitation, Xia Chen made his decision.

"Sure, I'll be staying in your school's faculty housing area during my stay in Alora. You can find me there."

Lillie's tense expression finally relaxed. She smiled and nodded lightly but firmly, saying, "Yes, I understand, Teacher Xia Chen!"

…………

Why did I agree to Lillie's request?

Xia Chen couldn't quite understand his own thoughts either.

Perhaps it was a natural fondness for her, enhanced by memories from a past life; perhaps it was a heartfelt admiration for this kind and strong girl; or perhaps it was a pang of guilt for "using" Lillie to get close to her mother...

In short, Xia Chen accepted his first student in name only.

There was no grand apprenticeship ceremony, and the process was even somewhat frivolous, but Xia Chen knew that Lillie would take it seriously, as would he himself.

After dinner, the three parted ways.

Before leaving, Xia Chen gave Lillie his phone number and address, which Lillie nodded solemnly and wrote down.

The two girls watched Xia Chen and Milos's figures disappear on the horizon, and then began to whisper among themselves.

"Ahhh... Lillie, you're so cunning! You actually became Master Pigeon's student!"

Shui Lian shook Lillie's arm again, her tone half envious and half jealous, "I was here first!"

This time, Lillie wasn't buying it and said firmly, "Students... it's not like you can only have one. You can talk to Teacher Xia Chen too."

"Hmph, Teacher Xia Chen... you've changed how you address me now."

Shui Lian felt a little sour, but didn't dwell on the topic any further.

Because deep down she knew very well that she couldn't muster the courage like Lillie.

While anyone could say something like "I have a treasure I want to protect," Xia Chen would never accept Lillie for that reason.

Shui Lian is a thoughtful girl. She clearly saw the admiration and slight complexity in Xia Chen's eyes when he looked at Lillie.

"So, Xia Chen is willing to become your teacher simply because you are Lillie, nothing more."

She murmured softly.

"Ah, Shui Lian, what did you say?"

The quiet girl's voice was already soft, and what she just said was almost inaudible. Lillie rubbed her cheek and asked.