Chapter Seventy-Six: Can You Bear to Let Your Fans Down?

How can one prove their own identity? For a moment, Fang Tianze was truly at a loss. He had never shown his face in public all these years, so when someone suddenly appeared claiming to be the champion, it was only natural to assume he was a fraud.

Seeing the uncle’s face twisted with confusion and distress, Tang Yi was in no hurry. After all, he wasn’t the one desperate to prove his identity.

Feeling a little tired in his calves, Tang Yi simply sat down on the ground. His gaze kept drifting toward the three young girls not far away. Compared to his doubts about the uncle’s identity, his curiosity about their ongoing conversation gnawed at him even more.

He was baffled. Given the personalities of Ralts and Feebas, how could the three of them manage to keep chatting for so long without stopping?

Tang Yi dearly wanted to sneak over and eavesdrop. He could probably fool Feebas and Ralts, but he knew Butterfree would see right through him.

This woman was sharp. Even while engrossed in conversation, she would occasionally shoot him a “I’m watching you” glance, forcing Tang Yi to stay put, frustrated.

This Butterfree’s powers of observation were formidable. She must be quite strong.

Tang Yi mused to himself: Whether this uncle was Fang Tianze or not, anyone who could nurture a Butterfree like that was surely an exceptional trainer.

Come to think of it, although Butterfree was a Flying and Bug type, she could command several Psychic-type moves.

In this world, mastering energies outside one’s own type to use moves was a difficult achievement. Any Pokémon girl with such capabilities would have to be extraordinarily skilled at manipulating energy.

Tang Yi suddenly looked up at the man still racking his brain. “Uncle, I actually have a suggestion.”

“What suggestion?”

“I’ve heard that champions have their own unique methods and secrets for nurturing Pokémon girls, which is why their Pokémon can fight so powerfully. Is that true?”

Fang Tianze’s tone was odd. “You’re not thinking I’ll teach you how to win the championship, are you? Don’t be ridiculous. With your current ability, even if I told you, could you and your Ralts even learn it?”

Tang Yi laughed. “I haven’t even graduated high school yet. Winning the championship is way beyond me. What I mean is, could you teach me how to help my Ralts quickly learn Teleport and Hypnosis?”

“Those are both basic Psychic-type moves. If you’re a champion, you must have some special techniques, right? After all, your Butterfree can use Psychic energy too. If you have a method, then I’ll believe you’re Fang Tianze.”

Fang Tianze was dumbfounded—was this kid tricking him into something?

“I don’t owe you anything. Why should I train your Pokémon?”

Tang Yi shrugged and smiled. “Ah, aren’t you eager to prove you really are Fang Tianze? I’m just making a suggestion. If you don’t agree, it’s fine—I understand.”

Blunt but fair, it really did make sense.

Fang Tianze grumbled, “Still, that won’t work. Learning moves isn’t so simple. Every Pokémon girl is an individual; mastering a move isn’t something you can explain in a few words. If you don’t believe I’m Fang Tianze, so be it.”

“Oh, alright,” Tang Yi said without much expression.

Fang Tianze had just taken a few steps to leave when he heard the young man behind him muttering to himself. Unable to help himself, he listened closely.

“What a pity. Fang Tianze is my favorite champion.”

“Our whole family are fans of Fang Tianze. My dad still keeps a poster from when Fang Tianze won the championship—it’s yellowed with age, but he won’t throw it away.”

“Fang Tianze is the pride of our nation.”

“I searched for his photos before—he looked pretty handsome. I wonder how he is now.”

…

Fang Tianze turned around to see Tang Yi sitting on the ground, gazing up at the blue sky and white clouds, eyes dreamy with hope and tinged with disappointment.

This was the pure longing and admiration of a youth for his idol.

Fang Tianze hesitated—was this kid acting? Didn’t he doubt Fang Tianze’s identity?

It couldn’t be, could it? That sincere expression must be genuine.

But wait, he’d said he was a high school student. When Fang Tianze won the championship, the boy hadn’t even been born. How could he be so devoted?

Oh, right. He’d mentioned his dad was a fan. That made sense. The previous generation really did revere Fang Tianze.

Like father, like son!

This family must be outstanding!

The man stood there, wrestling with himself, his face shifting through a spectrum of emotions, his resolve strengthening until it reached its peak.

For the sake of helping his young fan, he decided!

Fang Tianze waved his hand grandly. “Fine, fine. Hypnosis and Teleport, right? The two most basic Psychic-type moves—not that difficult!”

Tang Yi’s eyes lit up. “You’re willing to teach me how to train them?”

Fang Tianze shook his head, his tone growing more serious. “It’s not about me teaching. Whether you can learn depends on how much foundation your Ralts has. Even a genius teacher can’t teach a dull student—you need to understand that.”

Tang Yi pouted. “I don’t like that. Ralts is really clever!”

Fang Tianze exuded confidence and smiled. “No matter—smart or not, whether she learns or not, I believe whatever Ralts understands will be more precious than anything you learn at a training center.”

“Of course! My Ralts has never been to a training center.”

Fang Tianze paused, surprised. “Family couldn’t afford it?”

“I just wanted Ralts to have a childhood worth remembering. Otherwise, imagine—when she’s older and looks back, all she remembers is endless classes. Wouldn’t that be boring?”

These words left Fang Tianze unexpectedly silent, moved by the sentiment. “That’s a rare attitude. Yes, you really are remarkable.”

Unlike his earlier jest, this time Fang Tianze looked at Tang Yi with real appreciation.

Tang Yi didn’t notice the change in expression; he didn’t think his actions were anything special.

In fact, the official nurturing center’s guide recommends Pokémon girls learn moves only after their rapid growth phase.

But in this competitive society, most trainers toss the manual aside as outdated.

In truth, Tang Yi was simply an obedient student, carefully following the guide’s recommendations.

There was no need to compare with others. Though he once worried Ralts might fall behind, now he saw she was doing just fine.

My Ralts is the best!