Dirty? Not Really

Morning.

Warm sunlight streamed through the gaps in the Pokémon Center curtains, brushing across his face with a gentle warmth.

"Koujie—"

Gastly expertly licked Jing He's cheek, affectionately waking him up.

Under Steven Stone's somewhat strange gaze from nearby, Jing He's body gave a slight shudder.

Then, with his eyes still closed, Jing He took a Cheri Berry capable of curing paralysis from the bag on his bedside table.

He stuffed it into his mouth and felt the spicy flavor fill his mouth.

Slowly opening his eyes, his rims slightly red, he nevertheless nodded at Gastly with an exceptionally calm expression.

"Thank you."

"Koujie koujie!"

Gastly happily circled around him.

Just a small thing.

A bead of sweat slid down Steven Stone's forehead.

So the Berries in that bag had all been prepared for himself? Cheri Berries cured paralysis, Pecha Berries cured poisoning. As for other conditions... Gastly could not put Jing He to sleep, Gastly would not casually use Will-O-Wisp to inflict burns, and as for confusion... if he was already confused, it made no difference whether he had Berries or not.

Teacher Jing He's movements were so practiced that they made one's heart ache.

Yesterday's day of "exploration" had gone smoothly. Though somewhat busy, it had been relatively easy for Jing He.

It was just that after returning, Du Fu had dragged him into some sort of mobilization meeting, and he had not gone to bed until very late.

After washing up, the two headed together to the Pokémon Center cafeteria, where free breakfast was provided.

"This is for you."

Seated at the table, Jing He poured Gastly a cup of Moomoo Milk before handing Steven Stone a sheet of paper. He had found the time to write it during yesterday's mobilization meeting.

"What's this?"

"Some tactical and move suggestions for Skarmory."

"Skarmory?"

Steven Stone froze upon hearing that, then revealed a surprised expression.

"Teacher Jing He, you understand tactics too? No, I mean, you understand Skarmory tactics too?"

As for Jing He, Steven Stone no longer regarded him as merely an ordinary psychology teacher as he had when they first met.

While Jing He's skill in Pokémon Psychology truly impressed him, he had also come to realize that Jing He was no slouch when it came to training Pokémon and Pokémon Battles.

Curious, Steven Stone unfolded the paper and began reading.

"Stealth Rock, Spikes, Whirlwind, Substitute, Roost, Taunt, Iron Defense, Protect... Hm?"

Yet the contents he saw after opening it were completely different from what Steven Stone had expected.

There was not a single offensive move? "You should be better than me at offensive moves, so I won't offer any suggestions there." As if noticing Steven Stone's confusion, Jing He gave a simple explanation.

Steven Stone nodded, but he was still somewhat hesitant. "But these moves..."

"Quite a few of them are moves Skarmory hasn't learned yet, but with your ability, I believe Skarmory can master them with ease."

"I still don't quite understand," Steven Stone said bluntly.

Jing He paused his fork. After thinking briefly, he said, "For example... if you ran into, say, Flannery in battle."

"She's a typical all-out attacker, and she also has an attribute advantage over you. So while you aren't afraid of her, it's best not to choose a direct offensive approach. You can have Skarmory set up Stealth Rock and Spikes first."

"And then attack?"

"No. Then Whirlwind it away."

"?!"

Steven Stone was very intelligent. He had merely been accustomed to his previous style of battling, but with Jing He's explanation, he gradually began to understand.

He felt as though he might hear something "revolutionary" today.

Just this looping Whirlwind strategy alone would be enough to disgust an opponent, wouldn't it?

"Given Skarmory's natural traits, if the opponent has strong physical attacks, stack defenses with Iron Defense. If their special attacks are strong, use Substitute, then Roost and Protect."

Afterward, Jing He briefly explained the traits and tactics of an Entry Hazard Team, as well as how Skarmory should stall.

To be honest, the concept of an Entry Hazard Team was quite compatible with Steven Stone's Pokémon lineup.

Besides Skarmory, the coordination of his future Pokémon would also require attention.

And this was only for single battles. Double battles and even wild battles were entirely different forms.

"I thought you only had a deep understanding of Gastly's tactics, Teacher. I never expected..." Steven Stone's expression was complicated, but an unconcealable gleam shone in his eyes. He felt as if someone had opened the door to a new world for him, leaving everything so clear and open. "Gastly's tactics? Gastly still has a long way to go. It will need to master Toxic, Protect, and Substitute before it can barely have any workable tactics." Jing He spoke calmly.

As a veteran Pokémon enthusiast, Jing He knew that once Gastly evolved into Gengar, there would be far too many tactics it could use.

Especially in this Pokémon World, where there was no limit of four moves.

Toxic Stall? That could only be considered the basics.

"Koujie?"

Gastly, who was drinking milk, heard Jing He's words and immediately had its eyes light up.

At that moment, Steven Stone noticed Flannery and Roxanne standing behind Jing He with their breakfasts. He had no idea when they had arrived.

A massive bead of sweat slid down Flannery's forehead.

Jing He, having noticed Steven Stone's gaze as well, guessed who had come up behind him. He gave a light cough. "Ahem. That's roughly it. If there's anything you don't understand in the future, you can come ask me again."

Consider it payment for the Toxic Orb.

"Dirty, that's so dirty! Teacher Jing He, this tactic is way too dirty!"

With Stealth Rock and Spikes followed by looping Whirlwinds, coupled with Skarmory's exceptional stamina and defense, Flannery had no idea how she was supposed to battle Steven Stone in the future.

Flannery cried out as she sat down.

Meanwhile, Roxanne wore a thoughtful expression.

Dirty? An Entry Hazard Team alone counted as dirty?

This was nothing yet.

Jing He exchanged a look with Gastly.

Dirty?

"Koujie—"

Gastly shook its head vigorously.

It was only on the same level as my sneak-attack-from-behind tactic.

Perhaps because Jing He had used Flannery as a simple example, she felt personally involved and reacted rather strongly.

"Teacher, you can't do this. Steven Stone is already strong, and now you're teaching him tactics like these..."

She stared intently at Jing He.

"So... when will you teach me?"

Jing He: "?"

After breakfast, Jing He took Gastly alone to a secluded place to train.

Today's schedule was a proper Autumn Excursion, with all the classes and teachers gathered together. With so many people, it made little difference whether he was there or not.

After briefly explaining things to Du Fu, he smoothly left the group.

Of course, Jing He would not go too far. If anything happened, he could return immediately.

"Koujie?"

How were they training?

Gastly was a little impatient.

Especially after hearing Jing He discuss those tactics in the morning, it was even more eager.

Sneak-attack-from-behind tactic?

Throw it away!

Jing He took out a small box. When he opened it, it contained several Energy Cubes.

Some were crimson red, while others were orange-yellow.

Jing He said,

"Things like Ninetales tail fur and Chandelure wicks are too difficult to obtain, and we still can't be sure whether they'd work."

"So yesterday, I specifically asked Ayako to get these Energy Cubes to assist with your training today."

Since they were specially made, this tiny box alone had cost Jing He a thousand League Credit!

"Koujie koujie?!"

There was such a good thing?

Gastly immediately opened its mouth wide.

Gastly: ˙˙

"These are Energy Cubes made with Charti Berries. They can moderately strengthen the power of Fire-type moves."

As he spoke, Jing He tossed an Energy Cube to Gastly.

"Awoo!"

It swallowed it in one bite.

Sweet, spicy... Gastly's eyes glimmered slightly.

"Hiss—koujie! (`)"

A little spicy, but delicious.

It opened its mouth, signaling for Jing He to continue.

"This one is made with Salac Berries. It can strengthen special attacks, but it's a little spicy."

Jing He could not help reminding it, "It might also be just a tiny bit bitter."

Gastly feared bitterness the most.

"Koujie koujie!"

Quick, quick! Hurry up!

"Awoo!"

As Jing He tossed over the fiery-red Energy Cube, Gastly bit down on it without hesitation.

But as it ate, its expression gradually stiffened.

"How is it?" Jing He could not help asking.

Then he saw Gastly's face instantly flush red before turning into a bitter grimace.

"Kou! Jie!!"

So bitter! Two crystalline streams of tears slid uncontrollably from the corners of its eyes.