Hau'oli City, Pokémon School.
With outgoing people on both sides, Ash and Mallow's group soon fell into a lively conversation.
When Ash talked about losing to Malva and having his teacher Blue point out his problems, he couldn't help feeling a little down.
But Ash was still Ash.
The fire soon returned to his eyes.
"So when Master Blue found out Mr. Li Wei was coming to teach at the Pokémon School, he sent me here to study!"
As far as Blue was concerned, Li Wei wasn't just incredibly strong; he was also an outstanding Pokémon Breeder.
Studying under Li Wei would help Ash shore up the fundamentals he lacked most and learn to think and plan more systematically.
But Blue might have forgotten the most important thing.
Li Wei wasn't exactly good at teaching students...
The good news was that Li Wei took a gentle approach to teaching. At least he didn't scold his students.
It wasn't a big problem. Li Wei had only ever considered himself a supporting teacher.
Ash's real mentor would still have to be Professor Kukui.
Understanding dawned on Mallow.
"So that's it! Mr. Blue and Mr. Li Wei are both so strict, but they really care about you!"
Having lost her mother when she was young, Mallow was deeply moved by that sort of care from an older person.
Lillie looked at Ash with newfound surprise in her eyes.
She had assumed a Trainer with such impressive achievements would be a little proud.
She hadn't expected him to admit his shortcomings so openly and be willing to start learning from scratch.
Sophocles nodded in agreement. "That's right! A grounding in theory is really important!"
"Just like my inventions need a solid foundation in electrical engineering!"
Ash asked excitedly, "You invent things too?"
"I have