November 16th, Sunday.
For the Paldea region, Sunday is also regarded as the weekly rest day—the final day of the week.
After nearly a week of heavy snow, the storm had finally stopped. The thick gray clouds dispersed, and warm sunlight soon poured in.
Today's weather couldn't be more perfect for going out, especially given that a particularly exciting event was happening in Mesagoza—
The Academy vs. Academy Exhibition Battle!
On one side stood the venerable Naranja Academy, storied in Paldea. On the other, the up-and-coming Blueberry Academy from Unova. The two academies had already faced off once before, adding a unique tension to today's rematch.
Would Blueberry Academy manage to pull off a comeback, or would Naranja Academy maintain their winning streak?
Eager for answers, citizens of Mesagoza and towns beyond had arrived a night early to witness the clash in person.
The competition wouldn't be held within the teacher-student-only Naranja Academy, but at the very heart of Mesagoza: the Duel Arena at Sun Plaza.
This battle arena was marked by a radiant, multicolored design based on the eighteen Pokémon types, making it one of the city's landmarks.
Trainers often fought here, passersby sometimes stopping to watch and cheer, or hurrying by, caught up in their daily lives.
But today, since dawn, Sun Plaza had already been packed tight with spectators.
Seeing the crowd, Eri, clad in Naranja Academy's uniform, exclaimed, "So many people!"
"Yeah," replied Nemona, a grin spreading across her face, eyes full of anticipation. "Just imagining a Pokémon battle in front of so many people gets my blood pumping!"
Penny, watching the crowd through her glasses while glancing at her laptop data, scoffed, "Every hotel in Mesagoza is booked out. It'd be weirder if there weren't this many people."
"Uwaa... Just imagining battling in front of such a crowd makes me want to crawl back and spend the whole day sleeping in the dorm," she moaned, a look of agony on her face.
Part of the reason she escaped Galar, besides not wanting to be tormented by her fool of a dad, was her dislike for Galar's celebrity-like trainer culture. Massive stadiums, noisy crowds, pounding music, hundreds of flashbulbs—such things would give her a nervous breakdown.
Penny tried to escape, but Shizuka and Arven, expecting it, grabbed her on each side.
While Penny had more stamina than Nemona, thanks to her otaku dance routines, she still couldn't match Arven, who'd been cooking since childhood, or Shizuka, a former Pokémon nurse used to caring for Copperajah.
She could only struggle in vain.
Meanwhile, Paul turned away from the trio's antics, frowning as he spoke to Aliquis, "You're not still hung up about that, are you?"
Squatting in the corner, Aliquis looked at him—a little younger than himself—and gave a bitter smile. "Yeah. There are so many stronger trainers at the academy. Why did the teacher insist I go up?"
In his mind, images of classmates flashed by: Mela from the Art Club, Giacomo the student council president, Atticus the poison-type ace, several upperclassmen, and especially Ortega—undeniably talented and family-backed.
All of them seemed more suited to represent the academy than an ordinary trainer like himself.
Seeing Aliquis's downcast demeanor, Paul sighed in annoyance, recalling obediently what Lucas had advised the night before.
How troublesome...
Still, as a mark of respect to his elders, Paul intended to fulfill the assignment as thoroughly as possible.
Organizing his thoughts, he spoke in a stiff but earnest voice, "Relax. Maybe your brother isn't even paying attention to you—which could be your best chance for a surprise attack."
Paul began to explain, in detail, the battle plans he'd spent all night working out for every possible situation.
Aliquis: "..."
I get what you're saying, but that really hurts, you know.
Yet, compared to six months ago, Aliquis had matured. He realized Paul meant well—even if his comfort was a little blunt.
Oddly, Paul's brutal honesty helped ease his nerves.
Right.
I've always been in my brother's shadow.
He aced the entrance exam for Blueberry Academy, groomed for trainers. I only got into the more flexible Naranja Academy because of my Mesagoza residence status.
I haven't given up, but our differences in talent and experience only grow wider.
Had it not been for Director Lucas's arrival as the academy's battle teacher, Aliquis figured he would have taken much longer to improve.
Since his brother always outshone him, maybe Aliquis's progress of late could indeed become an unexpected trump card.
As Paul finished, Aliquis took a deep breath and said, "My brother is a strictly pragmatic trainer. In his eyes, if a Pokémon loses a match, it shouldn't go out again—its secrets have already been exposed."
Paul frowned, but Aliquis continued, undeterred, "Still, he knows it's hard to bench a partner you've formed bonds with. But he says he has to, or he'd never remain among the top trainers at Blueberry Academy. We're close, so he tells me these things. Those benched Pokémon stay at Grandpa's ranch—he still brings them out sometimes. Just… no longer to battle."
"You're right, he knows me too well. So much so that he probably won't take me seriously on the battlefield. That, in itself, could be my chance to win."
Aliquis clenched his right fist, eyes burning with resolve.
Why did he beg Lucas to let him train with the other battlers, even after being rejected as an official student? For a chance to one day surpass the brother he admired.
With Lucas's guidance, his shortcomings had improved. Staying a timid loser would be a waste of his teacher's efforts.
Seeing Aliquis's resolve, Paul thought, Maybe I really am good at comforting people!
Like his own Torterra—hadn't it started training harder under his encouragement?
A slight smile appeared on Paul's lips as he chimed in, "I have a brother too. I always admired him—he was my role model, the reason I became a trainer. But now, he's left battling behind to become a breeder and opened a Day Care."
Aliquis listened in surprise. He was hearing all this for the first time.
Their conversation was interrupted by Lucas, looking sharp in formal attire and a new haircut, who arrived with Geeta, Clavell, and the other Naranja Academy staff.
Seeing the group descending the stairs from the academy entrance, chatter erupted among the spectators.
At the same time, another group approached—led by Alder and Briar, heading to Sun Plaza from the opposite direction.
Spotting the heavy hitters making their entrance, all the journalists' eyes lit up as they scrambled for the best angle.
Some had their Aipoms perched on their heads for aerial shots; others had their Squawkabillys fly the camera while remotely triggering the shutter.
Lucas felt half-blinded by all the flashing, silently admiring Geeta beside him, who didn't even blink.
Truly a woman of many talents—completely unfazed.
In contrast, Larry behind them seemed dazed, as if his soul had been stolen by the camera flashes. Clearly, he'd worked late into the night again and was now little more than a wandering ghost.
Geeta had an impeccable reputation in Paldea, and the crowd naturally parted to make way for her. On the other hand, Alder was buffeted and forced to whistle to squeeze through.
"Seems this beautiful, dignified Champion has quite the popularity among the people, eh?"
"And that teacher in the nurse's outfit isn't bad either—definitely that airheaded type, right?"
"I bet Officer Jenny and Nurse Joy will show up to help with crowd control and support soon. Wonder what their hairstyles are like here in Paldea?"
"Man, hard to resist going up to chat..."
Alder's musings were abruptly cut off by an elbow from Briar.
Pain forced him to hunch over as he glared at her in accusation.
But before he could complain, Briar declared sternly, "As the Champion of the Unova League, please mind your behavior and don't embarrass yourself in public. That's straight from the Chairman, relayed through Director Cyrano and Lacey."
Lacey, cute and stylish as ever, crossed her arms and made an "X," pouting, "I don't think that's appropriate!"
Drayton, nearby, also barked out, "Don't show that lecherous look in public, you dirty old man!"
Others chimed in to scold Alder. Distance, they realized, had made their admiration for the champion more idealized—reality was different.
Now, for the group, Alder was forever linked to the phrase "dirty old man," aside from his strength and teaching ability.
Sensing he'd get roasted further if he argued, Alder raised his hands in surrender, resolving to behave for now.
Soon, both parties finished greeting each other.
While Geeta exchanged formal greetings with Clavell and the Blueberry Academy group, Lucas, acting as a background ornament, finally got some peace.
Lost in thought about whether to invite the Eevee sisters, Larvesta, Serperior, or Ninetales to sleep with him tonight, he noticed someone watching him eagerly.
Locked eyes with Kieran—whose face was flushed with excitement—Lucas smiled as Kieran tugged at his sister's sleeve, waving furiously in greeting.
So impressive... In less than two months, they'd made such progress. Just as Lucas had predicted over the siblings' talent.
Seems Geeta's approval for their transfer could be secured after all. After today, Larry could help prepare for the siblings' transfer and bringing over Mr. Yukito and Aunt Hideko.
Kieran and Carmine's greetings went mostly unnoticed by the Blueberry Academy group—due to their size and place at the back—but not by their Naranja Academy peers.
Dendra, curious as ever, asked, "Hallmaster, do you know those two kids over there?"
"In a way. Also, don't call me Hallmaster—it makes me sound old," Lucas retorted with a small smile, waving in reply to Kieran.
The siblings grew even more excited.
After Geeta finished initial greetings, she left Clavell to handle reception and approached Lucas and Dendra, overhearing their conversation.
"Are those the two you mentioned?" she asked cryptically.
Lucas nodded, "Yes, that's them."
Geeta sized the siblings up, a knowing smile appearing.
"If they qualified for this exchange, their abilities speak for themselves. The rest we'll see in the battles."
Inwardly, Geeta already approved Lucas's recruitment plan: buy two, get two free, plus a mask maker mastering lost techniques—the perfect talent pool for Paldea.
Geeta gave Lucas her brightest smile and said, "Well done!"
…
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