As Director Yanagi's expression turned serious, everyone felt a tightening in their chests. They knew that what the director was about to say next would be incredibly important.
"I believe that after experiencing this incident, you have all made some progress," Director Yanagi began. "During these battles, you should have realized that you were completely unable to exert your true strength against those Team Rocket members. Even though those Team Rocket members didn't raise their Pokémon as well as you did, their actual combat ability is stronger than yours. You are all very clear about your own performances."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's expressions became somewhat unnatural. However, English remained calm, showing no reaction at all.
"That is exactly why I wanted to take you on a field trial," the director continued. "I believe that through this field trial, your strength will improve accordingly. Now, I have a little more confidence regarding the Inter-Academy Exchange Tournament."
After he said this, the reactions varied. Thinking it over, his words made sense, and the students began to discuss it among themselves. Director Yanagi did not stop them. After a moment, he clapped his hands.
"Quiet down," he said. "I want to give special praise to a few students this time: English, Sato, Kelly, and Konan. I want to emphasize my praise for them because while everyone else was captured, only the four of them managed to avoid being caught. Furthermore, they promptly notified us to carry out the rescue. Specifically, English not only rescued all the staff members but also led everyone to escape from Team Rocket's pursuit."
"I have already reported this matter to the academy. Following a discussion, the academy has decided to reward Sato, Kelly, and Konan with 1,000 credits each. English will receive 5,000 credits and two Move TMs."
The faces of the other students changed drastically upon hearing this, while Sato and the other two showed hints of joy. Everyone looked at English with envy, but they all felt that English deserved it. After all, they had witnessed his performance with their own eyes and had to be impressed. Ishida, Matsumoto, and Shinta, in particular, had complex expressions, lost in their own thoughts.
After a while, Director Yanagi spoke again. "By the way, regarding my trial—who among you found a glass marble?"
Upon hearing this, Tetsu, Kelly, Sato, English, Konan, and Ami all raised their hands.
"Why are there only six people?" Director Yanagi asked. "I remember that all the glass marbles were taken."
"Director Yanagi, I found five glass marbles," English said.
Now, everyone's eyes were fixed on English. Director Yanagi laughed. "To think you found five of them. As I expected. Well then, I said that anyone who found a glass marble would pass the trial. Although that incident occurred, I will still keep my promise. There are rewards for finding the glass marbles, and they will be distributed to you in a few days."
Director Yanagi continued, "Alright, I've said all I need to say. Everyone may head back. English, please stay behind for a moment."
Seeing this, the others departed one by one. Once everyone had left, only English, Director Yanagi, and Teacher Joylin remained in the room. Director Yanagi gestured for English to sit down, took a sip of water, and spoke.
"English, do you know why I asked you to stay?"
English shook his head. "I don't know."
"It's nothing else; I just wanted to tell you about the situation regarding Team Rocket," Director Yanagi said.
"Director, why are you telling me this?" English asked, feeling a bit strange.
"I don't know either; I just felt like telling you," Director Yanagi replied.
English: "..."
"The League sent people to that warehouse today, but it was already empty," Director Yanagi explained. "Only the warehouse itself remained. Inside, there was still White iron ore that they didn't have time to transport away. The League is continuing the investigation, but they have completely lost Team Rocket's trail. However, that doesn't matter. Our harvest this time is already quite large. We captured one Executive, 10 Captains, 20 Squad Leaders, and 50 ordinary Team Rocket members. This is the League's biggest gain in recent years, and the entire League is shaken."
English listened silently without speaking. Once Director Yanagi finished, English said, "That truly is good news!"
He finally understood—Director Yanagi was showing off to him, so he cooperated accordingly. Director Yanagi nodded. Now that he had finished boasting, he let English and Teacher Joylin leave.
After the two left, Director Yanagi sat in his seat and recalled what Officer Jenny had said to him in her office that morning. After seeing English's profile, Officer Jenny had remarked, "Director Yanagi, this English is good material for becoming an Investigator." Perhaps it was because of this sentence that he had shared the recent developments regarding Team Rocket.
"English, wait a moment."
As English walked out, he heard Teacher Joylin calling him from behind. He stopped and waited for her.
"Let's walk together," Teacher Joylin said as she jogged up to English's side.
English nodded. He happened to have a few questions he wanted to ask her as well. They walked along the dim path, the streetlights illuminating the way back. English looked at Teacher Joylin; she was completely different from how she had appeared that morning. If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he would never have believed it.
With these thoughts in mind, English spoke. "Teacher Joylin, the way you looked this morning was truly cool."
"Is that so?" Teacher Joylin laughed, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"Yes," English nodded. "Especially Tyranitar, Aggron, and Rhyperior—those three are really strong."
"Those three have been with me since I was born, so of course they are strong," Teacher Joylin said with a smile.
They've been with her since childhood... after more than ten years, no wonder they are so powerful.
Soon, English reached the dormitory and bid farewell to Teacher Joylin.
The next day, because such an incident had occurred, the field trial was naturally cancelled. Since it was already a holiday, Director Yanagi announced that everyone was free to do as they pleased, which meant everyone should train on their own. Regardless, after this experience, everyone's strength had improved significantly.
While English was on his way to the training hall, his communicator suddenly rang. He picked it up and checked the number; it was Teacher Takemoto. He answered the call.
"Hello, Teacher Takemoto."
"Hello, English."
To be honest, it had been a long time since he had contacted Teacher Takemoto. The last time they spoke on the phone was a month ago.
"English, why haven't you called me in so long? By the way, how are things going on your end? How are you getting along with that disciple of mine?"
Teacher Takemoto's disciple was a very nice person, but he rarely spoke. English rarely visited, so they didn't have much interaction.
"It's alright."
"Right. Teacher Takemoto, how are you doing in the Sinnoh region?"