The weeks that followed Aaron's acceptance into Hearthome University moved with a strange rhythm, neither fast nor slow, but steady in a way that made each passing day feel important. The house in Theo seemed to shift around him, as though preparing itself for the moment it would no longer contain him in the same way. The acceptance confirmation stayed pinned near the kitchen window, its bold letters catching the light every morning. Lila insisted on pointing it out to visitors even when no one had asked, proudly declaring that her brother was going to the best trainer university in the whole world. Elena corrected her once, saying it was one of the best in Sinnoh, but Lila ignored her completely, unfazed by accuracy when pride was at stake.
For Aaron, the realisation settled gradually. Some mornings he woke feeling a quiet thrill, imagining himself walking through Hearthome's grand academy grounds. Other mornings, a strange heaviness pressed on him, particularly when he watched his family going about their usual routines. He had spent his entire life in Theo. Leaving it felt both exciting and unsettling, like stepping off a familiar trail into unfamiliar woods.
He spent the first week reviewing the letter outlining the university requirements, from clothing to training supplies. He read and reread the details until the pages felt familiar. Hearthome University required students to bring their own gear, though tuition itself was covered for top scoring entrants. Families only needed to pay for accommodation and meals. Even so, the required equipment list was long. Elena had spent three evenings preparing a detailed version of it on paper because, as she put it, handwritten lists kept people organised in ways digital screens never could.
They planned a shopping trip for the end of the third week, once the crowds from other towns had died down. Theo was not a large place, but it catered well to the young trainers and scholars who left for universities every year. A number of shops in the central district sold everything from uniforms to protective equipment and berry kits. The Roberts family decided that they would buy everything over one long day.
The morning of the trip arrived with a soft warmth that hung gently over Theo. Sunlight filtered through the curtains in Aaron's room, casting faint, shifting patterns along the floor. He sat up slowly, rubbing sleep from his eyes, and found Lila sitting cross legged at the end of his bed, clutching her Buneary plush as usual.
"You woke up late," she announced seriously.
"It is seven," he replied, stretching. "That is not late."
"For shopping day it is," she said, getting off the bed and heading for the door. "Mum said breakfast is ready."
Downstairs, the smell of toast filled the kitchen. Elena stood near the stove while Roserade arranged fallen petals into neat lines along the counter, almost like it enjoyed tidying as much as its trainer. James sat with a cup of tea, reading updates from the Ranger Corps. Staraptor perched proudly by the window, eyes alert as always.
"You are up," James said without looking away from his screen, though his tone carried approval.
"Barely," Aaron replied, taking a seat.
Elena placed a plate in front of him. "Eat well. We have a long day ahead."
Once breakfast was finished, the family set out. The central district of Theo was livelier than usual. The closer they got to the square, the more voices filled the air. Newly accepted students walked with parents, comparing lists and exchanging anxious excitement. Shopkeepers had arranged bright signs advertising student deals, bundles, and starter packs.
Their first stop was a well known outfitter shop on the main street. It was one of the oldest stores in town, still run by the same family for generations. The moment they stepped inside, the warm scent of new fabric and polished wood filled the space. Rows of uniforms lined the walls, arranged neatly by region and institution.
A young assistant approached them with a welcoming smile. "Looking for Hearthome sets, I assume?"
James nodded. "Full student kits. Seasonal wear, training uniforms, everything."
The assistant led them to a section where navy and silver uniforms hung in meticulous order. Hearthome's colours were sharp, distinguished, and instantly recognisable. Aaron reached out to brush his fingers along a jacket sleeve. The material felt sturdy but comfortable, the sort designed to withstand both long indoor lectures and harsh outdoor sessions.
The assistant handed him a set to try on. Aaron stepped into the changing area and took his time buttoning the jacket. When he stepped out, Elena paused mid movement, her face softening.
"It suits you," she said quietly.
Lila stared up at him, her eyes wide. "You look like you are in a storybook," she whispered.
James studied him more critically. "Jacket fits well. Shoulders could do with a slight adjustment, but that is normal."
Aaron turned to the mirror. For a moment, he barely recognised himself. The deep navy contrasted sharply with his dark hair, making his eyes look brighter and more focused. He looked older. More capable. There was something satisfying about it, something grounding. Hearthome did not feel far away anymore. It felt like something he had already stepped into.
Once the fitting was complete, the assistant packed the uniforms carefully. They added several pairs of training gloves, field boots, warm layers for winter work and lightweight gear for warmer seasons. Elena insisted on checking every stitch, tugging at seams the way only a mother with field experience could.
After nearly an hour, they stepped out of the outfitter's with several bags. Their next stop was the trainer supply shop across the square. The place was larger, noisier, and filled with metallic clinks and soft hums of equipment being tested. Shelves lined the walls from floor to ceiling, stacked with field kits, portable chargers, collapsible tents, berry containers and tools designed for students who would spend weeks in the wild learning practical skills.
"Try not to get distracted," James murmured. "This place sells everything, including things no one actually needs."
Aaron nodded and kept close to him. He knew better than to let excitement override practicality. He scanned the aisles carefully, picking items with the same quiet focus he had shown during the entrance test.
The first thing he selected was a small multi tool, compact and efficient. James inspected it before nodding once. "Good choice. Strong build, does not jam easily."
Next, Aaron chose a first aid kit designed specifically for Pokémon care. It came with antidote capsules, herbal salves, cooling gels and emergency bandages. Elena examined each item before approving it with a thoughtful hum.
"Remember," she said, "you cannot rely on modern medicine alone. Natural remedies still matter, especially during field modules."
Aaron nodded. He remembered the late evenings when she had shown him how to identify healing plants in the woods. Those lessons had always felt peaceful, almost grounding.
He also picked a reinforced berry pouch, a compact water filter, a small thermal blanket and a field notebook that resisted both water and heat. When he touched its surface, something about it felt meaningful, as though the pages inside were waiting for important things.
After gathering everything, James added one last item to the pile without warning. A small tool shaped like a blunt blade.
Aaron frowned. "What is that for?"
"Bush clearing," James said simply. "You will need it if they send you into thick grasslands."
Elena raised an eyebrow. "Hearthome does not send first years into dense grasslands."
"They might," James replied. "Better prepared than regretful."
By midday, they had purchased everything on the list except berries. They headed to the open market, a vibrant stretch of stalls displaying colours rich enough to rival a painting. Fresh berries filled every basket: Oran, Pecha, Rawst, Cheri, Lum. The air was sweet and lightly fruity, a scent that instantly reminded Aaron of childhood walks through the nearby orchards.
Elena helped him select a variety pack intended for study modules. She explained each berry again, despite knowing he already understood. Part of it was habit. Part of it was her way of staying close to him through these last days.
By the time they returned home, the sun was already dipping lower. They unloaded everything onto the living room floor, creating a small mountain of gear. Lila hopped from pile to pile, pretending she was climbing through a forest. Roserade patiently followed her, occasionally picking up fallen leaves or berries she dropped.
That evening, Aaron organised everything in his room. He folded uniforms neatly, stacked tools in the corner, arranged the notebook and textbooks by the window, and carefully placed the small stone Lila had given him during the test on his desk. He looked at the items for a long moment. They represented more than preparation. They represented the beginning of change.
The final week passed with a quiet rhythm. Elena kept herself busy, possibly to avoid acknowledging how quickly the departure day approached. James offered to take Aaron on one last camping run, but it rained continuously for three days, forcing them to cancel. Lila became more clingy, constantly asking questions about Hearthome and insisting she wanted to move there too. Even Staraptor behaved differently, observing Aaron with what looked very much like understanding.
The night before departure was almost too still. The family ate dinner together, lingering longer than usual. No one spoke much, but no one needed to. The weight of tomorrow hung softly over the table, not oppressive but present.
Later, Elena knocked on Aaron's door and stepped inside. Roserade slipped in after her, petals brushing softly against the carpet.
"You have packed everything," she said quietly.
"Yes," Aaron replied.
She hesitated before sitting beside him. "You were always meant for more than this town. Not because Theo is small, but because your ambitions were always larger. Do not let the pressure of Hearthome change your nature."
"I will try," he said.
"No," she corrected, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Do better than try."
There was no softness in her tone. Only truth.
When she left, James came in next, leaning against the door frame with his arms crossed.
"There is one thing most students forget," he said. "At Hearthome, everyone is talented. Everyone is ambitious. If you compare yourself constantly, you will lose your direction. Focus on your own path. Not the noise around you."
"I understand," Aaron said.
James gave a single firm nod. "Good."
Lila came last, dragging her Buneary plush behind her. She climbed on his bed without asking and looked at him with watery determination.
"You are coming back for every holiday," she said.
"Of course," Aaron replied.
"If you do not, I will go to Hearthome myself and drag you home."
He smiled. "I believe you."
She leaned over, kissed his cheek and ran out before she could cry.
Morning came far too early. Theo was quiet, the mist still clinging to the fields. The transport to Hearthome was scheduled for eight. Students gathered with their families near the station, the air filled with anxious chatter and emotional goodbyes.
The Roberts family stood close together. Elena held Aaron longer than he expected. James shook his hand with a firm grip that conveyed far more than words. Lila clung to his side until the last moment.
"You better come back," she said.
"I will."
When the transport doors opened, Aaron stepped inside, heart steady and mind sharp. The journey took several hours, winding through forests, plains and towns. Students talked excitedly nearby, some sounding confident, others painfully nervous.
When Hearthome City finally appeared in the distance, its elegant white buildings rising proudly against the bright sky, something tightened inside Aaron. Excitement. Determination. A sense of purpose.
The transport slowed to a stop.
He stepped out.
The air felt different the moment his feet touched the ground. Charged. Expectant. The enormous academy buildings towered ahead, their stone structures glowing faintly in the early light.
Hearthome University stood before him, grand and unwavering.
The beginning of everything he had worked for.
And Aaron Roberts walked forward, ready to begin.