The shadow of Rainbow Rocket hung overhead like a sword of Damocles, filling Rei Akagi with a strong sense of urgency.
Besides continuing to summon companions to fight alongside him, restoring even a fraction of Rayquaza's former power had become an extremely urgent task.
"System Notification: Are you sure you want to spend 3566 BP to increase Rayquaza's energy compression limit?"
"Confirm."
A soft white glow appeared, slowly flowing into the sleeping Rayquaza.
The long dragon stirred unconsciously, letting out a faint, comfortable hum—
And incidentally…
It rolled up the blanket covering Rei Akagi and wrapped itself into a giant dragon burrito.
Rei Akagi looked helplessly at the stolen blanket while silently calculating.
Rayquaza probably isn't a one-move glass cannon anymore, right?
At the very least, in its normal state—even without consuming BP—it should be able to launch three to five proper attacks…
Probably…
Maybe…
Hopefully?
His thoughts drifted further.
Then came a bigger question.
So… who should be the next companion I summon?
Kanto Region — Celadon Gym
Erika sat gracefully on a carefully trimmed lawn, tending to the vibrant flowers before her under warm but gentle sunlight.
"Gym Leader Erika! There are a lot of people outside the Gym— they—"
A beautiful Gym apprentice hurried over, speaking anxiously.
Erika didn't raise her head. She merely waved lightly, her movements slow and elegant, almost rhythmic.
"More new challengers?"
"It seems this humble lady cannot rest even for a moment…"
The apprentice took two breaths to steady herself, but the excitement on her face remained.
"N-no! It's the senior professors from Celadon University! It looks like they want to discuss something with you—they're waiting in the reception room right now!"
Erika paused slightly in the middle of trimming a flower branch.
A hint of surprise crossed her face.
She was already a guest lecturer at Celadon University, though the recent surge of Gym challengers had kept her away from campus for about a week.
Perhaps the university has been worried about me…
Thinking this, a gentle smile curved at her lips.
"I see. Let's go."
She stood up gracefully and followed the apprentice toward the reception room.
Before she even reached the door, loud arguments inside were already clearly audible.
"I'm telling you, he should join the Battle Academy! The core of Pokémon is battling! Only our academy can maximize his value! Do you even understand that?!"
"Bullshit! What's so special about battling? Go outside and see—are Trainers more popular or Breeders? Our Breeding Academy is clearly the best place for talent!"
"Ridiculous! Absolutely ridiculous! I refuse to let such talent be buried! Our Pokémon Ecology Research Institute is in desperate need of someone like him! Nobody argue with me!"
"Have some mercy on me! The Battle Item Development and Analysis Institute is practically dying! If we don't get fresh talent soon, we're finished!"
"Who do you think you are? Where does that leave my Pokémon Special Training and Move Structure Analysis Institute? This isn't your place to speak!"
Listening to the heated argument inside—complete with the sounds of tables being slammed—Erika maintained her flawless composure.
But inside, a warm feeling quietly rose.
She had only missed teaching for a week.
Yet so many department heads from the university had come personally to check on her…
They were even arguing so fiercely about who would get her to join their department?
Truly… this humble lady feels rather honored.
Taking a deep breath, she wore a perfect smile and gently pushed open the reception room door.
Her gaze swept over the professors who looked moments away from climbing onto the conference table to settle things physically.
She gave a graceful bow.
"Professors, please don't quarrel any further."
"This humble lady is deeply grateful for your kindness."
"Oh! Professor Erika!"
The Battle Academy dean reacted first, nearly stumbling as he jumped up.
"Don't be so formal! Please come in, please come in—we've been waiting for you!"
The Breeding Academy dean refused to fall behind. He rushed forward, pulled out the chair at the head of the table, and said with a beaming smile:
"Yes, yes—Professor Erika, please take the main seat!"
Once Erika sat gracefully at the head of the table, the deans returned to their seats.
Their previous excitement and arguing vanished instantly, replaced by extremely serious expressions.
The Item Development dean, the most impatient among them, spoke first.
"Professor Erika… we've heard that you have a good relationship with Mr. Rei Akagi, the creator of Pokémon. Is that true?"
Erika hadn't expected the conversation to suddenly turn toward Rei Akagi.
A trace of confusion crossed her mind, but she calmly replied:
"He once studied flower arrangement with this humble lady for a time."
"This humble lady simply admires his talent from afar. As for my place in his heart… that is something I cannot know."
"Oh my! Everyone in Celadon City knows that Professor Erika is beautiful, kind-hearted, gentle, and graceful!"
The Battle Academy dean's eyes immediately lit up.
"Then surely, in Mr. Rei Akagi's heart, you must hold considerable importance! Yes—definitely!"
While frantically thinking about his wording, he rubbed his hands nervously and continued cautiously:
"Well… Professor Erika… to be honest, this is a bit embarrassing."
"Our university plans to establish a specialized academic program centered around Pokémon."
"However… we are severely lacking top-tier teaching staff, so…"
As he spoke, the other deans all held their breath, staring at Erika with burning anticipation.
Erika quickly understood.
They must be hoping she would take on additional teaching responsibilities for the new discipline.
She smiled sincerely.
"Professors, you are too kind."
"Celadon University has always taken good care of this humble lady. Assisting with such matters is naturally my duty."
"Please, feel free to say what you need."
Still…
A Pokémon academic program?
She pondered silently.
The game contained such a vast range of knowledge that she wasn't even sure which aspects should be emphasized in teaching.
"Wonderful!"
The Battle Academy dean looked ten years younger from excitement. He suddenly stood up and bowed deeply.
"Then we'll have to trouble you, Professor Erika!"
"Please help us contact Mr. Rei Akagi!"
"All faculty members of Celadon University sincerely invite him to join our university as a professor!"
"And if that's not possible, even an honorary professorship would be more than welcome!"
"As for salary, compensation, benefits, rewards—whatever he asks for, we'll provide it!"
The Breeding Academy dean quickly added:
"Yes! As long as he asks for it—if we have it, we'll give it!"
"And even if we don't… we'll find a way to make it happen!"
The other deans nodded eagerly, their faces filled with hopeful anticipation for the future.
At that moment—
The flawless, gentle smile on Erika's face…
Completely froze.
Contact Rei Akagi?
"Heh…"
"Hehe…"
That's…
really…
just wonderful…
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