Early in the morning, Natsume got up, washed up, and prepared to head to the Trainer Academy.
The new video he released last night had sparked quite a discussion, even in the group chat.
"He raw Hypnosis'd me twice in a row yesterday!" Gold shouted. "That's not scientific at all!"
Green covered her mouth, giggling. "With enough bond, even moves can get stronger, you know~"
"Emotional energy really is a mysterious thing," Brock nodded sagely. "I know a Trainer whose Pikachu can even hit Ground-types with Thunderbolt..."
"...You're not talking about Ash Ketchum, are you?" Blue Oak's expression twisted.
"Hm? You know him too?" Brock blinked in surprise.
"If we're talking about Electric moves hitting Ground-types or Quick Attack hitting Ghost-types… he's the first one that comes to mind."
"No way," Lorelei looked shocked. "A Trainer from Pallet Town… who hasn't memorized the type chart?"
Trainers from Pallet Town were renowned across multiple leagues.
Hearing Blue Oak's description… Lorelei could hardly believe it.
Misty thought for a moment. "@Lorelei, was he the Trainer who challenged you in the Sevii Islands?"
"Oh, I remember now!" The airheaded Auntie Lorelei clapped her hands. "That really cute Pikachu!"
Natsume's expression turned complicated.
Somehow… if Ash Ketchum joined this group chat, he might even rival Gold's status!
But in this timeline, Ash Ketchum was probably the solo-traveling protagonist from the movies.
As the "Rainbow Hero," his personality would be a bit more mature.
"Still, meeting Ash Ketchum sounds kinda fun," Natsume mused, stroking his chin.
...
Closing the group chat, Natsume looked up to check his surroundings.
Today's main task was reporting to the Trainer Academy.
Located on the outskirts of Celadon City, it connected to Vermilion City in the south and Cerulean City in the north.
The round trip for commuting was about two hours—not too bad.
"How much farther?"
"Gengar!"
Gengar studied the map on the Pokédex, then suddenly froze.
The Pokédex flickered, buzzing with vibration.
"Oh, that's the phone function—I linked my number to it too."
Natsume took the Pokédex and held it up. "Hello, who's this?"
"Natsume-sensei, per our prior agreement," Matori's voice came through. "After your video upload, I'm here to deliver your reward."
"Ah, you shouldn't have!"
Natsume blinked, then laughed.
"Bank transfer or mobile payment?"
"Ahem… due to certain circumstances, the year-end bonus may be delayed," Matori coughed lightly. "But rest assured, you'll get everything you're owed!"
"Oh, that's fine."
If Matori hadn't mentioned it, Natsume would've forgotten he even had a Team Rocket executive's year-end bonus coming.
But Matori's next words made Natsume's expression shift.
"I've already transmitted the disc to you—it's a move record for Dark Pulse."
Matori's tone turned serious. "Since it's a legacy technique from a Dark-type Elite Four… its value is immeasurable."
Dark Pulse?
What the heck is that?!
Natsume's expression darkened.
"This Dark-type Elite Four you mentioned… who are they?"
Natsume's collection of move manuals was nothing to scoff at.
Most were "gifts" from various Gym Leaders and Elite Four members.
Whether it was Gengar or Sylveon, their move sets were already top-tier…
I really don't need this!
"It's from Johto's Dark-type Elite Four, Karen," Matori stated plainly. "Her Houndoom made its name with Dark Pulse..."
"I'm sure it'll be a great asset to you as well."
Natsume's face twitched.
Another Elite Four's move?!
"Wait a second—"
Before Natsume could finish, the Pokédex's special transmission function activated.
The remotely uploaded disc automatically integrated into the Pokédex's files.
By the time Gengar picked up the special Pokédex and opened the move recorder, it could start learning the move naturally…
"Any other questions?" Matori asked.
She'd already consulted Karen about Dark Pulse's details.
After being refined by the Dark-type Elite Four, it not only had increased power but also no hidden drawbacks.
The only real downside? It was expensive to maintain.
But not spending money?
How else are you supposed to get stronger?!
Especially for a Trainer of Natsume-sensei's caliber—Elite Four, even Champion-level.
This kind of expense was just pocket change to him!
"Nothing much… just make sure your grandpa doesn't play chess these days."
"Huh? Why?"
"I'm worried people might point fingers at him."
"Thank you for your concern, but the old man doesn't play much chess," Matori coughed, her cheeks flushing slightly.
Why is he so concerned about my family?
Did Natsume get moved by my sincerity?
Oh my!
He's really handsome, but this won't do…
...
Meanwhile.
Natsume clutched his chest, staring blankly at the sky.
Deleting the move record now would be too rude.
And Dark Pulse was a move Gengar hadn't mastered yet.
On the other hand…
Once Squirtle evolved into Blastoise, Gengar could teach it the move too.
Wait…
Doesn't that mean double the expenses?!
Natsume's expression soured.
"Gengar?" Gengar looked at him in confusion.
"Never mind."
Natsume shook his head and cleared his throat.
The Pokémon Trading Card Game's sales were still booming.
With new expansion packs and upcoming game releases…
This was just small change!
Natsume nodded calmly.
"Karen and Matori… I'll remember this!"
...
After acquiring Dark Pulse,
The first day of work seemed a little gloomier.
Natsume trudged into the Trainer Academy with slumped shoulders.
It was break time, and students were gathered in small groups, playing the Pokémon Trading Card Game.
A few others huddled around simulators, running practice battles.
The familiar scene made Natsume pause.
This plot… feels familiar?
Wasn't this the same Trainer Academy Ash Ketchum visited in the original series?
Just as Natsume was lost in thought,
A group of upperclassmen, armbands on display, blocked his path.
"Stranger, this is Celadon University's Trainer Academy,"
The leader was a cute girl with sleek black hair, a pleated skirt, white stockings, and an air of elegance.
"If you're lost, please leave immediately."
Finding her somewhat familiar, Natsume asked curiously,
"What's your name?"
"How dare you ask for Giselle-senpai's name?! She's a Trainer with the strength of three badges or more!"
You just said it for her!
"So?" Natsume sighed.
In a bad mood, he glanced around.
"And if I don't leave… what are you going to do about it?"
"Then we'll have to make you leave."
Giselle elegantly tossed a Poké Ball into the air.
"Go, Cubone!"
At the same time, the boys beside her threw out their own Poké Balls.
"Weepinbell, Zubat—let's go!"
Surrounded by hostile Pokémon, the system chimed with a notification.
[Ding! New Quest: "Setting an Example"
Objective: Discipline the ill-mannered students.
Reward: Full Restore ×1]
"Instructors is… a little unhappy right now!"
Looking at the swarm of weaklings, Natsume-sensei fr
owned.
"Togepi, Dazzling Gleam."
A white light shot out as Togepi wobbled onto the field, waving its tiny hands cheerfully.
"Togepi doo-ee~~ヾ(??°????)"
A blinding Dazzling Gleam engulfed the entire area in white light!
Giselle instinctively turned away.
When the light faded, everyone's breath hitched.
In the dead-silent courtyard, Giselle's pupils shrank.
"No way!"
A single Togepi… just one-shot all of Hoshino's Pokémon?!
The textbooks never mentioned anything like this!
"Let me introduce myself."
Natsume removed his sunglasses, speaking calmly.
"I'm your new Simulation Battle instructor."
New instructor?!
Giselle's face paled.
There's no way he's that young!
"Class started five minutes ago, and you're all still loitering outside."
Natsume checked his watch.
"Everyone still on the field—copy the type chart ten times and hand it in to my office by this afternoon."
"Giselle, you're coming with me—alone!"
...
Under Natsume's overwhelming presence, the students scattered like startled birds.
Giselle trailed behind Natsume, her expression downcast.
"This really was my mistake..."
"Please punish me instead—don't take it out on the other Hoshino students!"
"Any punishment will do?"
"A-Anything..."
"Then copy the type chart twenty times and submit it to my office before class ends."
Giselle blinked, then glanced up at Natsume.
She nodded, looking both relieved and... oddly disappointed.
With the matter settled,
Natsume still had no idea where his office was.
He sent the dejected Giselle back to her classroom first,
then headed to the principal's office to report in.
"As an elite academy, our students can be... somewhat prideful,"
Inside the principal's office, the portly and pale Mr. Earl Dervish handed Natsume a cup of tea.
"On top of that, I also oversee Trainer Academies in Johto, so I'll have to trouble you to manage things here."
"Prideful doesn't mean chasing strangers off on sight."
After recounting the earlier incident, Natsume frowned.
"It may be due to our closed-campus policy,"
Mr. Earl Dervish cleared his throat. "We've had outside Trainers come in to cause trouble before... and you do appear rather young..."
"Please don't take it to heart!"
Mr. Earl Dervish had long heard of Natsume-sensei's reputation—
unfathomable strength, strategic prowess rivaling the Elite Four...
Having him join the faculty was undoubtedly a boon for the Trainer Academy.
But leaving such a poor first impression... Mr. Earl Dervish felt terribly apologetic.
Faced with the principal's excessive courtesy,
Natsume actually grew somewhat embarrassed.
"You're too kind."
Natsume smiled. "I may have overreacted as well."
At any rate, he'd already tossed the 'Full Restore' reward into Gengar's treasure chest,
planning to save it for Squirtle's next appearance.
Mr. Earl Dervish sighed in relief.
"In any case... you're free to use any of the academy's training facilities."
"Including the weather chamber, thunder room, gravity room, and other equipment."
Mr. Earl Dervish beamed. "Celadon University's facilities are quite comprehensive!"
Natsume listened without much reaction.
But the Gengar beside him?
Drool nearly dripped from its mouth.
"Gengar!"
Sounds way fancier than the club...
Decision made—we're trying them out later!
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