November 13th, Tuesday
Natsume sat in his office reviewing this semester's course materials.
"Natsume-sensei."
Across the desk sat Kanon, a middle-aged woman with a gentle smile.
"If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. I'll explain as best I can."
Natsume nodded curiously. "Does this school only have junior and senior division students?"
Despite the expansive campus, the Trainer Academy seemed to lack main campus students - more resembling a middle school than an advanced institution.
"That's correct," Kanon explained. "Regulations vary by league... In Kanto, children as young as ten can begin their journeys."
"The ultimate goal is always competing in the League Tournament."
"Besides challenging Gyms, graduating from a Trainer School grants direct entry to the tournament preliminaries."
"So Kanto's Trainer Academies typically enroll students aged 10-18... Celadon University's main campus only has a few graduate researchers, hence no separate facilities."
Natsume nodded in understanding.
Essentially, this was Celadon University's affiliated school - similar to Kyoto and its attached high school.
Most graduates chose to enter the League Tournament rather than pursue higher education.
That explained why all the students Natsume-sensei had seen were so young.
"Though I just turned twenty myself... not that I can judge," Natsume mused.
"Aside from your Simulation Battles course, Miss Erika will also be teaching Practical Training Battles here."
Kanon smiled. "With you here, I'm sure the principal can relax a bit."
The principal, Mr. Earl Dervish, also oversaw Johto Region's Trainer School.
Stretched thin managing both institutions yet uncompromising on teaching standards.
Natsume's arrival had indeed eased his burden.
Natsume: "You flatter me. I only know a little about command strategies."
Kanon blinked, then chuckled. "That must be the humility Touran Region is known for."
Even before Natsume's arrival, Kanon had heard Miss Erika's descriptions -
Unpredictable tactics, versatile command styles...
Someone worthy of a Gym Leader's praise couldn't be ordinary.
Young yet remarkably grounded...
Professor Erika had made an excellent choice!
"Let me get you some tea," Kanon offered.
"No need. Gengar will handle it."
"Huh?"
"Gengar! (～￣▽￣)～"
Natsume accepted the tea from Gengar.
Reviewing the syllabus, his expression grew complicated.
"End-of-semester objective... Inter-School Exchange Tournament..."
Each academic year had scheduled events.
This tournament, Natsume saw, pitted Trainer Academies from multiple leagues against each other.
Faculty would participate too. Competing schools included:
Unova's Striaton Academy
Hoenn's Rustboro School
Kanto's Celadon School
Sinnoh's Jubilife School
Though many leagues' schools didn't participate,
the long-running event was a cherished tradition.
Natsume's face twisted. "So I actually have to train students?"
Otherwise watching his class get steamrolled would be humiliating.
"Whatever... With Erika handling things, I can probably slack off."
He nodded to himself.
"Gengar!"
Gengar poked Natsume's side, wanting to explore.
"Sure, go ahead."
Natsume nodded. "Send your location via Pokédex later. I'll meet you after class."
"Gengar!" Grinning, Gengar gave a thumbs-up.
Kanon stared blankly at the red Pokédex in Gengar's hand.
Even his Pokémon get Pokédexes?!
That's just ridiculous!
...
Giselle returned to the classroom looking despondent.
The greasy-haired boys immediately swarmed her. "Giselle! What did that guy do to you?"
"Don't worry, we'll avenge you!"
Slumping into her seat, Giselle propped her chin on her hand and sighed.
If anything... she was upset precisely because he hadn't done anything.
Wait, what am I thinking?!
Blushing, she shook her head and snapped, "Class is starting! Get to your seats!"
A student timidly pointed out, "Giselle... this is simulation class. We're supposed to go to the computer lab..."
Clearing her throat awkwardly, Giselle pulled out a stack of paper.
Chin held high, she marched toward the computer lab -
fully intending to copy those 20 type charts during lecture...
...
In the computer lab,
a handsome young teacher with dark circles under his eyes lazily addressed the class.
"I'm your instructor, Natsume."
Students whispered excitedly as they studied him.
"So young..."
"Isn't he the one who owned Hoshino earlier?"
"About time someone put them in their place!"
Meanwhile, the girls' faces flushed pink.
Suddenly attending class doesn't seem so bad!
"Eep!" Giselle's face burned as she squeaked.
The greaser beside her asked, "You okay, Giselle?"
"Mm..."
Ignoring him, Giselle glared at the instructor.
Why did it have to be him?!
Huh?
What's with this murderous intent?!
Noticing the hostility, Natsume traced it to its source -
and relaxed upon seeing just a kid.
But Giselle turned crimson when she clearly read his lips:
Thirty.
He wants me to copy it THIRTY times now?!
"You might not recognize my name,"
Natsume leaned against the podium.
"Tell me... does anyone here play Pokémon Trading Card Game?"
"Of course!"
"Instructor, you play too? Let me carry you!"
"Pfft, I've nearly completed my SSR set! Got over ten URs!"
"Good." Natsume nodded.
"I'm Touran's Natsume-sensei... Look up my Pokémon Studio. Might be surprising."
The class fell silent.
Pokémon Studio?
Why does that sound familiar?
As Giselle pulled out her phone, someone gasped.
"Holy crap, he's the Natsume-sensei!"
"No way! The guy who invented Pokémon Trading Card Game?!"
"I freaking love Plants vs. Zombies!"
The room erupted.
Students pounded their desks.
Their instructor not only plays the same games—he CREATED them?!
This is beyond lucky!
"Quiet."
After two ignored attempts, Natsume rapped the podium.
The class instantly settled, all eyes on him.
One student timidly asked, "Natsume-sensei... can I have a UR card?"
"Study hard," Natsume smiled, "and holographic cards or new expansions aren't impossible."
The room exploded again.
"YES!!"
"I'm totally flexing this!"
"Natsume-sensei's battle strategies are top-tier—at least Master level!"
Amid the frenzy, one raven-haired girl scribbled furiously.
Twenty type charts... twenty type charts...
Ugh, why so many?!
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