Everyone was stunned, especially Lucius. To him, Sieg had just been a pretty boy who relied on cheap tricks to defeat Roxanne.
Never did he imagine that Sieg was actually the famous prodigy Breeder causing such a stir recently.
"Our family even sent word asking me to find a way to recruit him…"
Lucius's face turned completely pale as he slumped into his seat, dumbfounded.
Though he hailed from a prominent family, his lineage was only a collateral branch. His family had once brought up Phoebe, a member of Hoenn's Elite Four.
But as for him, he was just a side branch descendant, which was why he had to attend a Trainer School like this. If given the choice, who wouldn't want to stay in the family's main estate, enjoying the best backing?
Now, his mind was racing, thinking of how he could face his family after this.
Though bound by blood, his family operated under strict hierarchy and unbending rules. Unity could only be found when it served the family's interests.
Cold sweat dripped down Lucius's forehead, especially after Sieg had given him that one chilling look. There had been danger in those eyes, an aura he had never encountered before.
But Sieg didn't spare him another glance. Instead, he calmly opened the textbook, skimmed a few pages, then began lecturing.
"Today, we'll be discussing the origin and development of Pokéblocks."
"When we speak of Pokéblocks, we must first mention a profession, the Breeder. This role didn't even exist a few decades ago…"
As Sieg lectured, he casually took out his Junior Breeder badge and pinned it to his chest.
The students in front of him couldn't help but feel a mix of admiration and envy. Though many of them would go on to do well after graduation, very few could compare to an officially certified Breeder.
Many of them were simply coasting along, and they knew it.
"A Breeder's responsibilities are vast. Beyond formulating personalized training plans for different Pokémon and crafting specialized Pokéblocks, a Breeder must also be versed in basic medical care, Pokémon physiology, and therapeutic massage…"
"The core ingredient of Pokéblocks are berries. Berry farming is a complex subject. The color and effects of berries vary depending on soil type and temperature."
"For instance, red berries have a pungent scent and are typically used to craft Pokéblocks that heal injuries."
"Yellow berries have a fresher taste and are generally used to restore stamina."
After speaking for so long, Sieg's throat was dry. He walked over to the dispenser, poured himself a glass of water, and took a sip.
"Hm?"
The water tasted sweet. On closer inspection, it seemed to be laced with some kind of nutrient solution.
He couldn't help but be impressed. This Trainer School really spared no expense. Even the communal water came with enhancements.
"Ahem. Your homework tonight is to write a paper on berries."
"Topics can include berry farming, berry usage, or even historical tales and trivia related to berries. Submit your work before class tomorrow. I'll review and comment on them in front of everyone."
With that, Sieg closed the textbook, packed his materials, and left the classroom.
Seconds after his leave, the room erupted into noisy discussion.
It was only a matter of time before the entire school found out that the famed prodigy Breeder Sieg had come to teach as a temporary instructor.
As Sieg walked through the school corridors, he glanced at the message from Chloé on his Pokédex and finally relaxed.
"So Lucius was just a side-branch nobody… if the chance arises, he might actually be useful someday."
Sieg dared to act aloof toward these second-generation elites for two reasons. First, he had the support of the Joy family and the Petalburg Gym behind him.
Second, he had recently earned the title of Junior Breeder. Even Master Hikyo, the president of the Rustboro Breeder Association, was regularly contacting him.
The warmth in those exchanges reassured Sieg that he was finally beginning to establish a real foothold in this world.
He no longer had to live in fear. He was no longer that disposable little pirate.
Sieg eventually made his way to the cafeteria. It wasn't too crowded, but he still headed upstairs to a private booth.
After all, it was part of his hiring perks. It'd be a waste not to use it.
"Seared scallops, mushroom vermicelli casserole, steamed Slowpoke tail…"
He selected a few of his favorite dishes within his meal allowance. The food quality was top-notch, to say the least.
After finishing lunch, Sieg went to the logistics office to collect his allowance for the day.
"100,000 Pokédollars? Not bad for a side gig."
Had anyone else heard him say that, they would've choked in disbelief.
A hundred thousand Pokédollars was more than what an average household made in a year, yet Sieg had earned it in just a single day.
Such was the power of the Trainer School. If even a low-level, part-time instructor was paid this much, one could only imagine what full-time staff received.
"Then again, it is a small-class setting, and someone's got to put up with these spoiled brats. Knowledge is priceless, after all~"
Back in the faculty dorms, Sieg stepped into his personal apartment. Though it wasn't a full-blown villa, it was luxurious enough for a solo residence.
"Eevee, I'm home~!"
The moment the door opened, he called out, and as expected, within seconds a brown blur dashed out and leapt into his arms.
"Eevee ee~~"
Eevee buried its head in Sieg's chest, squirming affectionately in his embrace.
"Alright, alright. Being home alone must've been boring, huh…"
It took some effort to coax Eevee down. Sieg couldn't deny it, Eevee really was adorable.
There was even a fleeting moment when Sieg considered letting Eevee live purely as a companion, not a battle Pokémon.
But he quickly snuffed out that thought.
"Let's try making a new Pokéblock today, one that enhances a Pokémon's defense. A Fortify-type Pokéblock."
With practiced hands, Sieg pulled a compact Pokéblock crafting machine from his dimensional backpack.
The earlier one given to him by Metako was now collecting dust in a corner. He didn't throw it away, it was his first after all, and held sentimental value.
But the one in front of him now was purchased from the Breeder Association's internal catalog, smaller, more efficient, and semi-automated. No need to personally handle every step.
As night slowly fell, low mechanical hums echoed from Sieg's room. Eventually, the noise faded into silence.
Sieg emerged, holding a Pokéblock storage case in hand.
Inside were freshly crafted "Fortify"-type Pokéblocks, designed to enhance the hardness of Pokémon.
In the corner of the room, piles of failed ingredients sat discarded.
Over the next few days, Sieg continued teaching at the school. Not a single student, not even those with powerful family backgrounds, dared challenge him again.
Maybe the rumors had gone too far. People whispered all sorts of things, how he could decide someone's fate with just one look, or how Lucius had wet himself from a single sentence.
Even just walking around the school, Sieg noticed students avoiding eye contact, which left him both amused and exasperated.
Still, it saved him a lot of trouble. He had no interest in becoming the protagonist of some melodramatic campus drama.