(As the semester rolled on, Ash couldn't help but feel like the whole thing was just a victory lap.)
(He wasn't really learning anything new, at least, not academically.)
(Most of the material he'd already mastered during his strange Alolan study-boost.)
(Somehow, he was even technically qualified to attend medical school now, which blew his mind.)
Ash [in mind]: "I wish it was actually this easy to get into med school."
(Ash thought, staring blankly at a textbook he didn't need.)
(Still, he did pick up some new concepts, like Base Stat Totals—those mysterious numbers that supposedly defined a Pokémon's power.)
(Apparently, with enough training, even those could be increased.)
(That was good to know.)
(The most exciting part of the semester, though, was the class trip to the movies.)
(It should have been fun. Should.)
(The movie they watched was a bizarre adaptation of the original Pokémon manga.)
(It featured a version of Red, not the one from the adventures manga, the one with a talking Clefairy.)
(A loud, weird, slapstick Clefairy.)
Ash [in mind]: "Why is this a movie?"
(Ash thought, eyes wide with disbelief.)
Ash [in mind]: "No, better question: how is this a movie?"
(Things only got weirder when the infamous brown Onix scene came up.)
Ash: "Yeah, I'm not describing that. For my own mental health."
(he decided, shrinking into his seat.)
(The rest of the class seemed to find it hilarious, though. Figures.)
(Still, Professor Oak kept things interesting.)
(Near the end of the semester, he promised a surprise guest lecturer, and another professor was coming in to speak before graduation.)
(Meanwhile, Ash continued going over all the strange knowledge swirling in his head.)
(One day he realized he knew how to make Pokéblocks, but not the usual kind for contests.)
(These ones actually enhanced training results when given to Pokémon.)
(That discovery had serious potential.)
(He'd also recently figured out how to create barriers, actual, defensive energy barriers.)
(They weren't great yet, kind of flickery and inconsistent, but they worked. Sort of. Baby steps.)
Ash: "Let's not rush this and accidentally turn into a psychic onion like AZ."
(he muttered.)
Ash: "No corruption arcs today."
(One afternoon during a school break, Ash and Gary decided to have a fishing competition, classic Kanto bonding.)
(The goal? Catch the most interesting thing.)
(It started normal enough.)
(A few Magikarp, a stray Poliwag, even a boot.)
(Then Gary shouted.)
Gary: "Whoa-Ash! I got something!"
(and Ash pulled hard on his line at the same time.)
(Together, they reeled in a single rusted Poké Ball tangled between both lines.)
Ash: "Is it... stuck?"
(Ash asked.)
Gary: "Looks like—"
(SNAP...)
(The old Poké Ball cracked in half, breaking apart right in their hands.)
(They stared at each other, then immediately started bickering.)
Ash: "You pulled it harder!"
Gary: "No way! You jerked it first!"
(Eventually, they settled it the only way that made sense.)
Ash: "Battle for it?"
(Ash suggested.)
(Gary smirked.)
Gary: "Winner gets the PokéBall. Deal."
(They shook on it, locking in the challenge.)
(The day of the guest professor's visit arrived, and with it came the final stretch of the school year.)
(The classroom buzzed with energy as students gathered around the five classmates who would be leaving after graduation.)
Tierno: "I'm gonna miss you, buddy."
(Tierno said, pulling Ash into a big hug.)
(Ash chuckled.)
Ash: "It's not goodbye forever, y'know."
Bianca: "I still can't believe you guys are graduating."
(Bianca said, a little teary-eyed.)
Bianca: "It feels like we just started school. Like... it's only been, what? A year?"
(Everyone turned to stare at her.)
Cheren: "...Bianca, it's been four years."
(Cheren deadpanned.)
(Bianca blinked.)
Bianca: "Ah, eto... bleh."
(then knocked on her own head.)
Bianca: "Right. Four years. Totally knew that."
(Barry let out a groan.)
Barry: "Man, I'm so jealous! I still have to wait to graduate. How am I supposed to become the greatest Pokémon Trainer if I'm stuck in school? Just you wait."
(he said, pointing dramatically.)
Barry: "Once I'm out, I'll catch up in no time!"
(Gary crossed his arms smugly.)
Gary: "Yeah, yeah. I hope you all watch the next League tournament, because I'll be there. And you'll see a real Pokémon Master win."
(Ash raised an eyebrow but he shook his head.)
Ash [in mind]: 'I guess he is still season one Gary, huh…'
(Then he smiled and sighed.)
Ash: "Don't worry. I'm planning on going to each region to compete in every League. So I'm sure we'll all meet again, so how about it when i get there i'll be in your care~"
(The mood in the room lightened at that.)
(As the class continued chatting, the door to the classroom swung open with a soft creak.)
(Professor Oak stepped inside, followed by a woman about his age with a warm smile and a graceful presence.)
Oak: "Hello, everyone."
(Oak began.)
Oak: "I know most of you are excited for your classmates who will be graduating soon, but before that, I'd like to introduce you to a special guest. Please welcome Professor Magnolia."
(The woman stepped forward, beaming as she surveyed the room.)
Magnolia: "Hello, dears! I'm so glad to be here."
(she said with a soft laugh.)
Magnolia: "Aww, you're all so cute! You remind me of my granddaughter, she's not much older than you are."
(Ash blinked.)
(Magnolia was exactly how he'd seen her in his mental image bank—elegant and grandmotherly, but sharp behind the eyes.)
(She was a slender older woman with kind green eyes and neatly styled brown hair.)
(She wore a soft yellow long-sleeved dress beneath a crisp white lab coat, beige ballet flats, and a striking purple necklace.)
(A matching purple headband held back her hair, and she leaned lightly on a cane shaped like a bird, which seemed more aesthetic than functional.)
Magnolia: "Well."
(she continued.)
Magnolia: "as Professor Oak mentioned, I'm a Pokémon Professor too. My field of study is the phenomenon known as Dynamax. Now, Dynamax refers to a temporary transformation that greatly increases a Pokémon's size and power."
(There were a few gasps of awe from the class.)
Magnolia: "But."
(she added, raising a finger.)
Magnolia: "some Pokémon can go one step further. If they have the right potential, they can Gigantamax, transforming not just in size, but in form as well, gaining a powerful signature move unique to that state."
(She tapped her cane and projected several images onto the screen behind her—massive Pokémon towering over stadiums: a skyscraper-sized Meowth, a cake-like Alcremie, a terrifyingly wide-mouthed Gengar.)
Magnolia: "However."
(Magnolia said.)
Magnolia: "this transformation doesn't happen just anywhere. It can only occur at specific places rich in Dynamax energy. We call these places Power Spots. Trainers also need a special Dynamax Band to access this phenomenon. Currently, my granddaughter—also a professor—is traveling across Galar researching the ancient history of Dynamax and where it all began."
(she said proudly.)
Magnolia: "It's a fascinating mystery, and we're only scratching the surface."
(She opened the floor.)
Magnolia: "Any questions?"
(Ash had to admit, Dynamax seemed simple enough.)
(It was definitely the most straightforward regional gimmick he'd heard of.)
(Power spot, power bracelet, go big.)
(No time travel, mind-linking, soul resonance, or bizarre magical corruption.)
(Honestly, refreshing.)
(So he stayed quiet while the rest of the class eagerly raised their hands, asking about what Power Spots looked like, what happened if a Pokémon Dynamaxed outside of one (they couldn't), and what Magnolia's granddaughter was like.)
(As the questions wound down, Oak gently stepped back in.)
Oak: "Thank you, Professor Magnolia—that was incredibly informative."
(he said with a grateful smile.)
Oak: "Unfortunately, she has other engagements, so we won't keep her."
(Magnolia gave the class a fond wave.)
Magnolia: "Good luck to you all, perhaps I'll see some of you in Galar one day, if you do, do come visit an old woman for some tea."
(With that, she exited, cane tapping gently against the floor.)
[To Be Continued...]