What Was Nemona's Starter Pokémon?

Mu Fei's speech lasted around seven or eight minutes. It was packed with substance, without any repetitive nonsense.

His line in particular—"Let's all enjoy campus life together!"—drew an enthusiastic response from the students on the School Field, and thunderous applause erupted.

After the fervent atmosphere eased somewhat, Mu Fei, the focus of countless gazes, slowly turned his head toward Luo Mu at the edge. A smile appeared on his face as he opened his arms and said, "Next, let me introduce a teacher who has newly joined Naranja Academy. Please welcome him with a round of applause!"

Clap clap clap clap!

"A new teacher!"

"He looks so young. He can't be much older than us, right?"

"I'm already past fifty, yet I have to welcome a new teacher young enough to be my grandson."

"I've never even seen the Pokémon following him!"

Prompted by the teacher beside him, Luo Mu calmly stepped toward the platform.

Only when he stood beside Mu Fei on the platform did Luo Mu sweep his gaze over the crowd below. He could clearly see every student's expression—some were doubtful, some indifferent, and some distrustful, but most were simply curious.

He also spotted Nemona excitedly jumping up and waving at him, as well as Arven, who dared not meet his gaze and seemed to still feel guilty about what had happened before.

A thousand people had a thousand faces. The students' chatter and differing emotions below placed no pressure on Luo Mu whatsoever. Taking the microphone Mu Fei handed him, Luo Mu noticed that the noise below showed no sign of dying down. Instead, it was only growing louder.

Perhaps some newly appointed rookie teachers would have been flustered by this situation, but as someone who spent plenty of time online, Luo Mu had seen countless ways to handle it.

After thinking for a moment, Luo Mu looked at Mu Fei. Once he received a gesture that said, "Do as you like," Luo Mu bent down and gathered Growlithe into his arms. He held the microphone close to its mouth and said to the Growlithe wagging its tail with all its might, "Give them a few barks."

"Woof woof woo~~~~~!"

Growlithe was not frightened by the crowd at all. On the contrary, it was thrilled. Its drawn-out cry traveled through the microphone and speakers, and the extremely high-decibel sound instantly drowned out the clamor.

Luo Mu set Growlithe down and patted its head in praise. After clearing his throat slightly, he raised the microphone and said loudly, "As the principal said, starting today, I am a part of Naranja Academy just like all of you."

"First, let me introduce myself. My name is Luo Mu. You may call me Teacher or Teacher Luo Mu. I will be teaching Battle Studies, and any students interested in Pokémon battles are welcome to enroll in my class."

"Normally, I'm a very easygoing person, so you can all rest assured."

Luo Mu considered himself rather laid-back and content to take things easy in everyday life. However, since he had accepted this job from Geeta, he ought to take it seriously while teaching.

The first half of Luo Mu's introduction was entirely ordinary—one could even call it utterly unremarkable. Yet in the second half, the tone abruptly shifted.

Luo Mu's gentle smile vanished, and his expression turned stern. An imposing aura swept out from him, and some of the students who met his eyes guiltily looked away. "On the other hand, if anyone dares to act up in my class, or if I discover any bullying or harassment of fellow students, then no matter what kind of family background you have, feel free to find out whether it works on me."

As Luo Mu finished speaking, the School Field fell silent.

The smile on Mu Fei's face deepened as he took the lead in applauding.

This time, however, the applause was rather sparse. The students had clearly been intimidated by Luo Mu's presence and had yet to recover.

"Hehehe, young people really do have spirit." Mu Fei kept clapping as he thought, Perhaps I should mention it to the old master when I return and have Young Master Ortega choose this teacher's class. I'm sure the young master would grow from it.

De Shu remained calm, clapping now and then, but a storm had already risen in his heart.

Was it a coincidence? Or deliberate?

How had Luo Mu, a teacher who had just arrived at the school, known about—and even specifically mentioned—bullying and harassment!?

After the opening ceremony ended, most of Naranja Academy's students returned to their dormitories to rest or gathered in small groups around the campus.

Luo Mu slowly headed toward the library with Growlithe, who was especially excited after having stolen the show. Before going home, he planned to borrow some specialized books related to planting and breeding.

At that moment, Nemona, panting from running so quickly that she was out of breath, blocked his path and called out, "Big Bro—Teacher Luo Mu!"

Luo Mu stopped. He first saw Nemona, then the light-brown head not far away, and smiled. "Isn't this Nemona? Long time no see."

"Long time no see!" Nemona clenched both fists, her face full of excitement and her eyes sparkling like stars. "I never expected you to become a teacher at the school!"

"You looked really cool giving that speech just now!"

Nemona felt that today might be her lucky day. After pondering for a moment, she took out a Poké Ball and held it out before Luo Mu as though presenting a treasure. "Teacher, look! I got my own starter partner too!"

"Oh? Can you tell me what Pokémon it is?"

Luo Mu was intrigued. He had always been curious about the starter Pokémon of the Nemona from the games, who was said never to have fought at full strength.

"Of course!"

Nemona nodded excitedly and tried to throw out the Poké Ball stylishly. Unfortunately, her movements were too awkward, and the Poké Ball fell to the ground halfway through.

That did not stop the Pokémon inside from Appearing.

Amid a flash of red light, a tiny orange electric rodent Appeared in Luo Mu and Growlithe's field of view.

Luo Mu raised an eyebrow in surprise. "It's Pawmi?"

Come to think of it, these electric rodents with different appearances could be found in nearly every generation.

After leaving the Poké Ball, Pawmi did not run around. Instead, it picked up the Poké Ball in its little paws and handed it to Nemona before quickly climbing onto her shoulder. They seemed very close.

At that moment, Nemona abruptly revealed why she had stopped Luo Mu. Without the slightest concern for the gazes around her, she bent at the waist and shouted, "Please have a Pokémon battle with Pawmi and me, Teacher!"

Luo Mu was not particularly surprised. After seeing Nemona dressed differently from when they had first met, he had sensed that the future "Senior Nemona" had already Appeared.

Thus, not at all surprised, Luo Mu smiled. "Of course, but we'll need a referee."

"A referee?"

Nemona looked troubled. None of the people she knew well were present right now.

Luo Mu patted her shoulder and called toward the distance, "Arven! How much longer are you going to hide?"

A quick note on the setting: Arven and Nemona in this book are both ten, about to turn eleven. I personally estimate that their fully grown versions in the original work are around fourteen or fifteen. Team Star was founded a year and a half ago, which means the bullying at Naranja Academy has already progressed to its final stage.

As for the academy storyline later on, the other teachers will not receive too much detailed focus. As the plot progresses, it will smoothly transition to the new teachers and principal taking office. Everyone probably prefers familiar characters, right?