N

N, Unova Region.

The black night sky and its accompanying mist always carried a trace of chill and eeriness, as though hiding some enormous secret. The rumbling flashes of lightning, meanwhile, seemed more like messengers piercing the darkness, bearing a sacred purpose and mission.

With a crash, a beam of white light flashed across the horizon, like a sharp sword blooming down from the heavens.

At the end of the blazing lightning, a flickering figure vaguely emerged, seeming to drive away all darkness. But as the lightning faded, it only gave way to even more endless darkness. Threadlike rain and howling cold winds followed, weaving themselves with the low night sky into an impenetrable net.

The castle's dome cast a shadow, sharp as blades, over a boy.

He sat sideways on the railing along the castle's edge. Long emerald-green hair swayed beneath his cap, and he wore an off-white short-sleeved shirt with a Rubik's Cube hanging from his waist.

The howling cold wind blew against him, fine rain streaking across his face. He pressed down the brim of his cap, his vacant, calm gaze directed toward the boundless distance.

"Wooo~~"

Perhaps because of the cold wind, or perhaps because of the rain, the Arcanine curled up beside him rose and edged closer, bringing him a faint warmth.

The boy's gaze gradually focused. Feeling his companion's concern, he revealed a serene smile and gently stroked Arcanine.

"Wooo—"

The boy's response made Arcanine happy. It leaned over and licked his cheek, earning an even warmer smile from him.

Holding Arcanine, the boy lowered his head and saw the phone lying beside him.

Even if you don't say it, I'll do it.

But a "hero," huh?

A glimmer like stars in the night sky appeared in the boy's green eyes.

Just then.

"N, it's time to learn etiquette."

A low, weighty voice came from within the castle.

"Wooo..."

Arcanine seemed able to sense N's inner resistance and let out a low whimper.

But N merely patted it gently, indicating that he was fine. Yet he did not notice that his eyes, which should have shone as brilliantly as the starry sky, had dimmed once again, becoming like a stagnant pool.

"I'm coming."

Hoenn Region, Lavaridge Town.

Because last night's incident at Mt. Chimney had been stopped in time, not many people knew about it. Although Roxanne had informed the accompanying teachers from the academy, only a handful of people, including Du Fu, were aware.

Thus, the next day's Autumn Excursion proceeded as scheduled.

With so many people, each class was assigned to a different area of Mt. Chimney for wilderness exploration.

As the relatively strongest class, Class 1 of the Battle Department's first year had been assigned a comparatively more "dangerous" area.

Of course, under the teachers' protection, this so-called "exploration" was not particularly dangerous. It really did seem like nothing more than an autumn outing.

But the academy's original intention was to let the students first adapt to the wilderness environment. The later exploration arrangements would be when these students truly learned to adapt to the wild.

On a mountainside of Mt. Chimney, Class 1 of the Battle Department's first year was resting.

Since there was no real pressure, the students sat together in groups of three or four, chatting and laughing with great ease.

Jing He sat on a rock as well, looking helplessly at Gastly in front of him.

"I told you, it really was removed by Nurse Joy with a machine. Something like a Toxic Orb would only cause secondary damage to Camerupt if it weren't removed with equipment."

Jing He put special emphasis on the word "really."

"Koujie?"

Gastly tilted its head and shot him a doubtful glance, disbelief written all over its face.

Then why did you throw away your gloves yesterday?

"Shouldn't gloves that touched a Toxic Orb be thrown away?" Jing He asked in return.

Gastly looked hesitant.

"Koujie?"

Really?

"Otherwise, give it to me, and I'll return it to Steven Stone."

Seeing Jing He's outstretched hand, Gastly snorted.

No matter how it got here, I licked it, so it's mine! Gastly stubbornly raised its head, looking utterly defiant.

Jing He smiled faintly at that.

"Fine. I'll get you some Black Sludge next time."

"Classmates, let's battle!"

At that moment, a rather chuuni-looking boy stood up with a Poké Ball in hand and loudly proposed it.

And surprisingly, people actually responded.

Thus, a heated round of class battles began.

"Teacher Jing He."

At the same time, Flannery, who had always loved battling, actually walked over.

"Hm?"

When he looked up, he saw her acting somewhat awkwardly. Finally, she gritted her teeth, quickly stuffed a thin-looking book into his hand, and then hurried away.

"My grandpa asked me to give this to you. He said it's a token of thanks."

"Koujie?"

Gastly leaned its head closer.

"Will-O-Wisp Insights."

This is for me too, right? With that thought, Gastly stuck out its tongue.

"Stop!" Jing He called out in time. "It's a book, not food, and definitely not a Toxic Orb."

Fortunately, he pulled it away in time, preventing Gastly from "contaminating" it.

Gastly gave an embarrassed laugh.

I just wanted to see what it tasted like. I was only checking if it was real.

Jing He shot it an annoyed look before opening the book and briefly flipping through it.

These handwritten insights were different from a Technical Machine. They contained a Trainer's and Pokémon's experience and understanding of a move. How much one could learn from them depended on the Trainer's and Pokémon's aptitude.

Flannery's grandfather, Mula, had once been a Fire-type Elite Four member of the Hoenn Region. Even in the entire Pokémon World, he would likely rank among the best when it came to training Fire-type Pokémon.

And Will-O-Wisp was also a Fire-type move. Mula's understanding and knowledge of it were certainly far deeper than Jing He's and Gastly's.

He opened to the first page.

"Will-O-Wisp is also fire. Rather than calling it 'Will-O-Wisp,' it would be better called 'strange fire.'"

"...Ninetales's tail fur, Chandelure's wick flame, Marowak's bone ash."

Looking at those materials, black lines appeared across Jing He's forehead.

According to the notes, having these materials could help a Pokémon better master Will-O-Wisp.

But as he kept reading... it felt like things were drifting further and further away from the proper path.

Especially the last one.

Salazzle's X sac! Was this really a proper set of insights? Had the old man actually tried it?

Yet Gastly beside him was staring with shining eyes, looking eager to give it a try.

Jing He hurriedly flipped ahead.

Fortunately, the later pages gradually became normal, describing some techniques and experience for Pokémon using Will-O-Wisp, from which he gained quite a bit.

After quickly reading through it once, he had a new understanding of how to train Gastly to use Will-O-Wisp.

Once this stage of training is over... perhaps I can take Gastly to be assessed as a League Registered Trainer.

As Jing He thought this, he looked up and heard—

"Skarmory, Wing Attack!"

The Skarmory clad in silver armor swept through the air, its bright wings slashing across its opponent and sending it flying heavily.

He had not expected Steven Stone to join in too.

But with his strength, even in Class 1 of the Battle Department's first year, taking first place should be quite easy.

Still, Jing He narrowed his eyes.

"For a Skarmory that has mastered those moves, battling like this is a bit of a waste."

Thanks to Zizaixian, reader 20210211153400606, and TianhuiSGrey for the rewards!