Xingye glanced over Slowking's status information and found nothing unusual. Still, this guy was indeed pretty strong, even if its move set was incredibly strange...
Since it wasn't a Pokémon ability issue, then it could only be something about the Pokémon itself—or rather, its identity. Slowking was Boss Slowking, so naturally it was different.
Think about it: between an ordinary person and a big boss, whose favor would be more useful? The difference was obvious. The answer was right there!
"Got it. If I want better talents, I need to deal with Pokémon of different status and standing."
Though it was only a guess for now, Xingye felt that was probably the reason. But he would never treat Pokémon who came seeking help differently just to farm better talents.
Talents could differ, but friendship was priceless!
Putting that aside for now, he immediately equipped [Not Dumb at All]. At first, he did not feel any different, so he turned to Cyclizar and deliberately tilted his head.
"Cyclizar?"
"Are you asking what I'm doing?"
"Cyclizar~"
Cyclizar nodded. Xingye more or less understood what this talent was for now.
It did not let him understand Pokémon language outright. It simply improved his ability to comprehend them, allowing him to roughly figure out what they meant through factors like their cries, expressions, and movements.
At the very least, he was no longer completely lost like before, as if he were listening to a foreign language. Xingye even felt that, given enough time, he might truly be able to understand them perfectly.
The improved learning ability was perhaps meant for exactly this—understanding while learning. Boss Slowking had really given him a great talent.
"So where's the compensation money you swallowed?"
"Cyclizar~"
In the blink of an eye, it was the next day. It was also Monday—the day he had to go to school.
While they had dinner at the izakaya last night, Slowking had already told him that Class One, Fourth Grade at Pokémon School was the class he had been assigned to.
Though it gave him the odd feeling that he was going back to elementary school, Xingye remembered it. Still, as a transfer student, he had to report to the academic affairs office first.
He had not been to Nae-chan's restaurant for a week. Before heading to school, he needed to stop by there. It was also a good chance to make use of his talent, learn a little more, and get breakfast sorted out.
But unfortunately, Nae-chan was not there today. Smile Restaurant was closed. Perhaps worried that customers—or Xingye—might wait foolishly, she had even pasted a note on the door.
Written in light blue watercolor pen, it said that the owner had gone to purchase ingredients and the restaurant would be temporarily closed for two days. The handwriting had a rather girlish feel to it, with a heart drawn around the words and a small Gardevoir portrait beside it.
"As expected of Nae-chan..."
Xingye wanted to complain, but he had no idea where to begin. He had indirectly asked Boss Slowking before, and Nae-chan seemed to already be over thirty years old.
But discussing age with a Pokémon somehow felt strange...
With breakfast unavailable, Xingye had no choice but to take Cyclizar back home again.
Boss Slowking had swallowed a huge amount of his compensation money, so Xingye definitely would not let it off that easily. While having dinner at the izakaya last night, he had raided the bar counter and brought back a pile of snacks...
With breakfast taken care of, it was finally time for him to officially go to school. He had already confirmed Pokémon School's location on the map. It was southwest of Hau'oli City.
It was connected to the city district but separated from it by a stretch of woods, with the sea on the other side. It was a relatively quiet area with both a good learning atmosphere and environment.
There were Exeggutor buses in the city that went directly to the school. Of course, those with ride Pokémon could head there themselves, and those without did not need to worry either.
In the Alola Region, people specifically ran businesses like this, and they could be found everywhere. They rented trained ride Pokémon to other Trainers to make getting around easier.
But the price was steep, because part of the money earned had to go to the Pokémon. Some of these Pokémon were raised by families, while others were wild Pokémon working here, then heading to Kabukicho to spend their money after getting off work...
Xingye rode Cyclizar swiftly out of the Drifter District. As he left, those Meowth and Rattata chased after him again, forming a vast black mass.
Anyone unaware of the situation might have thought he was their boss, leading his underlings out to fight some unknown criminal gang.
"What kind of treatment is this? I'm only going to school, yet you're seeing me off with such a grand procession. I'm almost embarrassed."
Xingye smiled. He had no complaints about these dedicated Pokémon, and teasing them now and then was actually quite fun.
As he continued down the road on Cyclizar, something suddenly occurred to him. He muttered, "Come to think of it, when was the last time I went to school? It feels like I haven't been to school since graduating and leaving. Why am I suddenly getting nervous?"
Just as he was pondering those questions, a group of hunters who had been waiting atop the deserted buildings around them suddenly made their move!
"Meow!"
Alolan Meowth were cunning and intelligent, with great pride and high IQs. After failing several times, they had naturally come up with a countermeasure: lying in wait for an ambush.
"Cyclizar!"
"Huh?"
Seeing a whole group of Meowth dropping from midair, Xingye suddenly snapped back to his senses and hurriedly controlled Cyclizar to dodge. But neither of them expected the sewer cover in the road ahead to suddenly fly up!
Then a Raticate emerged with a group of Rattata, directly grabbing onto Cyclizar's legs. Some even climbed up onto it.
Xingye was startled and slammed on the brakes. The Meowth above crashed into them, and he and Cyclizar rolled away together. He could not laugh now. After teasing cats every day, he had finally gotten his comeuppance!
Seeing that their plan had succeeded, the drifter Pokémon wore smug expressions and pounced on Xingye without mercy. They began clawing at his clothes or simply biting him.
"Ow, ow, ow!!!"
"Don't scratch my face... Don't pull at my pants either, and stop tugging..."
The pitiful and helpless Xingye let out all kinds of strange cries. Finally, Cyclizar swept the drifter Pokémon away with its tail, then grabbed the blood-covered Xingye in its mouth and sped away from the scene, giving him a great start to the day...
At Hau'oli Pokémon School, warm sunlight shone over every corner of the campus. As a Komala rang the bell, the day's lessons officially began.
In Class One, Fourth Grade, more than a dozen youthful students sat at their desks. They paid no attention to the bell and continued chatting.
However, among them was a girl who had already taken out the textbook for this lesson and placed it on her desk, quietly waiting for the teacher to arrive.
She sat by the window, her long golden hair swaying gently in the sea breeze outside. A faint smile rested on her fair and lovely face, but a trace of melancholy seemed hidden within her emerald-green eyes...
Just then, the classroom door suddenly opened, and a shirtless man in a white lab coat walked in. It was Professor Kukui, the homeroom teacher of this class!
Seeing that the students had yet to notice him, he did not get angry. He merely patted the desk and called out, "Alola~ Everyone, quiet down for a moment. There's something important I need to tell you!"
"Hm?"
Once everyone had gradually fallen silent, Professor Kukui smiled and said, "The transfer student who couldn't come last week because of some matters has finally arrived today!"
"Huh! Really?"
"They're finally here. We've got another opponent now. I hope they're really strong!"
"Haha, I hope so too!"
"Yang-zai, just keep messing around with Kiawe. Don't traumatize the new student too..."
"How could I, class rep? You're the one I'm aiming to defeat~"
"Heh. Keep dreaming."
Watching the students grow more and more excited, Professor Kukui smiled and called out, "I know you're all happy, but quiet down and listen to me first!
"Because of certain reasons, this student is actually attending school for the first time. If there's anything he doesn't understand, you all need to help him out. You're classmates, so you must get along well!"
"Got it! Hurry up and let him in already! So excited!"
The students could not wait to meet their new classmate. After all, this was someone they would be spending at least the next three years with.
Professor Kukui knew they were excited too, but he gestured for them to quiet down before continuing, "I haven't met him yet either. He should be at the academic affairs office right now, and he'll be here very soon..."
Before he could finish, the classroom door was suddenly knocked on, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
"Speak of the devil. Please come in!"
As his words fell, the door was slowly pushed open. Everyone looked over eagerly, but the moment they saw the newcomer, the anticipation on their faces abruptly froze before turning into horror.
Xingye looked as though he had just returned from a battlefield. A pair of bloodstained goggles hung around his neck, his body was covered in injuries, bandages wrapped around him in several places, and his school uniform had been dyed crimson with blood. He stood there in the doorway.
Then, under everyone's horrified gazes, he staggered inside as if nothing was wrong. His head hung low, and he did not even glance at anyone else.
He then raised a hand with some difficulty and greeted them, "Um... what was it again... hello, everyone... no, it should be Alola..."
"Alola my ass!"
Before you continue