January 11, Sunday.
A few days had passed since he returned to Paldea.
Early that morning, Qingyu finished washing up, sat down on the sofa in the lobby, and turned on the television.
Today was a special day-
The first day of school at Naranja Academy.
Although winter was not over yet, Paldea's winters were never particularly cold, so Naranja Academy scheduled enrollment for new students during these first few days after the New Year.
"So every world has this part of starting school, huh?"
Watching Director Mufei deliver his welcome address to the new students on-screen, Qingyu could not help muttering a complaint.
Strictly speaking, he was part of Naranja Academy's teaching staff himself, so he was eligible to attend the welcoming ceremony.
But Qingyu had flatly refused.
What was the point of attending a boring event where you had to stand around listening to someone talk, with nothing to pass the time but chatting with whoever was next to you?!
He would rather sit on his sofa at home and watch the live broadcast on television, looking for familiar students.
The cameras covering the broadcast swept across the students, and Qingyu soon spotted several familiar faces.
Nemona went without saying. As a promising talent who had come out of their Sunshine Gym, this year's Victory Road would be no trouble for her at all.
However, according to Nemona herself, she probably would not challenge the Sunshine Gym right away.
Because-
"The most exciting battle only means something if you save it for last, right, Teacher Yu?"
Remembering the smile on Nemona's face when she visited him two days ago, Qingyu's lips curved upward.
For a battle fanatic like Nemona, whose head was filled with nothing but Pokémon battles, Victory Road really must have been irresistible.
Not only could