Rainbow University in Celadon City, the foremost institution of higher learning in the Kanto Region, had long been renowned across the regions for its rigorous academic standards and boundless spirit of exploration.
Although most students at its affiliated Trainer Academy were useless aristocratic brats, it did occasionally produce a few astonishing talents.
The current Elite Four had little regard for these soft, academy-trained pushovers, but as a major taxpayer to the Pokémon League, the aristocratic academy still enjoyed considerable prestige.
In a tiered lecture hall at Rainbow University, a girl with short chestnut hair, dressed in a kendo uniform, was explaining advanced training methods for Grass-type Pokémon.
She was none other than Erika-the Gym Leader of Celadon City, a master perfumer, an associate professor at Rainbow University, and a traditional woman who embodied the new generation's ideal of Japanese feminine grace!
The boys in the audience were growing drowsy, while the girls in the last two rows were whispering among themselves.
"Hey, have you heard? Apparently, the upper-year teachers went to welcome some really impressive professor," a round-faced girl with glasses whispered to her friends, eager to gossip.
"I know, I know! They say he's Professor Oak's grandson, about our age, and really handsome, too!" A freckled girl immediately joined in with interest.
"Hmph. He's our age, yet he's already earned a professor's title? His grandfather must have pulled strings to get him in. Just wait. Once he gets here, I'll make sure to humiliate him!"
A girl seated in the center swept back her long hair and curled her lips in a sneer.
Perhaps she had spoken a little too loudly. At the lectern, the chalk in Erika's hand snapped in two with a crack.
"Yuto Sayo!" Erika called sternly.
"Yes! Miss Erika..." Yuto Sayo stood up awkwardly.
"You students from the Trainer Academy don't get many chances to study at Rainbow University. Why are you fooling around during class?" Erika scolded, visibly annoyed.
"Miss... I wasn't..." Sayo protested indignantly. "We came to Rainbow University to acquire advanced knowledge and hone our abilities as Trainers. I believe certain people who become professors at such a young age through connections don't deserve to set foot in an institution of higher learning like Rainbow University!"
Glancing at the clock, Erika gathered the teaching materials on the lectern and gave Yuto Sayo a disdainful look. "I honestly have no idea where that sense of superiority comes from.
"The top student at the Trainer Academy? Has someone also told you that your abilities are equivalent to those of a Pokémon Trainer with six Badges?"
Sento frowned. "Aren't they?"
Erika shook her head with a smile. "Your naïveté really has me beaten. Remember this: if I don't want to give you a Badge, you couldn't win even a single battle against me as you are now. Never mind Professor Gary!"
"That's impossible!" Sento's face flushed. "You're blatantly favoring Professor Oak's grandson. It's disgraceful!"
Erika calmly finished packing her things and glanced at Sento. "Being a frog at the bottom of a well isn't the frightening part. It's believing you're right.
"Professor Oak may be young, but he published a paper on the Pokémon League Academic Network when he was seven.
"If he hadn't been underage at the time, his paper, 'An Analysis of Eevee's Evolutionary Possibilities,' would have earned him a doctorate outright.
"Academics aside, Professor Oak previously had a friendly match with Bruno of the Elite Four, and it ended in a draw! Do you understand the gulf between you now?
"(Afraid that Bruno would chase him around demanding rematches, Gary always told outsiders it had been a draw.)"
Young Master Mao pursed his lips. Bruno and I are evenly matched. Got it?
Flushed scarlet after that rebuke, Sento stubbornly stepped forward to block Erika. "I don't believe it. All of that is just your side of the story."
Even Erika's good temper couldn't withstand such an unreasonable student. She stepped forward. "Do whatever you want. I'm going to welcome Professor Oak now. Stand aside!"
The authority of a Gym Trainer radiated from Erika. Sento's face filled with alarm, and she scurried out of the way like a frightened quail.
Erika shook her head disdainfully. So this is all the Trainer Academy's sheltered little flowers amount to?
Watching Erika leave, Sento's eyes brimmed with aggrieved tears. She clenched her teeth and muttered, "This is all your fault, Gary Oak. I'll expose you for what you really are!"
After lunch and a casual scrap with a few Mankey, Gary was making his leisurely way toward Celadon City when his nose suddenly tickled.
"Achoo!!" After several sneezes in a row, Gary sniffed. "Weird. Who's talking behind my back...?"
"Young Master Mao, have you caught a cold? Should I have Lady Goth make you some ginger tea with brown sugar?" Caitlin asked with concern.
"Ahem, it doesn't hurt anymore. I probably just caught a chill. It's not like I'm on my period. Save the brown sugar ginger tea for yourself." Gary waved a hand.
"Gary, Gary, you're the best! Gary, Gary, you're number one!!"
Suddenly, familiar cheers rang out in the distance. Gary looked up to see Chancellor Monet waiting for him with several Rainbow University professors and a group of female students holding banners and wearing sexy little cheerleading skirts...
"Good grief..." Gary couldn't help covering his face. Don't shout those embarrassing chants so loudly...
As Gary approached the group with Caitlin, the old man came forward, grabbed his hand, and refused to let go. "Gary... my proudest student. You've finally arrived!"
"Um, sir, this is Miss Caitlin, one of Unova's Elite Four. She'll be attending the symposium with me," Gary hurriedly introduced her.
Hearing that, old Monet immediately turned a kindly gaze on Caitlin. "Hello, Miss Caitlin. I'm Gary's university advisor. If you don't mind, you can call me Grandpa Monet."
"Hello, Grandpa Monet," Caitlin said, a little awkwardly.
"Ah, wonderful. Welcome, both of you." Monet was so delighted that even his mustache seemed to lift. He secretly winked at Gary. "Impressive, Gary. Your skill with the ladies hasn't faded a bit. Even your grandfather wasn't this good back in his day!"
The corner of Gary's mouth twitched. He couldn't even be bothered to object anymore. Whatever...
Seeing Gary's lack of enthusiasm, Monet swept out an arm. "Music!"
A thumping dance track started up, and two rows of pretty, curvaceous university girls surrounded Gary and launched into a spirited song-and-dance routine.
Old Monet winked conspiratorially at Gary. "Nice setup, huh? Late-night snacks are on you!"
Gary rolled his eyes hard. How can you slander an innocent man like this, you old geezer...?
The sultry dancing made Caitlin blush. She could only cover her eyes and sneak peeks through her fingers.
Gary looked around awkwardly, then his eyes widened at the lead dancer. "Erika?"
Her face slightly pink, Erika performed the modern dance she had only learned that day. A little breathless, she smiled. "Professor Oak, it's been a while!"
"Um, we can just talk normally. Could we stop dancing for now? Ladies, thanks for the effort. Please spare me any more of your magic." Gary shook his head helplessly as he pleaded with them.
Once the blush-inducing nightclub dance routine ended, Gary finally breathed a sigh of relief.
After changing into an elegant traditional kimono, Erika presented Gary with a bouquet.
Gary noticed that Erika wore a medium-sleeved furisode, a semiformal choice. She clearly took his visit very seriously.
"Well, without further delay, let's head back to the university," Chancellor Monet said. "We'll need you to give two public lectures this afternoon, Gary. You know how it is-if we're putting on a show, we have to go all the way."
Gary thought over his materials on special evolution, then nodded with a sly smile. "No problem at all. But what about the equipment for the lectures?"
Monet waved a hand generously. "Whatever you need, you get. The university will cover everything!"
Gary raised his eyebrows. "How generous of you, Chancellor!"
Monet lifted his head and puffed out his chest. "Of course. Why do you think I'm the chancellor?"
Erika covered her mouth and giggled beside them. Based on what she knew of Gary, the chancellor would probably have to cough up some expensive equipment again.
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