I Am the Background

Inside Gary's private training room at the Rainbow University, Caitlin watched with great interest as Gary's Pokémon underwent their training.

Three female graduate students conducted a comprehensive evaluation of Gary's Pokémon.

First was Eevee, a perfect hexadecagon warrior whose build, coat color, physical strength, intelligence, and explosive power were all models of perfection.

Charmeleon was similarly a talented contender, boasting terrifying muscle mass and bone density, a ninety-percent fire affinity, and the ability to perfectly wield dual-blade capabilities.

Growlithe, though joining the team relatively late and possessing only fine overall stats, had a maximum score in fire affinity and was uniquely gifted.

Scyther displayed excellent agility and flexibility, along with outstanding speed and a slightly high body fat percentage... Dingxiang suggested it switch to low-fat, high-protein Pokémon Food.

Rhydon possessed great muscle density, somewhat low bone density, and medium health points. Its endurance and stamina were top-tier, paired with ultimate instantaneous burst power. Xiaoxue's suggestion was to continue increasing supplement usage while consuming more nutrient-dense Pokéblocks.

Gengar: excellent spiritual power, excellent explosive power, good speed, and outstanding short-term acceleration. The three graduate students unanimously determined that this was a newly caught Pokémon that required comprehensive, focalized care.

"Goodness, as expected of Professor Gary's Pokémon, they're cultivated so well." Holding the resulting report, Xiaoxue couldn't help but sigh.

"Indeed, aside from Gengar, the other Pokémon leave very little room for improvement." July akimboed and shook her head.

"However, this concerns our credits..." Dingxiang reminded them.

Vital spirit flared in the eyes of the three women. Fine, then let's roll out a special training package of our specialty!

"I'll handle the Pokéblock portion, as well as the physical balance training." July adjusted her black-rimmed glasses.

"Then I'll handle the post-training recovery work." Xiaoxue nodded.

"I'll handle the emotional counseling and data recording." Dingxiang also brought out her professional attitude.

Gary walked in from the side, pulling out several Poké Balls: "Don't rush, there are still these kids. I'll leave them in your care as well."

Just now, Gary had spoken over the phone with Professor Oak, requesting the remaining Nidoking, Nidorina, and Golduck from home.

During this period, they would all be boarded right here at Rainbow University.

"Additionally, Eevee, Charmeleon, Growlithe, Scyther, come with me, we have a match this afternoon." Recalling these few Pokémon, Gary concurrently reviewed the reports from Dingxiang and the others.

He had to admit, reports produced by this kind of high-level professional talent were simply a sight for sore eyes.

This was what they called letting professionals do professional work.

"Um, Nidorina is already prepared to evolve, and I've brought the Moon Stone over.

I'll leave this job to you, Dingxiang, I hope you can let Nidorina gain the greatest possible harvest." Gary produced the Moon Stone and handed it to Dingxiang, who nodded diligently.

"Um, Professor Oak, I believe Growlithe's fire affinity has already reached its maximum level, you could consider letting him evolve, and I've applied for a Fire Stone and charcoal on my end.

I have the confidence to let Growlithe evolve perfectly into an Arcanine." July smoothed her hair and spoke earnestly.

Gary raised an eyebrow: "Then I'll leave it to you, specific work starts tomorrow, this afternoon I'm taking Growlithe out for a match."

July nodded, indicating she would make thorough preparations.

And so the grinding began, excellent~

After admonishing the three graduate students, Gary nagged the Pokémon for a couple more sentences.

"Folk, Rainbow University is an extremely professional training base. Seize this opportunity and improve yourselves as much as you possibly can.

Afterward, we have many tough battles to fight, keep it up~"

Nidoking and Rhydon, that pair of simpletons, nodded earnestly in agreement.

Gengar looked left, then right. Are all the good kids working this hard? No way, I can't be left behind! I must establish good relations with the trainers first!

Thought and action went hand in hand! The moment Xiaoxue turned around, Gengar smiled and sidled up to her. Lick~!!

This move was learned from Growlithe to express fondness for someone, and it was said to work every single time!

Zzap~ Xiaoxue shuddered all over: "Numb... Paralyzed..."

Gengar's expression froze: ╥﹏╥ If she didn't like it she could just say so, why was she cursing people out...

Gary awkwardly explained: "Um, Gengar, when licking others don't use the Lick technique, it paralyzes the opponent, she wasn't cursing you..."

Gengar covered its face and nodded. Well, that ruined things; instead of sucking up, it had knocked the person flat...

"Pfft~ Hahaha~" Caitlin couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Ahem, well, Caitlin, are you coming to my match this afternoon?" Gary hurriedly changed the subject.

"Mm~ I'm going. But after it ends you have to buy me ice cream." Caitlin cute-akimboed.

This young lady had grown familiar with Gary, and her young-mistress personality was gradually revealing itself.

"No problem, don't eat the right ones, only buy the most expensive ones~" Gary nodded, anyway he was swiping Giovanni's card anyway~

"Oh yeah!" Caitlin happily waved her small hands.

"Uh~ Well, Dingxiang, go grab a bit of Ashire Seaweed juice from the cabinet for Xiaoxue to take, you guys rest for a bit too. I'm heading out." With Eevee perched on his shoulder, Gary decisively greased his heels.

"Bye-bye, ladies~" Caitlin tugged at the hem of her skirt and used Teleport to keep pace with Gary's stride.

Dingxiang and July exchanged glances and shrugged.

"To be able to get along so well with a member of the Elite Four, Professor Oak's strength is probably formidable as well." Dingxiang admired.

"Indeed, if only we could see Professor Oak's main roster." July coved.

Actually, they didn't know that what they were seeing right now was already Gary's current main roster.

Xiaoxue, lying on the ground: Are you guys going to save me or what...

Leaving the office, Gary led Caitlin and hurried toward the campus's main athletic field.

As Rainbow University's battle arena, the facilities were extremely comprehensive, and fields of various types could be switched at will.

The tutorial match arena Gary had reserved was exclusively for teachers and generally not open to students. It was only rented out for high-level matches.

"What the fuck?" Glancing at the battle arena surrounded three layers deep, Caitlin frowned; she didn't like too many people.

Gary also doubtfully scratched his head, this differed from what they had agreed upon.

"Hello, who's using this space inside, do you know?" Stopping a passerby wearing glasses, Gary asked curiously.

"Seems to be a bunch of junior students from the Trainer Academy, I heard the security guards came to chase them off and got beaten to tears." The passerby curled his lip.

"Too rampant." Gary frowned. If they had merely occupied the field, Gary could swap to another. The battle arenas here were plentiful enough that he wouldn't bother bickering with a bunch of good-for-nothings from the Trainer Academy.

However, hogging the arena and assaulting staff members crossed the line into unreasonableness.

"Apologies, Professor Oak, I'm late, I'll chase this bunch of troublemaking students away right now." Erika anxiously ran over; she had only just received notice.

At that exact moment, the crowd parted down the middle, and a girl surrounded like the stars around the moon walked out from the center.

Wavy brown long hair, a pleasing countenance, an exquisite JK uniform, and white silk stockings. In Brock's words, this girl's image eight years down the line was worth looking forward to...

"Yuto Sayo, this is an arena exclusively for teachers, are you lot attempting a rebellion? Do you believe I won't hand out demerits to every single one of you later?!" Erika stepped forward angrily.

"Calm down, Professor Erika." Sento played with a strand of her hair, completely unfazed: "Thirty percent of the Trainer Academy's sponsorship every year comes from our family. Are you certain the principal dares give me a demerit?"

"You!" Erika grew furious; Sento's remark was already tantamount to an open provocation.

"Alright, Erika." Pacifying Erika, Gary stepped forward: "Little miss, you're here gunning for me today, aren't you? What do you want?"

Sento sneered coldly, raising her voice: "I heard you're the youngest professor at Rainbow University. I believe someone who entered through the back door isn't qualified to teach and educate!"

Therefore, I, Yuto Sayo, have decided to challenge you. If you can beat me, then today's affair is dropped; if you lose, you will kneel on the ground, confess that you aren't worthy of the title of professor, and crawl your way out of Rainbow University!"

Gary's lips curled upward as he stepped forward, staring coldly at Yuto Sayo.

"What, do you dare?" Sento triumphantly lifted her chin. Ever since she was small, she had grown accustomed to this thrill of oppressing others with power. Whatever she disliked, she destroyed directly!

The next second... Slap!!

Gary unceremoniously swung his right hand, stepping up with a massive backhand smack!

Clutching her face, Sento was dumbfounded: "You dare hit me?"

Gary twitched the corner of his mouth, scanning the circle of good-for-nothings wearing Trainer Academy uniforms: "So what if I hit you, this slap is because you lack respect for your teachers!

Is the Trainer Academy's sponsor that incredible? Come on, the Yuto Family is merely a second-tier commercial family in Kanto. Where do you get the confidence to mouth off at me?"

"You're finished. You actually dared hit me. My family has commercial sponsorships with Elite Four Lorelei. Just you wait for the Elite Four's retaliation." Sento yelled crazily, even attempting to lunge forward and scratch Gary's face.

"Pfft..." Caitlin behind Gary covered her mouth, desperately suppressing her laughter...

Never mind Young Master Mao hitting you, even if Young Master Mao buried you, that woman Lorelei would probably help cover for him...

"Oh, so this is your backing." Gary shook his head, gazing at the clawing and shrieking Sento, and countered with another slap:

"I'm asking you who you hang out with? Do you think having a bit of family wealth means you can do whatever you want? Let me tell you, when you're out on the streets, you rely on background, and I~ am the background!"

Terrified by Gary's ferocious maneuver, not a single male student among the Trainer Academy crowd dared step forward to rescue their goddess.

"Let me tell you!" Gary raised his volume in retort: "Go back and ask Sister Lorelei whether she's willing to make an enemy of me for your sake.

You can also ask your father if there's anyone in Kanto who dares mess with me, Gary Oak!"

Putting aside Lorelei and Gary's friendship, Professor Oak's academic career spanning all these years alone, with disciples scattered across every high, middle, and low tier of the Pokémon League, was simply not something an ordinary merchant could shake.

Watching Sento, whose face flushed with strange ruddiness and whose eyes locked onto him with a fixed gaze, Gary was defeated; did this woman truly possess zero sense of propriety?

Little did he know, Sento had already entered another extreme. Trembling continuously, she roared crazily within her mind: Oh yeah, just like this! Lord Gary, abuse me even more... Oh...

Seeing the increasing number of onlookers, Gary knew he had to establish his prestige, so he spread his hands: "Fine, since you want a chance at a challenge, I'll grant it to you.

But remember this, if you lose, you won't just get a demerit-I will directly strip your student status. Go experience how a traveling trainer actually grows up!

One minute from now, aside from Rainbow University students, if any single Trainer Academy cadet remains here, you're all expelled together! Understood?"

Whoosh! The moment Gary's words fell, a large crowd of young students scattered away in an instant.

"Woohoo! Professor Oak is awesome!!"

"We've long since found this bunch of brats an eyesore."

"Professor Oak is forever the greatest!!"

The remaining Rainbow University undergraduates erupted into cheers.

Gary waved at the students, stepped into the battle arena, and crooked a finger at Sento: "Come on, let me see what abilities the Trainer Academy's top student supposedly has."

With eyes glowing red with excitement, Sento stepped into the arena: "Um... Please advise me, Lord Gary... Aw no! Professor Oak~"

Gary's mouth twitched, what was wrong with this woman.

Wait! Gary abruptly widened his eyes in terror; she couldn't possibly be a yandere M, could she!!

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