~Pokémon School, Classroom 103~
A bespectacled female teacher walked in, carrying a stack of handouts...
The previously chaotic classroom fell silent at an astonishing speed.
The teacher cleared her throat lightly, choosing not to scold the students, and announced: "Class, today we have a new student joining us..."
As she spoke, she glanced toward the door and said, "Come on in!"
The students immediately craned their necks to look outside. A few boys sitting in the back row whispered among themselves:
"A new student? Boy or girl?"
"I hope it's a pretty girl. Our class has too few girls."
"Give it up! Even if she's pretty, she won't be interested in you. You'd be better off just focusing on training your Pokémon–" The boy who was speaking suddenly stopped.
His deskmate, who had been squeezing a pimple while looking in a mirror, asked in confusion, "What's wrong? Cat got your tongue?"
"Holy crap! He's so handsome!"
The boy exclaimed, but his voice was quickly drowned out by the excited "Wow!" from the girls around him.
Caleb stood at the podium, slightly shy, and said, "Hello everyone, my name is Caleb Chase. I'm from Oldale Town. I hope we can get along well in the coming days."
"Wow, this new classmate seems really easygoing!"
A female student blushed as she spoke, "Caleb... What a nice name!"
"I wonder who'll be lucky enough to sit next to him..."
The experienced teacher on the podium saw right through the girls' thoughts.
'Give me a break. I was young once too.'
She smirked inwardly and, pointing toward the boys in the back, said in an extremely gentle tone, "Caleb, would you mind sitting there?"
Caleb had no objections.
The girls, however, looked disappointed. At their age, any unfamiliar handsome boy could spark endless daydreams.
Caleb walked straight to his seat. The teacher raised her hand to signal for silence, "Alright, let's continue with the lesson!"
Caleb propped his chin on his hand, ignoring the envious or curious glances around him, and listened to the teacher with interest...
This happened to be a politics class...
The politics curriculum in the Pokémon world was vastly different from the one in his original world.
Here, politics classes mainly revolved around the Hoenn League's regional governance policies and explored the deeper relationship between humans and Pokémon.
Before coming, Caleb had learned a bit about the Pokémon School from Morris.
As the name suggested, the Pokémon School taught trainers how to raise Pokémon and coexist with them harmoniously. In addition to basic academic subjects, the school also offered practical skills...
For example, identifying Berries, crafting healing potions from wild herbs, and the most challenging of all... making Pokéblocks.
Caleb glanced at the schedule... As it turned out, the next class was Pokéblock-making...
...
Meanwhile, Steven had also arrived at the Pokémon School/Academy...
The sudden appearance of the League Champion shocked the elderly principal.
The old man, well past middle age, trembled as he led a group of teachers out to greet him, his face flushed with excitement:
"Ch-Champion! What brings you here all of a sudden?"
Steven, accustomed to such reactions, replied calmly, "I'm here to see someone. His name is Caleb Chase. He enrolled today."
The principal wasn't aware of this. Before he could respond, the admissions officer spoke up:
"He hasn't been here long. He should be in class right now... Class 103."
The principal quickly asked, "Should we call him out?"
Steven shook his head. Since he had plenty of time today, he said, "No need to interrupt him. I'll wait until after class."
"Of course! Would you like a tour of the campus in the meantime?" the principal offered.
Steven figured he had nothing better to do, so he nodded and followed the group around the school.
Students along the way, seeing the entire school leadership mobilized, initially thought something major had happened. But when they spotted Steven among them, the entire school erupted.
"Oh my god! It's Steven!"
"The Champion is at our school!"
Soon, a crowd of enthusiastic fans swarmed around him, all begging for autographs.
Steven looked at their adoring eyes, his thick brows furrowing slightly as a helpless expression crossed his face.
'Fine. I admit I can't resist these kinds of looks...' He took the pen offered by a student and began signing autographs one by one...
...
At that moment, Caleb was being ushered toward the Pokéblock classroom by a group of girls...
Noticing the commotion, he asked curiously, "What's going on over there?"
The girl he asked was too busy staring at him to care about anything else. She answered dismissively: "Probably someone showing off a rare Pokémon. Don't worry about it, Caleb-kun! Tell me, what's your favorite dessert?"
Caleb: "...Sorry, I don't really like sweets."
The girl quickly shook her head, "That's okay! I can make sour, bitter, or spicy treats too! If Caleb-kun likes it, I'll learn how to make anything!"
Caleb rubbed his temples, "No need. That's too much trouble."
The girl insisted, "It's no trouble at all! Really! I'd be happy to do anything for you!"
Caleb: "...Thanks, but I need to use the restroom. You all go ahead to class."
The girl looked concerned, "But... are you sure you can find your way alone? It's your first day, so you probably don't know where the classroom is..."
Caleb was completely overwhelmed... He never expected the girls in this world to be so intense.
He quickly waved his hands and grabbed a vaguely familiar boy nearby, "No worries! My good buddy here will come with me. You all go ahead!"
The boy, now being dragged along, looked utterly confused and tried to protest.
Caleb clapped a hand over his mouth and pulled him toward the restroom, saying firmly, "No arguments. You're coming with me!"
Being intimidated by Caleb's tall and sturdy frame, the boy didn't dare resist, fearing he'd get beaten up...
...
~In the restroom~
After finishing his business in the urinal, Caleb adjusted his pants and asked, "What's your name?"
The boy answered obediently, "Jinpei."
"Alright, Jinpei. Take me to the classroom." Caleb washed his hands and walked out with him, "Are the girls in your class always that... intense?"
Jinpei hesitated before mumbling, "Not really. It's probably because you're good-looking. They've never been that enthusiastic with any of us."
Caleb suddenly felt a pang of annoyance... A thought crossed his mind:
'If only I were a little more average-looking... Then I could focus on studying Pokémon knowledge and training my team in peace...'
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Read ahead on my P@treon...
[email protected]/MayaMatengele01