"Wasn't that a little much, Teacher Lucas?"
Kaito looked awkward, as Kenichi and his gang, who had been so arrogant before, now ran out crying after Swampert gave them a gentle hug. One even tripped on the rock fragments and had to be helped up by Swampert before running off crying again—a bit comical, really.
"Too much? I only scared them a little. They basically sent you off to die with Bewear—shouldn't they be scared a bit?" Lucas pursed his lips, annoyed by their actions. He wasn't a proper teacher anyway.
He wasn't afraid they'd report him. If things blew up, it'd hurt Kenichi too; their bullying would come to light, and any adult could see their actions were bullying.
Even if Kenichi risked self-destruction to take Lucas down, Lucas figured Geeta was more likely to launch a school-wide anti-bullying campaign than fire him.
"But you, Kaito… you've been smiling ever since." Lucas teased, seeing Kaito's barely contained grin.
"Really? Hahaha." Kaito finally let himself laugh, venting weeks of pent-up emotion, until he coughed from choking on his own spit.
Afterward, Kaito remembered Lucas had stopped Kenichi before he ran off and made him release his Shroodle before letting him go. "Why did you stop Kenichi, Teacher Lucas?"
Lucas didn't answer. Instead, he bent down and pulled a ballpoint pen from Kaito's pocket, sighing and knocking him on the head.
Kaito clutched his head in pain as Lucas said, "Not your concern. I'm confiscating this. Stop thinking about weird stuff and focus on your studies. Your Wattrel will get better."
Ignoring Kaito's groans about having literature class later, Lucas spun the pen in his fingers and walked toward Naranja Academy, feeling years younger, like he was back in elementary school.
Along the way, teachers and students greeted him. Lucas responded kindly and headed to the schoolyard.
Seeing nearly half the students missing, and recalling Kenichi's group's open actions, Lucas realized something was up.
As he took attendance, he noted that future Team Star members Eri and Ortega were present, but Student Council President Giacomo—who always aimed for perfection—was absent. Remembering that Arven had recently mentioned Giacomo seemed down, Lucas figured something was happening.
Though he mulled it over, Lucas kept a calm face as he addressed the students: "Today's the first lesson of the term. You should've all gotten my message—make sure your Pokémon are in top shape."
"No need for a long speech. Treat this like your culture class's entrance exam."
"Pick one of the Pokémon I release and battle it. Losing's fine." Lucas shook his backpack full of potions and released Comfey. "Your Pokémon will be back in action in under a minute, so show me your holiday progress."
"Of course, those who haven't improved since before the break—I have a special reward prepared. You can look forward to it."
Lucas smiled kindly as he delivered his threat. Ortega shuddered, knowing Lucas's devilish reputation and realizing he was in trouble.
He'd vacationed in other leagues' resort cities all break, living it up, and hadn't trained at all—his Dachsbun was barely evolved!
He was doomed. His bank card would be frozen again!
On the other hand, Arven looked at the two fired-up girls next to him: Eri's eyes sparkled as she muttered about wanting to wrestle a strong Pokémon, and Nemona was flushed, already thinking about how many battles she could squeeze in.
Arven: "…"
Two battle maniacs. Another day, another headache.
Still, Arven was secretly happy—he'd gotten a heads-up from Lucas and trained all night, so he should be fine.
Under the students' gaze, Lucas produced a pile of Poké Balls and released a dozen Pokémon: Arcanine, Mudsdale, Politoed, Comfey, two Sawsbuck, three Eldegoss, three Poliwhirl, two Dragonair.
He'd brought half his ranch's Pokémon.
He stepped aside, beaming: "Pick any opponent you want."
Aliquis, spotting something odd, raised his hand: "Teacher Lucas, isn't Comfey specialized in healing? Can such a gentle Pokémon really battle?"
Lucas didn't answer directly: "You can have Sprigatito battle Comfey and see. It'll be a good reference for everyone."
Aliquis, having trained with Sprigatito over the break, felt confident—surely he wouldn't lose to Comfey.
So, Aliquis entered one of the split arenas and released Sprigatito under everyone's watchful eyes.
Comfey floated over, looking harmless.
Nemona pouted, itching to battle: "Ugh, Aliquis beat me to it. I wanted to battle Comfey too!"
Eri patted Nemona's head soothingly: "There are other Pokémon, like those Poliwhirl—they've got hidden muscles. Let's do a double battle with Primeape!"
She was reassuring Nemona, but her mouth was watering at the thought of wrestling.
Nemona, clearly a kindred spirit, eyed Arcanine, Politoed, Mudsdale, and Dragonair, plotting how to challenge them efficiently with her four Pokémon.
Arven: "…"
My silence is deafening.
Meanwhile, Aliquis and Sprigatito started their battle with Comfey—but it ended almost instantly.
Aliquis had intended for Sprigatito to go easy, not wanting to hurt Comfey.
But as Comfey suddenly glowed with blinding light, Aliquis panicked and called for Sprigatito's best move, Seed Bomb.
But it was useless.
The next moment, a dazzling beam shot out, fairy energy bursting forth, knocking Sprigatito out in one hit.
"…"
A dead silence fell. Several less confident students began to sweat.
Would they survive this class?
…
As dusk fell, the sun faded, and the Academy's field was quite a sight.
A dozen students lay on the ground, exhausted, their Pokémon sprawled beside them, panting.
Lucas had finished class and left ten minutes ago, but none of them wanted to get up. They stared at the sky, lost in thought.
Then Aliquis spoke softly, almost to himself: "I feel like I really internalized everything I learned over spring break today. Sprigatito, didn't you even learn a new move?"
"Sprigatito~—"
Sprigatito, also dazed, gazed at the sky. After so many battles, it had learned Energy Ball from Comfey—the move it hadn't managed to learn all spring at the Academy.
Eri, hearing Aliquis, shouted: "Primeape and I are almost ready to evolve!"
Nemona, still not satisfied, wished for more: "If only class was longer! Arcanine, Mudsdale, Politoed, Dragonair—they're all so strong!"
The others were infected by their enthusiasm and shared their thoughts.
Arven, lying on the ground, near tears: "Eldegoss is disgusting! Cotton Spore, Cotton Guard, and Poison Powder nearly made my Skwovet and Mabosstiff throw up. Last night's special training was useless!"
Beside him, Ortega curled up in despair: "My bank card's frozen again."
His two lackeys exchanged glances, offering: "It's okay, boss. We'll share our bread and milk with you."
Behind a tree, a disheveled, tired-looking Giacomo watched them, hiding a trace of envy and longing in his eyes—though mostly just exhaustion.
A girl with red-and-blue hair, glasses, and an Eevee backpack paused at the field, watched the carefree group, lowered her head, and silently walked away.
—
Meanwhile, in the Academy Chairwoman's office, Lucas, Harrington, and the rarely-seen Geeta gathered.
"We don't have much tea here, will black tea do?" Geeta poured hot tea with a smile.
Harrington replied cheerfully: "No need to worry, Chairwoman."
Lucas made his indifference clear—he gulped down the hot tea in one go.
Geeta asked, "Were you that thirsty?"
Lucas refilled his cup and nodded: "Nearly lost my voice—first class of the term, got a bit carried away, gave advice to every student."
"Thank you for your hard work."
Geeta and Harrington exchanged a look, recalling the exhausted students on the field, their lips twitching.
Lucas downed another cup. He still had a lot to say and would need honey water to soothe his throat later.
Geeta crossed her hands and looked at Lucas: "About the matter you asked us to gather for, can you elaborate?"
Feeling much better, Lucas nodded and, in a measured tone, laid out the information and evidence he'd collected, with a bit of his own slant:
"Pokémon abandonment and bullying."
Geeta buried her face in her hands, her expression unreadable behind her hair.
Harrington's eyes widened in disbelief, but Lucas's evidence was solid. As a Champion-level trainer, he had no reason to lie.
Harrington suddenly remembered Ortega's odd behavior two months ago. He'd thought it was because Lucas froze his bank card, but in hindsight…
Geeta took a deep breath, raised her head, and locked eyes with Harrington, suddenly exuding the aura and dominance of Paldea's highest authority and strongest trainer.
"Harrington, starting tomorrow—no, starting now—investigate all bullying and Pokémon abandonment at the Academy."
"Whether technical, intelligence, or even force, all resources will be supplied by the Paldea League HQ. If any faculty are involved or complicit, they must also be identified and punished."
"In half a month, cleanse Naranja Academy of all filth. This should be a pure and sacred place for students to pursue their interests and grow."
"Anyone leeching off the Academy—I will not forgive."
Harrington's heart pounded. He realized two things:
First, Chairwoman Geeta was truly angry. Though she rarely visited, she dealt with any issue brought to her attention—she really cared about the Academy.
Second, change was coming. Naranja Academy was about to undergo a purge and reckoning.