Starting April 2nd, students and teachers at Naranja Academy noticed a change in atmosphere.
Not only did Paldea League staff frequently appear on campus, but Geeta, rarely seen at the academy, was now present all day, only leaving late at night.
Some students or teachers were occasionally called out for interviews—but never seen again. After a while, the school committee would announce their expulsion or resignation.
For a while, everyone at the Academy was on edge.
But secrets can't stay hidden forever, especially since Geeta made no attempt at secrecy.
Her goal was to expose all darkness to the light and cut it out with swift action.
Even if Naranja Academy's reputation suffered, it was better to prevent lingering problems from exploding at a future, unpredictable time—a little pain now to avoid greater pain later.
April 5th, Friday.
Naranja Academy, Class 1-D, window seat.
A girl with red and blue hair hugged her cute Eevee backpack, eyes behind round glasses fixed on several girls with whom she had bad memories as they were called away. Seeing the obvious panic and doubt on their faces, Penny felt complicated emotions.
On the one hand, she was glad those who had bullied her, even played pranks on her several times, were being removed.
On the other, she was a bit lost. Once those girls were gone, news of her bullying would come out, and her father and sister far away in the Crown Tundra would know—no, her uncle would know first.
Her uncle was the League Chairman in Galar. If he learned she'd been treated this way in Paldea, it could spark other issues.
Despite some unpleasant experiences, Penny thought life at Naranja Academy suited her. She could pursue her hobbies and play with Eevee and friends in a beautiful environment.
If possible, Penny didn't want things to get so complicated.
But the Academy's actions were anything but subtle. Other students might be in the dark, but she understood perfectly.
By hacking the Paldea League's system, Penny learned they were carrying out an operation called "Extermination Plan."
In short: Remove anything that polluted the pure academic atmosphere of Naranja Academy.
The scale far exceeded Penny's expectations. Though Geeta was listed as the initiator, Penny found another name in the attachments—Lucas.
He had joined as a battle instructor three months ago at the opening ceremony after the winter break. Seemed normal enough.
Digging deeper, Penny found records in the League: Lucas had swept through the Gyms, defeated the Elite Four, and finally beat top Champion Geeta—thus certified as a Champion-level trainer.
Seeing this, Penny was startled—not by his strength (she was from a prominent family herself, with a father who was a former champion and an uncle who was League Chairman), but by the fact that Lucas, one of the top trainers in Paldea, was hiding his identity to work as a regular teacher.
Becoming a new Elite Four member or taking a League position would be the obvious path. If it were her, she'd probably be lazy and choose the easy life too.
Penny looked out the window at the schoolyard, where Lucas was patiently teaching Ortega and his Dachsbun the move Crunch.
Soon, Nemona, the Miss Questions, came over to pester him about Goomy care, while Eri and Aliquis also eagerly soaked up his knowledge.
Watching them, Penny felt a sudden envy. They looked so happy together.
But her interest in Lucas wasn't because he was a Champion-level trainer or a teacher. It was because the "Extermination Plan" was his idea.
Lucas was the cause of the Academy's changes. If anyone could intercept the news of her bullying and keep it from reaching her family, it was him.
Without exposing her hacking skills, this was her only option.
Watching the students gather to end class, Penny made up her mind.
…
In the schoolyard, Lucas gathered the students for a brief summary.
"Everyone did well today. Especially Ortega—your Dachsbun is much improved since last class. I can see you've been training hard together. Well done."
"After class, I'll unfreeze your bank card. But don't slack off with your pocket money, or you know what'll happen."
Lucas teased Ortega, and the students chuckled.
Ortega looked away, blushing, muttering that it wasn't needed.
The once-proud young master was opening up, which pleased Lucas—it meant the director and Ortega's father's request was progressing well.
"That's all for today. Take good care of your Pokémon, and see you next week."
"Oh, Eri, stay a moment. I have something to ask you."
Eri was momentarily confused—why was Lucas asking for her?
Nemona looked jealous, "A special lesson with Teacher Lucas? So lucky! I want extra training too!"
"What a battle maniac..." Arven shuddered, remembering how Nemona had battled her for hours the other day.
Her Pokémon and she had collapsed into bed, and he later heard Nemona continued training until the supervising teacher begged her to rest.
Best to sneak away today—if Nemona caught him, she'd be in trouble.
But before Arven could escape, Nemona stopped him.
Lucas took Eri to a bench by the grass. Hearing Arven's cry behind, he smirked; good thing Nemona was still satisfied with battling classmates, or things would get wild once she reached Champion level.
Sitting at a safe distance, Eri looked at Lucas, wondering if this was a lecture.
Lucas cleared his throat. "Eri, you're in the same class as Giacomo, right?"
"Ah, yes," Eri nodded, surprised Lucas asked about Giacomo.
"Do you know what Giacomo's been up to? Arven said he seemed off—listless and skipping class."
As student council president, Giacomo had greeted Lucas when he first arrived, and Lucas had a good impression of him.
Now that Giacomo seemed troubled, Lucas could only ask Eri.
Eri thought for a moment. "I'm not sure of the details, just that he's been busy with student council stuff. I heard the new school rules he proposed were opposed."
As expected...
Lucas nodded. "Thanks, Eri. If you or your Annihilape ever have training questions, call me anytime."
Eri nodded, then left.
After sending her off, Lucas sat in thought.
From the moment he arrived, he'd noticed the academy's changed atmosphere. Many students and teachers had disappeared. Geeta's operation was progressing smoothly.
Within two weeks, most bullied students should return to normal life—except Giacomo.
In his memory, Giacomo wasn't bullied but was isolated due to his conservative rules. Under pressure, he resigned and Nemona took over as council president—but that was still some time away. Until then, Giacomo would be lonely.
So, even if the academy expelled bullies and negligent teachers, Giacomo's situation wouldn't improve.
He'd have to think carefully about that.
Sighing, Lucas headed to the library to borrow books, hoping to avoid getting intellectually outmatched by Oranguru.
Just then, a soft, timid voice sounded behind him: "Um... can we talk?"
An unfamiliar, shy voice?
Lucas turned and saw a girl with distinctive red-and-blue hair, pale skin, and large round glasses, wearing the standard school uniform with an Eevee backpack.
It was Penny, the Eevee fan and hacker from the main Scarlet/Violet cast.
"Um, well..."
Penny twisted her hands nervously. Not used to talking to people, she lost her words.
Lucas hadn't expected her to approach him, but seeing her shy look, he suggested kindly, "Let's talk in the library. It'll be quieter, and I need to find some books."
"Okay."
Penny nodded softly.
She followed Lucas obediently while he picked out books, then they found a quiet spot to sit. Only then did her social anxiety ease a little.
Farming, brewing, animal husbandry... Penny silently noted his book choices. Was he running a farm?
"So, Penny, what did you want to talk about?"
Noticing she was distracted, Lucas waved a hand in front of her.
"Ah, sorry."
Penny snapped back, her pale cheeks flushing.
After a deep breath and some inner encouragement, she said, "I want to ask you for a favor."
"A favor? What do you need?"
Lucas was puzzled—they'd never spoken before.
She couldn't have hacked the league and found his records, right?
Penny took a deep breath. "I want you to suppress the news about my bullying. I'm from Galar, and my father and uncle have influence there. I'm afraid this will affect relations between Paldea and Galar."
Lucas was surprised, then asked, "Why are you sure I can help?"
Penny replied boldly, "Because you're one of Paldea's few Champion-level trainers. You can talk directly to Chairwoman Geeta."
"You know quite a bit."
Lucas raised an eyebrow but didn't ask how she knew so much, which relieved Penny.
He studied her. He knew Penny was from Galar, but not who her father and uncle were—he hadn't played the DLC, only the main game.
Her being bullied could really affect relations between two regions—could she be related to undefeated Champion Leon?
He was intrigued. "I can ask the Chairwoman to keep it quiet, but you'll have to tell me who your father and uncle are, or else I can't explain."
Penny nodded. "My father is Poeny the former Steel-type Champion of Galar. My uncle is Rose, President of the Galar League."