"A defensive core...?"
Thinking about that, Ethan Black couldn't help feeling a little frustrated.
Currently, he had two Pokémon: one was Sandslash, his weather summoner, which thanks to its Sand Rush ability, could also function as a fast attacker.
The other was Cacnea, which with its Sand Veil ability and series of long-range attacks, was clearly focused on the role of a ranged assassin and tactical nuisance.
He could perhaps use a Rhydon as a defensive core, but although it had impressive defenses, its ability to directly protect the trainer was somewhat limited.
"Next semester, the school will open survival courses in the wild. Anyone who already has an intermediate-level trainer certification can attend... Maybe you could sign up," commented Kyle Miller, noticing that Ethan Black was deep in thought.
Kyle Miller, speaking, withdrew his now detoxed Heracross. He planned to take it to the Pokémon Center for a more thorough checkup, just in case there were aftereffects from the battle.
"Classes...?"
Ethan Black nodded slightly upon hearing him.
Although he had a professor Harris assistant card, which allowed access to open theoretical classes, attending professional courses like the field survival course—limited to intermediate-level trainers—was another story.
Moreover, it was said that these classes were held directly in the wild, so it wasn't something he could easily sneak into.
"Looks like I'll have to ask Professor Harris for help," muttered Ethan Black with a sigh. Although he wasn't fond of classes, he knew that without that training, it would be almost impossible to become an advanced-level trainer... and even less so a Pokémon hunter.
And considering his personal safety, learning wild survival skills was essential.
...
"Do you want to attend the survival course?" asked Professor Harris.
"No problem," he replied casually. "Besides, with the progress of our research, entering Secret Kingdoms will be inevitable. It's necessary to learn to handle yourself in those environments."
Professor Harris didn't hesitate at all. After hearing Ethan Black's request, he took him directly to the principal's office to request a special permit.
"It's possible..." said the principal, though with a complicated expression. "But Ethan isn't a student of this institution. It was already an exception that you made him your assistant..."
"Now you want him to attend such a limited course... I fear the other students won't accept it. Spots are very scarce," added the principal, looking at Ethan Black. His eyes shone with some intent.
"Isn't there really any way to arrange it?" asked Professor Harris, frowning. "You know that our research on the Sandstorm move will require entering Secret Kingdoms, and he doesn't yet have sufficient ability."
"Well... it's not that there's no way."
"If Ethan became an official student of the Pokémon University of Ironvale City, then there would be no problem."
"Enroll in the school?" repeated Ethan Black, surprised.
"And what do you think? Would you like to join our University?" asked the principal directly, looking at Ethan Black.
"Yes, of course. It's just... is it really possible?" replied Ethan Black enthusiastically, though with some doubt in his eyes.
"Your case is somewhat special," admitted the principal. "But being Professor Harris's assistant, there's a small possibility."
"The Pokémon University of Ironvale City is one of the best in the country. Every student must be registered in the Trainers' Guild."
"Under normal circumstances, you'd have to take the entrance exam again. Though we could help a bit with the grading, and you could be admitted."
Ethan Black thought about it. If the exam only included Pokémon knowledge, he felt quite prepared to pass. The problem was that he'd have to wait an entire year, which was far from ideal.
"Although..."
"There's a chance. Maybe you could enter through a special admission."
Just as he thought, the principal had something else in mind.
"And what kind of opportunity is that?" asked Ethan Black with a slightly forced smile, though feigning excitement.
"In a week, the Pokémon University of Duskwell City will visit us for an exchange activity. There will be a friendly battle, and I want you to represent our school."
Ethan Black's eyes narrowed: "Friendly battle? Some kind of gym challenge?"
"Exactly," nodded the principal. "That university has been competing with us for years for the title of second-best institution in the country. This time, the Ironvale City Trainers' Guild has been clear: we cannot lose."
"So if you perform exceptionally in that battle, the Guild will grant you a special admission slot."
"...Of course, if you lose, it's all canceled," he added coldly.
Professor Harris wanted to say something, but in the end remained silent.
"Alright... I understand," said Ethan Black after taking a deep breath.
"If it's a battle between rookie trainers, I have confidence," he added. After all, with his previous tournament victories, he already had some self-assurance.
"Perfect! Then it's decided. This time the battle will be in 5-on-5 format," announced the principal enthusiastically.
"Now I'll introduce you to your future teammates."
"Five-on-five...?" repeated Ethan Black, surprised.
"Exactly. Individual battles are only for training. The real important competitions are conducted in team format."
"Although you're only intermediate-level trainers, for now only the Pokémon will participate. But when you reach advanced level, you will also have to be directly involved in battle."
Those words reminded Ethan Black of the professional Pokémon League tournament: in that type of battle, in addition to fighting, the Pokémon must protect their trainer.
If the trainer's protective field was broken, the battle ended!
"Do your best!" continued the principal. "These competitions exist to give you real experience. Entering a Secret Kingdom... that is a true test of survival."
"Most Pokémon aren't aggressive, but there will always be some malicious ones. And, by necessity, even the gentlest can become a killer in the blink of an eye."
"Also, human trainers need to develop themselves, and the most effective way to do so is by exploring ancient remains in the Secret Kingdoms. Therefore, inevitably, there will be conflicts with Pokémon."
"We must always stay alert!"
Speaking about the background of team battles, the principal looked somewhat melancholic.
He had been part of the first generation of Pokémon hunters and had directly participated in the great war between humans and Pokémon more than twenty years ago.
Precisely for that reason, he retained that constant sense of threat. He feared that one day, the great war between humans and Pokémon would happen again...
(End of chapter)