While Nozomi was lost in thought, the situation had already taken a new turn.
A group of Pokémon Institute students, feeling humiliated, could no longer contain their anger and began hurling harsh words at Kōji.
Normally, if they wanted someone to blame, it should have been Nozomi.
But at this moment, Nozomi's Metagross had not been recalled yet. Under the intimidating presence of Metagross, none of the students dared to challenge Nozomi. Instead, they turned their ire toward Kōji—the one who had so thoroughly embarrassed them.
Kōji's three Pokémon were all unable to fight, and having lost three matches in a row, he was in low spirits, instantly becoming the target for everyone's vented anger.
"It's all your fault! You've shamed our Pokémon Institute!"
"Three losses in a row… it's humiliating!"
"Isn't it just a 3-0? I could do better than that."
Some were Kōji's former partners, some had once idolized him, and others had been bullied by him in the past. Now, all of them joined in piling on the blame.
Seeing former classmates verbally assault him, Kōji's face darkened. Yet, the fact remained undeniable: losing the matches had embarrassed the Pokémon Institute, and he had no argument to defend himself.
It was at this moment that he began reflecting on his previous behavior.
Nozomi watched coldly from the sidelines, observing the scene with incredulity.
How could his former self have thought learning at a place like this was a good idea?
Good thing he had dropped out early, or his worldview would have been completely shattered!
Feeling a sense of relief, Nozomi's desire for revenge against Kōji and the others—those who had indirectly caused his dropout—diminished somewhat.
Watching Kōji, who seemed as fragile as a young tree being battered in a storm, about to be overwhelmed by the accusations of his peers, Nozomi finally spoke:
"Hey, you guys! Can you calm down for once? I came here to challenge the Institute, not to watch you bicker amongst yourselves. Is there anyone brave enough to face me?"
At Nozomi's words, the chaotic battlefield fell silent. The voices condemning Kōji abruptly stopped.
The Pokémon Institute students suddenly remembered that Nozomi, who had come to challenge the Institute, was still present. They exchanged glances, hesitant to step forward—no one dared to confront him.
Kōji, freed from the barrage of accusations, lifted his head and looked at Nozomi with disbelief.
Seeing his former companions turn against him, he had already resigned himself to facing their wrath alone. But unexpectedly, Nozomi—the one he thought least likely to help—was now giving him a lifeline.
For Nozomi, it was just a single sentence. But for Kōji, who had been in despair, it was a ray of light in the darkness.
Suppressing his tears, Kōji felt immense gratitude toward Nozomi and deep regret for his past actions.
Of course, Nozomi paid no attention to Kōji's thoughts. He was not helping Kōji; he simply could not tolerate these students blaming others for everything.
Some of them were Pokémon trainers stronger than Kōji, yet they preferred to stand idle and scold him rather than face him in battle.
Nozomi had always despised this kind of cowardice.
"So, the Pokémon Institute can't even send out one single trainer?"
Seeing the trainers frozen in hesitation, Nozomi asked again.
The students exchanged glances and finally focused on one individual.
"Big Brother Inoichi, why don't you go?"
"Senior Inoichi, you're the strongest among us here!"
"Yeah, Senior Inoichi, you should go."
From the crowd, a student named Inoichi was "nominated."
"I—I'm not… you're mistaken!"
Inoichi dared not accept.
Kōji's earlier defeat was still fresh in his mind. Could he, or any of the remaining students, hope to stand against Nozomi's Metagross?
If he were also defeated 3-0, he would become the next target of ridicule.
He certainly didn't want to share Kōji's shame.
Inoichi quickly scanned the surrounding students and pointed at a companion. "Fukuyama! Yes, your strength is greater! Didn't you beat me last time? You should fight this one. Your Rapidash will have an advantage against Metagross anyway."
"No!" Fukuyama hurriedly refused, then scanned for another scapegoat.
In the chaotic back-and-forth of shifting responsibility, the entire training ground became a madhouse—resembling a bustling market rather than the so-called Pokémon Institute renowned for its "elite education."
"Interesting." Nozomi crossed his arms, watching the students fumble and squabble with delight.
Some of the newer students stared in disbelief.
The seniors, who had once seemed imposing and strict, now appeared as if they had fallen from the sky into a mud pit—utterly humiliated and filthy. The image of the prestigious Pokémon Institute crumbled completely.
With just a few words, Nozomi had ripped away the Institute's glamorous facade, exposing its ugly reality.
Some of the more perceptive students realized much from this scene and looked at Nozomi with complicated expressions.
Just as Nozomi waited for someone to finally step forward and challenge him, a cold, sharp voice rang out from a distance:
"Enough!"
The commotion ceased immediately.
Nozomi turned to see a girl with chestnut-red hair, wearing the Pokémon Institute uniform, her delicate features composed, shouting from afar:
"Everyone, shut up! Don't you think the Pokémon Institute has already been humiliated enough?"
At the sight of the girl, the previously quarrelsome students froze, panic spreading across their faces like mice confronted by a cat.
"Giselle-sama!" they all exclaimed in unison.
It was none other than Giselle Yūtō.
"Huh? Finally, someone with actual weight has arrived?"
Nozomi watched Giselle approach with measured steps, his expression unchanged.
He felt no panic; to him, whether it was Giselle or anyone else, no Pokémon trainer in this school could defeat him.
"Are you the trainer causing trouble in our Pokémon Institute?"
Giselle's gaze met Nozomi's, her expression icy and commanding, exuding a powerful aura.