This was only for a single month, but Professor Kant intended to prepare a four-month supply of Pokéblocks for all of Eichi's Pokémon. Eichi currently had four Pokémon, and each would receive enough for four months. Since a one-month supply cost nearly 500,000p, four months for one Pokémon totaled 2,000,000p. Multiplied by four Pokémon, that amounted to 8,000,000p.
The sheer amount of money required stunned Eichi; he hadn't realized the cost until he did the math. Raising Pokémon was truly like burning money. It was no wonder that in the later stages, the powerful trainers were almost exclusively from wealthy backgrounds. Among the current Elite Four, there were virtually no members from ordinary families.
Wealthy households used custom-made Pokéblocks in the later stages, while ordinary people could only afford high-grade Pokéblocks from department stores. Even those weren't cheap; a month's supply cost 40,000p to 50,000p, totaling nearly 500,000p a year. That was just for one Pokémon. Most elite trainers raised six, making the required funds an astronomical figure. Compared to the children of the rich, the gap would only widen as time went on.
Therefore, when Professor Kant said he was preparing a grand gift, he certainly wasn't lying.
Despite this, Eichi spoke up to refuse. "Professor Kant, I really can't accept this. It's too valuable; I can't bear the weight of such a gift."
"To you, this is a grand gift, but to me, it's just a bit of my time," Professor Kant replied. "So, don't feel like you can't accept it. If you still consider me your teacher, do not refuse."
Seeing that Professor Kant was starting to look a bit displeased, Eichi stopped his refusal. "Alright, then I shall accept this grand gift from you, Teacher."
Kant finally nodded. "That's more like it."
"Release your Pokémon so I can examine them. I can't produce the Pokéblocks without these data points," the Professor added.
Eichi nodded and released all four of his Pokémon. Professor Kant's eyes immediately landed on Wimpod.
"What species is this?"
Eichi gave Professor Kant a brief introduction to Wimpod. Subsequently, the Professor began collecting the physical data of the four Pokémon. Half an hour later, the collection was finished.
"Alright, I have all the data I need," Professor Kant said to Eichi. "You can go back and wait for the good news. Your Pokéblocks will be ready in three weeks at the earliest, or a month at the latest."
"Thank you, Professor Kant," Eichi said.
Professor Kant waved him off. "It's nothing."
Two days of peaceful life passed. Then, on the way to lunch after class, Tetsu suddenly spoke up. "Eichi, I heard Keita is gone."
"Gone? Where did he go?" Eichi asked.
Tetsu tilted his head and thought for a moment. "Back to Lily of the Valley Academy, I suppose."
Eichi was confused. "His time as an exchange student just ended, so why would he go back there?"
Tetsu leaned in and whispered, "I think Keita couldn't stay at this academy any longer. Besides, I heard that our Academy's Vice Principal is Keita's grandfather. It seems Keita asked his grandfather to transfer him directly to Lily of the Valley Academy."
What surprised Eichi wasn't the latter part, but the fact that the Vice Principal was Keita's grandfather.
"You're not pulling my leg, are you?" Eichi asked. "The Vice Principal is really his grandfather?"
"I'm not entirely sure; I just heard it from others," Tetsu replied. "But I think it's very likely true."
Eichi didn't know what to say. The Vice Principal always seemed so highly respected; he hadn't expected him to have a grandson like Keita.
In truth, this matter was no longer a secret. Over the next two days, almost the entire second-year class knew about Keita's transfer and the Vice Principal being his grandfather. Everyone began discussing it, though directors and teachers soon arrived to warn them against further talk. The matter ended abruptly just like that.
A week had passed since Professor Kant promised to make the Pokéblocks. It was now March 27th, near the end of the month.
In Director Yanagi's office within the teaching building, our Director Yanagi sat in his chair, looking conflicted as if troubled by a difficult problem.
Suddenly, Director Yanagi muttered to himself, "This year's Indigo League is about to start. Should I find someone to participate?"
After thinking for a while, he finally made up his mind. "Yes, they still need to participate. This is very important for spreading the fame of our Silver Academy."
However, he was immediately stumped by another problem. "But who should I send? The strength of this year's students seems a bit lacking; none are as strong as Genkaku was last year."
"There is only one with decent strength. Should I send him to the Indigo League, or keep him here to secure the championship for the Johto League?"
"It's so distressing. How troublesome."
Time passed quickly. Eichi's life was now very disciplined. He attended classes during the day, and after school, he returned to the dormitory to make Pokéblocks. In the evenings, he went to the training rooms. Since visiting the Attribute Training Rooms, Eichi's frequency of visits had significantly increased.
The effect of these rooms was excellent. Wimpod's level increased exceptionally fast, already reaching level 17. The speed was almost unbelievable. Among the others, Sato had the fastest leveling speed, but his Drilbur was only level 15, lagging far behind Eichi's Wimpod. This was the terrifying aspect of Champion talent; as long as the nurturing was good, leveling up was as easy as breathing.
One day, Eichi suddenly arrived at the door of Director Yanagi's office and knocked.
"Come in."
Eichi opened the door and walked inside. The interior was the same as always. As soon as he entered, he smelled a fragrance that refreshed his spirit. In the corner of the desk, a bronze-colored burner was lit with incense. It was likely used to refresh the mind, though it was different from the one Teacher Arno used.
Director Yanagi set down his documents and looked up. Seeing it was Eichi, he asked with some confusion, "It's you, Eichi. Is there something you need?" He then pointed to a chair. "Sit down."
Eichi nodded and took a seat. After organizing his thoughts, he said, "Director Yanagi, I would like to request a leave of absence."
Director Yanagi frowned and asked in surprise, "Another leave? What is it for this time?"
"I plan to take a long leave to go on a journey and participate in this year's League Conference," Eichi replied.
Hearing Eichi's goal, Director Yanagi asked, "You want to participate in the League Conference? Are you sure? You know that with your current strength, you might not even make it into the Top 16."
"I know," Eichi said. "I just want to go out to gain some experience."