Chapter 51: Battle at Celadon University
Following the path outside the forest, with flowers blooming all around, Ash and Seiko could already see the road sign for Celadon City.
[1 km to Celadon City.
Ash, I beat you here again.
Hahaha, big dummy…]
"Pfft… this sign is hilarious." Verity burst into laughter as soon as she saw it.
Ash's mouth twitched. "Gary… you just never get tired of this, do you…"
Ash swore to the heavens that if he saw another sign like this, he would definitely take it down and force Gary to eat it the next time they met.
After calling home from a roadside phone booth, the two headed straight into the city.
The air smelled of perfume. A pretty girl in a miniskirt by the roadside challenged Ash.
And after being "electro-treated" by Ash, she left behind 200 pokédollars and walked off in tears.
"Nice! Pikachu, that was great!" Ash high-fived Pikachu.
Verity watched with awe.
If she wasn't mistaken… the miniskirt, long-legged beauty clearly said: "Handsome boy, give me your number?"
Ash misread it completely: "What, you want to battle? No problem! Pikachu—Thunderbolt!"
"Ash… you're going to die alone at this rate." Verity sighed.
"Don't you worry about it…" Ash rolled his eyes. "When I was a kid, I was the most handsome boy in ten villages."
"Ugh, I don't believe it." Verity snorted.
"Suit yourself~ Wait until Christmas. I'll show you my Serena—now that's what a real beauty looks like." Ash raised his chin proudly.
"What's that supposed to mean? You saying I'm not a woman?!" Seiko glared.
"Uh… weird. Where was Sorrel again?" Ash quickly changed the subject.
"Don't think you can just dodge this! What part of me isn't womanly?!" Verity bared her teeth at him.
"Heh—Pikachu, hold on tight. Time to run!" Ash flashed an awkward grin and dashed away.
"Get back here!" Verity took off after him.
But alas… she was no match. By the time she, panting and exhausted, reached the Pokémon Center, Ash had already been drinking soda for five minutes.
"Here, drink some water, catch your breath." Ash handed her a bottle of soda.
Gulp gulp—haa…
After a few deep swigs, Verity finally felt alive again. "Forget it. I definitely can't outrun you. Anyway—Sorrel? Wasn't he waiting in Celadon?"
Ash shrugged. "I asked Nurse Joy when I checked in. He should be at the Celadon University library right now."
"So what do we do?" Verity lay on the table.
"Well…" Ash thought for a moment. "No need to rush the Gym battle. Let's go find Sorrel first, then have a nice lunch together, then explore the city in the afternoon. Sound good?"
Verity's eyes lit up. "As expected of you, Ash—perfect plan!"
"Ash Ketchum, your Pokemons have been fully restored. Please pick them up at the front desk." Nurse Joy's voice sounded over the speakers.
"Alright, let's go." Ash snapped his fingers.
The two left the Pokémon Center and walked along the main street toward the university district.
Soon, the majestic front gate of Celadon University appeared before them.
"Wow…!" Seiko gasped. "This place is enormous…"
A grand gold-and-white gate, pristine three-meter-tall walls, an ascending triumphal arch, and six massive pillars coiled with Gyarados reliefs.
An overwhelming sense of prestige and solemnity washed over them.
"Well, it is Kanto's top university. Being 'the No.1 League University' isn't just for show." Ash shrugged.
Currently, two-thirds of all officially registered League professors graduated from here.
Professor Oak, Professor Elm, Professor Rowan, Professor Sycamore…
And beyond them—devon conglomerate legend Mr. Stone, Hoenn Champion Steven, Sinnoh Champion Cynthia…
All had studied or conducted research here.
The campus stretched endlessly, with a massive library, swimming complex, sports fields, chemical labs—everything.
No exaggeration needed: Celadon City was Celadon City… but the university district was a whole different world.
As Ash and Seiko climbed the steps toward the gates—
"Hold up. What are you two here for?" The security guard raised his stun baton to block them.
"We're here to see a friend," Seiko said honestly.
"Oh? Student here?" he asked.
"No, but he's studying in the library," Ash answered.
"All right then, come sign in." The guard finally relented.
While they filled out the visitor log, the guard warned them sternly:
"Don't wander around. Campus order is maintained by the Student Council.
If they think you're troublemakers, they'll beat you up."
"Got it, thanks!" Verity nodded sweetly.
Ash, meanwhile, looked rebellious—
Beat me? Try it and see who gets beat…
With visitor passes around their necks, they entered the academy.
"It's huge in here… where's the library?" Verity looked around.
"No map anywhere…" Ash scratched his head. "Let's just ask someone."
Since it was class time, the campus was nearly empty.
After several turns, they ended up at a training field.
"Hey! There are people over there!" Verity pointed excitedly.
Ash looked—seven or eight male students in academy uniforms were gathered around a girl, showering her with praise.
"No surprise! As expected of the president—Bigunthut-senpai is unbeatable!"
"Even without badges, she's stronger than most six-badge trainers!"
"She beat a Grass-type with a Rock-type—Bigunthut-senpai is amazing!"
Ash and Verity quietly approached.
The match on the field was between a Graveler and a Chikorita.
Even though Chikorita had a type advantage, the difference in level was far too large—it couldn't fight back at all.
Bigunthut, the praised girl with long black hair and a proud expression, lectured her opponent:
"Now you understand, Harrisa.
Your father, that so-called traveler you admired so much, and the Chikorita he gave you—are nothing special.
Study hard, focus on academics, and work toward transferring into an advanced class. That is what you should be striving for."
The surrounding boys echoed her with flattery.
Just as the girl stood frozen and helpless—
A voice cut through the air:
"That's hilarious. Seriously?
You're bragging about winning with pure level advantage?"
"A-Ash!" Seiko tugged nervously on his sleeve.
"Who's being rude?!" Bigunthut snapped, anger twisting her face.
Ash wiggled the visitor badge. "Just a traveler passing by.
And tell me—was anything I said wrong?"
"Hmph… A stray mutt of a traveling trainer, is it." Bigunthut regained her arrogance. "I am educating a junior. Outsiders, please leave."
"President Bigunthut is too kind. I say he's just a delinquent—kick him out!"
"Yeah! That visitor badge might even be fake. We Student Council members are authorized to deal with intruders!"
"Beat him up and throw him out!"
A group of male students surrounded Ash, their faces red with indignation.
Bigunthut watched with a sweet, poisonous smile. "Now now, no violence, boys…"
Ash surveyed the circle and smirked:
"Are you the Student Council or a pack of barking puppies?"
"You dare insult us?!"
"Get him!"
"Go, Machoke!"
"Nidorino!"
"Kadabra!"
…
"Ash, don't start anything…" Verity whispered anxiously.
Ash lowered his head.
His mouth curled into a grin.
"Ah—don't worry. Pikachu! Thunderbolt!"
"Pika—CHUUU!"
Lightning exploded outward in every direction!
A second later—every student lay twitching on the ground.
Ash clicked his tongue. "Tch. Pathetic bunch of lapdogs."
He turned to Bigunthut. "You're the Student Council president, right?"
"So what?" Bigunthut glared coldly. "This is Celadon University. You don't get to cause trouble here."
"It was self-defense." Ash shrugged. "Or do you want to avenge them?"
"You insolent—!" Bigunthut pointed at him furiously. "If you have any courage, fight me in a formal Pokémon battle!
If you lose, you'll kneel and apologize to everyone!"
"What an annoying woman…" Verity muttered, face dark.
Ash nodded cheerfully. "Sure. And if you lose?"
"I will never lose!" Bigunthut lifted her chin proudly.
"Tch. Then don't talk big." Verity jabbed.
"Who says I can't take a loss?! Fine! If I lose—you can do whatever you want!"
Ash looked her up and down. "There's nothing I particularly want from you.
How about this—if you lose, you drop out."
Bigunthut stiffened, but seeing her entourage watching with expectant eyes, she forced herself to nod.
"Fine!"
Ash clapped his hands. "Deal. Let's go."
He approached the bullied girl.
"Sorry, mind giving me the spot?"
"O-oh! Okay!" Harrisa squeaked, bowing before fleeing.
Ash watched her run and sighed.
Am I really that scary?
To be continued…
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〔TL〕
Smell that.
ITS CHINESE.