After leaving A.J.'s territory, Paul continued to walk determinedly in the direction of Vermilion City. It's just that the fog in the woods seemed to be getting thicker and thicker.
"This fog is a bit strange." Paul frowned a little, finding that the visibility was getting lower and lower. This was not the level that ordinary forest fog could achieve.
Moreover, under such poor conditions, Paul didn't dare to let Pidgeotto fly up to the sky to investigate directly; it would be disastrous if it got lost.
Now, the best way was to wait for the fog to clear. Finding a big tree, Paul sat down to rest for a while.
Unexpectedly, just as he sat down, he was disturbed by a group of students running through the forest carrying electronic devices that seemed to measure fog density.
* Is that the uniform of Pokémon Tech? * Paul frowned. Whether in Sinnoh or Kanto, there was a Pokémon Tech institution.
After reaching the age of ten, teenagers could choose to tame their own Pokémon, embark on a journey, and hone their fighting skills. Some of them chose to enter Pokémon Tech to enhance their understanding of Pokémon through learning knowledge, ultimately passing exams to become an Elite Trainer, Pokémon Breeder, or Pokémon Scholar.
Pokémon Tech trainers didn't need to collect badges by challenging Gyms, and didn't need to travel step by step. They only needed to supplement relevant knowledge and then pass the theory test to be eligible to join the Pokémon League.
So this was the best shortcut for some loudmouthed individuals with no real ability to participate in the Indigo League Conference. It was also because of this that every conference had such people, who talked a big game but ended up with a pathetic record like zero wins and five losses.
Paul, on the other hand, happened to be one of the people who despised academics the most. Unlike the scholar class of Celadon University that Professor Oak graduated from, the trainer class of Pokémon Tech consisted of people who talked endlessly but were useless in actual battle. Fighting through data analysis could never surpass the bond between humans and Pokémon!
Flowers grown in a greenhouse and bamboo living in the wild are not the same kind of beings.
Some people might not understand, since most of the academic trainers were essentially useless showoffs, why did the League insist on running such schools?
The answer was also very simple. This kind of elite school, from education to accommodation, was all of aristocratic standard. Enrollment required paying a large amount of tuition and miscellaneous fees. The League received a large amount of income but only needed to open a green channel for the children of rich families to participate in the League competition, so why not do it.
Anyway, when it came to the league competition, strength was what mattered. A group of rich kids playing house? Just let them be. Did anyone really expect these young masters from privileged families to research the top ten unsolved mysteries of the league?
Sure enough, a few boys carrying devices and dressed like they were from a tacky idol drama gathered together. They began discussing how many levels Pidgey needs to evolve, what skills Pidgeotto has, and so on.
If you just looked at their faces and didn't listen to their voices, you might think they were discussing how Mewtwo was born.
After a while, Paul suddenly realized he had accidentally walked onto the campus of Pokémon Tech. No wonder; apart from Pokémon Tech, no facility would foolishly create artificial fog in the forest.
And at this time, a few British idol style boys, looking rather pleased with themselves, had already started arguing about how many levels it takes for Gloom to evolve.
Paul couldn't stand listening anymore. "Are you guys trying to make me laugh so hard I drop my Pokémon?"
Several boys looked at Paul. "This is Pokémon Tech. Where did this wild trainer come from, daring to speak nonsense?"
The boy with green hair, who seemed to lead a very comfortable life, also looked at Paul with contempt: "The topic we are discussing is not something you can interrupt."
The boy with elaborate waist length hair also proudly stroked it: "Irrelevant people, please don't hinder our study here. You traveling trainers are the most barbaric, no, it's weak and barbaric."
Paul was so annoyed. A group of academics who only know how to talk could still look down on him? Who gave them the courage?
"Even the evolution and cultivation of Gloom is something even children shouldn't argue endlessly about, yet your mouths are quite foul." Paul tilted his head, showing a look of contempt.
"Listen, Gloom evolves into Vileplume with a Leaf Stone, while using a Sun Stone makes it evolve into Bellossom. It has nothing to do with the level. A group of scumbags are still pretending here. There must be a limit to ignorance. Still, as expected of the academic school, stupid and unpleasant!" Paul gritted his teeth.
* If you don't teach these bookworms a lesson, they'll really think that I, Paul, have turned soft, won't they? Don't provoke people you can't handle! *
Seeing a group of sophomoric boys looking at him angrily, Paul didn't panic at all.
* It's so boring for Pokémon trainers just to battle Pokémon. Come on, let's have a wild fight where the trainers fight each other in person! * Paul looked ready for a physical fight. * Watch me smash your heads! *
"Hmph, fighting with a barbarian like you will damage the honor of our Pokémon Tech and trainer class." The long haired boy was the first to back down.
"That's right, this isn't ancient times. No trainer fights physically anymore." The boy with the elaborate hairstyle turned away, pretending to be disdainful.
"Cut. Cowards." Paul shook his head disdainfully.
"Um, are you a traveler who strayed into the school?" At this moment, a weak voice sounded
"Hi, I'm Paul. Sorry, I think I really got lost because of the foggy weather." Paul turned to look at the student.
"I'm Joe, a freshman in the trainer's beginner class. If you don't mind, I can take you out." The student named Joe suggested.
"Let's wait until the fog clears." Paul shook his head; he didn't want to be thrown into an unknown forest in foggy weather.
"It should clear soon." Joe looked at his watch and said.
Sure enough, the campus broadcast system announced in due course. "The foggy day special course is over. Tomorrow's plan: the rainstorm special course."
* "Rainstorm," * Joe lowered his head in frustration. * "I will definitely be drenched by the upperclassmen tomorrow." *
Paul frowned, "Did your upperclassman bully you?"
"Not at all, the senior students said it was the spur of love." Joe shook his head and explained.
* "Does school bullying count as love?" * Paul looked at the student seriously.
"It should be counted. After all, under their encouragement, I successfully raised my Bellsprout's energy level, and it also evolved into a Weepinbell. In the future, as long as we study hard, the school will give us a Leaf Stone. Weepinbell evolves into Victreebel. These are all achievements made in school." Joe talked about his progress seriously.
"So, for the sake of progress, even if you are bullied by your upperclassman, you endure silently?" Paul asked.
"My parents worked hard to let me enter this school, so I must study hard and get the qualification of an Elite Trainer after graduation." Joe raised a small fist, swearing stubbornly.
"By the way, you said before that you are in the beginner class? What do you mean?" Paul changed the subject.
"Oh, graduating from the elementary class is equivalent to a trainer with two badges, the intermediate class is equivalent to a trainer level with four badges, and graduating from the advanced class makes you eligible to directly participate in the Pokémon League." Joe earnestly explained to Paul, counting on his fingers.
"So, does your teacher know? About this so-called spur of love by your seniors?"
Joe sighed: "The teacher doesn't know, but even if he knew, he would just pretend not to know."
* "What is this? Spoiled rich kids showing their superiority? It's ridiculous!" * Paul raised his brows. He hated the weak, and even more hated the weak who pretended to be superior without ability!
"Okay, since we've met, let me help you out. Who is the leader bullying you?" Paul asked.
Paul really had no interest in school bullying, a game played by children. * He just wanted to find the leader, then beat them hard, torture them, and make them submit. *
"Actually, it's her." Joe hesitated, then reluctantly pulled out a small photograph from his pocket.
Paul looked at the photo. * "Giselle?" * He recognized the girl depicted. * She's definitely attractive, have to give her that.
Figures the top student would look confident. But wait, why is he carrying a photo of the person who bullies him? That's weird. And she's the one causing trouble? * Paul felt a headache coming on. * Great, the leader is a girl. What should I do? I don't hit women. *
"Do you still want to talk to her?" Joe looked at Paul's hesitant expression, maybe thinking Paul was intimidated by Giselle's reputation, and asked a little disappointed.
"Well, let's talk."
A firm hand clapped Joe on the shoulder. Joe looked up curiously. Paul turned his neck indifferently. "Let's go
* "Doesn't matter if she's a girl, bullying is bullying." * Paul thought resolutely.
"Let's go, take me to meet this gifted top student, Giselle."
Joe nodded, led Paul into the teaching building of the college, and came to a room full of computers.
"The top student Giselle usually practices here." Joe led Paul into the computer room and said, looking back.
"I think, Paul, you should stop trying to cause trouble with Giselle. She is the top student of the beginner class, and she is very strong. Unless you defeat her, it's useless to say anything," Joe said worriedly to Paul.
"It's best to speak with strength," Paul said indifferently. "As long as you beat this Giselle severely, she will be obedient, right?"
"How could it be possible to win? Giselle won against four badge level Gym trainers in simulated battles!" Joe expressed disbelief.
* "Oh, you delicate flowers," * Paul shook his head. "If you could become the champion just by using simulators, why would anyone travel in a down to earth manner?"
Joe looked at Paul thoughtfully: "Is that so?"
"Of course it's not like this!" A proud female voice came from behind the two of them. One could tell how pampered the speaker was just by the voice.
"Just a trainer who has traveled a few places, and he actually wants to beat me, the top student?" Giselle walked in with a few boys with elaborate hairstyles.
"Senior Giselle!" Joe tensed up.
"Don't address me. You came into the classroom with outsiders, and your grades are not outstanding. I find you an eyesore." Giselle scolded Joe unceremoniously.
Paul blocked Joe behind him and said, "So, you are the top student, Giselle?"
"That's right! I'm the rising trainer star, the top student of the beginner class at Pokémon Tech, Giselle!" With exaggerated gestures, palms together, Giselle introduced herself, spinning in a circle, clearly intoxicated with herself.
"Hmph, quite the loud tone," Paul sneered.
"Hehe, Joe, you are really unsightly, associating with a field trainer. I implore you to become stronger, or never appear in front of me again!!" Giselle ignored Paul, continuing to mock Joe.
After saying these words, the woman turned gracefully and was about to leave.
"Are you going to run away?" Paul sneered. "In my opinion, Joe is much better than you as a person. Are you kinder than him, or more dedicated? Tsk tsk, or does your strength rely on playing battle games on the computer? Hehe."
Giselle suddenly turned around. "Very good, you have successfully angered me. Come on, let me show you my perfect calculations!"
"You can't beat me with stats and talk alone." Paul sneered, clasping his hands together.
"Come with me, go to the battlefield downstairs!"
Paul gave Joe a reassuring nod, and then the two followed Giselle to the battlefield by the swimming pool.
"Come on, take out your Pokémon." Giselle looked at Paul confidently.
"Hmph, so what if I let you go first? Prepare for battle, Electabuz!!" Paul threw his Luxury Ball directly.
"Electabuz!!!" The Electabuz hammered its chest with both hands, looking aggressive!
"It's so naive. Can you really control such a high level Pokémon? Don't hurt yourself then, oh ho ho ho!" Giselle laughed mockingly.
* "This woman's personality is really awful," * Paul commented to Joe, spreading his hands.
"Come on, just use this to deal with Electabuz! Come on, Cubone!" Giselle dispatched the Ground type Cubone.
"Come on, you make the first move, lest you lose and make excuses," Paul looked at Giselle.
"You will regret it! Cubone! Use Bone Club!!" Giselle was not polite, leading with the Ground type move.
"Catch it!" Paul commanded calmly, feigning boredom by plucking at his ear.
Snap! The Bone Club was grabbed by Electabuz and held firmly in its hand. Then Electabuz threw it directly at its feet.
"What!!" Giselle was stunned. Catching the attack with bare hands, especially a Ground type attack like Bone Club? * This Electabuz is so fierce? *
Cubone looked like it wanted to cry. * That bone is mine! Give it back to me! *
"Cubone, don't be afraid, use Double Edge to grab the bone back!!" Giselle hurriedly changed her move. Eighty percent of Cubone's combat power was in its bone; being disarmed right away made things difficult!
Cubone looked at the Electabuz stepping on its bone, summoned up its courage, burst into red anger, and slammed into it fiercely. * Anyway, my head is hard, I don't believe I can't hit you! *
* "Is this the top student?" * Paul shook his head. * Snatching your bone club was obviously bait, waiting for you to try and snatch it back. Knowing it was a trap and still jumping into it? *
If it were a trainer with rich combat experience, they would have recalled Cubone to its Poké Ball at this time. The bone and Cubone were linked; it would return to Cubone's hands eventually. Why make it so difficult?
Furthermore, even if recalling it didn't come to mind, using Dig to approach or simply harassing with long range skills would be better. Why charge headfirst like this?
* "Forget it, I don't even have the energy to complain. Electabuz, end the battle with Brick Break," * Paul waved his hand.
Electabuz raised its right hand high to store power. When Cubone's attack arrived, Electabuz turned sideways to evade, and then the hand knife brimming with Fighting energy slashed ferociously on Cubone's skull helmet.
* Kacha~ * Paul thought he heard the sound of the helmet cracking. Cubone lived up to expectations, rolled its eyes, and lost its ability to fight.
"Cubone!" Giselle panicked. This wasn't a Pokémon from the academy; it was her own Pokémon raised carefully. This one hit looked serious!
"Oh, I lost. Cubone, come back quickly." Giselle retracted Cubone, then looked at Paul.
* "This man's ruthless appearance is so cool." * Giselle secretly looked at Paul who was encouraging Electabuz, her cheeks gradually turning red, her smile becoming gradually abnormal.
"That's really amazing, Paul senpai!" Joe looked genuinely impressed.
After rewarding Electabuz with a few energy cubes, Paul recalled the Pokémon and turned his head to look at Giselle.
He shouldn't have looked.
Paul recoiled in shock. * She's blushing like that!? I'm afraid I broke this woman! *
"Thank you, Master Paul , you woke me up!" Before Paul could speak, Giselle slid smoothly into a kneeling position in front of Paul, holding her face cutely and pitifully, continuing: "So there are so many things in this world that books can't teach."
* Master? * Paul's hair practically stood on end, and he took a step back. "Ahem, I'm also very pleased you understand. Don't bully Joe again in the future."
"Oh, of course not. Master Paul, please teach me as much as you want!" Giselle changed into a leather jacket and leather pants seemingly from nowhere, and handed Paul a whip...
* Hiss~ * Paul gasped. * This woman wouldn't have awakened some strange attributes, right? * "Well, I still have something to do, so I'll go first. We'll meet again!"
Abandoning all the students, Paul rushed out of Pokémon Tech with the speed of a hundred meter race. He never wanted to come back to this place again!
Joe looked in the direction where Paul left, and silently made up his mind. Maybe traveling like Paul, starting with one Pokémon and learning step by step, was the right way after all.
Giselle remained half kneeling on the ground, looked in the direction Paul left, and said, "Master Paul, see you at the Indigo League Conference."
Paul, running at this time, sneezed fiercely. * Never see you again! *
Then the journey continued. Paul's next stop was not far away.