Located on the outskirts of Celadon City, the campus spans an enormous area.
At the entrance lies a circular plaza before the university gates.
Flags flutter in the wind as Pidoves perch atop the sculptures surrounding the fountain, their vision stretching upward.
A grand and imposing gate stands tall and majestic.
"The campus is divided into several schools—Medical School, Arts School, Research Institute..."
Erika explained as they walked. "The Trainer Academy isn't here, though. After we meet the Principal, I'll take you there."
Natsume nodded, his gaze drifting toward a row of bronze statues in the distance.
"Each school erects statues in honor of its most distinguished alumni," Erika replied. "Those belong to the Business School—that's Joseph Stone's statue."
"And the more famous Research Institute has statues of Professor Samuel Oak, Professor Rowan, and others."
"Maybe if Natsume works hard enough, he'll earn a spot too?" Erika said with a smile.
"The Business School might still be an option," Natsume mused, rubbing his chin. "But Trainer Academies? No way."
"Because I'm a Finance Department student, after all." Natsume shrugged.
Erika blinked in surprise.
It suddenly occurred to her that the wildly popular Pokémon Trading Card Game was produced by Natsume-sensei's company.
To achieve such success in both the Trainer and business worlds...
Erika lowered her head, lost in thought.
This must be what they call... an all-around champion!
After heading to the Principal's office to complete the employment paperwork, Natsume skimmed through the faculty roster and spotted quite a few familiar names.
For instance, Erika served as an instructor in the Training Department, while Bill taught communication courses as a professor.
Like Natsume, they only taught a few classes per week, spending most of their time on their primary careers.
After spending some time at the Research Institute, Bill—fresh out of class—dragged Natsume to the student cafeteria.
"Order whatever you want—it's on me!" Bill said, waving his meal card.
"Oh?" Natsume's eyes sharpened.
"Gengar?" Gengar rubbed its belly, its eyes gleaming with eerie anticipation...
Under the bewildered stares of the students, Gengar licked its plate clean before silently giving a thumbs-up.
Bill wiped away tears. "M-my card's empty... We'll have to order the rest next time!"
"Thanks, Bill!" Natsume said.
Bill scratched his head and grinned.
In Gengar, he saw Natsume's genuine love for Pokémon—the very reason the two had become friends.
"By the way, are you here to join as a research faculty instructor?" Bill asked.
"Training Department instructor," Natsume corrected.
"Ah... what a shame. I was hoping to exchange some academic insights with you," Bill sighed.
Meanwhile, Erika's gaze at Natsume carried a hint of surprise.
Natsume... was also a researcher?
Adding that to his titles as Trainer, Breeder, and business prodigy...
She couldn't help but feel like Natsume-sensei's identity grew more enigmatic by the second.
"Oh, right," Bill added. "Natsume-sensei, if you have time, you should visit Professor Samuel Oak."
"After all, Professor Oak is a titan in the Pokémon world—the spiritual leader of Kanto's Trainers."
"Since you're visiting Kanto, paying him a visit might prove worthwhile."
Courtesy alone dictated that he should meet the honorary Principal.
With his courses starting in three days, he still had plenty of time.
After saying their goodbyes, Erika returned to Celadon Gym, while Bill headed for the lighthouse near Vermilion City.
Natsume went back to his villa in Goldenrod City and opened the chat group.
To his surprise, before he could even speak, Blue Oak was the first to message.
Blue Oak: Natsume-sensei, are you free tomorrow? Professor Samuel Oak wants to meet you.
Gold: Huh? What does Professor Oak want with Natsume-sensei?
Earlier that afternoon, after getting utterly demolished by Red on Mt. Silver, Gold's mute had been lifted—and he'd even started using honorifics for Professor Oak.
Brock nodded sagely. "It's tradition for visiting Trainers to pay respects to the local Professor in a new region..."
"But this time, Professor Oak reached out first," Gold pointed out, stroking his chin.
"Could it be... Professor Oak has taken an interest in Natsume-sensei?!"
"Your thought process never fails to amaze me," Silver sighed, facepalming.
Blue Oak looked slightly awkward. "Well... you're not entirely wrong."
Everyone in the chat: ???
Blue Oak coughed lightly. "Just come over, and you'll see!"
Oak Research Institute, Pallet Town.
Blue Oak—his brown hair tousled, a necklace around his neck—walked past the Research Institute, hands in his pockets, noticing the light still shining through the windows.
"Still working at this hour...?"
Muttering to himself, he pushed open the Research Institute's door.
The gray-haired Professor Samuel Oak stretched upon seeing him. "Ah, Blue Oak. Shouldn't you be resting by now?"
"You're one to talk."
Blue Oak glanced at the desk, cluttered with research materials—among them, a red Pokédex stood out prominently.
"At my age, a little sleep is enough. Might as well get more work done," Professor Oak chuckled, waving Blue Oak over. "Come, take a look at the new Pokédex I've been working on!"
As Blue Oak approached, his own Pokédex buzzed in his pocket with a series of beeps.
"Another special edition Pokédex?" Blue Oak raised an eyebrow.
Every year, Professor Oak distributed Pokédexes to new Trainers in Kanto.
But the special edition Pokédexes—handcrafted by the Professor himself—were exceedingly rare, with only a little over a dozen ever given out.
These Pokédexes were reserved for Trainers recognized by regional Professors, those who possessed exceptional talents.
Like Red, "The Battler," or Gold, "The Hatcher."
Now, faced with this brand-new special edition Pokédex, it was no wonder Blue Oak was taken aback.
"Ah, even Pokédexes need to keep up with the times!"
Professor Oak explained, "I've integrated mobile phone functions into this one—an upgraded version of the previous model. Eventually, I'll update yours too."
"Have you already chosen the Trainer who'll receive this special Pokédex?" Blue Oak asked.
The special edition Pokédex wasn't just about more precise data—it was a symbol.
A representation of courage, of unyielding spirit, of golden-hearted perseverance.
Red, as one of its bearers, embodied these ideals perfectly.
Because of this, Professor Oak was extremely selective about who received one.
Professor Oak stroked his beard. "I considered giving it to Ash Ketchum, but he left in such a hurry... and with the Ever Grande Conference coming up, I didn't want to distract him."
Blue Oak fell silent for a moment before nodding slowly.
"Well... I might have a Trainer to recommend."
Professor Oak's curiosity piqued. "From which region?"
Blue Oak pulled out his phone, skimming through the group chat.
"He's already in Kanto... Given his strength, he'd make a fine addition to your Pokédex records."
Professor Oak smiled warmly. "Now that you mention it... I'm rather looking forward to meeting him!"
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