November 25th, Wednesday
The Cinnabar Island trip had co to an end.
Natsu returned to his usual, leisurely routine.
Taking advantage of the holiday, he lounged on his bedroom floor, propped against Arcanine's warm belly, reading under the sunlight.
Arcanine's massive size and toasty fur made it the perfect winter cushion.
"Arcanine~" Arcanine yawned lazily.
The yawn spread to Natsu, then to Sylveon, who was sprawled on top of him.
The winter sun was blissfully warm, casting a golden glow over Sylveon's snow-white fur.
Less than ten minutes into his book, Natsu snapped it shut.
He pinched Sylveon's cheeks, earning an indignant "Sylveon!" from the little one.
Honestly… with 25kg of dumbbell sitting on every day, my physique might evolve before my Pokémon do!
After lifting Sylveon off, Natsu prepared to head to the Trainer Academy.
Blaine's Fire Blast had left him with serious psychological trauma.
Rather than letting Gengar secretly train (and risk another disaster), he figured it'd be safer to take Arcanine to the Sunlight Chamber himself.
Well, "training" is just an excuse—keeping Arcanine away from the house is the real goal.
At least this way, he could burn off so of Arcanine's energy…
Besides, the principal did say the academy's training facilities were free to use.
And if sothing blew up… eh, probably fine?
Grabbing his Poké Balls, Natsu-sensei set off on foot toward the outskirts.
Wild Pokémon rustled in the dense bushes along the path.
But the mont a red light flashed and Arcanine let out a proud howl—silence fell.
The Intimidate Ability worked wonders for avoiding random encounters.
Even the bug-catching kids lurking nearby wisely pretended not to see them.
Saved so ti, sure… but now I can't "borrow" their lunch money.
Natsu sighed regretfully before swinging onto Arcanine's back and patting its fluffy head.
"Let's go! To the Trainer Academy!"
"Arcanine~~!"
"Wrong way—this way!"
As one of Touran's legendary Pokémon, Arcanine had always been a favorite of Natsu's.
Riding it was exhilarating—wind roaring past, trees blurring into streaks of green.
Ten minutes later, the Trainer Academy ca into view.
...
Giselle was reviewing last week's lecture notes when a cloud of dust suddenly billowed in front of her.
A massive Arcanine skidded to a halt.
"N-Natsu-sensei?!"
She stamred before scowling. "The academy has a no reckless riding rule! Even for teachers!"
"Technically, we're still outside the gate."
Natsu laughed, recalling Arcanine into its Luxury Ball.
"How's Professor Erika's substitute teaching?"
"Not as good as yours."
"Pfft, stop telling the truth." Natsu waved her off.
Giselle deadpanned.
You're totally smug about that, aren't you?!
"Actually, I wanted to talk to you," Natsu said. "The year-end exchange tournant requires student participants. If you're interested, now's the ti to start preparing."
"Isn't there a faculty division too?" Giselle blinked.
"If you're competing, Natsu-sensei… shouldn't you prepare seriously?"
"Nah, the Baby Cup's a free win." Natsu waved. "See ya."
As he walked off, Giselle's face flushed before she realized—
Wait… did Natsu-sensei just say sothing outrageous?!
...
In the faculty office, Erika—wearing her usual green furisode and oversized glasses—was drafting lesson plans, makeup-free.
"Natsu-sensei?" She looked up, surprised. "You don't have classes today, do you?"
"You covered for last ti," Natsu said. "Figured I'd return the favor."
"That's unnecessary." Erika smiled gently. "Given your… teaching style, I worry you might traumatize the students."
"Hey, I'm not that ruthless."
Natsu coughed. "Well, if you don't need … mind if I use the training grounds?"
Erika nodded, then rembered Natsu-sensei was collecting Gym Badges.
Back in Tokyo, she'd lost to him in a friendly match.
If he's too proud to ask…
She decided to wait for the right mont to offer her badge.
...
Trainer Academy – Sunlight Chamber
The old custodian flinched as another explosion rattled the training room.
The equipnt's brand-new… but can it handle this?!
Flashbacks of past incidents made his hands tremble as he pulled up the surveillance feed.
A handso Trainer stood at the sidelines, cradling a Togepi, watching intently.
On the field, a very well-fed Arcanine bared its fangs, drool glistening, as flas gathered in its maw.
The old man paled.
An Arcanine? Why does it look familiar—
Wait, isn't that the Growlithe that wrecked the place last ti?!
BOOM!!
A star-shaped inferno erupted from Arcanine's mouth, hurtling toward the target dummy.
Just training… should be fine…
The custodian relaxed—until the explosion made him fumble his glasses.
…It missed?
At point-blank range?!
Natsu seed equally stunned. "Uh… again?"
"Arcanine!"
Arcanine howled confidently.
This ti, I won't fail!
BOOM!!
The second Fire Blast slamd into the wall, shaking the entire chamber.
Two misses in a row? Natsu was getting fired up.
I even brought Togepi for luck! How's this possible?!
"One. Last. Ti."
Natsu gritted his teeth. "Arcanine, Fire Blast!"
"Arcanine~~!!"
The flas roared forth—power impressive, trajectory abysmal.
Sohow, in just one afternoon, Arcanine had grasped the basics of Fire Blast.
My training skills are god-tier.
But the shot veered wildly off-course—not toward the dummy, but straight up.
The custodian's jaw dropped.
The fireball smashed into the ceiling.
As debris rained down, a single sunbeam pierced through the new skylight.
"Arcanine~~凸(｀0′)凸"
Arcanine shook its majestic mane, grinning smugly.
Who's the best? This old man, that's who!
Half a day's progress? Almost as good as Senior Gengar's 30-minute mastery!
Bathed in sunlight, Natsu's expression was… complicated.
My house is safe… but the academy's wrecked again?
Well, better them than —
Wait, no.
Natsu shook his head, grimacing.
I legit just wanted to train!
Who knew Fire Blast could miss three tis AND have worse aim than a drunk Magikarp?!
...
Principal Earl Dervish rushed over, wiping sweat from his brow.
Not even a week since the last incident… How?!
That architect was a scam!
"You're not hurt, Natsu-sensei?" The principal fretted.
"Physically? No…"
"Good, good." Earl Dervish sighed in relief.
"I'll call a construction team ASAP. Feel free to use other facilities!"
"Let chip in for repairs," Natsu said, guilt gnawing at him.
"Absolutely not! Like I said last ti—"
The principal smiled. "Your lectures bring far more value than material costs."
Touched, Natsu nodded. "Then I'll handle the construction crew. I've got a VIP contact!"
"Oh? Splendid!"
...
By evening, Arcanine's Fire Blast had taken shape.
In official matches, Natsu would still rely on the more accurate Flathrower.
But compared to Gengar's "tutorials," supervising Arcanine himself was clearly the safer option.
This ti, Natsu plays 4D chess.
As the sun dipped, a flock of Pidgey soared across the twilight sky.
Natsu shook hands with the Kanto renovation foreman, more determined than ever to compete in the exchange tournant.
After the principal's kindness… I've gotta repay him!
Back in his office, Natsu studied the tournant guidelines, deep in thought.
"Three student participants… Where do I even find candidates?"
Just then—
A student with a "haircut that screams poker ace" burst in.
"Natsu-sensei!"
He gasped. "Senior Giselle—she's fighting so outsider at the gate!"
"Details."
"So guy from Alola challenged our entire training division!"
"Senior Giselle's about to lose!"
Natsu blinked. "What's he look like?"
"Blonde, edgy hairstyle, and the smuggest face—ugh!"
The description clicked.
Alola's Gladion?
Following the "Duel King" student, Natsu reached the gate.
A Midnight Form Lycanroc stood there, crimson eyes gleaming with arrogance.
Natsu's eyes lit up.
Tournant candidates… delivered straight to my doorstep!
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