The weekend was over, and Natsu had to return to Tokyo tropolitan University for classes.
The quarterfinals of the Piplup Cup were scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.
But Natsu wasn't worried at all. Instead, it was Yuuichi who was anxiously pacing around him.
"Brother Natsu, are you really confident about this?"
"The quarterfinals are full of hidden talents. You can't afford to be careless!"
Natsu chuckled. "Don't worry, I won't be careless!"
Beside them, Kazuya elbowed Yuuichi and teased, "Why are you so worked up when Natsu isn't even worried?"
"It's not like you're the one competing. Besides, Brother Natsu must've been training in secret again!"
"Tsk tsk, just like last ti during exams. You said you weren't studying, but you were the one in the library the most!"
Kazuya adjusted his nonexistent glasses, wearing a look that said, "The truth is out there."
Natsu's expression turned complicated.
Darn it!
I actually did train yesterday!
Ugh, I can't even argue back!
Natsu's advancent to the top eight had happened last Saturday, and many classmates only found out about it today.
Everyone looked at Natsu with strange expressions.
Good grades, handso, and now skilled at Pokémon battles…
Are you cheating or sothing?!
"Natsu's predictions are insane. He's already broken records, right?"
"Yeah, he's the only non-Battle Departnt student in the top eight!"
The morning class was Economics with Professor Kenta, the one who had sent Natsu the "smiling emoji."
The stern-faced Professor Kenta walked up to the podium, and the large lecture hall fell silent.
Clearing his throat, Professor Kenta called out, "Natsu, soone's here to see you. I won't mark you absent for this class."
A wave of hushed murmurs spread through the room.
At the door stood a middle-aged man in a white shirt, exuding a scholarly aura. He nodded apologetically.
"Whoa, isn't that Coach Takashi from the school team?"
"Which school team? Basketball or soccer?"
"Are you dumb? It's obviously the Pokémon battle team!"
Under everyone's gaze, Natsu walked out of the classroom, confused.
I haven't done anything wrong recently, have I?
Why is soone pulling out of class?
Outside, the middle-aged man nodded.
"You're Natsu, right? Let's go to the next classroom and have a chat."
In the empty classroom, the man got straight to the point:
"I'm Takashi, the coach of the Pokémon battle school team. I'm here to invite you to join the team."
If Natsu's private victory over Sakurako could be considered a fluke, then his advancent to the Piplup Cup's top eight was undeniable proof of his skill.
Although the Piplup Cup was a municipal-level competition, its status was comparable to a provincial-level event due to its unique geographical significance.
Making it this far was enough to showcase Natsu's potential.
Takashi had prepared a whole speech in advance.
He was ready to offer things like a recomndation letter for a Trainer's license and the possibility of a guaranteed spot in graduate school.
But Natsu's opening move completely caught him off guard.
"Sorry, Coach Takashi," Natsu scratched his head. "I don't plan on becoming a Trainer."
"I accidentally signed up for this competition… I guess I got lucky. I didn't expect to make it to the top eight."
Takashi opened his mouth, hesitated for a mont, and then asked, "You don't plan on becoming a Trainer?"
Natsu nodded earnestly.
"But you made it to the top eight?"
"That was just a coincidence, pure luck!"
"And what about the rumors of you defeating Sakurako?"
Natsu chuckled awkwardly. "Her Granbull wasn't in top condition. I just got lucky."
Takashi fell silent.
The reason he had sought out Natsu wasn't just because of his top-eight status. Soone had sent him a video, which played a big role in his decision.
In the video, Natsu's unconventional predictions completely overwheld Sakurako.
Soone with this level of strategic thinking… doesn't want to be a Trainer?
Is there sothing wrong with him, or is it ?!
"If you don't want to join the school team, I won't force you," Takashi said, shaking his head with a resigned smile.
"But next ti, co up with a better excuse. Even Shunsuke, the head of the Battle Departnt, has his eye on you."
"He wants to join the school team too?" Natsu asked, surprised.
"No, he wants you to transfer to his departnt."
"That's fine," Natsu smiled. "I'm used to it."
Being in the top three of his major, Natsu was already highly sought after within the Economics departnt.
Add to that Professor Rowan's recomndation letter, which was still sitting in his drawer at ho.
Natsu wasn't opposed to changing majors; he just hadn't found the right opportunity yet.
The day's classes ended.
As Natsu walked down the street outside the campus, he could see the Piplup Cup's promotional posters.
[The Final Four! Piplup Cup Quarterfinals, kicking off Wednesday night!]
Natsu had also asked Yuuichi about the other top-eight contestants.
Three from Tokyo tropolitan University, three from Osaka University, one from Yokohama National University, and one from Tokyo tropolitan University's affiliated high school.
All prestigious schools.
But since there were also class barriers in the Trainer world, it was rare for non-prestigious schools to break into the top eight.
Most of these contestants were likely to beco official Trainers, challenge Gyms, and eventually compete for a spot in the league championships.
"It's not worth it," Natsu shook his head. "Those monsters are way too talented!"
Red, who beca the Kanto League Champion within a year of starting out.
Blue Oak, who beca the Kanto League Champion for half an hour before being defeated by Red.
Even Gold, who's constantly mocked in the group chat, is undeniably talented, at least at a Master level.
But hanging out with these big shots didn't bother Natsu much.
As long as I'm a loser, no one can bring down!
When he got ho, Gastly was watching TV.
The program was titled "National League Master-Level Tournants."
Gastly was fully focused, nodding occasionally and taking notes with a pencil in its mouth.
"Gastly!" (Got it, I totally get it now!)
Natsu smiled and recorded a video of Gastly, sending it to the group chat.
At Viridian Gym, Blue Oak, who had just defeated a challenger, wiped his sweat with a towel and opened the video.
"That Gastly's well-bred," Blue Oak muttered. "It must've been fed Master-level Pokéblocks to have that kind of effect."
"But judging by the color, is it training the Toxic move recently?"
[Yellow: Oh, is Gastly having so kind of problem?]
[Natsu-sensei: No, my Gastly is just too cute. I wanted to share it with you all.]
[Yellow: Hehe, it really is. (′▽`〃)]
[Blue Oak: Judging by its breeding, Gastly isn't far from evolving.]
Blue Oak's comnt reminded Natsu of sothing.
Although it had only been two months since he caught Gastly, it wasn't a newly hatched Pokémon.
With the addition of the Toxic move, Gastly had accumulated a lot of energy, and it was about ti to consider evolution.
But since this was Natsu's first ti raising a Pokémon, evolution required a lot of preparation.
With his usual curiosity, Natsu asked sincerely:
[Natsu-sensei: How do I get Gastly to evolve?]
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