Pokemon: School of Masters

"And today, March 31st, is also the final day for the admission exams to the prestigious Nexus Academy—with its last test center right here in Saffron City!" the news anchor announces with a bright smile.

Orin's attention snaps to the screen as his focus shifts entirely.

"As many of you may know, Nexus Academy is the most prestigious and oldest Pokémon academy across all regions, with an infamously difficult entrance process. They accept only 1,000 students per year—and sadly, no one from Saffron City has made the cut for the last ten years. The last student to be accepted was none other than our very own Gym Leader, Sabrina, back in 2015." the host says somberly.

"Will you too take the exam today, Onii-chan?" Brina asks, looking up at him with curious red eyes.

"Yeah," Orin mutters, absentmindedly wiping the breadcrumbs from her face as he hands her another sandwich.

"I shee," she hums, chewing happily.

"-The Academy isn't just known for producing elite Trainers," the host continues, "but also top-tier Breeders, Coordinators, Professors, Actors, and even News Reporters like myself! Every Nexus Academy alumni is destined for greatness. It's a place that truly forges Masters! I still remember the day I failed it's entrance exams—" The male host lets out a self-deprecating chuckle.

A flash of worry flickers across Orin's face as he hears that.

"Now let Brina feed you, Onii-chan!" Brina announces abruptly with a grin.

Before Orin can protest, his plate of rice and curry floats up to her. A silver spoon follows, perfectly scooping half rice and half curry before stuffing itself into his mouth.

"Thnx a lot, Brina," Orin mumbles, narrowing his eyes at her as he pulls the spoon out with his hand.

"Hehehe." Brina giggles mischievously—only to be cut off as Orin unceremoniously stuffs a sandwich into her mouth in retaliation. She shoots him a grievous look but still chews through it.

Ignoring her antics, Orin focuses back on the screen.

"—the exam venue is the Saffron Gym. I hope all candidates arrive an hour early, and I wish them the best of luck!" The host signs off with a bright smile. "We will be back with more news shortly after this break. Please stay tuned to Saffron Now!"

The screen transitions to an advertisement.

🎵 [A cheerful jingle plays as the screen shows a male Trainer stocking up on supplies.]

👨‍💼 SHOPKEEPER: "Need supplies for your next adventure? Look no further than Poké Mart!"

Orin stares deadpan at the overly enthusiastic shopkeeper. He knows firsthand how disinterested and unhelpful the local Poké Mart employees actually are.

🔥 TRAINER: "Potions? Check. Poké Balls? Check. Rare Candies? Double check!"

[The Trainer grins as he checks his cart. Both he and the shopkeeper then turn to the camera and give a thumbs-up 👍🏻]

🛒 This week's specials:

✔ Super Potions – Buy 2, Get 1 FREE!

✔ Poké Balls – Buy 10 and receive a FREE Premier Ball!

✔ Repels – 30% OFF while supplies last!

💡 Trainer Tip: Use your Poké Mart Membership Card to earn DOUBLE POINTS this week!

🔵 Poké Mart – Your One-Stop Shop for All Things Pokémon!"

Hearing the sweet female voice announcing the deals, Orin sighs and returns to his food. He knows that they run this same ad every week with minimal changes to the offers.

"Okay, I have to go now," Orin says, finishing his plate along with two bottles of warm milk. Checking the time on his phone, he effortlessly picks up Brina and places her on the chair beside him. At some point, she had grown impatient and started eating the sandwiches on her own, the plate still levitating in front of her.

Brina, too engrossed in her meal, only gives a half-hearted nod as he heads upstairs. Orin freshens up, throws on a black hoodie, and grabs his prepared bag from the desk.

"Be confident. You got this, Orin." He hypes himself up, flashing his practiced confident smile at the mirror. Satisfied, he heads back downstairs.

Brina, now sporting a satisfied grin, pats her belly. The plate of sandwiches now completely empty.

"I'm off," Orin announces, walking towards the dining table and grabbing a yellow-green apple from the basket.

"Bye-bye, Niichan!" Brina calls sweetly.

"Eat some rice and curry too," he reminds her, leaning down to kiss the top of her head. "Bye, Mimi."

"Mime, Mime." Mimi nods absentmindedly, her entire focus glued to the TV. A reality program revolving around Pokémon is playing, and she clutches the remote tightly, completely engrossed.

Orin knows better than to disturb her. Although he is pretty sure that she is watching this for the second time, considering it's a rerun from yesterday. Shaking his head, he steps outside.

The Murasaki Mansion is more of a grand estate—three massive floors with a slanting blue roof, sprawling across a vast expanse. A lush garden fills the front, brimming with plants, trees, and elegant fountains. A large swimming pool sits in the back, while a garage rests on the right side. On the second floor, an open landing area provides space for large flying Pokémon to descend.

Orin takes a deep breath, filling his lungs with the fresh morning air. Above, Pidgeys and Spearows soar across the sky as the sun has already risen in the east.

He strolls through the garden, appreciating the nature surrounding him. He knows Mimi spends a lot of time caring for these flowers—something he rarely stops to admire. He still remembers how furious she was when a pack of Rattatas trampled through them. The memory of what happened to those poor mice sends a shudder down his spine.

"See you soon, Onii-chan!" Brina's voice calls out loudly from the Mansion's front door.

Orin turns, waving back with a smile before stepping through the front gate. A golden-purple sign on the side proudly reads: Murasaki Mansion.

Crossing the road, he still feels Brina's gaze lingering on him, making him sigh. He doesn't even want to think about how he will convince her tomorrow.

"Focus on today first, Orin. You don't have the luxury to worry about the future," he mutters under his breath. Exhaling slowly, he reaches into his jeans pocket and pulls out his earbuds.

Plugging them in, he selects an energetic tune and starts jogging down the slope.

The Murasaki Mansion sits atop a small hill on the northeastern outskirts of the city. It's isolated, but from here, Orin can still see the city skyline of tall steel buildings in the distance, the golden glow of Saffron City lighting up the horizon.

Jogging down the hill's side path, he soon reaches the main road where the hill road connects. This main road leads directly into Saffron City to the south, though Orin knows that if he goes north, it connects to a road that leads to the outskirts and eventually Route 5, which can be taken to reach Cerulean City.

While jogging by the main road, he spots the bus stop on the opposite side. Normally, he would take the city bus or bike into town, but today, since he is so early thanks to Brina, he doesn't mind jogging to his destination—especially with his house so close to it.

Humming to the beat of the energetic music, he easily reaches the city within half an hour of jog. The change from barren roads to crowded streets is immediate, and the golden glow of Saffron City shines brightly ahead.

Saffron City—Shining, Golden Land of Commerce

Once known for its saffron-coloured houses in ancient times, modern Saffron City has long since expanded beyond its golden hues. Still, traces remain, from the preserved historical buildings to the towering skyscrapers that embrace the golden theme.

Yet one thing has never changed—the city's status as Kanto's central business hub and more recently, its fame as the home of Silph Co.

This sprawling metropolis is the largest and busiest city in Kanto, ranking tenth in the world by population, with over 5 million residents. Nearly half of its growth can be attributed to Silph Corporation, one of the leading technological companies in the world.

The Silph Co. Tower, its headquarters, is an enormous skyscraper housing the corporation's most advanced research. From Poké Balls to cutting-edge Pokémon tech, Silph's influence is everywhere. Though most areas remain restricted, public showcases, internships, and guided tours offer a glimpse into its innovations.

On the streets, the morning rush unfolds. Parents hurry their children to school, office workers dart towards their workplaces, and vehicles—from cars to scooters to bicycles—fill the roads. Some pedestrians walk alongside their Pokémon, though most of them keep theirs inside Poké Balls, avoiding the chaos of the crowded streets.

This is still the northeastern sector of the city, which is relatively less busy due to the presence of the two gyms. The real hectic place is the central area near the Silph Co. Tower—even at night, people can easily recognize that they are in the shining, bustling city if they visit that crowded place.

Ending his jog, Orin walks into a familiar alleyway on the side. These are more residential apartment areas, still crowded, with more people now walking around with their Pokémon. Most of them have Pidgeys, Machops, and the like. As he notices some Meowths scurrying away by the dumpsters in the distance, he stops at his destination.

It's a small shop—one of the many underneath an apartment building. A sign above reads Hamm's Noodles, with a red bowl symbol on the side.

Orin unhesitatingly opens the door and steps inside. The shop has a cozy atmosphere with many tables and chairs. The decorations are minimal, but everything is spotless and clean.

"Welcome! I am just opening up, if you can just wai—" a voice calls out from the kitchen. A young man with dark green hair steps out, wearing a chef's hat and a smile, but stops mid-sentence when he sees Orin.

He wears a simple shirt and jeans, standing about the same height as Orin—around six feet. Even with his loose clothing, it's clear he has a fit, muscular build beneath.

"Morning, Kyle," Orin greets with a smile, removing his earbuds and slipping them into his pockets.

"Orin?" Kyle says, his mouth hanging open in surprise. "What are you doing here so early, man?" He gives Orin a fist bump. "Don't you have to be at the Saffron Gym in the mornings?" he asks, puzzled.

"Not today. I am on leave," Orin replies with a grin. "And I came because I was craving your famous Battle Noodles this morning. But it looks like I came too early," he says, glancing around the empty shop.

"Famous? Don't tease me like that, bro," Kyle says with a happy grin. "Anyway, you are not that early. Some regulars will start arriving soon. And even if this place was packed, I would never say no to you." He grins and playfully bumps Orin's chest. "I will make an extra big bowl for you—I know how much you can eat. Just sit down, and I will have it ready in ten minutes." He heads back to the kitchen.

"Thanks, Kyle," Orin says with a grin. Kyle just waves and disappears inside.

Orin sits by the transparent glass window and takes out his phone. First, he checks the time, then rechecks when he needs to be at the gym. He sends a quick message to his colleague at the Saffron Gym, reminding him about the deal and not to forget what he asked for. A swift affirmative reply comes in, making him feel relieved.

***

[Orin Murasaki : Social Butterfly (Trait)]