Pokemon: School of Masters

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.

He then opens his PokéNet, checking the post he made this morning. There are a few likes and comments, but nothing noteworthy. In fact, most of his 97 followers had come from a video that went somewhat viral a few months ago—Mimi casually levitating every object in the living room, including the large sofa sets, all while sweeping with her broom. Orin knows that feat was barely impressive compared to what Kaddy could do. If he weren't so shy in front of the camera, Orin's account would have easily surpassed 100 followers by now.

As he stares at his post he knows why the response is so mediocre. Even though he is handsome, and the photo he took could rival those of celebrities, no one is that interested in just some guy's pictures. Orin sighs, understanding this thought process deeply. "How can anyone be interested in plain old humans when there are far more amazing creatures out there?" he mutters, setting his phone aside and looking out the window.

Streams of people hurry along the small road, many walking beside their Pokémon or carrying them in their arms.

"This is the world of Pokémon, after all," he murmurs, his eyes blurring slightly. Even after fifteen whole years, he sometimes wonders if he is truly here—if this Pokémon world is real.

"This isn't a game, anime, or manga… this is your reality. When will you fully accept it, Orin?" he mutters with a wry smile, pressing his palm against the glass.

Every so often, he can't help but feel like there is a gap between him and this world—just like this glass separating him from the outside. The memories of his past life, his past world, constantly remind him that this is a fictional world he has found himself in.

Perhaps that's why he has just been going through the motions, living life while time simply passes by. He tries his best to fit in, but the world's time moves forward, while his own time feels paused. And maybe it will stay that way—especially if he never leaves this city.

But as the days, months, and years pass, Orin can feel a growing anxiety inside him.

He doesn't know its source—whether it's something grand or nothing worth worrying about. But one thing he does know is that he has no intention of wasting this extremely rare second chance at life. He wants to do something meaningful in this vast world. If nothing else, he at least wants to experience and enjoy all the incredible things this amazing Pokémon world has to offer.

That much, he has already decided. And after firming his resolve and researching many options, he has finally settled on a bold but workable choice.

He just hopes it will work out.

"Orin, your order is here!"

Kyle's voice snaps him out of his thoughts. He turns back with a smile—but it instantly fades.

"Very funny, Copycat," he says, looking at the girl in front of him.

The girl stands at 5'4" with a different shade of green hair than Kyle's, styled into twin ponytails tied with pink ribbons. She has fair skin and wears a red tank top with a large yellow star in the middle. Her midriff is exposed, showing off her flat stomach and cute belly button. She pairs it with stylish jeans.

"Hey, Orin," the beautiful girl says, extending her hand—her voice a perfect impression of Kyle's, as if he himself were speaking.

"Is that you, Duplica? Don't imitate me. What if you scare away the customers?" comes the real Kyle's voice from inside the kitchen.

"What? Don't bully my cute Duplica, or else I will fight you! I even know the karate chop!" Duplica declares, but this time in Orin's voice.

"Do you want me to use that karate chop on your head, my cute Copycat?" Orin retorts, demonstrating a chopping motion.

"Hehe, I was just messing around, Orin," she says, sticking her tongue out. In a blur, she closes the distance between them. "Good morning, my psychic protégé," she teases, wrapping her arms around his neck from behind in a hug.

"Morning. And why are you making fun of me so early?" Orin groans, though he doesn't exactly mind feeling those soft things squish against his back.

"Hehe, you are the one who keeps calling me Copycat, even though my name is Duplica," she pouts, sticking her tongue out as she plops down beside him.

Orin knows the real reason he calls her that. In the Pokémon anime, her character was based on the Copycat girl from Saffron City of the games. But he will never tell her that.

"And I wasn't making fun of you. You are a psychic protégé… you and everyone else just don't know it yet," she says with a grin.

"Well, I am glad you think so," Orin replies with a small, self-deprecating sigh, knowing just how much of a psychic protégé he really is. "Anyway, why are you here so early?"

"I just sensed that you would be at the shop and came over. And I was right! Maybe I am the real psychic protégé!" She bumps a fist into her open palm with an aha!

"Sure. Why don't you tell me what number I'm thinking of, then?" Orin raises a brow.

"Sure. Why don't you tell me what number I'm thinking of, then?" Duplica mimics in his exact voice, raising her brow to match.

"I am getting this sudden urge to really karate chop someone," Orin warns, showing his fist.

"Young man, you are about to break the law, by resorting to violence against a beautiful girl," Duplica says, suddenly adopting the voice of Officer Jenny as she adjusts an imaginary hat.

"Wow, what a great impression of Officer Jenny!" Orin claps enthusiastically. "Why don't you show me that again? I am sure Officer Jenny would be really impressed." He points his phone camera at her.

"What? Me, imitating someone? How can you say that? Haha, so funny, my friend. Why don't you put that camera down?" Duplica laughs nervously.

"That's what I thought," Orin smirks.

"Kyle, make two Battle Noodle Bowls for Duplica. I will pay for them," Duplica calls out, perfectly mimicking Orin's voice again.

"You should stop playing around, Duplica," Kyle says, stepping out of the kitchen carrying a plate with a big bowl. "And even if I did make it for you, it's not like you would be able to finish it." He says, shaking his head.

"I could just take it to go," she says, sticking out her tongue.

Kyle ignores her and sets the plate with the bowl in front of Orin. "Here's your order, bro," he says with a grin. "Extra large, just the way you like it!"

"Thanks, Kyle. Looks delicious as always," Orin grins. Before digging in, he snaps a picture. "Let me do some free publicity for this place. I am sure others would love to taste your craft." He posts it with the caption: Best noodles in Saffron City! Try out the BATTLE NOODLES! You won't regret it!

"You didn't have to do that," Kyle says with a small smile.

"Well, if I didn't really like it, I wouldn't recommend it," Orin replies, picking up his spoon and fork to attack the noodles.

Kyle grins in satisfaction, but then his eyes shift to the girl sitting beside Orin. "If you are not here to eat, then beat it, Duplica. The regular customers will be here soon, and I don't want you imitating how random people eat their noodles." He crosses his arms and narrows his eyes at her.

"Wha—? I never did that," she protests, looking away.

"I think if she is here, then Terri must be on her way. That's why she must have ordered two bowls," Orin says between slurps.

"You are right, Orin," a female voice calls from the entrance.

Orin and the others turn to see the new arrival.

The girl stepping inside has a fit, athletic build and stands taller than Duplica at 5'7". Her messy brown hair, styled similarly to Duplica's, adds to her tomboyish charm—distinct from Duplica's playful beauty.

"Morning, Terri," Orin greets her with a smile.

"Oh, hi, Terri," Kyle waves.

"Yo, you are finally here, Slowpoke!" Duplica grins, holding out her hand.

"Good morning, Orin," Terri says sweetly before turning to Kyle and Duplica. "And you two—why are you bothering him today? Don't you know it's an important day for him?" she asks, hands on her hips.

"It is?" Kyle looks at Orin, confused.

"I wasn't bothering him at all," Duplica says, perfectly mimicking Terri's voice.

BONK!

"OUCH!" Duplica yelps. "Why are you hitting me?!" she asks, rubbing her head.

"Don't imitate me, Duplica!" Terri scolds, crossing her arms.

"I am not talking to you," Duplica says fake crying on the table.

"You are too nice to them, Orin. You should have just shooed them away," Terri says with a sigh as she walks to the opposite side of the table, pushing a confused Kyle aside and sitting in front of Orin.

"It's fine. This helps me relax," Orin says with a calm smile.

"Can someone tell me what's so important about today?" Kyle asks, still confused.

"Today is his admission test!" Terri replies.

"Today is his entrance exam!" Duplica echoes in Terri's voice.

"Duplica!" Terri snaps, tightening her fist and glaring at her angrily.

"Sorry, sorry, it's a force of habit," Duplica says cutely, sticking out her tongue.

"Entrance exam? Admission test for what?" Kyle asks, looking at Orin.

"Nexus… Academy," Orin says, slurping his noodles.

"For real?" Kyle's eyes go wide as he sits down beside Terri, removing his chef hat. "Are you really taking it?" he asks in a serious tone.

"Obviously. He even shared his exam timings for today in our group chat yesterday," Duplica says, already holding up her phone to show the chat.

"Sorry, I didn't charge mine last night, so it's still off," Kyle says with a wry smile.

"It's in just a few hours, right?" Terri asks, looking at Orin with concern.

"Uhm-hmm." Orin nods, still focusing on slurping his noodles..

"Look how carefree he is. I told you, you don't need to worry about him, Terri," Duplica says smugly. "This guy was a genius even back in preschool," she adds with a wink at Orin.

"I didn't attend preschool. I was always homeschooled," Orin says, rolling his eyes.

"Oh… that explains so much," Duplica says with a sage-like nod.

"Stop messing around," Terri scolds, giving Duplica a stern look. "And shouldn't you be, I don't know, studying?" she asks Orin worriedly.

"Yeah, maybe something about type matchups or Pokémon battling? Nexus is the top Trainer Academy, after all," Kyle says with a nod.

"Nexus isn't just the top Trainer Academy—it's the best at everything," Duplica says, her tone more serious now. "In fact, ever since ranking charts for schools even existed, Nexus has always been number one." She sighs. "Even performer schools I checked use Nexus as the gold standard."

"Yeah, I read somewhere that even Paldea's Academy, which is really old and huge, can't even compete with Nexus," Terri says, echoing the sentiment.