Pokemon: School of Masters

"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.

"So, do they have different tests for each department or something?" Kyle asks, confused. "You are applying for the Trainer department, right?" He directs the question at Orin, who is still enjoying his noodles, now nearly finishing the bowl.

"From what I found out, there is only one admission test for everyone applying," Duplica explains. "And the test paper is totally different every year, sometimes even varying by region. Heck, even neighboring cities might get a different exam paper in the same year."

Orin side-eyes Duplica, inwardly impressed by how much research she has already done. Even for him, finding and confirming this information wasn't easy. Almost nothing about Nexus's admission test is online unless you dig deep into obscure forums and chat groups. The academy seems to be extremely secretive about their admission tests.

"Sounds like a tough exam," Kyle says, grimacing.

"Uhh… I wouldn't be so sure," Duplica says with a wry smile. "From what I found out, the test itself is surprisingly simple," she chuckles.

"Really?" Terri asks suspiciously. "But don't they only accept a thousand people from all the regions? I also heard there are quotas for each region. And I am pretty sure Kanto's quota will definitely be lower than Johto's," She frowns in concern.

"It's around… a hundred," Orin says, finishing his noodles. "That was really delicious, Kyle. I feel fired up now," he says with a grin.

"Thanks, man," Kyle says, fist-bumping him.

"Wait, really? Just a hundred? But there must be thousands of applicants from our city alone," Terri says, clenching her fist. "If the test is easy, how do they decide who gets in?" she asks doubtfully.

"It must be the fees. The ones who can afford it get selected. All these top universities are the same—selling knowledge to the highest bidder," Kyle says, shaking his head in disgust.

"No, I have definitely heard that Nexus is run by the Pokémon League and is heavily subsidized, so it shouldn't cost much to attend," Terri says with certainty.

"It's not just subsidized," Orin says, shaking his head. "It's completely free."

"What?" Kyle blinks in disbelief.

"Are you serious?" Terri asks, stunned.

"…That explains why she was so excited to apply," Duplica mutters in realization.

"If you pass the test and are admitted to the academy, Nexus won't ask for money from you or your family," Orin confirms.

"That's awesome!" Kyle says excitedly.

"So… an easy admission test and no fees? How do they screen students out then?" Terri asks skeptically.

"…It's the interview," Duplica says with a wry grin. "After the admission test, there is a second round—the interview. That's the real test, and hardly anyone makes it past that," she sighs.

Orin eyes widen in shock as he looks at her. He had to scour the internet for months to find that information. How did she get it so easily?

"And who does the interview?" Kyle asks.

"…No, don't tell me!" Terri's eyes go wide with alarm as she turns to Duplica for confirmation.

"Yep. You guessed it." Duplica says with a wry smile. She gives Orin a pitying look. "It's our Gym Leader—the strongest Psychic, Sabrina, who also happens to be Orin's older sister," she says with a shake of her head.

"Oh. That's bad," Terri says, now looking at Orin with sympathy.

Orin could only smile wryly at their pitying expressions.

"Wait, why? Isn't that a good thing?" Kyle asks, confused. "Bro, you can just ask your big sis to pass you in the interview. Problem solved."

All three of them give him a dead stare.

"What? Am I wrong? Isn't that the obvious thing to do?" he asks, looking at them weirdly.

"Why don't you go and get your kitchen ready? I am sure your 'regulars' will be arriving soon," Terri says, shaking her head at him.

"Shit, you are right! I am already late!" Kyle exclaims, glancing at the clock on the wall. "You guys keep talking—I gotta get things ready!" He rushes back to the kitchen, putting his chef hat back on.

With Kyle gone, Terri refocuses on Orin. "First, tell me—did that age issue get resolved? It must have, or else you wouldn't have gotten the official timings for the exam," she says, looking at him curiously.

"Yes. After months of sending emails, explaining that I would be 15 by opening day and should be allowed to apply, I had pretty much lost hope. I figured it was a long shot anyway—rules for the top academy must be strict. If they say the minimum age is 15, then that's that. But then, out of nowhere, I got the confirmation email last evening saying my application was accepted and that I could take the exam today," Orin says with a wry smile.

"They confirmed it just yesterday evening? But the exams have been running in every region since February! They are giving you no time to prepare—and today's the last day for the admission test!" Terri exclaims, her voice laced with worry.

"And now you can't even go to another city for the exam, since Saffron is the only test center left in Kanto," Duplica chimes in with a sigh.

"Yeah, you would have a much better chance elsewhere," Terri adds, looking at him with concern.

"I agree. A friend of mine was planning to take the exam in Pallet Town—she was sure it would be the easiest there," Duplica says, nodding.

Orin raises an eyebrow. "Was this friend of yours the one who told you all these details about the exam?"

"Aha… ha… no friend! What friend? I don't have any online friends! None at all! Haha!" Duplica laughs sheepishly, avoiding eye contact.

Both Orin and Terri look at her suspiciously.

"Umm… please don't ask me about her," she mutters, rubbing the back of her neck. "She made me promise not to tell anyone about her. And especially not to share these exam details with anyone."

Orin was even more curious now but decided to let it go, not wanting to pressure her.

"So, are you really planning to take the exam today, Orin?" Terri asks, bringing the focus back to him.

"Yes" Orin nods, already prepared.

"You know… you could just wait a year," Duplica says, twirling a strand of her hair, looking away from him. "Next year, I will be 15 too, and we could take the exam together."

"What? Weren't you planning to apply for the Indigo Performers Academy, Duplica?" Terri asks, staring at her friend, feeling a bit thrown off.

"Well, the best Performer's Academy is still Nexus," Duplica replies with a grin. "What? You don't think I can pass the exam? I will have you know, I am a genius at imitation—so I can even imitate geniuses like this guy over here." She points her thumb at Orin.

"If you have thought it through, I guess," Terri says, though she sounds a bit bummed out.

"But obviously, I won't take the exam in Saffron City—nope!" Duplica shudders. "I don't want to face Orin's scary big sister. I might just pee my pants in front of her. Hahaha!" She says laughing sheepishly.

Terri nods deeply. "I completely understand you."

Orin looks between the two of them, speechlessly. "She is not that scary," he says with a wry smile.

"She is," Duplica says, shuddering again.

"She definitely is," Terri nods in agreement. "Do you remember the Gym Battle between your sister and Kyle's father—the ex-Fighting Gym Leader, Karate Master Koichi Sensei—three years ago?" she asks in a serious tone.

"Obviously. You, me, and Kyle were all there in person," Orin says with a nod. That battle had decided the official Gym of Saffron City—whoever won would claim the title, while the loser would be stripped of their rank and privileges. At the time, Orin had already been a student at Koichi's gym for a couple of years, learning the basics of karate. That was where he met and befriended Kyle, the Gym Leader's son, as well as Terri, who was also training there.

"Yeah… That day, your big sister completely crushed Sensei. She took out all six of his Pokémon with just one of hers," Terri says, clasping her hands together and looking down somberly. "I still get nightmares about that battle." She adds, shaking her head.

Orin had nothing to say to that. Koichi-sensei shouldn't have stupidly relied on only pure Fighting-types, especially against one of the strongest Psychic trainers. Orin was sure sensei had underestimated his big sister, as she had just graduated from Nexus back then.

Even Kyle had once privately told Orin that his father should have known better. After all, Sabrina had already defeated koichi-sensei for a gym badge once when she was just sixteen.

"Even I have seen that battle on the internet—it was terrifying," Duplica says, shuddering. "Actually, all of your big sister's battles are scary. She is definitely scarier than even Ghost-type trainers." She clings to Orin's arm and pleads,"You should just wait until next year and take the exam somewhere else, Orin!"

"You know I have to face her eventually if I really intend to attend Nexus," Orin says with a wry smile.

"Then you can just join Saffron University with me instead," Terri says, holding his hand. "It's too late for this year since our classes start tomorrow, but next year works too. You will definitely pass the exam easily, and then I can guide you as your senior at the academy," she adds with a genuine smile.

If he agrees, we can be together in the same college.

Just say yes, that way we will be in the same year.

Orin hears two distinct female voices in his mind—the first sounds like Terri, the second like Duplica. He doesn't react much to the foreign thoughts echoing in his head. This is just his telepathic ability at work, letting him hear their unspoken words.

It's nothing new. In fact, it happens quite often, especially around girls. And even more so when they are touching him—just like now, with Terri holding his hand and Duplica clinging to his arm.

"Girls, let me take the exam first," Orin says with a wry smile. "If I pass, I can confront my big sister directly. I have a lot of questions for her... though I don't know if she will answer them even this time."

"All the best," Terri says with a small sigh, offering an encouraging smile as she squeezes his palm before letting go.

"Oh, if nothing else, can you at least get permission to come with us to Goldenrod Mall this Sunday?" Duplica asks with a grin, patting his arm before releasing him. "You have never been there, right?" she asks curiously.

"You know I haven't," Orin says, rolling his eyes. He is well aware of the massive shopping mall in Goldenrod City, located in the neighbouring Johto region.

In fact, Orin has never set foot outside this city—and he knows exactly who is responsible for that: his Big Sister. That's why confronting her is no longer an option; it's a necessity.

"Well, we are taking the Magnet Train this Sunday, so it will be a quick and safe trip. She should at least give you permission for that," Terri says with a nod.

"Honestly, by then you will be fifteen," Duplica says with a sly grin. "Legally, you will be allowed to even own Pokémon – she won't be able to stop you this time." She chuckles, adding, "Hell, some centuries ago, even ten-year-olds could own Pokémon and embark on journeys."