Pokémon：Trainer's Gambit

The weekend was over, and Natsume had to return to Tokyo Metropolitan University for classes.

The quarterfinals of the Piplup Cup were scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.

But Natsume wasn't worried at all. Instead, it was Yuuichi who was anxiously pacing around him.

"Brother Natsume, are you really confident about this?"

"The quarterfinals are full of hidden talents. You can't afford to be careless!"

Natsume chuckled. "Don't worry, I won't be careless!"

Beside them, Kazuya elbowed Yuuichi and teased, "Why are you so worked up when Natsume isn't even worried?"

"It's not like you're the one competing. Besides, Brother Natsume must've been training in secret again!"

"Tsk tsk, just like last time 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."

Natsume's expression turned complicated.

Darn it!

I actually did train yesterday!

Ugh, I can't even argue back!

Natsume's advancement to the top eight had happened last Saturday, and many classmates only found out about it today.

Everyone looked at Natsume with strange expressions.

Good grades, handsome, and now skilled at Pokémon battles…

Are you cheating or something?!

"Natsume's predictions are insane. He's already broken records, right?"

"Yeah, he's the only non-Battle Department student in the top eight!"

The morning class was Economics with Professor Kenta, the one who had sent Natsume 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, "Natsume, someone'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, Natsume walked out of the classroom, confused.

I haven't done anything wrong recently, have I?

Why is someone pulling me out of class?

Outside, the middle-aged man nodded.

"You're Natsume, 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 Natsume's private victory over Sakurako could be considered a fluke, then his advancement 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 Natsume's potential.

Takashi had prepared a whole speech in advance.

He was ready to offer things like a recommendation letter for a Trainer's license and the possibility of a guaranteed spot in graduate school.

But Natsume's opening move completely caught him off guard.

"Sorry, Coach Takashi," Natsume 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 moment, and then asked, "You don't plan on becoming a Trainer?"

Natsume 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?"

Natsume chuckled awkwardly. "Her Granbull wasn't in top condition. I just got lucky."

Takashi fell silent.

The reason he had sought out Natsume wasn't just because of his top-eight status. Someone had sent him a video, which played a big role in his decision.

In the video, Natsume's unconventional predictions completely overwhelmed Sakurako.

Someone with this level of strategic thinking… doesn't want to be a Trainer?

Is there something wrong with him, or is it me?!

"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 time, come up with a better excuse. Even Shunsuke, the head of the Battle Department, has his eye on you."

"He wants me to join the school team too?" Natsume asked, surprised.

"No, he wants you to transfer to his department."

"That's fine," Natsume smiled. "I'm used to it."

Being in the top three of his major, Natsume was already highly sought after within the Economics department.

Add to that Professor Rowan's recommendation letter, which was still sitting in his drawer at home.

Natsume wasn't opposed to changing majors; he just hadn't found the right opportunity yet.

The day's classes ended.

As Natsume 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!]

Natsume had also asked Yuuichi about the other top-eight contestants.

Three from Tokyo Metropolitan University, three from Osaka University, one from Yokohama National University, and one from Tokyo Metropolitan 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 become official Trainers, challenge Gyms, and eventually compete for a spot in the league championships.

"It's not worth it," Natsume shook his head. "Those monsters are way too talented!"

Red, who became the Kanto League Champion within a year of starting out.

Blue Oak, who became 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 Natsume much.

As long as I'm a loser, no one can bring me down!

When he got home, Gastly was watching TV.

The program was titled "National League Master-Level Tournaments."

Gastly was fully focused, nodding occasionally and taking notes with a pencil in its mouth.

"Gastly!" (Got it, I totally get it now!)

Natsume 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 some kind of problem?]

[Natsume-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 comment reminded Natsume of something.

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 time to consider evolution.

But since this was Natsume's first time raising a Pokémon, evolution required a lot of preparation.

With his usual curiosity, Natsume asked sincerely:

[Natsume-sensei: How do I get Gastly to evolve?]

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