Wanderer of the Pokémon World

Chapter 263: A Different Kind of School

The Fearow, which had been so fiercely aggressive just moments before, now stood calmly beside Rinko, allowing Daisy's touch without protest. Remarkable, Xiu thought.

Daisy has a way with Pokémon, an innate empathy that even a wild, territorial creature like this Fearow can sense. It had taken him and Abra a combination of brute force and psychic coercion to earn the Fearow's grudging respect. Daisy, it seemed, had achieved a similar result with kindness in a matter of moments.

He pushed aside the observation, focus returning to his primary purpose. "Rinko," he began, his tone all business, "have you had a chance to review the information I left you? The basic principles of Pokémon training and combat strategy?"

He had compiled some texts, hoping she would familiarize herself with the core concepts before he attempted any practical instruction. A few days should have been sufficient for someone of her intellect to grasp the fundamentals.

"I have," Rinko replied, turning to him. "I've read it through several times. But I confess," she added, a hint of frustration in her voice, "some of the concepts are still… unclear."

"It's okay," Xiu nodded. "Theory is one thing; practical application is another. Perhaps a more direct approach is needed. Come inside, all of you." He gestured towards the villa.

"I'll try to explain my understanding of Pokémon, combat, and training— in a way that's perhaps more… easier to digest." He then glanced at Daisy and a sullen Gary. "You two can listen in if you want."

He didn't particularly care if they joined or not, but if he was going to expend the effort to teach Rinko, they might as well absorb some of the knowledge. One student, three students… the effort is roughly the same.

Daisy, ever eager for new experiences, readily agreed. Gary, after a moment of feigned indifference, reluctantly followed. Rinko, leaving her Vileplume to continue sunbathing, led them back into the villa.

As they entered, Rinko noticed the sweat on Xiu's brow, a consequence of his brisk walk up the mountain in the morning heat. "Xiu, you're sweating," she observed, then disappeared briefly into another room, returning with a fresh set of clothes. "You should change and have a quick wash before we start. You'll be more comfortable." She pressed the clothes into his hands.

Xiu, holding the bundle, felt a moment of awkwardness. He glanced at Daisy, who was watching the exchange with a curious, slightly amused expression. She probably thinks Rinko keeps some spare clothes for me here.

The walk under the morning heat had left him feeling sticky and uncomfortable, however, he was not one to stand on ceremony. "Thank you, Rinko," he said, accepting the clothes. "That's very thoughtful. You all get settled; I'll be right back."

"Rinko-neechan," Daisy asked, her voice laced with playful curiosity, "does Big Brother Xiu often borrow your clothes?"

"Oh, he works up quite a sweat when he helps in the garden," Rinko replied innocently. "It's only normal for him to freshen up here."

"I see," Daisy murmured, a knowing smile playing on her lips. Rinko then steered the conversation towards fresh-baked cookies, effectively distracting her.

Five minutes later, Xiu emerged, feeling refreshed and considerably more comfortable. He found Rinko and Daisy chatting animatedly in the living room, a tea set and a plate of cookies already laid out on the coffee table. Gary sat stiffly on the edge of the sofa, looking bored and a bit out of place.

"Alright," Xiu announced, wasting no time. He sat down, not on the sofa, but on a comfortable floor cushion, adopting a more informal posture. "Let's begin." He looked at Rinko, then at Daisy and Gary. "First, we need to establish some fundamental concepts. What is a Pokémon battle? And more importantly, what is a fight?"

He began his impromptu lecture with stories, anecdotes, and practical examples drawn from his own experiences. He spoke of Pokémon behavior, strategy, the importance of understanding one's opponent, exploiting weaknesses, and leveraging strengths.

He deconstructed common battle scenarios, analyzed different Pokémon abilities, and explained the underlying principles of various moves. His lecture was unconventional, more of a conversation than a formal lesson.

The theory itself might have been dry, but he interspersed it with real life experiences and accounts of actual battles. He also spoke of the common Pokémon of Kanto, their strengths, their weaknesses, and their unique abilities.

"And that," Xiu concluded, glancing at the clock, "is enough for our first session." He had deliberately kept it concise. Timing is everything. Overwhelm them with too much information, and they'll retain nothing. Better to leave them wanting more.

"And you told me once that you've never actually attended a formal Trainer's school, have you, Big Brother Xiu?" Daisy asked, her brow furrowed in thought. She had some experience with Pokémon theory from her own education, and much of what Xiu had said— particularly regarding Pokémon physiology and ability mechanics —was surprisingly advanced and technically accurate, delivered with an understanding that seemed out of place for someone his apparent age and lack of formal credentials.

"Does it matter where one acquires knowledge, Daisy?" Xiu countered with a smile. "Is a school the only valid source of learning?" He gestured around the living room. "Is this a school? Perhaps. Perhaps not. The place of learning is irrelevant. The desire to learn, the initiative to seek out knowledge – that is what truly matters."

"Yes!" Gary interjected suddenly, his earlier boredom forgotten, his eyes shining with a newfound enthusiasm. "I agree! School is mostly useless anyway!"

"No, no, no," Xiu quickly corrected, shaking his head, a helpless smile on his face. "That's not what I meant at all, Gary. I'm not degrading the value of standard education.

Schools provide a structured path and guidance from experienced teachers. That can make the journey of learning smoother, more efficient." He paused, then added, "I, too, have had teachers and mentors who guided me.

Just as when I have questions about botany, I consult Miss Rinko here. In that context, she is my teacher and vice versa. We learn from each other." If Gary misinterprets my words and tells Professor Oak he's quitting school because 'Xiu said it was useless,' I'll never hear the end of it.

He looked at the three of them. "Alright. Take a break. Digest what we've discussed. Then, if you have questions, we can explore them further."

Rinko, who had been listening with rapt attention, seemed to emerge from a trance. So much information, so many new concepts, poured into her mind all at once… for someone with her limited experience in Pokémon battling, it was a lot to absorb.

Soon, the living room was filled with discussion, questions flying back and forth, as Rinko and Daisy, and even a surprisingly engaged Gary, sought to clarify, to understand, and to challenge the ideas Xiu had presented.

Time, as it often does when one is engrossed, passed quickly. Before they knew it, the afternoon sun was beginning to dip towards the horizon. "It's getting late," Xiu announced, standing up.

"We should probably head back." He retrieved a thick, leather-bound notebook from his backpack – his own meticulously compiled notes on Pokémon training, battle strategy, and energy manipulation – and handed it to Rinko. "I may not have time to visit for the next few days, so study this for the meantime. We can discuss it further when I return."

After Xiu, Daisy, and Gary had departed, Rinko sat alone in the quiet living room, the heavy notebook resting in her lap. The echoes of their conversation, of Daisy's cheerful laughter, still seemed to linger in the air, a stark contrast to the usual profound silence of her solitary existence.

She had grown accustomed to silence and solitude. Or so she had thought. Xiu's visits, Daisy and Gary's unexpected appearance today… they had disrupted that fragile equilibrium, reawakening a sense of… something— perhaps a desire for connection and companionship.

The silence, now, felt heavier, more profound, than it ever had before.