“Thank you for your guidance, Nari. I learned so much today.”

As evening approached, Nari prepared to leave the store with her Scizor. After a full day of study and guidance, both she and her Pokémon had gained significant insights—particularly about how to enhance the power of Steel-types. Aegislash had a lot of expertise in that area.

Aegislash looked visibly relieved when Hikaru returned, clearly thinking finally, she’s leaving. Kids were hard to handle.

Mainly, it was because Nari asked far too many questions. Once she discovered that Aegislash could write, it was like she’d found an entirely new world. She transformed from shy and quiet to brimming with excitement, endlessly inquiring about Aegislash’s experiences and sensations as a Steel-type Pokémon.

“For humans, Pokémon that can communicate are incredibly valuable, since they can provide far more accurate and authentic information. Nari isn’t a researcher, but if it were Professor Oak or Professor Fennel, I’m sure they’d bombard you with even more questions.”

“But Mistralton City is already undergoing cleanup. I imagine school will resume soon?”

“Yes,” Nari pushed up her glasses. “The school sent out a notice. It’ll take a few more days though. Classes will resume once it’s confirmed that Team Plasma has completely left Mistralton.”

“Gehh.”

Aegislash wasn’t upset with Nari, really. After all, it had seen similar Steel-type obsession from a certain rock expert—Nari and Steven would likely get along just fine.

“I’ve heard the name Daigo Tsuwabuki,” Nari muttered, reflecting. “The Champion of the Hoenn Region. Supposedly one of the strongest Steel-type Trainers… but I’m still too weak. And I have to go to school, so I can’t travel.”

As much as she wanted to go to Hoenn and meet true masters of Steel-types, Nari was on the academic track, not the wild Trainer path like Ash. The downside of the academy route was the lack of freedom to travel.

Well, except for Naranja/Uva Academy, of course. With its 800-year-old heritage and unique teaching philosophy, it allowed students to venture out freely for treasure hunts. Though basic classes still had to be attended, it was far more lenient than other academies.

Oh right! Aegislash reminded Hikaru—

Someone strange had come by today!

“A strange person? Not another Trainer looking for their Pokémon?”

“Gehh (Nope, not looking).”

Unlike the others who had come to retrieve their Pokémon partners, this visitor was tall, dark-skinned, dressed in a white trench coat and hat, and had a gentleman Trainer classification.

Gentlemen—introduced in the first generation—were a unique Trainer class that appeared in every region. Their common trait? They gave you loads of money when defeated.

Aegislash handed Hikaru a card. It was entirely blue, looking very high-class, with one word prominently printed on it: Blueberry Academy.

[That old gentleman introduced himself as Cyrano. He had a battle with young Nari. I don’t know who won because I was here watching the shop. At first, he wanted to battle me, but he declined after realizing Nari would have trouble commanding me.]

[Still, the old gentleman seemed very pleased and told Nari that once she was old enough, she should enroll in Blueberry Academy. He said he’d personally handle the enrollment process. He claimed he’d seen news of a powerful Trainer and came looking for you, and happened to be in Mistralton for business.]

[Sounds like he wants to recruit you as a teacher? Strange. Don’t human teachers need certification?]

Aegislash recounted the afternoon’s events. Nari, nearby, nodded along.

“…I’m guessing Aegislash is talking about Principal Cyrano visiting this afternoon.”

“I lost again. But I’m not upset. The principal is really strong. I’m still young—one day I’ll surpass him.”

“That’s the spirit. Winning is easy. But it’s in defeat that you truly test and improve yourself. Every loss gives you something to learn from, and with each lesson, you grow stronger.”

Cyrano—the founder and principal of Blueberry Academy, sister school to Naranja/Uva Academy—was still preparing the academy’s official launch. He was an old friend of Clavell, Naranja Academy’s current principal.

Well… former principal. In Scarlet and Violet’s timeline, that wandering old man had returned to being a researcher.

Which meant Cyrano himself had probably been a researcher too. How else could he design something as incredible as the Terarium?

Nari added, “Principal Cyrano came mostly for you, big brother. He hopes you’ll become a teacher at the new academy and said he’ll return soon. He’s quite busy.”

“Blueberry Academy is scouting for Trainers with talent and experience—not just for teachers and staff, but also for potential students.”

“He offered to enroll me early, but I don’t think it’s necessary. Losing today made me more certain—I still have a lot to learn.”

“Ah, you probably don’t know, but this kind of thing is common in Unova. The mayor of Opelucid City, Drayden, is also the principal of the Twin Dragon Academy.”

“He travels around seeking gifted kids and brings them back to study. It’s the largest and most resource-rich school in Unova.”

Great. I show up on TV once, and late-game bosses like Cyrano start appearing.

“I’m not really planning to become a teacher. When Cyrano comes back, I’ll politely decline.”

“Besides, I don’t even have a teaching certificate. And usually, only researchers or research assistants switch careers into teaching. I’m just a traveling Trainer from another region.”

Trying to trick me into grinding Blueberry League battles?

No thanks!

Still, if we’re talking about Blueberry Academy, the most impressive thing is definitely the environment-altering Terarium Core.

That hasn’t been built yet, though. Its designer, Briar, should still be conducting ecological research across regions. The construction doesn’t even begin until the time of Scarlet and Violet.

“To gather different people and experiences, and use everyone’s strength together—’Unova as one,’ that’s the Unovan spirit,” Nari quoted. “That’s what Principal Cyrano said.”

“As for teachers, many outstanding Trainers get recruited without certificates. They can get them later. If you’ve competed in the League or placed in tournaments, you don’t even need one.”

“Gym Badges are, after all, a kind of qualification proof…”

Nari and Hikaru discussed the events of the day. Most of the Pokémon had been returned, and the shop suddenly felt quiet. Nari eventually left—but promised to return tomorrow to keep “learning.”

After she left, the Tree of Connection sent a message.

A special bonus reward for Hikaru’s efforts that day.

Release Orb ×2.

“Only two?”

Hikaru held the suddenly-appeared silver-white orbs in his hand, feeling the Tree was a little stingy.

The Tree of Connection, sensing Hikaru’s skepticism, followed up with some notes.

[Note: Release Orbs require human willpower to be produced. Current levels are too low to generate more. Please continue your efforts.]

[Note 2: The Tree of Connection gathers human will. This resonating will is the power that helps others. When human will is weak, Release Orbs cannot be formed.]

[Note 3: When Unova’s collective life force is united in spirit, the Tree will continue to grow—slowly, steadily, responding to everyone’s hearts. When will is lacking, the world of Connection appears as ancient ruins.]

“I see… that actually makes me feel a little guilty. Like I’m exploiting you.”

[Note 4: By meeting adventurers, honing your strength, and listening to the will of others, the Tree of Connection listens too.]

[Note 5: Wanting to leave a good impression, or desiring reward—even those ‘selfish’ thoughts can become reasons to help others. Because helping others is the right thing to do. That is the true essence of Connection. Even small acts of kindness can change a life and spark new will.]

Huuu—

Hikaru examined the orbs carefully. With the one from before, he now had three.

Release Orbs could be used to craft any kind of item. They weren’t ordinary “minerals,” but crystallized power from Unova’s people—their collective spirit. Truly the essence of the land.

No wonder they were classified as “Craftworks” instead of “Materials.”

He used to think simply suppressing Team Plasma would preserve the Connection—but now it seemed the Tree was already weak.

Hikaru began tinkering with the three Release Orbs. Having learned the crafting method previously, he worked smoothly and expertly.

His Pokémon gathered around, watching curiously as he shaped the orbs into various item substitutes. Their eyes widened in astonishment.

When crafting cloth items, the orb melted into a liquid form—or transformed into fine threads. And soon, the first new item was complete.

[Craftwork: Spy Cloak]

[Description: A hooded cloak that deceives the enemy’s gaze. Made using powerful weaving techniques with black cloth and Release Orbs as substitute materials.]

[Effect: While worn, user’s body becomes hidden and immune to secondary effects from moves.]

[Extra: Sometimes, secret whispers can be heard. The wearer becomes harder to detect.]

Harder to detect?

Hikaru looked at the cloak in his hands, puzzled.

Seriously? Wearing this makes you less noticeable?

The Pokémon discussed the astonishing sight. Aegislash and Lilligant were less shocked—they’d participated in crafting before. The properties of Release Orbs were indeed mystical.

Grotle thought about its own body’s changes and accepted it as well.

But Riolu couldn’t.

The blue pup jumped onto the table, picked up an orb, and flipped it around in its paws.

What is this thing? So magical?

“There’s even more impressive stuff.” Hikaru picked up the second orb and, after thinking, pulled out a rare stone—

An Eviolite.

He’d dug it up with Gigalith and Glimmora.

He placed the small purple shard beside the orb and infused the Release Orb with the Rock Technique, grinding it simultaneously.

Slowly, the orb’s surface grew rough. The more he ground it, the rougher it became, eventually losing its glossy luster—and morphing into a brand-new, palm-sized Eviolite!

By using the Rock Technique, one could artificially simulate the environment where rare stones are formed. With the right grinding method, Release Orbs could be specially processed.

And thus… a miracle was created!

“According to the manual, if you have enough Release Orbs, combined with spiritual forging and energy awakening, you can eventually craft all kinds of Orbs and Gems!”

Not just the classic Life, Toxic, and Flame Orbs—but even the mysterious orbs from the Dungeon World could be quickly manufactured.

Now only one Release Orb remained. Riolu became even more curious. It sniffed the orb, bit it, but… nothing. Just a normal rock.

The blue pup thought for a moment, then used Aura—to sense the pulse within the orb.

In that instant—

Riolu heard countless voices. The collective will of lives across Unova resonated in its mind—so intense that it nearly pulled Riolu into another dimension. A hazy vision of ancient ruins… or a long-forgotten world.

Then, the vision vanished. Riolu opened its eyes, still standing in the same spot.

“Awuu!” It quickly relayed the experience to Hikaru.

“Connection infiltration?”

Hikaru hadn’t expected Riolu to enter the Connection World just from sensing the orb with Aura. That was supposed to be impossible without the C-Gear device.

But in the games, there had been something strange—

In Black 2 and White 2, at the Pokémon Sanctuary, the Sage Rood ran a chapel in Driftveil. There, odd people spoke of mysterious help they once received in other worlds—talking about secrets of the Connection.

By Black and White 2, they had all vanished.

Occasionally, visitors from mirror worlds would appear in Black City and White Forest. Unova was full of eerie and magical oddities. In the anime, it even had natural time-travel portals.

“Infiltrating via Aura… but unstable. And the visions were different each time.”

“So the C-Gear’s Connection function… is really just artificial Aura?”

Then this last orb…

Seeing the pup’s cautious expression, Hikaru had a sudden idea.

Right—let’s turn this into a medal. Just like the earlier message suggested—Mistralton didn’t have a proper Medal Bureau. So why not craft one from the Release Orb and award it to those with outstanding potential?

A true Unova Will commendation! It could be a powerful way to unite hearts!

[Note 6: Crafting a Will Medal? Excellent idea! You can embed Aura into it—this will help people better resonate with the Connection World.]

“Oh? You agree too? Then let’s do it!”

“Let’s forge the very first official Will Medal!”

“Riolu, I’ll leave it to you. This is your first task. You’re the best fit—since you just heard the Connection’s voice through Aura.”

Hikaru pointed to the blue pup. Riolu blinked and looked at the others.

Huh?

A task?

But I’m just a doggo! Dogs have to work too?

Riolu cautiously prepared to unleash Aura—but Aegislash stopped it and passed along a secret incantation.

Huh? A Trainer’s special mantra?

“Awuu?”

Riolu blinked and closed its eyes, half-believing, half-doubting—then began to chant.

Still, if this mantra helped better understand Aura, maybe it did have power.

Alright, let’s try.

“The power of Aura dwells in my heart!”

“Awuu!”

(End of Chapter)

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep