Yum Restaurant was one of the most renowned establishments in Lake City. Its fame stemmed from crafting gourmet Pokémon meals, distinct from the usual energy cubes commonly fed to Pokémon.
Instead of simple cubes, the chefs here created meals using fresh fruits, meats, vegetables, and a variety of intricate cooking methods.
Everyone knew that feeding human food to Pokémon regularly could lead to health issues, just as humans could suffer from an unbalanced diet of high-fat or high-sugar foods.
Because of this, professional Trainers were careful, rarely offering their Pokémon regular human meals.
However, despite the risks, it was no secret that Pokémon found human food far tastier than their typical fare or energy cubes.
As a result, a niche of specialized restaurants catering to Pokémon cuisine emerged.
Today, Julian had brought Metagross and the rest of his team to dine at Yum. Without the prestige of the Walker family name, securing a reservation would have been impossible—there was a six-month waitlist.
"Welcome, Young Master Walker," the waiter at the entrance greeted Julian respectfully as soon as he approached.
The management had obviously been informed that a member of the Walker family would be dining today.
"Your VIP room is ready," the waiter added, opening the door with a polite gesture.
Julian gave a small nod and glanced around the bustling hall. Trainers and their Pokémon filled the space, enjoying the gourmet food.
The Pokémon in the hall were all smaller species, given the limited space between the tables.
The VIP room, however, was a different story. It had only one large table, and the room's size was comparable to that of the main hall.
The space could easily accommodate even large Pokémon—there was enough room for ten Steelix if needed. The decor was elegant and understated, not overly luxurious, but it had a serene charm.
Once they were settled in the room, the waiter handed Julian a menu. The menu itself was quite short—just twenty dishes in total. Yet, each dish was so expensive that the average person's monthly salary wouldn't be enough to cover even one.
Julian took a quick glance at the menu and handed it back. "We'll have one of each," he said simply.
The waiter blinked, taken aback for a moment by the unexpected order. Then he quickly understood. Julian meant to order every dish on the menu.
"Right away, Young Master Walker," the waiter responded before slipping out of the room and closing the door quietly behind him.
Julian then released all his Pokémon: Metagross, Lucario, Meltan, Dragonair, Aron, and Steelix.
His current roster counted seven Pokémon in total, including Slowking, who was still with his Aunt in the capital for research purposes.
According to Drakoria's Trainer Association regulations, Trainers who weren't at pseudo-Elite rank could only carry six Pokémon. For pseudo-Elite it was eight and there was no limit for Elite and above.
But since Julian's Steelix was level 66, he qualified as a pseudo-Elite and was allowed to have eight Pokémon in his party.
Julian wasn't in a rush to evolve Meltan, even though he had collected the necessary 400 Meltan candies.
As Meltan lazily rested on Aron's back, it occasionally licked Aron's back armor.
Aron, though a little annoyed, seemed to have resigned itself to its tiny companion's antics. There was no use fighting it, especially when Meltan was higher-leveled.
"Make sure you hide when someone comes in, Meltan," Julian reminded.
Meltan nodded. Being small and capable of shifting into a liquid form, it easily camouflaged itself by blending into Aron's back, making it nearly impossible to notice unless someone looked closely.
It wasn't long before a soft knock echoed through the room, the waiter entered, carrying a tray of drinks.
"These are berry drinks," the waiter explained. "Each cup is labeled according to Type, so you can match them with your Pokémon."
The drinks had been specially tailored to suit the preferences of different Pokémon Types.
Just like different regions had unique culinary preferences—Drakoria's people preferred their food cooked, while those from the Babath favored raw delicacies—Pokémon of different Types had distinct tastes.
(T/N: probably talking about Shushi here)
Julian's tray featured drinks labeled for Steel, Dragon, Fighting, and other relevant Types for his team.
The waiter hesitated momentarily, noticing there were only five Pokémon visible, yet six drinks had been ordered.
Then, his eyes fell on Steelix's enormous form. He figured the second drink must have been meant for Steelix, given the Pokémon's size.
The drinks themselves were made from various berries, known to be safe and nutritious for Pokémon. Most of these berries weren't suitable for human consumption, as they often caused adverse reactions, including vomiting and stomach aches.
Julian had been served a blend of wild apple and Oran Berry. The tartness of the apple paired with the sweetness of the Oran Berry created a perfectly balanced flavor, enhanced by the refreshing touch of mint.
As Julian sipped, he noticed his Pokémon enjoying their drinks as well.
Steelix, however, looked somewhat dismayed. The cups, despite being designed for Pokémon, were all the same size. For a creature as massive as Steelix, even a full cup seemed to barely quench its thirst.
It gazed longingly at Meltan, who was casually dipping its entire body into its cup to savor the drink.
Steelix thought back to its days as an Onix—those days were simpler, though even back then, it couldn't have fit into a cup like that.
The food began arriving shortly afterward.
"Fried Platter"
"Waterside Herbs"
"Moo Moo Cheese"
"Toast"
"Onion Stick Thin Bone"
"Mushroom Sausage"
The dishes came in sets of six, corresponding to the Types of Julian's Pokémon. Though the dishes were the same, slight adjustments had been made to suit each Pokémon's taste.
For example, Aron's meal had been seasoned with flavors that complemented its Steel typing, while Dragonair's meal had been adapted for a Dragon's palate.
The same dish, when tasted by different Pokémon, could evoke vastly different reactions. Aron had already finished its "Waterside Herbs" and now eyed Dragonair's plate, which still had some left.
Dragonair, however, wasn't feeling generous. It swiftly scarfed down the remaining herbs. But Aron, stubborn as ever, managed to sneak a bite before Dragonair could finish.
Big mistake.
Aron spat it out immediately. Whatever taste worked for Dragonair's Dragon Type was certainly not suited for Aron's Steel Type.
Aron: What the f—
Before Aron could finish its thought, Dragonair flicked its tail, sending Aron crashing into the wall.
Julian sighed, looking at the cracked wall. Today's dinner might end up costing more than just the food bill—there would likely be repair fees added to the tab.
"You had to go for Dragonair's dish, didn't you?" Julian muttered, shaking his head.
"You're Steel-type. Dragonair's taste won't work for you, of course."
It was like someone used to mild soup suddenly deciding to try an extra-spicy hot pot. What did Aron expect?
"You should've gone for Lucario's food," Julian continued. "At least it's got some Steel-type influence. You might've actually enjoyed it."
Aron, now lying pitifully on the floor, silently lamented its fate.
It couldn't even compete with Lucario when it came to food—the Fighting-type wolf was far quicker at finishing its meals.
As the waiter brought in the next round of dishes, Aron's spirits lifted once more.
On August 25th, at Lake International Airport, Julian, Shen, and Will boarded a plane bound for the imperial capital.
Will, despite not being directly invited, tagged along for a good reason. He had caught wind of Julian's plan to head to the imperial capital, and it just so happened that his own University, the Third Military Academy, was there as well.
He figured it would be the perfect opportunity to start early.
Though Will didn't place too highly in the Yale Provincial High School League, his performance was still notable.
As a result, the Third Military Academy, a well-respected institution even if it wasn't in the top tier, extended an invitation to him. Naturally, he accepted right away—it was the only invitation he received, after all.
"The academy's pretty strict, though," Julian remarked as they settled into their first-class seats. "You might find their system hard to adjust to."
Will waved the comment away with a carefree grin. "I can handle it. What's the worst they can do?"
The three-hour flight from Lake City to the imperial capital passed quickly. Shen was busy cradling her newly captured Pokémon, a Mienfoo, which looked young and curious.
"He's a nice partner," Julian said, eyeing the Mienfoo. The Pokémon had cyan qualification despite its youthful appearance.
Shen beamed with pride. "Grandpa went through a lot of trouble to get this little guy for me," she said, holding the Mienfoo a little tighter.
Julian nodded, understanding the weight behind the gesture. Shen had only recently gained her family's full recognition due to awakening of Heart's eye and this was a hard-earned achievement that had brought her this rare gift.
Shen's sense of gratitude toward Julian deepened, knowing he had played a role in her journey.
"Train him well," Julian continued, "Mienfoo's fighting style matches your abilities perfectly."
Both Mienfoo and its evolution, Mienshao, excelled in physical and mental combat, making them ideal companions for Shen's unique skills.
Julian glanced out the window, his mind wandering. There was another Pokémon that would suit Shen even better—the legendary Urshifu, known for its mastery in the way of martial arts.
With either its Single Strike or Rapid Strike forms, Urshifu brought both mind and body into perfect harmony.
Unfortunately, Urshifu was incredibly rare, recently discovered in some country's secret realm but still uncaptured.
Will, on the other hand, wasn't one to miss an opportunity for attention. "Hey, Julian, check out my Vulpix! Isn't she something?"
Julian smirked as Will held up a small Vulpix he had captured during a recent trip to the intermediate-level secret realm. Following Julian's advice, Will had explored the volcanic area and managed to not only find fire-type treasures but also subdue the Vulpix.
"Good luck, as usual," Julian said.
This Vulpix had cyan qualification, Julian himself found a cyan Slowpoke in there so considering Will's usual luck it wasn't that far-fetched.
"Call it what you want, but this cyan-qualified Vulpix is my ticket to becoming a Fire Elite!" Will declared with a proud grin.
Cyan qualifications were rare, and Will's Vulpix had the potential to evolve into a Ninetales and eventually reach Elite status.
After testing its qualifications, Will had even received an offer of one billion from a collector, which he immediately turned down.
Shen looked at Will in surprise, comparing her family's effort to secure her a cyan-qualified Mienfoo with Will's seemingly effortless capture of a cyan-qualified Vulpix.
"If this were a novel, Will, you'd definitely be the protagonist," Shen mused. "Julian would be the rich second-generation villain, rich, cold, and aloof—always giving opportunities to the underdog."
Will laughed, "Yeah, right! I really am the protagonist and Julian also has that cold, calculating exterior. You never know what he's hiding underneath, he might be a beast inside."
Julian raised an eyebrow.
"I have a top tier Fire Stone here"
"Dad, I was wrong"
Shen: ?_??
With Will's easygoing nature, the three-hour flight passed quickly. His sociable personality and knack for conversation even led him to chat with other passengers.
By the end of the flight, he had struck up a friendly conversation with a striking woman seated nearby and had even exchanged contacts.
Shen watched in disgust.
"Then brother Will, come to me when you have time in the future"
After getting off the plane, the woman said with a smile.
"Okay, I will definitely come, just don't pretend not to know me then," Will said with a grin.
The answer Will received was a shy laughter from the other party.
"Shen, I and Will are going first"
Once the plane landed, Julian spotted his aunt waiting at the gate.
Will had followed Julian and came early, so he naturally had time before University started and decided to follow Julian.
"Okay, see you at Imperial University"
"Yeah, see you at the University"
The three of them parted ways. Julian took Will and headed toward his aunt, who was waiting to pick them up.
As they walked out of the terminal, Julian spotted her standing by the exit, scanning the crowd.
Julian's aunt, a well-known Pokémon scholar, was often incredibly busy with her work. She rarely had time to return home, sometimes visiting only once a year.
Julian hadn't seen her in three years.
"Aunt Quinn," Julian greeted her warmly.
"Hi, sister," Will chimed in.
Julian shot Will a look.
"Aww, Little Juli, your friend is so funny! And sweet-talking too. Is this your boyfriend?" his aunt teased. "You haven't seen me in three years, and you're still as cold as ever. But you've really grown."
"Well, I've been waiting for 'Little Juli' to introduce me to his family," Will joked, jumping in to lighten the mood.
Julian narrowed his eyes. "Do you want to die?" he muttered, his voice cool but laced with a threat.
Will quickly realized he'd pushed it too far. He had almost forgotten what a petty person Julian can be, He cleared his throat.
"Ahem, Julian is really popular with the girls at school, but he's way too picky. The ones who like him, don't get noticed by him. As for me, I'm not as picky, but the girls still won't give me a second look!"
"Aunty, let's go," Julian said, eager to escape the conversation.
He wasn't in the mood to listen to more of Will's chatter with his aunt. The way they got along seemed like they were really aunt and nephew.
"Hahaha, jealous, Little Juli?" his aunt chuckled, reaching out to pinch Julian's cheeks just like she used to when he was a child. "Still so cute!"
"Click."
Julian glanced over at Will, who was casually turning his phone to snap some pictures of the airport, acting as though nothing had happened.
"Imperial Capital Airport sure is big," Will said, not meeting Julian's eyes. "I should take a few more pictures, to show my parents later."
Arriving at the car, Julian's aunt removed her large sunglasses, revealing a face that resembled Jake's by three or four points. Though not a classic beauty, her facial lines and features gave off a sense of calm and comfort.
From his uncle, to his father, to his aunt, and now to Julian himself, the Walker family had never been known for stunning looks. Yet calling them ordinary wasn't right either.
Julian, however, believed he was an exception. After all, both his mother and Love, the Indeedee, often claimed he was more handsome than his father, Jake.
"Julian, your aunt… why do I feel like I've seen her somewhere before?"
Will asked, squinting as he examined Quinn after she took off her sunglasses.
Before she revealed her face, Will had only noticed how young she looked, but now something about her seemed oddly familiar.
"Could it be I've awakened some past life memories? Maybe I met her in another life?" Will mused, only half-joking.
Julian shot him a glance, wondering if Will was being serious or just showing signs of mental imbalance.
"That's my aunt, Quinn Walker. Keep whatever weird ideas you've got to yourself," Julian replied coldly.
"Quinn Walker? Wait, isn't she the one from the textbooks?"
Will suddenly connected the dots. No wonder she looked familiar. Wasn't this the same person featured in their third-year textbook, "The Influence of Pokémon Abilities on Moves".
Her photo and achievements were right on the first page, celebrating her as the youngest-ever recipient of the prestigious Arceus Award, the highest honor for Pokémon scholars.
Will was amazed that this formidable figure, whose achievements were practically legendary, was standing right in front of him—Julian's aunt, no less.
"Textbooks?" Quinn raised an eyebrow, her tone curious.
Will, now a bit more serious in front of this renowned scholar, explained, "Yeah, it's your book, 'The Influence of Pokémon Abilities on Moves'. It's part of our third-year curriculum."
"Oh, that one," Quinn nodded, only vaguely recalling it.
She'd written so many papers and books over the years that she hardly remembered them all. This particular book was likely something she had delegated to her assistant, with her only needing to sign off on it.
"Alright, enough academic talk. It's almost noon— Little Juli should I take you two to lunch first or head straight to the lab?" Quinn asked.
"Let's go to the Laboratory, we will eat there"
Julian had long given up on fighting the nickname 'Little Juli' his aunt had bestowed upon him. After more than a decade of battling the name, it had become clear that his efforts to shake it were as futile as Team Rocket's endless attempts to catch Pikachu.
As they drove toward the lab, Quinn couldn't resist teasing her nephew. "Little Juli, why so glum? Don't tell me it's because I called you by that name again?"
Julian turned his gaze out the window, signaling he had no interest in engaging with her playful remarks.
"Elder brother calls you Little Lia, but I think Little Juli sounds much cuter," Quinn teased further.
The visible tension in Julian's face only amused her more. She hadn't had the chance to tease him like this in three years, and now that she could, she wasn't going to let up.
"Pfft—" Will suddenly stifled a laugh.
Julian shot him a glare, regretting bringing him along.
"Sorry! Saw something funny on my phone," Will said innocently.
Though the phone in his hand clearly displayed a photo he had taken at the airport—a perfect shot of Quinn tugging at Julian's cheeks. It was just about to be sent to his circle of friends.
"Auntie, your bodyguard has a license to kill, right? Can we just get rid of him now?" Julian muttered, his voice low.
Will: (?_??)
Quinn's laboratory was situated on the outskirts of the Imperial Capital, nestled against the scenic Norman Mountain.
It wasn't just any lab—it was one of the nation's key research centers, protected by Elite-level trainers and soldiers armed with powerful Pokémon.
The facility housed not only Quinn, a strategic-level scholar, but four other researchers, each focused on different areas of Pokémon research.
As they arrived, the security was immediately evident—every five steps, there was a checkpoint, and the soldiers were all equipped with elite-level Pokémon.
Quinn had already informed the lab about Julian and Will's visit, and thanks to Julian's connection with his grandfather, John, and his Slowking discovery, they were granted access.
However, Will was only allowed in non-restricted areas.
"Professor Walker," one of the researchers greeted as Quinn led them into the lab's dining area.
Several others acknowledged her as they passed, their gazes shifting curiously toward Julian and Will, wondering who they were to warrant such company.
The dining hall's food was of the highest quality, befitting a national research lab.
State-banquet-level chefs prepared their meals, ensuring everything was not only nutritious but also delicious.
Will, after a few bites, was in awe. "This is amazing! Everything I've eaten before feels like pig food compared to this," he said, briefly considering a career change to Pokémon scholarship just for the meals.
After lunch, Quinn took them on a tour of the lab's Pokémon care facility. Will's eyes widened as he saw rare and powerful Pokémon he had only read about in textbooks.
"Salamence, the pseudo-legendary dragon type…" Will murmured, awe-struck.
"Gardevoir, wife material.."
"A white Pikachu"
"Wait—what's that?"
Will pointed toward a figure standing on a high rock, its back straight, hands behind its back, and an air of wisdom emanating from it.
"That looks like… a Slowbro?" he asked uncertainly.
Julian stepped forward. "That's Slowking."
Slowking, who had been deep in thought about the mysteries of the universe, perked up at the sound of a familiar voice.
"Slow~!" it called out, floating down from the rock and slowly making its way over to Julian.
"How's life been at the lab?" Julian asked, patting Slowking's pink belly, which had grown noticeably rounder since he'd last seen her.
Slowking nodded, indicating she was doing well, even showing off that her level had increased from 22 to 25.
"Julian, it's called Slowking?"
"Um"
"How do you know it's called that?"
"Because it's my Pokémon"
"It's another evolution of Slowpoke," Quinn explained. "Little Juli discovered it, and I borrowed it for some research."
Will felt like he needed a moment to process everything. First, Julian's aunt was a record-breaking scholar, and now Julian owned a never before discovered Pokémon.
"Little Juli, Slowking's IQ is extremely high—It has been tested by more than 99% of the researchers in our laboratory. In fact, in its eyes, most humans are idiots. "
"But don't worry, even though it probably thinks you're stupid, as your Pokémon, it would never say so out loud. If you have any problems with your homework in the future, you can ask Slowking for advice."
Julian: (-_-)
September 1st marked the start of a new academic year for colleges and universities across the country, and the excitement was palpable. Freshmen from all over were making their way to their new campuses, while seniors eagerly waited at train stations, bus terminals, and airports to return.
Julian and Shen had already arrived in the Imperial Capital, but they hadn't seen much of each other in the past few days, each wrapped up in their own business.
The heat of the morning sun bore down as Shen stood at the east gate of Imperial University, the main entrance for students. It was already past nine o'clock, and she had been waiting for Julian, her luggage in hand, looking somewhat impatient.
With each freshman coming in, the most excited were the seniors. Whether they can finally get a girlfriend depends on this wave.
Though Shen wasn't a classic beauty by any means, her tall figure—thanks to years of martial arts training—was striking. At five-foot-nine, she exuded strength, which immediately set her apart from the softer, more delicate girls often associated with the term "freshman."
Already, she had turned down seven well-meaning seniors who had offered to help with her luggage, and her patience was wearing thin.
"Julian, you said eight o'clock!" she muttered to herself, glancing at the time again. "It's past nine already!"
"Hey do you..."
Just as another senior approached her, hoping to lend a hand, Shen's face twisted in annoyance. She cut him off with a sharp, "Roll."
The senior who thought he was quite handsome recoiled, wide-eyed, Afterall freshman were easier to coax in his eyes.
For a moment it was as if he had just seen a roaring Tyranitar bearing down on him.
Shen's fiery demeanor had earned her the nickname "female tyrannosaurus" back at Lake No. 1, and today, that reputation was on full display.
Imperial University, one of the top five universities in the Drakoria region, wasn't known for its grand entrance.
The gate was small, unremarkable even, with peeling white paint that exposed the red bricks beneath. The only eye-catching feature was the three large characters engraved on the wall: "Imperial Capital University."
Those three words alone imbued the gate with a sense of importance and history, making it a popular stop for tourists and students alike.
Finally, Julian arrived, strolling toward Shen without a hint of urgency. Shen was ready to unleash her frustration, but before she could speak, Julian shrugged nonchalantly.
"Waited long?"
Shen's eye twitched. "You're more than an hour late, and that's all you have to say?"
Julian remained unbothered. "Why are you still standing here? You could've signed up without me. It's so hot."
Shen: (▼~X)
Shen clenched her fists, glaring at him. In her mind, she imagined taking Julian down with a punch, but she knew better than to try. Even if she wanted to flatten him, she couldn't win in a fight.
The pair walked through the campus, following the signs toward the Trainer Academy's registration area.
Imperial University was massive, with over 30 different colleges covering everything from humanities and economics to languages and mathematics.
Though many students owned Pokémon, only a fraction were professional trainers, and they often pursued other interests such as research or business.
Becoming a professional trainer was a high-risk job and it required a rare combination of talent, perseverance, and resources.
For those lacking in any of these areas, being a regular student or Pokémon researcher was the more practical route.
Trainer Academy, Breeder Academy, Pokémon School of Medicine, Pokémon Research Academy, etc.
Still, the Trainer Academy was the crown jewel of Imperial University, known for its high admission standards and talented students.
By the time they reached the registration area, a line of freshmen had already formed. Ten registration points had been set up, so the line moved quickly.
After waiting for about ten minutes, it was Julian's turn. He handed his admission notice to the bespectacled senior at the desk, who scanned it.
Soon Julian's information appeared on the computer.
"Special class recruit, Julian. Student number: 202201," the senior announced, his eyes widening in surprise. "You're *the* Julian?"
"That's me," Julian replied casually. "Is there a problem?"
The senior shook his head but couldn't stop staring. It was as if he had just met some rare Pokémon.
Shen, had just finished her registration, she was also a special class recruit, which surprised the senior, as he got two special class students in one day.
"Julian, what's your student number?" Shen asked.
"202201," he answered, still puzzled by all the attention.
"As I thought," Shen said with a knowing smirk. "That makes you the representative of this year's freshman class."
"Representative? What are you talking about?" Julian asked, raising an eyebrow.
Shen rolled her eyes. "You didn't bother looking into Imperial University's traditions, did you? The freshman with student number 01 is always considered the representative of their class. It's a pretty big deal."
"Most academies follow this tradition"
"The preceding '2022' is the year, so I won't say much about that."
Julian nodded slowly as if the information was finally sinking in. "Huh. I had no idea."
Shen couldn't help but laugh at his cluelessness. "You're something else, Julian."
"What's your student number?" Julian asked, curious now.
"Mine is 23rd- 202223," Shen replied.
"But after the 01st, the other numbers don't really matter, From 02 to 30 they all just follow alphabetical order except for 01"
There's 30 students in the special class.
"Oh so that's it, you know so much"
It was obviously a compliment, but Julian's tone sounded off, it was too plain, it gave people a sense of sarcasm.
Shen looked at Julian's back, thinking about whether to settle the old debts together, and directly give him a beating. This guy was really annoying.
~Intense stare~
As they walked toward their dorms, Julian's expression shifted suddenly. His gaze darted around the campus, scanning the area.
"What's wrong?" Shen asked, noticing the sudden tension in his posture.
"I thought... I felt something. Like I was being targeted," Julian muttered. His voice lowered. "It felt like I was being stalked by something... something big."
Shen narrowed her eyes. "Don't joke about that stuff."
Julian shook his head. "It wasn't a joke. For a second, it felt like a Tyranitar had its eyes on me. But... maybe I imagined it."
Shen: (▼_▼)
Julian stopped in his tracks again. "Wait. No. That feeling's back."
Each student in the special class has a villa of their own, about 300 square meters, along with a small courtyard where Pokémon can usually roam and stay comfortably.
For those in ordinary classes, students live in shared dormitories with a four-person room arrangement, offering more limited space and privacy.
As the representative of the special class, Julian's villa was a full five times larger than the standard ones. His residence featured a gym, a swimming pool, and a Pokémon training room.
The yard alone was vast, nearly the size of one and a half football fields.
Julian, looking around, felt quite satisfied with his accommodations. While he didn't mind enduring hardships himself, he was adamant that his Pokémon should not suffer unnecessarily.
This belief was central to his approach as a trainer. A good trainer must possess such a noble consciousness, he reminded himself.
There were only four villas like his across the entire Imperial University campus, representing the representatives of each year's special class, from freshman to senior year.
The entire university campus spanned an immense 300 square kilometers—larger than some towns in the Johto Region.
Among its many facilities, the Trainer Academy occupied the largest space, with a whopping 100 square kilometers of land dedicated to it. It featured thousands of large and small battlefields scattered across its grounds.
In fact, for anyone in a relationship within Imperial University, if they weren't in the same college, it was practically a long-distance relationship due to the sheer size of the campus.
After taking a cursory look around his villa, Julian pulled his luggage out from the system space and arranged it inside. Fortunately, the rooms were cleaned regularly, sparing him the trouble of hiring a Pokémon to handle it.
Stepping out into the spacious yard, he admired the surroundings. There was a pool, a rock garden, ancient trees, and even a well-placed barbecue grill. "The school really thought of everything," he mused with a smile.
Without further delay, Julian released all of his Pokémon. Metagross, Lucario, Meltan, Dragonair, Steelix, Slowking, and Aron all emerged, looking around curiously at their new home.
"What do you think of the place?" Julian asked, addressing his team. "If you don't like it, let me know, and I'll talk to the college."
His Pokémon didn't seem too picky. Their primary requirement was having enough space to move around freely, and this place certainly provided that.
As the other Pokémon were busy exploring their new environment, but Aron rushed toward Julian, with Meltan perched playfully on its back.
"Here comes the glutton"
Julian remarked fondly, patting Aron on the head.
Thanks to the Totem soul, Aron had grown to an impressive one meter in height, even well-developed Aron typically maxed out at around 50 or 60 centimeters, so one of this size was quite extraordinary.
With such an unusual size, Aron's appetite had also grown immensely.
Julian had already begun to worry whether the hundreds of tons of raw ore he had acquired would be enough to last Aron until it evolved into Aggron.
"Okay, okay, stop licking"
Julian laughed as he gently picked up Meltan, who was eagerly licking Aron's head. Even though Aron didn't have any fur, the areas Meltan frequently licked had developed an almost mirror-like shine.
The little guy who was being carried by Julian was still unconvinced, and kept Struggling.
'Even if I can't eat the shell, can't you just let me lick it?'
Julian pulled out an Aura stone from his system space and handed it to Meltan, who eagerly started munching on it.
"I wonder if Meltan's personality will stay the same after it evolves" Julian muttered.
For now, though, he wasn't in a rush to evolve Meltan. He already had a strong team, and once a Pokémon evolved, its personality usually matured.
Julian figured it was better to let Meltan enjoy its "infant" phase a little longer.
Besides, there was no reason to push it into the limelight just yet.
"Metagross, come with me. Lucario, you're in charge while I'm gone. And make sure Meltan doesn't eat anything it's not supposed to. Steelix, no digging!"
Lucario nodded dutifully, taking command.
After Julian left, Dragonair splashed into the pool, enjoying a relaxing bath. Steelix, ever mindful of its instructions, reassured everyone, 'I won't dig any holes, don't worry.'
Meanwhile, Meltan was comfortably perched on Aron's head, happily munching on its Aura stone.
Slowking, taking a different approach to relaxation, removed its crown, pulled out a scarf from within its hollow, put the crown back on, and elegantly tied the scarf around its neck before wandering into the villa.
Lucario: So that's what the crown is for.
-
Out on the campus, Julian strolled through the Trainer Academy. Nearly every student he saw had a Pokémon walking alongside them. The caliber of students at Imperial University was high, and even the freshmen had Pokémon that were already at the Advanced level.
Sophomores generally had Pokémon that were at the Advanced peak or pseudo-Elite, and by the third year, if you weren't at least a pseudo-Elite, you were considered an underachiever at the Trainer Academy.
Of course, reaching the true Elite level was a rare achievement, something only those blessed with both luck and talent could attain.
Julian's probing eyes scanned the various Pokémon as he passed by. Most were of green qualification, which was the standard even at Imperial University.
Occasionally, he spotted one or two cyan-grade Pokémon, which stood out amidst the crowd.
The variety of Pokémon on display was remarkable. Almost every species imaginable, including pseudo-legendaries, could be found at the Trainer Academy.
Julian even spotted a student carrying a Gible, which drew some attention from passersby. Although pseudo-legendary Pokémon were not unheard of at the academy, they were still rare enough to turn heads.
But the one who garnered the most attention was Julian himself.
His impressive silver Metagross followed him closely, acting like a beacon for anyone with eyes. Many students stopped to take pictures of the unique Pokémon as it walked by.
"Wow, a silver Metagross! That's amazing," someone whispered.
"Must be a rich kid," another student muttered. "Nothing but family background."
"Hey, what did you say?" his friend asked, barely able to hear him.
"I heard Walker Elite's grandson is attending this year. That must be him," one student guessed.
The silver Metagross was an unmistakable sign, making it easy for some to deduce Julian's identity.
Not far away, a girl named Grace, who was holding her Gible, overheard the conversation. Her friend nudged her. "Do you know him?" she asked curiously.
Grace shook her head. "No, Walker Elite never brought him to any of our parties."
These gatherings were an essential part of the social circles among top trainers, where Pokémon, items, and information were often traded.
Most Elite trainers brought their juniors along to introduce them to these high-level social networks.
"Maybe Walker Elite doesn't like his grandson," her friend speculated. "I heard Walker's aiming for the championship."
"It's not that he doesn't like him," Grace clarified. "Walker Elite just said he doesn't want to waste time at those kinds of parties."
Her friend laughed. "If he showed up, everyone would just fawn over him anyway. I can see why he'd want to avoid that."
Grace just sighed.