Pokémon: Starting with a Bound Entry System

Chapter 218: News from School

After the incident with the Ghost-type Pokémon gathering, Hikaru's request to leave immediately was promptly rejected by the elderly woman.

Her reasoning was simple: the situation was still unclear.

It was better to wait until things settled down.

Thus, Hikaru had no choice but to wait for an hour. Only after the Damnson siblings finished their gym challenges and it was confirmed that the Ghost-types no longer targeted him did she finally allow him to leave.

---

"Thank you, Grandma…"

At the gym's entrance, Hikaru bowed slightly in gratitude.

The elderly woman patted his shoulder with a kind smile.

"No need to thank me. Just focus on walking the path of a trainer. And if you ever wish to catch a Ghost-type Pokémon, you can always come here to choose one."

Hikaru nodded and shifted his gaze to Emma and Leo Damnson.

"See you at the Youth League!"

After spending several days together, Hikaru didn't exactly develop a deep fondness for them, but he certainly didn't harbor any dislike either.

He was well aware of Emma Damnson's motives for getting close to him.

However, she had never crossed any lines. Furthermore, his Malicious Intent Detection had consistently shown them as maintaining a friendly attitude.

In the end, having more friends was always better than making enemies.

The Damnson family's connections with both the Hayashi family and the elderly woman's Ghost-type gym suggested that they were part of a prominent clan.

Given such circumstances, there was even less reason to turn them into adversaries.

---

Emma Damnson saw no reason to ask Hikaru to stay. Instead, she extended her hand.

"See you at the Youth League."

"Huh?"

Hikaru blinked, momentarily surprised by her gesture.

Then, without overthinking it, he lightly shook her hand.

The handshake was brief, their hands separating almost instantly.

Without further delay, Hikaru hopped onto Latias and, under the watchful eyes of the trio, soared into the sky.

---

The elderly woman bid the siblings farewell and returned to the gym, leaving only the Damnson siblings standing there.

Emma glanced at the gym, then at Hikaru's distant figure, absentmindedly rubbing her fingertips.

Since childhood, this was the first time she'd ever touched someone of the opposite sex.

The unfamiliar sensation rippled through her usually calm emotions, stirring faint waves in her otherwise placid heart.

---

"Uh… Sis? Which gym are we heading to next?"

The saying "a woman's heart is like the depths of the ocean" couldn't have been more true.

Leo Damnson had no idea what his sister was thinking.

All he could do was cautiously ask for their next destination.

Emma quickly collected herself, dismissing the odd feeling as she summoned her Pidgeot.

"To Xiang Province. We'll challenge the Dragon-type gym there. And while we're at it, we'll head to Alto Mare and search for Latias and Latios again."

With her mind refocused, Emma mounted Pidgeot without sparing her brother another glance.

The sharp cry of the bird echoed as Pidgeot shot into the sky.

Leo, left with no choice, summoned his own Pidgeot and hurriedly followed.

Internally, he sighed in resignation.

The Dragon-type gym…

This just made his challenge twice as difficult.

After all—

His Gallade didn't even have Fairy-type moves…

---

Shortly after the siblings departed, in the shadows cast by the tall, round tower behind the gym, a humanoid Pokémon with glowing orange-yellow light slowly rose.

Then, like mist, it melted back into the shadows.

---

Later, in Guizhou Province, after Hikaru collected his 500,000-yuan prize money, he finally had time to check the messages on his Green Bubble app.

A month's worth of unread messages had piled up.

The first set came from Kei Hama, his supposed school contact.

The messages were repetitive, all revolving around the same topic:

---

[Kei Hama]: Hikaru, when will you be able to transfer your student registration and officially enroll at the university?

[Kei Hama]: Hikaru, can you make it to the school before October?

---

Hikaru had already seen the messages yesterday but had chosen to ignore them.

Now seemed like the right time to respond.

---

[Hikaru]: Cough, cough… I'm currently challenging gyms and preparing for the Youth League. I should be able to get to Kyoto before October. Please help me apply for a leave of absence. Thanks a lot!

---

Of course, Hikaru knew the truth.

The person messaging him wasn't actually Kei Hama—it was Kei Yoji, the principal of Zhongqing University and Kei Hama's grandfather.

The shift in tone and formality made it obvious.

---

After a long pause, another message finally arrived.

---

[Kei Hama]: So early? You're already planning to participate in the Youth League? Why not wait and accumulate more experience for next year?

---

At that very moment, in the principal's office of Zhongqing University, Kyoto—

Principal Kei Yoji sat at his desk, frowning as he stared at Hikaru's reply on the computer screen.

Ever since learning that Kei Hama had Hikaru's contact information, Kei Yoji had practically taken over the Green Bubble account.

After all, Hikaru hadn't officially transferred his student registration yet.

Technically speaking, he could still choose to enroll at another university.

That was something Kei Yoji simply couldn't allow.

---

"Participating in the Youth League this early?"

Kei Yoji muttered to himself, puzzled by Hikaru's decision.

After witnessing Hikaru's performance during the High School League, he was certain Hikaru had the talent to compete in the Youth League.

But to achieve a top ranking?

That was a different story altogether.

There was no denying Hikaru's talent.

Kei Yoji had already reviewed Hikaru's records.

From Shuimu High School to the High School League, Hikaru had consistently secured first place.

But now, rushing into the Youth League…

Wasn't he being too impatient?

---

"If he fails to meet his expectations, will the disappointment break his spirit?"

Kei Yoji couldn't help but worry.

In his decades of teaching, he'd seen far too many cases like this.

---

Many young prodigies, after dominating small-town competitions, grew overly confident and arrogant.

Then, upon entering university, they found themselves surrounded by trainers far superior to them.

Desperate to prove themselves, they pushed harder and harder, only to discover that the gap kept widening.

Eventually, they encountered someone so strong it felt like an insurmountable mountain—someone they could only look up to, never surpass.

Faced with such a blow, many broke down, losing their passion for training altogether.

---

This happened far too often.

These young talents weren't lacking in potential.

Even if they couldn't reach the pinnacle of competitive training, they could still become outstanding trainers in the future.

As a teacher who had guided countless students, Kei Yoji couldn't help but feel pity for such wasted potential.

---

"Is Hikaru rushing headlong into the same trap?"

That thought prompted Kei Yoji to send the warning message.

But Hikaru's next reply dispelled all his worries.

---

[Hikaru]: I remember participants can enter the Youth League up to three times, right? This is just a trial run. Rankings don't matter. It's all about the experience.

---

"So… he already anticipated my concerns?"

Kei Yoji blinked, momentarily surprised by Hikaru's calm outlook.

Without further hesitation, he typed out another message.

---

[Kei Hama]: Got it. If you can return before October, that would be ideal.

[Kei Hama]: Don't worry, I'll handle the leave of absence with your professors. Around October, the school will likely organize a freshman expedition to a secret realm. Keep an eye on the schedule and prepare accordingly.

---

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