Pokemon Paldea [240-241] (Patreon)

Chapter 240: The Eyes Watching From the Heights

Kimura had once poured his heart and soul into Charcadet, hoping it would carve a path for him through the seventh Gym.

He could never mistake it. This Ceruledge was the Charcadet he had released.

His gaze flicked between the calmly waiting Ceruledge at Lucas's back and the fallen Tyranitar.

The Tyranitar that had been a wall to them was a lamb to the slaughter before Ceruledge. The difference in battle strength was beyond comprehension.

He remembered his most recent trip to Alfornada Town a few months ago to challenge the Gym, and how he'd been beaten down again.

Compared to this Ceruledge, he'd at least seen a glimmer of hope against the Pokémon Gym Leader Tulip sent out for challengers. Ceruledge's sheer presence crushed even the thought of challenging it.

And this powerhouse was the very Pokémon he himself had let go.

A pang of regret stabbed through Kimura.

Meanwhile, the rescued Trainers clustered around Lucas, full of gratitude and nostalgia.

"Lucas, long time no see—and thank you for saving us!"

"That Ceruledge is incredible. Did you catch it later in your travels?"

"That Tyranitar we couldn't do anything against didn't even get to fight back!"

Lucas fielded their enthusiasm with a few smiles, explaining that he'd only swung by because he saw Nanna's group asking for help at the Pokémon Center.

Then someone said, "You and Mr. Kimura are close, right? Why aren't you two talking?"

"Come to think of it, he used to raise a Charcadet like a treasure. It's a shame he entrusted it to a talented relative. Otherwise, that Charcadet might've become a strong Ceruledge too, huh?"

Kimura's body went rigid. For an instant, Lucas's and Ceruledge's eyes flickered.

Lucas had wondered why no one had asked about Charcadet's sudden disappearance when everyone knew it was Kimura's great hope.

So that's the story he'd told them.

Lucas didn't need to look to know Kimura was probably begging him with his eyes not to expose him.

Saying it out loud would only rip open Ceruledge's scars. With a silent scoff, Lucas said, "You and your Pokémon are hurt. Head back to the Pokémon Center for treatment. I'll handle Tyranitar."

Only then did they fully feel the aches all over. After thanking Lucas again, they left, not noticing that he'd neatly changed the subject.

With Ceruledge, Lucas walked past Kimura to the fallen Tyranitar. Thanks to the Arcanine back home, he'd gotten used to big Pokémon. Tyranitar didn't faze him.

He took out a Poké Ball and captured it. Generally, there were two options for a Tyranitar like this: release it into the deep mountains, or have a Trainer take it on.

Since the others had left without comment, they clearly weren't getting involved. Lucas wasn't interested in raising a Tyranitar right now, so he'd have Dragonite carry it out to a rocky mountain area and release it.

With Tyranitar's ball in hand, Lucas didn't spare Kimura a glance. He turned with Ceruledge to leave.

Kimura's hoarse voice came from behind. "Thank you. You and Ceruledge saved me. If it's not too much… could you tell me how many Gyms you've cleared now?"

Lucas paused, didn't turn around, and said flatly, "Champion rank."

Before Kimura could react or respond, Lucas and Ceruledge's footsteps faded away, and they were gone from the mine.

Kimura rose unsteadily to his feet, face tangled with regret, complicated feelings, and—more than anything—an unprecedented clarity.

He wiped at his forehead and came away with a hand black with dust. With a crooked, bitter smile, he rasped, "So it was a gap in skill as a Trainer. It wasn't that Charcadet couldn't answer my expectations—I just wasn't qualified as its Trainer."

"What have I done…"

Tears of regret tracked down a face that had lost its youth. The glittering drops mixed with grime, turning murky.

…

Outside, once Lucas left the cavern, he recalled Ceruledge and summoned Dragonite again.

Ceruledge's emotions had been steady from start to finish. It hadn't shown the slightest turbulence at Kimura's appearance. That was why Lucas felt comfortable letting it handle Tyranitar.

"Let's fly out a bit farther, find some rocky mountains, and release this Tyranitar so it won't come mess with the mines again," Lucas said softly from Dragonite's back.

In a blink, Dragonite rode the wind and climbed away from the area.

In the distant woods, drawn by Tyranitar's commotion, a Pokémon that looked like a fusion of Gardevoir and Gallade lifted its head to the sky. Its red eyes tracked Dragonite and Lucas's silhouettes receding into the distance. Remembering Ceruledge's razor-edged presence from earlier, a stream of data rippled through those eyes.

Result: Strong

…

The release went smoothly. Lucas left Tyranitar a few farm-grown berries to replenish its strength.

He watched Tyranitar wake in a daze, eat in a daze, and then wander off into the mountains—still in a daze—and suddenly thought of something Hanza had mentioned that morning.

Could this Tyranitar be the same one Hanza had encountered on his travels?

Tyranitar were rare to begin with. The odds weren't bad that it was the same one.

But it was only a guess. With nothing to go on, Lucas rode Dragonite back to the Pokémon Center in Zapapico to hand Yumi Joy video proof of the release.

Even though he hadn't formally accepted the job, the paperwork and procedures still needed to be done. It saved trouble later.

From Yumi, he learned that everyone from the mission had been treated, and their Pokémon were receiving proper care. Lucas made no comment, skipped past the topic, and took his leave.

The sudden incident had eaten a lot of time. By the time Lucas flew back to the farm on Dragonite, night had fallen. Without disturbing the Pokémon on the farm, he washed up and went straight to bed.

Ceruledge was unusually clingy that night. It insisted on staying in the same room as Lucas—even standing guard would be fine, it said without words.

Helpless, Lucas let Ceruledge rest leaning against the side of his bed.

Chapter 241: A Thoroughly Cleansed Naranja Academy; Visit from the Dragon-Tamer Scion

Lucas returned to the farm, and a week flew by. In that time, plenty of small things happened—and quite a few big ones as well.

For example, Miltank integrated into the farm at lightning speed, and within a single day managed to make a name for itself—

A glutton greater than Moltres.

From the moment its hooves hit the pasture, it chomped grass nonstop for an entire day, never taking a break. Mudsdale, Sawsbuck, and the Skiddo mounts all stared, dumbfounded.

They even grew curious as to why Miltank's belly didn't seem to grow even a little after eating all day.

In short, Miltank adapted quickly. Lucas even recorded a video of its grass-gobbling frenzy and sent it to Hanza.

On the third day back at the farm, Lucas heard an unexpected bit of news from Joy Yumi.

Kimura had turned himself in at the Zapapico Town police station, confessing to the crime of abandoning a Pokémon. Strictly speaking, what he did didn't violate the law, but his treatment of Charcadet was no different from abandonment.

After deliberation, the police and the court in Zapapico Town jointly ruled to revoke Kimura's Gym Challenge eligibility, impose a fine, and order that he cannot engage in trainer-related activities for the next few years.

The punishment was neither overly harsh nor particularly light. At least Kimura didn't lose the Pokémon he already owned, but he could no longer pursue the Gym Challenge that had become his obsession.

By rights, he ought to have been in agony—but he chose to turn himself in. Lucas couldn't quite see through him.

The harm Kimura caused wouldn't vanish; repentance had come too late.

Thinking Ceruledge should know, Lucas told it the news. Ceruledge only gave an "Oh," then went right back to its sparring with Swampert.

It truly had let go.

Aside from these matters, the farm itself had changed quite a bit.

In the pasture, new shelters had been added to ward off wind and rain; in the fields, the newly planted crops had begun to grow one after another—flowering, fruiting, and harvest didn't look far off.

Beyond the farm, something happened that shook all of Paldea.

Lucas had anticipated it, but he still hadn't expected Geeta to go so hard that she would blow the matter wide open, as if determined to tear down the old to build anew.

Bullying within the academy; teachers corruptly taking gifts and turning a blind eye; even students using family connections to oppress others—all of it was reported in turn by Paldea's most authoritative media. The League's PR department didn't try to cover any of it up.

The Dean of Students and dozens of staff were dismissed and detained, awaiting trial. Every student who took part in the bullying was persuaded to withdraw. Director Harrington and the majority of the faculty at Naranja Academy resigned to take responsibility for gross dereliction of duty.

The venerable Naranja Academy suddenly found itself under a dual pressure: a sullied reputation and a shortage of personnel.

The students who remained feared that the academy might actually be shut down. Arven and the others even called Lucas to ask if he knew what was going on.

Lucas replied: "Wait and see." He had already received a notice from the top: Chairwoman Geeta had personally issued it—unsurprising, since she had swept away most of the academy's management with thunderous resolve.

Naranja Academy would be suspending classes for half a month. Students could choose to return home or stay on campus. The staff who remained on duty—aside from those needed to keep essential operations running—would also receive a half-month of paid leave.

At the same time, at a press conference she convened, Geeta pledged to return to Paldea—and to the whole world—a pure, clear Naranja Academy, asking everyone to trust her, and the academy, once more.

…

April 15th. Half the break had already gone by. Having not taught in a while, Lucas found himself missing those kids a little, wondering if they'd been training diligently during the holiday.

He had no time for that now, though—because an uninvited guest had arrived.

"Hassel..."

Lucas's mouth twitched. Trouble had come knocking.

The blond man put on a wounded look. "Oh my, Champion-class trainer Lucas—the one who defeated humble me—why do you look at me as if I were trouble? Please don't do that. You'll hurt me."

Without hesitation, Lucas kicked Hassel in the knee. Watching him crouch down clutching his kneecap in pain, Lucas said mercilessly, "So you do know you're trouble. Your clansmen are scouring all of Paldea looking for you. Don't drag your mess into my peaceful life!"

Hassel stood up and patted his chest with confidence. "Hahaha, you jest. I set off under cover of night riding my Noivern and only arrived at dawn. I definitely shook those guys off. Rest assured."

"You're in your mid-thirties and still in a rebellious phase, insisting on butting heads with your clan," Lucas said, glaring at him before stepping aside to let him in.

Lucas led the curious Hassel into the house, where Oranguru, already waiting, immediately brought out hot tea and sweets. Hassel's eyes lit up; he whistled. "A Pokémon butler?"

Oranguru bowed slightly to Hassel, its telepathy sounding in their minds: "Please let me know if you need anything, honored guest."

"Telepathy too? Amazing—much more interesting than that stiff old butler at my place!"

"Thank you for the compliment."

"No, really—did you make these? They're delicious!"

"Just my usual standard…"

"Ahem." Unable to watch the two of them trade compliments any longer, Lucas cleared his throat and turned to Hassel. "So what are you here for? I don't recall ever giving you my address."

Hassel wore a proud grin. "As for your address, I can just pull it up with my Elite Four privileges. Haha!"

"As to why I'm here… I heard about Naranja Academy. The chairwoman mentioned it—seems you're one of the few teachers who haven't been dismissed, yes?"

"That's right."

Lucas nodded slightly, studying Hassel.

Hassel wasn't only Paldea's Dragon-type Elite Four—his background was distinguished as well. Much like Johto's famous dragon clans, Hassel hailed from a Paldean family of dragon tamers, and he was their sole heir—a bona fide young master of a great house.

His rebellious phase had run long, though. He'd fallen out with his family and stormed off to make his own way.

And even without leaning on his family, he'd accidentally ended up an Elite Four.

By rights, having become a Paldean Elite Four should have given Hassel all the credentials he needed to prove himself. He could have marched home, slapped the old fogeys in the face with his achievements, and taken up the family mantle.

In truth, being Elite Four was just Hassel's side job. His real vocation was art—music, painting, and so on.

In the games, Hassel is the art teacher at Naranja/Uva Academy. Given this peculiar moment in time, the reason he'd come knocking was obvious.

Lucas had barely finished the thought when Hassel—who, not yet a teacher, lacked the stern air he had in the games—asked with keen curiosity, "How does it feel to be a teacher?"