Half an hour later, Rune glanced at the calm-faced Sato, then looked back at the dense forest behind them…
He started to doubt whether this really was the natural maze that had stumped so many prospective Investigators.
Why could someone, on their very first time entering it, find a path even more streamlined than the one he had discovered after countless explorations!?
Was the gap between people really this vast…?
Rune wasn't that strong; he didn't even rank within the top tier at League Headquarters.
But if he could be appointed as an instructor for Independent Investigators, then when it came to speed and escape, his expertise was definitely top-tier.
Rune could confidently say: Ralts's "detection" ability was the strongest he had ever seen in his life… NO EXCEPTIONS!
"Congratulations on passing the second exam. Your Ralts is truly impressive…
For the third one, you can contact me a day in advance whenever you're ready. I'll handle the arrangements then."
Sato nodded in thanks and "gently" pressed down on Ralts's little head to signal it not to get too cocky.
Ralts shook off Sato's hand in annoyance, and instantly used Teleport to appear on Hydreigon's back, visibly displeased.
Lefty, Righty, and Middy immediately turned their heads, all smiles(?), trying to greet their onee-hime-sama!
…But their lack of good looks provided zero comfort, and they were quickly swatted away like flies by Ralts.
The "three" dragons were all left feeling wronged.
'We're a trio of pseudo-legendaries, and you're treating us like this just because we're not cute?!'
'We may not be handsome… BUT AT LEAST WE'RE BADASS, ROAR!'x3
What Hydreigon didn't know was… in Ralts's world, cuteness was justice!
And SHE… was the embodiment of justice!
---◓---
After returning to League Headquarters, Rune gave Sato his contact info and left. Sato then checked the time and headed to the classroom for his second session.
Thankfully, it wasn't another Disguise course like yesterday. It was a Stealth class.
The instructor was an old masked ninja who didn't say a word. He just started playing hide-and-seek with Sato…
"We'll take turns hiding. If you can beat me three rounds in a row, the exam is passed."
Sato nodded in understanding. In the first round, he sent out Gengar and used Spatial Barrier… heh~
Five minutes later, the old ninja stared at Sato -who appeared right in front of him- with a look of utter disbelief.
He immediately declared Sato had passed the exam with full marks!
"Such promise in the youth! I've spent my entire life mastering Ninjutsu, only to be completely fooled by a child's illusion… Truly, I've grown old, sigh…"
Sato thought to himself, 'Sir, it wasn't an illusion, it was Gengar's spatial power.'
Using Palkia's Spatial energy against Ninjutsu was such a dimensional gap in power that Sato didn't even feel any satisfaction from winning.
But hey! Full marks were full marks.
So… Sato chose silence.
After that came the daily theory class. Sato met back up with Akira and the others and focused attentively during the lecture, despite being constantly watched by curious classmates.
Having gone through his studies at Celadon University, Sato was already used to this kind of attention. It didn't faze him one bit.
After lunch, Sato headed back to the "movie theater" alone to watch another Emotion Control course video.
The instructor had already hinted yesterday that he wouldn't show up again, so Sato took it easy. He even let out all his Pokémon to join him, like they were watching a movie together.
---◓---
Time flew by… and just like that, half a month passed.
Sato never would've expected that something he couldn't manage even at Celadon University -studying with focus for an extended period- was now something he had finally achieved before becoming an Independent Investigator.
That night, Sato finally finished mentally preparing himself!
…And personally applied a flawless full-face loli's makeup.
Then he put on a long black straight wig, a lace headband, a Lolita princess dress, and a pair of black princess shoes, before heading to the League's busiest night market street.
This was the final exam for his Disguise course. As long as no one recognized him tonight, he would pass!
But with such an exquisite look in a crowded place like the night market, he instantly became the most dazzling girl on the street…
Wearing a cold, indifferent expression, he walked past a couple. Both the boy and the girl couldn't help but turn their heads to follow his movement!
It wasn't until the girl noticed her boyfriend doing the same that she angrily dished out a full 360° spinning meat combo!
"Tch… SLUT! You're dressed like that just to seduce men, huh?" The cute-faced girl suddenly shouted.
In that moment, her boyfriend realized he had never truly known the girl beside him…
And so, the first signs of infidelity appeared!
As for the root cause…
Sato merely gave a subtle glance back, casting a light look with his large, shimmering eyes enhanced by makeup.
The aura of a superior…
Fleeting but overwhelming!
The girl flinched and took two steps back, instinctively reaching for her boyfriend's hand for comfort.
But she couldn't find it…
When she turned around, all she saw was her boyfriend with arms crossed, looking completely distracted.
In that moment, only seven words echoed in the girl's heart!
A CALAMITY TO THE NATION, NOTHING LESS!
And to everyone else, that unconscious glance from Sato had unknowingly become the white moonlight in many hearts…
An unforgettable vision of beauty.
From then on, the mysterious black-haired girl was never seen in the night market again…
Her fleeting appearance felt like a dream!
Once awake… never to return…
---◓---
Elsewhere, Sato -externally calm but internally trembling- finally walked through the entire street.
He found a secluded corner, instructed tight-lipped Gengar to raise a Spatial Barrier, and then removed his makeup and changed clothes as fast as possible! Before casually walking back out.
Because he didn't want Ralts to see his crossdressing and mock him, Sato had made up a reason about needing to train other Pokémon and sent Ralts back via Transfer!
As for the rest of his Pokémon? He kept them hidden back in his room. That meant the only one who knew about tonight's crossdressing mission… was Gengar…
Being the Pokémon world's one and only "Sage Ghost," Sato believed Gengar could keep a secret.
"This stays between us. Sooo… if Ralts or the others… find out about this…"
Sato smiled warmly and raised a hand~
Dark Energy surged violently!
Gengar sat cross-legged and bowed.
…Though the corners of his mouth twitched uncontrollably!
This familiar scene brought back memories of when he was still a Haunter, and Sato could casually grab his core with one hand.
That feeling… unforgettable.
It wasn't until Sato was walking back that he suddenly realized something annoying!
There were plenty of crossdressing options; but because he had started with this outfit, and had been subtly manipulated by Ōshima again and again… it never occurred to him that he could've chosen a more low-key style.
By the time he stepped foot onto the night market street, it was already too late to regret.
But perhaps because the look was just too stunning, it actually made people subconsciously dismiss the idea that it could be a man in disguise.
'Yeah… good enough.'
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