Alola.
In "Pokémon" games that Roy had seen in his previous life, this was the name of an region.
And after deciphering the text, the former name of the "spirit realm" was also Alola?
Could this be coincidence?
Roy frowned and raised his hand to ask a question.
After receiving permission from Professor Christian, he inquired, "Professor, what's the geographical location of this Alola spirit realm?"
This question had little connection to the course material, but top students enjoyed certain privileges.
Professor Christian stroked his beard and replied with a gentle smile: "The gateway to the Alola spirit realm is near the Hawaiian Islands. It's currently being jointly developed by the five member nations of the Pokémon League. I've heard it's a particularly unique dimensional space..."
Hearing that the passage was located in Hawaii, Roy knew this couldn't be coincidental.
For further confirmation, he continued:
"Unique in what way?"
"Indeed."
Professor Christian took a sip of his tea, reluctant to share classified League information with students.
"Before a spirit realm fully integrates with Earth, the Pokémon within that space remain in an aggressive state and will attack humans unconditionally. To prevent Pokémon from escaping through the gateway and endangering nearby communities, the Pokémon League dispatches professional trainers to maintain vigilance."
"These security measures remain until the spirit realm and Earth completely merge."
"In this Alola spirit realm, we've discovered an ecological phenomenon never before observed."
"Occasionally, among the Pokémon in Alola's spirit realm, we find specimens with greatly enlarged bodies surrounded by specialized energy fields. These Pokémon are not only powerful and extremely aggressive, but can even dominate weaker Pokémon in their vicinity."
The more Roy listened, the stronger his sense of déjà vu grew, leading him to ask instinctively, "Totem Pokémon?"
"Yes, Totem Pokémon." Professor Christian gave him a surprised look. "This terminology was only officially adopted by the Pokémon League yesterday. You're remarkably well-informed."
"..." Roy remained silent.
With this confirmation, he could be certain that this Alola spirit realm likely corresponded to the Alola Region from the Pokémon world.
Could it be that other spirit realms had once belonged to that world as well?
Why was the Pokémon world fragmented into different dimensional spaces, drifting here and merging with Earth?
If that were the case, had the Pokémon world been destroyed?
Destroyed by what? Had Team Rocket succeeded? Had Meowth finally developed a doomsday weapon that obliterated their entire world?
And why had the Pokémon that arrived in this world become so much stronger?
Roy's questions multiplied, leaving him momentarily disturbed.
Just then, the bell rang signaling the end of class. Professor Christian made no attempt to delay dismissal. He simply gathered his briefcase and waved to Roy.
"Come along—follow me to the principal's office. We need to discuss your visit to the Pokémon breeding house."
At last.
Roy perked up, forgetting his concerns about the Alola spirit realm.
Why worry? When the sky falls, there are taller people to hold it up. He could wait until he grew stronger to discover these truths.
Under the envious gazes of his classmates, Roy followed the professor.
Upon entering the principal's office, Roy observed the man in his fifties sitting before a coffee table, leisurely preparing tea.
Seeing Roy arrive, Principal Finn gestured for him to sit, poured him a cup of hot tea, and asked kindly:
"Roy, is there anything about your classes that's uncomfortable for you?"
"No, sir."
"That's good to hear." Principal Finn smiled slightly before continuing seriously: "If you have any requests of the university, don't hesitate to voice them. As long as they're reasonable and within regulations, our institution will consider them..."
The older people grow, the more they value saving face.
Thanks to Roy's unexpected success, Principal Finn had received envious comments from colleagues at other schools over the past few days. Even the League had specifically commended him, which pleased him greatly.
"When can I visit the breeding house to select a Pokémon egg?"
Principal Finn hadn't expected such directness from Roy. He shook his head with a smile and replied: "You can go after classes today. I've already contacted the breeding house and arranged for a special car. But... before that, I have something to ask you."
"What is it, sir?" Roy asked, puzzled.
"Are you familiar with my background?" Principal Finn asked without elaborating.
Roy nodded as Principal Finn's résumé surfaced in his memory.
Principal Finn had been a renowned professional trainer from the same generation as Elite Carter.
Years ago, Principal Finn and Elite Carter had participated in the Elite qualifying tournament together, and both earned the right to challenge for Elite positions.
Unfortunately, while Carter succeeded in his challenge and secured an Elite position, Principal Finn had attempted for seven consecutive years, always falling short of the Elite threshold. As he aged, the challenge grew increasingly difficult. He eventually chose retirement, returning to his alma mater to teach, gradually advancing to the position of principal.
"Life offers many dreams, each wonderful in its own way." Principal Finn sighed. "I have no complaints about my life, though I harbor regrets... I've disappointed many people's expectations, especially those of my old friends."
"I promised them we would reach Elite positions together, but sadly, I never managed to see the view from such heights..."
Roy listened silently as Principal Finn removed a Poké Ball and a Trainer Pokémon registration form from his belt.
"What's this?"
"My starter Pokémon was Squirtle, one of the three regional starters. It has been my best friend and my proudest companion. We've been together for over 40 years. Heh, even my wife hasn't been with me that long. But recently... something happened to it!"
At this, Principal Finn closed his eyes in apparent pain.
"I'm sorry, Principal," Roy offered in consolation.
"It's alright, I've made my peace with it." Principal Finn waved dismissively before regarding Roy with sincerity. "This Poké Ball contains its only offspring. I'm entrusting it to you, and I hope you'll care for it well..."
"Just as I promised my old friend, I hope someday you can take its child to see the view from the top."
Faced with an elder's earnest plea, Roy had no reason to refuse.
He silently accepted the Poké Ball, signed his name on the registration form, and acquired his second Pokémon.
With a final glance at Principal Finn, who had closed his eyes and covered his face, Roy quietly departed.
Leaving the principal's office, Roy sighed.
"Every trainer has their story—the principal has had his struggles."
"Giving me a starter Pokémon so generously, with such sincere intentions... I can't disappoint the principal's expectations!"
"Wait..."
"I forgot to ask where to meet the car to the breeding house after school."
Just before reaching the elevator, Roy turned back toward the principal's office.
Approaching the door, he noticed it was slightly ajar. Roy didn't think much of it and pushed the door open.
The next moment, Roy's expression froze.
He saw Principal Finn—who had moments ago been calmly preparing tea with an almost ethereal demeanor—now dancing and bobbing his head while humming cheerfully.
There was no trace of grief.
Not only that, beside Principal Finn stood a two-meter-tall Blastoise, displaying a joyful smile, rhythmically swaying its shell and humming along.
It was Blastoise who first noticed Roy's presence.
The Pokémon initially glanced at Roy with vigilance but quickly displayed a distinctly human embarrassment, gently nudging Principal Finn with its elbow.
Principal Finn abruptly stopped dancing, turned his head, and saw Roy standing bewildered in the doorway.
"..."
Silence.
A deadly silence hung between them.
After what seemed an eternity, Roy posed his question with a forced smile.
"Your Blastoise... didn't something happen to it recently?"
"Yes," Principal Finn replied nonchalantly. "Blastoise was hospitalized with high blood pressure a few days ago, but fortunately, its constitution is robust enough that it recovered."
Roy felt a twinge of suspicion and asked, "Why did it develop high blood pressure?"
Principal Finn sighed and pointed to the Poké Ball that Roy had just received.
"It was furious with that little one."
"..."
Principal, is it too late to return this Pokémon?