As soon as Lucas spoke, Ortega first looked scornful, as if dismissing Lucas's threat as childish. Then his phone buzzed repeatedly with messages.
Ortega suspiciously took out his phone. When he saw the glaring message on the screen, he was dumbfounded.
How could this be?
How could a newcomer teacher have the authority to freeze his bank card?
Seeing his shell-shocked look, Lucas kindly explained, "Your father called me a few days ago and granted me this power. Ortega, before the next class I hope you'll reflect on what you did wrong today."
Lucas didn't mind being cursed at. Compared to the flaming matches he'd seen online before his transmigration, Ortega's little outburst was nothing.
Too low-level.
It was Ortega's personal attack on Eri and Giacomo that made Lucas use his authority.
Turning his gaze from the shattered Ortega — as if his lifelong pride had been broken — Lucas looked at the other students, who were staring at him as if he were a god and smiled. "Let's continue. We may run a few minutes over. Is that alright?"
"Yes~"
Seeing even the almighty Ortega get put in his place, and realizing Lucas had some real clout, the students couldn't possibly object.
After quickly wrapping up the class, Lucas hugged his cracked phone — now with over a dozen new contacts — and, under the students' bewildered gazes, escaped the field as if fleeing for his life.
Nemona, who wanted to ask for a few more matches, was left standing there dumbfounded.
…
Lucas jogged out of Naranja Academy's gates, looking as if someone in his family had died, muttering, "I worked overtime? I actually worked overtime? How could I work overtime?!"
Even just five extra minutes felt like he'd lost a fortune. Who in their right mind would work overtime after transmigrating to the Pokémon world?
"Overtime? What overtime?"
Harrington popped up from nowhere, looking at Lucas in confusion. It seemed he'd been waiting at the academy gate for some time.
Although Lucas was startled by Harrington's sudden appearance, he quickly composed himself. "Director, why are you here?"
"I'm waiting for you, Mr. LuCas. So, how did Ortega do today?"
Ortega's performance?
Lucas's expression grew odd, and he quickly recounted what Ortega had done.
"So that's it. I've frozen his card for now and will unlock it next week. If you or his father think it's inappropriate, feel free to unlock it now. Don't worry about my opinion."
Harrington shook his head and gave a thumbs up. "His father said everything is up to you. We have no objections."
"Ortega's verbal attacks on classmates aren't new. His father's been too busy to discipline him, so we're glad you're here now."
"Ortega's education is entirely in your hands."
With that, Harrington bowed deeply. Though he'd watched Ortega grow up as his butler, now was the time for decisive action.
He could only hope this teacher could bring about a positive change in Ortega.
Remembering Ortega's father's heavy request on the phone, Lucas sighed and helped Harrington up. "As long as you don't mind. I'll do my best with his character."
At least, in the original story, Ortega had changed thanks to Team Star, so he wasn't hopeless.
…
By the time Lucas rode Dragonite back to the farm, it was nearly 5 p.m.
As soon as he landed, Lucas called for the Pokémon on the farm to gather.
Soon, his eyes swept over his six main partners, the three Eldegoss, Poliwhirl, the three Poliwag, and Growlithe.
Except for Moltres and the recovering Delibird, all the farm Pokémon had assembled.
Lucas was amazed — it had been less than two months since he'd settled in Los Platos, and now the farm was bustling.
And with today's new members, it would only get busier.
After a few coughs, Lucas said cheerily, "As you all know, we have some new members joining the farm today. Let me introduce them!"
A dozen curious eyes turned toward the four figures behind Lucas.
First, Lucas picked up a little dog Pokémon that looked like it was made of fermented dough. "This is Fidough, one of our new family members. It can make yeast, so the bread you eat will taste even better from now on!"
Fidough, in Lucas's arms, looked nervously at all the curious Pokémon. Its tail drooped.
Especially when it noticed the five main Pokemon partners watching, it got even more anxious and buried its head in Lucas's chest.
Especially that long green one — it looked like it wanted to eat it!
Lucas: "..."
It was so lively when he picked it — was Luxray and the others that intimidating?
He set Fidough behind his right leg for now and picked up another Pokémon.
This one's body was like a tender green fruit, with a yellow olive on its head filled with bitter oil.
"This is Smoliv. When it evolves, it'll make delicious olive oil. Eldegoss, I'm counting on you to take care of it."
Smoliv was braver than Fidough. Though it didn't dare look at Serperior, with the Eldegoss' warm invitation it walked over on its tiny feet.
The third, Mudbray, was too big to pick up. Even unevolved, it weighed around 110kg.
Since they were in the open pasture, where the grass had grown well, Mudbray was quietly munching away, totally unbothered by the commotion.
Apparently, it liked the grass quality.
Lucas smiled, squatted down, and stroked Mudbray. "This is Mudbray, the first Pokémon of our pasture. It can learn plowing moves to make our fields even more fertile."