"I know, Teacher…"
Aaron nodded as he spoke.
"Mm. Our Sealine Trainer Academy gets thirty spots in the Training Camp every year."
"But year after year, those spots are completely taken by Senior Year Classes 1, 2, and 3—the elite classes."
"Our regular classes have never gotten a single slot. Do you know why?"
Alaric continued.
"I think it's because the minimum requirement for the Training Camp is having a Pokémon at Newbie (Late Stage)."
Aaron thought for a moment before answering.
"That's right."
"So the school has set the rule that the thirty spots are selected from the entire senior year. Only the thirty strongest students can enter the Training Camp."
"But there's a prerequisite for the selection—your Pokémon must reach Newbie (Late Stage)."
"And you just happen to meet that requirement."
At this point, Alaric finally revealed his true purpose—
He wanted Aaron to participate in the Training Camp selection.
"Teacher… I just want to be a slacker—"
"Ding~ Triggered Mission: Obtain a College Entrance Training Camp Slot!!"
"As the pinnacle show-off of the 21st century, how could you miss such a perfect opportunity? Participate in the selection tournament, successfully secure a Training Camp slot, and show off to your heart's content to receive rewards!!"
"Mission Rewards: Pokémon Candy (Beginner) ×1, Pokémon Shiny Card ×1, Armament Haki Skill Card!!"
Just as Aaron was about to explain that he wanted to live a laid-back life, the system's impassioned voice rang in his ears.
His expression instantly changed. Standing tall with righteous resolve, he declared:
"Teacher… please leave it to me! I'll bring glory to our class and make you proud! I will absolutely secure a Training Camp slot and live up to your expectations!"
Alaric was momentarily stunned by Aaron's sudden transformation.
But those words made him feel immensely satisfied.
This kid knows how to talk.
He's got a future.
"Good, good… Then I'll register you. The selection begins tomorrow. Don't be late."
Alaric smiled in approval.
"Understood, Teacher!"
...
After school, Aaron returned home.
The first thing he did was feed Pokémon Candy to Froakie.
Thanks to Magnus—our personal loot box—he now had one Newbie Pokémon Candy and one Beginner Pokémon Candy.
Just enough to raise Froakie to Beginner (Early Stage).
That leveling speed would scare people to death if word got out.
Aaron checked Froakie's status panel again.
As expected, Froakie had learned two new moves:
Quick Attack and Lick.
Quick Attack was a priority +1 move.
Aaron was extremely satisfied and fed Froakie an Energy Cube.
"Ribbit—Ribbit—!"
Froakie croaked happily.
After that, Aaron headed out alone to a desolate hill with no one around.
He released Froakie.
"Froakie, use Multi Shadow Clone!"
Aaron commanded.
"Ribbit—Ribbit—"
Froakie croaked twice. A burst of white smoke erupted, and five Froakie figures appeared on the spot.
At its current level, Froakie could only summon up to five clones.
As its strength increased, the number of clones would grow accordingly.
"Froakie Clones 1 and 2, practice Power-Up Punch."
"Clone 3, practice Bubble."
"Clones 4 and 5, practice Quick Attack."
Aaron assigned tasks to each clone, letting them train independently to increase skill proficiency.
Once the clones dispersed, all the skill proficiency they gained would return to the main body.
This cheat-level skill was truly broken.
After arranging everything, Aaron carried the original Froakie back home.
In the living room, his younger sister Lily sat on the couch watching a Pokémon broadcast, her face as expressionless as ever.
When she noticed Aaron returning, her eyes briefly flicked toward the Froakie in his arms before immediately returning to the television.
She treated him like thin air.
Still, Aaron clearly caught the subtle change in her gaze when she looked at Froakie.
She hid it well—but he could tell.
She wanted a Pokémon too.
But all the family's money had gone toward him. She understood their financial struggles and never once asked for a Pokémon herself.
Technically, even minors under eighteen could raise Pokémon, but without official registration, they weren't protected by law.
All of Aaron's Pokémon were officially registered and legally protected.
That said, some wealthy families still bought Pokémon for their children to grow up alongside them.
The cost was astronomical.
But did truly rich people care about money?
What they cared about was their children's future.
That was exactly why Senior Year Classes 1, 2, and 3 were considered elite.
Their students didn't just excel academically—
Their Pokémon strength was equally absurd with even the weakest reaching Newbie (Late Stage).
In the end, the students in those three classes were either rich or powerful.
All loaded.
Aaron thought that when he had time, he'd go "restock supplies"… ahem, gamble eggs, and get a Pokémon for his sister.
Maybe it would help thaw the icy relationship between the two siblings.
...
The night passed without incident.
Early the next morning, Aaron was woken by system notifications.
"Ding~ Froakie's shadow clones have dispersed…"
"Ding~ Congratulations! Froakie's move Power-Up Punch has leveled up. Current level: Proficient."
"Ding~ Congratulations! Froakie's move Bubble has leveled up. Current level: Proficient."
"Ding~ Congratulations! Froakie's move Quick Attack has leveled up. Current level: Proficient."
Aaron felt thoroughly satisfied.
Multi Shadow Clone really was insane.
After finishing breakfast, Aaron headed to school together with Yuri.
...