"Ribbit… ribbit…"
Frogadier suddenly spun around.
Following Frogadier's line of sight, Aaron saw several people being chased by a Tauros—and they were running straight toward him.
At a glance, Aaron recognized the person in the lead. It was none other than Simon.
He understood immediately.
They were trying to divert the trouble onto him…
The guy didn't look bad, but he was rotten to the core.
One look was enough for Aaron to tell that the Tauros behind them was at the Intermediate (Peak Stage). Using something like that as "borrowed trouble" felt a little… underwhelming.
After all, he had already defeated Instructor Zane's Advanced-tier Pokémon, Aggron.
So that was it. Simon wanted to use his hands to deal with the Tauros.
Aaron flashed Simon a brilliant smile.
He even raised a hand and waved.
Seeing this, Simon and his group were instantly overjoyed.
"Boss… look how stupid that Aaron kid is! He's actually smiling at us, hahaha…"
"He can't really be that dumb, right!? Can't he see we're leading the Tauros straight to him!?"
"And this idiot actually thinks he can compete with Simon for class monitor? He doesn't know his place."
The three lackeys were panting hard as they ran, yet they never forgot their true duty—bootlicking.
They were practically risking their lives to flatter him.
A sinister smile crept onto Simon's lips.
"An idiot… not worth worrying about."
Just as the four of them expected Aaron to step in and help—
Aaron and Frogadier suddenly turned and, with a few light leaps, vanished into the jungle.
Only four utterly dumbfounded figures were left behind.
Simon: "…"
Lackeys: "…"
Something felt… seriously wrong!?
Why wasn't he playing by the usual script!?
So it turned out the real clowns were them all along…
"Boss—wait! Slow down!"
"Waaah—I wanna go home! The Tauros is right behind me!"
"Help! Simon—don't leave me!"
...
Ten days passed in the blink of an eye.
By the time everyone returned to the assembly point, all the students shared one unmistakable trait—utter misery.
Their clothes were torn, their hair a mess, looking like savages dragged straight out of the forest.
Even Grace was dirty and disheveled, clearly having had a rough time.
Simon stood several meters away from Grace, his clothes in tatters and his expression grim.
Mostly because he reeked to high heaven.
"Crunch… crunch… crunch…"
Footsteps echoed from within the forest, drawing everyone's attention. Seeing how miserable others looked made their own sorry states feel slightly more bearable.
Then Aaron and his three companions walked out, chatting and laughing.
"Aaron… I could eat your grilled fish for ten days straight and never get tired of it. It's just too good!"
"Exactly! I even ate the fish bones! One word—crispy!"
"Ah… we're heading back soon. When will we ever get to eat Aaron's grilled fish again?"
...
Hugo and the other two still had bamboo toothpicks clenched between their lips, looking like they'd just finished a lavish meal.
Their bellies were round and full, their mouths slick with grease.
Their clothes were clean and neat, as if they'd been out on a holiday.
"Uh…"
"You guys… how did you end up looking like this?"
"Pfft—hahahahaha!"
Hugo stepped forward and saw his former classmates looking like beggars. He froze for a moment, then realized what he was seeing—and immediately burst out laughing.
In an instant, countless resentful and furious glares launched a fierce mental assault at the chubby Hugo.
"Sorry, sorry, guys!"
"I really didn't mean to laugh at you…"
"I just couldn't hold it in!"
Hugo hurriedly apologized, clapping a hand over his mouth, though the laughter in his eyes was practically spilling out.
"Hugo… that grilled fish you mentioned—do you still have any left?"
"Gulp…"
"Me too! I've been eating wild fruit for ten days straight, had diarrhea for ten days straight, and I've successfully lost weight!"
"I haven't eaten in two days… The Pokémon out there are way too strong. I almost got beaten to death and still wanted to go look for food."
"Even the fish bones are crispy!? Gulp… I really want some!"
"Are you sure you guys weren't just on vacation?"
...
The surrounding students stared at them resentfully and quickly crowded over, begging for grilled fish.
"Hehehe…"
"Stay back, all of you! You stink!"
"The fish is gone—already eaten!"
The chubby guy pinched his nose and spoke with an expression full of disgust.
His words stabbed straight into their hearts like a sharp thorn.
The way they looked at him was filled with killing intent.
Really knew how to rub salt in the wound.
Though… to be fair, they really did stink.
Off to the side, Simon stared hatefully at Aaron.
That day, Aaron had completely screwed him over. In the end, he'd had to jump into a pile of Pokémon dung just to escape.
In all his years, he had never suffered such humiliation.
Just thinking about that nauseating stench made Simon gag again.
"Ugh…"
His hatred for Aaron had already taken root deep inside him.
Once he got home, Simon would immediately look into Aaron's background.
If he turned out to be just some ordinary nobody—then Aaron would pay a terrible price.
Simon swore to himself, his expression dark.
"Enjoy your smugness while you can."
At that moment, several military vehicles finally drove in. Soldiers stepped out one after another—led by none other than their demonic instructor, Zane.
...