Logan now stood outside the principal's office of Rainbow University. It wasn't that he came here to study—he was only here to accompany Erika.
"…Would you be willing to help me?"
The moment Erika asked him this, Logan immediately agreed.
Why shouldn't he agree wholeheartedly? He already bore a grudge against Team Rocket. By agreeing to Erika, he was also agreeing with himself. Becoming her ally meant she became his ally too. And if his response could ease the burden pressing down on Erika's weary heart, then that in itself was something he could contribute.
At that instant of agreement, Logan saw relief flash across Erika's face, as though a heavy knot inside her chest had finally loosened. Without hesitation, Erika decided on the spot—she would accompany Logan in a month-and-a-half-long special training program to prepare for the coming crisis.
But before that training, Erika had asked Logan to come with her to Rainbow University. He assumed she was a student here who had taken a temporary leave for training. But the truth shocked him—
"I'm a teacher here, is it really that surprising, Logan…?"
Walking beside him in a simple, elegant kimono, Erika smiled with gentle amusement at his stunned disbelief.
"You can't be more than college age yourself. Honestly, I doubt any of the students here are even younger than you."
"Who ever said youth disqualifies someone from being a teacher?"
"No… If it were an elementary school teacher, maybe. But this is a university. Not just any university, but the most prestigious in the entire Kanto region."
Logan couldn't help but marvel. A rich family, stunning looks, and an undeniable genius—Erika was the definition of perfection. If she were male, she'd be the exact template of a transmigrated prodigy protagonist!
"Logan, compliments like that make me blush. I only teach courses on Grass-type Pokémon. That's the only field I can truly claim as my strength. If I were to teach other subjects, I'd just be misleading the students."
Erika brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, speaking lightly.
"That's not just strength—that's mastery," Logan countered without hesitation, refusing to accept her modesty.
"Teacher!"
"Erika, we heard you won't be teaching for the next few months? You're not resigning, are you?"
"Erika, who's this with you?"
"Wait, isn't that the famous trainer who was in the news?"
…
Walking through the university campus, they were stopped every few steps by people greeting Erika. For Rainbow City residents, she was practically the symbol of the city—its unofficial queen. Her family monopolized the perfume industry, controlling nearly half the city's wealth. On top of that, she was the Gym Leader of Rainbow City, known for her gentle temperament and unmatched beauty. It was no surprise she had such overwhelming popularity.
"…I promised my friend here I'd accompany him on a journey for over a month. I won't be able to continue teaching in the meantime—my apologies."
Erika spoke warmly, but Logan wanted to roll his eyes. Friend? You're the one who insisted we train together, not me! And why are you clinging to my arm like that? People are going to misunderstand!
Logan said nothing, though he definitely noticed the burning, hostile stares from those around them. Annoying? Yes. But he also couldn't deny—there was a part of him that found it satisfying.
Still, Erika's words dropped like a bomb. "Alone, two people, traveling together." Those words alone could spark countless rumors. In this world, it was practically accepted truth: young men and women who traveled together often developed feelings. Many couples had started exactly that way.
And Erika wasn't just joining him—she was temporarily leaving the university and even submitted paperwork to the League to close her Gym for two whole months! She was practically devoting herself entirely to this journey with him. Who in the world would believe they weren't involved?
It was then Logan realized how cunning Erika really was. She had deliberately thrown him into the fire, leaving him no escape.
Fortunately, after the Cerulean City incident, Logan already knew his reputation was in ruins. At this point, he didn't care. In this world, reputation meant nothing—strength was everything.
When they finally left Rainbow University behind, Erika's expression turned serious.
"Then, Logan, I'll be counting on you for the next month and a half. Remember, our goal isn't to defeat the enemy. It's to survive our battles against them."
Her words might have sounded like dampening morale, but Logan knew she was right. Against Team Rocket, their side's power gap was far too great.
Of course, this was just on the surface. Whether there were forces in the shadows waiting to undermine Team Rocket—that remained to be seen.
"All preparations are complete. Then let's depart, Erika…"
To have one of Kanto's strongest Gym Leaders training alongside him—Logan was sure he'd gain immensely. Especially with the Eevee he had just caught. It needed to catch up quickly with his Gabite and Dragonair. And for Gabite, this training would be its final accumulation before evolving into its strongest form.
Still, Logan couldn't shake the feeling that this journey would be different from any he had experienced. Living day and night alongside such a beautiful woman for two straight months? Since arriving in this world, he had never faced such a situation. He truly had no idea what might happen.
—
Forsaking all transportation, they traveled directly into Kanto's barren deserts—the kind of wild, uninhabited land where only the strongest Pokémon survived. By fighting against the brutal instincts of those wild Pokémon, they would temper their own strength.
While Team Rocket prepared its grand scheme, others were pushing themselves to their absolute limits, sharpening their power to face the looming crisis.
—
"Young people only grow through hardship… Hm? Reports from Johto say they've discovered large numbers of new Unown—not just the usual two dozen symbols? They claim these Pokémon's existence is tied to world history itself. What's the connection…?"
"…According to records from ancient civilizations, long ago, the legendary Pokémon united against humanity. But as time passed, they fractured, splitting apart and falling into civil wars."
"And about half a year ago, sensors across the globe began detecting spatial instability. Sightings of legendary Pokémon have skyrocketed, almost like the world itself has developed a terminal illness."
At Oak Laboratory, Professor Oak read reports from all over the world, his face grave.
"Grandpa, what are you mumbling about?"
Daisy asked, puzzled, watching the professor mutter under his breath.
"Just some research matters… Daisy, I may need to leave on a trip to another region soon. I'll need you to help watch over the lab in my absence."
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