The Stone mansion had always been a place of quiet grandeur.
Even in the evening, when the lamps lining the garden paths flickered to life, there was a certain solemnity to the air—an atmosphere that whispered of legacy, wealth, and unspoken responsibility.
A week remained before the Pokémon Trainer Licensure Exam, and the household felt it.
The staff moved more carefully, the corridors seemed quieter, as if even the walls knew that both Steven and Albert were approaching the threshold of something immense.
That night, just after dinner, a butler approached them at the veranda where they had been reviewing notes together. "Master Joseph requests your presence in his study," he said with the utmost formality.
Steven glanced at Albert, brows raised. "My father usually doesn't summon us this late. Do you think something's happened?"
Albert's violet eyes flickered, reflective in the lamplight. "Not happened, exactly," he replied, closing the notebook in his lap. "But something's about to. He wouldn't call us unless it was important."
The study was warm, lined wall to wall with bookshelves brimming with tomes and scrolls. The scent of aged parchment and polished oak hung in the air.
A great desk stood near the hearth, where Joseph Stone was seated, his features solemn yet calm, his tailored suit immaculate as always.
"Come in, both of you," he said, gesturing toward the leather chairs opposite him.
His tone carried both paternal warmth and the commanding presence of Devon's head.
As they sat, Steven straightened unconsciously, as if he was back in his younger days when Joseph quizzed him on business theory.
Albert, however, leaned with quiet poise, as though the room itself were an extension of his own calm.
Joseph folded his hands atop the desk. "In one week, you will take the Pokémon Trainer Licensure Exam. Passing it will open doors, both expected and unexpected. But what comes after… that requires foresight. Which is why I've called you here tonight."
Steven frowned slightly. "After?"
"Yes." Joseph's gaze was steady. "Becoming licensed trainers is merely the beginning. Where you choose to study—or whether you choose to study further at all—will shape not only your careers, but your reputations and networks for the rest of your lives. I intend for you both to be prepared."
Albert's amethyst eyes softened with interest. "You mean Pokémon Universities."
Joseph inclined his head. "Correct. Not just any universities, but the top ones in the world, particularly in the Trainer Program. I assume you're both aware that different regions have different emphases—research, battling, coordination, strategy. Choosing the right path is as critical as the exam you're about to take."
Joseph then reached into a drawer and retrieved a set of neatly compiled dossiers, each bearing the crest of a university. He placed them on the desk with deliberate care.
"These are the institutions I've judged most viable for the two of you. Each has its strengths, each its legacy. And all will test you beyond anything you've experienced in the professional ranks so far."
Steven leaned forward, curiosity sparking in his steel-blue eyes. "Which ones?"
Joseph began with the first dossier.
"The most famous in terms of sheer prestige," Joseph said. "Situated near the Indigo Plateau itself, this Indigo University produces many of the League's most famous trainers. Their trainer program is battle-heavy, emphasizing raw combat, adaptability, and endurance. Alumni have gone on to become Gym Leaders, Elite Four members, and even Champions. The program is brutal, but its recognition is unmatched."
Steven's expression tightened. "That sounds… unforgiving."
Albert tilted his head. "But it does provide an unparalleled network. Being known as an Indigo graduate carries a weight even outside the Indigo Realm."
Joseph allowed himself a faint smile. "As expected, you see the political angle."
The next folder bore a modern, sleek insignia.
"Castelia University," Joseph continued. "Grayscale Kingdom prides itself on blending technology with tradition. Their trainer program emphasizes tactical flexibility, modern battle analytics, and the integration of data sciences into strategy. It produces not only trainers but innovators in how Pokémon battles are approached."
Albert's eyes glinted, almost amused. "That might suit me too well."
Steven chuckled, knowing Albert's mind already worked like a strategist's database. "You'd terrify everyone if you added their training models on top of everything you already know."
He took the next folder, one that bore a jeweled, colorful insignia.
"Lumiose University, or the jewel of Eden Empire," Joseph said, his voice carrying a note of respect. "Known not only for its trainer program but also for its cultural refinement. Their emphasis lies in balance—strategy, aesthetics, performance, and the holistic bond between trainer and Pokémon. Many of the world's best Coordinators come from Lumiose, but their battle graduates are formidable as well. They teach elegance as much as they do power."
Steven's eyes lit up with interest. "That… sounds like a place where battling isn't just winning but creating something beautiful."
At the next one, Joseph's voice took on a more personal timbre. "Of course, there is our very own Lilycove University. It already stands as one of the premier research institutions in the world, as Albert well knows."
Albert inclined his head respectfully. He had walked those halls for years, buried in research and dissertations.
"But," Joseph went on, "their trainer program has been expanding rapidly, fueled by Evergreen Island's recent push to strengthen its global standing. It focuses on integrating research-driven breeding and tactics in the trainer program, cultivating holistic development of Pokémon based on science. While it may not yet rival Indigo University in reputation, its trajectory is undeniable. And remaining close to Devon's sphere would afford you both unique opportunities."
Steven nodded thoughtfully. "That would certainly be the… practical choice."
Albert said nothing, though his gaze was distant, weighing unspoken thoughts.