Holding the spoon, Ethan's heart pounded. The transmigrator's "cheat" had already shown up—would the transmigrator's special ability show up too?
One minute…
Two…
Three…
Face flushing, Ethan finally slammed the spoon down and silently accused Captain Blaze of palming him a fake.
"Let's talk compensation," Blaze Ashwick said, stone-faced as she pocketed the spoon.
Ethan eyed her; it looked like her eyebrow was twitching, like she was swallowing a laugh.
Ahem. "Forget the sideshow—comp. As long as it's not outrageous, the school will agree."
Ethan rubbed his chin, stalling. As the school's rep, is this even okay?
"What's wrong with it? I'm not paying out of my pocket. If I lowball you, the leftovers don't land with me. I'm actually getting you more—good for me, since you'll end up in my warm, Fire-type embrace."
A chill ran up Ethan's spine. "Warning you, I'm a perfectly normal guy."
"Heh."
Bang—a ball burst open; a furious Typhlosion loomed behind Blaze.
"I'll allow you to rephrase."
Typhlosion, Lv. 59, Ability: Blaze.
"C-c'mon, compensation. I wouldn't dare waste your precious time."
He swallowed his pride. "First term: my friend and I need to hide our Hidden Abilities."
"How do you know she'll pass?"
"Don't worry about it. I believe in her. Can you agree?"
Blaze shrugged. Kids these days—chasing their own prizes, then bargaining for their friends. Love?
"Tell me what Pokémon first, then I'll decide."
"She'll choose Froakie or Litten. Either way: Hidden Ability, kept quiet."
"And I'll pick from Charmander, Froakie, Litten, or Scorbunny. Hidden on all but Charmander."
Blaze sucked a breath. Steep.
But for Imperial Province First Trainer High, doable. "Soon we're receiving Froakie and Litten eggs. The premium lots are from Hidden-Ability dams. You can pick from those. No guarantee on Hidden, ~60% odds. You gambling?"
Ethan didn't bite yet. "What about Scorbunny?"
"You're killing me. Scorbunny's been a Trio pick for barely a year and mostly breeds in the EU. Hidden Libero? Where am I supposed to grab that?"
He just stared.
She wilted. "There's a cache of Gen-8 Starter eggs with… murky provenance. Quality not certified, parentage unclear, traits unknown. They were slated for provincial 'internal digestion.' I can wedge you one pick. Dare?"
Ethan grinned. Blind boxes are exactly my game. "Deal. Ping us the day they land—we choose first."
He paused. "Any chance we pick after they hatch?"
Blaze snorted. "You underestimate demand. They'll be gone long before hatching. Even the non-Hidden lots get snapped by 'well-placed uncles and aunties.' If the Alliance hadn't cleaned house a few years back, we wouldn't even be having this talk."
"Okay. Next piece of comp."
"Careful. You're already bleeding us with the egg pull."
"I want my High-Seed reward swapped. No custom feed; give me fruit credit of equal value. Anything sold on the open market, I can redeem through the school."
Blaze did the math. "50,000 credit."
"Too light. That's compensation? 150,000."
"Is this your house? Bottom line's 100,000. Take it or leave it."
"Barely acceptable. 100k it is."
"Good. Now, enrollment."
Her tone hardened. "I, Blaze Ashwick, Fire Teaching & Research Team Lead of Imperial Province First Trainer High, formally invite you to the Fire Track."
Ethan's mouth twitched. So that's the real ask. He had planned on Fire—but Dark was tempting with Houndour…
"Tsk. I was leaning Dark—Houndour's primary typing and all."
If not for his right hand rubbing thumb and forefinger, she might have believed him.
This pup needs to be lured in—then locked. Blaze set an ancient leather notebook on the table.
"Have a look. Your flavor?"
Ethan lifted it with feigned boredom, heart deadly serious—the cover showed a regal Houndoom. He remembered her saying she'd once handled a Heavenly-King-tier anklet from a Houndoom.
So this was that Heavenly King Houndoom's secret manual?
A few minutes later he closed it, face placid. He coughed. "Can't say I get it. Kinda rambling. What's Dark offering? Feels a better fit."
Blaze snatched it back. "Forget it. The school sent me because Dark's package is weaker. They'll take you for free, sure."
She stood and cracked the door.
"Don't—Fire's fine. I can… tolerate it." He sprang up and yoinked the manual.
"No, no—don't wrong yourself. Go Dark. Fire can't keep a god like you."
She passed it behind her; Typhlosion caught it.
Ethan and Typhlosion stared each other down.
Ethan: …
Damn—I can't beat him.
Time for Boss Cat's Signature Evil—a deep bow. "Please let me join Fire."
Only then did Typhlosion set the notebook back under Blaze's nod.
Blaze offered a hand. Ethan first slid the manual into his bag, then shook.
"Welcome to Fire."
"Please take care of me, Captain."
At the door, Ethan added, dead serious, "I'll take the comp—but don't skip the punishment."
"As you wish. If I don't deliver, take the manual and go Dark."
They shared a fox's smile. Someone had to be sacrificed. They chose Lydia Vale—for a win-win.
— — —
Back at the arena, Blaze headed upstairs to report while Ethan returned to the candidates' bench.
Houndour was "exhausted," draped over a chair. Yuna Thistledown and Lincoln Stonehelm hovered, fussing.
Lana was nowhere—neither on floor nor bench.
"How'd it go? Anything good?" Lincoln asked, already knowing.
"Pretty good. The school's generous. Thanks for watching him."
Houndour dropped the act, sprang up, and butted Ethan's leg. A quick check—absorbing that Typhlosion flame had pushed him to Lv. 11.
Yuna blinked—he'd been acting? She'd worried for nothing.
"Where's Lana?"
"She swept her three and drew the eye of the Dark vice lead. She went to discuss her Starter Trio pick and some cooperation."
"Same age—you two talk. I won't intrude," Lincoln said, waving as he turned away.
"Brother Lin—thanks for today!"
He just flicked a hand without looking back. "Don't mention it. If I call in a favor, help if it fits."
"Duty," Ethan said.
— — —
Lucian Dawnmere and Felix Virel weren't on the bench. Felix had been summoned for debrief; Lucian had already headed home, but asked Yuna to pass Ethan his contact.
Ethan and Yuna swapped details and chatted teams. She didn't hide her Starter choice: Squirtle.
"With Heracross joining, I'm not short on damage," she said. "I wanted a bulwark with typing coverage—and something that helps into Bugs."
After a bit, Lana returned—except… something was off.
Nine out of eighteen? One Lana went out, two came back.
Both stood arms-crossed, cool-eyed, waiting for Ethan to pick the real one.
He circled them once, twice—then snapped his fingers, grinning. He'd thought of a very particular Pokémon.