Magnus's eyes widened in disbelief.
His Charmander was a Newbie (Mid Stage).
Even if it was type-disadvantaged, there was no way it should be getting completely crushed by a so-called " Newbie (Early Stage)y" rookie!
"Charmander… get up! Use Metal Claw!!"
Magnus roared through clenched teeth.
Charmander struggled to its feet. Light flared around its claws as it charged straight at Froakie.
"Froakie, use Power-Up Punch."
Aaron's voice sounded once more, calm and steady.
A glow gathered around Froakie's right fist as it sprinted forward to meet the attack.
Bang—!
Power-Up Punch collided head-on with Metal Claw, producing a sharp metallic crack.
In the next instant, Charmander's Metal Claw shattered.
Its small body was sent flying by Froakie's single punch, crashing hard onto the ground.
Charmander's eyes spun in circles.
It had completely lost the ability to battle.
At the same time, a system notification rang in Aaron's ear.
"Ding~ Froakie has won the battle. Gained moderate experience (Exp.Share bonus active)."
"Holy crap… Aaron's Froakie is insane! The class monitor's Charmander got completely dominated!"
"Gasp… so Aaron is the real hidden master. No wonder he always sleeps in class and comes late—he's actually a genius!?"
"Aaron's Froakie is way too cool! Two moves and Charmander was done. I'm a fan now…"
"Aaron himself is pretty handsome too. I wonder if he has a girlfriend…"
"The class monitor definitely won't be able to take this, hahaha…"
…
As Charmander fell, gasps and excited chatter erupted all around the arena.
…
"Charmander has lost the ability to battle!"
"Therefore, the winner is Aaron!"
Alaric's eyes flashed with a subtle, unusual light as he gave Aaron a long look before announcing the result.
"I don't accept this!! He must be cheating!!"
Magnus roared, his face twisted with rage.
"My Charmander is a Newbie (Mid Stage)! How could it possibly lose to some little frog!?"
His expression was ferocious, as if he wanted to tear Aaron apart on the spot.
"Enough."
Alaric cut him off.
"Aaron, if I'm not mistaken, your Froakie has already reached Newbie (Late Stage), correct?"
He asked with a gentle smile.
"Yes, Teacher."
Aaron didn't hide it and answered honestly.
Then, turning toward the stunned Magnus, he shouted loudly:
"Magnus… you're not good enough!!"
Magnus: "......"
It felt as though someone had grabbed his throat.
Magnus couldn't breathe.
That damned Aaron wasn't just winning—he was killing him emotionally.
His head tilted to the side, and Magnus collapsed on the spot, unconscious.
"Oh no! Oh no! The class monitor couldn't take the shock and passed out!"
"Quick, quick—get two people and carry the class monitor to the infirmary!"
"Coming, coming! Hurry up!"
…
"Ding~ Congratulations on completing the mission: Slap in the Face 2!"
"Congratulations! You have obtained Pokémon Candy ×1."
"Ding~ Devil Fruit draw in progress…"
"Ding~ Congratulations! You have obtained the Hito Hito no Mi – Mythical Zoan – Nika Form Devil Fruit!!"
As Magnus was carried away, the system notifications echoed one after another in Aaron's ears.
But when he heard the result of the Devil Fruit draw, Aaron froze in disbelief.
"Holy shit… what kind of luck is this?"
"I actually pulled the strongest Devil Fruit from One Piece!?"
Overjoyed, Aaron immediately opened the system inventory and checked the attributes of the Nika Fruit.
[Name: Nika Fruit]
[Effect: After being consumed by a Pokémon, grants the abilities of the Sun God Nika:
Rubberized Body (Unlocked at Pokémon Newbie Stage)
Gear Second (Unlocked at Pokémon Beginner Stage)
Gear Third (Unlocked at Pokémon Intermediate Stage)
Gear Fourth (Requires Armament Haki; unlocked at Pokémon Advanced Stage)
Gear Fifth (Unlocked at Pokémon Elite Stage)]
(Weakness to seawater has been removed—use with confidence.)
…
"Gasp…"
Aaron sucked in a sharp breath.
Insane.
There was nothing else to say—this was pure insanity.
Truly worthy of being the Devil Fruit of the protagonist, Monkey D. Luffy.
Aaron felt blissfully satisfied.
…
After that, Alaric began teaching the class how to better command Pokémon during battle.
The other students listened with rapt attention.
Aaron, however, found it painfully boring and almost dozed off.
"Aaron, you're amazing! You even beat the class monitor and made him faint from anger—so satisfying!"
Yuri leaned over excitedly.
"That kind of trash… anyone with hands could beat him."
"…"
At that moment, Alaric's voice rang out again.
"Alright. Everyone, you're free to practice Pokémon battles on your own."
"Aaron, come with me to the office."
All eyes immediately turned toward Aaron.
He felt slightly puzzled, unsure why the homeroom teacher wanted to see him alone.
Ignoring the mix of envy and resentment in those gazes, he followed Alaric out.
…
Homeroom Teacher's Office
Alaric and Aaron sat facing each other.
Alaric picked up his thermos of warm Moomoo Milk, took a sip, and spoke slowly.
"Aaron… have you heard of the College Entrance Training Camp?"
"The College Entrance Training Camp?"
Aaron paused, then memories surfaced.
The so-called College Entrance Training Camp was a joint program between schools and the military.
It selected students with exceptional potential and put them through special training conducted personally by military powerhouses.
The training was notoriously strict, but its reputation was outstanding.
Any student who made it through would at minimum be admitted to a first- or second-tier university.
Some were even directly selected by the military and granted special admission into a Military Pokémon University—
one of Hualis Region's top-tier institutions.
A school countless students dreamed of entering.
…