The Paldea region was vast and expansive.
Most importantly, the Paldea region had very complex terrain. Centered around the basin and mountainous area where the Great Crater of Paldea was located, it divided the entire region into four areas: East, South, West, and North.
Pokémon like Deerling and Sawsbuck appeared in different forms across the various areas of the Paldea region, showing just how vast and complex the Paldea region's territory was.
Moreover, the four areas of the Paldea region presented different temperature environments: the south approached spring temperatures, the east approached summer temperatures, the west approached autumn temperatures, and the northern Glaseado Mountain approached winter.
At the same time, the most mysterious part of the Paldea region was undoubtedly the mysterious Great Crater of Paldea, surrounded by thick cloud layers.
It was said that the residents of the Paldea region all believed that very precious treasures slept in the depths of the Great Crater of Paldea, but due to environmental and Pokémon issues, few people dared to venture into the Great Crater of Paldea.
Additionally, the Paldea region was also famous for the "Ten Sights of Paldea"—ten areas with extremely beautiful scenery in the Paldea region.
Besides casually gaining some points, Johan's visit to the Paldea region was actually more about wanting to see these "Ten Sights of Paldea."
Of course, more importantly were the "Titan Pokémon" of the Paldea region and the "Herba Mystica" they guarded.
This was the "consciousness" of a chef.
Hearing Friede's brief introduction to the Paldea region, everyone was quite interested in it.
Especially Flint.
He looked eager to challenge the Paldea League's Elite Four.
The Galar region didn't have an Elite Four system, but the Paldea region did, which made Flint's goals more defined.
"This is the West Province of the Paldea region."
Friede stood with Johan and the others on the deck of the Brave Olivine, looking down through the clouds at the complex terrain of rolling mountains in Paldea's West Province.
"Ka-kaah?"
Gengar wasn't very concerned about what the Paldea region looked like. It just tilted its head and sat beside Old Man Ludlow, curiously watching his aerial fishing stance.
Could he really catch fish like this?
Ludlow chuckled happily. "I'm fishing for peace of mind. Whether I actually catch anything isn't really important."
"Ka-kaah! (゜Д゜)σ"
Gengar pointed at the old man and looked at Johan questioningly.
Is this old man showing off?
Johan nodded expressionlessly.
Ludlow: "..."
"Ahead is Medali Town," Friede said while speaking into the radio. "Medali Town, prepare for landing."
"Roger that." Orla the mechanic's voice came through the radio.
"Medali Town?" Flint poked his head out, looking down curiously.
Although Medali Town was just a town located in the West Province of the Paldea region, its scale wasn't small at all—it even looked more prosperous than ordinary cities.
Moreover, Medali Town was a town with a complex, intricate layout. As its name suggested, it was a town that gathered various treasures.
It was most famous for the large and small distinctive restaurants throughout the town.
It could be said to gather various specialty cuisines from all areas of the Paldea region, and even specialty foods from the other eight regions could be found in Medali Town.
It wasn't an exaggeration to say that Medali Town was a massive "food city" of the Paldea region.
This was also why many people would come to Medali Town to enjoy cuisine, including Elite Four members, Gym Leaders, and even Champions from the Paldea region.
The most famous place in Medali Town was "Treasure Eatery."
It was famous for good quality at reasonable prices. It was said that the taste was quite good and the prices very affordable. Many well-known trainers from the Paldea region were loyal customers of "Treasure Eatery."
This included the Gym Leader of Medali Town.
Moreover, it was said that "Treasure Eatery" would introduce a dish that could change a Pokémon's Tera type every so often, which was one of the reasons it could attract so many trainers.
Of course, with more monks than porridge, Pokémon battles were inevitable.
So "Treasure Eatery" was also famously a Pokémon battle restaurant.
And so, hearing that Medali Town was full of delicious restaurants, Gengar could barely contain itself.
In Gengar's words—it was already famished!
"Doesn't that mean we can encounter many powerful trainers to gain points from?" Flint became even more excited, his face showing impatience.
Johan glanced at him sideways.
"Who knows who'll be giving points to whom."
"Heh." Flint didn't mind. "Winning and losing are both common. I just wonder which powerful trainers are in Medali Town now."
"The Gym Leader of Medali Town," Johan said casually.
"Is Medali Town's Gym Leader very powerful?"
Friede interjected: "Medali Town's Gym Leader Mr. Larry is also an Elite Four member of the Paldea League."
"Elite Four? Moonlighting as a Gym Leader?" Flint looked surprised.
Except for the Galar region, where some were called Gym Leaders but were more like Elite Four in name—like Raihan—other regions didn't seem to have Elite Four moonlighting as Gym Leaders, right?
Johan's expression was somewhat strange as he said: "Strictly speaking... he's a Gym Leader moonlighting as Elite Four."
"Huh?"
Flint was stunned.
Could it work in reverse too?
Friede looked at Johan with some surprise.
"I didn't expect Teacher Johan to know about Mr. Larry?"
Larry's fame wasn't great. Even as an Elite Four member, he wasn't as enthusiastic about battles as other Elite Four members. He was like... just a very ordinary, ordinary person.
Johan's mouth twitched slightly.
Honestly, calling him a Gym Leader moonlighting as Elite Four was already "flattering" Larry.
Because Larry's primary identity was an employee in the Paldea League's operations department, then Medali Town's Gym Leader, and only after that an Elite Four member of the Paldea League.
As for why he chose Medali Town... for no other reason than Medali Town's "Treasure Eatery" suited Larry's taste perfectly, and the prices were cheap.
The key point was the cheap prices.
Therefore, Larry was actually moonlighting as a Gym Leader, then moonlighting as League Elite Four.
League Elite Four was his second side job. If word got out, who knew how many Elite Four would think this Elite Four position wasn't worth having!
So Larry had truly understood the "working life," clocking in and out on time. He was also somewhat famous for being laid-back—no, it should be called having a normal mindset.
He formed a stark contrast with Galar region's Gym Leader Mr. Gordie.
As for why Johan knew so much about Larry...
On one hand, he had fought Larry when playing Pokémon Scarlet/Violet.
On the other hand, he had once read a Pokémon fanfiction whose protagonist was named "Larry," and this was even before Scarlet/Violet came out.
"I've heard some things, just some simple things..." Johan said vaguely.
"Preparing to land!"
Orla's voice rang out over the intercom.
Then the Brave Olivine descended below.
Although Medali Town was located in the West Province of the Paldea region, it wasn't near the edge of the Paldea region. It could even be said to be in an area relatively close to the center, because east of Medali Town was the Great Crater of Paldea.
West of Medali Town was the famous "Casseroya Lake," south was the Paldea region's largest desert "Asado Desert," and a bit further north was the Paldea region's highest snow mountain "Glaseado Mountain."
So Medali Town's geographical location was also an important reason it could become the Paldea region's largest "food city."
The "Brave Olivine" landed on flat ground outside Medali Town.
As soon as they got off the airship, there was Medali Town's Pokémon Center.
"Eh? The Pokémon Center is outside town?" Flint asked curiously.
"This is also one of the Paldea region's characteristics," Friede said. "Most Pokémon Centers in the Paldea region are located outside towns, to make it more convenient for traveling trainers to get timely treatment."
"On the other hand, it's probably also prepared for trainers who have Tera Orbs, right?" Johan added.
"Exactly." Friede nodded. "There's also the reason of recharging Tera Orbs faster."
"But actually, it's mainly for the convenience of traveling trainers. Most towns also have a Pokémon Center inside, after all... not every trainer can possess a Tera Orb," Friede added.
There were also ones inside towns?
This was somewhat different from Johan's understanding of Paldea region Pokémon Centers.
However, having at least three Pokémon Centers per town required considerable financial investment from the Paldea League.
Not just in terms of Nurse Joy staffing, but also the expensive equipment in Pokémon Centers.
The Paldea region truly lived up to its reputation as a region very "friendly" to trainers.
Not just inside and outside towns—even in some relatively dangerous wild areas, Pokémon Centers existed.
This placed higher requirements on the "self-protection abilities" of the Nurse Joys at Pokémon Centers.
"Tera Orbs? Those are the items that let Pokémon Terastallize, right?" Caitlin asked.
"That's right," Friede said.
Then, under everyone's puzzled gazes, Johan strode purposefully into the Pokémon Center.
Against the familiar background music, Johan walked up to Nurse Joy.
"Hello, how may I help... Teacher Johan?"
The polite Nurse Joy was halfway through her professional greeting when she suddenly recognized Johan, looking completely surprised.
Johan smiled as he took out a pitch-black orb.
It was exactly a Tera Orb.
However, its energy hadn't been recharged since the last "Hoopa Unbound" incident.
"Nurse Joy, could you please help me recharge this?"
"A Tera Orb? Oh, oh oh... certainly, please wait a moment." Nurse Joy was still in shock from Teacher Johan's sudden appearance. Only when Johan took out the Tera Orb did she react.
Tera Orbs that couldn't be recharged in other regions became very convenient in the Paldea region.
Just like Dynamax in the Galar region.
"Thank you."
Taking the fully recharged Tera Orb, Johan thanked her with a gentle smile.
Nurse Joy's face flushed slightly as she quickly waved her hands. "N-no need to be polite."
Only after Johan left the Pokémon Center did Nurse Joy finally slowly realize.
Teacher Johan had actually come to the Paldea region?
Wasn't he just dealing with that terrifying and powerful Eternatus in the Galar region a few days ago?
"Oh no, I forgot to take a photo!" Nurse Joy slapped her forehead, remembering she hadn't taken a photo with Teacher Johan. Sisters in the family group were always showing off photos with Teacher Johan—she hadn't expected it would finally be her turn!
Biting her lip, Nurse Joy still jogged after him.
"Teacher Johan, could I take a photo with you?"
"Hmm?"
Johan, who had just left the Pokémon Center, was slightly stunned, then smiled. "Of course."
Click—
After the photo, Nurse Joy returned to the Pokémon Center satisfied, posting the picture in the family group to show off.
Medali Town South Pokémon Center Joy: [Photo.jpg]
Medali Town South Pokémon Center Joy: Teacher Johan is even more handsome in person than in photos!
Oh no!
Johan, who had just taken a photo with Nurse Joy, suddenly felt a chill down his back.
Damn.
He'd forgotten his little Cynthia was there, plus Caitlin as a "troublemaker" fanning the flames.
Johan turned around.
He saw Cynthia with a gentle smile and warm expression, Caitlin whispering in her ear, Garchomp looking fierce but with its eyes covered by Gengar, and...
A bunch of "spectators" turning their heads aside, pretending to make phone calls, or crouching to count ants.
Cynthia tucked her golden hair behind her ear and smiled slightly. "Let's go, let's enter Medali Town first."
She turned and walked elegantly in front.
Entering Medali Town, Johan hurried to catch up, spending considerable effort to squeeze past the pouting and indignant Caitlin, quietly asking:
"Are you jealous?"
"You're overthinking it." Cynthia's voice remained unchanged, still gentle and elegant.
"Really?"
"Really."
"Is that... Miss Cynthia! It really is Miss Cynthia!"
As soon as they entered Medali Town, they suddenly encountered a young man in his twenties who immediately recognized Cynthia.
"I'm your fan! Could I take a photo with you?" The young man's face flushed red with excitement.
Hmm?
Johan immediately narrowed his eyes.
Cynthia looked at Johan with a smile, then said: "If you strongly insist..."
"That would be wonder—" Before he could finish, the young man suddenly felt a bone-chilling coldness rise behind him, as if he'd fallen directly from the hot Asado Desert into Glaseado Mountain.
Only then did he notice Johan beside Cynthia, wearing a "kind" smile.
"T-Teacher Johan..."
Johan said gently: "Like taking photos? I know many rare legendary Pokémon—Giratina, Groudon, Yveltal, Kyurem, Eternatus. If you're willing, I could have them pose nicely for photos with you."
Young man: Σ(゜□゜)
These... these legendary Pokémon could really take photos?
"Gulp—" The young man swallowed hard.
Cynthia gave Johan an annoyed look, then turned to the young man: "Sorry, my boyfriend is here, so photos... let's skip it."
"Boy-boyfriend?!"
The young man was struck by lightning.
Although there had long been rumors online that Teacher Johan and Miss Cynthia might be a couple, hearing this for the first time, the young man as a Cynthia fan still found it hard to believe.
Johan was different—he immediately squinted his eyes, almost letting out a "Zhang Wei-style" long "ahhhh."
This was the first time Cynthia had openly called him her boyfriend in front of a stranger.
This feeling... was incredibly fulfilling!
"Ka-kaah~" Gengar beside them showed an "auntie smile," looking like their pig had finally managed to win over good cabbage.
In contrast, Garchomp and Caitlin's expressions were quite colorful.
"Shaka..."
My cabbage that I raised for over twenty years...
Johan patted the young man's shoulder: "Fine, I won't have Gengar visit you tonight."
Young man: Σ(゜□゜)
Did... did I dodge a bullet?
After passing the young man, Cynthia asked softly with a smile: "Are you jealous?"
She "replicated" Johan's earlier words.
Johan's answer was much more "honest"—he nodded: "Yeah."
"I almost had Gengar and Giratina take him for a tour of Paldea's famous cemetery areas in the middle of the night."
"Pfft—"
Cynthia couldn't help but laugh.
"So were you jealous just now?" Johan asked again as if confirming.
"I wasn't."
"Eh?"
Cynthia's cheeks flushed as she glared at Johan somewhat coquettishly, saying word by word:
"I wasn't!"
Her reaction actually said everything. Johan smiled.
When little Cynthia was jealous... she was really cute.
Everyone behind them: We shouldn't be here, we should be under the car...
They felt like they'd been force-fed an entire tank of dog food.
"Teacher Rica!"
In Medali Town, Friede finally met the teacher who had profoundly influenced him—Rica!
She was also the mother of Liko, one of the protagonists of Pokémon Horizons, and the great-granddaughter of Rystal, one of the ancient "Explorers trio"!
She had been a Pokémon trainer and was now a teacher.
Rica wore a practical white T-shirt and navy jacket, with short hair, and a golden Squawkabilly perched on her shoulder. It called out quite imposingly, seemingly compensating for Rica's lack of "authority" as a teacher.
"Long time no see, Friede. You look really good now. These people are— Wait! Teacher Johan?!"
As a teacher, Rica was naturally familiar with Johan, who was also a teacher.
"Let me introduce everyone..."
Friede then introduced everyone to Rica one by one.
They learned that Rica's family had already moved from Medali Town to Cabo Poco, but they still arranged to meet in Medali Town...
On one hand, Medali Town was more suitable for hosting guests, allowing her and her husband to properly fulfill their host duties.
On the other hand, it was also because her husband and his friend were recently collecting materials near Medali Town.
Her husband Alex was a well-known picture book artist.
"If Alex's friend knew Teacher Johan was here too, he'd definitely be very excited."
Hmm?
Alex's... friend?
Why would he be so excited?
"Come on! I'll take you to a restaurant first. Alex and the others need a bit more time—we don't need to wait for them!" Rica waved her hand, speaking quite "boldly."
Flint and Gengar immediately cheered.
"Teacher, where's little Liko?" Friede couldn't help asking.
Besides seeing her once when Liko was very small, he hadn't seen that little one for a long time.
"Liko." Speaking of Liko, Rica's face immediately showed maternal radiance. "She's with her grandmother in Cabo Poco. She's starting kindergarten."
"I see..." Friede understood.
Johan walked alongside Cynthia holding her hand without interrupting.
But he was thinking about some things.
Liko should already be wearing Terapagos's pendant by now, right?
In the near future, when her grandmother Diana realized Liko might encounter danger, she would commission Friede's "Rising Volt Tacklers."
That would be the beginning of the Pokémon Horizons plot.
Oh, there was no more "Rising Volt Tacklers" now—it should be called the "Rising Volt Tacklers Class."
Just as everyone arrived at Medali Town's most famous "Treasure Eatery," a crisp call suddenly came from the side.
"Woof!!"
They saw a small dog that looked like it was made from fermented dough, wagging its tail and sticking out its tongue, barking while running toward Rica.
Fidough.
"Fidough, a Fairy-type puppy Pokémon. It's said that its breath contains rich yeast that can ferment surrounding objects. It's one of the favorite Pokémon of pastry chefs, Rotom!"
Rotom rarely proved useful again.
Rica crouched down, smiling as she caught the running Fidough.
This was their family's Fidough. Its appearance meant Alex had returned.
Looking up, she indeed saw two men walking quickly toward them.
Walking in front was a man with a silly smile, wearing round glasses and a navy shirt with a paint-stained apron over it, scratching his head—Rica's husband, picture book artist Alex.
Beside Alex was a well-dressed middle-aged man with golden hair, holding a sketchbook.
"Back so soon?"
Rica first expressed surprise, then introduced everyone.
Setting aside Alex, the person beside him was clearly—
"This is the Art teacher at Orange Academy, and also one of our Paldea region's Elite Four, Dragon-type Elite Four member, Mr. Hassel!"
It really was him!
The meticulous Hassel maintained a stern expression, but when Rica introduced him, his expression softened considerably, showing some smile.
"Teacher Johan, Champion Cynthia..."
Hassel's Elite Four status certainly surprised quite a few people.
But don't forget—among Johan's group were two Champions and two Elite Four members.
So Hassel's Elite Four status... barely reached average passing level.
"Mr. Hassel, no need for formalities..."
Regardless, Hassel was considerably older than Johan, Cynthia, and the others.
Although they were already Champions, proper respect for seniors was still appropriate.
Hassel nodded, his gaze falling on Johan.
His expression became serious again.
"Teacher Johan, I would like to discuss with you the way of teaching, to learn and study from each other!"
Hmm?
Everyone looked toward Rica and Alex.
Alex quietly explained: "This is Mr. Hassel's challenge invitation."
Everyone understood.
No wonder... Rica had said earlier that Alex's friend would definitely be very excited to see Teacher Johan.
Upon meeting, he immediately issued a challenge?
And his speech was somewhat literary...
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Powerstones?
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