Kai's words had barely fallen when Ortega first showed a dismissive expression, as if he found the threat too laughable to take seriously. Then, his phone vibrated a few times, signaling an incoming message.
Suspicious, Ortega pulled out his phone. The moment his eyes landed on the glaring text on the screen, his mind went blank.
How was this possible?
This was just some newly appointed teacher who hadn't even secured his footing at the academy—how did he have the authority to freeze his bank card?
Kai, seeing Ortega's dazed expression, kindly offered an explanation. "Your father called me a few days ago. He entrusted me with this authority at that time. Ortega, before our next class, I hope you take the time to reflect on what you did wrong today."
Kai didn't care about being insulted. Before he transmigrated, he had dealt with far worse during online debates—compared to those, Ortega's little outburst was nothing.
Too low-level.
What truly led Kai to take action was Ortega's personal attacks on Pipa and Pena, who had only tried to de-escalate the situation.
Shifting his gaze from the utterly devastated Ortega—whose long-standing pride had just been shattered—Kai turned his attention back to the other students. They were staring at him as if he were some kind of divine being. Smiling, he clapped his hands together and said, "Alright, let's continue. We might go a few minutes over time. Is everyone okay with that?"
"Yes~"
Seeing the ever-arrogant Ortega suffer such a setback, the students—who now fully recognized Kai's competence—had absolutely no reason to refuse.
—
After wrapping up the class with a brief summary, Kai left the field clutching his cracked-screen phone, which now contained over a dozen new contacts. The remaining students could only stare in bewilderment as their teacher practically fled the scene.
Nemona, who had been planning to challenge him to a few extra battles during the break, was left standing there in a daze, hand half-raised.
By the time Kai jogged out of Naranja Academy's gates, his face was a picture of grief, as if he had just suffered a major personal loss. He muttered to himself, "Overtime... I actually worked overtime. How could I let this happen?"
Even if it had only been five extra minutes, Kai felt like he had suffered a massive financial loss. What kind of normal person gets sent to the Pokémon world and still ends up working overtime?!
"What overtime?"
Director Clavell appeared out of nowhere, looking at Kai in confusion. Judging by his stance, it seemed he had been waiting at the academy's entrance for quite some time.
Though startled by Clavell's sudden appearance, Kai quickly regained his composure and asked, "Director Clavell, what are you doing here?"
"I was waiting for you, Mr. Kai." Clavell straightened up and leaned in slightly, asking in a hushed voice, "So? How did the young master behave today?"
Ortega's behavior?
Kai's expression turned a little strange as he relayed everything Ortega had done that day in a few short sentences.
"And that's about it. For now, I've frozen his bank card, and I plan to lift the restriction after next week's class. If you or his father think that's inappropriate, I can unlock it now—I don't mind."
Clavell shook his head and gave Kai a thumbs-up. "The master has entrusted everything to you, Mr. Kai. We fully support your decision."
"The young master's sharp tongue has been an issue for a long time. Unfortunately, his father has always been too busy with the family business to properly guide him. Now, he doesn't feel he has the standing to discipline him. It's fortunate that you have taken on this role, Mr. Kai."
"All matters regarding the young master's education are yours to handle as you see fit."
After saying that, Clavell bowed deeply. As Ortega's long-time caretaker, it pained him to see the boy like this, but this was a necessary step.
All he could do now was hope that Kai could bring about a positive change in Ortega.
Recalling the weight in Ortega's father's voice when he had made the request, Kai sighed and helped Clavell straighten up. "As long as you're fine with it. As for his attitude... I'll do my best."
At the very least, in the original storyline, Ortega eventually changed for the better because of Team Star. That meant his personality wasn't beyond saving.
—
By the time Kai returned to the ranch on his Dragonite, it was already nearing five in the afternoon.
As soon as he landed, he raised his voice, calling for all the Pokémon on the farm to gather.
Moments later, his gaze swept across his six main Pokémon, his Poliwhirl and Poliwag, and Growlithe.
Aside from Moltres and the recovering Delibird, every Pokémon on the farm had assembled.
Kai couldn't help but feel a little nostalgic. It had been less than two months since he settled in Los Platos after his journey, yet the farm had grown so lively.
And with today's new additions, things were about to get even livelier.
Clearing his throat, Kai adopted a cheerful tone. "I'm sure you all already know—we're welcoming some new members to our farm today! Now, let me introduce them to you."
Over a dozen curious eyes immediately shifted to the four new arrivals standing behind him.
Kai first picked up a small, doughy Pokémon, its body resembling soft, fermented bread dough.
"This is Fidough, one of our new family members. It can produce yeast, which means the baked goods we enjoy will be even tastier in the future!"
The Fidough blinked its dark, round eyes as it looked at the Pokémon surrounding it. Its tail drooped slightly, clearly nervous.
Especially when it noticed the five strongest Pokémon scrutinizing it—Fidough tensed up and immediately buried its face in Kai's chest.
Particularly that long, dark purple one... why was it staring at it like that?!
Kai: "..."
This little guy had been so lively during selection—was Luxray and the others' presence really that intimidating?
With no other choice, Kai gently set Fidough down behind his right leg for now before picking up another Pokémon.
This one had a small, round body that resembled an unripe olive, with a leafy sprout atop its head. A single yellow fruit hung from the sprout, storing bitter oil within.
"This is Smoliv. Once it evolves, it'll be able to produce delicious olive oil. Whimsicotts and Eldegoss, I'll be counting on you three to look after this little one."
Smoliv was a bit braver than Fidough. While it also avoided looking in Serperior's direction, it at least had the courage to take small steps forward and join the waiting Fidoughs after they warmly invited it over.
As for the third new Pokémon, Mudbray... Kai wasn't even going to try picking it up. Even in its unevolved state, this Pokémon had an average weight of 110 kg.
Since they were gathered in the open pasture, where the grass had grown lush and thick, Mudbray had been calmly munching away ever since it arrived, utterly unbothered by its surroundings.
It seemed quite pleased with the quality of the grass here.
Kai chuckled and crouched down, running a hand along Mudbray's sturdy body. "This is Mudbray, our farm's first Pokémon in the pasture. Once it learns Ground-type moves for plowing, our farmland will be even more fertile."
----
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