However, when Nathan saw the shipping address on the package, he was stunned.
Because the address wasn't domestic—it was from abroad, and specifically from the Valar Islands.
Opening the box, he found an ornamental Poké Ball inside.
This Poké Ball was made of a crystal-like material, and inside it, a cute Pikachu could be seen.
Besides the Poké Ball, there was also a letter inside the box.
But the moment Nathan opened the letter, he felt he had been overestimated.
It was entirely written in characters he couldn't understand.
Although he knew that this was the language of the island country, that was the extent of his knowledge—he didn't understand a single word of it.
"Who the heck sends me a letter and doesn't even bother to include a translation?"
Nathan sighed and took out his phone.
Thankfully, modern phones come with instant translation tools.
Otherwise, he'd have to go out of his way to find someone to help him translate it.
"Dear Nathan-kun, I am a Trainer from the Valar Islands…"
The translated letter was a full three to four pages long. Nathan spent two minutes reading through it.
After reading it, he finally understood the situation.
It was from a foreign Trainer who had watched some of Nathan's battle videos and very much wanted to challenge him.
However, the letter didn't even include a name.
Let alone who the person was—he didn't even know if it was a man or a woman.
"Looks like this person's got some background too—managing to get the address of my dormitory,"
Nathan muttered to himself while holding the letter.
After all, he hadn't publicized his trip to Grace City much. He was mainly here to challenge the local culture and practices.
Yet this person clearly knew where Nathan was staying—something even he himself wouldn't be able to pull off in someone else's case.
"Oh well, whatever happens, happens. Who cares who it is—bring it on!"
Nathan casually tossed the letter into the trash.
As for the Poké Ball, he placed it in his room.
He wasn't particularly interested in decorative items like this.
Compared to such things, he still much preferred a real Poké Ball.
As Nathan turned to leave his room, the Poké Ball on the table suddenly emitted a faint red glow.
However, due to the crystal shell, the light wasn't clearly visible.
…
That night, after finishing his routine, Nathan lay down and went to sleep.
But in the crystal Poké Ball on the table, the once-adorable Pikachu moved!
Originally facing the wall, it slowly turned toward Nathan's bed.
After a good night's rest, Nathan felt more refreshed than ever.
Looking at his class schedule, he noticed he had a morning class.
Since he was free now anyway, he decided to attend.
Throwing on his backpack, he headed for the classroom.
When Nathan entered, the lecture hall was already packed.
Out of a hundred seats, only a few were still empty.
He didn't recognize anyone in the room, so he just sat down wherever there was a spot.
But everyone else in the room turned to look at him.
Can't blame them—Nathan's fame was just too dazzling.
A national champion who had even beaten the drill sergeants during military training—virtually every freshman knew his name.
The bell rang, and the room fell silent.
The sound of high heels echoed as a woman in a business suit walked in.
Holding a lesson plan in her hand, she was clearly the instructor for the class.
Despite being a university teacher, she looked quite young—around 25 or 26.
Her suit outlined her figure perfectly.
"Wow~ I've been waiting just for Ms. Mia. I wouldn't even bother with the other dozen courses if it weren't for this one."
"Bro, same here."
…
Hearing the chatter from his classmates, Nathan finally looked up at the teacher.
When he saw her face, he froze for a moment.
Since when were teachers this attractive?
"All right, class. I'll start by taking roll."
"Ren Jian."
"Present!"
"Louie Yan."
…
"Nathan Vesper."
"Here."
Upon hearing his him, Ms. Mia looked up at him and said,
"Come to my office after class."
After calling the roll, she began teaching.
Nathan, however, was puzzled. Why did she want to see him in her office?
The pimply guy sitting next to Nathan leaned over and whispered,
"You're the only one who's missed this class."
Nathan could only smile wryly. How's that my fault?
He'd been insanely busy lately.
Besides, the stuff they were teaching in this so-called Pokémon University wasn't even as advanced as what he already knew.
And let's face it—he wasn't here to "study."
"Thanks,"
Nathan nodded, deciding to at least try and listen.
But halfway through, he couldn't help it—he laid his head on the desk and fell asleep.
It wasn't that he didn't want to attend class, nor was it that Ms. Mia was a bad teacher.
The content was just so basic for him that it was utterly boring.
He dozed until the class ended—and was shaken awake by his neighbor.
"The teacher said to meet her in her office."
Still groggy, Nathan nodded and yawned—only to see Ms. Mia standing at the door, watching him.
Awkwardly, Nathan followed her to her office.
"So, tell me, why haven't you been attending my classes these past few days?"
Ms. Mia tossed her lesson plan onto her desk, her expression stern and serious.
Nathan never expected that in a chaotic place like Grace City, there'd still be such a dedicated teacher.
"I had some matters to deal with. Just didn't have the time to come to class."
He replied honestly.
"No matter what's going on, nothing is more important than your education.
Remember, this is your last warning. I expect you to attend class regularly from now on."
After that, she said nothing more and lowered her head.
Although her commitment to her job impressed Nathan, he had no intention of actually following through.
Seeing she had nothing more to say, he turned to leave.
But just outside the office, he bumped into someone—it was the pimply guy from earlier.
"Hey, can I ask you something?"
Nathan quickly grabbed the student and pulled him aside.
The pimply guy looked up, realized who it was, and followed Nathan to a corner.
"What's the deal with that teacher?"
Nathan was genuinely curious.
How could someone stay so clean and upright in such a corrupt place?
"You mean Ms. Mia?"
Nathan nodded.
"She's a new teacher this year. Because she's so attractive, no one skips her class.
You're literally the only exception."
The pimply guy didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point.
Meanwhile, in the office, Ms. Miawas typing rapidly on her keyboard.
A long email was quickly written and sent.
If Nathan saw it, he'd be stunned—because it was entirely in Valarian.
…
In a certain estate in the Valar Islands—
"Black Fox has reported that Nathan has returned to school. He's now under our surveillance."
A woman in a black kimono reported to the man seated at the desk.
The moment the man heard Nathan's name, he smashed his teacup to the floor.
Scalding tea spilled everywhere, but the kimono-clad woman didn't even flinch.
"Find an opportunity and make your move.
The moment he leaves the campus, I want him dead!"
That man was none other than the leader of Chiyou.
Because their previous operation had been foiled—and it even alerted a legendary Pokémon—
the government had started a full-scale purge of Dark Organizations.
With no other choice, the Chiyou had relocated its main base to the Valar Islands.
"Yes!"
The woman bowed deeply, not daring to lift her head.
"Has the venue for the Pacific Regional Tournament been secured?"
The leader asked.
"We're still in the process of applying. If all goes well, it will be held here in the Valar Islands."
"Good. You're dismissed."
Less than ten minutes after the woman left the room, Ms. Mia—aka Black Fox—received an email.
It had only two words: Make the move.
Though their Dark Organization operated in the shadows, they had many members in the open.
And Ms. Mia—Black Fox—was one of them.
(End of Chapter)