Compared to the Indigo Plateau Conference, which mainly drew the attention of the general public and aspiring Trainers eager to watch live battles, the Rainbow University anniversary celebrations carried a different kind of weight. Here, the spotlight fell heavily on researchers. Famous and unknown alike flocked to Rainbow University, turning the campus into a stage of bustling academic exchange.
As the world's most prestigious institution, Rainbow University produced graduates who went on to conduct research across the globe. During its anniversary, the campus transformed into a grand symposium. Panels of discussion unfolded one after another—sessions that the average person might find dry, but for scholars, they were lively, thought-provoking exchanges.
For current students and recent graduates, this celebration was nothing short of a festival. Strolling through campus meant brushing shoulders with world-renowned academics. To be noticed by one of these scholars, and perhaps taken in as a research assistant, could mark the beginning of a shining academic career.
But no matter how important research was, the truth of this world remained: whether in entertainment, politics, or the military, everything revolved around battles with Pokémon. Even scholars with the highest reputations could not quite match the allure of famous Trainers.
This year's event had secured more attention than ever. Three Champions—representing Kanto, Sinnoh, and Unova—were all scheduled to appear. Rainbow University wasted no effort in marketing their presence, knowing that greater attention meant greater prestige and more funding for future research.
The campus was plastered with banners, posters, and slogans. Some bore the names of eminent professors like Professor Oak and Professor Rowan, their lectures advertised proudly. But to the everyday Trainer and casual visitor, what really captured excitement was not the academic panels—it was the Champions' arrival, and the exhibition matches that would be held within the university grounds.
Locals from Rainbow City took advantage of their proximity to attend in droves. Visitors from other Kanto cities and even faraway regions flooded in as well. For once, the so-called "temple of knowledge" was abuzz with the noise of a carnival.
Logan walked through the campus alone.
Erika, as both a Rainbow University lecturer and the Gym Leader of Rainbow City, was busy beyond belief. She had to fulfill her hosting duties during the anniversary, and in the afternoon she was scheduled to participate in one of the exhibition matches. Through some discreet maneuvering on her part, her opponent was set to be none other than the Sinnoh Champion, Cynthia.
The clash between the Rainbow Gym Leader and the Sinnoh Champion promised to draw massive crowds, made even more irresistible by the fact that both participants were renowned not just for their strength, but for their beauty.
As for Logan, his exhibition opponent was Alder, the Unova Champion. Logan found this arrangement very satisfying. He had wanted to put that noisy old man in his place ever since Alder had clasped Cynthia's hand upon arrival in Kanto. That scene had inexplicably annoyed him—after all, even he had never held Cynthia's hand!
Everyone around him was occupied. Erika was swamped. Professors Oak and Rowan were consumed by their duties, moving between panels and academic meetings. Even the Bell family—Rowan's assistants—were tagging along, eager to meet renowned scholars. Their daughter, Prantina, naturally followed suit.
Cynthia had taken Yellow with her to tour the university. It was partly to avoid the commotion that would erupt if she and Logan walked together, but also to steer clear of the ever-annoying Alder.
"Hah, just like that, I've been abandoned and turned into a lone wanderer."
Logan gave a helpless shrug, though his steps were light as he strolled Rainbow University's expansive campus.
The grounds were massive—exploring them fully in a single day was impossible. Logan had no such plan. Simply walking beneath the familiar architecture brought back memories of his own university days back on Earth, of noisy dorm rooms and laughter-filled nights.
"Only after working do you realize how precious university life really was."
A faint smile touched his lips. At seventeen and a half, he was still younger than most students here, yet as Kanto's Champion, he stood out more than anyone. His fame across Kanto and Johto rivaled even that of Professor Oak.
It wasn't long before visitors and students recognized him.
"There's our Champion!"
"Champion Logan, may I have your autograph?"
"Could I take a picture with you?"
"Your Eevee is adorable and strong! I still remember how you guided its incredible evolution at the Indigo Conference—what a miracle of evolution! I'd love to research it someday!"
"Vee!" Eevee cried cheerfully, clearly delighted to play the role of a star.
Logan chuckled. In this world, Trainers were akin to celebrities, and he accepted the attention with grace. He politely refused journalists seeking interviews, but to ordinary fans he was warm and approachable.
Requests ranged from hugs to staged selfies to fan-style poses—things idols might do for their admirers—and Logan obliged, never losing patience.
"It really is true—being handsome makes life easier."
His conclusion was quick and certain. Compared to Alder, Logan's youth and good looks won far more cheers, especially among the girls.
Still, no one could rival Cynthia in popularity. Wherever she went, chaos followed. Unlike Logan, who charmed primarily women and some younger men, Cynthia's graceful aura transcended gender and age—children, adults, men, and women alike were drawn to her. Combined with her gentle demeanor and patience with reporters, she was always surrounded by an adoring crowd.
"Hey, Logan!"
Logan had just finished signing an autograph when a familiar voice called out. It took him a second to place it.
When he turned, recognition dawned, and a smile followed. "Ah, Professor Birch! You've come for the university anniversary as well? I don't see your daughter, Sophia, with you."
It was indeed Professor Birch, whom Logan had once met in Fuchsia City. Seeing him here was no surprise—Birch was a well-known scholar of Hoenn, after all.
"Sophia thought events like this were boring and chose to stay home to continue her training. But if she knew you were here, she'd regret it for sure." Birch clapped Logan on the shoulder with a grin.
"Training? Don't tell me Sophia wants to be a Trainer?" Logan blinked, remembering the quiet, shy girl. She didn't seem the type.
Birch laughed. "She's changed a lot lately—you'd be astonished to see her now. Thanks to that change, she's been able to help me in my research as well. I couldn't be happier."
"Then I'll definitely look forward to meeting her again," Logan said with a smile.
Just then, something caught his eye. Out of the corner of his vision, he spotted a familiar Pokémon, and he turned his head sharply.
"Ah! A Sylveon," Birch said, following his gaze. "Ever since the discovery of the Fairy-type, this species has become known to the public. Still, Sylveon is very rare. Even we researchers are eager to study them further."
A young girl walked past, Sylveon trotting gracefully at her side.
This world held curious mysteries. Before the Fairy-type was identified, many Pokémon with that nature were unable to demonstrate their full abilities. But once humanity recognized Fairy as a type, creatures like Jigglypuff and Clefairy revealed themselves in new light.
The phenomenon touched on ideas as strange as quantum mechanics—far beyond Logan's expertise.
What he knew for certain was this: it was his first time seeing someone else with a Sylveon.
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