Chapter 30: Time for Another Spanking~
When Liz saw the two beast scholars carrying Will into the palace caught in a giant net, she couldn't help but freeze.
"Did... Lan beat up the other little ones again?" Liz asked, a little uncertainly. She truly couldn't believe that the cute and docile Lan she knew could do such a thing. Besides, he looked so soft and harmless, with no fighting ability to speak of. How could he possibly beat anyone up?
"Hmph."
Will lay obediently in the net, putting on the air of a dead pig that doesn't fear boiling water. It wasn't that he hadn't struggled; he had been terrified when he was first caught. He had simply run out of energy and couldn't be bothered to struggle anymore.
"Yes," the two scholars said, nodding grimly.
"Sigh... tell me what happened."
"It's like this..."
After the two scholars gave their detailed account, a strange expression appeared on Liz's face. Is this really the beast I chose? He's so clever.
In truth, neither Liz nor the two scholars were particularly concerned about the fact that Will was attacking other beasts. A beast attacking another beast—wasn't that the most normal of natural phenomena? Moreover, in their eyes, Will was a wild beast brought back from the wilderness; his wild instincts were bound to be stronger than others. This kind of behavior wasn't unheard of among the other Pokémon at the academy, and it could always be corrected over time.
But the intelligence Will displayed during these attacks was something they had never seen in other beasts. Even many experienced, older beasts might not be able to display such wisdom. Using the environment to target specific opponents... that was a strategy only a human should have been able to come up with. They had indeed taught such methods to the beasts in the academy, but they had never taught them to Will.
"Lord Lan is truly an extraordinary beast. He not only possesses rare qualities but also has exceptional intelligence. If Lord Lan can evolve, I think he will be something truly incredible."
The two scholars had originally come to complain, but as they spoke, they began to praise him.
Listening to this, Liz couldn't help but feel a secret sense of satisfaction. She found that the scholars at the academy had a keen eye and some real substance to them. Perhaps she should consider giving them a raise.
Hmph, so you know how to be respectful now? Where was this attitude when you were arresting me? Will thought, sniffing disdainfully as he watched the two men in front of Liz.
After some discussion, the scholars left, and Will was ultimately returned to Liz's embrace. However, Liz didn't scold him right away. She held him as she sat back down at her desk to handle her official duties, while Will, bored out of his mind, curled up on her lap and dozed off. His only prize for the day was a single Psyduck, which was very disappointing.
Only after Liz had finished her work did she carry Will back to the bedroom.
"You," she said, lying on the bed and gently pinching Will's nose, "were not a good boy. Time for a spanking!"
"..."
Will nonchalantly presented his rear end.
"You little rascal."
Liz didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She gave him three light, playful pats and that was the end of it. She would never actually hit him hard. And she was quite open-minded about his behavior at the academy. If the kid wanted to fight, let him fight. It would increase his battle experience and abilities. Eventually, he'd pick a fight he couldn't win, get a beating, and probably learn his lesson then.
But Liz was mistaken. Even if he got a beating, Will would not stop seeking out battles with other Pokémon. After all, he needed the experience.
"Alright, let's sleep. Be more careful at school tomorrow. Don't get caught again."
"Don't worry. Those two will never catch me again."
...
The next day, at the end of the school day, Will was once again hauled before the queen by the two scholars.
"Time for another spanking~" Will thought, lying leisurely in the net and giving his tail an indifferent swish. This time, he didn't even bother to struggle when he was caught.
Today's haul was three Water-type Pokémon, which had raised his level again. He was very happy. Once his level was a bit higher, he could start picking opponents of other types and would no longer be limited to just Water, Fire, Grass, and Electric. With more opponents to challenge, the experience he could gain would naturally be greater.
He felt that he wasn't far from evolving into a Dragonair. If things went quickly, it might only take a month and a half. Even if it was slow, he should have no problem evolving within three months.
"..."
Liz and the netted Will looked at each other, and she let out a helpless sigh. Looking at this little rascal's attitude, she didn't know what to do with him. While she didn't really mind him fighting with other beasts at school, him being dragged back by the scholars every single day would eventually be seen by others. She couldn't even imagine what kind of rumors might start to spread.
Liz took Will into her arms and sent the two scholars away. Although Will was still very light, only weighing 4.5kg, his body was now 2.6 meters long. This length made it rather troublesome for Liz to hold him. Fortunately, Will was smart. He wrapped the lower half of his body around Liz's waist, which allowed her to easily hold his head.
"How are you so light, Lan?" Liz asked, looking at the little head in front of her, a little curious.
"I don't know. It's just how the Dratini species is, I guess."
Will couldn't possibly know the deeper biological secrets of a particular Pokémon species. Perhaps in the future, a Pokémon Professor specializing in Dratini would figure it out.
"That girl Iris isn't going to class tomorrow. She's going to the academy with you. Remember to look after her," Liz continued, not understanding Will's words.
"What? You want me, a child, to look after that child?" Will's eyes widened in shock.
He wasn't worried about Iris getting hurt at the academy. Not only had the beasts there been domesticated to the point of losing their aggression, but the scholars themselves would never dare to let the little princess get injured. In the Dragonite Kingdom, not every child of the Dragonite Clan could be called a "prince" or "princess." Iris's status was special. She was the direct-line youngest daughter of the blue-haired branch of the Dragonite Clan, just as Liz had been for the red-haired branch. Therefore, as long as Iris was within the kingdom, it was almost impossible for her to get hurt, unless she was looking for trouble herself.
"It'll be fine. I know you'll take good care of Iris."
"..."
Will rolled his eyes. He wasn't resisting because he was afraid she would get into trouble, but because he knew that if she followed him, she would absolutely cause trouble for him.
Whatever. If something happens, the scholars can deal with it. I can't let it slow down my pace, Will decided.
"Alright, I'll help you with your molt, and then it's time for bed."
The next day arrived. Will opened his eyes and did not see Liz's face. This didn't surprise him. Liz was usually an early riser and would leave him in the room to sleep in until around nine, at which point he'd get up and go to the academy.
But...
"Good morning, Lan."
The face of the stoic, blue-haired little girl appeared before his eyes. That in itself wasn't the issue. The problem was that the stoic little girl had a baby bottle in her mouth.
"How dare you steal this baby's bottle?!"
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