Ironvale City Trainers' Guild.
Just after the exchange tournament ended, the news that Ironvale City Pokémon University had completely defeated Duskwell City Pokémon University spread throughout the Trainers' Guild.
"Hahaha! These kids did an amazing job! I bet those old folks at the Duskwell Guild are about to explode with rage."
"Hmph! That old man was even bragging today that his university team was unbeatable... and look at him now, instantly slapped down! How funny!"
"Exactly! The higher the cow flew, the harder the fall hit. Delightful!"
Inside the meeting room of the Guild, the executives watched the video of the battle. Seeing strategies like marking to take advantage of the sandstorm, the 4-on-1 to take down Rhydon, and the final massive explosion tactic, they couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Alright, now... about that proposal from the Duskwell City Trainers' Guild: lowering the minimum age to become a trainer to 16, starting Pokémon training in the last year of high school, and reforming university education to focus on producing more hunters... what do you think?"
The president of the Ironvale City Guild looked at everyone, and his smile faded, taking on a serious tone.
"This has already been implemented in some foreign leagues, but it has pros and cons."
"It's like firearm ownership abroad: even if people can carry weapons, public safety becomes a major issue."
"And it's true, since we started popularizing Pokémon three years ago, the crime rate has also increased. If a criminal has a Pokémon, it can be much more dangerous than having a weapon."
"And if we allow high school students to own Pokémon... well, they're still minors! They don't yet have the maturity of a university student."
"Although, on the other hand, if the entire town is trained, the country's strength would grow exponentially."
Some executives began to express their positions, but opinions remained divided.
"This topic we can discuss long-term, but I do agree on one part: that the country's Universities should organize a National Academic Exchange Tournament on rotation."
"Compared to the National University Rankings, an exchange tournament encourages more interaction between Universities, strengthens the base, and improves all Universities. It's far more effective than sporadic exchanges."
The president changed tone, and a faint smile returned to his face.
...
Duskwell City Trainers' Guild.
In an equally large meeting room, the atmosphere was completely different. Heavy. Tense.
"Can someone explain to me what the hell these useless kids were doing!?"
"I clearly told them this was a team competition! Where the hell was the cooperation!?"
The president of the Duskwell City Guild exploded in anger. These students were supposed to be the strongest of recent years, yet they lost embarrassingly!
Especially in terms of teamwork, it was a complete disaster.
"President, what about the National Academic Exchange Tournament?"
His secretary timidly asked, seeing him so furious.
"Of course we're going to do it! And the first edition has to be held at our University."
"Since we lost this time, next time we'll restore our honor in front of all the Universities!"
"Our students are still the strongest in the league. If they cooperate, defeating the Capital University in a few years isn't impossible!"
"Inform the university director immediately: start forming the university team now, and prepare for a rematch in the exchange next semester."
With that order, the atmosphere throughout Duskwell City Pokémon University began to boil. The five students involved kept their anger inside, determined to get revenge in six months.
...
At the same time.
Ironvale City Pokémon University...
"This generation of new students isn't bad. They actually managed to take down Duskwell City Pokémon University!"
In a classroom, fourteen people were gathered, watching the recording projected on the board. Everyone was impressed after seeing the confrontation between the two Universities.
"I heard the principal already plans to form a reserve team with them. Captain, what do you think?"
The only girl in the group, sitting among the fourteen, smiled mischievously and looked at the university team captain.
"Ethan Black, Lucas Silver, and Marcus Foster are fine. But Alex Baxter and Jasper Reid leave much to be desired."
"They won because the sandstorm tactic played a key role. But in a real professional battle, how useful would that strategy really be?"
"In my opinion, Alex Baxter and Jasper Reid only work with that tactic. If they lose the sandstorm coverage, they wouldn't even be at the level of Kyle Miller, who specializes in Bug-type Pokémon."
The university team captain shook his head. He didn't have much faith in this reserve team newly formed by the principal.
"Eh? So what will we do?"
The girl asked worriedly, with an adorable expression.
"We'll do this: tomorrow, have them brought to the team's base."
"Let the Second Team face them. That way they'll learn what a real professional trainer battle is like."
The captain thought for a moment and spoke to the young muscular man beside him.
"Understood, boss! Leave it to the Second Team."
"We'll give them a good lesson, just as they gave us one! After all, it's tradition!"
The muscular young man smiled enthusiastically.
...
At the University, the university team is divided into three groups:
First Team: the main team. 7 members total: 5 starters and 2 substitutes (according to the Professional League rules).
Second Team: the substitutes for the first team. They are still forming and take the place when the first team graduates or suffers a loss.
Third Team (preparatory): rookies like Ethan Black. They are the youngest, still in training. The future seeds of the team.
The strength of a University doesn't depend only on the present but also on its heritage across generations. The same applies to the university team.
(End of chapter)