"Ha... ha... okay, Growlithe... you win. You're officially... a cheat code," Julian wheezed, leaning heavily against the stone pillar at the entrance of the Snowpoint Trainer Academy. His lungs felt like they were scraping against ice, and his legs were currently vibrating like a set of tuning forks.
"Woof woof! (Haha! And you said you were in better shape! I didn't even break a sweat!)" Growlithe stood a few feet away, looking perfectly composed, his tail wagging with enough force to generate a small breeze.
"Seriously... I thought with the Aura development... and all that mountain hiking... I'd at least be able to corner you," Julian grumbled, finally straightening up and trying to reclaim some dignity.
"Woof woof. (Julian, you're much faster than a normal human now, but I'm still a four-legged fire-dog. If you could actually catch me, I'd have to retire from battling and join a circus. Go in by yourself, slow-poke!)" Growlithe let out a playful bark and did a victory roll in a nearby snowbank. The orange-and-black fur sent up little puffs of steam where the snowflakes hit his coat.
"Hmph. You think you're the fastest thing on four legs? I know someone in Kanto who would give you a run for your money," Julian said, his eyes narrowing with mock-irritation.
"Woof? (Another one of your 'destiny' friends? I bet he's as slow as you!)" Growlithe barked, his face scrunched up in a grin.
"Actually, he's probably faster than light when a certain yellow mouse is involved. But since he's halfway across the world, I guess I'll just have to tolerate your ego for now." Julian sighed, looking at the academy gates. He thought of the young boy he'd crossed paths with a few months back—the one who never seemed to age, yet never stopped running. In this world's logic, does ten years old just last forever?
"Woof woof! (See? Julian is just making up invisible rivals to feel better!)"
"Oh, you're asking for it—" Julian started to lunge, but a familiar, hearty laugh cut him off.
"Well, if it isn't the most resilient Trainer in Snowpoint! Julian! You look like you've made a full recovery."
Julian turned to see Candice—the Snowpoint Gym Leader—walking toward them, her signature scarf wrapped loosely around her neck. She looked energized, her eyes bright with the usual 'ice-hot' spirit.
"Leader Candice! Good to see you," Julian said, offering a polite nod. "The fever is gone, and the team is back to 100%. I figured I'd finally take you up on that invitation to see the school."
"Perfect timing! I was just heading in to lead a practical seminar. My students have been dying to meet a 'real' traveling Trainer who actually gave me a run for my money," Candice said, gesturing toward the main building. "How about you join me? It's always better for them to see a fresh face instead of hearing me lecture about Blizzard for the thousandth time."
"I'd be honored," Julian said.
"Woof woof! (He's lying! He told me he found schools boring!)" Growlithe chimed in, giving Julian a side-eye of pure sass.
"Ignore him, he's just cranky because I haven't let him win a race today," Julian muttered, giving Growlithe a pointed look. Keep quiet or no premium snacks tonight.
As they walked through the gates, Candice began her tour-guide routine. "The Snowpoint Academy is the heart of the city, really. We take kids before they're ten and give them the foundation they need so they don't end up lost in a blizzard on Route 217 their first week out."
"It's a solid system," Julian noted, looking at the well-maintained facilities.
"We split it into two halves: Theory and Practical," Candice explained. "Theory covers the dry stuff—type charts, abilities, and regional history. It's been a nightmare lately, actually. Since the Fairy-type was officially reclassified, we've had to pulp half our textbooks. The teachers were losing their minds trying to remember that Clefairy isn't a Normal-type anymore. I'm just glad I stay on the battlefield!"
Julian chuckled. "I can imagine. Old habits die hard when you've spent years memorizing one chart."
"Exactly! But the practical side is where the fun is. We teach them how to treat basic injuries, how to navigate by the stars, and of course, how to battle. The senior students even get to use academy-loaned Pokémon for mock matches. That's what I'm handling today."
"Interesting. So it's a fast-track to the League?"
"Sort of. We have a specialized 'ten-plus' class. If they pass the final exams here, they get a League-certified graduation. It counts as having eight badges for the sake of entering the Sinnoh Conference."
Julian's eyebrows shot up. "Seriously? That's a pretty high bar for a school exam."
"Ms. Candice! You're late! The class is already at the battle court!"
A girl with two high pigtails that bounced like Gligar wings came sprinting toward them, wearing the school's winter uniform. She looked breathless and excited.
"Ah, Zoey! Steady on," Candice said, her voice instantly dropping into 'Teacher Mode.' It was a startling transition—from the bubbly Gym Leader to a commanding authority figure in a split second. Julian was impressed; it was like watching a master of Sichuan opera switch masks.
"Everyone has their partner Pokémon, and we've already done the warm-ups," Zoey reported, though she couldn't help but steal a curious glance at Julian and the orange Growlithe at his heels.
"Good. Tell them to begin the 'Compatibility Assessment' while I finish up here. I'll be there in five minutes," Candice ordered.
"Yes, Ma'am!" Zoey gave a quick nod and sprinted back toward the training grounds, her pigtails fluttering behind her.