"So, that's the 'Teacher Candice' look? Honestly, it's a trip seeing you like this," Julian said, casting a sideways glance at the woman walking beside him. "You've got that 'I'm about to drop a pop quiz' energy. It's a total 180 from the girl who was yelling about burning passion in the middle of a blizzard a few days ago."
Candice waited until the pigtail-wearing student, Zoey, was well out of earshot before her stiff posture melted away. She flashed Julian a bright, conspiratorial grin.
"Hey, it's all about the mindset! Whether I'm standing on a Gym pedestal or a podium, my job is to lead. If I don't act like I know what I'm doing, how are they supposed to learn? You gotta keep up the 'Mentor' dignity, Julian."
"Is that so? I guess I should feel honored that you're dropping the act for me," Julian joked. "Or is this just how you treat every Trainer who actually manages to beat you?"
Candice laughed, nudging his shoulder. "Not quite. I just recognize a peer when I see one. Besides, when it comes to the deep-cut Pokémon trivia and that specialized breeding stuff you do, I'm pretty sure you could teach me a thing or two."
She glanced briefly at Julian's jacket, her eyes lingering on the spot where his Poké Balls were clipped, specifically the one she knew held his powerhouse Leafeon.
"You're overestimating me," Julian said, though he couldn't hide the smirk. "I'm still just a traveler. I only had my first partner reach what you'd call 'Gym Leader level' last week. I've still got miles to go."
Candice just shook her head. Most people started their journey at ten; Julian had started much later, yet in a few short months, he'd reached a level that took most people years—if they reached it at all. If he's this good after half a year, she thought, where's he going to be by the time the Sinnoh League actually starts?
Snowpoint Trainer Academy – Main Training Grounds
The playground was buzzing. Since it was a practical application day, students from several different grades had been funneled onto the large, cleared-out asphalt lot. Even with dozens of kids and their various Pokémon, the area was so massive it still felt empty.
Since Candice—their "Guest Instructor"—wasn't there yet, the local staff teacher, Mr. Enshi, was busy keeping the peace. He adjusted his glasses every few seconds, looking over his clipboard with a weary expression.
In one corner, a group of kids was huddled together, whispering furiously.
"Hey, did you see?" one boy hissed. "I saw Ms. Candice at the front gate. She wasn't alone."
"A new student? Is he our age?" a girl asked, leaning in.
"No way, he looked way older," Zoey chimed in, tapping her chin as she remembered the black-haired guy standing next to their Gym Leader. "And he had this Growlithe with him. A real one, not an academy loaner."
"A Growlithe? In Snowpoint?" The girl's eyes went wide. "Ms. Candice uses Ice-types. That must be his own Pokémon! That means he's a real Traveler! I'm so jealous... I've still got a year before I even get my first Poké Ball."
"Don't sweat it," Zoey said, trying to sound cool while she glanced at the Snover standing patiently by her side. "Our time's coming."
Zoey was a bit of a celebrity at the school. Six months ago, she'd found this Snover injured in the woods and used the first-aid skills she'd learned in class to patch him up. The school had been so impressed they'd let her keep him as a "study partner" even before she was officially ten.
"Commander! Senior!"
A younger girl with reddish-orange hair and an orange jacket came running up, clutching a grey, bow-tailed Glameow to her chest.
"Oh, hey Johanna! You and Glameow finally finished your assessment?" Zoey asked.
"Yep! And we're ready for a rematch today! No holding back, Senior!" Johanna said, her voice full of that high-pitched, childish energy.
"You got it! Snover and I are ready for whatever you've got. We won't show any mercy just because you're cute!" Zoey laughed, reaching out to pat the Glameow's head.
Suddenly, the chatter died down. The air seemed to chill by a few degrees—and not just because of the weather.
The students straightened up as Candice marched onto the playground, her face set in that stern, authoritative mask Julian had teased her about. Following a few paces behind her was Julian, with his Growlithe trotting confidently at his side.
So that really is his Pokémon, Zoey thought, watching the way the Growlithe moved. It didn't look like the pampered, sleepy Pokémon they usually saw in the academy; it looked lean, alert, and dangerous.
"Alright! Listen up!" Candice's voice projected across the lot. "Is everyone accounted for? Do you all have your training partners?"
"Attendance is confirmed, Ms. Candice," Mr. Enshi said, stepping forward with his list. "Every student has been assigned a Pokémon for the session."
"Good. Because today, we have a guest," Candice said, stepping aside and gesturing toward Julian. "This is Julian, a researcher and trainer from Sandgem Town. He's currently traveling the Sinnoh region and just finished his business at the Snowpoint Gym."
Julian stepped forward, giving a casual wave. "Hey everyone. I'm Julian. And this is my partner, Growlithe. Glad to be here."
The silence lasted for about three seconds before the whispers exploded.
"He challenged the Gym?" "Wait, is he the guy who fought the 'Ice-Hot' battle everyone's talking about?" "Look at that Growlithe... it looks so cool..."
"Quiet!" Candice snapped.
The playground went dead silent again.
"To be more specific," Candice continued, her eyes scanning the crowd to make sure they were paying attention, "Julian has been on the road for less than six months. And a few days ago, he did what many veteran trainers fail to do. He defeated me in a full match and earned the Icicle Badge."
She paused for effect, letting that sink in.
"Including mine, he already has six badges under his belt. He's here to show you what actual, high-level travel looks like. So pay attention—you might actually learn something today."
"SIX BADGES?!"
The exclamation broke out from a dozen mouths at once, turning the playground into a chorus of pure, unadulterated shock.