Aaron and Grace walked out of the Elite Training Zone side by side. Aaron quickly noticed that everyone else had already returned—only the two of them were late.
It was probably because they were stronger, able to venture farther into the training zone. Naturally, it took them longer to make their way back.
As the two appeared together, they immediately drew everyone's attention.
Strange looks flashed through the crowd, many eyes focusing on Aaron.
Among them was a tall, handsome young man whose expression darkened as he stared at Aaron, as if Aaron had stolen his wife and incurred an unforgivable grudge.
Aaron noticed the odd expressions around him and couldn't help asking Grace quietly,
"Why are they looking at us like that?"
Grace shot him a glance and replied calmly,
"Ignore them… a bunch of boring people."
With that, she stepped back into the group.
Aaron shrugged and followed suit, returning to the ranks.
What he didn't notice was that, after seeing what looked like an 'intimate' exchange between Aaron and Grace, the handsome young man's expression darkened even further.
A bone-chilling coldness flickered in his gaze as he looked at Aaron.
...
"Students… just looking at the smiles on your faces, I can tell you've all gained quite a bit from this trip!"
"Some of you managed to subdue powerful Pokémon, while others obtained valuable items that can enhance your Pokémon's strength!"
"These are all your own opportunities."
"Keep working hard. You're all tired today, so classes are dismissed early. Go home and enjoy a good meal. Tomorrow, the military will come to take you to the Training Camp."
"Once you're there, you'll be in for some hardship. I hope you can endure it…"
Seeing that everyone had arrived, the old principal stepped onto the podium and addressed the students.
"Thank you, Principal!"
The students below immediately brightened with joy and shouted in unison.
"Alright… dismissed!"
Sterling glanced toward Aaron, a faint smile appearing on his face as he added,
"Aaron, stay behind. I have something to discuss with you."
The others looked at Aaron in surprise, puzzled as to why the principal had singled him out.
Still, everyone left one after another, leaving only a slightly bewildered Aaron behind.
"Aaron, hello."
Sterling walked over with several school administrators, all wearing radiant smiles.
For some reason, Aaron felt a sudden chill run down his spine.
Alone in a room with a group of men… could it be that the principal and the others had some strange preferences…?
A trace of cold sweat slid down Aaron's forehead.
"Don't be nervous, Aaron," Sterling said kindly.
"I just want to ask you one question."
He walked up and patted Aaron on the shoulder, still smiling.
"Y-Yes, Principal. Please ask," Aaron replied, his body tensing as he swallowed hard.
"Have you awakened a superpower?!"
Sterling stared at him intently, excitement evident as he enunciated each word.
The other school leaders also looked at Aaron with hopeful expressions.
"Superpower?"
Aaron froze for a moment, blurting out in confusion.
"Yes," Sterling continued. "The various abilities your Froakie and Snorlax displayed in the training zone—were those the effects of your superpower?"
At once, Aaron understood.
The school must have been monitoring the entire process in the training zone. They had seen his two Pokémon display abilities that defied common sense, which led them to suspect that he had awakened a superpower.
A superpower…
Aaron had already been worrying about how to explain all the strange changes his Pokémon had undergone. After all, sooner or later, others were bound to notice.
Now, the excuse had been handed to him on a silver platter.
His eyes lit up.
Pushing everything onto a superpower? That worked perfectly.
And in a way, the System really was his awakened superpower.
Its name: The System's Superpower.
Putting on a shocked expression, Aaron looked at Sterling and said,
"So… you discovered it after all?"
"I really did awaken a superpower."
"I thought I'd hidden it well enough, but I still couldn't escape your discerning eye, Principal…"
Sterling's joy nearly overflowed at those words.
"Good! Excellent!"
"This is wonderful—Sealine Academy is going to rise at last!"
"Aaron, don't worry. I'll apply for a scholarship for you right away, so you can focus fully on training your Pokémon and aim for an outstanding result in the College Entrance Exam!"
Sterling was so happy he looked like a child who'd gotten a new toy.
"Oh, right… if it's convenient, could you tell us what kind of superpower you awakened?" he asked curiously.
"Uh… my ability allows my Pokémon to awaken certain unique abilities of their own," Aaron said after a brief hesitation.
This explanation perfectly accounted for why Snorlax could turn into a rubberized Snorlax, and also explained the various bizarre abilities his Pokémon might display in the future.
From now on, he could openly use all the abilities granted by the System.
"So that's how it is… so that's how it is…"
"An ability with limitless potential!"
Sterling and the other administrators finally understood everything—why Snorlax's arms could stretch, and why Froakie's illusions could become solid.
It was all because the Pokémon had awakened special abilities.
With the "truth" now clear, their gazes toward Aaron were filled with admiration.
One administrator even shamelessly asked whether Aaron had a girlfriend, mentioning that his granddaughter had just started middle school and could be introduced to him.
That suggestion nearly scared Aaron out of his wits. He hastily made an excuse and slipped away.
Soon after, Aaron left the school and headed home.
His parents hadn't gotten off work yet, and since he'd been dismissed early, it was still a bit too soon.
After thinking for a moment, Aaron made his way toward the small hill behind the back mountains.