Safe travels…
Aaron and the others boarded a military bus and set off along the road at a steady pace.
After a tedious hour, the bus finally reached its destination—a place that looked very much like a military fortress.
At the entrance hung several bold, neatly written characters:
Sealine Military Base!!
The surrounding walls were constructed entirely of steel plates giving the base a heavy, imposing presence.
The bus was stopped at the gate. Zane stepped forward and presented his credentials. The soldier on duty immediately snapped to attention, saluted him, and waved them through.
The bus slowly rolled into the base. On both sides, soldiers patrolled in orderly rows.
Out on the training grounds, powerful Pokémon were drilling and battling, brimming with vitality and hot-blooded intensity.
After a few more minutes, the bus came to a halt beside an enormous building. Written above the entrance were the words:
Pokémon Battle Arena!!
Zane led Aaron and the others off the bus and inside.
Within was a vast open plaza, easily spanning several football fields. Aaron quickly noticed that many people were already present.
Each group consisted of an Instructor in military uniform accompanied by several boys and girls in training gear—clearly trainees from other training camps.
However, Aaron also keenly observed that the people in the plaza were subtly divided. Two clusters had formed on the left and right sides, as if split into opposing factions.
A thoughtful look crossed his face.
"My old friend—over here!!"
At that moment, a loud voice called out.
Aaron looked over and saw a burly man nearly two meters tall waving energetically at Zane.
"Come on—follow me!!"
Zane nodded at the giant, then turned to Aaron and the others. "Let's go. Stick close."
With that, he headed toward the burly Instructor.
"Zane! Long time no see, kid. How's it going this year? Got any good seedlings?"
The man laughed and punched Zane in the chest with a fist as big as a sandbag. Thankfully, Trainers all had sturdy physiques—otherwise, that blow might have knocked someone flat.
As he spoke, his gaze swept over Aaron and the others behind Zane.
"Not bad," Zane replied calmly. "Just average."
Then he countered, "What about you, Coleman? The trainees from Training Camp Two look pretty decent this year."
Zane glanced at the group standing behind Instructor Coleman.
"Decent my ass," Coleman snorted, letting out a long sigh.
"About the same as last year. Our public academy training camp is getting pressed down again this year."
This burly man was Coleman, head instructor of Training Camp Two.
He and Zane were former comrades-in-arms and were close.
"And listen to this," Coleman continued, leaning in. "Hidden Dragon Academy produced a genius this year. I hear he's already reached the level of Advanced Pokémon."
He let out a heavy sigh.
"Well… that decides it. Training Camp Six is taking first place again this year…"
Coleman spoke in a low voice, his face full of frustration.
Hidden Dragon Academy was Sealine City's most famous private high school, with Training Camp Six responsible for its instruction.
They had already taken first place three years in a row, and now another prodigy had emerged. How could Coleman not feel stifled?
"Oh?"
"That really is impressive," Zane said, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly as he put on a troubled expression.
"Hm?"
"Zane… something's off about you," Coleman said, narrowing his eyes as he stared hard at him.
"What's off about me?" Zane shot back. "Don't overthink it. Quit imagining things."
He quickly suppressed the smug satisfaction bubbling inside and put on a serious face.
"Hah," Coleman scoffed. "You think I don't know you? That calm confidence of yours—I can tell. You've got a trump card this year, don't you?"
"Let me see which kid it is…"
With eyes wide, Coleman shot Zane an indignant look and stepped toward Aaron and the others.
"Hey, hey, Coleman—calm down!"
"Come on, come on, let's talk over here."
Zane hurriedly stopped him and dragged him aside, whispering something in his ear.
Once the two Instructors stepped away, the trainees from Training Camp Two struck up casual conversation with Aaron's group. Everyone introduced themselves to one another.
Of course, Aaron knew exactly what these animals were really after. If not for Grace, they wouldn't be acting this enthusiastic.
He curled his lips slightly and thought to himself,
"Little perverts."
Just then, a voice crackled through the loudspeaker.
"Ahem… ahem…"
"Attention!"
"All trainees!"
"Form up according to your training camp formations!"
On the podium stood a man in his early thirties. With sharp brows and piercing eyes, his face radiated authority. He wore a military uniform, and on his pine-green shoulder boards were two thin gold stripes and a star insignia, clearly marking his rank—
Major.
The instant his voice rang out, all the Instructors swiftly led their respective trainees into formation across the plaza.
Seven formations soon took shape, representing Training Camps One through Seven.
Aaron stood within Formation One, his expression calm and unreadable as he quietly watched the man on the platform.
No one could tell what thoughts were stirring in Aaron's mind at that moment.
...