"..."
Hoshino was stunned. It was clear that Professor Kukui's words were directed at him.
He had to retake all the courses he missed over the past three years before he could join the team to the Paldea Region, otherwise, he could just wash up and go to sleep.
But there's only a little over two months left. Retaking all the exams and passing them… Is that even possible? No, it's not. It's impossible. He can't do it.
"I'm screwed…"
Hoshino slumped onto the table, giving up.
At this moment, Lillie, who was in front, heard his voice and turned to encourage him, "Don't worry, I'll help you with your studies. Two months is enough time."
"Uh, thanks…"
Hoshino responded. At this point, he could only let her help him. Although, if he studied by himself using his talent, two months would definitely be enough to pass the retakes.
But then he would starve to death. He couldn't do nothing. The Yorozuya had finally attracted some small business recently.
Things like finding items or cleaning. Although it was boring, even a tiny mosquito is still meat. He couldn't waste it. He needed them to build his reputation…
Next, Professor Kukui, seeing everyone so excited, spoke a little more.
For example, he and Clavell, the new director of Naranja Academy, had once been in the same research team, doing research on the Tera Blast move, which is why their relationship was good.
Hoshino listened briefly, but there was nothing useful. Most of it was about what they had done during their research, and it felt like there was some bragging involved.
Just then, Sun suddenly raised his hand and asked, "What is Tera Blast? I've never heard of it."
Upon hearing this, Professor Kukui responded with a smile, "Tera Blast is a very ordinary move normally, but if it's combined with the Terastallization unique to the Paldea Region, it can unleash the true power of this move. You'll know when you get there."
"I understand."
As soon as Sun sat down, Moon suddenly raised her hand again to ask, "Paldea has Terastallization, Galar has Gigantamax, and Kalos and Hoenn are still debating who is the origin of Mega Evolution. So, Professor, do you think our Alola Region will also have a special system like this?"
"This…"
Professor Kukui was momentarily speechless. After a while, he responded, "Perhaps. Our world is full of many unexplainable and mysterious things. For example, why is it easier to encounter shiny Pokémon when carrying a Sparkling Stone? It's simply unexplainable!"
"So, anything is possible. The future is full of uncertainties. As long as you study hard and become an excellent Trainer and continue forward, you might encounter anything!"
As his words fell, the classroom once again became boisterous. Hearing all this, Hoshino lay on his desk, muttering softly, "It doesn't matter, I'll take action."
Although he said that, he had no idea how to develop Z-Moves. The Sparkling Stone he got from the Bear God was still sitting there.
However, hearing those people mention Terastallization just now gave him some ideas.
Terastallization requires a Tera Orb to be used, which is similar in function to the Dynamax Band and Key Stone. Perhaps he could find a way to get one and then find some inspiration for making Z-Rings from it…
After some digressions, Professor Kukui was about to officially start the lesson.
The trip to Paldea was scheduled for early April, and it was only mid-January, just after the start of the semester, so there was still plenty of time.
However, just as he was about to begin, the Komala outside rang the bell. They had chatted for too long, and unknowingly, class time was over.
"Ah… then class dismissed."
After the professor left, the class continued to be lively. Most people were discussing the topic of going to the Paldea Region to study.
However, some people continued the unfinished discussion from before, which was about Vulpix. That Vulpix was truly endearing.
After more than half a month of getting along, Lillie was no longer afraid of Vulpix. Now, she could even actively touch it without a problem, but if it was a passive encounter, she would still be scared stiff.
Cyclizar and Gengar had also completely warmed up to her. Close contact on a daily basis was no problem, but her reaction to other Pokémon remained the same.
After some discussion, Moon finally took Vulpix home. She would be responsible for taking care of it until Lillie fully adapted and decided to become Vulpix's Trainer.
Because her home was very close to Professor Kukui's house, it was also convenient for Lillie to visit. Hoshino had no objection to this, and it would save a lot of trouble, though he felt a little reluctant.
…
In a flash, it was already time for school to end in the afternoon, but there were some changes today. Even though Hoshino still acted as usual, not taking the initiative and directly ignoring others.
But some people had already started greeting him, which made him quite unaccustomed, but he would subconsciously respond to them.
At the school gate, Gengar, with tears in his eyes, reluctantly bid farewell to Vulpix, who was being carried away by Moon, and the other party also waved its small paws, very reluctant.
"Is this some kind of annual melodrama? It's not like they won't see each other tomorrow."
"Cycli, Cycli."
Hoshino and Cyclizar didn't know what to say about this. At that moment, Lillie walked up to him and said, "I'll go back and organize all the first-year study content and important exam points for you. Starting tomorrow, after school, come to my place. I'll tutor you."
"Then I'll trouble you."
Why not choose the Yorozuya? Because Kabukicho was too noisy, making it difficult to concentrate, and he had to send Lillie back every day, which was too much trouble.
After a while, Hoshino, with Gengar who had regained his smile, rode Cyclizar to pick up a package. His delivery address was in another district next to the Wanderer District, because it was closer.
"I hope it's not something too heavy. It wouldn't be good if I got attacked on the way back."
Hoshino used to ask Machoke and a few others who often drank at the Izakaya to help him move furniture when he replenished his home, precisely because he had experienced several mishaps…
Soon, he arrived at a station entrance and found his name on a wooden box. Inside the box were Titan Pokémon ingredients!
Fortunately, although the box looked large, it wasn't heavy. As he got closer, he could still smell the aroma wafting from the cracks, which was irresistible.
"Gengar~"
Gengar liked this smell very much. Cyclizar also smelled it, feeling like it was a somewhat familiar scent, but he just couldn't remember…
After confirming the receipt, Hoshino didn't open it right there, as it would attract too much attention.
After tying the box to his riding gear, he leaned against it and went straight home, already fantasizing about how he would cook with these ingredients.
It was just a pity that Vulpix and Lillie weren't here today, so this meal made from Titan Pokémon ingredients could only be shared among themselves…
"Meow~"
"Hmm?"
Midway, a sudden growl made Hoshino turn his head to look, but he found nothing. It was most likely a hallucination.
He hadn't been chased by wild Pokémon today, so it seemed they might have really given up, or perhaps they had already accepted him as part of this street.
Soon, Cyclizar ran to the front of the Izakaya. It wasn't open yet, so the door was temporarily closed. Gengar took the key and flew to the second floor first, opening their front door.
After taking off his riding gear, Cyclizar carried the box up the stairs. Hoshino followed behind him, still thinking about how to cook these ingredients.
A moment later, the box was placed in the living room. Gengar floated nearby, full of anticipation. Cyclizar was ready to open the box at any moment.
"Cycli~"
"Alright, open it directly."
Hoshino also smiled, full of anticipation, wondering if he would have the chance to taste such top-tier ingredients again in the future. But as Cyclizar split the box in half, his smile abruptly stopped…
Inside the box, all the orange crab claws were shattered, and the meat inside was completely scooped out, yet they still emitted a fragrant aroma.
And next to these eaten crab claws, a small, light-green cat, seemingly stuffed, was sleeping soundly with a smile on its face.
It had distinct dark green patterns on its face, resembling four overlapping leaves, and green, collar-like fur on its chest, making it very cute. This was Sprigatito, one of Paldea's three starter Pokémon!
"It's a Sprigatito. Cats are indeed adorable. Who doesn't like a Sprigatito?"
Hoshino's expression and tone returned to normal as he nodded. But in the next second, he grabbed Sprigatito by the scruff of its neck and lifted it up.
"Where are my ingredients?! My massive Titan Pokémon ingredients, give them back to me!"
"Meow?!"
Suddenly sensing danger, Sprigatito abruptly opened its eyes. Upon realizing it was being held by the scruff of its neck by a strange human, it immediately began to struggle.
"Go ahead and growl. Even if you scream until your throat is hoarse, no one will come…"
Hoshino said with a cold laugh, but in the next second, Sprigatito, in its panic, broke free from his hand, lunged forward, and bit him on the face…
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