Pokemon: Spiritual Master-Chapter 503: A Confused N

April 14, Monday, Rustboro Pokémon Academy.

"Time to prepare for the Spring Festival?" Johan's expression was thoughtful as he listened to Director Martin speaking on stage during the faculty meeting.

He raised his eyes slightly, taking in the surrounding teachers of the Rustboro Pokémon Academy.

Aside from instructors like Professor Cozmo, who were rarely on-site, most of the faculty were present.

"She really didn't come."

The "she" Johan thought of was Shelly, the "Marine Aerodynamics Instructor," and more notably, a high-ranking executive of Team Aqua.

She hadn't appeared at the academy since the semester began.

Johan had subtly asked Martin about it.

Martin explained that Shelly had taken leave for an oceanic research project and didn't specify when she'd return.

The academy had a relatively relaxed policy for auxiliary course instructors like Shelly, Professor Cozmo, and Johan himself.

Even Cozmo hadn't shown up much this semester.

As for Johan, he was often present, mainly because the academy's training facilities were excellent, and he also managed the "Pokémon Psychological Counseling Room."

He had been wondering if now, with the strength to protect himself, he might learn something from Shelly about Team Aqua.

But for now, he'd have to leave it to the League's investigations.

After the meeting, Johan caught up with Martin, who was heading to the principal's office, to inform him that he'd be taking some time off.

With preparations for the Spring Festival underway, similar to the Fall Festival last semester, the academy would be giving everyone time off to get ready.

Clearly, the Pokémon world's education system was pretty generous with holidays.

And as a part-time instructor, Johan had even more flexibility.

"You're heading to Unova, aren't you?"

Hearing this, the bruised old principal gave him a look that said, "I knew it."

After all, the upcoming "Youth Masters World Championship" would be held in Unova.

"Would you mind delivering something to an old friend?" the principal asked with a smile, still holding an ice pack to his face.

At first, Johan had been confused by how often the principal seemed to get beat up, but after spending most of the semester with him, he'd grown used to it.

As for this "old friend"...

Everyone knew the principal was a notorious social butterfly among the elderly.

Thinking of how his Pokémon had "abused" the training rooms and how understanding the principal had been, Johan decided not to refuse.

The principal pulled out a package and placed it on his desk.

"It's for Drayden, the Gym Leader in Opelucid City," he said casually, calling him "Old Man Drayden," suggesting a close relationship.

Thinking about it...

Drayden was also a fitness fanatic, despite his age—those muscles were no joke.

Only top fighters like Marshal could match him.

In contrast, little old Master Mustard didn't exactly look like a seasoned martial artist.

Opelucid City was in the north of Unova, while Johan's destination was in the south—not exactly convenient.

But still...

A trip wouldn't hurt.

"Got it," Johan replied, stuffing the package into Gengar's mouth.

Apparently, inter-regional delivery wasn't the League's strong suit.

The principal also handed him a first-class ticket from Rustboro to Opelucid.

Trust the principal to handle things thoroughly.

"Unova is divided by rivers into central areas, an eastern peninsula, and western mainland. The rivers flow south into the sea. The central region includes the League HQ in the north, Opelucid, Nimbasa, and Castelia as key cities."

As Johan skimmed through a Unova travel guide, he felt the turbulence of the plane.

He glanced out the window.

"Yoji."

Larvitar had its face pressed against the window, curiously observing the land below.

Outside, it was a beautiful sunny day. He could see flocks of Pidove and Tranquill flying leisurely through the skies.

Johan couldn't help thinking of those frustrating "Pidgey flocks" from old novels.

Looking beyond them, he spotted the twin glaciers flanking the rivers, the central zone, and the golden desert burying the ancient royal courts of old Unova.

Ancient legends of the twin dragons tied to two princes—Truth and Ideals—floated through his mind.

Just then, a sweet voice came over the intercom.

"...We'll be landing soon at Opelucid Airport. Passengers, please..."

Johan snapped back to reality, closed the travel guide, and pulled Larvitar into his lap.

"Ka-kaah."

Gengar stuffed the last bite of his snack into his mouth and obediently fastened his seatbelt.

The flight attendants breathed a sigh of relief.

Finally landing.

Any longer, and they'd have run out of first-class snacks.

Soon, the plane landed smoothly.

Johan stepped off with Larvitar and arrived safely in Unova—a land far from Hoenn.

"Yoji."

Larvitar clearly felt more secure once it touched solid ground.

Johan had quite a few objectives in Unova.

First, to deliver the package to Drayden on behalf of the principal.

Second, to follow the request of Porygon-Z and Mewtwo and check on the Pokémon asking for help.

Third, to visit Professor Juniper, Unova's regional Pokémon professor, whom Johan had met once or twice as fellow researchers.

Fourth... if the timing was right, stay in Unova for the duration of the tournament. If not, return to Hoenn and come back later.

That was the plan—north to south.

So for now, it was off to Opelucid Gym to deliver the package to Drayden.

Having made a simple plan, Johan followed the airport signage and exited.

It was a bright, sunny April day.

Unova Region, Opelucid City.

A green-haired youth wearing a baseball cap sat under the shade of a café umbrella, sipping coffee and watching passing Trainers with his eyes half-hidden beneath his cap.

Suddenly—

Flap-flap!

A Tranquill pecking the ground nearby seemed to sense something, looked toward the green-haired youth, and felt an odd warmth and kinship.

It flew over fearlessly, landing on his shoulder.

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The youth wasn't surprised. He let it perch and gently fed it a bread crumb.

"Coo~"

Tranquill happily pecked at the crumb.

The youth smiled warmly, his eyes half-closed, memories flooding back.

His name was N, an orphan.

He had an adoptive father—Ghetsis Harmonia, one of the Seven Sages of Team Plasma.

N had been raised to be the "King" of Plasma.

Ghetsis had told him that Pokémon were unfortunate, enslaved by humans, and that humans and Pokémon should not coexist.

N had believed this—his childhood friends were all hurt or disabled Pokémon mistreated by humans: a blind Sandile, a crippled Scraggy, a wingless Sigilyph...

He had hated humanity.

But he had two adopted sisters, revered as the "Goddesses of Love and Peace," who were kind to him.

They told him Pokémon and humans could live in harmony.

So N grew up torn between two worlds—

On one side, a violent father and abused Pokémon.

On the other, two gentle sisters who believed in compassion.

He didn't know where he belonged.

Until...

Half a year ago, he met someone online named [Grain in the Field], a Pokémon psychologist said to have helped many Pokémon.

N didn't know whether he was human or Pokémon, but he sought advice.

They didn't talk often, but N saw something in him:

A person who helped Pokémon.

A dreamer who spoke of building Pokémon ecosystems.

Eventually, N escaped Ghetsis' gilded prison.

He broke all contact to avoid tracking but continued researching his mysterious advisor—learning that "Grain in the Field" was none other than Professor Johan, the "Pokémon Mind Master" praised by Professor Oak.

While others focused on Johan's feats—winning championships, subduing Dialga and Palkia, riding Rayquaza...

N cared about the small things:

Stories of Pokémon healed and saved.

Owners who found new purpose.

On his journey, N had learned one thing—money and ideals weren't enough to build a Pokémon paradise.

But he had seen things that gave him hope.

Like a Trainer who wouldn't abandon his aging Stoutland.

One who walked three hours in the rain to get help for an injured Pokémon.

Or another who starved so their Gurdurr could eat.

He also saw cruelty, yes.

But kindness outweighed it.

So N returned.

If he couldn't do it alone, he'd use Team Plasma.

As their "King," he believed he had the right.

Ghetsis' philosophy—letting Pokémon return to nature—seemed noble.

And if N had better ideas, surely Ghetsis would support him... right?

With this thought, N felt a bit lighter.

The world was better than he'd thought.

So now, he could sit here, calmly watching Trainers pass by.

"Coo~"

Tranquill flapped its wings joyfully.

N continued observing the crowd.

In his mind's eye, the grey world became tinged with color every time he heard a Pokémon express love or joy.

"That Tepig loves its Trainer and is excited for lunch.

That Blitzle is pretending to be mad but actually just wants attention..."

N felt peace.

Suddenly—

In the increasingly vivid world, a burst of color like a rainbow flooded his vision.

Huh?

He looked up instinctively—

And saw a Trainer and his Pokémon glowing with radiant emotion.

"Gengar, Ninetales, Larvitar, Rotom..." he murmured.

From their hearts, he heard not only trust and love for their Trainer, but also:

Gengar: "Even if I die, I'll haunt you forever!"

Ninetales: "If I must freeze the world to save him, so be it... Science shall prevail!"

Larvitar: "I'd give up food and water just to keep him healthy and alive!"

Rotom: "Big bro Gengar is right!"

N: "???"

He was stunned.

What kind of thoughts were those?!

But the bond—the vivid, colorful emotions—didn't lie.

He felt a strong curiosity toward this person.

Unfortunately, the high-tech-looking bike moved fast—before he could get a good look, the Trainer had already passed.

Even so...

N decided:

Before he returned to the castle—

He would meet this man.

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Powerstones?

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