Chapter 40: The Villain Hidden Within the Backstory

"No... no trouble at all, you're being too kind."

Pina scratched his head; although he didn't recognize the Pokémon beside the new teacher, its size alone made it clear it had hatched recently, so he saw no need to make an issue of it.

Taking a deep breath, Pina wore an excited expression and slowly recited the self-introduction he had practiced countless times at home over the holidays: "My name is Pina, a current student in Class 5-G of the academy; starting this semester, I serve as the academy's Student Council President, and Chairwoman Geeta assigned me to guide you, Teacher."

"Pi... na?"

Luo Mu blinked, struggling to connect the boy before him—who looked every bit the model student—with the rowdy leader of Team Star's second squad from his memories, whose dream was to become a DJ.

This change was just too huge!

And then there was the lively Pepa he had met earlier, and Hearing Nimo, who didn't want to be a Trainer; could the changes brought by growing up really be this significant?

Under Pina's puzzled gaze, Luo Mu exercised the adult skill of remaining calm in the face of change, cleared his throat lightly to adjust his mood, and asked, "Did the Chairwoman instruct you on where to take me?"

"Ah! Yes, she did." Pina nodded lightly and responded quickly, "The Chairwoman worried you might get lost on campus, so she arranged for me to guide you; she is waiting for you in the Principal's Office along with Principal Mu Fei and Headmaster De Shu."

"Then I'll trouble you to lead the way."

"Okay!"

Opening the main gate and entering the academy interior, the first thing one saw was the massive main hall of Naranja Academy.

Connected here was the school's vast and richly stocked library; upon entering, a strong scent of books and a heavy sense of history rushed straight toward one's face.

Pina introduced it with pride: "This is the library that Naranja Academy takes great pride in; its collection is among the most extensive in the world, and this library, covering knowledge from every industry, is the foundation upon which Naranja Academy cultivates outstanding graduates in various fields."

Luo Mu looked around, thinking that he should come here to cram up on farming knowledge whenever he had free time, as his current knowledge reserve was still far too shallow.

Pina then led Luo Mu to a spiral staircase on the other side, where several access control machines stood, blocking entry to anyone not affiliated with Naranja Academy.

Pina explained, "Further inside are the teaching areas and student dormitories; these places require facial recognition scans to enter."

"However, since you, Teacher, are visiting Naranja Academy for the first time, I will escort you inside."

Saying this, Pina scanned his face against the facial recognition units of the access machines one after another; the gates swooshed open, and Pina gestured for them to proceed.

Luo Mu nodded lightly and, accompanied by his Growlithe, stepped across the access threshold.

Pina followed closely behind, crossing the access gate as well, and continued to lead the way ahead.

As if a question had suddenly occurred to him, Pina asked curiously, "Teacher, may I ask you a question?"

Luo Mu readily agreed, "Go ahead."

Pina asked, "Which subject are you responsible for teaching? Seeing how young you are, could it be Home Economics or Art?"

Luo Mu's expression turned somewhat strange as he replied, "No, I am your Battle Studies teacher; didn't the Chairwoman mention this to you?"

"Huh?" Pina glanced at Luo Mu with a discreet look, sounding somewhat surprised, "The Chairwoman indeed didn't mention it; she only said to go outside the main gate to pick up a newly hired young teacher who would arrive riding a Dragonite."

"However, since you have already raised such a powerful Pokémon as a Dragonite, your strength as a Trainer must certainly be remarkable, right?"

Luo Mu blinked; he wasn't particularly surprised by Pina asking this question.

After all, during this past year, apart from challenging Gyms, he had been rushing about in the wild training and hadn't gotten involved in too many major events, so naturally, he wasn't widely known among ordinary people.

In most Leagues, challenges against the Elite Four and the Champion come with very high-level confidentiality measures; even that live stream by Kiku was only approved thanks to the permissions granted to a Gym Leader.

Moreover, Kiku had pitifully few fans back then, and since the live stream was already pushing the limit with no way to record the screen, that battle remained largely unknown.

Aside from a few individuals with specific channels, most residents of the Paldea region were unaware that a new Champion-level Trainer had been added.

It was therefore understandable that Pina, unaware of these facts, would ask such a question.

Thinking this, Luo Mu smiled and said, "Rest assured, in terms of pure strength, I am quite strong, you know."

Outside the Principal's Office.

After delivering Luo Mu to this spot, Pina bowed and departed; standing before the Principal's Office, Luo Mu knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Luo Mu pushed the door open, revealing a bright and spacious Principal's Office; on the sofa to the side, three people sitting together turned their gazes toward him.

There were gazes of assessment, gazes of scrutiny, and gazes of friendliness.

The assessing gaze came from a middle-aged man wearing black-rimmed glasses; Luo Mu had checked the records and remembered this person should be the current Principal of Naranja Academy—Mu Fei.

The scrutinizing gaze came from a middle-aged man with his hair slicked back and fixed with gel, wearing a serious expression; this was precisely the Headmaster that Pina had mentioned—De Shu.

The third, friendly gaze naturally came from Geeta.

She offered a perfectly timed smile, waved to Luo Mu, and said, "Luo Mu, come over here."

"Chairwoman, long time no see." Luo Mu nodded and, under the gaze of the three, walked over with steady steps.

His Growlithe also behaved admirably, holding its head high and chest out, following Luo Mu's pace step by step.

"So you are Luo Mu, the Battle Studies teacher introduced by the Chairwoman; I've heard much about you!"

Mu Fei stood up, wearing a kind smile, and shook hands with Luo Mu.

"Greetings, Principal Mu Fei." Luo Mu also displayed a warm smile; after exchanging pleasantries with Mu Fei, he turned to look at De Shu, who was sitting on the sofa without speaking, blinked, and proactively extended his hand, saying, "This must be the Headmaster, correct? Greetings?"

De Shu remained silent for a moment without responding, instead turning to Geeta with a tone of confusion, "Chairwoman... are you certain you want to recommend this young man to serve as the Battle Studies teacher, a position that requires rich practical experience to fulfill?"

Geeta clasped her hands together and smiled, "Of course; he is a Trainer I have high hopes for."

De Shu stood up, exchanged a glance with Luo Mu, then sized up the tiny Growlithe at his feet, a deeply hidden look of disdain on his face: "Forgive my bluntness, but a Battle Studies teacher must possess outstanding personal strength; not just anyone can hold this post."

Luo Mu understood; this Headmaster was apparently the type to judge people by their appearance.

As a transmigrator who now possessed the capital to act freely, Luo Mu had no intention of suffering any grievance; he immediately planned to summon his Dragonite and Cangyan Cangyan Rengui to properly prove his strength to this Headmaster.

At this moment, Mu Fei, who had been silent until now, spoke up: "De Shu, Teacher Luo Mu is a Champion-level Trainer; do not speculate on his strength based on his age."