Chapter 596: The Agreement and Graduation

January 9th.

Two more days had passed since Hearing Nimo and the other two returned to Paldea.

After the gathering meal that day, under Sebastian's arrangements, all three returned to their respective lodgings, resting for a day to wash away the fatigue accumulated from their journey.

Today marked the time for the three to attend their first class since returning to Paldea.

However, Luo Mu had not prepared any teaching content for today, as everyone had more important matters to attend to.

By the time Luo Mu entered the battle arena with his Flittle, the group had already begun fighting.

Of course, it was not a fist-to-fist brawl, but rather Pokémon battles where, after not seeing each other for a while, they assessed each other's growth progress.

At this moment, Hearing Nimo was directing her Pawmi in a fierce battle against a Dondozo with red scales and flamboyant, dancing feathers atop its head.

Luo Mu had long anticipated that things would develop this way and felt not the slightest surprise.

After all, before the two professors returned to the Great Crater of Paldea, Koraidon and Miraidon had mostly stayed with Arven.

Fortunately, last month was winter break and Naranja Academy didn't have many students; otherwise, Luo Mu felt certain such an incident would have occurred.

Arven: "To defeat Ao Ao Jiaofu and Cloyster... what tenacious opponents."

"Go! Koraidon and Miraidon!"

Just thinking about it made him nearly lose his composure.

Hearing Nimo had also fully lived up to his expectations; indeed, the very first thing upon attending class was to challenge Koraidon and Miraidon, satisfying her battle craving.

Fortunately, Arven was there with Koraidon and Miraidon; otherwise, the person she would have pestered was likely himself.

After all, there were truly very few people left who could spar with her now.

Standing at the entrance of the battle arena, watching the fierce clash, Luo Mu's expression showed no hint of surprise.

Although Koraidon and Miraidon were both standard cover legendaries, they were also two of the known cover legendaries that possessed populations, meaning individuals exhibited obvious differences in strength.

Like the first summoned Number One Koraidon and Miraidon, they currently displayed combat power comparable to a Champion's main force, but due to their personalities, they could not fully exert their potential, falling short of the stronger Number Two individuals.

But regardless, Koraidon was a legendary Pokémon with battle as its instinct; for instance, during the period when Arven occasionally brought them to the farm as guests (to mooch meals), the itch-handed Koraidon would spar with Meng Lei Gu and the others.

Meng Lei Gu often complained to Luo Mu that this guy's fighting style was too violent and that he couldn't quite handle it.

Watching the Pawmi, waving its electrified iron fists and passionately exchanging blows with Koraidon, each collision causing the battle arena to tremble slightly.

Only at this moment did Luo Mu feel a sense of unreality.

Hearing Nimo seemed to have truly approached the level he himself was at a year ago.

Harboring feelings that were neither purely gratified nor entirely simple, he waited until the great battle between both sides paused and everyone was panting, resting on the spot, before holding the box he had just collected from Director Clavell and walking into the battle arena with Flittle.

At the same time, he called out loudly: "Stop for a moment; those needing treatment, line up!"

The group paused their movements, and led by Hearing Nimo, several battle maniacs ran over without hesitation, all gazing eagerly at Teacher Flittle.

Maintaining a good condition allows for better training results; this was something Luo Mu had always told them.

Breaking through one's limits is good, but moderation is necessary.

Progress isn't just about breaking limits; treatment must keep pace as well to ensure steady, continuous improvement.

Under Flittle's increasingly proficient floral healing, the group's Pokémon quickly recovered most of their stamina; after resting a bit more to recover their spirit, they could continue fighting.

Hearing Nimo originally wanted to challenge Miraidon, but Luo Mu stopped her.

"Hearing Nimo, come with me; everyone else, continue training."

Upon hearing these words, the expressions of the students present instantly turned excited.

Peony, Penny, and Shizuka, the three girls, gathered together and said excitedly to Hearing Nimo: "Finally, the time is nearly here!"

Ai Li Qi Si, who was auditing the class, looked up at the ceiling with a touch of longing, "The Champion Assessment? Someday I want to challenge it too—"

Shinji turned his head aside, saying with an unnatural expression, "Don't let it be like the Battle Tower again, where our thoughts were completely read by the opponent."

Arven, holding Koraidon who didn't fully understand the situation but had gotten excited along with everyone else, complained, "It's hard to imagine it's been less than a year since you received your starter Pokémon."

In Arven's view, this talent was simply outrageous.

Pity he didn't possess it; otherwise, he wouldn't need to worry at all about how to rely on his own strength to travel freely to and from the Great Crater of Paldea.

Nowadays, he could only rely on his parents' lingering influence and live off them to command Koraidon and Miraidon to spar with Hearing Nimo.

The group spoke one after another, and even Hearing Nimo was led astray by them.

She actually thought she could challenge the Champion Assessment today, looking at Luo Mu with impatience as if she would dash off to the Paldea Pokémon League headquarters the very next moment.

Luo Mu pressed his forehead helplessly, saying, "What are you all thinking? No appointment made, no interview conducted; how could the Champion Assessment start immediately?"

"Even if certain Elite Four members are idle, the procedures must still be followed."

Passing by with his proud art student Mei Mei Luoke was Ba Shuo, whom Luo Mu had almost pointedly scolded for being idle; Ba Shuo paused, several question marks popping up above his head.

Wait, why did he get hit by stray fire?

Originally, Ba Shuo intended to step forward and argue a few points, but thinking of Luo Mu's team of main Pokémon, whose aura had recently become increasingly unfathomable to him, and that Fairy-type team that was nearly formed.

After some thought, Ba Shuo chose to follow his heart and pretend he heard nothing.

"Teacher, what is happening over there?"

Mei Mei Luoke, holding her painting tools, also curiously glanced in that direction.

Especially upon seeing Peony and Penny, friends she had recently made, her eyes lit up, making her even more curious about what was happening over there.

Could it be that another academy has come to challenge the school again?

For example, the famous Celadon University or something similar.

"Oh, little Mei Mei Luoke, nothing major; just remember that student named Hearing Nimo? I think she will soon come to challenge us."

Ba Shuo rubbed his chin with his fingertip, a spark of interest burning in his eyes as well.

In just one year's time, the four of them were about to face Luo Mu's students; truly interesting.

"Challenge you teachers?" Mei Mei Luoke first froze, but her eyes quickly widened, stammering, "C-Could it be that one—"

"Indeed, it is the Champion Assessment. Originally, it could have been held two or three months ago, but that fellow Luo Mu suggested she undergo further training, so now, just before the one-year limit, preparations are being made to propose it."

"Counting the days, given Chairwoman Geeta's impatient demeanor, it will likely be within these few days."

Just thinking about how Geeta, who usually didn't even visit the academy once every half-month, had been abnormally staying on campus for entire days lately, often dropping by various classrooms—especially those courses Hearing Nimo had enrolled in—under the pretense of an "inspection," made Hassel want to laugh.

However, to say that Hassel himself had no expectations regarding this matter would also be false.

—If I can't defeat you, Luo Mu, could I not possibly defeat your student?

His mind filled with such scoundrel thoughts, Hassel was already rubbing his fists together in anticipation.

After leaving Shinji and the others to continue training at the Battle Facility and leaving the Comfey there to assist with his teaching duties,

Luo Mu walked with Hearing Nimo toward the academy's main building.

Along the way, he casually asked what her next plans would be after the challenge concluded, regardless of success or failure.

Hearing Nimo's answer was very simple.

"I want to raise more partners, just like Ash!"

"And also, accompany Shizuka, Shinji, and the others to finish traveling the remaining parts of the Hoenn region; after all, when I challenged the Battle Frontier, they were mostly the ones accommodating me, taking detours along routes far from the official Gyms."

Hearing Hearing Nimo's reply, Luo Mu did not feel surprised.

After all, in the game, she had already raised countless teams, even specifically repeating a year at the academy to raise an entirely new team from scratch.

Even Geeta, who was obviously holding back, had said that Hearing Nimo had reserved her strength during their battle.

Though, Geeta's words weren't particularly credible to begin with.

She verbally claimed that as the League Chairwoman, she had a bad flaw: making no compromises whatsoever in Pokémon battles.

Yet when it came to holding back, she did so without any hesitation.

Arriving all the way at the academy's lobby, swiping their teacher and student ID cards to pass through the turnstiles, and just before taking the elevator up to the Director's office, Luo Mu temporarily stopped in his tracks.

Hearing Nimo, who had been following him step by step, nearly bumped into his back; she looked up at Luo Mu with a face full of confusion, only for Luo Mu to stuff a box into her hands.

"What is this?"

Hearing Nimo had actually been quite curious about what was inside the box Luo Mu had been carrying all along, but she hadn't expected him to give the box to her.

"Open it; this was entrusted to me by Principal Clavell to hand over to you, saying it is the academy's reward for you, last year's best Trainer."

Luo Mu explained.

Hearing Nimo blinked her eyes; having no intention of refusing, her expression instantly turned serious as she solemnly opened the box.

Lying quietly amidst the red velvet was a small, black, spherical crystal that appeared somewhat dark.

It was a Tera Orb.

Looking at this crystal, the name instantly surfaced in Hearing Nimo's mind.

"Do you remember the solution I mentioned earlier regarding Pawmi being unable to release Electro Drill a second time after using it, as well as its Electric type temporarily disappearing?"

"With the Tera Orb, you can enable your Pokémon to Terastallize; as long as Pawmi's Tera Type is Electric, you won't need to worry about running out of electricity and being unable to use Electro Drill."

"This way, before the Tera energy dissipates, you two will be able to unleash this move at will."

Luo Mu's explanation made Hearing Nimo instantly realize just how much of a boost the Tera Orb would bring to herself and Pawmi.

To put it plainly, with the power of the Tera Orb, Pawmi's combat power would explode, doubling in strength!

This also meant that this time, her challenge of the Champion Assessment would possess a higher win rate.

Hearing Nimo loved battles and thirsted for victory; nowadays, the Paldea League was also beginning to promote Tera Orbs, and while not everyone would have one in a few years, they would certainly become a component of combat strength for most Trainers.

She had no reason to refuse.

After Hearing Nimo solemnly accepted the Tera Orb, Luo Mu then took her onto the elevator heading to the floor of the Director's office.

While the elevator was in motion, Luo Mu slowly spoke: "Let's make another promise."

"?"

Hearing Nimo lifted her head and looked at him.

"Do you know what this is?"

Smiling, Luo Mu pulled a green, diamond-shaped crystal out of his pocket.

Hearing Nimo hesitated: "A Grass-type Z-Crystal?"

After all, she often visited Luo Mu's farm, and more than once she had seen Luo Mu bringing Teacher Comfey and the others to use Grass Z-Moves to cultivate crops.

Through this back-and-forth, she had naturally come to understand the concept of Z-Moves.

This green, diamond-shaped crystal should be the item that carried that power.

"This is not a Grass-type Z-Crystal."

Hearing Hearing Nimo's answer, Luo Mu shook his head.

"To be precise, although its appearance is green, it actually belongs to the Ghost type, and the pattern on the crystal is different; take a closer look."

Luo Mu extended his hand a bit further forward, and Hearing Nimo leaned in even more carefully to examine it.

She discovered that the black pattern on it seemed somewhat familiar.

Luo Mu didn't keep her in suspense but stated directly: "This is a Z-Crystal exclusive to Decidueye, named Decidium Z, and it is a Z-Crystal that can only be used with Decidueye's 'Spirit Shackle' move."

"Just like our previous promise, this Decidium Z serves as my personal reward; if you pass the Champion Assessment and become a new Champion-level Trainer, it will be yours."

"—This can also be considered the gift for your graduation from our rather unserious 'school'."

Once Hearing Nimo became a Champion-level Trainer, in reality, there was nothing more Luo Mu could teach her.

At this realm, the experience he had personally gained would not help Hearing Nimo much; the path ahead was one only Hearing Nimo could walk herself.

Therefore, under these circumstances, saying that Hearing Nimo had already "graduated" was perfectly fine.

Who would have known that Hearing Nimo might have misunderstood, her eyes instantly turning slightly red as she asked with some grievance: "Are you trying to drive me away..."

Luo Mu: "????"

Why would she think that!?

In ordinary dojos of various types, a disciple being able to stand on their own basically counted as graduation; here, he had waited until Hearing Nimo already possessed the foundation to challenge the Champion Assessment before considering her graduated.

"It can't be considered driving her away, right?"

Luo Mu could only patiently explain to Hearing Hearing Nimo, this quasi-Champion-level Trainer whose mentality was still that of a child.

Graduating did not mean severing the master-disciple relationship.

It was simply that he had nothing left to teach, and Hearing Hearing Nimo should walk her own path; that was why he was preparing to let her graduate.

Fortunately, while Hearing Hearing Nimo appeared willful in the eyes of others like Peper, she was always extremely obedient before Luo Mu.

After he explained a few sentences, Hearing Hearing Nimo broke into a brilliant smile.

"Does that mean from now on, as a Trainer standing on equal footing with my teacher, I can challenge you, and we can engage in Pokémon battles together every day?"

Upon hearing this, Luo Mu's vision instantly went dark.

(End of Chapter)