Chapter 81: Orange Academy Lesson Two: Essential Skills for a Trainer

The next day, afternoon.

Kukui’s body had nearly fully recovered; at this moment, he was leisurely sipping the clear tea brewed by Luo Mu in his chipped teapot, when suddenly he heard Luo Mu say he was free to act in the afternoon. Kukui volunteered at once: “Do you have something to do? I can help!”

Luo Mu smiled: “Actually, I haven’t told you this yet—besides being a farmer, I’m also a teacher. This afternoon, I’m going to teach at the Orange Academy in Table Town.”

Teacher! Orange Academy!

Kukui’s eyes widened—he hadn’t expected Luo Mu to be a teacher, in addition to being a farmer and a Trainer.

And not just any ordinary school teacher—the Orange Academy in the Paldea region was one of the few world-renowned academies; even as a resident of the Alola region, Kukui had heard its name.

The more time he spent with Luo Mu, the more Kukui felt he was like a treasure chest filled with hidden riches—Luo Mu was only eighteen, yet his experience and knowledge far surpassed Kukui’s.

Kukui’s interest sparked; his eyes gleamed as he said: “Luo Mu, can you take me to visit the Orange Academy? If I could even just observe your class, that would be perfect!”

For Kukui, who already had a blueprint for developing Alola in mind, every opportunity to broaden his horizons had to be seized.

Luo Mu, aware of Kukui’s current goal, didn’t refuse. He scratched his head uncertainly: “Uh… I’ll ask?”

Kukui bowed deeply: “Thank you so much!”

Luo Mu nodded and immediately called Yaci’s number.

Although the vice principal rarely saw Yaci even once a year, Luo Mu had no trouble reaching her directly.

The call connected quickly, and Yaci’s slightly amused voice came through the receiver: “You have class this afternoon—don’t tell me you’re calling to ask for leave?”

Yaci spoke to Luo Mu not like a superior giving orders, but more like friends chatting casually.

“Of course not,” Luo Mu shook his head—he doubted Yaci would approve his leave anyway. “It’s like this: I recently made a friend from Alola named Kukui. He heard I have class today and wants to visit the academy. I thought I’d need your approval, so I’m checking.”

“I understand. Wait a moment.”

Yaci didn’t answer immediately; instead, she began searching on her desk computer.

Soon, some of Kukui’s records from the Paldea Alliance database appeared before her eyes.

The information wasn’t detailed—after all, Kukui was from Alola. It mostly consisted of his honors and whether he had any criminal records in the international police database.

Yaci’s sharp gaze scanned Kukui’s file repeatedly, finally settling on a recently added entry.

【Kukui stood out at the Indigo Conference in the Kanto region, earning a chance to challenge the Elite Four. He defeated Koga, Sabrina, and Jasmine, but ultimately lost 4–6 against Agatha’s flagship Dragonite.】

Just from these records, Yaci judged Kukui to be a talent—and precisely the kind of gifted Trainer she wanted to recruit.

Although Kukui had failed his challenge to Kanto’s Elite Four, his strength was undeniable. With more time to refine his skills and proper guidance, he might even pass her own Champion examination.

Having reached this conclusion, Yaci didn’t hesitate. She nodded directly: “No problem. You may bring him to visit the academy. I’ll handle the rest—assign someone to arrange it and notify the staff. That incident won’t happen again.”

Luo Mu knew exactly which incident Yaci meant. He smiled and let it drop, then turned to Kukui, who was watching with hopeful eyes, and nodded.

“Yes!”

Even though Kukui tried to suppress his voice, Yaci caught it through the phone. She smiled faintly and suddenly asked: “Luo Mu, is your phone not on speaker?”

Luo Mu replied, puzzled: “No, it’s not.”

Yaci nodded: “Then I’ll say it plainly—Kukui is an exceptional talent. I’d like to see if I can convince him to stay in Paldea for further study. Can you test his attitude?”

Luo Mu glanced at Kukui, who was already gathering his Pokémon, and said into the phone: “I can only say… I’ll try.”

Even as he said it, Luo Mu didn’t believe Kukui—whose heart was set on rebuilding Alola—would choose to stay in Paldea.

Orange Academy.

“Boss, you’re really still going to attend that guy’s class?”

“Yeah, yeah! A teacher who tattles? So lame!”

The constant chatter from his two underlings irritated Aldiga. Several days had passed since that man had shut off his card.

Today was Wednesday. The man’s class was fixed for Wednesdays and Fridays—and soon, he’d have to go again.

After losing his income, Aldiga had no choice but to lower himself and eat in the Orange Academy cafeteria with the commoners.

The first bite—unaccustomed to the food’s more “down-to-earth” flavor—made him cover his mouth and immediately dump his lunch into the trash.

For the next two days, he refused to eat in the cafeteria. Those who had once flocked around him, drawn by his wealth, now sensed there was no profit left and drifted away, leaving only these two dim-witted fools still clinging to him.

On the third day, even after appealing to the headmaster’s butler, Mu Fei, the man’s stance remained firm. Starving, Aldiga had no choice but to “gobble down” the cafeteria food.

Once he’d done it once, he did it again. Soon, Aldiga’s figure began appearing punctually in the cafeteria. Those who had once been his followers now looked at him with faint disdain.

Now, only these two idiots still stuck by him.

Aldiga didn’t answer directly. He rubbed his forehead and said: “Time’s up. I’m going to class.”

With that, Aldiga walked toward the playground, facing the mocking and contemptuous stares of his classmates.

The two underlings exchanged glances, as if making a decision, and shouted: “Boss, wait for us! We’re coming too!”

Today’s gathering spot was still the playground. Kukui stood nearby, watching. Luo Mu’s gaze swept over the assembled students and nodded in satisfaction.

Good—all fifteen students from last class were still here, and two new ones had joined.

Although he hadn’t received any official enrollment notices for new students, Luo Mu didn’t care. The two newcomers were trailing the quiet, thinner-looking Aldiga, who hadn’t been seen for a while—probably his followers or friends.

He clapped his hands, drawing everyone’s attention. “Did everyone receive the name of today’s lesson?”

Nimo raised her hand excitedly: “Yes! It’s about teaching us the essential skills every Trainer must have!”

Finally, the teacher would impart more advanced knowledge?

Luo Mu nodded slightly. “Correct. Today, I’ll teach you the most essential skill for any Trainer—”

Luo Mu stretched out the pause, then, seeing the students’ eager stares, didn’t tease them further. He grinned cheerfully: “For a Trainer, the most important thing is a pair of legs that can outrun wild Pokémon in the wild.”

“So, today’s lesson is—physical training!”

At this, the previously excited Nimo visibly deflated.

(End of Chapter)