With the defeat of Giselle complete, Kazuki approached with Pikachu, ready to deliver the follow-up lesson and complete the second half of his mission.
"Miss High-and-Mighty! Books teach you foundational knowledge so you can build upon it, not so you can cling to it like gospel for the rest of your life!"
"Your Graveler is pretty decent, but that's only within the narrow confines of this academy."
"There's a lot of knowledge out there that textbooks won't teach you. You still have a long way to go."
"Knowledge outside the textbooks?" Giselle still seemed a bit puzzled by Kazuki's words.
"I get it now!" Joe, on the other hand, seemed to have a sudden realization.
"There are plenty of things school just can't teach me!"
"Like how a lower-level Pikachu defeated a higher-level Graveler!"
"I've made up my mind—I'm heading back to my hometown. I'll start fresh with a new Pokémon and train it from the ground up, just like Kazuki did!"
"I'm going to put theory into practice instead of just talking about it!"
"I want to raise a Pokémon that's not afraid of type disadvantages!"
Kazuki glanced at the newly energized Joe and chuckled.
It was a good mindset to have, though replicating Pikachu's Thunderbolt might be a bit out of reach.
Still, as long as Joe's back on track, mission accomplished.
"Alright then, Miss Top Student. If even Joe can understand this, I'm sure you can too."
"We're leaving. Take your time and think about it."
Kazuki walked over to Misty and extended a hand to help her up from where she was crouched. Together, they turned to leave the academy.
"Kazuki!"
Before they had taken more than a few steps, Giselle suddenly jumped up.
"Where are you going next? What's your goal?"
"What? You really that petty? Gonna send people after me now?" Kazuki looked over his shoulder playfully at the girl who had her hands back on her hips again.
"Hmph! I'm not that petty! I just want to know what you're aiming for next—because the next time we meet, I'm going to defeat you!"
Kazuki smiled faintly and continued walking forward with Misty.
"Collecting badges. Competing in the Indigo Plateau Conference."
Giselle paused as she watched Kazuki's back fade into the distance. Then, with her usual prideful expression returning to her face, she shouted,
"Fine! We'll meet again at the Indigo Conference! I will beat you next time!"
Kazuki didn't respond—he simply raised a hand and waved without turning around, continuing on his way.
Giselle stared after him, not satisfied even as his silhouette disappeared. She turned abruptly and ran toward the rooftop.
On the way, she bumped into her teacher but didn't even stop.
"Huh? Giselle, what's going on? Why are you in such a rush?"
"Teacher, teacher!" one of her classmates rushed up, panic in their voice. "Giselle just lost to some random guy, and I think she's gonna jump off the roof!"
Startled, the teacher instantly kicked off her high heels and dashed after Giselle in a panic.
After all, Giselle wasn't just the top student of the junior class—her family was an influential noble house. If anything happened to her, the consequences wouldn't stop at losing a teaching position.
Giselle burst out onto the rooftop and finally caught sight of Kazuki's figure in the distance. She braced her hands on her thighs, panting hard, trying to catch her breath.
Kazuki! You seriously piss me off! Ughhh!
You beat me… then had the nerve to lecture me!
That was supposed to be my job!
I'm so mad I could explode!
I… I will defeat you next time!
The punishment where you had to kneel and listen to me lecture is off the table now!
Next time, I'll make you lick my feet while I teach you about Pokémon!
And I'll make you run two laps before you get to do it!
You'll die of embarrassment!
Hmph! That's what you get for treating me like that!
"Giselle! Don't… don't do anything stupid!"
Giselle slowly straightened up and glanced at the teacher behind her—barefoot, pantyhose torn from running. She gave a snort of laughter.
"Stupid? Teacher, do I look that fragile to you?"
Watching Kazuki disappear into the forest, she turned to her teacher.
"Teacher, prepare the paperwork for advanced training. I'm going into seclusion to strengthen myself."
Though she called her 'teacher,' Giselle's tone was more like someone giving an order to a servant.
But that was entirely normal in this noble academy—especially for someone of Giselle's status.
And the teachers had no complaints either. After all, the pay here was ten times that of other schools.
So the teacher replied meekly,
"Advanced training? But miss, you're still at the beginner level. Jumping straight to advanced..."
"What?!" Giselle shot her a glare.
"You think I'm not good enough for it? You look down on me?"
"N-No, of course not!" the teacher quickly waved her hands.
"It's just that… advanced elite training is extremely difficult. I thought maybe once you reach intermediate—"
"No!" Giselle clenched her fists.
"I can't wait! I refuse to live with the humiliation of this defeat!"
"Next time, I'll return it with interest!"
"No matter how hard it is, I can take it—I'm Giselle!"
"If my father asks, just tell him I insisted. He won't blame you."
"Then… alright. I'll make the arrangements right away!" The teacher had no choice but to obey and went off to handle the procedures for Giselle's advanced training.
Giselle turned back for one final glance in Kazuki's direction.
Kazuki… we'll settle this at the Indigo Conference!