The next day, Thursday morning.
Johan could clearly feel the excitement from his Pokémon team.
In one morning, Gengar licked him three times, Vulpix froze him twice, Tinkatuff kicked him twice, and Dratini coiled around him once.
All things considered…
He was still alive.
Johan understood their enthusiasm—after all, if everything went smoothly, they would be moving to their new home that evening.
But before that, there was one task left:
Welcoming the delegation from Celadon University.
Celadon University and Rustboro's Pokémon Academy had a close relationship, with frequent exchanges between the two institutions.
However, when Johan arrived at the academy's reception room and saw the person standing at the door, his heart skipped a beat.
"Professor Johan," a soft, hesitant voice called out.
"P-Professor Yuka…"
Standing before him was Yuka, the flower-arranging instructor he had unintentionally bested during the first round of the mentor assessment.
And with her presence came a memory: her distant cousin, a Celadon University instructor and Celadon City Gym Leader—Erika! A skilled Grass-type Pokémon trainer.
Johan had already apologized to Yuka, and she had accepted graciously. But the academy still whispered of his "cold-hearted defeat" of her during that assessment.
Could Erika really be here?
"Is Professor Johan here?"
A voice came from inside the reception room, accompanied by the soft clacking of wooden sandals on the floor.
Stepping into view was a young woman dressed in a yellow maple-leaf-patterned kimono, her short hair styled with a headband. She wore white socks and wooden geta sandals.
It was none other than Erika, Celadon City's Gym Leader!
"So it really is Professor Johan," Erika said with a polite smile, bowing slightly. "It's an honor to meet you."
"Professor Erika, you flatter me," Johan replied cautiously, relieved by her friendly demeanor.
"Is that so? Yuka often praises how skilled you are, Professor Johan," Erika teased with a soft chuckle.
"Erika…"
Yuka's cheeks flushed red as she gently tugged at Erika's sleeve.
Johan pressed his fingers to his temple, feeling a headache coming on.
Erika's tone soon grew more formal as she continued, "I understand you'll be overseeing this exchange. On behalf of Celadon University, thank you."
She bowed again, her movements graceful.
"It's my duty," Johan replied, still unsure of Erika's intentions.
"To show my gratitude, I brought you a small gift."
Reaching into her bag, Erika retrieved a small glass vial filled with pale green liquid. A light, alluring fragrance wafted through the air as soon as the vial was opened.
"Ka-kah?"
Gengar sniffed the air, its nose twitching, and emerged from Johan's shadow.
"Perfume?" Johan asked, surprised.
"This is a fragrance I blended myself, with 'Sweet Scent' as the primary note. I hope you like it, Professor Johan," Erika said with a sly glint in her eyes.
Erika was known not only for her Grass-type prowess but also for her expertise in floral arrangement, archery, fashion, and perfumery.
In Celadon City, she ran a well-known perfume shop and was famously protective of her craft. In the anime, Ash had once insulted her perfumes, leading to his immediate expulsion from her shop—and her refusal to battle him.
"It's lovely," Johan said as he accepted the bottle.
"Ka-kah~~"
Gengar snatched it eagerly, taking a deep sniff before its eyes glazed over in bliss.
The scent reminded Gengar of Aromatisse.
Ah, Aromatisse… such a dreamy aroma…
Watching Gengar's reaction, Johan couldn't help but feel he'd been outdone.
She prepared a gift, but I didn't? How rude…
Walking around Rustboro Pokémon Academy, Erika's autumn-hued kimono and wooden sandals, paired with Yuka's quiet beauty, drew countless gazes.
After showing Erika and Yuka around, Johan suddenly realized something.
"Professor Erika, where are the Celadon University students?"
Weren't they supposed to be here for the exchange?
"Oh, they've gone ahead to warm up," Erika said with a knowing smile.
Of course, exchanges between Pokémon academies invariably involved battles.
Not that it mattered to Johan—he had Steven.
"Let's not keep them waiting, then," Johan replied confidently.
When Johan entered the battle arena, he quickly realized this exchange might not be so simple.
As soon as they arrived, a figure sprinted toward them…
And promptly dropped to one knee before Yuka, clasping her hand with a lovestruck expression.
"You must be the famed Professor Yuka, Erika's cousin! I'm Brock from Kanto!"
The young man had a buzzcut, a square face, and perpetually squinting eyes that had morphed into heart shapes. He wore a green shirt under a brown vest, and his demeanor oozed infatuation.
Johan's mind momentarily stalled.
This familiar sequence of actions, words, and expressions…
Could it be…
The one and only Brock, the human Pokémon world's legendary beauty radar?
"Ka-kah~~"
Gengar materialized beside Brock, its mischievous grin widening as it watched him cling to Yuka's hand.
Without hesitation, Gengar extended a ghostly hand, zapping Brock with a playful jolt of its signature move.
"Bzzt—so… tingly…"
A heartwarming, familiar scene.
"Thank you, Gengar," Yuka said softly, her relief palpable.
Erika could only offer a sheepish chuckle at Brock's antics.
Behind Brock stood two more students from Celadon University.
The first was a shy boy with purple hair, wearing a green shirt and shorts, holding a bug-catching net.
"This is Bugsy, from Azalea Town in Johto," Erika introduced.
Johan recognized him immediately.
Bugsy, the future Azalea Town Gym Leader! His Scyther's Fury Cutter was the bane of many novice trainers, second only to Whitney's Miltank.
"Professor Johan," Bugsy greeted timidly, scratching the back of his head.
"He's a big fan of yours," Erika added with a smile.
Bugsy's face turned beet red.
"I want to be like you one day, Professor Johan—a great researcher and, eventually, a Pokémon Professor!"
Encouraged by his determination, Johan nodded.
"Work hard—you can achieve it."
Bugsy beamed with pride.
Finally, Johan's gaze landed on the third student.
This one had purple hair, a burgundy suit, a black tailcoat, and a scarf around his neck. A mask obscured his eyes.
Will.
The future Psychic-type Elite Four of Johto.
Johan inhaled sharply as he processed the lineup.
Brock, Bugsy, and Will—a future Elite Four member and two future Gym Leaders.
Celadon University sure doesn't pull punches.
Johan's thoughts briefly wandered to the academy's struggling admissions office. Without Steven or Roxanne, Rustboro Academy's student roster would pale in comparison.
"Let me perform a magic trick," Will said suavely, placing a hand over his chest and bowing theatrically.
Gengar's eyes sparkled mischievously.
Magic? I want to try!
"Ka-kah~~"
Floating behind Will, Gengar tapped his shoulder lightly.
As Will turned, Gengar's glowing blue eyes met his.
Hypnosis!
Will froze, his pupils contracting.
A moment later, he crumpled to the ground.
"Ka-kah?"
Gengar blinked innocently.
Huh? That worked too well…
Johan and Erika stood in stunned silence.
"Professor Erika," Johan began hesitantly, "I swear this wasn't planned."
Erika sighed, glancing at her three students.
Two were incapacitated.
"Do you think I believe you?"
Bugsy clutched his bug net, trembling.
Should I just faint too?
"Professor, are you done already?"
Steven, Roxanne, and Flannery arrived just in time to witness the aftermath.
Johan: "…"
"Ka-kah~~" Gengar proudly puffed out its chest, whistling nonchalantly.
"Wait," Flannery pointed out, "there's still one left!"
Bugsy: Σ(дlll)
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Powerstones?
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