With the placement exams completed, the school finally settled into its routine. Klein incorporated Gym evaluations into the students' regional training challenges.
Flights from Cinnabar Island had fixed routes to Saffron City and Goldenrod City, both major transit hubs with extensive rail networks connecting to the entire region. Each student was given four days per week to travel across Kanto and challenge Gyms.
Unlike regular trainers who only needed to defeat eight Gyms, Klein designated thirty-six specific Gyms for evaluation. These were Gyms that had shown inconsistency in past seasons—either being too strict or too lenient. By sending students to challenge them, Klein simultaneously assessed the Gyms while providing students with hands-on experience.
Though students only needed eight badges to qualify, they were required to complete all thirty-six Gym challenges in their chosen order.
Additionally, every student had to submit a detailed battle report, analyzing the Gym Leaders' Pokémon, move usage, abilities, and their own counterstrategies.
Even well-established Gyms like Saffron and Cerulean were included in the evaluation pool.
Klein had neither the time nor interest to review outdated performance records. Instead, this hands-on assessment provided a far more practical approach.
For students assigned to Johto, Klein did not specify particular Gyms but maintained the same requirement: they had to challenge thirty-six Gyms and submit comprehensive reports.
Blaine expressed concern over Klein's method. "If you're using them as evaluation tools, won't the Gym Leaders protest?"
"If they conduct themselves as proper Gym Leaders should, then they won't," Klein replied calmly. "They've simply grown too accustomed to the old ways."
A competent Gym Leader wouldn't fear being tested. If Kanto wanted to lead the future of the Greater Kanto initiative, it had to show both strength and adaptability.
—
During the first week, the school ran smoothly. Since students spent four days on Gym challenges, the remaining three days were packed with intensive coursework, stretching up to ten hours daily.
Blue and Silver's class, composed mostly of elite-background students, adapted well to this rigorous schedule. Many were exceptionally hardworking.
On the third day, the final lesson was Klein's field combat class. He led the students to a massive lake within the school's ecological reserve, accompanied by his Swampert.
Standing by the vast lake, Klein took a deep breath of the crisp, fresh air, feeling more at ease.
Turning to his students, he spoke in a calm yet authoritative tone. "A Pokémon's moves are not rigid techniques. Take Water Gun, for example—how do you understand this move?"
Silver responded first. "It's a high-speed water stream used for offense. Sometimes it can be used to put out fires."
Blue, as an honor student, followed up. "It depends on the Pokémon. My Blastoise, for instance, can combine it with rapid spinning to enhance water vortex attacks."
"Swampert, demonstrate. There are at least sixteen variations."
At Klein's command, Swampert unleashed a high-velocity Water Gun, blasting across the lake and striking a distant boulder. The sheer force bored a hole straight through the rock.
"The fundamental use of Water Gun lies in the speed and force of the expelled water. Never underestimate training in basic moves—they lay the foundation for more advanced Water-type attacks in the future."
While the students marveled at Swampert's raw power, the Pokémon transitioned seamlessly into its second technique. This time, Water Gun dispersed into a mist of water droplets. Then, with a mighty punch, Swampert sent the droplets flying in all directions like a barrage of bullets.
"A Pokémon's physical strength is just as crucial in battle. Not just fists—its head, tail, or any part of its body can be strengthened through specialized training. This is why high-level Pokémon can withstand powerful attacks head-on."
The water bullets embedded themselves into the ground, leaving a trail of small craters. Even Blue's expression shifted—if those bullets struck a person...
"After speed and power, comes control."
Swampert adjusted its Water Gun again, slowing the frequency of the water flow. With precise control, the water wrapped around its fists, forming a defensive liquid ring. Then, with an uppercut, the water transformed into a swirling vortex, capable of momentarily restraining an opponent.
"To master techniques like this, you need to study more than just battling—science and engineering are just as important in improving your Pokémon's abilities."
For the fourth variation, Swampert modified Water Gun into a flexible water whip, lashing it through the air like a serpent, making it difficult to anticipate.
Each adaptation of Water Gun left the students in awe. Blue and Silver's eyes sparkled with excitement.
So this was the power of an Elite Four…
A simple Water Gun was transformed into a multifaceted battle technique. The reputation of the Elite Four as master trainers was well deserved.
"Swampert is a Water/Ground type, meaning Water Gun can be combined with other moves for more versatility."
As Klein explained, the water whip darkened into a Muddy Water lash. With a thunderous crack, it slammed into the ground, sending a shockwave through the earth. The scattered mud and rocks were then propelled by Swampert's punch, transforming into a rapid-fire mud bullet barrage.
True combat wasn't about sticking to predefined moves—it was about adapting and innovating.
"I've demonstrated sixteen variations of Water Gun. Over the next four days, as you challenge Gyms, I expect to see your Water-type Pokémon apply at least one of these techniques."
—
Back at Viridian City, in the headquarters of Silph Co.
"There's been talk of another Pikachu-masked killer," Giovanni mused, idly toying with a set of Pokémon chess pieces. Each one was a beautifully carved miniature of a legendary Pokémon, resembling a Western-style chessboard.
The holographic screen opposite him displayed Koga, the Poison-type Elite Four. In a deep, measured voice, Koga replied, "Four high-profile murders in Johto—all of them were key business partners of the Kamiyama Foundation. It's clear that the new Pikachu-masked killer is targeting the foundation."
"Oh?"
Targeting the Kamiyama Foundation… now that was interesting.
The previous owner of the mask had been a major enforcer for the Kamiyama Foundation in Kanto—until Klein defeated him at Seafoam Islands. The mask should have been in the League's custody.
And yet, the evidence and key items had somehow fallen into the hands of a mere administrative worker within the League.
Even more absurdly, this individual had attempted to blackmail Koga—exposing his hidden ties to Team Rocket—to coerce him into working for the Kamiyama Foundation.
Collecting Platinum Plate fragments… trying to open a gateway to the Distortion World…
What exactly were they after?
The fact that the Hunter Association had dispatched elite members to Johto suggested that the Kamiyama Foundation's real backer was growing impatient. What was so urgent that they had to act now?
Giovanni was a cautious man. The Kamiyama Foundation had long interfered with Team Rocket's fossil and artifact trade, but he wouldn't act until he fully understood his opponent.
However, the sudden appearance of this masked killer piqued his interest.
"Koga, keep playing along with them. I want to know who's truly pulling the strings behind the Kamiyama Foundation."
After ending the transmission, Giovanni picked up a report.
It was a student evaluation—Silver's first-day test results.
Seeing his son ranked second among all new students, Giovanni chuckled in satisfaction.
"This kid… did pretty well."
(Chapter End)