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Three days passed in the blink of an eye. The grazing field was thriving after a light rain, with the grass now reaching ankle height.
Kai figured it wouldn't take long before the pasture was ready to welcome some new Pokémon.
The farmland was in good hands. Serperior, Eldegoss, and the two Cottonees managed the crops diligently.
Swampert, along with the group of Poliwag (led by their confident leader), ensured the fields were watered regularly. Kai felt confident that the farm was well cared for, even in his absence.
In just a few more days, the five experimental plots would yield their first harvest.
Once Kai confirmed the crops' quality, he planned to plant larger batches and start developing an orchard for fruit trees. But those were tasks for another day.
Today, he had more pressing matters to attend to.
Kai stood in front of the mirror, dressed in an outfit he had purchased from the well-known Olvido Clothing Store a minor splurge in preparation for his new job.
He had chosen a black hoodie layered under a military-green utility jacket, paired with cargo pants and casual sneakers. While he had considered a formal suit, he decided against it.
After all, he was only eighteen. Wearing a suit to work every day? No, thank you. That kind of corporate look could wait.
For now, this outfit struck a balance between maturity and approachability, with the dark colours lending him a sense of calm and dependability.
Kai inspected his reflection, making sure his clothes fit perfectly. He even stomped his feet lightly to double-check his sneakers' comfort.
Satisfied with how he looked, he smirked at himself in the mirror and left the washroom, "Hehe..ladies will fall in just one look"
Outside the farmhouse, his Pokémon were all waiting for him. It felt like he was stepping into some grand procession, with them lined up as though awaiting the emperor's decree.
Kai scanned the lineup and began assigning responsibilities for the day.
"Serperior, Eldegoss, and the Cottonee, I'm counting on you to keep the crops in order while I'm gone. Swampert, you and the Poliwag squad can handle the irrigation as usual."
The four Poliwag, led by their determined leader, hopped forward enthusiastically, ready to get to work. Swampert, on the other hand, simply gave a casual shrug, planning to enjoy some well-earned rest in Thunder Lake after its chores.
Serperior, however, was less than thrilled. Over the past few days, Kai had spent most of his time fussing over the newly hatched Hisuian Growlithe and, worse yet, the freeloading Moltres.
Meanwhile, Serperior was stuck looking after the fields like a dutiful spouse left to do all the housework.
"And for those coming with me to work: Dragonite, you'll be our ride to and from Mesagoza. Make sure we're on time, okay?"
"Draa!" Dragonite let out a confident snort, small puffs of air escaping its nostrils. It was more than ready to go.
"Ceruledge and Growlithe, you two are coming as well. We're only heading out to complete some formalities today, so there should be plenty of time for training."
Ceruledge floated forward, its polished blade gleaming in the morning light.
Meanwhile, Growlithe hopped off Moltres's back with boundless energy, wagging its fluffy white tail as it pranced over to Kai's side.
"Everyone else, your job is to guard the farm. You're in charge, Luxray. Keep an eye on things."
Luxray gave a solemn nod. As Kai's very first Pokémon, it knew the farm better than anyone and could handle any trouble that came its way.
Satisfied with the arrangements, Kai clapped his hands. "Alright, let's get going!"
Mesagoza City was the largest city in the Paldea region, home to the world-renowned Naranja Academy (Orange Academy) and Uva Academy (Grape Academy).
The sprawling metropolis was a hub of culture and knowledge, and Kai had done his research when he received the job offer as a Pokémon Battle Instructor.
During his research, Kai stumbled upon an unexpected detail about the academy.
In the games, the academy's name depended on the game version either Scarlet or Violet.
However, in this world, the academy's name and even its architecture changed with the seasons.
In spring and winter, the school was called Naranja Academy, with a corresponding orange-themed aesthetic.
In summer and fall, it became Uva Academy, adopting a purple colour scheme.
Kai couldn't help but feel a little baffled by this seasonal quirk. "This world's logic sure is something else," he muttered.
Dragonite though often teased for its relatively low-Speed stat in the games, was anything but slow in real life.
Its powerful wings carried Kai and Growlithe from Los Platos to Mesagoza in just 15 minutes.
As the city came into view, Kai pointed it out to Growlithe, who was safely cradled in his arms. "That's our destination. Pretty big, isn't it?"
"Woof, woof!" Growlithe barked excitedly, its tongue lolling out as it enjoyed the breeze.
When they reached the city's outskirts, Kai patted Dragonite's side. "Alright, let's land nice and smooth, okay? We don't want to cause a scene."
Dragonite let out a resigned sigh, clearly disappointed to forgo a dramatic entrance.
It settled for a gentle descent, landing gracefully at the top of Mesagoza, near the academy's grand entrance.
Though classes hadn't started yet, many students were already returning with their families, hauling luggage as they prepared for the school term.
Dragonite's arrival, though modest by its standards, still drew plenty of stares. Both the Pokémon and its passengers, Kai and the energetic Growlithe, became the centre of attention.
Among the onlookers was a student standing by the academy gates, dressed in the spring uniform of Naranja Academy.
The boy, who appeared to be about fifteen or sixteen, adjusted his tie nervously as he observed Kai.
After a moment of deliberation, the student approached, speaking in a polite tone. "Excuse me are you the new instructor?"
"Woof!" Growlithe barked before Kai could respond, its tiny voice full of authority.
The boy froze. "Uh…?"
Kai chuckled and lightly tapped Growlithe's head. "Hey, you've only been alive for a few days. Don't go trying to take my job, okay?"
Turning back to the boy, Kai offered an apologetic smile. "Sorry about that this little one just hatched recently. I'm Kai, and yes, I'm the new instructor."
The boy's nervousness seemed to ease slightly. "He seems approachable," he thought, leading Kai toward the gates to begin the day's formalities.
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