Chapter 11: The Role of a Teacher

As an ecology teacher, Hu Yang didn’t have classes every day. On days without lessons, he would go to the library to borrow books related to Pokémon and bring them back to his dormitory to read. While he read, the Ancient Moon Bird stood quietly by his side, occasionally preening its feathers with its beak or staring blankly into the air.

Hu Yang had no idea what the daily routine of a wild Ancient Moon Bird was like. His own Ancient Moon Bird stayed up late every night, only closing its eyes when Hu Yang set his book aside. This gave Hu Yang the feeling of raising a cat. In his previous life, when he was a student, he had a cat who would nap on his exam papers while he worked late into the night. Later, when he began working, the cat grew old but never gave up the habit, always climbing onto his keyboard while he worked at his computer. Eventually, the cat passed away of old age, and Hu Yang buried it beneath a tree along with its favorite treats, mourning for a long time.

Hu Yang scratched the Ancient Moon Bird’s chin, turned off the desk lamp, picked up the silly creature and placed it on the bed, then went to the bathroom to wash up. The Ancient Moon Bird opened its eyes, still wearing its vacant expression, but after recognizing its trainer, closed them again.

With the Ancient Moon Bird as his study companion, Hu Yang quickly familiarized himself with the knowledge system of this world. Turning from thirty to ten years old had brought not only a change in appearance but also restored his memory to its peak. If his goal upon first arriving in this world had merely been to find a job to fill his stomach, now his ambition had grown—to witness firsthand the grandeur of the Pokémon world.

But before that, he needed to save up some money.

The next morning, Hu Yang received notice that the school was organizing a field trip for the students to Petalburg Woods to observe wild Pokémon ecology firsthand. As the ecology teacher, he was naturally chosen as one of the supervising teachers.

“So many classes—are there enough teachers?” Hu Yang hesitated, glancing at Nishida, who was already geared up and ready to go.

Petalburg Woods was teeming with wild Pokémon. Each class had only twenty students, but if they encountered danger, they couldn’t possibly explain it to the parents.

Nishida replied with lively confidence, “Don’t worry, not everyone’s going. Only a few second-year classes!”

That meant there were enough teachers. Hu Yang nodded and reminded them, “I’m not a trainer, you know.” He didn’t have much combat ability.

Nishida patted his chest and assured him, “Relax, I’ve competed in the Hoenn League myself!”

This was the first time Hu Yang had heard about it. Curious, he asked, “How did you do?”

Nishida’s smile faltered for a moment, then he forced a cheerful expression. “Of course I did great! Who do you think I am?”

Hu Yang was speechless.

“Pfft!” Rika, carrying a hiking pack, walked over and laughed. “Don’t listen to him, he got eliminated in the preliminary round.”

Nishida immediately felt short of breath. “We agreed not to expose me!”

“Come on, the students are ready,” Rika said with a smile.

The three of them were in charge of the same class.

Hu Yang went downstairs and immediately spotted May among the crowd, her backpack slung over her shoulders, her face full of excitement and anticipation.

If he didn’t know this was the world of Pokémon, Hu Yang would have thought they were just heading out for a fall outing—though, in essence, it wasn’t much different.

“Is everyone ready?” Rika called out to the twenty-something children standing in front of her.

The boys and girls responded energetically, “We’re ready!”

“Then let’s set off!” Nishida declared.

Hu Yang walked on the left side of the group, advancing while explaining to the students what to watch out for in the wilderness. For example, if they encountered Beedrill, which would actively attack humans, and didn’t have any Pokémon with them, they should run toward the river.

“Teacher, what you’re saying sounds scary—is it really that serious?” asked a gentle-looking boy. Hu Yang had taught them for a while and could tell from his interactions that he was a kind-hearted child, open and gentle toward everything in the world.

Hu Yang nodded seriously. “It absolutely is. I hope you all remember this: the Pokémon world is fascinating, but not all Pokémon are as friendly toward humans as Eevee or Skitty.”

“Some Pokémon are extremely territorial. If humans intrude upon their territory, they will immediately launch a fierce attack—even if you mean no harm, to them you are a threat. This is their survival instinct.”

“So, I hope you remember: when you turn ten and travel outside, first and foremost, protect yourselves. Then you can meet new Pokémon companions.”

The boy pondered this—it was the first time anyone had said such things to him. He committed the words to heart, his face earnest. “Thank you, Teacher. I’ll remember!”

Hu Yang patted his head. He really liked these kids.

“Teacher, you’re the same age as us—how do you know so much?” asked another boy, round-faced and energetic.

“That’s because I’ve experienced it myself.” Hu Yang replied solemnly, “I once accidentally wandered into Beedrill territory. During the chase, I was poisoned by their stingers. When I could hardly run anymore, luckily, a river appeared ahead and I escaped.”

“And then?” several children pressed eagerly.

“And then?” Hu Yang smiled and continued, “Then I met a kind Greedent, who gave me a berry that cured the poison.”

“So cool!” a younger girl exclaimed happily.

Chatting as they walked, the group soon arrived at Petalburg Woods without realizing it. The number of wild Pokémon around them began to increase: Wurmple, Caterpie, Shroomish, and others.

At noon, they picnicked in a clearing.

Hu Yang went under a large tree, released the Ancient Moon Bird from its Poké Ball, took out the food he had prepared from his backpack, and placed it on the picnic cloth.

At that moment, he suddenly felt someone watching him.

He paused, quickly turned around, but saw nothing.

“Caw?” The Ancient Moon Bird stared blankly at the sky.

Hu Yang thought it wanted to fly off to catch fish again and immediately stopped it. “No wandering today!”

As he spoke, he tore the food into small pieces. “Open your mouth. Ah!”

Up in the tree, a Ralts clung to a branch and quietly let out a sigh of relief.

So close—it had almost been discovered!

Holding onto the branch, it looked curiously down at the humans and their food.