Chapter 27: Autumn Trip (Part 2)
Chapter 27: Autumn Trip (Part 2)
The Hoenn region, Lavaridge Town.
Buses pulled up in front of the Pokemon Center in Lavaridge Town. Students, under the guidance of their teachers, disembarked one by one, carrying their luggage into the center.
According to the school's schedule, the students would spend their first night at the Pokemon Center, with two students per room, and the teachers were no exception.
However, since the number of students in the first-year Battle Class was odd, Jing He, who was originally supposed to share a room with the counselor Doff, was reassigned to share a room with Daigo at Daigo's request.
Jing He was somewhat reluctant to share a room with a man, but it was a school arrangement, and even Daigo, the young heir of Devon Corporation, did not object. As a teacher, he had to set an example.
Besides, compared to Doff, who was all muscle, Daigo was much more acceptable.
Moreover, to be honest, the age gap between Jing He and Doff was much larger than the gap between him and Daigo.
After settling into their rooms, Doff announced that the afternoon and evening were free time for the students.
This news was met with cheers from many of the students.
Of course, the condition for free time was that they could only stay within Lavaridge Town. If they wanted to leave the town, they had to get permission from a teacher.
As lunchtime approached, students began to leave the Pokemon Center in small groups to find food. Jing He, too, was invited by Daigo, Doves, and Yasha.
"Teacher Jing He, would you like to join us for lunch?" Doves, even on an autumn trip, always had a book in her arms.
Before Jing He could refuse, she continued, "Yasha knows a really good restaurant. It's supposed to be a specialty of Lavaridge Town!"
Yasha was a native of Lavaridge Town. Her grandfather, one of the former Four Elite of the Hoenn League, now served as the Gym Leader of Lavaridge Town.
"Kya?"
The Gastly, which had shrunk and hadn't fully recovered, poked its head out, blinking its eyes with evident interest.
Ultimately, under the hopeful gazes of Daigo, Doves, and Yasha, Jing He agreed.
He wasn't really concerned about the cost, but he did feel a bit reluctant to let the students pay. After all, even though these three students were theoretically wealthier than him, it wouldn't be right for a teacher to let students treat him.
Upon receiving Jing He's agreement, Yasha discreetly winked at Doves and Daigo.
As they stepped out of the Pokemon Center, a wave of heat hit them.
A few steps forward, they could see a massive mountain in the distance, the iconic Chimney Mountain of the Hoenn region!
Chimney Mountain is a 1,500-meter-tall volcano located inland in the Hoenn region. Despite not having erupted for many years, it still emits high temperatures, making it a dormant volcano.
From a distance, one could see black ash falling like black snow, slowly descending.
When it reached a certain height, the black snow seemed to transform into large, dark raven feathers, swirling and twirling before being carried away by the mountain wind toward the northeast.
It was clear that the thick layer of volcanic ash would have a significant impact on the surrounding environment if it were to settle. However, although Lavaridge Town is at the base of Chimney Mountain, it is on the southern side, and the volcanic ash, influenced by the mountain wind, only occasionally falls near the town, so the impact is minimal.
On the contrary, the high temperatures from the dormant Chimney Mountain have given Lavaridge Town its unique feature: volcanic hot springs, which attract many visitors.
'Chimney Mountain, where a non-flying creature sleeps?'
Looking at the mist-shrouded mountain, Jing He couldn't help but think.
If that guy were to appear, it would certainly be a surprise. But then he chuckled to himself.
What kind of bad luck would it take to encounter Groudon as soon as you arrive at Chimney Mountain? Besides, Groudon is still asleep, and without the "Scarlet Orb," even dancing on its head wouldn't wake it up.
"Teacher?"
Daigo, Doves, and Yasha, who had already walked a distance toward their target restaurant, noticed that Jing He was staring at Chimney Mountain, lost in thought.
Jing He snapped out of his reverie, tightened his clothes, and slowly followed them.
He had to admit that in the scorching heat of Lavaridge Town, Gastly had proven to be extremely useful—lowering his body temperature by at least five degrees, making the heat more bearable.
"Kya—"
Now you know how awesome I am, right?
"Kya—Kya—Burp—"
In a relatively secluded restaurant in Lavaridge Town, Gastly lay comfortably on a soft cushion, letting out a long, satisfied belch.
Jing He, who had just returned after paying the bill, couldn't help but twitch his eye at the sight.
This meal, Ghost was the one who ate the most!
Next was Yasha, who insisted on coming to this restaurant, followed by Da Wu and Jing He, and lastly, Du Juan.
But it had to be admitted that the food at this restaurant was indeed excellent.
Especially the onsen egg rice, which truly featured genuine onsen eggs.
"Feeling full and satisfied, what should we do in the afternoon?" Yasha sat down carelessly, her gaze sweeping over Jing He, Da Wu, and Du Juan, looking a bit bored.
Jing He knew exactly what she was up to, especially the way she tried to hide her obvious hints directed at Da Wu and Du Juan.
This made Da Wu can't help but hold his forehead, and Du Juan slowly turned her head.
"How about we go to Chimney Hill!" Yasha, oblivious to her "comrades'" reactions, slapped the table and continued her "performance."
"Gastly!"
Jing He hadn't reacted yet, but Ghost, feeling a bit drowsy from the meal, was startled.
It cast a "malicious" glance at Yasha.
This was the one who had fought the hardest with it just now!
"How about it? I know a really fun spot on Chimney Hill, and there are plenty of wild Pokemon there." Yasha continued to suggest, fully leveraging her "local" advantage.
Seeing Yasha's effort, Da Wu and Du Juan couldn't bear to "sell" her out anymore and looked at Jing He.
Faced with the three pairs of eyes, Jing He remained unperturbed, sipping his tea calmly.
"The designated free activity area is only Boiling Pot Town, and it doesn't include Chimney Hill."
"As long as the teacher approves, that's why I'm asking for your permission, Teacher Jing He." Yasha continued to plead.
"No."
But Jing He's refusal was quite decisive.
"I promise it's safe!"
"No."
"It's not far from Boiling Pot Town, and I used to go there often when I was a kid."
"No."
"No matter how Yasha begged, Jing He's answer remained the same—just a calm and firm "No."
This unyielding attitude made Yasha extremely frustrated.
"I'll introduce you to my best friend! She's really beautiful!" Yasha used her ultimate move.
"Huh?"
Jing He was taken aback, and even Da Wu and Du Juan were stunned.
"Ah, no." Jing He coughed lightly, still refusing.
"Do you know who my best friend is? She's—" Yasha stomped her feet in anger, glaring at Jing He, "I challenge you! If I win, we get to go into the mountain!"
Then she quickly added, "You're not scared, are you, Teacher?"
Jing He smiled slightly, "Psyching me out won't work."
Yasha scratched her head frantically.
Finally, out of options, she lifted her chin and pouted, "Fine, if you don't agree, then so be it. Anyway, no one here knows the area better than me. I can sneak out, and no one will notice."
Surprisingly, this move did have some effect.
Jing He looked at Da Wu, "Da Wu, do you also want to go to the mountain?"
Faced with Jing He's gaze, Da Wu opened his mouth but then explained a bit sheepishly, "I heard there's a very special type of volcanic stone in Chimney Hill."
Jing He sighed and looked back at Yasha, speaking calmly, "Alright, I'll accept your challenge. If you win, I'll let you go into the mountain. If I win, you have to listen to me."
"But you know, I'm just an ordinary Pokemon psychology teacher, and Ghost has only been with me for a short time. You don't want to be seen as someone who bullies the weak, do you?"
Upon hearing this, Du Juan and Da Wu exchanged glances, thinking, "This isn't good."
But before they could warn her, Yasha confidently patted her chest, "No problem! I also have a Pokemon that I just recently caught!"
Slap!
Da Wu and Du Juan both held their foreheads.
Jing He didn't fall for Yasha's "psyching out," but Yasha fell for Jing He's "praise trap."
"G-Gastly?"
Of course, the most confused one right now was Ghost.
How did the conversation suddenly turn to it?
——
PS: Late but here! Consider this as a 520 gift to everyone (not sleeping doesn't count as passing the day). The update for tomorrow will be the same, so this chapter is an extra. Slow pace, so more updates to solve it! Votes and follows are appreciated! (If time allows, there might be another extra update tomorrow!)
Thanks to the generous rewards from the greats like Underworld's Carp, Anonymous Vegetation, Cherished Dream, Magical Cutie, Night Phantom, Mo Ren Ge, and Book Friend 20210211153400606!
(End of Chapter)
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