"Alright, time's up. All students, please put down your pens. Do not continue writing. Wait for the instructor to collect your papers!"
In the lecture hall, quite a few students who were still writing furiously had no choice but to stop, reluctantly waiting for the test to be collected.
There was no helping it; several Gastly were floating above the room, watching intently. Anyone who continued writing would truly be disqualified from the exam.
This was the final assessment of the current theoretical course for Trainee Investigators. Sato took it together with Akira and the others.
As for the content he'd missed earlier, Sato had made up for it by studying on his own, and even got Aono to point out the key points.
Fortunately, Sato had a good memory. When it came to rote memorization, he was fairly adept, so he figured passing wouldn't be a problem.
And as for the rest of the Independent Investigator courses, Sato had finished them all in just twenty days, once again breaking the League's internal training record.
There was no helping it; Sato's previous life had been spent in the business of assassination, so courses like infiltration, scouting, disguise, and escape were all second nature to him.
Moreover, because he often operated in the wild and had direct confrontations with many underground organizations and forces, he paid great attention to his own protection. His team of Pokémon had no room left for optimization.
Altogether, it felt as if Sato had been born to be a League Investigator…
Drake had also been watching Sato's performance the whole time, his heart ever more certain that his decision had been absolutely right!
A small place like Shadownight Town could never hold back someone destined to become a beast like Sato.
---◓---
That very afternoon, the report stating Sato had passed all assessments for Independent Investigator was quietly placed on the desks of President Charles Goodshow and several Elite Four Trainers.
"This rising star… has finally grown, hasn't he? Sigh…"
For a moment, many people couldn't help but sigh with emotion in their hearts.
---◓---
[Investigator Sato, hello! Please arrive promptly at 9 a.m. tomorrow at the Mew Conference Hall to attend the League's Investigator Badge Awarding Ceremony.
Before that, we've personalized three exclusive Combat Uniforms for you. Please choose your favorite set and wear it to the ceremony.
Afterward, you may request up to two sets of uniforms from the League each month as needed, and we will deliver them to you as quickly as possible.]
Just after Sato passed the assessments, the League's logistics staff found him, delivering the formal invitation and the three uniforms.
Sato remembered that after Lance became an Investigator, the Combat Uniform he wore was indeed different from others', likely also custom-made.
He looked at the three uniforms and saw that they all leaned toward darker tones, probably to match his affinity for Dark-type Pokémon.
One was deep blue, one black and purple, and the last one pure black.
"Ralts! Ral~"
Before Sato could decide, the Ralts beside him had already used Teleport to appear on top of the pure black uniform, clearly indicating its choice.
Sato nodded and decisively made his selection. He preferred the pure black one too.
Although the uniform was said to be personalized, as an official "outfit" issued by the League, the design of the Combat Uniform had long been standardized.
Other than minor tweaks and color adjustments, anyone could tell at a glance that it was a League uniform.
After leaving the black uniform behind, the staff quickly took their leave.
Meanwhile, Ralts impatiently tugged on Sato, eager for him to try it on.
"This was personalized just for me. The size should be perfect, and I'm wearing it tomorrow anyway. No need to try it on now, right?"
Ralts pouted and rolled its eyes at Sato, then insisted on handing the Combat Uniform to him.
Seeing the small Ralts holding up a uniform several sizes too large for itself, even though Sato knew full well it had "Elite" lvl strength despite not evolving, he couldn't help but soften and take the uniform.
"Alright, alright… I'll try it now!"
"Ral! Ralts~!" 'Toto is the best~!'
Watching Sato take the uniform and head into the bedroom, Ralts cheered joyfully.
When Sato came out of the room dressed in the sleek black Combat Uniform, the only ones in the living room weren't just Ralts… Fitzwilliam had also arrived.
"Whoaaa! This shota looks so cool! Walking out in that uniform, you're bound to make boys and girls swoon left and right! Hahaha~"
Fitzwilliam, rarely in a teasing mood, made fun of Sato once.
…But was instantly met with a "fierce" glare from Ralts on the sofa.
"Ral Ral!"
The next moment, Ralts Teleported onto Sato's shoulder, seriously comparing its own black dress to Sato's all-black uniform.
'…Hmm, they really did match well!'
"Don't move!"
Click!
Sato and Ralts instinctively turned toward Fitzwilliam at the sound of a camera shutter…
"Yep, you two look just as stylish on camera. Come take a look~"
Fitzwilliam had just pulled out the developed photo and hadn't even finished speaking when Ralts snatched it away with Telekinesis!
"R-Raaaalts!"
Ralts stared in disbelief at the photo. Both it and Sato were looking in the same direction, dressed in matching black… it was an unusually harmonious sight.
Suddenly, Ralts noticed Sato leaning in, trying to take a peek at the photo.
"RALTS!"
With that, Ralts instantly hid the photo, not even letting Sato see it.
"I'm in the photo too, and I still don't get to look!?"
"Ral~Ral Ralts!" 'I'm in it too, so it's mine. You're not allowed!'
Sato was helpless. It was just a photo, and he wasn't that interested anyway…
Let Ralts enjoy it.
Seeing Sato drop the matter, Ralts secretly beamed and Teleported away without a trace!
Left in the living room were only Sato and Fitzwilliam. After chatting a bit, Sato learned that Fitz had come looking for Drake.
"You're heading out to sea alone, Fitz?"
"Yeah, I'm planning to check out the Orange Islands. I've heard there are all sorts of mysterious islands out there, and I'd love to see them for myself."
Sato nodded. While he was officially Drake's final protégé, there was no doubt that Fitzwilliam was the true inheritor of Drake's legacy.
Aside from strength, when it came to naval operations, Drake was the League's number one, and Fitzwilliam was number two. No one had ever dared claim the third spot.
Even in his previous life, Sato had never heard of Fitzwilliam becoming an Elite Four or Champion. Most likely, other than following Drake on expeditions, he spent his life sailing on his own.
He was truly a man of the sea!
The next morning, Sato once again put on his sharp Investigator Combat Uniform and arrived promptly at the Mew Conference Hall.
Inside the hall, President Charles Goodshow, Elite Four members Bruno, Agatha, and Lance, Drake, and Fitzwilliam were all seated in their respective places, witnessing Sato and the others receive their Investigator Badges.
From that moment on, Sato was officially a League Independent Investigator!