With Ho-Oh's feather finally in hand, Entei was getting a little impatient.
Suicune and Raikou, seeing that Entei had taken the first feather, couldn't help but look on with envy.
But once they remembered they'd also be receiving one, they felt relieved.
Nathan placed the Poké Balls he had prepared on the ground.
Without hesitation, Entei took the feather and entered one of the Poké Balls.
"Don't forget the feathers you promised us," Suicune and Raikou reminded, then entered their Poké Balls as well.
Seeing all three legendary Pokémon willingly enter the Poké Balls, Nathan finally felt a huge weight lifted from his shoulders.
"If I use these three in the tournament," he thought to himself, "I bet none of the opponents would even want to fight."
He imagined the scene—standing on the world championship stage, releasing three legendary Pokémon, and watching as the entire roster of challengers forfeited on the spot.
That would be utterly earth-shattering.
But unfortunately, Nathan didn't care for such tactics.
He believed in winning through his own strength, not by flaunting his legendary allies.
…
Meanwhile, in a certain estate in Valar...
The boss of Chiyou had already smashed apart two entire rooms.
With so many people involved, even aided by Valar's military, they still failed to capture Nathan.
How could he not be furious?
"Useless. You're all utterly useless!"
"I raised and trained you for so long, and you can't even stop one person!"
The boss bellowed with rage.
"Boss, give us a little more time. We'll definitely eliminate Nathan!"
One member spoke with his head lowered, though his heart pounded with fear—this was no less than a death warrant.
"How long? And what if you fail?"
The boss's voice was cold and menacing.
He knew words were meaningless now. Only results mattered.
Whatever Nathan had done to his Dark Organization, one thing was certain—killing him was now more important than any other mission.
Frankly, the boss was beginning to fear him.
Every time they made a move, Nathan showed up.
And every time—he succeeded in stopping them.
It was as if Nathan was born to be Chiyou's nemesis.
"If Nathan goes to the World Tournament, we'll make our move. If we fail—I'll swallow a bullet."
Sweat streamed down the operative's face, but he still managed to speak the words.
"Good. Very good. I hope to see you come back with your head held high—not as a corpse with a bullet through it."
The boss turned and walked away.
…
After Nathan's rewards were delivered to the orphanage by Kelly, the orphanage made a special banner for him.
They had Kelly bring it back to Nathan.
When Nathan returned to the hotel and saw the banner, he felt a pleasant surprise.
He had only wanted to clean things up quickly, not expecting anything in return.
Though the banner wasn't worth much—maybe less than 200 Poké Coins—it held a special meaning.
"Maybe it's time I did something more."
"Kelly, take this banner and deliver it to Grace City for me."
Nathan casually handed the banner to Kelly, who hadn't left yet.
"Grace City? Who's it for?"
Kelly had basically become Nathan's personal errand boy at this point. He didn't like it, but this was his job.
"I'll give you the number. Call when you get there, and pass along a message for me."
There was a strange gleam in Nathan's eyes.
…
The next morning, just as Nathan was preparing to visit home, he received an unexpected phone call.
Someone had invited him to give a lecture!
And not just anyone—the principal of Dawn University, one of the most prestigious Pokémon universities in the capital.
Despite trying to decline, Nathan was eventually moved by the principal's sincerity and agreed to be a guest lecturer.
But before that, he still decided to return home—
After all, he hadn't seen his parents in a long time.
With the World Tournament coming up soon, who knew how long he'd be busy again?
…
Back home, Nathan quickly remembered what "absence makes the heart grow fonder" truly meant.
On the first day, his parents were as warm and welcoming as the ocean tide.
But by the second day, all that love evaporated.
In its place came endless nagging—
"Nathan, when are you going to marry Lily already?!"
His mother tearfully said goodbye.
"Mom, can you not act like we're in a soap opera?"
Nathan looked helplessly at his mother—he had clearly seen her putting in eye drops to fake tears.
Besides, even if he wanted to marry, didn't Lily need to agree too?
…
After leaving home, Nathan headed straight to Dawn University in the capital.
He'd always been a student sitting below the podium.
Who would've thought he'd one day stand up there and teach?
When he arrived, the university had already arranged for someone to meet him.
Even before entering the campus, he saw a massive banner over the entrance:
"Warmly Welcome Nathan Vesper to Dawn University for a Guest Lecture!"
Seeing it, Nathan figured the upcoming class would be packed.
The university arranged a private dormitory for him—not exactly luxurious, just a simple one-bedroom unit.
But within the school, this kind of room was reserved only for top-tier instructors.
"The principal is currently in class. She'll come find you after. If you need anything, just let me know."
The staff left after giving a brief explanation.
Nathan waited less than an hour before the principal arrived.
When he saw her, Nathan thought it was some senior student—
But once she introduced herself, he was stunned.
This woman, who didn't even look thirty, was actually the principal of Dawn University!?
"You thought the principal would be some old man, didn't you?"
Julie smiled. She had none of the expected sternness of a principal and instead felt like a kind older sister.
"Nice to meet you, Trainer Nathan, my name is Julie Rex, Principal of Dawn University." Julie introduced while presenting her hand forward.
"Nice to meet you Ms. Julie. I wasn't expecting you too look so young." Nathan replied while shaking her hand.
"But Ms. Julie this is my first time teaching a class. Aren't you afraid I'll screw it up?"
He didn't really care about her age—what he cared about was doing a good job.
After all, he was a public figure now. If he gave a bad lecture, it would be a laughingstock.
And more importantly, misleading students was something he never wanted to do.
"No worries. I believe anyone who can become the Pacific's Champion can handle a single class."
Julie replied playfully.
"Well, since you're putting it that way, guess I have no choice but to do my best."
With a shrug, Nathan agreed.
Julie then gave him a tour of the university.
And along the way, he witnessed just how beloved she was here.
Her popularity was extremely high—whether among students or faculty, everyone knew her and treated her with deep respect.
With such charisma and influence, Julie was clearly an outstanding principal.
"I'm curious—this university must have at least 30,000 to 50,000 students. How does everyone know you?"
Nathan couldn't help asking.
"To find out, you'd have to transfer to Dawn University."
Julie grinned mysteriously.
That stumped Nathan.
He still had unfinished business back in Grace City. Even if he finished it, transferring now was out of the question.
For him, university was more of a formality.
"No way, guess I'll never find out then," Nathan replied helplessly.
Eventually, they arrived outside a large auditorium.
"That's where you'll be teaching tomorrow," Julie said.
Looking at the size of the hall, Nathan figured it could hold at least one or two thousand people.
…
The next morning, Nathan got up early, washed up, and headed to the lecture hall.
Despite his early arrival, someone had already beaten him there.
As soon as he entered, he felt dozens of eyes lock onto him—
Like wolves staring at a sheep.
"It's Nathan!"
One surprised exclamation later, the students inside the hall rushed toward him.
(End of Chapter)