After leaving the Pokémon Trainers' Guild, Ethan Black went straight into the car heading home.
"If Trapinch could evolve sooner, that would be great. By then, returning mounted on a Flygon would be absolutely spectacular."
Holding Trapinch's Poké Ball, Ethan Black thought silently.
Thus, with the jolts of the vehicle, he finally returned to Stonefield Town.
At the entrance of the town, Ethan Black saw from afar his father's figure waiting for him. Since it was a bit cold, his father paced back and forth, and as soon as he saw the car arriving, he hurried over.
"Dad, it's cold out here. Didn't I tell you to wait for me at home?" said Ethan Black with a slightly reproachful tone as he got out of the car.
"Hahaha, your mother is preparing dinner at home. Since I had nothing to do, I came out for a stroll, and I just happened to see the car returning," replied Victor Black, laughing.
Ethan Black rolled his eyes, then took off his scarf and wrapped it around his father's neck. Walking shoulder to shoulder, they headed toward the house.
"Mom, I'm home!"
Upon entering, Ethan Black immediately smelled the familiar aroma of food, and felt a warmth in his heart.
"Ah, it's so good you're back, so good," said Clara Whitmore, visibly moved, with a smile full of joy.
"After being away for more than half a year, you should come back to see us more often," said Clara Whitmore.
Ethan Black felt a little guilty. Even though Ironvale City was so close to home, it had never occurred to him to drop by for a visit.
This time, he planned to take his parents to live in the city, so they could see each other more often.
While chatting with his parents, suddenly Sandslash's Poké Ball at his waist began to shake. Evidently, he too had sensed they were home and couldn't wait to come out.
"Come out, Sandslash."
Ethan Black smiled faintly and released him.
"Sha sha sha!"
As soon as he appeared, Sandslash sniffed the air, and without even greeting Ethan Black, dashed straight toward the kitchen.
"Wow! Are you little Sandshrew? You've grown so much!" Clara Whitmore's surprised voice was heard from the kitchen.
Right after, she lovingly patted his head, took out a piece of braised pork from the pot and put it into his mouth, making Sandslash close his eyes in pure delight.
"That must be Sandslash, Sandshrew's evolution, right?" asked Victor Black, watching him from head to toe with a smile.
It was clear that his father was no stranger to Pokémon information.
"That's right, it's Sandslash," Ethan Black nodded with a smile, and then took out five other Poké Balls, releasing Cacturne, Shellder, Shuckle, Meltan, and Trapinch.
"So many Pokémon!" Victor Black's mouth dropped open in surprise, before showing a look of pride.
After all, Eric Lawson's family, across the way, had hosted a banquet just for catching an extra Geodude.
If they found out that Ethan Black had five Pokémon, all unknown to them, who knows what they would say!
"Sha sha sha!"
Seeing his companions come out of their Poké Balls, Sandslash, as the older brother, began introducing them to the house.
During the chatter, he occasionally pointed toward the kitchen, telling them how delicious his trainer's mom's cooking was, making the Pokémon swallow their saliva.
"Ethan, are you home?!" suddenly a voice came from outside.
"Eh? Coming!" said Ethan Black, puzzled, getting up to open the door.
When he opened it, he saw the village chief with a group of people, all with broad smiles.
"Ah, Chief! What brings you here?"
Ethan Black's father also came over, and seeing it was the chief, he quickly invited him and the other villagers inside.
"I came to bring Ethan a red envelope," said the chief with a hearty laugh, handing over an envelope he had prepared.
"Eh? What's this?" Both Ethan Black and his father were perplexed. Why would the village chief give him a red envelope for no reason?
"Eric already told us," explained the chief. "Now that you've been admitted to Ironvale City's Pokémon University, that's a source of pride for both your family and the village. This is a tradition, take it, take it!"
"He got into Ironvale City's Pokémon University?" Ethan Black's father was astonished.
Ethan Black had forgotten to tell him, so it seemed his father was the last to know.
"That's right. Big Brother Ethan's strength is incredible! He didn't even need to take the exam, he was admitted directly."
"And that's not all, he led the University's exchange team and defeated the visiting students from Duskwell City's Pokémon University! That battle still excites me when I think about it," said Eric Lawson, who stepped out from the crowd, recounting Ethan Black's feats, causing gasps of amazement among the villagers.
The older uncles and aunts even took Ethan Black's parents' hands to congratulate them on having such an outstanding son.
This scene was completely opposite to half a year ago, when Ethan Black had failed the exam. He himself couldn't help but feel moved.
Now they treated him as if he had taken first place in the imperial examinations. The enthusiasm of the uncles and aunts made him feel a little uncomfortable.
But, although he didn't like that attitude much, seeing the smiles and pride on his parents' faces, he accepted it.
In the end, isn't life just a matter of appearances?
"Wow! Is that Trapinch? The Pokémon that, according to legend, can evolve into a dragon. Big Brother Ethan, you're way too strong!" exclaimed Eric Lawson after a few more praises, once again astonished at the sight.
At the same time, several youths who had received a Sandshrew half a year earlier also came over with a friendly attitude.
"Ethan, now you and Eric will be classmates. Take care of your younger brother," said the chief with a smile.
"Yes, I know," Ethan Black nodded respectfully. The chief had great prestige in the village and was a very good person, so Ethan Black admired him greatly.
"Well then. The future of the village is in your hands, the young ones," said the chief, squinting his eyes with a sincere smile. He was truly glad that the village could produce two university students.
(End of chapter)