Weedle had now evolved into Kakuna. It could not move, and it could only make sounds to express itself.
Eichi measured Kakuna's height and weight. It was 0.8 meters tall and weighed 20 kilograms.
The official data listed Kakuna as 0.6 meters tall and 10 kilograms.
Because Eichi had raised Weedle so well, his Kakuna was 20 centimeters taller and 10 kilograms heavier than normal.
When it evolved into Beedrill, its body would also be much larger than average.
Now Kakuna had no mouth, so it could not eat. It would have to endure for a few days.
Eichi's Weedle had evolved later than most.
Normally, a Weedle took three or four days to evolve.
But his Weedle had already lived for two weeks before it evolved, much later than the others.
He did not know how long it would take for Kakuna to evolve into Beedrill.
Since Kakuna could no longer train, Eichi decided to shift his focus back to his studies.
Last time, Teacher Arno had asked him which academy he wanted to apply to, and Eichi had hesitated.
He was still unsure. Every region had a top school.
In Kanto, it was Quartz Academy. In Johto, Silver Academy. In Hoenn, Verdanturf Academy. In Sinnoh, Lily of the Valley Academy.
These four schools were known as the best.
But Hoenn and Sinnoh were too far, and they did not recruit from Kanto.
That left only Silver Academy and Quartz Academy. He would need to ask Teacher Arno tomorrow before deciding.
Every year, both schools set up testing sites in cities across the region to recruit students.
Although they were the best schools, their tuition was extremely high, something most families could never afford, and many did not even own Pokémon.
Because of this, both schools had changed their rules. Any student who placed in the top thirty of the written exam at their testing site could attend free of charge.
This applied to those applying to the Breeder or Research programs.
For the Trainer program, there was one more test: a battle assessment.
In previous years, even students without Pokémon could participate.
The examiners would use one of their own Pokémon to battle against the candidate's Pokémon.
If the candidate had none, the examiners would lend them one.
If they won, they passed directly. If they lost, the examiners would judge if they still had the talent to become a Trainer.
***
The next day, after school, Eichi went to Teacher Arno's office.
The door was open and he could see that the office was very tidy, with a pleasant scent of incense.
Books were neatly arranged on the desk.
Eichi knocked. Teacher Arno looked up, closed his file, and said, "Oh, Eichi. Come in."
Eichi walked in politely. Teacher Arno pulled out a chair for him to sit across the desk.
The scene was just like when a teacher called a student in for a talk in his previous life.
Teacher Arno asked first. "Have you decided which academy you want to apply to?"
Eichi shook his head. "Teacher Arno, I still have some questions."
Arno smiled. "Go ahead, ask."
Eichi suddenly grew serious. "Teacher Arno, do you know which academy has the deepest research into Bug-type Pokémon?"
Arno was puzzled by the question, but he still answered seriously. "That would be Silver Academy, and in Sinnoh, Lily of the Valley Academy."
After hearing this, Eichi knew which school to choose.
Arno asked again. "Why do you ask? How is this related to your choice? Tell me."
Eichi answered with determination. "Teacher Arno, I want to specialize in Bug-type Pokémon. I want to become the first Bug-type Elite Four."
At this time, Aaron of Sinnoh had not yet become a Bug-type Elite Four member.
Hearing Eichi's dream left Teacher Arno completely stunned.
After recovering, he asked sternly, "Why?"
Eichi thought for a while before answering. "I feel a connection with Bug-types. I used to be a Bug Catcher, and my first Pokémon is also a Bug-type.
As I spent more time with them, I grew to love them.
They are weak and short-lived, but they still struggle to survive.
I often hear people say Bug-types are the weakest Pokémon, and that Bug-type Trainers are the weakest Trainers.
At first, I did not care, but after hearing it again and again, I became angry.
Why look down on Bug-types? They may be born weaker than other types, and their potential may seem limited, but that does not mean they are weak.
Bug-types can be strong. I want to prove they are not the weakest.
Bug-type Trainers are not the weakest. I want to show that.
I want everyone to know Bug-types can be powerful, that they can defeat even pseudo-legendaries.
That Bug-type Trainers can become Elite Fours, and even Champions."
"I know it is difficult, and the road ahead will be full of hardship. But I am not afraid.
That is why I will go to Silver Academy. I will learn everything about Bug-types. I will raise and train the strongest Bug-type Pokémon.
I will challenge pseudo-legendaries with them.
I will make everyone see that Bug-types are not weak."
Eichi poured out everything that had been on his mind.
The air grew silent, and only his heavy breathing remained.
Arno shook his head slightly. He admired Eichi's courage and dream, but he did not believe Eichi could become the first Bug-type Elite Four member.
Becoming an Elite Four member was already nearly impossible.
Becoming one specializing in Bug-types? Harder than climbing to the heavens.
Arno himself had once dreamed of becoming an Elite Four member. He knew better than anyone how difficult it was.
Without resources, it was impossible.
Perhaps, he thought, once Eichi faced setbacks, he would understand.
But Eichi would not give up. Even if he knew Arno's doubts, his determination would not change.
After all, he had not yet met Aaron.
Aaron had also reached the Elite Four with Bug-types, even if he was the weakest.
But weaker or not, he was still one.
Of course, Aaron's family background had helped him greatly.
For someone like Eichi, with no such support, becoming an Elite Four with Bug-types was almost impossible.
And in truth, Eichi's dream didn't stop at the Elite Four; he wanted to be the Champion.
That was something he dared not tell Arno.