Finally, Fujigoro had to ingratiatingly say to Director Yanagi, "Heh heh, well, Director Yanagi, I know I was wrong. I promise I won't dare do it again next time."
After the reprimand, Director Yanagi took a sip of water and said, "It's best if there isn't a next time. Also, the rest of you, don't do this again."
Saying this, he pointed at Eichi and the others.
Then, Director Yanagi let them go back. After Eichi and the others left, Teacher Rondo said to Director Yanagi, "Is that the end of it?"
Director Yanagi glanced at him, saying, "Yes, it is. What else? Did you want me to beat them up?"
Teacher Rondo countered, "That's exactly what I thought. Not just a beating, but taking them out for some intense training as well."
Spurt!
Upon hearing this, Director Yanagi spat out the water he was drinking.
Teacher Rondo asked, "Director, are you alright?"
Director Yanagi coughed, "Ahem, yes. Alright, let's not talk about that. Let's discuss what just happened. This Fujigoro was clearly here to intentionally cause trouble for them, and it seems to have something to do with Hirota."
Teacher Rondo said, "If we warn him, he naturally won't do it again."
Director Yanagi replied, "Yes, he should be warned. Third-years bullying first-years—what a disgrace! Alright, that's enough talk. You should all go back as well. It's getting late."
***
On the other side, after the group left the office, Fujigoro immediately spoke up: "Hirota, you were lucky this time, but you won't be so lucky next time."
After saying this, he left with the other three. Now, everyone knew that Fujigoro had deliberately come to cause trouble for Hirota.
Eichi thanked Sato, "Sato, thank you very much for standing up for us this time."
Sato said expressionlessly, "Don't thank me. I just can't stand seeing someone bully one of our first-year students."
You're being a little tsundere, Eichi thought. But he still said aloud, "I still have to thank you."
Sato said, "Alright, we're leaving first." After saying that, he left with his three classmates.
In the end, only Eichi's group remained. Hirota finally spoke, saying sincerely, "Class Representative, thank you very much this time."
Eichi was a little surprised that these words had come from Hirota's mouth. He generously said, "It's nothing. As the Class Representative, it's my duty."
At this point, Tetsu asked curiously, "What's going on with that Fujigoro? From the looks of it, he seemed to be specifically targeting you."
Hirota hesitated for a moment and then said, "I have a rival in Asakusa City. He was the top student from Asakusa City this time. Our families have always been in competition in business. He has an older brother who is my older brother's rival, but my brother chose not to attend school and instead went off on a journey. So, he keeps looking for trouble with me. That Fujigoro was probably called in by him."
Now everyone understood and realized what was going on.
Eichi said with disdain, "Those are just dirty, underhanded tricks. Speaking of which, who is your rival?"
Hirota replied, "He's the Class Representative of Class 12, Shinta. Eichi, you need to be careful. Shinta is very strong. He always defeated me easily before."
Hirota looked worried.
Eichi was speechless. "If he's strong, does that mean I'm weak? It looks like this Freshmen Tournament will be very interesting!"
Just then, Miss Joylin rushed over and returned the three healed Pokémon to Eichi and the others.
***
Elsewhere, Fujigoro came to a dormitory building with a Crobat sign below it. He went to a room and knocked on the door. The one who opened the door was a brown-haired, slightly short person.
As soon as Fujigoro saw the stout person, he called out, "Big Brother."
The short boy said, "Come inside and talk."
As soon as he entered the room, the stout person asked, "How did the task I gave you go?"
Fujigoro said, "It was going well initially. I severely beat up Hirota's underlings' Pokémon, and then I beat up his Pokémon. But two meddlers showed up halfway through, and I couldn't even defeat one of them."
...
"In the end, the teacher came and gave us a serious reprimand. Big Brother, what do you think..."
The short boy then said, "I will compensate you. By the way, who was the one who defeated you? Was it someone from our year?"
Fujigoro said awkwardly, "It was Hirota's Class Representative."
"He's a bit powerful. It looks like Shinta has a rival. Don't cause any more trouble for the time being. I need to remind Shinta to be serious, so he doesn't lose without even knowing how."
***
News of what happened that night quickly spread throughout the class. Everyone was indignant and wished they had been there at the time. After this incident, the relationship between Hirota and everyone else also eased somewhat; it was no longer as it had been before.
After the selection concluded, the ten spots were filled. Miss Joylin said that over the next two weeks, practical combat teachers would be arranged to give them extra instruction.
Just after class, Miss Joylin called the ten individuals out for a short meeting.
Arriving at the battle arena next door, Miss Joylin saw that everyone had arrived and said, "This time, I've asked Teacher Mo to give you individual intensive training. We will strive to achieve a good ranking in the Freshmen Tournament. Also, for the honor of the class, you must all give it your best, understood?"
Everyone replied, "Understood."
...
The next period was Practical Combat class. Practical Combat has a dedicated venue, a battle hall with a very large area, comparable to the size of a standard soccer field.
Classes are usually held here. The Practical Combat teacher is named Maxico. When Eichi first heard the name, he thought he had misheard it, but it turned out the name was real.
Maxico told everyone to call him Teacher Mo. Anyone who dared to call him by his full name would be in big trouble.
Teacher Mo was a man in his thirties who liked to wear a samurai uniform.
When Eichi and the others arrived, Teacher Mo was already there.
Next up was roll call, followed by the lesson.
In the Practical Combat class, every lesson teaches students how to evade and counter certain types of moves.
Today's lesson focused on Water-type Pokémon.
Before the practical segment, the teacher always lectures on Pokémon moves and types, followed by the practical application.
Today was different. Teacher Mo stood in front of the crowd and said, "Today I'm going to talk about Water-type knowledge. We all know that the most commonly used moves by Water-type Pokémon are Water Gun, Bubble Beam, Hydro Pump, Water Pulse, and so on.
When facing a Water-type Pokémon, we should utilize type advantage by battling it with a Pokémon that counters the Water type. This is how we increase the chances of winning. Of course, even when facing an opponent with a type advantage, there are still ways to achieve victory, but those are for later.
What we need to learn now is to select Pokémon that counter the Water type. The types that counter Water are Electric and Grass. Other types are neutral to water. The type that is countered by Water is Fire. I'll only talk this much. Now, everyone go and get some hands-on experience, and I will teach you more later."