"Beedrill, use Double Needle to finish the battle!"
Outside the suburbs of Cerulean City, Robert stood with his arms crossed, directing his Beedrill in battle.
After recovering at the Pokémon Center in Cerulean City, he continued his journey toward his next Gym challenge in Vermilion City. However, there were two possible routes to get there.
The first option was to take the high-speed train from Cerulean City straight to Kuye City, making the journey much shorter.
The second route involved traveling through the Evergreen Forest and taking small, winding paths through the wilderness. This journey would take several days and involve crossing multiple mountains and towns before reaching Vermilion City.
After thinking it over, Robert immediately dismissed the first option. He wasn't just traveling to reach the Gym—he wanted to explore, catch Pokémon, and experience the wild. The second route was far more appealing.
Although it would take longer, Robert preferred to walk through nature, appreciating the environment and scouting for potential Pokémon to catch.
With his route decided, Robert, along with his fully recovered Pidgeot and other Pokémon, set off toward Vermilion City. However, as soon as he stepped out of Cerulean City, he was stopped by an eager Bug Catcher.
The result was predictable—another Pokémon battle.
Fortunately, these Bug Catchers weren't very strong, and Robert didn't waste much time.
Besides, winning these battles not only earned him experience but also added a few thousand Pokémon Coins to his wallet.
Why refuse free battles and rewards?
Robert accepted every challenge from the Bug Catchers who approached him.
"Beeeeeer~"
Beedrill's twin needles gleamed with white light as it executed the attack. With the boost from Swords Dance, it struck the opponent's Beedrill with a devastating blow, knocking it out instantly.
"Wow! Your Beedrill is incredible! Not only is it strong, but it's also a rare Shiny variant. That's amazing!" the Bug Catcher exclaimed in admiration.
With a slightly defeated yet respectful expression, he retrieved his fallen Beedrill and handed over the prize money.
"Here's one thousand Pokémon Coins. You earned it."
Robert accepted the coins without hesitation.
"You did well, though. You've trained your Beedrill with care, and I can see its potential. Keep working hard—it'll become even stronger."
"Thanks! My dream is to become the greatest Bug-type Pokémon Trainer!"
Robert smiled. "That's a great goal. Keep at it! Anyway, I need to keep moving. See you around."
After a brief farewell, he recalled his Beedrill and continued toward Vermilion City.
---
The Mysterious Fog
"Huh?"
Robert slowed his pace as he noticed something unusual ahead.
"Why is there so much fog in this forest? Could it be…?"
After walking for about an hour, he realized he wasn't lost—he had entered a fog-covered area.
Robert narrowed his eyes, recalling something from the original story.
"A foggy forest? This must be the Misty Forest… If that's the case, then the Elf Research Academy should be nearby."
His mind raced through the details. In the original story, this was the location of the prestigious Elf Research Institute—a school for the wealthy elite, offering guaranteed entry into the Pokémon League.
"Wait… Does this mean I'm ahead of Ash and his group?"
Robert tapped his chin thoughtfully. He hadn't expected to arrive here so soon.
"Well, whatever. No point overthinking it."
For an ordinary traveler, entering the Misty Forest would mean getting trapped until the fog lifted. But for Robert, with his system's navigation, this obstacle was nothing.
Without hesitation, he followed the system's map, moving deeper into the forest.
---
The Elf Research Academy
After about half an hour of navigating through the thick mist, Robert finally emerged from the forest.
Before him stood a grand structure, its outline becoming clearer as he approached.
"A school in the middle of nowhere… This confirms it. This is definitely the Elf Research Academy."
Robert took in the scene before him—a prestigious institution with towering buildings and an opulent, gilded entrance gate.
This was the famed academy from the original story.
The Elf Research Academy was an exclusive school for the rich and influential. It boasted the best resources, training facilities, and academic programs.
However, despite their wealth and privilege, the students here were notoriously weak.
Graduates of this academy were granted direct entry into the Pokémon League, yet almost none of them ever made it past the first few rounds.
In fact, any rookie trainer with just two Gym Badges—or even a month of real-world experience—could easily defeat them.
The problem?
These students spent more time on theory than actual battles.
Robert smirked, recalling how Ash had effortlessly defeated a top student here, Yuto Seidai. Even his supposedly strong Marowak was utterly destroyed by Pikachu.
---
A School of Elites… in Name Only
Robert strolled up to the academy's entrance, noting the intricate details carved into the grand gates.
"So, this is the academy where rich kids get their free ticket to the League… Doesn't seem all that impressive."
From what he remembered, many students here were arrogant, believing their elite education made them superior.
Yet, in practice, their battle skills were laughable.
If anything, this academy represented wasted potential. These students had access to rare Pokémon and advanced training methods, yet they lacked actual combat experience.
As Robert stood before the grand gates, he wondered if it was worth checking out the school from the inside.
"Maybe I should take a look… It wouldn't hurt to see what kind of trainers they produce."
Besides, if this followed the original story's timeline, he might even run into some interesting characters.
With that thought, Robert pushed open the academy gates and stepped inside.
---
Inside the Academy
As Robert walked through the campus, he noticed well-dressed students strolling around, some engaged in Pokémon battles, others immersed in books.
The facilities were impressive—battlefields, research labs, and even a luxurious Pokémon healing center exclusive to students.
Despite all these advantages, Robert could immediately tell the difference between them and real trainers.
Their movements were stiff, their strategies predictable. They relied too much on textbook knowledge rather than instinct and adaptability.
"This place really is just a fancy school for the rich…" Robert muttered under his breath.
He continued exploring, curious to see if anyone here could prove to be an exception.
---
A Challenger Appears
As he observed a battle between two students, a voice called out to him.
"You there! You're not a student here, are you?"
Robert turned to see a well-dressed young man, his expression smug and condescending.
"I am Theodore, one of the academy's top-ranked trainers! I challenge you to a Pokémon battle!"
Robert raised an eyebrow.
"Are you sure about that?"
"Of course! You look like some wandering trainer. I'll show you what a true elite trainer can do!"
Robert smirked. "Alright then. Let's see what you've got."
---
The Battle Begins
Theodore tossed out a Poké Ball, revealing a well-groomed Nidorino.
Robert, not even breaking a sweat, called out his Beedrill.
"Beedrill, Swords Dance."
Beedrill spun its needles rapidly, its attack power rising sharply.
Theodore scoffed. "Nidorino, use Poison Sting!"
The attack barely scratched Beedrill.
Robert sighed. "You should've chosen a better move. Beedrill, use Twin Needle."
With lightning speed, Beedrill struck Nidorino twice. The poison-type Pokémon staggered before collapsing, knocked out instantly.
The battle was over in seconds.
Theodore's face turned red with embarrassment. "T-this can't be!"
Robert shook his head.
"Listen, having money and resources doesn't make you strong. Experience does."
Without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving the so-called 'elite trainer' in stunned silence.
As he exited the academy, he couldn't help but chuckle.
"This place is even worse than I expected."
With that, he continued his journey toward Vermilion City, eager to find stronger opponents.
To be continued…
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