The principal of Capital University was Timothy, a former Ice-type Elite from the Northeast region. After his partner Pokémon fell in battle, he had been forced to step down from his position as one of the Four Heavenly Kings. In the years that followed, he turned away from battling entirely and devoted himself to academia, eventually taking on the role of principal at Capital University.
By the time Jacob arrived, the conference room was already full.
Five men and three women sat across four rows. Julia was in the last row, with an empty seat beside her. Jacob checked the nameplate — it was his. He made his way over quickly and settled in next to her.
A week had passed since they'd last seen each other. Julia looked like she'd lost weight. At the sound of his approach, she turned her head briefly, gave him a glance, then looked back toward the podium without a word. The warm smile and bright eyes he knew so well were nowhere to be seen. She sat quietly, as if he weren't there at all.
They might as well have been strangers.
Jacob let out a quiet breath and said nothing.
"Now that everyone's here, let's get started." Principal Timothy had the big voice and sturdy frame of someone raised in the Northeast — square-jawed, with sharp eyes that missed very little. "As you know, the International Pokémon Exchange Tournament has traditionally selected participants based purely on strength, with no distinction by year. However, we received word today that the International Pokémon Association is looking to revise those rules. Under the proposed changes, first- and second-year students may also be required to compete. Nothing has been confirmed yet, but we wanted to bring everyone in to get ahead of it."
As Timothy spoke, Jacob quietly took stock of the others in the room. Eight people total — he and Julia were the top two from first year, which meant the remaining six were likely the top two from each of the other years. Among them, he spotted one familiar face: June. The rest he didn't recognize.
"The Association hasn't committed to anything yet — it may be some time before we have a clear answer. What we do know is that they're considering adding an exhibition match alongside the main competition."
"The main competition stays the same: the two strongest university students will represent us, selected through internal ranking battles as usual."
"The exhibition match is a separate event, designed specifically for first- and second-year students. There are no cash prizes or rewards — only medals. It would be divided into two brackets by year: one for first-years, one for second-years."
Jacob's brow creased.
Medals only. No prizes, no rewards. Who would go out of their way for that?
He understood the importance of representing the country, but he was genuinely stretched thin. He didn't have time for an exhibition match.
Timothy's gaze drifted to him. "Whether or not the final announcement confirms these changes, we need to be ready. Preparation in advance is never wasted."
"For the main competition, registration is open to everyone. The two participants will be determined the usual way — by strength." His eyes settled on the top finishers from third and fourth year. Barring something unexpected, the two spots would come from those four. "Second-year representation will go to the top two students from that year."
He paused, then looked directly at Jacob.
"As for the first-year exhibition spot — Jacob, you place first in your year, but I'm not going to recommend you participate."
The room shifted. Everyone looked at Jacob.
"Your situation is different from the others," Timothy continued, his tone measured and serious. "You're a Trainer, yes — but you're also one of this country's most capable researchers. This tournament takes place overseas. The environment there is unfamiliar, and we can't guarantee your safety the way we could here. Given all that, I think it would be better if you stepped back from this one voluntarily."
"It's only an exhibition match, after all."
Jacob was quietly relieved. He'd been trying to figure out how to turn this down without making it awkward — and here was the principal doing it for him.
"Actually, Principal, I was just about to bring that up myself," Jacob said with an easy smile. "The laboratory just wrapped up construction, and I'm in the middle of preparing for the project launch ceremony. I genuinely don't have the bandwidth for an exhibition match right now."
Timothy nodded, visibly satisfied. He had worried Jacob might dig in and insist on going. "Good. No objections, then. The International Pokémon Association changing the rules like this out of nowhere is already a little strange — it's possible there's something more deliberate behind it." He didn't say more than that, but the implication was clear. "Your spot will go to the third-place finisher."
He paused again. "That said, Jacob — just because you're not competing doesn't mean you can afford to let your training slide. I've noticed you haven't entered the Gym Leader-level league yet. If you find the time, it's worth getting some matches in."
"Understood, Principal Timothy." Jacob nodded.
Timothy went on for a while longer, covering logistics and precautions for the competition. Jacob listened with half his attention while looking around the room.
Besides Julia and June, he didn't know anyone else here.
The first-place student from fourth year was a young man with slightly curly hair and a perpetually drowsy look about him. Jacob checked the nameplate. Yu He. The name rang a distant bell, though he couldn't place it.
The first-place student from third year was a different sort entirely — slender, composed, with gold-rimmed glasses and hair just long enough to suggest he didn't care much about convention. There was something refined about him, almost bookish.
Jeffry. Jacob had heard that name before. A Normal-type specialist, if he recalled correctly — a rare breed among serious competitive Trainers.
He was still turning that over in his mind when he heard "Adjourned," and the room began to stir.
Julia, in a long black down coat, gathered the notepad and pen from the table in front of her, stood up, and looked at Jacob with a calm, measured expression. Her voice was soft. "Jacob... you're in the way. Could you move, please?"
"Oh — right, sorry." He'd been standing in the aisle without realizing it. He stepped aside quickly. "Go ahead."
She walked past without another word.
Jacob watched her go, and for a moment he thought of Kyle's suggestion — that terrible, misguided idea — and wasn't sure whether to laugh or feel worse about it. He was still standing there when Julia disappeared around the corner.
"Rough patch with her?"
Jacob turned. Jeffry had stopped beside him, pulling out a cigarette. He offered one to Jacob first, then lit his own.
"With a girl that pretty, you've got to be a little bold." He took a long drag. "Girls just need a little patience. A bit of effort goes a long way."
As he spoke, he released his Gengar with a quiet pom and had it produce a neatly wrapped gift box from somewhere in the shadows. He held it out to Jacob.
"Here. You might find a use for this."
Jacob took it, slightly caught off guard. Through the transparent packaging, he could see a small bouquet of fresh flowers.
"No girl can say no to flowers." Jeffry smiled — two dimples, an expression somewhere between sincere and shameless, the kind that belonged on the face of a TV drama lead. He clapped Jacob once on the shoulder and headed for the door. "Of course, if she does say no, forget I said anything and cut your losses. Anyway — let's get a battle in sometime. I've been wanting to see that Dragapult of yours."
Ding.
A message notification buzzed in Jacob's pocket.
Kyle:Jacob, get out here!
Jacob pocketed the flower box and followed everyone out.