As Johan made his way to the academy's breeding facility early in the morning, he noticed a thin layer of frost blanketing the grass.
A few Pidgey perched on the branches, chirping spiritedly.
"Johan, you're here?" Martin, the director of the academic office, waved with a smile.
Johan adjusted his monocle and walked over.
"Aren't you supposed to be handling the arrangements for the final exams?"
Martin seemed to always be around whenever Johan showed up. The man gave off the impression of being both incredibly busy yet constantly available.
"It's all taken care of," Martin replied casually.
His work ethic truly embodied the phrase "the capable get the hardest jobs."
Recently, the academy had been overwhelmed with calls from students and parents, all hoping to transfer into Johan's class after his big win at the Indigo League.
But Johan didn't manage a class — he was a Pokémon psychology instructor, not a combat coach.
Nevertheless, Martin wasn't about to let this golden opportunity pass.
Today, he had two goals:
Escort Johan to the breeding facility. Persuade him to switch to the battle department.
The two walked toward the breeding facility, which sprawled across the academy's back mountains.
"This facility seems a lot larger than I remember," Johan remarked.
Martin nodded with a hint of pride. "It covers over 2,000 acres. Though we call it a 'breeding house,' it's really more like an ecosystem."
Johan took a deep breath. Two thousand acres?!
Was the academy itself just a side project? Was this breeding facility the true heart of the institution?
Martin chuckled, sensing Johan's amazement.
"The academy originally started as a breeding center," he explained.
Many students, staff, and alumni left their Pokémon here for long-term care. While a trainer could carry up to six Pokémon at a time, their full roster often far exceeded that number.
Facilities provided a home for Pokémon not currently traveling with their trainers.
"Of course, if a trainer's capable enough, they can carry more than six. For example, no one knows how many ghost-types Champion Karen keeps hidden in her shadow."
Johan smiled faintly.
If his team ever grew beyond six, he'd likely keep all his Pokémon with him — sending them away for long-term care just wasn't his style.
The two continued through the facility's varied environments: forests, lakes, rivers, deserts, mountains...
"Every breeding house has its specialties," Martin explained.
"Some produce more aggressive Pokémon, while others focus on raising calm, gentle partners."
"And what about ours?" Johan asked.
Martin's expression turned smug. "Our specialty is potential."
"That's right. Our facility is known for uncovering hidden potential in every Pokémon raised here."
He paused before continuing.
"Some potential is obvious at first glance, but most of it is hidden and requires careful nurturing to bring out."
Johan quickly understood the subtext. "In other words, money and resources."
With enough investment, any Pokémon could become exceptional. But realizing that potential depended entirely on the trainer's ability.
They soon reached a small wooden cabin near the entrance to the inner facility.
An elderly man with a white beard was doing morning exercises outside.
"Mr. Johan, this is our lead caretaker," Martin introduced.
"The headmaster should've mentioned your visit."
The old man stopped stretching and gave a friendly smile.
"My wife told me about you."
"Good morning, sir." Johan gave a respectful nod.
"Johan just won the Indigo League Tournament. He's a rising star in Hoenn!" Martin patted Johan's shoulder proudly.
"Oh?" The old man's eyes lit up.
"Young man, that's quite impressive."
"Don't worry," he chuckled.
"I'll make sure you meet some of our most promising Pokémon."
The old man waved dismissively.
"Don't mention it. Just be prepared — some of them can be a bit rowdy."
Please, no rowdy ones.
His café was already chaotic with Gengar leading the charge. He couldn't imagine adding more troublemakers to the mix.
As they walked deeper into the facility, Martin stayed outside, leaving Johan to follow the old caretaker alone.
"There are some Pokémon here belonging to other trainers, so those won't be available for selection," the old man explained.
Once inside, Johan was greeted by a lively scene.
Pokémon of all shapes and sizes roamed freely.
A flock of Houndour and Houndoom sat by a campfire, Swellow and Taillow perched high in the trees, while a hyperactive Vigoroth darted through the woods, screeching wildly.
Johan also noticed some Pokémon native to Galar and Paldea regions.
"Sir, I see quite a few unfamiliar species here," Johan observed, pointing toward a family of four small white mice watching them cautiously.
"Ah, that's Tandemaus," the old man explained with a chuckle.
"They're quite special."
"Because they appear as four individuals but are actually a single Pokémon?"
The old man blinked in surprise.
"You're quite knowledgeable about Paldean Pokémon."
Tandemaus evolved into Maushold, a curious species with mysterious social dynamics.
"They're tricky to raise," the old man added.
"But thanks to the headmaster's connections, we have more Galarian and Paldean Pokémon than any other facility in Hoenn."
Johan nodded in understanding. The headmaster was a well-connected figure.
The caretaker began pointing out individual Pokémon.
"See that Scyther over there? Its blades are sharp enough to slice through steel."
"And that Lapras? Exceptional talent in both water and ice moves."
"That Sandile over there? Its bite strength is incredible, though it's a bit mischievous..."
Johan's eye twitched.
The Scyther had already chopped down several trees, and the Sandile was busy gnawing through a boulder, leaving it covered in bite marks.
Bringing these Pokémon home would spell disaster for his café.
Suddenly, Johan's attention was drawn to a soft glow of firelight.
It wasn't wild or raging — instead, it radiated a calming warmth, cutting through the winter chill.
Unlike the other hyperactive Pokémon, this one seemed tranquil, as if it were in a meditative state.
Johan felt a strange sense of peace upon seeing it.
Almost instinctively, he thought:
"This little ember could keep me warm all winter."
Even more intriguingly, he sensed a faint pulse of Aura emanating from the Pokémon.
The old caretaker noticed Johan's gaze and his expression shifted.
"You're interested in that one?"
"Is there a problem?"
The old man hesitated.
"N-no, no problem..."
"If you like it, it's yours."
Johan narrowed his eyes in suspicion.
Something wasn't right.
The old man coughed awkwardly.
"Of course, of course. No trouble at all... It's just... that one's... quite... spirited."
Johan glanced back at the Charcadet.
It sat quietly, surrounded by a faint, soothing glow of flames.
His gut feeling was clear.
For 20 advance Chapters: /michaeltranslates