Chapter 102: Mesagoza City and Naranja Academy

The upgraded Robert No. 2 piqued the curiosity of the other Pokémon. Pawmi couldn't stop circling it, as if trying to figure out every detail, climbing all over it.

Metagross didn't mind at all and even caught Pawmi whenever it almost slipped and fell.

While Andrew was cooking, Robert No. 2 would help by holding Komala, playing with the two Oinkologne and Pawmi, which made Andrew feel like it was a mother figure to the Pokémon.

Nearly half a month passed quickly, and Andrew's Aura training mission finally came to an end. During dinner, he informed the two professors that it was time for him to leave.

"Professors, I've been in Paldea for quite some time now, so I'm planning to head back tomorrow."

Both professors were surprised by this.

Professor Sada said, "Leaving already? Why not stay a little longer?" She felt like Andrew had just arrived!

Life had been so comfortable with Andrew around. Every day, he prepared delicious meals for them, and in such a short time, they had all gained several pounds.

It was true that happy times always felt short-lived.

Professor Turo added, "Yes, stay a little longer. I feel like I've gotten so used to having you around that I don't want you to go."

Other researchers also chimed in, "Yes, Your Highness, please stay a bit longer."

Andrew shook his head. "It's been a privilege to be here for this long, but I can't stay any longer. I have a shop to run back home, and the fruit trees on the Nebel Plateau need attention. Both things need me, so I can't linger any longer."

Hearing this, the professors and researchers finally stopped insisting.

"Ah~~ Just thinking about not being able to eat your cooking anymore breaks my heart!" said a Paldean researcher.

A researcher from the Azoth royal family proudly said, "When I get back to Kalos, I'll go to His Highness's shop every day."

"Ugh, why don't I live in Kalos!" The Paldean researchers looked on with envy.

At that moment, Professor Sada said, "Oh, Andrew, could I ask you for a favor?"

Andrew replied, "Of course, Professor. What do you need?"

Professor Sada explained, "Could you take Arven to Naranja Academy for us?"

The two professors were often too busy with their work to look after Arven, so he usually stayed at Naranja Academy.

This time, Arven had been in Area Zero for an extended period, thanks to Andrew's care. Now that Andrew was leaving, it was time for Arven to return to the academy.

Naranja Academy was the professors' alma mater, where they had many friends who could help take care of Arven. Plus, Arven was a student there.

Upon hearing his mother's words, Arven, who was eating, lowered his head in disappointment. Not only was Andrew leaving, but he also had to part from his parents.

He had been so happy during this time that he had almost forgotten that this happiness was temporary.

Andrew agreed, "Sure! I'm heading to Mesagoza City anyway to catch a flight."

Professor Turo gratefully said, "Thank you so much."

Andrew waved it off, "It's nothing."

Feeling down, Arven stayed silent for the rest of dinner.

The next morning, Andrew woke up early, packed his belongings, and prepared one final breakfast for the professors and researchers.

During breakfast, the professors and researchers sighed constantly, not wanting Andrew to leave.

But the time for parting had arrived.

After breakfast, Andrew had Diancie return the two Oinkologne, Komala, and Robert No. 2 home, leaving only Pawmi, Metagross, and Espathra with him.

Komala had accompanied him for quite some time, and it was time for it to rest and reunite with its drinking buddy. Andrew had even bought Komala a fine bottle of wine recently, which it had been saving.

Once everything was ready, Andrew and Arven mounted Espathra and headed toward the exit of Area Zero.

Raleigh wouldn't be leaving with them this time, as he would stay behind to continue learning from the professors. With so many people from the Azoth research team around, Andrew wasn't worried about him.

Passing through the entrance of Area Zero, Andrew and Arven emerged on the outskirts of Medali Town.

Before leaving, Andrew took Arven to visit Nasir, as Nasir had helped them a lot. It wouldn't be right to leave without saying goodbye.

After bidding farewell to Nasir, Andrew and Arven headed straight for Mesagoza City.

Mesagoza City was the largest city in the Paldea region, located in the center of the region, and it wasn't too far from Medali Town.

Andrew and Arven took the light rail, and it took less than two hours to reach their destination.

As they exited the station, they found themselves in a plaza surrounded by tall skyscrapers, a sight very different from the Azoth Royal City.

Due to its historical and cultural background, the Azoth Royal City had a very traditional architectural style, with few high-rise buildings.

Pawmi was born in the uninhabited Area Zero, and this was its first time seeing such a bustling city. It nestled in Andrew's hood, lying on his shoulder, wide-eyed as it gazed at everything around them.

Andrew asked, "Arven, are we heading straight to Naranja Academy?"

"Yeah," Arven nodded, though he didn't seem too happy about it.

Seeing this, Andrew asked, "Are you going to miss your parents, or are you going to miss me?"

Arven stayed quiet, looking down, while Maschiff, understanding his feelings, nudged him gently.

Andrew chuckled and said, "If you're to missing your parents, you can always visit them during the holidays! If you miss me, we can always chat on the phone."

As he spoke, Andrew waved his phone playfully.

"I'm always up for a call if you want to talk about cooking," he added.

Hearing this, Arven finally smiled. He nodded and said, "Yeah, I get it. Thanks, Andrew!"

"Alright, then let's get going." Andrew patted him on the back.

With that, the two of them, along with Pawmi and Maschiff, headed toward Naranja Academy.

As they walked through the streets of Mesagoza City, Pawmi's eyes were wide, almost overwhelmed by the sights.

It gasped when a car zoomed past them, covered its mouth as it spotted a child licking a lollipop nearby, and its eyes sparkled with excitement as it looked at the brightly colored images flashing on the electronic billboards, showing both people and Pokémon.

Much like Pawmi, Andrew hadn't experienced much of the world either. Aside from the Azoth Kingdom, Medali Town, and the Mesagoza City in front of him, he hadn't visited many other places in the Pokémon world. So as they walked, he too was filled with curiosity and excitement.

Seeing Pawmi staring intently at a fast-food restaurant, Andrew asked, "Want to try some?"

"Paw! Paw!" Pawmi's eyes lit up, and it nodded furiously.

Andrew turned to Arven and asked, "Do you want to try it too?"

Arven thought for a moment before responding, "Yeah, I'd like to try it."

"Then let's eat!" Andrew said with a grin.

"Paw! Paw!" Pawmi kicked excitedly in Andrew's hood.

Andrew led them into the fast-food restaurant, where they ordered a whole spread: burgers, fries, egg tarts, chicken wings, milk tea, and soda, filling up an entire table.

He even let his Metagross out.

Seeing this, Arven also let his Nacli out.

The two of them, along with their Pokémon, gathered around the table. Pawmi excitedly grabbed a chicken leg and stuffed it into its mouth.

"Paw! Paw!" It's so good! It's so good! it mumbled, its cheeks bulging with food.

Next, Pawmi took a bite of a burger, then sipped some soda, its happiness contagious as even Andrew couldn't help but feel better just watching it enjoy the meal.

He popped a fry into his mouth and thought to himself, 'It's nice to indulge in this every once in a while.'

Andrew continued eating while also feeding Metagross.

"Do you like it?" he asked, looking at Pawmi.

"Paw! Paw!" I love it! I love it! Pawmi said, clutching another chicken leg with its greasy paws.

"If you like it, I can make some for you at home sometime," Andrew offered.

'Fried food isn't too hard to make', he thought.

Upon hearing this, Pawmi was about to leap into Andrew's arms for a hug, but Andrew quickly stopped it. "Wait, wait! You're not planning to wipe those greasy paws on me, are you?"

"Paw..." Pawmi glanced down at its paws and then gave a silly grin.

Arven, Nacli, and Maschiff were also devouring the food, their faces equally messy.

Andrew asked, "Arven, do you like this kind of food too?"

Arven nodded, "I've never had this before."

Andrew figured as much—after all, Arven's parents were busy professors and probably didn't have time to bring him to places like this.

"If you like it, eat as much as you want. Today's my treat."

'It's not something we'll eat every day, so indulging once in a while won't hurt.'

"Okay!" Arven smiled widely.

Around them, other patrons were also enjoying their food with their Pokémon, but none were having as lively a time as Andrew and his group.

After leaving the fast-food restaurant, Pawmi, Arven, and Maschiff all had noticeably rounder bellies.

"Burp..."

"Burp..."

Both Arven and Pawmi let out simultaneous burps, causing them to glance at each other and burst into laughter.

"Hahaha!"

"Paw paw paw!"

Andrew couldn't help but laugh too. He ruffled Pawmi's head and said, "Alright, let's head to Naranja Academy."

"Yeah!" Arven nodded.

Although Andrew didn't know the way to Naranja Academy, Arven was very familiar with it. Before long, they arrived at the entrance of the academy.

Naranja Academy was a renowned institution in the Pokémon world, with a rich history, and students from all over the world came to study here.

As long as you had a passion for learning, Naranja Academy welcomed you, and there was no age limit for admission.

There were many students coming and going at the academy entrance, and some of them recognized Arven, greeting him warmly.

"Hey, Arven, you're back!"

"Arven! How was your break?"

"Arven, come find me later! I brought something fun from home!"

Andrew responded to his classmates while walking alongside Arven deeper into the academy. Their destination was to meet Clavell, the academy's director.

Andrew's purpose on this trip was to formally hand over Arven to Clavell.

Clavell was not only the director of Naranja Academy but also the president of the Paldea Pokémon League and a powerful trainer with champion-level strength.

As they walked through a corridor in the courtyard, Andrew heard some commotion. Following the sound, they saw a battle taking place on the lawn.

The two combatants were a blue-haired girl in the school uniform and a young woman wearing sports attire and half-finger gloves, her voice particularly strong and full of energy.

"It's Aliquis and Teacher Dendra!" Arven exclaimed.

The girl, Aliquis, was commanding a Floragato, which moved nimbly, continuously using its abilities to disrupt Dendra's Tauros.

Dendra's Tauros, however, was not an ordinary one. It was the Aqua-Breed Tauros from Paldea, a Fighting and Water-type.

Andrew and Arven couldn't help but stop to watch.

The match concluded quickly, with Floragato unable to withstand Tauros' power, ultimately being knocked down by a Double Kick.

The surrounding students erupted in applause for Teacher Dendra, with Andrew and Arven joining in as well.

Just then, Pawmi, who had been napping, suddenly opened its eyes as faint electric sparks flickered across its body.

Pawmi slowly climbed out of Andrew's hood, looking around curiously, sparks running across its fur again.

"Paw~~"

In a swift motion, Pawmi jumped down from Andrew's shoulder and darted forward.

"Pawmi? Where are you going?" Andrew asked in confusion.

"Paw~Paw~~"

Pawmi responded briefly and kept running, sending out electric pulses as if it were trying to sense something.

"Pawmi! Wait!" Andrew hurriedly followed, with Arven right behind him.

Pawmi sprinted to a corner, then turned sharply and headed in another direction, finally stopping at a grassy patch.

It came to a halt near the edge of a small dirt pit and crouched down, peering inside.

"Paw?"

Zap!

Suddenly, a surge of electricity shot out of the pit, and a small head emerged—it was another Pawmo.

"Paw!"

"Paw!"

The Pawmo in the pit scrambled out, and the two stared at each other for a moment before squealing with excitement. They grabbed each other's paws and started spinning around in circles.

"Paw Paw Paw~"

"Paw Paw~ Paw Paw~"

Andrew caught up and, with a sigh, said, "Honestly, I told you not to run off like that."

At that moment, a girl appeared out of nowhere and scooped up both Pokémons into her arms.

"Whoa~~ Where did this extra Pawmi come from?"

It turned out that the Pawmo Andrew's Pawmi had found was the girl's Pokémon.

"Nemona!" Arven called out.

"Arven!" Nemona looked pleasantly surprised. "You're back!"

Arven nodded, "Yeah!"

Nemona held up Andrew's Pawmi and asked, "Is this Pawmi a new Pokémon you caught?"

Arven shook his head, "No, Pawmi belongs to Andrew. The new one I caught is Nacli."

With that, Arven took out a Pokéball and released Nacli.

"Nacliii~"

Nacli squinted its eyes and gave Nemona a cheerful greeting.

Nemona crouched down, gently setting Pawmi and Pawmo free, and then said to Nacli, "Nacli is adorable too!"

As soon as Andrew's Pawmi was released from Nemona's arms, it wasted no time climbing back up Andrew's leg and into his hood, poking its head out to sneak a curious look at Nemona.

(End of Chapter)