Miss Raifort

When I finally got to school, I was twenty-five minutes late, and I raced to my class. When I got there, I could hear Miss Raifort talking inside, and I waited until she paused before knocking on the door.

"Come in," Miss Raifort called in an unimpressed voice, and I sighed before opening the door. The inside of the class smelled like chalk dust, but all the students were staring at me when I stepped inside.

"Ah, Landon. Nice of you to join us," Miss Raifort said in a sarcastic tone before pointing to an empty seat in the second row. "You can take that seat. We have had far too many lessons on the importance of punctuality."

I hurried over to the seat and listened to Miss Raifort's lecture on the history of Paldea. She was talking about the Glaseado Mountain Region and the Gym history of snowboard competitions to even get a chance at battling the Gym leader. This had been a standing tradition in the formation of the Pokémon Gym, but I already knew this all from Cryo. According to him, the information would be scanned from the books by certain Pokémon in the distant future.

"So, Landon, you seem to know everything I am talking about. Would you like to explain the details of the competition?" Miss Raifort said, and I nodded before standing up and clearing my throat.

"Of course! The Glaseado Mountain Region has been an area for testing since long before even the first Gym Badges were created. In the earliest times, a challenge would be issued to trainers from all over to try their skills in the snowy wilds. It was an endurance test but also a way to gauge the power and capabilities of trainers from all over. The challenge was that a trainer could complete a course in the snow while also surviving the Pokémon battles on their way up to the peak of Glaseado Mountain to battle the Gym leader for the region. This has been the tradition that has stood the test of time," I explained, and Miss Raifort narrowed her eyes at me.

"Fine. Then tell me why this particular process was chosen by the leaders of the region instead of some other method," Miss Raifort said, and I nodded before continuing.

"Snowboarding was an activity that was popular in the region, so it was chosen as a way to gauge the strength of a trainer. While it is hard enough on its own, the added challenge of Pokémon battles also tests the trainers' abilities to battle and survive in intense situations. Also being able to stay focused enough to complete the course in addition to battling strong Pokémon. Though this process may seem arbitrary, it has been a tried and true method of testing trainers' capabilities," I explained, and Miss Raifort seemed irritated with my answer.

"Yes, it has been a tradition for many centuries, but why is it still held today?" she asked, and I paused before answering.

"Because it remains a great way to judge an individual's strength and ability. It requires more than just physical ability, but also mental fortitude to be able to handle the course, as well as being able to make decisions and strategize in the heat of battle. It is an important part of the Gym Leader system and a good way to see who is truly up to the challenge of being a Gym Leader," I explained, and Miss Raifort seemed to relax a bit.

"Very good. It seems you have done your research, so that's worth a few extra points. You can take your seat," she said, and I nodded before sitting down and listening to the rest of her lecture in peace.

At the end of the class, I quickly packed up my things and was about to leave, but Miss Raifort told me to stay, so I waited as the teenager left. Once they were gone, Miss Raifort closed the door and turned to me with a serious look.

"For someone that has been here for two days, you sure do seem to know a lot about this area. That just adds more to the suspicion I have that surrounds you, Worldline Walker!" Miss Raifort nearly hissed at me, so I put my bag down with a sigh and walked over to sit in the chair of her desk. "What do you think you are doing?!"

"I hardly think that you are going to give up the advantage of standing over me, so think of this as a favor. Now, didn't Geeta tell you about Cryo? The Pokémon in my head?" I asked, and Raifort threw up her hands, nearly knocking her glasses off.

"Like I would believe that Lechonk wash!" Miss Raifort snapped as she came over to stand and lean over me, bringing her face down to mine. "I deal in historical facts, not things that you can't see or properly research! Can you show me that this Pokémon even exists?!"

Even though she was mad at me, for whatever reason, she still was one of the best-looking teachers that I had seen so far.

[I can sense a higher pheromone level coming from Miss Raifort. I suggest that you try to make a move on her, but that is up to you. This is the advice I have, given the data I have received. There are things that you know about the past of this place that she might not. You could use that to your advantage.]

Cryo's words echoed in my head, but I had thought that her red face was from being angry, but it seemed it was something more. Still, the thought of kissing my teacher where anyone could walk in on us was wrong but arousing at the same time.

"I'm sorry, but I don't think that I can do that," I said, shaking my head to clear the image of Miss Raifort's full lips. "What I can do is prove that Cryo exists and tell you some things about the past if you'd like me to."