Professor Samuel Oak.

Or better known as Professor Oak.

He was a legendary figure in the world of Pokémon. A remarkable history as a former Champion once hailed as the undisputed best in the world.

He was not only the inventor of the revolutionary Pokédex, a device that cataloged and provided valuable information on Pokémon species, but also the driving force behind many groundbreaking discoveries in the field of Pokémon research.

Professor Oak's accomplishments were unparalleled. His brilliant mind and insatiable curiosity led to breakthroughs in understanding Pokémon behavior, physiology, and evolution.

However, he was done with that life now.

He had chosen to retire from competitive battling to pursue his true passion—education and knowledge.

As the headmaster of the prestigious Pokémon Academy in Pallet Town, he dedicated himself to nurturing the next generation of trainers and researchers.

Under Professor Oak's guidance, Pallet Academy became renowned as the pinnacle of Pokémon education.

It attracted aspiring trainers and researchers from all corners of the world, eager to learn from the very best. His unique teaching methods, combined with his own experiences as a former Champion, allowed him to impart invaluable knowledge and skills to his students.

That's what was known about him to the world. That's what would be written down in the books of history, if it already hadn't been.

Given his reputation, anyone would assume that he was some crock. A man who thought too much of himself. An over-ambitious figurehead who was nothing more than a vain show-off. An arrogant prick just like his grandson, or the like.

But, if they were to see what he was doing right about now, their jaws would drop to the floor so hard it might just shatter.

What was the Professor doing?

He was guffawing his head off.

At an applicant.

"I can't believe it!" he wheezed. "Did he- did he just use Kakuna to swing around while putting himself in a cocoon?"

The applicant was a shabby-looking, dirty boy.

"Give me his file."

Professor Oak recomposed himself, coughed, and asked for the file on the boy.

"Ian Wright, hm?" Professor Oak hummed. "Wait, it says 'recommended' here? Who among you recommended him?"

Professor Oak leveled a stare at the people sitting all around the table.

“Well…”

Someone spoke up, and Professor Oak’s eyes immediately focused on him.

“Castor?”

Surprise was evident in his voice, and even other professors present seemed a bit stunned.

There was a reason. And it was very simple.

Castor was not one to recommend someone… so it was really abnormal.

‘I need to do a background check…’ Professor Oak mused internally.

Castor, the old man who had recommended Ian Wright, shifted uncomfortably in his seat under Professor Oak's piercing gaze.

His wrinkled face twisted into a mischievous grin as he mustered up the courage to respond.

"Ah, well, you see, Professor Oak," Castor began, his voice laced with a coarse tone. "I met this lad while I was on a wild adventure in Kanto. He may not look like much, but trust me, he's got a spark in him that can light up a Rapidash's rear end!"

Professor Cassia’s nostrils flared, her disdain for Castor's words barely concealed. She leaned forward, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, how impressive. An orphan with a spark. I'm sure his lack of proper upbringing and refined pedigree will make him a perfect fit for our esteemed Academy."

The room fell into an awkward silence, broken only by Professor Oak's bewildered expression.

Castor ignored her, and then, his eyebrows waggled suggestively as he continued, "I know what you're thinkin', Oak. But hear me out! The boy's got some unconventional methods, but they work. By Arceus! I've seen him charm a Bellsprout with a crude joke and wrestle a Rattata into submission using nothing but his socks!"

‘Charm? Socks?’

The room erupted with a mixture of gasps.

Professor Oak, as well as others, were quite literally confused.

This guy… he was exaggerating.

Professor Oak’s lips thinned into a line.

"Castor, I must say, you never fail to amuse me," he said. "But are you certain that Ian's... uniqueness will translate well into a structured educational setting?"

Yep, he definitely needed to do a background check.

Cassia couldn't contain herself any longer, her voice sharp with skepticism. "Oak, we can't just let any random orphan into our esteemed institution. He lacks discipline and respect. It's preposterous!"

While Professor Oak sighed exasperatedly, Castor merely scratched his scruffy chin, ignoring her once more while contemplating the question with his eyes looking afar.

Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

"Well, Oak, education's all about adaptin' and thinkin' outside the PokéBall. The lad's got potential, even if it's as wild as a Snorlax on a sugar rush. He might just surprise us all."

Professor Oak leaned back in his chair, considering Castor's words.

"You've always been a wild card, Castor... But you've also proven yourself time and again. I'll take a chance on young Ian Wright, for better or worse. Perhaps his unorthodox methods will breathe new life into the Academy."

Castor beamed with satisfaction, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "That's the spirit, Oak! Shake things up, spice it up! Who knows, maybe this boy will be the one to discover a new Eeveelution, or teach a Slowpoke how to win a footrace!"

"...Very well, Castor," Professor Oak said. "Let's see what young Ian brings to the table. If nothing else, it'll make for some legendary tales."

Just as the room was settling into a sense of acceptance, Cassia slammed her hand on the table with a bang.

Bang—!

Professor Cassia, a distinguished and formidable woman from one of the prestigious clans, glared at Castor for a moment before leveling her gaze at Professor Oak, her eyes narrowed.

"What is the meaning of this, Oak?" she snapped, her voice laced with disdain. "You recommend an orphan with no pedigree and questionable attitude? This is an outrage! Our institution should uphold the highest standards, not admit riffraff! I thought you’ll be intelligent enough, that’s why I did not intervene much!"

Castor, ever the provocateur, chuckled softly, finally giving her some attention. "Ah, Cassia, I see your feathers are ruffled. Could it be that you're just salty because young Ian bested Gary and others from the major clans?"

Cassia's face turned crimson with anger, her voice dripping with venom.

"Don't you dare mock the clans, Castor! They are the backbone of our world, unlike this upstart who knows nothing of our heritage!"

Professor Oak raised his hand, calling for order amidst the tension. "Now, now, let's not let personal biases cloud our judgment. Ian may come from humble beginnings, but he has already shown remarkable talent and resourcefulness—given that he won fair and squar, not to mention he’s the first to win. He deserves a chance to prove himself.”

Cassia scoffed, her eyes icy. "Prove himself? He will only tarnish the reputation of our institution and bring shame to our esteemed clans."

Castor's eyes twinkled mischievously as he leaned forward. "Ah, Cassia, I understand your concern. But remember, even the greatest legacies have humble beginnings. Perhaps it's time we embrace a new perspective and witness the birth of a legend."

Castor was having a lot of fun hyping up a boy he barely knew. But oh well, that's just who he is, and pushing Cassia's buttons is just a plus.

"Enough," Professor Oak said firmly. "Cassia, Castor, we are here to discuss the potential of Ian Wright, and the other students, not to engage in personal disputes. Our responsibility as professors is to nurture and guide our students, regardless of their backgrounds or circumstances."

He leveled a stare at Cassia specifically.

Castor's mischievous grin faded into a more composed expression, while Cassia reluctantly nodded, her pride momentarily subdued.

Though before she did that, she huffed in annoyance and begrudgingly accepted the decision. "Fine, have it your way, Oak. But mark my words, this will end in disappointment."

And so, considering the clash of opposing views, Professor Oak embraced the unexpected, ready to unleash the untamed potential of Ian Wright upon the Pokémon Academy.

Little did they know, this shabby-looking boy might just shake the very foundations of their prestigious institution and leave a legacy of his own.

----------------------------------------

[Ian Wright - POV]

I looked at the results of the test, but instead of focusing on my own name, I looked at two others.

Gary was there on the 2nd position, but the one on the 3rd was the one whom I was interested in.

"Green," I murmured softly.

What?

Green? That Voltorb girl was Green?

Though surprised and bewildered, I very quickly composed myself.

So, Green was here too.

That, though, left some questions inside of me.

Now, I needed to know what version of hers this was. Was it the Leaf version, from some games? or was it the Manga?

Whatever it was, one thing was certain.

"There are characters from all around..."

That fucked this world up even more than it already was.

While pondering, my eyes were scanning through the list of winners from other iterations... I wanted to know if there were some other characters, and there, I spotted Ash as well.

So many recognizable characters huh?

"Is Red here as well then?"

I didn't spot him. I didn't even spot Brock or Misty. That was strange, why were they not here?

What were the chances that some characters would not be here at all?

"Well, I wo-"

Ghzzzzzzzzzzht—!

A sudden sound brought me out of my thoughts, and I looked at the watch.

[Congratulations, Student Ian Wright, you have passed the test; quite splendidly, we might add. For your Iteration, that is. Anyways, you have been assigned a new room in the Dorm. Room No. B-34, make sure you get there and make yourself at home. This is your student ID code, make sure you remember it well: 198918236.]

A small screen popped out of my watch, and then, with a blue flash, the letters and numbers appeared in front of me.

So... The number 198918236 was mine.

As soon as the light dissipated, the watch beeped and showed the same screen I had been looking at: the results page.

I sighed and rubbed my eyes.

Standing up, I picked up my stuff, or lack thereof, before making way outside. Reto was already gone.

I walked slowly, getting in the view as I strolled to the Dorm using the map in the watch. I had to say, this watch was very useful; I wondered who made it.

Soon enough, I was at the Dorm.

It was an amazing sight.

A large building with panes of glass. It was quite tall, probably a couple of floors high. The design was simple, with three white columns at the entrance.

I entered through the automatic doors.

"Hello." A woman's voice resounded. "How may I help you?"

I turned around and saw a woman dressed in a tight suit.

"Oh, hello. I just came to look for my new room, Room No. B-34."

She nodded. "Ah, yes. You're here to get your room? Very well, I will show you the way."

Damn. Good treatment. Hostel 7 really lacked in comparison, huh?

I followed her up the stairs.

Guiding me to my room, she left after bowing once.

'Hm. That was nice.' I thought.

I looked at the door, there was no handle...

After fiddling around with it for a bit, I figured it out. Apparently, you just had to touch your wrist—more specifically the watch—on the sensor, then the door would open.

The room itself was nice, and comfortable.

A large bed, two desks, a large table, a wardrobe, and even a mini-fridge.

'Yes... very different from Hostel 7...'

I slumped right on the bed and stare at the ceiling.

So much had happened.

Puppet Master...

That guy, there had to be more to him than what met the eye. He wasn't some simple fanfic writer as he claimed he was. If... if this was real, and not a dream- who was I kidding, this is real, very much real.

And so, that guy had to be something...

I closed my eyes and sighed.

Ding—!

Just then, a sound akin to a doorbell rang, and my eyelids gave way for my eyes to see.

I sat up straight, eyes wandering over to the door.

There was a small screen on the side, and it was turned on.

On it, there was one simple thing written.

[Parcel Arrived]

----------------------------------------

Note: Castor in this chapter is an OC. One more thing, if you haven't noticed till now, let me clarify, there will be AU elements. Heck, an AU history even. So keep your mind a little... open.