The morning air was fresh with the scent of saltwater and seaweed as Ariel stood at the shoreline of Rivertide Beach. The rhythmic crashing of waves against the rocks was like a familiar lullaby, but today, she wasn’t here to relax. She squinted out at the water, scanning the glimmering surface for any sign of movement. Her heart raced with anticipation.

A sudden splash caught her eye, and she grinned as she recognized the familiar orange scales glistening under the sunlight. Magikarp was back, flopping about joyfully in the shallow waters. Its large eyes blinked at her, recognizing her immediately.

"Good morning, Magikarp!" Ariel waved enthusiastically, her voice carrying over the sound of the waves. She kicked off her sandals and waded into the cool water, stopping just as it reached her knees. "Ready for another swim?"

Magikarp flopped in response, as if to say it was always ready. Ariel giggled and crouched down, splashing water toward her Pokémon friend. Even though Magikarp wasn’t the fastest swimmer, its sheer enthusiasm and determination always made her morning swims more fun. She couldn’t help but admire its spirit, despite the Pokémon's reputation as being weak.

"One day," she murmured, watching Magikarp swim in circles, "you'll be strong. I know it." She wasn’t thinking of evolution—she was thinking of Magikarp as it was now, unappreciated and underestimated by so many. It was happy, and that was enough for her.

But there wasn’t much time to linger. The village school bell would ring soon, and Ariel didn't want to be late. She patted the surface of the water gently before standing up. "See you later, Magikarp! Don’t have too much fun without me!"

With that, Ariel reluctantly left the shore and headed back toward the village, her wet feet slapping against the sandy path. Her thoughts swirled around the day ahead. School wasn’t just a place to learn—it was an opportunity for Ariel to deepen her understanding of Pokémon, something she cherished more than anything else in her new life.

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The village school was a simple wooden building near the center of Rivertide. It blended in with the small houses surrounding it, and on most days, it didn’t seem to hold the attention of the local children. The school served as a place for them to learn the basics: math, reading, writing, and some Pokémon studies. But Pokémon studies were often treated as secondary, with many of the kids more interested in playing than in learning.

Ariel pushed open the door and stepped inside, immediately spotting her classmates. There were only six others, all spread out in the small room, some already looking bored. Rena, a lanky girl with pigtails, slouched in her seat, tapping her pencil rhythmically against the desk. Next to her was Jake, a boy with sandy blond hair, his head propped on his hand as he stared blankly at the blackboard.

"Morning, Ariel!" Rena called lazily, lifting a hand but not bothering to sit up straight.

"Morning!" Ariel responded cheerfully, finding her spot in the front row. She pulled out her small notebook and pencil, ready to absorb every bit of knowledge Miss Laurel would share today. Pokémon studies were her favorite part of school, and though the other children didn’t seem to share her enthusiasm, Ariel was determined to learn everything she could.

Miss Laurel, a kind woman with curly brown hair and soft eyes, entered the room, carrying a stack of books. She wore her usual thick glasses that always seemed to be perched too low on her nose, threatening to slip off at any moment. As soon as she set the books down on her desk, her warm smile spread across her face.

"Good morning, class," Miss Laurel said, her voice calm and soothing. "Today, we’re going to continue talking about habitats and how different Pokémon adapt to them."

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Ariel sat up a little straighter, her pencil already poised above her notebook. While most of the kids in class would zone out during these lessons, Ariel found them fascinating. She knew so much from her previous life as a Pokémon fan, but now, living in this world, she wanted to learn how the real world worked beyond what she remembered from the games and shows.

"Can anyone tell me why Flying-type Pokémon like Pidgey and Wingull are so common near the coast?" Miss Laurel asked, her eyes scanning the room for raised hands.

The classroom remained silent, except for the occasional shifting of feet and the stifled yawns from some of the other students. Ariel's hand shot up immediately.

Miss Laurel’s eyes twinkled. "Yes, Ariel?"

"Because the coast has strong air currents, which make it easier for Flying-types to travel long distances," Ariel said, her voice confident. "Plus, many of them eat fish, and they follow the food."

"That’s correct!" Miss Laurel said, clearly pleased. "Flying-types use the wind to conserve energy as they travel, and for those that hunt fish, the coastal regions are perfect. Excellent answer, Ariel."

Rena rolled her eyes, leaning over to jake and muttering, "Of course Ariel knows."

Ariel ignored the comment, focusing instead on Miss Laurel’s next words. She didn’t care if the others found her love for Pokémon studies weird—this was her passion.

"Now, let’s take a look at some of the local Pokémon," Miss Laurel continued, pointing to a large poster on the wall. It was a hand-drawn map of Rivertide Village and the surrounding areas, with various Pokémon sketched around it. "We live near the coast, so we’re home to many Water-types, Flying-types, and even some Grass-types deeper in the forest. Let’s see… who can tell me about the Pokémon commonly found in the ocean waters?"

Ariel’s hand was up again before anyone else had the chance to even process the question. "Tentacool, Tentacruel, and Mantine are common in deeper waters," she said eagerly. "But closer to shore, we see more Magikarp, Krabby, and Wingull."

"Very good!" Miss Laurel said with a smile. "Rivertide’s waters are full of life, and it’s important to understand how these Pokémon interact with the environment and with each other."

As the lesson went on, Ariel could feel her excitement bubbling up inside her. She already knew much of what was being taught today, but she couldn’t help but be captivated. In her previous life, she had been surrounded by books, anime, and games, all filled with the magic of Pokémon, but this was different. This was real. She was learning about Pokémon not as fiction, but as living, breathing creatures that she could interact with every day.

When the lesson ended and the bell rang, the other kids rushed out of the classroom, eager to leave. Ariel, on the other hand, took her time packing up her things, savoring the knowledge she had gained.

Miss Laurel approached her as she slung her satchel over her shoulder. "Ariel," she said gently, "you’re doing so well in class. I can tell you love learning about Pokémon."

Ariel blushed slightly, looking down at her feet. "I just… really want to know everything I can about them."

"And that’s a wonderful thing," Miss Laurel said warmly. "Keep asking questions, keep studying. You have a natural curiosity, and that will take you far."

Ariel beamed, feeling a rush of pride. "Thank you, Miss Laurel. I’ll keep trying my best."

With a nod and a smile, Ariel headed out of the school and back toward the beach. The sun was already sinking lower in the sky, casting a golden glow over the village, but she didn’t mind. There was still plenty of time to play with Magikarp before dinner.

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At the beach, Magikarp was right where she had left it, swimming in lazy circles in the shallow water. Ariel ran toward the water, laughing as she splashed in, her feet sinking into the soft sand.

"Hey, Magikarp!" she called, waving enthusiastically. "Did you miss me?"

Magikarp flopped in response, sending water spraying in every direction. Ariel giggled, crouching down to splash back. They played like that for a while, racing each other in the shallows, though Magikarp’s swimming was more flopping and splashing than anything else.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with hues of pink and orange, Ariel sat down on the beach, watching the waves roll in. Magikarp rested beside her, content to float lazily in the water. Ariel reached out, gently stroking its head.

"One day," she whispered, "we’ll both be stronger. I know it."

Magikarp blinked up at her, as if understanding. It didn’t need to be a Gyarados to be important to her. For now, it was perfect just the way it was.