The Trainer School really lived up to its reputation. Funded by the powerful Devon Corporation, its grandeur was beyond what Sieg had expected.
Just walking through the outer public areas, Sieg was already impressed. Luxurious buildings, expensive-looking training grounds, elaborate decorations, this wasn't just a school, it was a fortress of prestige.
According to the map, the entire school sprawled across thousands of acres. Not only did it boast top-tier battlefields that could accommodate even Elite-level Pokémon duels, but it also simulated wild environments specifically designed for different species' preferences.
"A school for students building battlefields like this... It's like using a cannon to swat a mosquito," Sieg muttered to himself, speechless.
Even the student housing was outrageous, individual villas for each student. Sieg had never even seen one up close before.
"No wonder so many people are desperate to get in."
He flipped through his Pokédex, reviewing the school's profile. Just as he sighed in awe, the sound of footsteps echoed behind him.
Turning around, Sieg saw a poised girl approaching, dressed in a black skirt and soft pink tights. She moved with grace, elegance in every step.
"Hello, are you the Trainer who is here for a scheduled visit? I'm a teacher at this school. My name is Roxanne," she said warmly.
She extended her hand with courtesy. Her ribbon-like hair shimmered under the sunlight, drawing Sieg's attention for a brief second.
Sieg quickly shook her hand in return. "You're Roxanne, the Gym Leader of Rustboro?"
"That's right. But I'm also an intern teacher here at the Trainer School."
Roxanne winked and smiled gently. She didn't seem the least bit surprised that someone recognized her.
The retirement of the former Rustboro Gym Leader had already circulated online, and Roxanne, the new Leader, was no secret.
A prodigy in Rock-type Pokémon studies, she had graduated just last year as one of the top students. Though she hadn't taken part in any official League tournaments, she'd claimed first place in internal school competitions and passed the League's Gym Leader qualification with ease.
"Uh… Lady Roxanne...."
"Just call me Ms. Roxanne," she said politely. "This is a school, not a gym."
Sieg nodded, admiring her composed and refined demeanor.
"Ms. Roxanne, I truly apologize for troubling you to meet me in person."
She might not have minded, but Sieg couldn't bring himself to accept such hospitality from a Gym Leader without feeling at least a little awkward.
Roxanne looked to be no older than twenty, yet she carried herself with a grace and formality far beyond her years.
"It's no trouble at all, Trainer Sieg," she replied as she led him forward. "While I am Rustboro's Gym Leader, I'm also a scholar and an educator. It's my responsibility to welcome guests."
They walked together down a long forest path, eventually arriving at a majestic gate, the true entrance to the Trainer School. Everything up until now had merely been outer facilities and support areas.
Beep beep beep~
Roxanne glanced toward a security camera. Sieg noticed the subtle gesture, facial recognition, something from his previous life.
Fascinated, he couldn't help but ask, "Is that... facial recognition?"
Roxanne caught the curiosity in his gaze and chuckled softly.
"Most of the students here are the children of League officials and elites. It's only natural that they get access to the best high-tech security."
As they stepped through the grand gate, a sprawling battlefield unfolded before them. Standing tall across the grounds were countless large Pokémon, each emanating a terrifying aura.
Sceptile.
Blaziken.
Swampert.
Shiftry.
Gardevoir.
Exploud.
All of them high-level and extremely rare.
"Although a few talented commoners manage to enroll, the vast majority of students come from the League's inner circle, wealthy and powerful families," Roxanne explained.
"These Pokémon were given to them by their parents to act as bodyguards. They're here to protect these children, who haven't yet developed battle strength."
Her tone faltered a little, clearly aware of the implications.
Though the League never explicitly labeled people by class, its policies and day-to-day operations made the hierarchy abundantly clear. Commoners were inferior.
Sieg, composed as ever, showed no sign of judgment. Instead, he replied naturally, "I see. With Pokémon like these standing guard, the school must be incredibly safe."
He smiled gently, as if genuinely concerned for the students' well-being.
Roxanne looked at him, visibly relieved by his response.
A level 2 clearance... she thought to herself, I wonder which powerful family he belongs to. He seems awfully modest, though, judging by his appearance.
She stole a few subtle glances at Sieg, deep in thought.
"Doesn't seem like one of those spoiled brats relying on family influence and waiting to coast through life," she thought with a quiet sigh of relief.
She honestly didn't want to be part of this reception at first.
Every day was already packed with studying, teaching, and her responsibilities as a Gym Leader. The last thing she needed was to waste time entertaining someone from a prestigious background, especially the type she dreaded most.
When she first heard the visitor had a level 2 clearance, she assumed it was another arrogant heir from some high-ranking family.
Ever since she took over the Rustboro Gym, prominent families within the League had tried to arrange marriages, going so far as to send their sons to the gym to pursue her.
It exhausted her.
Part of why she retreated to the Trainer School was because of her passion for knowledge, she loved being a scholar, immersing herself in a sea of learning.
But the other reason was simple.
She was trying to escape. Escape the suffocating matchmaking pressure and the pursuit of entitled rich boys whose families saw her as a trophy.
That was why she hadn't looked forward to today's reception.
But this Trainer named Sieg… he wasn't anything like she expected.
Sieg, for his part, had no idea what Roxanne was thinking. His focus was entirely on something else, the extravagant dormitories before him.
Individual villas. For students.
Was this even real?
These are student dorms?
"Feasting behind vermilion gates, while corpses freeze in the streets," Sieg recalled a saying from his previous life.
In the slums, people died every day from hunger and cold. They struggled desperately just to survive, to clothe themselves, to find a single meal.
And yet here in the League, the elites were already chasing higher spiritual pleasures, untouched by those grim realities.
On one side, a luxurious school like paradise.
On the other, a broken, dying ghetto.
That contrast hit Sieg like a weight in his chest, and a swirl of conflicting emotions stirred within him.
He followed Roxanne in silence, lost in his thoughts.
Along the way, they passed several restricted areas. They saw teachers, students, people from all corners of the academy, but no matter who it was, everyone who saw Roxanne respectfully greeted her with reverence.
Despite being labeled only an intern teacher, Roxanne's other identity as a Gym Leader was no secret to anyone at the academy. Her dual status commanded admiration.
"Tsk. These kids sure live blessed lives," Sieg mused silently.
Every student was clad in formal, elegant attire. Luxury Poké Balls hung from their belts. Some even had attendants, actual servants, following behind them.
Sieg found it hard to believe that even after all the reforms the League had pushed through, the profession of household servants still existed.