"If you don't count our temporary supervisor… right now, it's just you and me."
August said this with a straight face.
Blue: "..."
Can I still back out of this?
She stared at August, but he didn't seem to notice her inner turmoil. Instead, he continued speaking as if nothing was wrong.
"The International Police offers great benefits, you know."
Blue knew he was trying to change the subject, but she still couldn't help asking, "...How great?"
August thought for a moment, then listed them out.
"Base sary: 150,000 Pokédolrs per month."
"!"
Blue was stunned. That was way more than she had expected.
But just as the thought but… crossed her mind, August continued, cutting off any hesitation before it could fully form.
"Full retirement and healthcare benefits. Extra allowances for travel and fieldwork. Monthly expense reimbursements."
Blue silently swallowed her but…
And August still wasn't done.
"Plus, performance-based bonuses. And at the end of the year, three months' worth of sary as a bonus."
"Oh, right. Your Jigglypuff needs a Moon Stone to evolve, doesn't it? While informants can't request evolution stones from the League, if you join officially, I can personally provide one for you."
As he spoke, August pulled out a Moon Stone—the one gifted to him by a Clefable back in Mt. Moon.
Since he had no Pokémon that needed it, he figured he might as well use it to win some loyalty points.
"I… I'm in!"
At this point, what else could Blue say?
The moment she heard the division only had two people, she really wanted to back out.
But…
He's offering too much!
Finally sealing the deal, August let out a relieved sigh.
He really wanted to curse out his predecessor for leaving the Kanto Division in such a mess.
If it weren't for that disaster, recruiting people wouldn't be this difficult.
Then again, there weren't many people in this world like him.
Back when he joined, he had been fueled by nothing but righteous passion and a burning sense of justice!
Honestly, Kanto was lucky to have him.
Feeling rather pleased with himself, he turned to Blue, who was still holding Jigglypuff.
"Send me your bank details. I'll get Lance to process your registration. From now on, you're officially a League agent."
"If the Masked Corps ever comes after you again, just report to me—I'll handle them."
August had no idea whether he could actually beat Pryce.
But that didn't stop him from making bold cims.
And if he couldn't?
Well, there was still Lance.
If Lance couldn't handle it, there were Agatha, Bruno, and Lorelei.
And if all of them weren't enough…
There was still Giovanni.
If August just happened to let slip that Pryce had kidnapped Giovanni's son for twelve years, he could sit back and watch the chaos unfold.
Blue had no idea what kind of calcutions August was running in his head.
Hearing his confident promise, she felt genuinely touched.
Then, after a brief moment of hesitation—
She pulled out her receipt from earlier and carefully pced it in his hands.
With big, pleading eyes, she asked, "Sooo… Can I get a reimbursement for this?"
"..."
---
Cedon University
As Kanto's leading academic institution, Cedon University had an international reputation for excellence.
With its outstanding faculty and a vast alumni network spanning multiple regions, the university attracted students from all over the world.
"We finally made it," August said as he looked at the massive campus.
Unlike Paldea's Naranja and Uva Academies—where the entire school was housed in a castle-like structure—Cedon University had a sprawling, multi-building yout, much like the universities from his past life.
Blue stood beside him, curiosity in her eyes.
Having been kidnapped as a child, she had received education and Pokémon training only within the Masked Corps.
She had never experienced a real school setting before.
Seeing such a prestigious institution up close, she couldn't help but feel intrigued.
But there was something else that puzzled her more.
"What are we doing here?"
They were International Police.
What did a university have to do with them?
Had some major incident occurred at Cedon University?
Were they here to investigate a case?
Blue's imagination ran wild, and she felt a surge of excitement.
"What are we here for?" August adjusted his gsses.
"To become a teacher, of course."
"…A teacher?"
Blue was completely lost.
She could believe that August was an outstanding trainer.
But a teacher?
That was impossible to picture—especially after watching him spend days bullying rookie trainers.
"The other day, I did tell you I'm a researcher, didn't I?" August asked.
Blue frowned. "Did you?"
"…Didn't I?"
They stared at each other for a moment.
Neither was sure whose memory was wrong.
Not that it really mattered.
"Anyway, right now, I'm a researcher applying for a teaching position. And you're my assistant."
August pulled out a pair of non-prescription gsses and handed them to Blue.
Blue took them and couldn't help but compin, "Is this all you think researchers need? A pair of gsses?"
"Of course not. There's also a b coat."
August said this with full confidence.
"..."
With a boss like this, Blue felt her future was looking bleak.
But…
He's offering too much.
With a sigh, she put on the gsses and instinctively adjusted her demeanor.
Her usual sly and mischievous expression disappeared, repced by a calm, composed look.
At a gnce, she looked even more like a researcher than August did.
Satisfied, August handed her a briefcase.
Now, with her gsses, sleek fitted dress, and briefcase in hand, Blue radiated a completely different aura—one of intelligence and professionalism.
August looked her over and nodded in approval.
This is it.
The perfect b assistant aesthetic.
To anyone watching, they looked exactly like a researcher and his assistant.
"Perfect."
Cpping his hands together, August straightened his own outfit and pulled out Professor Oak's letter of recommendation.
Then, with Blue by his side, he walked toward the gates of Cedon University.
---
"..."
- Gardevoir
(End of Chapter—Support the transtor at [patreon.com/WiseTL]!)
