Stacking The Balls - Chapter 2.2

When he left the bedroom behind, which he learned was his assigned dorm room, Rotom helpfully filled Ronan in a bit more about his situation.

Pokemon Academy apparently had a ranking system, a letter based ranking system. Starting at D-rank at the bottom up went up through C-rank, B-rank, A-rank and finally S-rank.

Each rank had their own dormitory, and the higher ranked a student was the better their dormitory was, and the more benefits they gained. For instance, each dormitory had their own cafeteria and cooks, but the provided food for the D-rank dormitory was akin to what one would get at a standard family diner. Where as the S-rank dormitory had access to full on five star chefs and the kind of food only the rich and elite could eat, apparently.

Not only that, but each dormitory even had their own gym, as in one for humans to work out in and keep fit and such. The higher ranked the dorm, the more and better equipment they had access to.

There was a lot more too it as well, like the S-rank dormitory had their own grand swimming pool as well. And each dormitory was given a stipend of what was called PokePoints, that was currency on the island, but wasn't restricted to just that and could be cashed out for real money, real pokedollars that from what Ronan could tell, were about equal in spending power to dollars back in his original world. Ten pokepoints were worth 1 pokedollar.

As a D-rank student, his monthly stipend was 10,000 pokepoints, equal to one thousand pokedollars. S-rank students apparently got a stipend of two hundred thousand pokepoints a month, which was equal to twenty thousand pokedollars.

It was crazy and absurd and very hard to process for Ronan, but he understood the gist of it.

It was very much a carrot and stick approach, a reward system for trainers to put their all in to rise through the ranks. The general premise of the Pokemon Academy after all, seemed to be doing all it could to nurture the greatest and most talented next generation of pokemon trainers.

It was not just an elitism thing though, it was also partly a safety thing. The higher ranked a student was, the more they could be trusted to look after themselves.

Pokemon Academy was situated on a massive island with a vast eco system specifically built to house all types of pokemon. And the higher ranked a student was, the more of the island they were allowed to traverse. For instance, D-rank students literally were not allowed out of the Academy border.

A range of space that was patrolled by Ace Trainers at all times, top class trainers employed by the league who wouldn't even allow students to leave the area without being a certain rank, and made sure that no strong wild pokemon made their way into the area.

…Ronan couldn't wait to go explore it.

First though, he made his way to the cafeteria after getting directions from Rotom to get some breakfast.

Then…then he was going to go see about getting his starter pokemon.

The cafeteria was actually pretty nice Ronan noticed when he entered. It was large and sweeping with dozens of tables, and there were quite a lot of people already sitting spread out through the large room having their breakfast.

He wasn't two steps into the room though when his eyes fell on someone very familiar looking who stood out, sitting alone at a table himself at the far side of the room. A slender youth with neck length greenish blonde hair.

'Wait, isn't that Trip!?' he stared gobsmacked for a moment.

Ash's rival from the Unova anime, also known as the season that must not be spoken about.

…Oh god, did that mean Iris and shit were here too?

Hopefully not.

Still…that did present an opportunity, Trip was well, Ronan had hated him in the anime, but he was quite successful so if he examined his status like he did Rotom, he could get a general feel for where he stood, right?

He narrowed his gaze on the boy and thought, 'Status.'

And almost pumped his fist when the familiar black screen appeared above the boys head.

Name: Trip
Age: 15
Occupation: First Year Student - Trainer

Strength: 35
Skill: 20
Intelligence: 30
Charm: 20

Current Party
Snivy (Level 13)
Pidove (Level 9)
Litwick (Level 8)
Timburr (Level 8)

…This fucking guy.

It was only the first day and this guy had four pokemon already, what the hell!? Wait, he could see the pokemon others had in their party? And their levels as well!?

Okay, absolutely bullshit as that guy was that was really good to know, an incredible advantage over other trainers if it ever came down to him battling.

Still, he didn't like that status screen.

How the hell was he only two charm points ahead of that rude bastard? And why was he only one skill point ahead and even in intelligence!? This guy just started right? He had all the information and such he'd accumulated from all his time playing through all the games and watching the series and reading the manga…so just how?

Actually, this guy could lift three hundred and fifty pounds? What the fuck!? Not only did this guy have four pokemon already, but he was quite a bit stronger than Ronan as well?

…Would he get in trouble if skipped the entrance ceremony and went to the gym after getting his starter pokemon?

'Just ignore him Ronan, no need to let petty hate over a character in a show get to you.' he told himself to soothe down.

That would be childish.

Shaking his head, he made his way towards opposite side of the room where there was a large serving counter, where he could order his food.

He blinked though as he passed by one table and found two more familiar faces sitting at it.

A small reedy orange haired boy, with dull grey eyes, dressed in all green and a camera around his neck.

And a dopey faced, oddly styled, rather rotund and heavyset black haired boy, dressed in a black top and orange shorts.

'Tierno…what the hell even is that hair style?' Ronan wondered. Honestly, he was pretty much not even shocked to see them here as well.

it made sense actually after seeing Trip and knowing Serena was his apparent mentor.

…He wondered what she looked like.

Hopefully hot, but that could wait.

'Status.' he thought, narrowing his eyes on Trevor.

Name: Trevor
Age: 15
Occupation: First Year Student - Trainer

Strength: 8
Skill: 10
Intelligence: 20
Charm: 5

Current Party
Charmander (Level 6)
Floette (Level 5)

…Oh yeah, he'd forgotten this guy had a Charmander. And eventually got Mega Charizard Y actually. Fucking lucky little bastard!

So god damn lucky! He wanted a Charmander!

Ronan loved charmander, it was his very favourite pokemon by far, well Charizard was but he loved the whole damn line.

'Well, those parameters are much more relieving to see honestly.' Ronan thought, banishing those thoughts for now.

Maybe he'd be lucky after all and get the chance to choose a Charmander of his own as his starter pokemon?

Probably not though, his luck was trash like that.

Maybe this annoying scrawny little lucky ginger would trade? If he remembered right, his Charmander when it evolved in the anime, lost all respect for him and he couldn't control it.

Well whatever, he put him out of mind and glanced at Tierno, checking his parameters next.

Name: Tierno
Age: 15
Occupation: First Year Student - Trainer

Strength: 13
Skill: 14
Intelligence: 15
Charm: 2

Current Party
Squirtle (Level 9)
Pikachu (Level 7)

And another one with two pokemon even though it was just their first day here. But again, with parameters much more fitting to look at compared to Trips.

Damn, that charm though.

Poor guy.

Though his skill and Intelligence were decent though he supposed, and made a little sense, he did make it pretty far in the pokemon league in the anime.

He supposed it just meant that Trip was quite extraordinary compared most then? Did that make him quite extraordinary himself?

…He still wasn't content being physically weaker than that guy though.

Moving on, Ronan continued on his way his thoughts brewing, not even paying attention all that much.

So much so, that someone , a girl with maroon hair done up in a braid, who was already at the counter turned at the exact time he made it and he almost walked right into them.

"Whoa!" the girl yelped a bit, almost dropping the tray she was carrying her breakfast on, would have if he didn't reach out on instinct and catch the edge, steadying it.

God he was an idiot, he needed to pay more attention!

"Sorry about that." Ronan apologised sheepishly, letting go of the tray, and as he did, he blinked, stunned at just who he was talking to.

A pretty fair skinned girl, with deep green emerald eyes and dark maroon hair. She was a few inches shorter than him, and curvy he noticed almost immediately, due to the fact she was dressed quite immodestly in only a white tank top and pair of black denim shorts.

"No, no I should have paid more attention and made sure nobody was behind, I'm the one who should be sorry." Chloe Cerise apologised to him.

…She was a whole lot more bodacious in person than he would have expected.

But wait…if she was here.

Didn't that mean-

"Chloe hurry up will you?" somebody huffed from a bit away, and on instinct Ronan's head turned and if he didn't actively try to hold it back, a death glare would have manifested.

It was him.

A slender, dark skinned black haired boy sat a few tables away from them, drumming his fingers on the table, an empty bowl in front of him, "I want to go explore the wild area before the entrance ceremony!" he whined.

"Keep your shorts on Goh," Chloe huffed, before giving Ronan another apologetic smile, "Sorry again." she said, before moving on and making her way over to the table he satat.

'…And here I thought Trip and maybe Iris would be bad, I should have counted my blessings.' Ronan groaned inwardly.

Why, why did that pain in the ass Goh have to exist!?

He was so put out, he didn't even bother checking out Chloe as she walked away, and she was wearing such a small tight pair of shorts too.

His eyes narrowed on Goh.

Name: Goh
Age: 15
Occupation: First Year Student - Researcher

Strength: 4
Skill: 8
Intelligence: 22
Charm: 1

Current Party
Scorbunny (Level 7)
Metapod (Level 5)
Kakuna (Level 4)
Rattata (Level 5)
Pidgey (Level 4)
Spearow (Level 3)

Six pokemon!?

That was more even than Trip, what the absolute fuck? Did he just throw pokeballs at everything he saw here as well!?

…Though those Metapod and Kakuna, interesting, they weren't level seven. So did that mean pokemon didn't need to be the proper game levels to evolve then?

'Heh…those are some fitting parameters though.' Ronan shook his head. Looking at that, soothed the disgruntled annoyance he felt over seeing this guy actually existing in his immediate vicinity.

His eyes shifted from him to Chloe.

Name: Chloe Cerise
Age: 15
Occupation: First Year Student - Researcher

Strength: 10
Skill: 10
Intelligence: 17
Charm: 30

Current Party
Yamper (Level 15)
Eevee (Level 6)

Huh, the highest charm and the highest level pokemon he'd seen yet. 'Then again, didn't her family raise Yamper for years?' he thought.

So Eevee would be her true starter than and Yamper was a family pokemon, that made sense.

'That's enough for now, I'm so done with this.' Ronan shook his head and turned around before he was caught staring at the pretty girl.

He was having too much wild surprises thrown his way here. He wanted to just eat and go get his starter pokemon.

And calm down.

And take a bit to think some more.