Caught completely off guard, Travis, ambushed from behind, fell face-first into the dirt, his chin scraping roughly against the ground for over half a meter. Instantly, a trail of blood marked the surface.
Most scholars in the field of Pokémon research lived pampered lives, and Travis was no exception. The intense pain made him let out a pig-like squeal.
"Ahhh—!!"
He felt as though his jaw had been dislocated, the agony sending him rolling on the ground.
The surrounding students who were there to watch the drama were all stunned.
When they saw Julian appear, they had wondered if a fight would break out between him and Travis—after all, everyone loved drama and wouldn't mind seeing a spectacle.
Deep down, they were practically rooting for Julian to throw hands with Travis.
And sure enough, Julian actually struck—without even wasting words, he kicked Travis square in the back.
Well, no, actually, he had said something.
'That Travis was wearing the exact same outfit as him.'
Several female students had stars in their eyes as they looked at Julian—that kick was just too cool.
Was this a declaration of dominance?
"You called me here just because of 'him'?"
Julian walked up to Nicole, glaring at her in annoyance.
"He has been a nuisance."
Hearing Travis wailing nearby, Nicole's expression showed a hint of irritation.
This man had been pestering her for six months. She'd rejected him countless times, yet he clung to her like stubborn gum, refusing to let go.
Not to mention, he kept flaunting his so-called "talent" in front of her.
Winning the Lugia Award at his age was impressive, sure—but only 'just' impressive.
If he had won the Arceus Award, then she might have actually respected him.
Besides, what Travis didn't know was that Nicole herself had already been nominated for this year's Lugia Award.
And she was younger than him.
"Who the hell are you?!"
Clutching his bloody chin, Travis's face twisted in pain, though it had dulled enough that he wasn't rolling on the ground anymore.
Since Julian had his back turned, Travis couldn't see his face—but he did notice the identical outfit.
"Meta~"
Metagross stared at Travis, thinking that if this guy tried to ambush Julian from behind, it would smash his skull in with one punch.
Fortunately, Travis still had some sense left. Noticing the Metagross's silver-white coloration, his expression immediately changed.
A shiny Metagross—which meant…
As Julian turned around, Travis saw his face, confirming his suspicions. His heart sank instantly.
"Julian! So what if you're the grandson of Champion Walker? Don't think you can just act this arrogantly! I'm an associate professor at Imperial University—the university could have you expelled for this!"
Imperial University: 'Expel him? Don't be ridiculous. You think we'd expel a future Champion? Keep dreaming.'
The moment Travis opened his mouth with that "grandson of Champion Walker" nonsense, he instantly gave the surrounding students the impression that Julian was abusing his family background—and by extension, even casted a shadow over John's reputation.
Clearly, the guy had some cunning. After all, you didn't survive as a Pokémon scholar without a bit of brains.
"You should address me as Gym Leader Walker now. And if you really have what it takes, go ahead—get the university to expel me," Julian smiled calmly.
He wasn't some useless rich kid riding on his grandfather's coattails.
Calmly staring Travis down, Julian continued, "Also, Nicole doesn't like you. So stop buzzing around her like a fly."
"Well, she doesn't like you either," Travis scowled, bitterness seeping into every word.
Whether it was status or strength, Julian was far out of his reach. His own position might intimidate the average student—but in front of Julian, he was no different than anyone else.
"I like him."
Before Julian could respond, Nicole dropped a bombshell right beside him.
"OHHH—!!!"
The students watching nearby exploded from excitement. The most beautiful teaching assistant had just confessed to Julian—in front of everyone!
She was three years older than him, but as the saying went—"Older women bring fortune!"
Even Julian was stunned by Nicole's sudden declaration.
'So… this woman really is after my body, huh?'
He stayed silent. Though dense at times, even he knew better than to say anything at a moment like this.
"Nicole, he doesn't even like women!"
Travis stared at her in disbelief, and then pointed at Julian.
"WHAAAT?!"
The crowd gasped—this was 'huge'. A massive bombshell. So Julian didn't like women? That explained why all those campus beauties had failed to win him over, and why there had never been any rumors about him fooling around.
For a noble heir, that kind of clean record was practically saintlike.
Turns out, it wasn't about self-restraint—he just wasn't into women.
Which meant he was into—
"…I might actually have a chance now," a male student muttered under his breath.
His roommate, overhearing, instantly recoiled in horror.
'Note to self: Never shower with this guy again.'
"You motherfu—"
Julian's foot slammed into Travis's stomach, his usually calm face twisting with rare fury.
"I. Like. Women. You piece of shit"
The kick sent Travis flying nearly eight meters, leaving him crumpled on the ground, motionless.
Nicole's breath hitched—if Travis died, even Julian's status wouldn't shield him from consequences.
But before she could step forward to check, Julian grabbed her wrist and said, "Relax—he's not going to die."
Angry as he was, he wasn't stupid enough to actually kill the guy.
Killing someone in public—especially when your own life wasn't in danger and it was all over a minor conflict?
If Julian had really kicked Travis to death, it wouldn't have mattered that he was the youngest Pseudo-Champion in Drakoria, or that his grandfather was a Champion.
To openly defy the nation's laws like that? He'd be sewing buttons in prison for the next few years, minimum.
No matter how powerful your family was, it couldn't be stronger than the country.
A public killing, if left unpunished, would be a complete mockery of the nation's legal system. Even ordinary people would lose faith in justice and the nation itself.
So if you really wanted to take someone out—you'd have to do it quietly, from the shadows.
Fortunately, Travis had only been knocked unconscious by Julian's kick.
"Call the university medics."
Julian turned to one of the onlooking students.
The student nodded quickly, pulling out his phone—but his friend beside him stared at Julian with a strange, almost disappointed look.
"…Do you really like girls?"
'What the hell?'
If the situation wasn't so tense, Julian really wanted to kick this guy too.
Why did he look so crestfallen? And what's up with that weird aura of sadness?
"Let's go."
A little unnerved by the guy's stare, Julian motioned for Nicole to follow, and they quickly left the scene.
Not long after, the university medics arrived and began treating Travis.
Meanwhile, Imperial University's online forums exploded with threads about the incident.
The gossip about Julian and Nicole spread like wildfire across the entire campus.
---
Meanwhile, Back at the Villa…
Slowking, who had just finished its cooking livestream, stood staring at its beloved kitchen—now completely covered in foam.
"Slow?!"
Slowking: "Where the hell did everyone go?!"
*****
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