The first Pokémon Coordination Contest was originally scheduled for June 15th.
Most people had no objections, but the students protested intensely.
After all, not only were Pokémon Academy classes still in session during June, but even the branch schools in Fishman City and Angel City hadn't started summer break yet.
In fact, it was the busiest time—final exam preparations.
With their studies at stake, students simply couldn't afford to spare time to watch a contest.
As the Minister of Education, Olvia had no choice but to relay the students' concerns to Dak.
It didn't take more than two seconds for him to decide:
The contest would be delayed by a month.
"The students are the future. Their voices and education must be valued."
Both the Pokémon Battle Tournament and the Pokémon Coordination Contest were long-term major events, serving as educational experiences for students aspiring to become battle or coordination Trainers.
They could learn strategies, gather insights, and gain inspiration.
So, Dak rescheduled these two major tournaments to be held during summer and winter vacations so students could watch without distractions.
Once this decision was made, students cheered in celebration.
But their joy was short-lived—
Their teachers quickly crushed their excitement, reminding them to focus on their finals first.
"Get good grades first, then celebrate."
...
Yggdrasil City
Kirito and Asuna, along with their Pokémon team of six, stepped out of a massive factory on the city's outskirts.
This factory was a Poké Ball production plant—one of the largest in Pokémon Island, responsible for supplying the entire region.
Similar factories existed in the One Piece world and the Naruto world, ensuring a steady Poké Ball supply across dimensions.
These factories produced tons of wastewater daily, but thanks to Suicune, the water was purified into crystal-clear drinking water.
In the future, when more factories were established, Dak even considered exchanging for more Suicune to maintain the balance.
Unlike legendary cover Pokémon or mythical Pokémon, Suicune belonged to a species with multiple individuals, meaning having more than one in a world wasn't unusual.
However, the title of 'Water God' could only belong to the strongest Suicune.
Currently, the basement floor of this factory served as a temporary spawn point for SAO players, acting as a "birthplace" in Pokémon Island.
For the time being, whenever players logged out, their bodies would return to this facility—
At least until they earned enough money to buy a home.
"Even in another world, we still have to work to afford a house…"
Of course, players weren't forced to log out here.
They could choose any location, but once logged out, their bodies would fall into sleep mode.
There was no beginner protection—
The League wouldn't retrieve their bodies, nor would they assign NPCs to stand guard.
If something happened, it was their own responsibility.
The moment Asuna stepped outside, her eyes sparkled.
"Wow! It's so beautiful! This is the city from that selection screen, isn't it?"
The lush greenery, the crystal-clear rivers, and the abundance of Pokémon made it feel magical.
She was beyond excited.
"This environment is incredible. It completely surpasses Earth's quality."
Kirito took a deep breath, feeling his cells rejoice.
"And look—there are so many Pokémon!"
His gaze drifted upward, toward the World Tree.
Flying around its majestic branches were powerful Flying-type Pokémon he had never seen before.
"Kirito, what do we do?! I don't even know where to start!"
Asuna hopped in place, overwhelmed by excitement.
She had so many things she wanted to do—too many, in fact.
"Calm down, Asuna. Let's start by exploring the city and learning the basics."
Even Kirito, who was usually composed, was struggling to contain his excitement.
But compared to Asuna, he was at least slightly more rational.
"Sneasel, lead the way."
"Nyu."
Sneasel raised its chin proudly, striding ahead like a tour guide.
After all, this was its home turf—it had to show Kirito what this world had to offer.
As Kirito and Asuna walked hand-in-hand through Yggdrasil City, they were constantly in awe of what they saw.
"This is a real otherworld… right? Not just another VR game?"
Asuna was still in disbelief.
"No… this is real."
Kirito was certain.
"Even Kayaba Akihiko couldn't make a game like this."
He looked down at the dirt path, noticing how the dust kicked up naturally under his steps.
"This level of realism… No game can replicate it."
Asuna, still in awe, clung to Kirito's arm as he guided her forward.
Her eyes never left the surroundings.
She saw a pair of young women walk by—one was a mermaid, her lower half a tail, floating mid-air with soap bubbles around her waist.
The other was a Sky Islander, with small white wings that fluttered occasionally.
The two seemed to be good friends.
"Even non-humans live here… incredible."
Asuna murmured in amazement.
Kirito, however, leaned in and whispered:
"To them, we might be the outsiders."
"Oh… true."
Asuna nodded, understanding his point.
Still, the majority of the population seemed to be human.
But on their walk, she had also seen:
People with a third eye on their forehead. People with unnaturally long legs. Fishmen. People with pure white eyes.
A diverse blend of races.
"I love this. Different races, all coexisting peacefully."
Kirito compared this world to both Earth and SAO.
It was a stark contrast.
"That monument was right. The theme of this world really is 'Peace and Pokémon.'
Asuna noticed Pokémon Balls hanging on people's waists.
"Wait, what are those? They look like Diamond Pacts."
Kirito followed her gaze.
"They're called 'Poké Balls.' They're essentially the same as Diamond Pacts. You can buy them at friendly stores—they're affordable for everyone.
Just then, a mature female voice chimed in.
Kirito and Asuna turned around and immediately smiled.
"Shoumi! It's been so long!"
It was Shoumi, Asuna's mother's best friend.
She was now wearing a flowing purple dress, a white sun hat, and still carrying her Bulbasaur in her arms.
"Tana~"
Bulbasaur waved a vine whip in greeting.
"Shoumi, you've already settled in?"
Kirito asked.
"Four or five days, that's all."
She smiled, waving dismissively.
"Come on, let's go to my workplace."
"Workplace?!"
Both Kirito and Asuna were stunned.
Shoumi was wealthy back on Earth—why would she need a job?
"What, you think I'm still rich here? Nope. I'm just an ordinary woman in this world. I need money to take care of Bulbasaur and buy a house!"
She laughed.
Kirito and Asuna exchanged shocked glances.
"Yggdrasil City?"
"The World Tree?"
They recognized the name from Norse mythology.
"Yep, that's the name of this city."
As they walked, Shoumi explained everything she had learned about the world.
Soon, they arrived at a cozy café where she worked.
"Alright, let me teach you everything I know."
"Boss, my friends are here. Mind if we use a table for a bit?"
"Oh~ go ahead, it's not busy right now."
Behind the counter, a man in his mid-thirties casually responded.
He looked like an ordinary café owner, but Shoumi leaned in and whispered to Kirito and Asuna.
"Don't underestimate him—he was a Top 16 finalist in the second Pokémon Battle Tournament. That's how he earned enough to open this place."
Kirito and Asuna exchanged confused glances—
They had no idea what the Pokémon Battle Tournament was, but from the name, they could roughly guess.
"Alright, come over here. Let me tell you everything I've learned."
Shoumi led them to a corner table, then pulled out a map.
"This is Yggdrasil City, where we are right now. And here—this is League City, the central hub of this world and home to the Pokémon League."
Kirito nodded in understanding.
"So, League City is the capital… and the Pokémon League is the governing body of this world?"
As always, Kirito's sharp instincts picked up on the key details instantly.
(End of Chapter)
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