Chapter 5 - Negligence

"Hello Professor!"

The man on the book, startled, jumps to attention. In his startled movements he lightly knocks into Slowpoke, awaking it as well, and it stares up at him with a miffed expression.

"Ah! Hello young man, as you could see, I was just closely examining the contents of that book just now. Ahahaha."

"Oh? May I ask what it is on?"

Cough, cough. He glances at the title on the book cover.

"Ah, it is a book on Recent Human History, the wars and minor conflicts between The Pokemon League Alliance, the Psychic Association, and the Fighters Guilds."

I scratch my head a bit, I don't think such names were anywhere in the original Pokemon. Though, I already knew this wasn't actually the same World, it only has a few common points.

"Oh! Very intriguing professor, 'One must know where one has been to know where one must go.' I'm sure professor is full of wisdom and will go far in progressing the ways of traditional Pokeball Crafting."

The professor nodded his head vigorously.

"Indeed! Indeed! You understand my sentiments exactly! History can teach many things, and it is exactly because I know history well that I decided to spread the knowledge of apricot crafting! Traveling from school to school.

I am aware you missed your first class, but we are actually starting with Pokeball history. Ah! I am Professor Boru by the way. Well anyways, as you said class starts in a few minutes. Go ahead and take a seat.

Ah, sorry about that earlier slowpoke! I..."

Ignoring the seemingly eccentric professor, I went ahead and took a seat in the second row of desks. Before long the class had began, it seemed I had missed something from the first class but considering we haven't started crafting lessons I don't care much.

"Look at the History, dig sites unearthing ancient artifacts all seem to indicate old powerful civilizations also possessed the power to seal Pokemon. These sealing artifacts, unlike our modern pokeball's, could seal and control Pokemon in items of any shape or size! Even sealing a Legendary Pokemon was not uncommon!"

"What? Even Legendary Pokemon?!?"

Cross comparing the System's grade scaling, Legendary Pokemon should be Low Grade. Low Grade, judging from the Pokemon Storyline and legends, should be the rough equivalent of Xiantian Stage Cultivator.

"Yes! Even Legendary Pokemon! It is believed the latent aura in the atmosphere was far more dense in ancient times. Thus, Legendary Pokemon were also far more common."

"But if those artifacts were so powerful, why do they not exist today? Why would we use pokeballs if an artifact could do the job better?"

"Ah, this is simple. There were two issues that led to this knowledge being lost, though mind you it is mostly conjecture. The first is the complexity of making each of these artifacts, and the second is greed."

"So, people simply did not care to share this artifact knowledge? They kept it to themselves to hoard power?"

"Indeed. The strong ruled the weak, something common even in the modern day. It is almost certain they had a structure of nobility centered around those who developed the artifacts.

The previous generation would trap the Pokemon and the next generation would develop an artifact specific to that pokemon. The nobility held control over all the Pokemon at all times, but they also had to be scholars, as they needed to be in order to develop unique and highly complex formations for each pokemon."

Hm... but if they were so powerful...

"How could they possibly fall from such a position?" I asked

"Quite simple, they only passed down the methods through their direct lineage. All it takes is a single idiotic grandchild to mess up everything. They allowed the basic sealing techniques to be disseminated but kept the controlling techniques for themselves. Eventually, all that was left was the sealing technique."

"But then, if the control techniques were lost, where did the pokeballs come from?" I asked

Hahahaha, the Professor laughed.

"Pokeballs don't use any control techniques. How could you misunderstand something so basic? Pokeballs can be considered as a branch of the sealing techniques.

The seals on the Pokeball differ in that they create an additional seal that binds together the Pokemon inside and their master. Thus, as long as your strong enough, the effect of the Pokeball is similar to the controlling method."

I nod, "Right, that makes a lot of sense. Do you also study control artifacts then? Do you think they could be used to enhance Pokeball crafting?"

He snorts, "How could control artifacts possibly be better than Sealing artifacts? The only reason they used such things historically was they had no alternative. Control methods have long been rendered obsolete.

With a pokeball the Pokemon and Trainer can grow their strength together. With the ancient seal and control method you are merely imprisoning the Pokemon and forcing it to do things. The Pokemon will forever remain static, and will even degrade in power over time."

"Oh~ Understood. Then professor, does anyone in the modern day still research control method?"

"Hm, good question. I don't believe so, but if anyone does, it is likely in the Psychic Association's territories. Technically they use control technique still today, except theirs is a natural gift through psychic powers rather than something attained through understanding.

Hm... but I think we've strayed from the main point here. This is a class on the tradition of apricot pokeball crafting. Originally, it was passed down strictly within my bloodline, and that was a tradition held up until my father Kurt's generation.

You all will be part of a new generation of Apricot Pokeball Crafters. Even if your main profession will be with the government in the future it does not mean your achievements in this field will be any less. Haha, if you truly enjoy it consider quitting the police to become a professional craftsman."

The professor continued to rant about how great Apricot Pokeballs are compared to Modern Pokeballs for several minutes more before the class ended.

When the class ended, I moved on to the next class. Walking in, I felt somewhat awkward. All of the people in this class, instructor aside, seemed to be very small children.

My own body, which had shrunk already from the original six foot two inches to six foot, I still towered far above the 10 and 11 year old children in this class. Most people here had ȧssumed I was 12 because of my education level on Mental Energy but likely this body was closer to 14 years old.

Unlike the previous class which had desks, this class instead had mats laid out with a student sitting on each mat. With my face flushed red with embarrassment being an old fellow in a class with children, I moved towards the back and sat on one of the mats shamelessly.

Strength is everything in this world and all others, after all.

Not long after the class began, this time the teacher was the classical Oji-san instructor. A friendly Old man by the name of Theodore.

"I will go over the instructions for basic energy cultivation again. First, close your eyes, it will help with the visualization process. Something related to your dėsɨrėd Pokemon type is ideal.

The energy we use as Pokemon trainers is closely related to one's state of mind. This is why we call this energy Mental Energy. You need only clear your mind and focus, the rest is all in body positioning."

Bang!

"Ow!"

"Who taught you your posturing! You look worse than anyone here, and your most certainly the oldest one here. And it's too obvious your still Lucid, your facial expressions keep changing constantly! You should be setting an example, not slacking off!"

What the hell! Your telling me I'm slacking off by not daydreaming properly?!? Even if its true, you don't have to point it out you bastard!

"Cough, yes Sensei."

Well, it is not like I haven't acted similarly before. It may be his way of expressing concern.

I glance at some of the other students and adjust my posture a few times before it seems just right. Hands together but relaxed, legs crossed with right leg over left and feet flush with the sky. My back, as straight as can be.

When I close my eyes my Mental Energy 'Vision' instinctively takes over. So, since there is only one thing that occupies my entire view, might as well focus on that. I focus onto the distant star that is my original body, it still looks like a star so it should be good for meditation right?

I focus on the fake star and try to distance myself from all else. Sounds, stray thoughts, anything.

...

When I opened my eyes again after what felt like a short minute, the clock read that almost 6 hours had passed... So long? I cannot believe I just let the time flow by like that.

"Ah, good! It seems you got onto the right track. It is not common to fall into such a deep state, I could practically feel the energy developing within you. I could not bear to wake you."

I nod, "Right, thanks professor, but I think I had best go now. Since everyone else has already left."

He returns the gesture, "Ah, right, well I will see you tomorrow." The man says with a smile.

I left the class in a hurry and went somewhere more private, I have been out of my body for a bit too long. I hope Meditite is still okay.

...

When I open my eyes the first thing I see is blood splattered on the ground and Meditite leaning against a tree. His arms broken, the enemy he faced with minor injuries. Small cuts and bruises across it's body.

Meditite with his fists bloodied from facing it's foe was exhausted, it seems he was bȧrėly holding it off. The brown "Wooly Mammoth" paced back and forth in front of him, the minute cuts across it's body continuing to leak blood. It's eyes radiating intense hatred.

I look towards the creature that did this to him from my spot in the bushes. The regret was instantly washed over with rage instead.

Hm.. No need to think so much, I just need to kill it and it will be fine.

My heart beats with a heavy thump at that thought, power and excitement flows through my body.

I stand up and take a step forward.