Albus had a terrible nightmare.
In the dream, he was sucked into a dark, damp place, chased by a group of rotting, headless corpses and long-haired female ghosts resembling Sadako.
He didn't sleep well that night. When he woke up in the morning, his head was spinning, and his back was covered in cold sweat.
"It's strange... why does it feel so much colder?" As soon as he got out of bed, Albus sensed something was wrong.
He glanced out the window. When he first arrived here, it was autumn, and now a month had passed. After thinking about it, he realized that winter was about to begin.
It was normal for temperatures to drop suddenly during this season. He didn't dwell on it too much, put on his clothes, and took his two Pokémon to the cafeteria for breakfast.
While passing the playground, he saw McGrath leading a group of students in class.
Unlike him, McGrath was the teacher of the Pokémon attribute class. Besides teaching basic knowledge in the classroom, he often conducted practical lessons on the playground.
McGrath explained, "The idea that attribute advantages always determine the winner is not absolute. With proper training and strategic command, a Pokémon can still win despite being at a disadvantage."
As he spoke, his gaze drifted toward Albus, who was passing by. "Mr. Albus, can you come over for a moment?"
Albus wasn't sure what he wanted, but he still walked over and said helplessly, "Didn't I tell you that you can just call me by my name?"
People in this world liked to add "Little" to names, just like they did with Sammy, Flintoff Gang, and Joseph.
After getting to know him better, the teachers at the school had stopped calling him "Pulphus Euphratica" and switched to "Little Sheep."
McGrath chuckled. "It sounds more friendly that way!"
Albus sighed. "So, what do you need?"
McGrath nodded. "I'm teaching the students about attribute advantages. Elvina mentioned that you recently caught a Grass-type Pokémon. Would you be willing to have a battle with me?"
As he spoke, he pulled out a red-and-white Poké Ball. With a flash of light, a Crawdaunt appeared beside him.
Albus raised an eyebrow. "You've been a trainer for seven or eight years, and I'm still a rookie."
Wasn't this just bullying?
McGrath scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed. "Ah, I almost forgot about that. But don't worry—I just caught this Crawdaunt. It hasn't battled much yet."
"That works." Albus was intrigued. It would be a good opportunity to test Mimosa's strength.
The two trainers took their positions on opposite ends of the practice field as excited students gathered around.
Joseph cheered, "Mr. Albus, you can do it!"
Under his lead, the other students also began cheering—but they were all supporting Albus.
Seeing this, McGrath's expression darkened slightly. "Why is no one cheering for me?!" he asked with mock frustration.
"Teacher, you have years of battle experience, and Mr. Albus just started training. It's not fair!" Joseph pointed out, wagging his finger.
McGrath had no comeback for that.
Albus barely held back a laugh and said, "Can we start now?"
"Nini!" Mimosa's small face was full of determination. The delicious meal she had yesterday filled her with energy.
Joseph, acting as the referee, announced, "The rules are simple: 1v1. Each trainer can use only one Pokémon, and the battle continues until one Pokémon can no longer fight!"
With that, the match officially began.
McGrath struck first. "Crawdaunt, use Bubble!"
"Cha!" Crawdaunt raised its large pincers, releasing a stream of transparent bubbles.
"Mimosa, dodge to the left!"
Even though this was Albus's first official Pokémon battle, he wasn't nervous. Instead, he felt an unfamiliar excitement bubbling up.
Bubble was a weaker version of Bubble Beam. Its density and speed weren't as powerful, so Mimosa had plenty of time to evade.
McGrath noticed his strategy and quickly followed up. "Crawdaunt, charge in and use Vice Grip!"
Albus countered, "Mimosa, use Stun Spore!"
"Nee!"
As Crawdaunt rushed forward, Mimosa released a cloud of pale yellow powder from its bud, surrounding its opponent.
Crawdaunt's movements slowed as paralysis took effect.
"Now, Seed Bomb!"
A large green seed formed at Mimosa's bud, launching straight at Crawdaunt.
Boom!
The attack landed perfectly, triggering a small explosion.
Crawdaunt cried out in pain, struggling to recover from paralysis.
McGrath felt a sense of helplessness as he watched the battle unfold.
Albus seized the moment. "Another Seed Bomb!"
With its double damage against Water-types, the attack sent Crawdaunt tumbling.
"Mimosa, nee!" Mimosa jumped into Albus's arms, thrilled at her victory.
She had always been the one losing in the wild, but now, with Albus's guidance, she had won for the first time!
Victory was indeed a wonderful feeling.
"Great job! Let's keep working hard together!" Albus praised.
A student asked, "Teacher, didn't you say attribute matchups aren't everything?"
McGrath sighed, recalling his words, and smiled wryly. "Your teacher Albus is just too strong."
Albus added, "McGrath is right. Attribute advantages aren't everything. As you go on your journey, you'll face battles where the odds are against you."
He analyzed Crawdaunt's Bubble attack, explaining how Bubble Beam would have been a stronger choice. If McGrath had used it, Mimosa wouldn't have been able to dodge, and the battle outcome could have been different.
Joseph murmured, "I see..." Then, his eyes sparkled with admiration. "I'll remember that!"
McGrath nudged Albus and whispered, "Honestly, I think you're more suited to teaching battle classes than I am. Maybe I should suggest it to the principal."
Albus shook his head. "I think being an ecology teacher suits me better—fewer classes, more free time."
"Fair enough." McGrath chuckled.
Albus stretched. "I have class soon, so I'll leave the rest to you."
He slipped away—he had plans to do morning exercises with Mimosa.
After a long day of classes, Albus returned to his dorm with Will Young and Mimosa.
The moment he stepped inside, he shivered. "Is it just me, or is it colder in here than outside?"
He hadn't noticed it in the morning, but now that he was back, it was obvious.
Mimosa frowned and nodded. "Nee..."
What was going on?
Albus scanned the room. Had anything changed?
There was only one thing different.
His eyes locked onto a dark purple orb sitting on his desk.
Stepping closer, he picked it up.
The moment his fingers touched it, an eerie chill spread through his body.
So, this was the source of the cold.
This orb was called the Cursed Orb.
Could it be responsible for his nightmare last night?
Albus narrowed his eyes. If there really was something wrong with it, the adventurer who left it behind must have known—and ran away.
To test his theory, Albus took the orb outside before bed. He found a secluded spot, dug a hole, and buried it.
He expected to have a peaceful night.
But when he opened his eyes the next morning, the same orb was back on his desk.
"It really is cursed..."
Recalling the nightmare he had again, Albus finally understood why it had that name.
This thing wasn't just cursed.
It was haunted.