Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, December 24th arrived.
As Christmas Eve approached, the school began distributing colorful decorations to students and teachers to prepare for the festivities. By the time Albus returned from training by the river, the entire campus had transformed. Snowmen wearing Santa hats stood in the courtyards, Christmas trees adorned with ribbons and twinkling lights brightened the halls, and teachers and students bustled about, their faces red from the cold.
With classes over for the day, students had begun heading home for their two-day Christmas vacation.
"Is the school fully decorated?" Elvina and McGrath approached, bundled up in winter clothes, their arms filled with decorations.
McGrath nodded. "Only the staff dormitories are left."
Albus raised an eyebrow in surprise. "You're not going home?" Unlike him, most teachers had families to return to during the holidays.
"I wanted to," McGrath sighed. "But all the tickets to Melbourne City are sold out."
Elvina chuckled. "Same here."
Hearing that, Albus laughed as well.
Elvina lifted the Santa hats and ribbons in her hands. "Since we're staying, let's decorate the dormitory together!"
Albus had no objections. The three of them got to work, and before they knew it, the clock had struck eight in the evening.
After bidding them farewell, Albus returned to his room and took in the festive sight around him. The Christmas decorations filled him with a strange warmth.
He picked up a few Santa hats left by Elvina and placed one on Powerful Duck and Will Young. Gengar stood by, eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Albus smirked. "...You can't wear one."
Gengar's face fell in disappointment.
Amused, Albus hung a Santa hat on the wall and gestured for Gengar to stand beneath it. "This way, it looks like you're wearing one."
Gengar perked up, delighted.
"It's a shame I don't have a camera," Albus mused. If he did, he would have taken a picture to capture the moment.
Gengar carefully touched the hat with its claws, cherishing it.
"You want to keep it?" Albus asked, knowing the answer.
Over time, whenever he prepared gifts for Powerful Duck and Will Young, he would include something for Gengar out of fairness. Gengar treasured each item and had him store them all in a small box.
Albus didn't entirely understand this attachment, but he still granted Gengar's wish.
Gengar nodded, watching intently as Albus placed the Santa hat into the box.
With the decorating done, Albus headed to the kitchen to prepare dinner. Caught up in the holiday spirit, he had stocked up on ingredients to make a grand Christmas feast.
When he set down the final dish—a strawberry cake with chocolate frosting—fireworks lit up the night sky outside his window.
It was the people of Adelaide City celebrating the holiday.
"Merry Christmas," Albus said, placing a small piece of cake in front of Powerful Duck. He chuckled. "Take care of me from now on, okay?"
Though he had entered this world alone, he didn't feel lonely—not with his Pokémon by his side.
"Gah!"
Will Young, usually expressionless, let out a rare, joyful cry at the sight of the feast.
"Ni!"
Shy Bud, delighted, wiggled happily. This winter was different from all its past winters—this was the happiest it had ever been.
It liked Albus very much. At that moment, a thought took root in its heart—it wanted to stay with him forever.
The instant that thought surfaced, a brilliant white light enveloped Shy Bud's body.
Both Gengar and Albus turned, eyes widening.
That light—
Evolution!
A rush of emotions overwhelmed Albus. Witnessing a Pokémon he had trained evolve firsthand was nothing like watching it happen on a game screen.
Surprise, excitement, joy, and anticipation filled his heart.
As the dazzling light surrounded Shy Bud, its form began to shift.
A refreshing floral scent filled the air.
Its small, round body elongated into a slender, elf-like figure. Two roses—one red, one blue—bloomed from its delicate wrists.
When the light finally faded, a brand-new Pokémon stood before Albus.
"Lolili!" The newly evolved Roserade called out, its voice full of happiness.
At the same time, information updated in Albus's mind.
[Pokémon: Roserade ♀]
Type: Grass/Poison
Ability: Leaf Guard
Base Stats: 400
HP: 50
Attack: 60
Defense: 45
Special Attack: 100
Special Defense: 80
Speed: 65
Moves Learned:
Giga Drain
Stun Spore
Seed Bomb
Poison Bomb (Combo: Stun Spore + Seed Bomb)
Mine Bomb (Combo: Seed Bomb + Poison Jab)
Poison Sting
Magical Leaf
Mood: Happy, joyful
Physical Condition: Relaxed, satisfied
Friendliness: 100 (It adores you and wants to stay by your side forever.)
Albus's eyes misted with emotion.
Compared to humans, Pokémon were such simple, pure creatures. Once they chose a human, they would devote everything—even their lives—to them.
Even humans couldn't make that kind of commitment so easily.
"Thank you," Albus whispered, gently placing a hand on Roserade's cheek.
"Lolili!" Roserade chirped happily in response.
Christmas Eve passed in a warm, peaceful atmosphere.
Lying in bed that night, Albus replayed everything that had happened since he arrived in this world.
Roserade's evolution was a milestone.
Starting today, he finally had real battle strength.
Even better, Roserade had learned two powerful new moves.
He couldn't wait to test them in battle.
However, just as he was about to drift off to sleep, a sudden noise came from the kitchen.
Albus tensed, holding his breath.
Not another haunting... right?
The noise stopped. Silence filled the room once more.
"Maybe it was just a mouse..." he muttered, relieved.
But before he could close his eyes, a faint rustling sound echoed again.
The doorknob turned.
Click.
The door creaked open.
Albus immediately turned on the light—just in time to see a Yo-Yo Ball sneaking in through the crack, carrying a gift.
"Slip!"
The sudden brightness startled the Yo-Yo Ball. It panicked, dropping the gift box with a loud thud.
Albus and the other Pokémon turned their attention to the trembling Yo-Yo Ball.
He recognized it—this was Principal Kiriyama's Pokémon.
Its body shivered from the cold, and its face was flushed red.
Albus sighed, climbed out of bed, and approached. "Did Principal Kiriyama send you?"
Yo-Yo Ball hesitated, then nodded sheepishly.
Albus walked over to the window and peered outside.
Principal Kiriyama stood in the snow, dressed as Santa Claus.
Albus: "..."
No wonder the principal had told the teachers who were staying behind to hang stockings by their beds before sleeping—he was playing Santa.