1. Ash's Story (Part 10: Galar)

Chapter 49: Forged Lessons

The trip to Bermingsteel began with Jane's warning still fresh in my mind. This was a school outing first, not a family visit and not a surprise Gym challenge. That sounded simple until the city came into view, all steel towers, polished rails, and factory-bright windows beneath a cold morning sky.

Bermingsteel felt different from Hammerlocke's ancient stone. It looked newer, sharper, and louder, with metal signs catching every bit of light. The streets carried the rhythm of wheels, gears, and footsteps, and the Gym Stadium rose above the market district like a polished furnace made for battles.

Even the banners moved with a mechanical neatness, snapping between lampposts in straight lines instead of fluttering freely. It made the whole city feel built around purpose.

I could understand why Jane wanted the class here. Bermingsteel did not hide the connection between everyday work and Pokémon battles. Shops, rails, factories, and the Gym all seemed to speak the same language: choose the right tool, use the right timing, and respect the strength that holds everything together.

Classmates were already gathered near the entrance. Mark waved before I could call out, and Minami stood beside him with a notebook open and a pen ready. Several other academy students waited in neat rows, looking far more prepared than I felt after our recent blizzard practical.

I hurried over. "What is happening here, Mark?"

Mark smiled like he had been waiting to say it. "Today is the school outing. We were assigned to observe Principal Relena's Gym battle and take notes."

Minami lifted her notebook. "Since you are here, I suppose we will not need you to help document the match. Are you planning to challenge Ms. Relena?"

"Sorry," I said. "Alice and I are aiming for other Gyms right now."

Alice nodded beside me. "We have different plans in mind."

Minami looked disappointed for exactly one breath, then returned to being practical. "Then you can observe properly."

Gloria glanced toward the stadium doors. "Who is challenging today?"

"Victor is the challenger today," Mark answered.

Gloria blinked. "Really? Victor is the one stepping into the ring?"

Relena appeared before Mark could answer more. Elena rushed forward first and hugged her mother tightly. Relena returned the hug with warmth, holding Elena for a moment longer than a principal usually would in front of students.

Then she released her daughter and looked over our group, reading faces with the same calm attention she probably used in both classrooms and battles. Her smile faded when she looked at the rest of us.

"I heard what happened near Stow-on-Side," Relena said. "To think Bede would damage the mural like that."

"He faced consequences," I said. "His Gym Challenger status was revoked."

Relena's eyes lowered with disappointment rather than surprise. "I understand."

She straightened after a moment, returning to the principal's steady presence. "We have twenty minutes before Victor begins. Students may visit the souvenir stores, but stay in groups and return before the bell."

Jane arrived at the rear of the class and clapped once. "That was not a suggestion. Groups. Notes ready. No wandering into staff corridors."

A few students groaned softly, but nobody disobeyed. Jane had a way of making rules feel less like obstacles and more like safety rails, especially after everything we had seen on routes where one wrong step could turn into a full rescue.