"I'm sorry, Clemont, but I can't."
The blonde sat in his chair, eyes wide as plates, as he tried to process that his request had been denied.
"B-But Professor Sycamore, I need your recommendation if I'm to get into Lumiose University!"
Professor Sycamore was a famous scientist and well known for his work in the field of bioengineering. His research had found ways to cure illnesses and injuries that had long thought to be incurable.
He was also the head of the science department in Lumiose University, a prestigious post-secondary school for the exceptionally gifted. It was said that anyone who graduates from LU is practically guaranteed work in their field of choice, due to the harsh but extremely educational programs offer. This reason was why Clemont had arranged this meeting with Professor Sycamore; he wanted the man's recommendation to get into such a school.
Clemont had known the professor for some time now. They first met at a national science competition, where the blonde had been given the first place prize. His invention was a device that allowed one to convert kinetic energy into a useable source to power devices such as cell phones, without releasing harmful radiation or gases that would cause harm to the environment. Sycamore congratulated him personally after the award ceremony, and because of Clemont's admiration for Professor Sycamore and keeping up in all of the man's research, they talked for hours.
Sycamore had become almost of a mentor to Clemont, so he figured that asking him for a recommendation to attend his dream university would be nothing more than a formality. Clearly, he was mistaken.
Sycamore folded his arms across his chest and sighed at the boy. "Clemont, you are more than qualified to go to LU in an academic sense," he started, looking over the application Clemont had prepared for him. "But you've been so focused on your studies that you've neglected to join any extracurricular activities. Your grades aren't everything that the board looks at. They want to know that you can handle the pressures of school and everyday life, and they want to see that you can do things other than what you're comfortable with. Even if I did write a recommendation, the board would look at your application, see nothing but a transcript of grades and think of it as favoritism on my part, and you'd be denied anyway."
Clemont felt crestfallen. He found it hard to believe that his 5.0 grade average wasn't enough to get into Lumiose University. None of the extracurricular activities at his school had interested him in the slightest; most of them were sports related, and he didn't feel like he needed to waste his time on something that wasn't important to his studies. More so, he was upset that his mentor couldn't bend the rules for him. He understood the logic of why, but it was still disappointing. He almost wanted to cry when he realized that his dream of making something of himself in the world through LU would never be realized. He had dozens of other offers from other schools, but going to Lumiose University was all that mattered to him.
Sycamore opened the drawer to his desk and pulled out a folder. "If you're looking for something that the board would approve of, I have something that might help."
Clemont sat upright from his stupor and saw Sycamore opening the folder and looking at its contents. He pulled out a picture and showed it to Clemont, a picture of a young man with black spikey hair, wearing the Lumiose University uniform, with an abstract red and white ballcap on top of his head. Clemont estimated he was around the same age as himself, if not a year or two older.
"This is Ash Ketchum. Originally from Pallet Town in the Kanto region, he joined LU at the start of last semester through a soccer scholarship," Sycamore began. "He is the opposite of you Clemont, he is a star in his extracurricular activities, but his grades are… abysmal to be blunt. The coach asked me to find him a tutor to help him stay on the varsity soccer team."
Quickly, Clemont picked up on what Professor Sycamore was saying and nodded. "You want me to tutor him?" he asked. "But am I even qualified?"
Sycamore took a book from a pile on his desk and handed it to Clemont. "This is the textbook for the class he is struggling in the most. I've found tutors for his other courses already. You only need to meet with him for a few hours once a week." Clemont read the title of the book he was given; 'Science of the Human Body in Sports.' This material should be very easy for you to pick up on, and to teach it to him. In addition to fulfilling your extracurricular requirements, you will be showing the board that you are ready for the challenges for LU, being able to learn material from the school independently and then help out struggling students."
Clemont gripped the book firmly and stood up from his chair, a look of resolve plastered to his face. "I'll do whatever it takes!" he said.
Sycamore smiled. "That's excellent." He picked up everything Clemont had given him and piled it together. "I'll hold onto all of this for now, and when I hear from Ash's teachers that he's making progress, I'll include a letter of recommendation and send it off. Deal?" The man extended a hand, which Clemont hastily accepted and shook.
"I'll be the best tutor he's ever had!"