"We have Coach Tang for what?!"
Mori was staring at her schedule with abject horror.
"Pokemon Chemistry," repeated Professor Rollon, "7th period."
"Oh my god," she groaned, "Twice in one day? Where's Professor Wort?"
"Coach Tang always teaches Pokemon Chemistry," said Sylvia, who was already marking her schedule with a highlighter, "Professor Wort has to teach advanced classes."
Mori sunk into a despairing stupor with her head in her hands. Liam wasn't too pleased by having Coach Tang twice either, but he thought she was overreacting. Apart from PokeChemistry with Coach Tang, there wasn't anything too surprising on his schedule: Unovan Literature with Rollon, Pokemon Breeding & Care II with Huang, Math with Alexander, and Advanced Tactics with Werner. After lunch, they had Battle Class with Tang and Unovan History with Shrike. Pokemon Chemistry wasn't the ideal way to end the day, but at least they'd all be in it together.
"You'll survive, Mori," said Vasilio, folding his schedule and putting it into his backpack, "I'd be more worried about Advanced Tactics if I were you."
"It's supposed to be the hardest class, right?" asked Stephanie.
Ruth nodded.
"I have been studying all summer," she said, "And I'm still worried."
Mori's eyes grew wide, but Liam laughed. Ruth was the class's overachiever—he had missed her spunky attitude and stout friendship over the summer. Ruth was short, with long, black hair usually tied into a ponytail. Quiet and modest, she was easy to underestimate. Liam, however, had long learned to respect Ruth as one of the smartest and bravest people he had ever met.
The first morning back was mostly uneventful. Liam knew what to expect in Literature and Pokemon Care, and Math with the 9th graders was barely distinguishable from the previous semester. Professor Werner, looking even more ancient and weathered than last year, scowled and growled his way through the syllabus for Advanced Tactics.
"This is the most challenging class you will take at Everspring International," he said menacingly, "Miss Snyder tells me this is the most commonly repeated class in the entire curriculum. My standards are high, and your success in this class is more important now than ever. You can scrape by with a C. That's what Team Power would want and expect from you. Do better for your own sake."
Liam nodded. Next to him, Mori was staring very determinedly at her shoes.
"If you haven't yet joined a Pokemon Team," Werner continued, "I would strongly recommend it. Submit yourself to the discipline of the ancient schools. Practice what you learn."
Werner leaned on his cane and peered down at them. Liam suspected that despite his severity, Werner had something of a soft spot for their class.
"Here is your first assignment," he said, "I want you to have this read by next Monday."
A wiry Tyrogue—a new addition to Werner's classroom since last year—began distributing copies of a small, red book. Liam recognized it at once: The Art of Battle, the ancient manual of Pokemon tactics. Its author had been a disciple of the School of Power, the predecessors of the modern Team Power during the Spring and Autumn period. Liam opened the book with curiosity.
"For the rest of this year, this book is your life," growled Werner, "Read it, memorize it, criticize it—master its teachings inside and out. Learn to love it. Learn to hate it."
Werner gave a grim smile.
"Let's have a quiz to see how much you've forgotten since last year."
Even Sylvia jumped a little. Liam groaned along with the others and took out his pencil and class notebook. This was Werner's way of reminding them that while he may be on their side, he wasn't theirs to tame. He would work them, and work them hard, because he knew Team Power was doing the same.
Chelsea's dead Scraggy was clearly still at the back of his mind.