A/N: Probably shoulda mentioned this before, but the Location thing listed at the start of each entry is the location that Irau has stopped to write this entry in. Writing in a journal takes time, so to indicate the passage of time between certain entries, she writes down where she's currently at. That also helps paint the picture, kind of. The way I write these is in the sort of *RECORD SCRATCH* "Now, you may be wondering how I got into this scenario. Allow me to explain what happened," way.

In the future, there's going to be entries where the Location listing is shown more than once, indicating more than one entry per chapter. I'll make note of that in the chapter selection drop-down window to try and avoid confusion...

Location: Drilbur Coal Mine B1F

Well, this is happening now.

Nuzleaf had decided to escort me on my first day of school. I met Principal Simipour and Vice Principal Watchog.

Simipour seems really nice. I can see how he became the principal, he's always smiling and upbeat and just...pleasant to talk to. Watchog, on the other hand, seems strict and surly. He made it a point to warn me about being troublesome...

Admittedly, I was super shy. Only adult Pokémon I'd met thus far besides Nuzleaf had either attacked me or rushed after that Torchic kid in a mad frenzy.

Speaking of her, she ran straight into me today. Literally. While I was being introduced to the rest of the class (consisting mostly of those kids I'd encountered yesterday), Lyra came charging into the classroom shouting something about she's gonna be late and crashed into me, knocking me unconscious. I woke up in the school nurse's office and met the school nurse, Audino. She seemed appropriately nice and caring.

Was there any Pokemon who was ill-suited to their job in this village? Maybe Watchog, but that's just my opinion.

I didn't feel woozy or unwell, so I decided to rejoin the others. The classes taught here are…pretty much what I expected. The Farfetch'd that was my teacher spent most of the day reading us children's books and teaching us basic math. When you already know that stuff, the day drags on SO much longer than necessary. It's almost as if time intentionally slowed down just to worsen my torture.

Well, Lyra wanted to show me a "really good place" after school, so we were on our way there when Pancham and Shelmet stopped us. They admitted I had guts for going into the Foreboding Forest and rescuing Goomy, but they wanted me to do something even more reckless to prove how tough I am.

Honestly, I wanted to beat the ever-living shit out of those annoying snots. Can't pester me about strength if you get your ass kicked, can you? Still, that wouldn't have boded well for my "lay low" plan. Don't need to get kicked out of the village for doing something as stupid as beating on a kid...assuming being kicked out was the worst that could happen to me. For all I knew, an enraged Pangoro could trample after me and chase me halfway across the countryside in a manner that would intimidate even the Beheeyem.

These freaking kids are so annoying, but I had to humor them if I didn't want our cover blown. So, here we are.

Lyra had decided to accompany us despite Pancham making it very clear they only wanted me to do this, which was nice of her. I get the feeling she was more interested in the exploration than proving anything to Shelmet and Pancham though, which is just fine by me. Her enthusiasm might even help me forget the stupid kids who'd pressured me into doing this in the first place.

On our way here, Pancham and Shelmet had thrown a few jeers my way when I first pulled out my traveler's journal, but I ignored them. I think Pancham had intended to either swipe it from me or read what I was writing because he kept trying to inch closer to me, but I'd shoot him a sideways glare every time.

Just give me the excuse, kid. Go ahead. Take it. See what happens.

He eventually got the memo because he backed off and didn't try again after the fourth time I wordlessly glared at him.

So, I guess Pancham wants us to go down a forbidden path in this dusty old coal mine and retrieve some red stones as proof of our feat.

I can see through the kid's lie pretty easily – he wants us to get those stones so he can have the bragging rights of getting them without facing whatever horrid creature is guarding them. He had even said he'd cleared the dungeon in no time flat. I think my face betrayed my lack of believing his bullshit because he started nervously sweating and looking away while Lyra was amazed by his "accomplishment".

Pancham's obviously a spineless coward who wants to be much tougher than he really is. Maybe it's because he's a fighting type, or maybe it's because of something happening at home, but there's obvious weakness in his life where he wishes there's strength. And Shelmet's just his thoughtless lackey soaking up the validation Pancham gives him in exchange for being his follower.

This isn't strength. Getting others to do stupid, dangerous things for you because you put them down isn't strength. Honestly, this whole thing is stupid. I don't need to prove anything to these brats, but I was dragged here anyway.

Well…anyway, Lyra pulled a bit of a…strangely effective prank on the Drilbur. She somehow distracted them by making them think a fruit tree had mysteriously grown some distance away, and even though they knew it was a weak distraction they looked anyway just to be safe. And we snuck by.

Now, we're here. In a dangerous-ass Mystery Dungeon because of Pancham's stupid antics.

Jeez, this feels an awful lot like yesterday. But at least I've got Lyra with me now.

We need to move.