Author's Note: This is hardly my biggest problem with Super Mystery Dungeon, but I still find it hilarious that the hero is implied to be on the older side by Pokémon standards, and they're still forced to spend time with all of these absolute gremlin children. It's amazing they didn't snap during the school phase, honestly.
A Question of Age
"Oh, right—I should probably ask you this, kiddo: how old are you? 'Bout ten or so?"
Cameron blinked. "Uh, no, I'm nineteen. Why?"
It was hard to tell whether or not Nuzleaf heard her. Currently, he was rubbing his chin and muttering to himself, and Cameron wondered if she should repeat herself. Then, however, he raised his voice slightly and addressed her again.
"So, I gotta get you registered for school or whatever, right? There's a bunch of kids down in the village you'd probably get along with."
"What? School?" Cameron repeated incredulously. "No, I'm done with school. Didn't you hear me? I'm—"
Nuzleaf waved dismissively as he continued walking down the trail. "Oh, don't be silly, now! I know how it is. I thought I was too cool to be hanging out with all them other kids too when I was your age. Don't you worry about nothing; I'll get it all sorted out once we get there!"
Cameron stared at him, mouth hanging open. He really wasn't listening! Had Nuzleaf just ignored every word she'd said? How could she convince him not to go through with this?
She realized she'd fallen behind him and scrambled to catch up, still processing the situation in her mind. Well, Cameron supposed she should be grateful… Nuzleaf had just offered to take her in, and it wasn't like she had anywhere else to go… But was she really going to have to spend her time around a bunch of kids who were—knowing her luck—around half her age?
…Wait, she was a Torchic now. Couldn't she just roast him if he annoyed her enough? It might take some practice, but she could probably use stronger moves if she wanted to. Maybe a Flamethrower or two would do the trick, if only she could learn it.
Cameron nodded. Yeah, that was her one consolation; it wouldn't be too hard to get out of this if she really needed to, right?