Melrose sat back down at the dining table with about five minutes left for lunch. She didn't really feel like eating any more, but the grilled Pinap berry remaining on her plate just smelled so darn good that she couldn't resist getting in a few more nibbles.

Ashe glanced up at Melrose from her own empty plate and frowned, "Are you okay, Rose?"

"Mm? Yeah! I'm fine." Melrose gave her new friend a quick smile. "I'm just a little bummed Xander couldn't join us for lunch, but it's not the end of the world!"

Melrose wished it was as simple as that, but there was a nagging feeling in the back of her mind that she was failing her friend somehow. Perhaps she could talk the Headmaster into admitting Xander into the school? Then, maybe everything wouldn't be so complicated…

Ashe's frown didn't fade, but she didn't press Melrose any further.

With a clap of her hands, soon everyone's attention was on Miss Adeline. "Okay, everyone! Let's wrap things up and get back to class!"

The Pokémon were quick to start following Adeline's instructions; some students neatly cleaned up their areas while others stuffed the rest of their food in their mouths– Melrose herself just pushed the plate away and hopped out of her seat, watching as Ashe did the same. The mini parade followed Secretary Adeline out of the Dining Hall and back out into the castle proper.

Melrose no longer dwelled on her worries as they approached the Exploration Classroom. This would be her first real lesson with Famous Explorer, Lucien– the exploration prodigy! Lucian was the kind of Pokémon Melrose wanted to be like more than anything. Just breathing the same air as him had the potential of making Melrose a better explorer, she was sure of it!

Adeline opened the door for everyone with a cheery hum, giving Lucien a polite nod as the two made eye contact. "Enjoy your next class, everyone!" Giving her departing words, she allowed the rest of the students to file into the classroom at their own pace.

Melrose practically leaped into her desk. The electric sparks were no longer confined to her cheeks, and the discharge was actually strong enough to arc between her and Owin. This practically super-charged him– and soon both Pikachu were bouncing off the walls.

"Woo-hoo!" Owin pumped his fists excitedly as he collided with his own chair. "I am so PSYCHED to LEARN!" Other students were giving him glares from across the room, but Melrose turned her backside towards Owin in preparation for a tail slap. The male Pikachu gave her an awkward head tilt, before realizing what was happening and turning to slap his own tail against hers– like a high-five.

Lucien waited for everyone to take a seat and settle down, at least as much as possible, before clearing his throat to get everyone's attention. "Good afternoon, students. I'm sure you all remember me from yesterday. But, just in case, my name is Lucien– and I will be your Exploration Professor."

The Luxray walked out from behind his teaching desk and sat in front of the entire class.

"I don't wish to toot my own horn, but personally I believe my class is the most important of the three core subjects taught at Red Academy. Exploration is the key to all types of Dungeoneering, and no class will be better at teaching you the fundamentals than mine."

Lucien gave everyone in the room a once over before smiling. "I'd like to start things off fairly easy for you all today, so… how about I learn what everyone already knows? Who here can tell me what a Mystery Dungeon is? Raise your paws– or other appendages."

Almost everyone's hands shot up into the air, aside from Ashe's– who likely kept it down out of timidness rather than a lack of knowledge. Melrose's hand was waving back and forth, desperate to be chosen by the instructor so she could belt out the answer. Lucien did not call on anyone yet, but he did seem pleased that his class was a confident bunch. His eyes scanned the small sea of students before pointing a paw at Xavian. Melrose visibly deflated as her classmate was chosen.

"Mystery Dungeons are distortions in space and time that create miniature realms. Thanks to the distortion, these places are very dangerous– filled with wild Pokémon that will attack adventurers on sight. However, they are also filled with treasure and lead to new locations once you make it all the way through one."

"Excellent, Mx. Lefevre. You're precisely right." Lucien's tail twitched happily. "Mystery Dungeons come in all sorts of varieties– no two dungeons are exactly the same. This is accentuated by the fact that there are two variants. Does anyone know what these variants are?"

Less hands rose to the sky this time around, but Melrose was still shaking her little yellow paw as excitedly as possible. Please call on me! Please, please, please! I know it! I know it!

Flick beeped happily when the teacher called on him to answer the question. "In the simplest of terms, Mystery Dungeons can be distinguished into two categories: Horizontal and Vertical. Vertical Dungeons go up or down, and are usually scaled by staircases. Horizontal Dungeons are traversed by continuing forward. They are occasionally divided by passageways that lead out of the Dungeon proper, allowing for Pokémon to interact with it at those vantage points."

Melrose thought back to when Gaius saved her and Xander from Nightshade Grove. That felt like ages ago now…

"Feral Pokémon can still dwell in those vantage areas, but it is much easier to perform a Rescue when the clients are able to rest there."

"Very good, FL-1-K3E. Mystery Dungeons are all over the continent, and Horizontal Dungeons are common enough for Pokémon to just wander right in. However, if you aren't prepared, even a low-level dungeon can be a tough time." Lucien maneuvered back behind his desk and placed some miscellaneous items atop it for everyone to see. "Every explorer should always have one of each of these on them at any given time. I'm sure you all know what an Oran Berry is, but can anybody recognize what else I've got?"

If Melrose's paw could rocket off of her body and into space, it would do so just to be chosen by the instructor. Lucien's eyes finally fell on her, and the Luxray nodded his head. "Go on, Melrose."

"That Wonder Orb there is an Escape Orb!" The Pikachu blurted out in one breath. Once some of the adrenaline faded from actually being called upon by her hero, Melrose kept going. "Using it will take the user and their team, if they have one, to the entrance of the dungeon. In that there vial is an Elixir! Drinking it heals up any fatigue from using your moves too many times! And– I'm pretty sure the last item is a Heal Seed. Those can help you recover from any status ailment!"

"Very good. You really know your stuff." Lucien's words sent Melrose's heart soaring.

"However–" And then it came crashing down.

"This isn't a Heal Seed. This item is much more important than even that. This unassuming little seed is a Reviver Seed. Just having one of these in your Treasure Bag will revive you the second after you faint. But afterwards, it's left an empty husk of its once amazing power. There are a few theories as to how this phenomenon occurs, but there's still a lot of debate on which of them is accurate."

Melrose's ears fell in absolute shame. How did she not know that it was a Reviver Seed? Lucien probably thought she was a dumb nobody now. Stupid!

"I'm glad to see you weren't all chosen for this school for no reason. I'm a pretty lucky teacher to have such smart young Pokémon to educate." Lucien snatched the items back up and placed them on various student desks. "Go ahead and pass these around so everyone can get a good look. Just be extra careful with the Escape Orb, alright?" The Luxray said with a chuckle.

Once the Reviver Seed was passed along to Melrose, the Pikachu felt its firm yellow shell solemnly. It's as if it was somehow mocking her, and Melrose's cheeks sparked. I accept your challenge, you puny seed! I'll never mix you up with another item ever again! Melrose huffed. Who even needs a stinky Reviver Seed anyways?!

"Uhh… Melrose?" Delta cleared her throat. "You gonna give me my turn with that?"

"Oh! Right– sorry!" Melrose blushed hard as she passed the Reviver Seed to the Buizel next to her.

"Items are integral to an explorer's success. That's why Mystery Dungeons like Celestial Summit are so difficult. For whatever reason, the dungeon itself prohibits Pokémon from bringing any items into it. Hah, perhaps it prefers a fair fight."

"I'm sorry," Neptune glared at the teacher from across the room, a frown souring his face. "Are you suggesting that the dungeon has some sort of consciousness? Please tell me you're joking."

"Hmm, well." Lucien looked up at the ceiling in thought. "I don't personally believe Mystery Dungeons are alive, but there is something quite odd about them that makes them feel that way. When you've been in as many as I have, perhaps you'll understand what I mean."

"Are Mystery Dungeons really that… s-scary?" Ashe whimpered as she mumbled to herself.

"Sometimes they can be pretty frightening, but not always. Some dungeons are actually extremely beautiful and serene, but you still must respect them and their challenges. Fainting in a dungeon is the last thing any explorer wants. Although it doesn't guarantee certain doom, prolonged exposure to the Mystery Dungeon while also being unconscious around wild Pokémon is never good." Lucien padded over to his students to pick up the items that had been passed out. "That's why I always recommend exploring with a partner or teammate."

"Aren't you a solo explorer?" Neptune scoffed.

"Well, yes, but that was after years and years of learning the basics and honing my skills. Rookies should always have another Pokémon around to save their hides in a tricky spot." Lucien smiled to himself, "and that just so happens to be the perfect segue into my first assignment for you all. Before we take on any practice dungeons, I would like all of you to make groups of at least two, three, or no more than four. These won't be permanent teams by any means, and could change further along in the semester, but I think it's only fair that I let you all choose who you'd like to learn about exploration with."

There was a murmuring amongst the class as everyone was dismissed to start creating their groups. Melrose's ears perked up at the sounds of everyone's voices, and quickly turned her head over to Icarus, who was already surrounded by other Pokémon. The Pikachu's ears fell downwards.

"Us Lords and Royalty should make a team, don't you agree?" Florence sang as he twirled.

Xavian scratched the back of their head. "Actually, I want to be on a team with Owin."

"Yes!– Uh, I mean… I had no doubt you would!" Owin puffed out his chest.

For once, the Roselia deflated. "Ah, I see… very well then. I suppose you two plan on working as a duo, then?"

Xavian covered Owin's mouth with their hand. "Yes."

Florence sighed and turned to Neptune and Icarus, "are you both still interested in us three becoming one?"

"Well, I wouldn't exactly phrase it like that." Neptune grumbled. "However, I have no qualms with it. My Liege?"

Before Icarus could say anything, Sabre and Delta pushed past the row of desks. "Wait! Milords!" Sabre huffed and puffed, before standing at attention. "How ever could your subjects and soldiers protect you if you're all clustered into one team?!"

"Sirs! Let us protect you!" Delta gave a solute. "It would be an honor!"

Neptune couldn't fight back the slick grin from forming on his face, which made Melrose's blood boil. "Honorable and valiant knights running to our aid? Hmph, I couldn't possibly justify denying the help, so long as you don't hold us back."

Sabre shook his head feverishly. "I would never allow myself to become a burden to His Highness or his Lords!"

"Mhmm! Me neither! No sir!" Delta chimed in.

"How about this then. Delta forms a team with Young Virion, and Sabre accompanies myself and our Prince." Neptune glanced down at the Tyrunt beside him. "If that is alright with His Majesty, of course."

Icarus's eyes flicked off to the side at Melrose, who hadn't stopped staring at him since she started listening in. The Tyrunt's expression was almost impossible to read, and with a quick glance back at Neptune–

"Very well."

–Melrose's heart sank like a rock. Tearing her eyes away from the Royal Rumpus, she took a glance around the room to see who hadn't decided on a team yet. Blitz asked to be with Owin and Xavian, but the Axew had to politely tell him no. Flick appeared to be analyzing the room, waiting for everyone to finish so he could pick the optimal team to join.

"Want to be on a team with me, Rose?" Ashe's sweet voice came from right behind Melrose's head.

Melrose glanced one last time at Icarus before giving Ashe a dejected sigh. "Yeah, we can be a team together…"

Ashe's tail twitched. "Well, don't sound too excited about it…"

Melrose immediately froze up as guilt slapped her in the face. "S-sorry! I didn't– I– I'm not disappointed or nothing! I'm sorry, Ashe…" The Pikachu's cheeks sparked.

"Heh, no, it's okay… I know I'm not particularly remarkable…"

"Wh– No! I didn't mean it like–"

"Eyy, you girls cool with me joining your team?" Blitz chirped as he hovered over the two rodent Pokémon, flapping his wings hard enough to stir up a little dust.

Melrose swung her arm to compensate for her lack of enthusiasm with Ashe. "The more, the merrier!"

"Sick." Blitz remarked as he landed on the desk beside them.

Flick took a second before floating over to Florence and Delta, who both appeared to welcome the digital Pokémon into their group. Now that everyone was sorted, Lucien took out a piece of paper and dipped his claw-tip in ink.

"Humor me if you would, please. Now that everybody is sorted, I'd love it if you all came up with mock team names. Make them good; who knows how long you'll be keeping them!" The Luxray laughed as he gestured a paw out towards Melrose and her new friends, who just so happened to be the closest group to the front.

The three of them stuttered over each other for a bit.
"Inferno?"
"Mountain?"
"Orchard?"

They all giggled, clear that each of them just said the first word that came to mind.

"Maybe we could mix all those words somehow, y'know?" Blitz tilted his head. "Something like… Fiery Stone-Apple, or something."

"That's pretty bad…" Ashe snickered, "but I think you're on the right track."

"I got it!" Melrose looked at the Exploration Instructor. "Team Rising!"

As Lucien wrote the name down, Blitz and Ashe both gave Melrose peculiar looks. Melrose just smiled back. "Smoke, mountains, trees, they all grow upwards towards the sky! So, team Rising!"

The Pikachu's explanation made the other two Pokémon smile in return, and Melrose was feeling pretty pleased with herself to come up with something so clever as quickly as she did. The other mockup teams were called on one at a time to give Lucien their names, and Melrose was entirely sure no one could match hers.

Florence, Delta, and Flick decided on Team Elegance (Delta and Flick just let the Blue-blood pick the name for them), Xavian and Owin rather quickly came up with Team Destiny, and Icarus and his teammates picked the name Diamond.

"Thank you, it's much easier to write these down than scribbling down each and every student's name in my notes. Now then," Lucien shook the ink off his paw. "Let's run a few hypothetical exploration scenarios, shall we?"