Chapter 511: Student Council, President Tristan

"Darren, what happened here? What caused all this?"

The newcomer waved dust away from his face and looked at Darren through a pair of glasses.

"President? What are you doing here?"

Darren stared at him in surprise.

The young man was Tristan, Crown University's current Student Council President and a fourth-year student.

Darren was also on the Student Council. That was how he had earned the privilege of "welcoming" freshmen in the first place.

Unfortunately for him, today the freshman had been the one doing the welcoming.

"The university president asked me to pick up an important new student," Tristan said, pushing up his glasses. "Aaron, number one on the Hidden Dragon Rankings."

"He said Aaron might still be waiting in the registration line, so I came over immediately."

"Number one on the Hidden Dragon Rankings... Aaron?"

Darren looked puzzled, then turned toward Aaron with a grin.

"What a coincidence. You've got the same name."

"Damn, are all Aarons this ridiculous? I'm naming my future son Aaron too."

He rubbed his buzz cut, apparently making a genuine life decision on the spot.

Aaron: "..."

This guy was unbelievable.

Was the possibility that he was that Aaron really so hard to consider?

Tristan, meanwhile, finally took a closer look at him.

Why did he look familiar?

A second later, Tristan pulled out the photo the university president had sent him.

He looked at the photo.

Then at Aaron.

Then back at the photo.

"Oh."

He hurried over, visibly embarrassed.

"Aaron, I'm sorry. I didn't recognize you at first."

He extended his hand.

"I'm Tristan, Student Council President of Pokémon League University. On behalf of the university, welcome."

Aaron shook his hand.

"No problem. Thanks, Tristan."

Tristan had spoken loudly enough for the nearby stands to hear.

Silence spread through the crowd.

This freshman was number one on the Hidden Dragon Rankings?

For a heartbeat, nobody said a word.

Then the place exploded.

"Holy shit! That's Aaron? The number one?"

"I'm standing this close to my idol. I might actually pass out."

"I knew he wasn't some random freshman, but number one on the Hidden Dragon Rankings?!"

"What a way to start the year. Crown University is insane."

"Aaron! I'm your fan! Marry me! I can top or bottom!"

"Get lost, you creep!"

...

The students in the stands stared at Aaron with renewed excitement.

Darren, on the other hand, had completely short-circuited.

"Pres... President. He's really Aaron?"

Tristan gave him a flat look.

"Yes, Darren. That Aaron."

Something clicked in Darren's head.

"No wonder his Pokémon are monsters!"

"That explains everything!"

Then, just as quickly, his despair vanished.

"Wait a second."

"I got swept by the number one Trainer on the Hidden Dragon Rankings."

He brightened.

"That's not embarrassing at all!"

"My Pokémon even managed to scuff Snorlax a little. That practically counts as an achievement."

"This is a win! I can brag about this for a year!"

A moment ago, he had looked ready to crawl into a hole. Now he was practically glowing.

"Aaron! Welcome to Crown University!"

Aaron smiled.

"You don't have to act so polite. I liked you better when you were acting all confident and handsome."

Darren rubbed his buzz cut and laughed sheepishly.

"All right," Tristan cut in. "Aaron, come with me. I'll get your registration finished and take you to your residence."

"The university is covering all your expenses, and you'll receive an Elite Campus Card. Food, drinks, campus facilities—anything covered by the card is free."

Darren stared at Aaron with naked envy.

At this point, Crown University had practically adopted him.

This was VIP treatment on another level.

The president clearly valued Aaron a great deal.

"Thanks," Aaron said. "I appreciate the help."

"That's what I'm here for."

Tristan mounted Charizard and gestured for Aaron to join him.

ROOOAR!

Charizard launched into the air as the crowd watched enviously.

"AARON!"

Ricky's scream came from below.

"DON'T LEAVE ME!"

"DID YOU FORGET ABOUT ME? COME BACK!"

"I'M YOUR BRO, MAN!"

But by then, Aaron was already disappearing into the distance.

...