Soon the team arrived at a plaza.
The layout was quite similar to that of the Secret Kingdom used in the Pokémon Hunter exam.
In the center there was a raised platform, where the entrance to the Secret Kingdom was clearly located.
"Do not speak or ask questions. Follow me closely," the officer at the front ordered.
Then he walked toward the platform.
The students quickly nodded and, guided by Professor Langford, followed him.
When the device that activated the Secret Kingdom began to glow, a door of light appeared above the platform.
The officer entered first.
In the next instant, everyone felt their vision blur.
When they opened their eyes, they discovered they were still in a plaza.
But when they looked at the sky in the distance, they saw several extremely tall mountains piercing through the clouds, something completely different from the landscape of the real world.
It was obvious that they were no longer in the real world, but inside the Secret Kingdom.
Even so, building such an enormous military base inside a Secret Kingdom was truly a colossal operation.
While everyone looked around, a military bus arrived from the distance.
After everyone boarded, the vehicle drove straight out of the base.
"Daleron League Military Base."
Ethan glanced at the name on the gate of the base and memorized it.
Then the bus sped forward along a road that cut through a vast plain.
During the journey, through the windows, Pokémon could occasionally be seen moving among the forests on both sides of the road.
But these Pokémon seemed to fear the military bus. After looking at it from afar, they quickly fled.
The students remained silent while observing the scenery outside.
Although they had many questions, they remembered the officer's orders and no one spoke.
Finally, after a long journey, another military fortress appeared in the distance.
Federal League Military Base!
Evidently, that was the exit of the Secret Kingdom toward the Federal League.
They only needed to pass through there to arrive directly at their destination.
Soon after, the bus entered the Federal League military base.
There, many officers with white skin and black skin could be seen moving around the base.
"Those people... they're officers of the Federal League!"
Some students recognized them by the flags and emblems, opening their eyes in surprise.
Even the slower ones to react had already understood what was happening.
Soon after, a white officer carried out the handover with the officer who had guided them.
After checking Ethan's and the others' passports and inspecting their belongings, the officer led them to another plaza, where they once again entered another Secret Kingdom passage.
...
"Have we... arrived?"
Standing in front of the Federal League military fortress, some students looked somewhat confused.
What had they just experienced?
Just two hours ago they were still in the Daleron League.
But now they had crossed the Pacific Ocean directly and appeared in the Federal League on the other side of the ocean!
"Using Secret Kingdoms to perform spatial transfer?"
"The transportation system of this world seems even more advanced than the one in my previous life."
After understanding what had happened, everyone who was experiencing spatial transfer through a Secret Kingdom for the first time could not help but sigh in amazement.
"It seems I could try using Dragon Valley to perform rapid spatial transfers. If that's the case, I could quickly travel through all the major Leagues. Although... I don't know how the visa issue would work. Wouldn't they treat me as an illegal immigrant?"
At that moment, Ethan fell into thought. However, he could ask President Beckett about that matter.
If there was no other solution, he would have to enter through official channels. Though, if it involved uninhabited places outside the jurisdiction of any League, it probably wouldn't be necessary to worry too much about that.
...
Half a day later
The exchange delegation from Ironvale City Pokémon University arrived at Harvard Pokémon University.
With the start of the World Pokémon University Exchange, universities from different Leagues responded actively, sending delegations to Harvard Pokémon University.
For a time, the campus was filled with people.
Students from different regions gathered in the same place.
"There are many Pokémon I've never seen before."
On the training field, several students from the delegations stopped to watch.
On one of the battle fields, an Emboar was fighting against a Serperior.
Both Pokémon belonged to the Unova region of the Pokémon world and, in this world, they were characteristic Pokémon of the American continent. On other continents it was very difficult to see them in person.
"They're Emboar and Serperior. I've seen them in the records, but this is the first time I've seen them in real life. I'd love to battle against those two Pokémon. It would surely be very interesting."
A student from the intermediate campus of Ironvale City Pokémon University spoke with excitement.
"Yeah, and if we could capture one it would be even better." Another student replied. According to the exchange program, there was a possibility that some students could obtain Pokémon prepared by Harvard Pokémon University.
However, that would be very difficult. Only the most outstanding exchange students would have the opportunity to receive that privilege.
"Pokémon from the Unova region... Emboar, Serperior, and Samurott are truly excellent starter Pokémon."
Even Ethan felt a little tempted. If the opportunity arose, he wouldn't mind capturing one of the Unova starters with great potential.
"Relax, in an exchange event there can't be a lack of battles between students. When the time comes we'll surely face Pokémon from the Federal League as well."
After stopping for a moment, the delegation finally arrived at the dormitories that Harvard Pokémon University had prepared for them.
...
At night
Ethan declined the proposal to participate in group activities.
Although he was participating in the exchange, he could not neglect training.
After all, the youth tournament of the World Championship was about to begin, and his Pokémon could not relax. They had to remain in the best possible battle condition.
Marcus and the others understood that Ethan would participate in the World Championship, so they did not insist and allowed him to train on his own.
Bright lights illuminated the university stadium.
Although it was already night, the Pokémon training field was still full of activity.
Especially because it was exchange period; foreign students could often be seen training.
On some battle fields, Pokémon from other regions had already appeared, such as Delphox and Greninja.
Because of this, many students had gathered in the stadium to watch, creating an extremely lively atmosphere.
After arriving at the stadium, Ethan also observed several battles.
Some Pokémon were truly interesting. Although, as someone who had traveled from another world, he already knew their information, seeing them in reality was quite different from what the records described.
(End of chapter)