Eleanor looked at Jacob with an expression of complete speechlessness.
If Jacob hadn't already produced so many impressive experimental results, she would have found him utterly unreliable and irresponsible.
Is this really the future scientific research star, the rising research prodigy of China that everyone keeps talking about?
How could someone begin an experiment without even knowing who his experimental assistant was supposed to be?
If it weren't for Jacob's significant experimental achievements standing right there as undeniable proof of his capabilities, she would have genuinely wanted to throw in the towel and walk away from this entire situation.
"The other assistant is Arya from Shuimu University. She's a genius Pokémon Doctor who graduated with her doctorate at the remarkably young age of just twenty-six years old," Eleanor explained, her tone carrying a hint of annoyance.
"Arya? Never heard of her before. Well then, if you have time, please contact her for me," Jacob said casually. He reached into his bag and pulled out a small piece of Wishing Star along with a Dynamax Band, handing both items to Eleanor. "Can you examine whether it's possible to create this type of band using this particular stone?"
"What exactly is this? I'll need to take it to the laboratory to conduct proper analysis and find out," Eleanor replied without giving it much thought.
"That won't work. You can only research this specifically in the Fountainhead Laboratory," Jacob said firmly. Hearing Eleanor's intention to take the Wishing Star and Dynamax Band elsewhere, Jacob naturally wouldn't agree to such a plan. "Moreover, you can only conduct research on it when I'm physically present, and you absolutely cannot tell anyone outside our research team about this. You also cannot take it out of the laboratory under any circumstances. Whenever you have available time to come to the Fountainhead Laboratory, then and only then can you research it properly."
Since this was the only usable Dynamax Band rewarded by the system in the entire world, Jacob naturally couldn't simply hand it over to Eleanor without strict conditions and safeguards in place.
They could research it together, certainly, but only within the controlled environment of the Fountainhead Laboratory.
Hearing Jacob's extremely distrustful and restrictive words, Eleanor felt somewhat uncomfortable at first, but after thinking about it more carefully, she felt relieved and understanding.
Judging by Jacob's serious attitude and the strict conditions he was imposing, it was abundantly clear that this new experiment represented an extremely important research project.
For such a critically important new project, ensuring complete confidentiality and security was perfectly normal and entirely reasonable.
"What exactly is this thing that makes it so important?" However, Eleanor still asked, somewhat unwilling to give up her curiosity entirely.
"It's definitely something directly related to the experiment, and that's all I can say for now," Jacob replied carefully. "This absolutely must be kept secret. You should first contact that... Arya person, arrange a suitable time for the three of us to meet together, and then we'll head to the Fountainhead Laboratory to begin our research."
"Okay, I'll find time to contact Arya soon. Or actually, why don't you set a specific time that works for you?" Eleanor asked practically.
"This week just marked the start of the semester, so I don't have much free time available. At most, I'm only free during the weekend. How about we meet on the weekend?" Jacob suggested after thinking for a moment.
"Okay, that works for me."
...…
After leaving Eleanor's office, Jacob's phone rang again, and seeing the caller ID displayed on the screen immediately gave Jacob a splitting headache.
"Julia."
Although based on his experience and interactions with Raya, Julia was definitely not Raya's biological daughter, Jacob still felt considerably awkward when facing Julia directly. He had inadvertently gained an incredibly complicated senior status in her life.
"Hello," Jacob answered, his voice uncertain.
"I'm at school right now! What about you? Have you arrived at campus yet?" Julia's voice sounded joyful and energetic as she complained playfully, "I've finally escaped from Treasure Island. Jacob, this is all because of you, you know. If I hadn't lost to you in the High School Cup finals, I wouldn't have been stuck on Treasure Island for so long, being forced into intensive special training by my family members."
"However, Jacob, I'm telling you right now—my strength has increased tremendously again. Next time we battle, I might not necessarily lose to you anymore." Julia's tone carried strong confidence and determination. It seemed highly likely that she had successfully captured a genuinely powerful Pokémon during her time away.
It seemed Jacob would have to find an opportunity to battle her using his second team of Pokémon.
It was definitely time to let her experience the overwhelming power of Iron Valiant, Darkrai, Mega Diancie, and his permanently solidified Gigantamax Lapras firsthand.
...…
"I also arrived at school this morning, actually," Jacob replied cautiously.
"Are you free to have dinner together tonight? We could catch up properly," Julia asked, her voice filled with hopeful anticipation.
"Forget it... I mean, sorry, I can't. I have something important scheduled for tonight," Jacob said nervously as cold sweat formed on his forehead. Julia's overwhelming enthusiasm was far too much for him to handle comfortably, especially after the entire complicated situation with Raya. How could he possibly have dinner alone with Julia under these circumstances? "Maybe another time would be better."
"Alright then, I suppose that's fine. Our dormitory is having a get-together tonight anyway, and I was planning to introduce you to my roommates," Julia said, her tone filled with obvious regret and disappointment. "But you absolutely can't refuse me next time, okay?"
"Next time, definitely next time. I still have something urgent I need to take care of right now, so I'll be busy. Talk to you later."
"Mm, okay."
After hanging up the phone, Jacob released a long, relieved breath. Almost immediately afterward, he picked up his phone again and dialed Alfredo's number.
During the holiday break, he had felt completely idle and bored, but he hadn't expected that once the semester actually started, absolutely everything would pile up all at once.
...…
"Captain Alfredo, this is Jacob," Jacob's voice came through clearly.
"Mm. You've arrived at school then?" Alfredo's voice remained characteristically calm and composed.
"Yes, arrived earlier today," Jacob confirmed.
"Have you put your belongings away properly? Have all the necessary enrollment procedures been completed?" Alfredo inquired methodically.
"Yes, everything's pretty much finished and taken care of."
"Alright then, where are you currently located? I'll come pick you up," Alfredo's voice rang out with authority. "You're actually the last one to arrive among all the members assigned to Team Zero."
"Something unavoidable delayed me," Jacob said somewhat awkwardly, unconsciously rubbing his nose in embarrassment.
...…
Approximately ten minutes later, Jacob met up with Alfredo, who still maintained her decisive and efficient demeanor. She had neat short hair and stood with a tall, straight military posture that commanded respect.
"Captain Alfredo," Jacob greeted her, looking at her with appropriate respect.
"Mm. Come with me, and we can talk as we walk," Alfredo said, her short hair neat and professional as she walked ahead confidently. "I've already spoken directly to your university professors and had your month-long military training canceled. You can use this entire month to go on an official mission instead."
"What kind of mission?" Jacob asked with surprise. He hadn't expected to be sent on his very first mission quite so soon.
"I'll explain the details when we arrive at our destination. First, I need to take you to meet your assigned partner," Alfredo replied.
"Partner?" Jacob's eyes showed some confusion at this revelation.
"That's correct. Team Zero consists of a total of ten new members who have been strategically divided into five small groups. Each group contains two new members, plus one experienced veteran member from other teams serving as the group leader, thereby forming five complete small teams."
"Who exactly is my partner?" Jacob asked with growing curiosity.
"You'll find out when we get there," Alfredo said with a slight smile crossing her usually serious face. "I can assure you that their strength definitely won't be inferior to yours in any way."
...…
As they continued speaking, the two of them got into Alfredo's pickup truck and drove directly to the Pokémon Association Headquarters building.
"Our office is located on the eighth floor."
The last time Jacob had visited this building was to receive his prize from the Pokémon Association competition. He hadn't expected that this time he would actually be coming here in an official capacity to work.
"Here, this is your confidential security access card. Later, you'll need to have the staff record your fingerprint in the system. It operates on a double unlock system requiring both your fingerprint and the access card together."
So complicated and secure?
Listening carefully to Alfredo's detailed explanation, Jacob began to realize that the actual work of Team Zero might not be nearly as simple or straightforward as he had initially imagined it would be.
"Let's go. Welcome to officially join the Charizard Special Operations Team's Team Zero unit."
"Your designated group leader and the other team member arrived yesterday afternoon already. Only you were missing from the complete roster. This is your assigned office space. Because you arrived last among everyone, your office ended up being positioned in the corner location," Alfredo explained as she took out her access card, swiped it across the electronic reader to open the security door, and walked confidently inside the facility.