"So then... what is Absol's opinion?"
Ethan reflected for a moment before speaking, but after saying it, he shook his head.
He knew Absol far too well. With that heart overflowing with justice, it was impossible for it to allow the Dark Force to spread freely across the world.
Sure enough, upon hearing Ethan's words, President Beckett nodded, indicating that Absol had already agreed.
"Moreover, the League has already presented its conditions. If you agree to exchange Absol with the League, they will compensate you with an offspring descended from a Champion-level Pokémon."
President Beckett spoke frankly. Honestly, the offspring of a Champion-level Pokémon was an extremely generous offer.
At first, President Beckett thought Ethan would consider it. However, the moment he finished speaking, he heard Ethan's firm and immediate response: "I refuse."
Hearing that answer, President Beckett fell silent.
At the same time, behind the door, President Beckett's secretary was waiting together with Absol.
When it heard Ethan's resolute refusal, a flash of surprise appeared in Absol's eyes.
It was the offspring of a Champion-level Pokémon! Had his trainer given that up because of him?
While Absol was reflecting, Ethan's voice was heard again from inside: "President, I'm not refusing to let Absol help you confront the Dark League. But... the exchange of Absol that you propose, that I reject."
"Absol is my Pokémon, my partner! No one can take it away from me in any way. I can lend Absol to the League, but the exchange, I refuse."
Hearing the determination in his words, President Beckett was stunned for a moment. Then, a smile appeared at the corner of his lips. What kind of young man was this?
Bang!
At that moment, the door was rammed open.
Absol burst in and threw itself directly toward Ethan.
With tears shining in its eyes, it knocked him to the ground like a big dog and began licking his face enthusiastically.
"Absol, how come you're here?"
Ethan burst out laughing and, after much effort, managed to push away the emotional Absol.
"Absol, you are my partner. And you always will be."
Looking at it seriously, Ethan repeated those words.
Absol nodded solemnly, indicating that it felt the same.
"By the way, Ethan, you're going to participate in the professional Pokémon Hunter evaluation, right?"
"Absol said it wants to protect you once more, so take it with you during the evaluation."
President Beckett walked over at that moment, speaking with a smile.
"Alright. Then, in the next evaluation, I'm counting on you, Absol."
Ethan and Absol looked at each other and smiled knowingly.
"Ah, and here are the Poké Balls of Slowking and Lucario."
President Beckett took out two Poké Balls and handed them to him.
Together with them, he also gave him a ring that looked ancient and simple.
"This is... a space ring?"
After examining it, Ethan's eyes widened slightly.
He had not expected something that only existed in legends to actually appear before him.
All of this felt far too fantastic!
"Take it. With your current contribution to the guild, you are already worthy of possessing this space ring that symbolizes your status."
President Beckett smiled slightly, with a hint of admiration in his gaze.
"Status?"
"Wait... could it be that the experiment succeeded?"
Ethan's eyes shone as he sensed the possibility.
"That's right. Recently, a Munchlax successfully evolved into Snorlax. By observing emotional energy, we discovered that Munchlax absorbed a certain amount of emotional energy and thus completed its final evolution."
"If there are no mistakes, that emotional energy is precisely what you called 'Friendship.' This discovery has already caused quite a sensation within our guild."
"If everything goes as planned, you will be promoted to the rank of Pokémon Professor, specializing in Pokémon evolution. The youngest Pokémon Professor in history!"
President Beckett spoke with evident excitement. Becoming a Pokémon Professor at 20 years old... Ethan would undoubtedly be the youngest in history.
"Although we haven't announced it publicly yet, your status as a Pokémon Professor is unquestionable. Only a few more cases are needed to make it official."
"So I'm taking the initiative to give you this ring that represents your identity."
Hearing this, Ethan lowered his head somewhat embarrassed and stored the ring.
He truly felt a bit embarrassed. Pokémon Professor? To be honest, he had only "borrowed" ideas from others.
He then placed the space ring on his finger, took the Poké Balls of Slowking and Lucario, and left the office together with Absol.
"What an enormous space this ring has. Before, I was worried about the resources I needed to bring. Now, with so much space, I can carry whatever I want. That way I can take my fourteen Pokémon with me without worrying about a lack of resources."
A smile appeared on his face. With a space ring to store supplies and fourteen Pokémon protecting him, he felt that the professional Pokémon Hunter evaluation was practically a guaranteed success.
"Come out, Slowking and Lucario."
After leaving the central building of the guild, he released both of them.
Slowking maintained its usual carefree demeanor, while Lucario floated in the air with its legs crossed, eyes closed, like a monk in deep meditation.
Upon noticing that it had been released, Lucario suddenly opened its eyes. In them, a silver flash briefly shone.
Seeing that, Ethan was momentarily stunned. In his mind appeared the figure of Mega Alakazam. And truthfully, Lucario floating in a lotus position did resemble it somewhat.
"Lucario, it seems you've grown a lot during this time."
Ethan smiled slightly. Ever since Riolu evolved into Lucario, its psychic talent had fully developed.
Those who know it understand that Lucario is a Fighting and Steel-type Pokémon. But anyone who didn't know might easily think it was a Psychic-type Pokémon.
(End of Chapter)