Ever since the Dark Lugia incident ended, Chen Shi and Cynthia had spent an entire week enjoying peaceful days at Professor Oak's Laboratory.
During that time, Grandpa Chen called Chen Shi once, saying that Phoebe wanted to come find him.
Chen Shi immediately refused.
He even told Phoebe to stay at Mt. Pyre for a while longer.
Aside from that—
Thanks to the Secret Realm Core Fragment, Dragapult had successfully broken through to Champion level that very morning.
It had officially become a true Champion-level Pokémon.
Swampert and Florges were only a step away.
Both were currently at the peak of the pseudo-Champion stage.
Dragonite had already said that the two would definitely break through within half a month.
In the backyard—
Chen Shi sat atop a large rock, resting his chin on his hand while watching Dragapult and the others train.
Cynthia sat quietly beside him.
In the distance, Ash and Gary were playing with Jirachi and Victini.
At that moment—
Professor Oak came running over excitedly, his hair a complete mess.
"Shi'er!"
"I've successfully built the thing you talked about before!"
Chen Shi froze.
Turning around, he saw a red machine in Professor Oak's hand.
It was roughly palm-sized.
Judging from its appearance, it looked somewhat similar to a cellphone from his previous life.
"Shi'er, look!"
"This is the prototype Pokédex I've developed!"
Professor Oak excitedly handed over the device.
"Following your suggestion, this machine doesn't just identify Pokémon for new Trainers."
"It can also make calls, access the internet, send emergency distress signals, and more."
Chen Shi took it curiously.
His eyes widened slightly.
Not because it was especially advanced.
This first-generation Pokédex looked almost identical to an old-fashioned button-operated cellphone from his previous life.
The only difference was that it was much larger.
Roughly the size of an entire palm.
Still—
If Professor Oak wasn't exaggerating—
Then future upgraded versions might genuinely rival, or even surpass, smartphones from his previous world.
After all, Pokémon World's technological development was no joke.
The technology tree was simply a little... unconventional.
Cynthia looked at the device in Chen Shi's hand and asked curiously,
"So this is what Professor Oak has been researching all this time?"
Chen Shi nodded.
"That's right."
"Professor wanted to compile data on every known Pokémon and create a comprehensive Pokédex."
"That way, when Trainers encounter an unfamiliar Pokémon during their travels, they can simply scan it and instantly learn what it is."
Professor Oak chuckled beside them.
"Exactly."
"That was my original idea."
"But Shi'er suggested expanding the concept."
"He thought we could add more functions."
"For example—real-time internet access, photography, video recording, GPS positioning, communication..."
"If we can achieve all that, then this device won't just belong to new Trainers anymore."
"It could become something everyone uses."
Cynthia considered it carefully before nodding.
"If it can really do all that..."
"Then it probably would become something everyone needs."
After all, communication in the current Pokémon world remained quite inconvenient.
Most people still relied on landline telephones.
If a portable device capable of calling people and accessing information at any time became available—
Life would become much easier.
Chen Shi played with the Pokédex for a moment before speaking.
"Still, this first-generation model needs improvements."
"For example, it isn't a computer."
"You can't simply plug in a cable."
"The signal network issue still needs solving."
"Also, the design is too bulky."
"It should be thinner and lighter."
"And one more thing."
"I think it should use a touchscreen."
"No buttons necessary."
Professor Oak rolled his eyes.
"You make it sound easy."
"This prototype alone already took an enormous amount of time."
"If I continue improving it, who knows how long it'll take?"
"As for signal coverage and networking—"
"Those aren't things I can solve alone."
"The Pokémon League would have to get involved."
Over the past few weeks, Professor Oak and Chen Shi had exchanged ideas frequently.
He had to admit—
Many of his student's ideas were astonishing.
The problem was that implementing them was incredibly difficult.
Take signal coverage alone.
Was Professor Oak supposed to travel around the world installing communication towers himself?
The scale of such a project was enormous.
Without League support, it would be impossible.
Chen Shi shrugged helplessly.
"That's because you refuse to hire assistants."
"If you were willing to recruit people, we'd probably already be working on the third-generation Pokédex."
Professor Oak scratched his head awkwardly.
Actually—
He preferred conducting research in a quiet environment.
He disliked being disturbed.
That was the primary reason he had never hired assistants.
Still—
The Pokédex project had become so massive that he was genuinely considering it.
After thinking for a moment, Professor Oak shook his head.
"Shi'er, the problem isn't that simple."
"This project involves too many things."
"Let's not even mention the other features."
"Just consider signal coverage."
"If we want the entire world connected, how many signal towers would need to be built?"
"How much manpower and money would that require?"
"The League might not be willing to invest that much."
"If they refuse..."
"Then the Pokédex will only be able to take pictures, record videos, and identify Pokémon."
"If that's all it can do, then there's no need to recruit a huge team."
Chen Shi laughed softly.
He didn't blame Professor Oak for thinking that way.
People in this world had never experienced the internet era.
Naturally, they couldn't fully grasp its significance yet.
If they understood—
They would never worry about these issues.
So Chen Shi smiled and asked,
"Professor, have you ever considered something?"
"If we can create this device exactly as we envision it—"
"And make it affordable—"
"If you were an ordinary citizen, would you buy one?"
"Of course I would."
Professor Oak answered without hesitation.
"If it truly reaches that level, why wouldn't I buy it?"
"Even if it were expensive, I'd still want one."
The corners of Chen Shi's mouth slowly lifted.
His eyes gleamed.
"Then let me ask another question."
"If the price is low enough that everyone can afford it..."
"Do you think it could become something people absolutely need in daily life?"
Professor Oak froze.
A hesitant expression appeared on his face.
After thinking for several moments, he slowly nodded.
"Probably... yes."
"Good."
Chen Shi immediately followed up.
"Then tell me."
"Do you know how many people there are across all the regions combined?"
Professor Oak blinked.
Before he could answer—
A terrifying possibility suddenly emerged in his mind.
And his eyes instantly widened.
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