"So, is your presentation draft ready?"
Cynthia was sitting in a chair. She reached out and pinched one of the cat ears held by Lucario, popping it into her mouth with a crunch, and asked.
Lucas was lying on the bed. Hearing Cynthia's words, he had Gothitelle bring his draft over and place it next to the camera. "Look, I've prepared so much. I've been working on this for a whole week."
"You've worked hard."
Cynthia popped the last piece of the cat ear into her mouth and said, "By the way, the meeting starts tomorrow morning. Is it really okay for you to still be at the Breeding House today?"
"Don't worry. As long as the academic summit is held in the Sinnoh Region, I can arrive in minutes."
Cynthia realized, "That's true."
"Then see you tomorrow."
Cynthia yawned, then stood up, the rotom phone moving as she did.
"Will you be there tomorrow too?"
Lucas asked, full of expectation.
Cynthia stopped, looking at the screen with confusion, and asked, "Did you not check the list Professor Oak sent you?"
"No, why? I only checked which number I was in the lineup and didn't look at the rest," Lucas replied matter-of-factly.
Cynthia shook her head helplessly; she knew it would be like this.
"Did you forget that I am also a Pokémon Researcher?"
Cynthia continued, "I have a research sharing session with my grandmother tomorrow as well."
"A research sharing session with your grandmother? Have you been doing research during this time?"
"Of course. Besides handling affairs, I've been doing fieldwork and research every day while running around."
"I thought you were just slacking off—"
"Hm?"
"Which topic are you and your grandmother sharing about this time?"
"The connection and authenticity between the legends of the Sinnoh Region and Legendary Pokémon."
"Legendary Pokémon? Palkia and the others?"
"That's right. Because of your help in handling things, I've collected a lot of theories this time."
"Then do you want me to bring Giratina over tomorrow to add to the authenticity of your research topic?"
"—That won't be necessary, right? That would cause a panic."
"Alright, I'll listen to you."
Lucas nodded and yawned. "I'm done for. The air conditioning is so comfortable, I'm going to sleep. See you tomorrow, Miss Cynthia."
Cynthia hummed, "See you tomorrow, my Lucas."
"!"
"That doesn't count, you're launching a sneak attack!"
Lucas protested, unable to handle being flirted with so suddenly by Cynthia.
"I'm not listening, good night."
Cynthia hung up the phone.
Looking at the hung-up phone, Lucas did a 'salted fish' flip, accidentally shaking Gothitelle, who was reading on the bed, into the air.
Lying at the foot of the bed, Lucas saw Gothitelle looking at it and spread his hands. "Mother Gothitelle, carry me back to the head of the bed."
Hearing Lucas's unreasonable request, Gothitelle closed the book, used psychic power to drag Lucas from the foot of the bed back to the head, tucked him in, and turned off the lights in the room.
"Gothitelle."
Good night.
"Good night, Gothitelle, good night everyone."
Gengar, who was hiding on the ceiling playing with a tablet, saw the lights go out, put the tablet back on the table, and covered itself with the small blanket Lucas had specially prepared for it.
"Gengar gen!"
Good night. The remaining Pokémon also stopped what they were doing, drifting into a peaceful sleep amidst Lucas's light snoring.
Sinnoh Region, Solaceon Town.
"I didn't expect the Pokémon Academic Summit to be held in Solaceon Town this year." Professor Birch, carrying a backpack, looked at the buildings in Solaceon Town and said, "I thought it would be held in Celestic Town."
His assistant heard him and said, "It is said that it was held in Celestic Town last time, so it's being held in Solaceon Town this time."
Birch nodded. "Solaceon Town is quite nice too. Compared to the ancient and serious nature of Celestic Town, I prefer the relaxed atmosphere of Solaceon Town. Let's go in. I wonder if there will be any eye-opening research at this meeting."
"If all goes well, there should be. Hasn't the topic of Pokémon Food Therapy caused a lot of controversy recently?"
Hearing his assistant's words, Professor Birch stroked his beard and nodded. "That paper, I've read it. It's very well written. It involves many research topics. If they were to be researched individually, it's estimated that many papers could be written."
"I just don't know if the author of this paper will come. It's the first time I've seen a Pokémon Researcher who can have Professor Oak and Professor Rowan serve as assistants." Professor Birch said.
He himself was the youngest person in the entire Pokémon academic community to receive a doctorate, and he was also a genius in Pokémon research.
However, he seemed to have some social anxiety.
"Just thinking about having to greet so many people—I kind of want to run away. Can't we just listen to the research and discuss the topics properly—why must we make small talk?"
Birch looked at the gate of the venue, somewhat wanting to turn around and leave, but in the end, he was pushed into the venue by his assistant's pulling and dragging.
At this time, many famous professors in the Pokémon academic world were already present.
For example, Professor Juniper from the Unova Region who studies the origin of Pokémon, Professor Kukui from the Alola Region who studies Pokémon moves, Professor Elm from the Johto Region who studies Pokémon breeding habits, Professor Magnolia from the Galar Region who studies the Dynamax phenomenon, and so on.
Many scholars and professors came over to greet Professor Birch upon seeing him.
Professor Birch could only 'operate' (socialize) under duress.
At this time, Sonia, who was following Professor Magnolia, saw Cynthia next to Professor Carolina, her eyes lit up. She let go of Professor Magnolia's arm and ran over to greet Cynthia.
"Champion Cynthia, hello. I didn't expect you to come to this summit as well."
Cynthia recognized Sonia and greeted her with a smile.
"Because I also have a topic that needs to be presented on stage this time."
Sonia suddenly realized, "So that's how it is?"
After chatting for a while, Cynthia and Sonia introduced Professor Magnolia and Professor Carolina to each other.
Taking advantage of the free time, Sonia saw that Lucas was not following Cynthia, and asked curiously, "Is Lucas not coming to this summit? His paper on 'Food Therapy' is very well written."
As a Pokémon Researcher, she had also read Lucas's paper, but she didn't expect Professor Oak and Professor Rowan to be his assistants.
As expected of Lucas—too strong.
"He'll probably come in a while. Anyway, his report is the last one."
Cynthia knew Lucas's personality very well. As the last one to present, he would probably arrive just in time.
After Professor Magnolia and Professor Carolina chatted for a while, Professor Magnolia saw Professor Oak and Professor Rowan appear in the center of the venue, so she said goodbye to Professor Carolina and left towards Professor Oak.
"Excuse me, let's talk later. Goodbye." Sonia said, chasing after Professor Magnolia.
"That kid Lucas, he's still not here. Does he really want so many people to wait for him?" Professor Carolina couldn't find Lucas, tapped her cane on the floor, and expressed her dissatisfaction.
Cynthia could only smile at this. She didn't dare to speak, lest Professor Carolina involve her as well.
"Has that guy Lucas prepared the content for his report on stage?" Professor Carolina complained, but she was still very concerned about Lucas, so she looked up and asked Cynthia, who had returned to her side.
"He told me last night that he was ready. I saw that he had prepared quite a lot of materials. He spent a whole week preparing it."
"Hmph! Calling in the middle of the night! It's not like you call your grandmother at night. Preparing for a week—couldn't he have prepared earlier? Reporting on research is such a serious matter, how can one week be enough to do it perfectly? What can you do in one week? I just hope he doesn't embarrass himself on stage and make you and me look bad!" Professor Carolina finished and tapped the floor again.
"Has that guy not come yet?" Professor Oak scanned everyone present, didn't find Lucas, and asked.
Professor Rowan's expression was as serious as ever. "Looks like it."
"He wouldn't be so scared that he didn't dare to come, would he?" Professor Oak was a bit worried.
Professor Rowan shook his head. "Probably not. He's not that kind of person."
"He's here." Professor Oak looked at the figure emerging from the alley in front, a smile on his face.
"Why did you set the location next to a trash can?"
Lucas lowered his head to tidy up his clothes. This formal outfit was tailor-made for him by the Yuan couple after they learned he was going to attend the Pokémon Academic Summit, and it was ridiculously expensive.
However, he didn't pay for it.
"Gengar gen!" (You opened the portal yourself, why are you asking me?!)
Gengar looked resentful. How could someone open the exit of the Distortion Channel next to a trash can? It smelled so bad for a big fat ghost.
"But fortunately, I didn't run into anyone."
After Lucas finished speaking, he saw Professor Oak and Professor Rowan standing at the door and ran up to them.
"Professor Oak, Professor Rowan, who are you waiting for? You wouldn't be waiting for me, would you?"
Professor Oak nodded. "We were afraid you wouldn't come. We were just about to go to the Breeding House in person to knock you out and bring you here."
Hearing Professor Oak's joke, Lucas shook his head. "How could I not come? I've been preparing for this day for a whole week. If I didn't come after spending so much effort, you and Professor Rowan wouldn't even need to go and drag me here; Gothitelle would have already dragged me here."
Gothitelle would never allow the hard work it put in to be wasted.
So as long as Lucas dared to regret not coming, it would dare to use a sack with Gengar to knock Lucas out, stuff him inside, and send him over.
"All prepared?" Professor Rowan looked at Lucas with a smile.
Lucas nodded. "I'll do my best."
"That's good. It's about to start, let's go in." Professor Rowan finished and looked at Professor Oak. Professor Oak patted Lucas on the shoulder and walked into the venue with Professor Rowan.
Lucas searched the venue but couldn't find Cynthia. He finally found Cynthia accompanying Professor Carolina and a professor he didn't know walking into the venue. Before he could go over to say hello, Professor Oak announced the start of the summit.
Everyone found their seats and sat down. Unfortunately, Lucas's seat was far away from Cynthia's.
Lucas found his seat. Just as he sat down, he saw a familiar face walking over.
Looking at that familiar face, Lucas couldn't help but laugh out loud.
He was too familiar with this face.
An indispensable person in GBA works, a man who is chased in circles by Poochyena day after day.
A professor who studies Pokémon habitats.
Also the youngest professor in the Pokémon world.
Professor Birch.
"What's wrong?" Birch asked, looking at Lucas, who was laughing.
Lucas shook his head quickly. "Nothing, I just thought of a joke and couldn't help but laugh."
Birch sat down beside Lucas and looked at the young man beside him curiously. "Can I know what joke it is?"
Lucas paused for a moment and then said, "I once went to a house to help treat the psychological problems of their Pokémon. They also had a Squirtle. I thought it was quite cute, so I asked it if it could lend me some money."
"Do you know how the Squirtle answered?"
"How did it answer?"
"It shook its head and said, 'Squirtle, Squirtle', 'Squirtle'."
A classic Pokémon joke.
Who knew that after listening, Birch was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter, tears even coming out of his eyes.
Lucas: ?
Huh? Is this joke that funny? Isn't this a cold joke?
Is Professor Birch's sense of humor this low?
After Birch finished laughing, he wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes and looked at Lucas. "No wonder you were laughing so happily just now."
Lucas was ashamed. "Yeah."
Birch looked at the young man in front of him who was not much different in age from himself. He always felt that there was an aura of peace on the man in front of him, which seemed to be the smell of herbal medicine, which made people relax easily. When facing him, he didn't feel as embarrassed as he did when facing others.
So he took the initiative to speak: "Hello, my name is Birch."
Of course I know you! Famous name.
"Hello, Professor Birch, long time no see. My name is Lucas, and I am the owner of a Breeding House."
Lucas introduced himself.
"Lucas—such a familiar name—"
Birch seemed to remember where he had heard this name, but couldn't recall it for a moment.
On the field, Professor Oak was saying the opening remarks. The words were not many, and he finished speaking quickly. After the opening remarks, Professor Oak announced the official start of today's Pokémon Summit.
The first one to take the stage was a female professor. The topic of her report was: "The Significance of Pokémon Dreams."
"Pokémon dreams? Darkrai and Cresselia?"
Lucas pinched his chin, listening carefully to the professor's report on the field.
Suddenly, a voice came from beside him that startled Lucas.
"I remember! This name!"
Lucas quickly turned to look at Birch, only to see Birch looking at him with a sudden realization.
"You are the Breeder who wrote that paper on 'Food Therapy', right?"
Lucas nodded. "If there are no other topics about 'Food Therapy', then it should be me."
"I was wondering why your name sounded so familiar. Let me tell you, your paper is very well written, especially since it involves some issues about Pokémon habitats. May I ask if you have also studied Pokémon habitats?"
Lucas hesitated for a moment. If his Breeding House being divided into different areas according to different Pokémon also counted as Pokémon habitats, then it should be, right?
"A little bit?"
Lucas gestured with his index finger and thumb.
"That's great. I also study Pokémon habitats. Can we communicate?"
"But isn't there a report going on above—"
"That? Generally, many famous professors won't listen carefully to reports that have nothing to do with their own topics, except for Professor Oak and Professor Rowan. They need to listen carefully and then score."
"Is that so?"
Birch kept nodding.
So, after the summit started and until he went up to report, Lucas was pulled by Professor Birch to communicate about the issue of Pokémon habitats.
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Thoughts on where the plot is heading? Let me know in the comments! If you're enjoying the ride, please leave a quick review and toss a few Power Stones my way. Every bit of support means the world! 🙌