Encounter

"Excuse me, who are you?"

Just as Gary arrived at the entrance to Professor Rowan's laboratory and was about to knock, an unfamiliar voice came from behind him, interrupting him.

Hearing the question, Gary lowered his right hand and turned around to see who it was.

The moment he turned, he saw a tall middle-aged man standing behind him. The man wore a blue shirt beneath a lab-exclusive white coat.

Though there was some stubble on his chin, it only added to his dashing and handsome appearance.

The instant Gary saw him, he recognized him.

"You're Professor Sycamore from the Kalos Region."

Professor Sycamore was slightly surprised that someone in the Sinnoh Region recognized him. He then asked in a somewhat astonished tone, "Young man, do you know me?"

Hearing Professor Sycamore's words, Gary smiled lightly. "Given your reputation in Pokémon research, Professor Sycamore, I imagine there are very few people who don't know you."

After hearing Gary's words, Professor Sycamore's face gained a smile, and he modestly replied, "You flatter me."

Although Gary's words contained plenty of flattery, who did not enjoy being praised?

"No, Professor Sycamore. Even my grandfather speaks highly of your research into Pokémon Mega Evolution."

After hearing Professor Sycamore's modest response, Gary shook his head and mentioned his grandfather in passing.

"Your grandfather?" As a Pokémon Professor, Professor Sycamore quickly caught the key word in Gary's statement.

"May I ask who your grandfather is?"

When Gary heard Professor Sycamore ask about his grandfather, the corners of his lips rose slightly. His main goal had been achieved.

"My grandfather is Yukinari Ohki."

"Your grandfather is Professor Oak!" Upon hearing Gary's words, Professor Sycamore immediately found the name Yukinari Ohki familiar. A figure quickly surfaced in his mind, and he looked at Gary in surprise.

"That's right. My name is Gary, and Professor Oak is my grandfather." Gary nodded with a smile.

Sometimes, he had to admit that Professor Oak's name was truly a universal pass. No matter where he went, he could use his grandfather's reputation to close the distance between them. It was quite a good idea!

Thinking of this, Gary could not help but marvel at how famous his grandfather truly was!

If Professor Oak found out that Gary was using his name to "bluff and swindle" people outside like this, would he give him a proper scolding? That was hard to say.

"My grandfather once said that your research into Pokémon Mega Evolution was a tremendously important discovery."

Gary then used Professor Oak's name to praise Professor Sycamore once more.

"Gary, you know about Pokémon Mega Evolution too?" Professor Sycamore was somewhat surprised when Gary brought up the Mega Evolution he had been researching.

"Yes, I have a little superficial knowledge of Mega Evolution."

Gary then told Professor Sycamore some of what he knew about Pokémon Mega Evolution.

"I never expected you to know so much about Mega Evolution, Gary." Even Professor Sycamore was somewhat surprised after listening to Gary's explanation.

"After I happened to obtain a Blastoise Mega Stone, I looked into some things related to Mega Evolution."

Although Gary's Mega Stone had been gifted by the system, and his knowledge came from what he had learned from anime in his previous life, they still belonged to him, so he was not lying.

"Gary, you actually have a Blastoise Mega Stone!" Upon hearing this, Professor Sycamore's voice instantly rose several notches.

He then anxiously said to Gary, "Could you let me witness Blastoise's Mega Evolution?"

At the mention of Mega Evolution, Professor Sycamore completely shed his usual dashing demeanor and entered the fervent state possessed by Pokémon Professors these days.

"Although I would very much like to help you, Professor Sycamore, I only have a Blastoise Mega Stone. I don't have a Key Stone, so I can't help you."

After saying that, Gary began to think, It seems I really will have to ask Grandpa to help me search for a Key Stone. With Mega Evolution within my grasp, how could I not want to try it?

After hearing Gary's words, Professor Sycamore did not give up. Instead, he continued asking, "It doesn't matter if you don't have a Key Stone—I do!"

"I happen to have a Key Stone. Let's hurry up and test Mega Evolution!"

Professor Sycamore could now be said to be utterly obsessed with researching Pokémon Mega Evolution.

"Um..."

However, just as Gary was about to agree, a cough interrupted the conversation between him and Professor Sycamore.

Before them, the tightly shut doors of the laboratory had somehow opened, and a stern-faced elderly man had appeared.

"Professor Rowan!"

"Teacher!"

That was right. The person who appeared at the entrance to Professor Rowan's laboratory was none other than Professor Rowan himself.

Seeing Professor Rowan suddenly appear, both Gary and Professor Sycamore cried out in surprise.

"Can't it be me?" Professor Rowan said with a stern expression. "I could hear you two talking from inside the laboratory. If I hadn't opened the door, were you not planning to come in?"

"Of course not, Teacher." Facing his teacher, Professor Sycamore's imposing manner immediately weakened considerably.

"I was just interested in the topic of Pokémon Mega Evolution."

"If you want to research it, that isn't a problem. But you should at least come into the laboratory first." Professor Rowan still wore that stern expression. "What kind of behavior is it to stand outside talking the whole time?"

If Gary had not known that Professor Rowan was an elderly man who looked harsh but was kind at heart, he might have been too frightened by that stern face to say a word.

"I understand. I'll come in right away." Under the pressure of his teacher, the previously fervent Professor Sycamore immediately quieted down.

"By the way, you must be Oak's grandson, Gary. Your grandfather told me about you long ago." After putting Professor Sycamore in line, Professor Rowan turned his gaze toward Gary.

"Yes, Professor Rowan. I came at my grandfather's request to collect some documents." Although Professor Rowan's stern expression was somewhat intimidating, Gary answered calmly and without servility.

"I know." Professor Rowan nodded, then continued, "Come in with us as well."

After saying that, Professor Rowan turned and walked into the laboratory.

After Gary and Professor Sycamore silently exchanged a glance, they followed him inside together.