Teacher

Professor Birch called Kam and Zeno into his office. He wanted to learn more about Zeno's situation and discuss his plans with them.

"Hello, Village Chief Kam. Do you know anything about Zeno being able to communicate with Pokémon?" Professor Birch asked the somewhat reserved Kam.

"I do. I discovered it when he was very young. I specifically went to the library in Lilycove City to look it up, and the information there said that these were traits of the Descendants of the People of Water." Hearing Professor Birch's question, Kam shared what he knew.

"Descendants of the People of Water... Wait, let me look up some information."

Hearing those familiar words, Professor Birch immediately stopped him. He moved his chair beside the large bookshelf on the right side of the office and began searching through the records.

"People of Water, People of Water... Found it. Let me see."

Professor Birch pulled out a thin, worn-looking book. He slowly blew the dust off it and gently opened it.

"The People of Water, a minority ethnic group in ancient Hoenn, lived in the deep sea generation after generation. They worshipped Manaphy, Prince of the Sea, and built the Temple of the Sea—Samiya—for it. In return, Manaphy blessed their entire people. The People of Water thus gained miraculous abilities. Not only could they understand Water-type Pokémon, they could even live freely underwater."

There were many illustrations in the book, and Professor Birch skipped over some irrelevant information, so he turned the pages quickly.

"Later, as time passed, the sea underwent tremendous changes as well. The Temple of the Sea was lost, and the People of Water could no longer find any trace of it. With no other choice, they came ashore. The descendants born from their marriages with people on land came to be called Descendants of the People of Water. Compared to their ancestors, their abilities were greatly weakened, and with generation after generation of reproduction, their bloodline grew thinner and thinner."

After reading that aloud, Professor Birch stared straight at Zeno.

"Then there's no doubt that you're a Descendant of the People of Water, Zeno. You can communicate freely with Water-type Pokémon, so your bloodline must be quite strong."

"The information here is much more detailed. The library in Lilycove City only wrote a few brief sentences about it." Kam and Zeno finally understood everything clearly.

"There's something I'd like to discuss with you."

"Please, go ahead, Professor." Hearing Professor Birch's tone, Kam felt a little uneasy.

"In my opinion, Zeno shouldn't go to Rustboro Trainer School. This child seems quite interested in research too, so why not have him stay here with me instead?"

"Professor, what did you say?!" Kam's voice rose, as if he thought he had misheard.

"Uh, don't worry. I may not be particularly strong, but my knowledge as a Trainer is extensive. The teachers in Rustboro City might not even teach as well as I can." Thinking Kam was refusing, Professor Birch hurriedly began selling himself.

"Professor, you want Zeno to stay at Littleroot Research Lab?!" Kam had heard him clearly this time, but his voice was still loud.

"That's right. I'll take him as my disciple. What do you think..."

"I'm willing!"

Before the professor could finish, Zeno immediately agreed. He had never dreamed that Professor Birch would want to accept him as a disciple.

"Good, good, good. It's good that you agreed."

Professor Birch was delighted. He had already felt that this child had great potential, but he had not expected him to possess such a unique talent as well. He was extremely satisfied to have gained a disciple like him.

And so, Zeno stayed behind and became Professor Birch's student. He also had an older fellow disciple named Gu Yan, who had just turned eighteen this year.

Professor Birch had originally planned to have Kam stay for a few days, but Kam had already been away for two days and simply could not stop worrying about Big Shell Village. Everyone's money was also with him, so he politely declined. After lunch, Professor Birch had his assistant drive him back to Slateport City.

Professor Birch cared greatly about his newly accepted young disciple. He arranged Zeno's room in the back courtyard, which was not only close to the ecological garden but also next to Gu Yan and Sapphire's rooms. Professor Birch felt that young people like them would probably have more in common.

Carvanha's needs had also been considered. There happened to be a small pond in the courtyard that connected to the river outside.

"How is it? Are you satisfied with this place?"

"Mm, I like it very much. Carvanha does too."

Zeno pointed at Carvanha in the pond. It had already become friends with the Pokémon in the pond and was playing happily with them. Though the room had only just been tidied up, Professor Birch had prepared thoroughly. Aside from the necessary daily supplies, he had also placed several books suitable for Zeno inside.

"As long as you're satisfied. I don't know your preferences, so if you need anything, just tell me. I'll have your mistress buy it for you, or she can take you out to pick it yourself."

"No need. This is already very good."

Though he had acknowledged Professor Birch as his teacher, Zeno still felt a little unaccustomed to it. Professor Birch noticed that he was somewhat reserved and knew that he would need time to adapt.

"All right, take a look around the research lab today and get familiar with the place. I'll think about how I should teach you first." With a young disciple suddenly added to his life, Professor Birch had been caught a little off guard as well.

"Okay."

"Oh, right. Your senior fellow disciple is an excellent Trainer, and he lives across from you. You can talk with him more. He's a very good person, so you don't need to be afraid."

"I understand. I will."

Zeno had a deep impression of this senior fellow disciple. When they had come to welcome the professor earlier, Zeno had seen him once. He was the youngest researcher, and when Zeno saw his researcher's uniform, he had been stunned for quite a while.

Not long after Professor Birch left, Sapphire pulled Gu Yan over to see Zeno. She had just heard about this and became even more curious about him.

"I heard my dad just took you as his disciple!"

When Sapphire heard the news from her mother, she found it unbelievable. Her father was easygoing, but his standards were exceptionally high. Even someone as outstanding as Senior Brother Gu Yan had only been accepted after much consideration.

"Mm, please guide me in the future." Though Sapphire was several years younger than him, Zeno did not dare treat her lightly.

"You're so young, yet you're as old-fashioned as my dad. Looks like you two really were meant to be, hahaha. You're older than me, so you'll be my senior brother from now on. In all of Littleroot Town, as long as you mention my name, Sapphire, no one will dare bully you!"

Sapphire stood on tiptoe and patted Zeno's shoulder, looking every bit like the boss of the group.

"Hello, Junior Brother. I'm your senior fellow disciple, Gu Yan."

Gu Yan wore black-rimmed glasses and a long white researcher's coat. He looked somewhat stern, as though he might not be easy to get along with.

"Hello, Senior Brother. I'm Zeno. I'll have to trouble you to look after me in the future."