Field Survey

Zeno was genuinely stunned by his senior's lavish display. First Tropius, then Lapras.

"Senior, when you battled me before, why did you keep using Vibrava? I had no idea you also had Tropius and Lapras!"

"The gap between them and your Carvanha is too great. I was sparring with you, not trying to crush your confidence."

Zeno: "..."

"What are you standing around for? Get on!"

"Following you around today has really broadened my horizons. I've tried everything, from flying through the sky to swimming in the water."

Lapras's shell had many raised bumps. They were not only natural handholds, but also helped keep riders secure. Sitting on its back, Zeno found it steady and comfortable.

"You'll experience this kind of thing eventually. It's good to get used to it early."

"Good thing you came with me, Senior. If I'd come alone, I would've gotten such a headache."

"The professor wouldn't have let you come alone. Even if it wasn't me, he would've sent someone else from the institute."

Zeno knew that too. After all, this was no small matter. Fortunately, his senior was already a full-fledged researcher. If he had to spend three months with those old-fashioned sticklers at the institute, he would die of boredom.

Lapras was fast, and they reached their destination in less than twenty minutes.

"Senior, this is the place. What do you think?"

"The water quality differs from place to place. I'm not so capable that I can tell just by looking. Besides that, we need to examine the seabed sediment, reefs, and plants."

"Is it really that troublesome? The Clamperl here all look healthy. By rights, the ecosystem should be suitable, shouldn't it?"

"Don't let the professor hear you say that. His main field of research is Pokémon habitats and distribution, and he's very strict about these matters," Gu Yan said in the tone of someone speaking from experience.

"How strict?"

"It's one of the professor's sore spots. If you accidentally touch on it, not only will he scold you, he'll keep nagging in your ear afterward."

"Okay."

"Actually, the professor is right. There are differences between individual Pokémon. They may be minor, but they can have a huge impact. You're planning to raise Clamperl, after all. You can't keep relying on just these few, can you?"

"I was being too simplistic."

"It's fine as long as you understand now. Come on, let's go take a look underwater." Gu Yan had already changed into his gear and handed Zeno a set. "Lapras, wait up here for us. Keep an eye on the backpacks."

"Ooh~ ooh~"

There generally were no large Pokémon in the nearshore waters. Magikarp and Tentacool were the most common here, and they posed little threat to people. Otherwise, neither of them would have dared be so bold.

"Zeno, I'll set up the water quality detector and temperature recorder. Go collect some samples. Then we'll check on the Clamperl here."

"Okay."

Gu Yan's two instruments had to remain underwater for several days. To keep Pokémon from damaging them, he needed to disguise them carefully. Zeno's task was no easier. The habitat here was quite complex, and there were many samples to collect.

The two of them worked for a long time before finally finishing. By the time they returned to the surface, both were exhausted.

"I'm dead tired, Senior. Do we still have to check the Clamperl?"

"Let's rest for a while. Later, I'll have Lapras take us diving, so it won't be so strenuous."

"Good thing it's so big. Otherwise, it probably couldn't keep dragging the two of us for long."

"Haha, I'm praising you, Lapras."

"Bwoo~"

"Senior, is being a researcher always this tiring?"

"Not necessarily. Our professor leans more toward practical work, so it takes quite a bit of physical effort. Doesn't he spend all year crossing mountains and rivers himself? As for the theoretical types, they use more brainpower, and they tend to go bald."

"Haha, that's true!"

"Alright, let's continue. The sooner we finish, the sooner we can call it a day and go home."

With Lapras's help, the two of them had a much easier time. However, Clamperl were hard to find. Unlike other Pokémon, they barely moved at all. They searched through several patches of seagrass without finding any.

Then Zeno suddenly spotted two familiar figures.

"Lapras, catch up to those two Alomomola."

"You know them?"

"Yeah, they helped me before."

"You're sure you didn't mistake them for other fish?"

Zeno: "..."

Lapras did not doubt him and accelerated after the two Alomomola. Although Zeno wore diving goggles, they still recognized him. His aura was distinctive, and they remembered it clearly.

"It really is you two! Have you been doing well lately?"

"Muu~" The two Alomomola affectionately rubbed against Zeno's palm.

"That's good. Where are those Clamperl from last time? Can you take us to them?"

"Mumu!"

With the Alomomola's help, the two of them quickly found the Clamperl. This colony had twelve members in total. Its leader was the one Zeno had met last time, and it was somewhat larger than the others.

"Senior, they're all here. Take a look."

Gu Yan had previously done research on Clamperl, so he knew them well. After only a cursory glance, he had a general understanding of their condition.

"They're doing quite well. There are no major issues, only a few minor problems. A little care should be enough."

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Senior."

Zeno and Gu Yan sat on Lapras's back and chatted with the Pokémon for a while. They had come so suddenly that they had not prepared anything. The Pokémon food in their bags was only enough to give them a taste. Seeing that they were still unsatisfied, Zeno felt a little embarrassed.

These wild Pokémon had left a good impression on Zeno. On the way back, he decided that the next time he came to see them, he would treat them to a proper feast.

"I didn't expect there to be Alomomola here!"

"Yeah. Uncle Kam said a whole group came here before, but unfortunately, only some of them settled down."

"Then the environment here really must be excellent. Alomomola have very high standards for where they live. There's a good chance your plan will work."

"Really?"

"Why would I lie to you? Analyze the samples we collected properly over the next couple of days. They'll come in handy later."

"Okay."

Gu Yan stared at Zeno for a while, then could not help sighing.

"Senior, what's wrong?" Seeing his expression, Zeno felt a little uneasy.

"Of all the things you could raise, you just had to choose Clamperl. If you were raising Numel, none of this would be so troublesome."

"The problem is that we can't raise Numel here!"

"I know. I'm just complaining. The Pokémon League permits Clamperl farming. At first, many people had ideas about it, but the requirements were too strict. Most of them were cut off before they even started. If this really works out, we'll be busy for the next few months."

"Thanks for your hard work, Senior. If there's ever anything you need my help with, just say the word."

"You don't need to tell me that. I won't be polite with you."