Be My Assistant

At the sound of Su Bai's name, Director Li immediately turned to look.

It really was Su Bai.

Hadn't this kid said he was just coming to listen? Could he actually answer the question?

Qi Shijun did not turn around, but he glanced sideways at Director Li.

Director Li nodded, confirming that it was indeed Su Bai.

Many of the students were stunned. They had never expected Professor Carolina, who was renowned in mythology circles worldwide, to know Su Bai.

And she was so warm toward him, too.

Neither servile nor arrogant, Su Bai nodded, then calmly recapped the main points of Professor Carolina's lecture.

They primarily concerned the legends surrounding Dialga and Palkia.

Su Bai also thoughtfully translated into the Dragon Nation's language the short Sinnoh-language passage Professor Carolina had presented, which had been translated from Unown script.

All the students present looked at Professor Carolina, unsure whether to believe him.

Finally, Professor Carolina smiled slightly and nodded.

"Well said. Completely correct."

Her words immediately caused a small stir in the room.

"Did you hear what Professor Carolina just said?"

"She said he was completely correct."

"Could Su Bai really know that much about mythology? And speak the Sinnoh language that well?"

"It's possible. I heard his dad is..."

Finally, Qi Shijun coughed, and the room fell quiet again.

Professor Carolina removed her headphones and beckoned to Su Bai.

"Su Bai, come over here and interpret for this old lady."

"Of course, Professor."

Su Bai hurried to the foot of the podium, found a spot off to the side, and picked up a microphone.

Professor Carolina nodded and continued her lecture.

Su Bai provided simultaneous interpretation, translating each sentence as Professor Carolina spoke.

Many people in the audience began looking at Su Bai with keen interest.

The senior girls in the Observation Department who wanted to write their graduation theses on Pokémon Mythology, in particular, looked ready to devour him alive.

When the lecture ended, Professor Carolina returned to the lounge and insisted that Su Bai come along. Only then did Director Li breathe a sigh of relief.

Thank goodness Su Bai was here. Otherwise, none of us would have come out of this looking good.

Qi Shijun walked slowly over to Director Li and asked her a question.

"Were you the one who gave Su Bai the time and location of the lecture?"

"Yes, President. Su Bai called me, and I thought that if he wanted to learn, that couldn't be a bad thing..."

Director Li's voice grew quieter as she spoke. A moment later, Qi Shijun said the very thing she had feared most.

"And you also approved him skipping classes in his own department to show off in someone else's?"

"Y-yes..."

It's over. It's all over, Director Li thought. All that extra work over summer break was for nothing.

But to her surprise, Qi Shijun gave her a meaningful smile.

"The old president has retired, so I have to take over. You've been director of the Pokémon Department for three years now."

With that, Qi Shijun turned and headed toward the VIP Lounge.

Director Li understood perfectly well: Qi Shijun wanted her to take over as vice president. She hurried after him.

Inside the VIP Lounge, Professor Carolina was sipping warm chrysanthemum tea to soothe her throat, while Su Bai sat properly across from her.

"Su Bai, I hadn't expected you to speak the Sinnoh language so well."

"Thank you for the compliment. I'm delighted to interpret for you, but I still have a lot to work on."

Professor Carolina nodded approvingly at his response.

"I've seen your transcript. Originally, I was planning to put you through your paces after the lecture, but now it seems there's no need. You're a very dependable young man, just as Cynthia said. I've already applied to establish a research institute in the Dragon Nation. How would you like to be my intern assistant next year?"

"Would I get credits?"

Naturally, Su Bai had no objection to securing an internship early. Although seniors in the Pokémon Department generally started challenging Gyms ahead of time, they still had to complete their internships.

So his question about credits had slipped out almost without thought. Right now, credits offered him the best return for his efforts.

Not only would credits ensure he graduated and advance the Redemption of the Failing Student quest, they would also increase his accumulated random count, bringing the Chosen One Randomizer closer.

Professor Carolina paused for two seconds at his question, then laughed happily.

She really was growing more and more pleased with Su Bai.

Professor Carolina had met many students who, in an effort to win her favor, pretended they wanted to study mythology without any thought of personal gain.

Those people were the biggest hypocrites.

Su Bai, on the other hand, stated plainly what he wanted. He was honest.

Parents generally liked their children to find an honest, straightforward partner. That way, their own child would not be taken advantage of.

But why does this boy only want credits?

Even if he's anxious to make up for all the credits he's missed, couldn't he ask for something else as well?

Like a Pokémon egg, training resources, or a place as my graduate student?

Is he trying not to put pressure on this old lady?

What a thoughtful boy. But you're underestimating me far too much.

Had Su Bai known what Professor Carolina was thinking, he would surely have cried out inwardly that she had misunderstood.

I just want credits! That's all!

"Professor Carolina."

"Just call me Grandma when no one's around."

"All right, Grandma. How has Cynthia been lately?"

"Why don't you ask her yourself?"

Professor Carolina gave him a teasing smile.

"Don't tell me you haven't exchanged contact details."

"We do keep in touch regularly."

Su Bai rubbed his nose.

"She was the one who told me you were coming here to give a lecture. I thought, since you were here, if I didn't come pay my respects, wouldn't you blame me when you found out later?"

"I thought you were going to say you came to learn more about mythology. You really are honest."

Professor Carolina took another sip of tea, then glanced at Su Bai's shadow.

"Still, you're not quite as well-behaved as I thought."

Seeing the slight change in Su Bai's expression, Professor Carolina left it at that. The walls had ears; she had given him a warning.

Su Bai had never expected Professor Carolina, who looked like an ordinary professor, to be capable of seeing Gengar hidden in his shadow.

Professor Carolina suddenly made a seemingly unrelated remark.

"Su Bai, we mythology scholars often explore ancient ruins for our research. Those ruins are havens for Ghost-type Pokémon. This old lady has long since developed an eye for them. I can tell at a glance whether any Ghost-type Pokémon are around. It's not a skill other people can simply pick up."

"You're amazing, Grandma."

Su Bai nodded. Professor Carolina was putting his mind at ease.

She meant that although she could see Gengar hiding in his shadow, other people could not.

As long as he stayed wary of Trainers who frequently interacted with Ghost-types, he would be fine.

As they spoke, Qi Shijun and Director Li walked in.

"Professor Carolina, thank you very much for giving this lecture."