As soon as Qi Shijun entered the VIP Lounge, he thanked Professor Carolina.
Ever since the Adamant Orb had been unearthed in the Sinnoh Region, Qi Shijun, as principal, had wanted to invite Professor Carolina, a leading authority in the Sinnoh Mythology Circle, to give a lecture.
Although Qi Shijun and Professor Carolina were quite close, asking a professor renowned throughout the world to give these students an ordinary class felt somewhat inappropriate.
But Qi Shijun did not want his students to miss this opportunity, so he had steeled himself and asked.
To his surprise, Professor Carolina had actually agreed.
"Thank you so much, Professor Carolina."
"It's nothing. Aside from some work, my main reason for coming to the Dragon Nation was to see this boy. Giving the students at J University a lecture was just something to do while I was here."
Professor Carolina glanced at Su Bai, then turned to Qi Shijun.
"But, young Qi, you really ought to keep those Pokémon observation students of yours in line. Mythology deals with Legendary Pokémon and is an important branch of a Pokémon Observer's studies. They can't afford to neglect it."
Professor Carolina had always spoken her mind. And although Qi Shijun was a member of the Dragon Nation's Elite Four, he was her junior in their personal relationship, so he could only nod in agreement.
Seeing Su Bai suppressing a laugh off to the side, Qi Shijun shot him a sidelong look.
"Why are you still here, brat? The adults are discussing serious business. What are you hanging around for?"
"Uncle Qi, I won the championship for our school. What about the things you promised me?"
Su Bai finished with a smile, and Qi Shijun glared at him irritably.
"Are you asking for a beating? I told you to call me Principal at school. Besides, are you getting stronger for my sake? Get out of here! We'll talk later."
"Young Qi, what do you think you're doing? Are you bullying my grandson-in-law?"
Professor Carolina was displeased. Right now, she could not have been more satisfied with Su Bai.
In her eyes, Su Bai was honest, sweet-talking, and handsome, and he liked mythology too. Although she did not know how strong he was, anyone who could win a championship for his school certainly had talent.
Professor Carolina simply had to spoil such a wonderful grandson-in-law.
"His father entrusted him to you before leaving. What's wrong with looking after him a little? Back when you and his father went to Celadon University as exchange students, you peeked at Erika bathing, and his father took the blame for you. Have you forgotten? And then there was that time...!"
"All right, all right, old lady, stop talking! I'll give them to him! I will!"
Su Bai had never known there was a story like that. Uncle Qi, you absolute legend!
Still, Su Bai could also tell that Professor Carolina was genuinely close to both their families. Otherwise, she could never have spoken so freely.
Professor Carolina harrumphed.
"No need. I'll give them to him! I haven't given my grandson-in-law a first-meeting gift yet anyway. My dear boy, tell me, what did young Qi promise you?"
"Skill Discs for Protect! Substitute! Toxic! And academic credits!"
"Don't push your luck, brat! I only promised you a Protect TM. Keep spouting nonsense, and even if I'm not your father, I'll still give you a beating. Try me!"
Qi Shijun rolled up his sleeves and started toward him. Su Bai hurried behind Professor Carolina. From what he remembered, when Qi Shijun made that gesture, he really was about to get physical.
Professor Carolina stepped straight between them.
"Young Qi, what are you doing? You're a university principal, after all. You can't go back on your word."
"Old lady, I never promised him those things! The brat's doing it on purpose!"
"So what if he is? Even if he's doing it on purpose, I can tell he's trying to put together a Substitute, Protect, and Toxic strategy, isn't he? That's a good thing. He already understands tactics before even becoming an official Trainer. As his elder, shouldn't you support him?"
"Old lady, you can't spoil children too much. You little brat, get out here!"
No matter how Qi Shijun threatened him, Su Bai refused to come out. Gengar nearly burst into giggles inside his shadow.
Helpless, Qi Shijun had to go to the university's Academic Affairs Office himself to fetch the TMs for Su Bai.
After Qi Shijun left, Gengar floated straight out of Su Bai's shadow and massaged Professor Carolina's shoulders with a grin.
Gengar had recognized Qi Shijun as the powerful human who had sent him fleeing in panic that night. Seeing Qi Shijun get the short end of the stick now delighted him to no end.
"What a polite, good boy!"
Professor Carolina casually slapped a Spell Tag onto Gengar's big belly.
For someone like Professor Carolina, who frequently explored ruins, these were hardly rare. She found heaps of them every time.
"Good boy, go back now. Don't cause trouble for your Trainer."
Once Professor Carolina finished speaking, Gengar nodded and slipped straight back into Su Bai's shadow.
Professor Carolina was even more pleased with Su Bai now.
People said Pokémon grew more and more like their owners. If Su Bai could train a Ghost-type Gengar to be so well-behaved, considerate, and obedient, he must be a cheerful, kindhearted boy.
In truth, Gengar simply knew that Qi Shijun would be back soon.
"Thank you, Grandma."
Su Bai poured Professor Carolina a cup of tea.
"Uncle Qi actually treats me very well."
"I know. But I still hope you'll grow stronger soon."
Professor Carolina lightly tapped Su Bai on the head and told him that after Cynthia returned home, she had practically praised him to the skies. But if Su Bai wanted to be with Cynthia, he needed to grow stronger as soon as possible.
Although neither Professor Carolina nor Cynthia herself demanded that Su Bai be exceptionally strong, he still needed to be reasonably close to her level.
At the very least, if Cynthia ran into trouble in the future, Su Bai should not have to stand helplessly by.
"I hope treating you this way isn't pushing you too hard, too soon."
"Don't worry, Grandma. I won't disappoint you."
"Yes, I believe you. But from now on, try to call young Qi Principal while you're at school. He is the principal, after all, and a member of the Elite Four."
"I understand, Grandma."
After asking, Su Bai learned that Professor Carolina would stay here for a day. She would spend the night at J University's hotel and leave J City tomorrow morning.
Su Bai decided to come see Professor Carolina again tomorrow.
As they spoke, Qi Shijun entered the room with two Skill Discs.
They were the [Substitute] and [Toxic] Skill Discs.
The most valuable one, the [Protect] Skill Disc, was not available in J University's secure storeroom. They would have to make a special request to the provincial authorities or buy it directly from a specialist shop.
Qi Shijun told Su Bai to wait a couple of days. He would take care of getting the [Protect] Skill Disc.
Su Bai thanked him and accepted the Skill Discs. He knew that Qi Shijun really did treat him very well.
After saying goodbye to Professor Carolina, Su Bai left the VIP Lounge.
He went down one floor and reached the teaching building's entrance, where he spotted Wang Dalin waiting in a corner.
"What? Are you waiting for me?"
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