After enjoying the water ballet in Cerulean City, Gary left before the three sisters exited the stage.
Mainly, their burning gazes scared him a little. Gary would bet ten thousand that the three sisters were plotting how to share his sleeping bag...
His next destination was Vermilion City.
Before setting out, Gary sent Nidorina and Nidorino back to Professor Oak's Laboratory.
The two little ones had recently set their sights on his top-quality Moon Stone. They kept trying to sneak it out and eat it...
However, as a Pokémon Trainer who believed in long-term investment, Gary had no intention of letting Nidorino and Nidorina evolve so soon.
Only after the two little ones learned stronger moves and built up their final reserves of energy would Gary let them become an imposing Nidoking and Nidoqueen.
There was an older Kangaskhan at Professor Oak's Laboratory, and Nidorino and Nidorina could learn a great deal from him.
After all, he was one of the main Pokémon of Samuel Oak, Kanto's former Champion.
Ring, ring...
Suddenly, the basic phone in Gary's pocket rang...
As a textbook rich kid, Gary already owned a mobile phone while everyone else was still using public phones.
Unfortunately, mobile phones were still at the level of basic flip phones with buttons, the kind meant for seniors.
He would have to wait a few more years for a smartphone, even though he had already sent the idea, along with designs for the new phone, to the company in the Unova Region that manufactured Pokémon live broadcasters.
However, many industrial standards had yet to reach the necessary level, and some chip-related problems remained unsolved. He would probably have to wait a little longer to use a Rotom Phone...
It was worth mentioning that, as the phone's designer, Gary had already received a written contract. He would receive one-thousandth of the profits from every phone manufactured using this prototype in the future.
Don't underestimate that one-thousandth. Remember, it applied to every single phone...
In a few more years, Gary might no longer be a rich heir, but a self-made tycoon~
"Hello, Gary Oak speaking," Gary said, flipping open his phone.
"Good heavens, you finally answered! Gary, where are you now?" A somewhat elderly voice came from the other end.
"Professor Monet? I'm on my way to Vermilion City." Gary frowned in puzzlement. President Monet of Rainbow University was a scholar from Professor Oak's generation, as well as Gary's doctoral supervisor.
Why had the old man suddenly called him?
"Here's the situation. In half a month, we're holding an academic exchange on Pokémon evolution. A scholarly delegation from Sinnoh, led by Professor Rowan, will be visiting Rainbow University," the old man explained.
"Uh-huh. Sounds pretty good." Gary shrugged.
In terms of seniority, even Professor Oak had to regard Professor Rowan as his senior. He was an extremely stern, serious old man.
"That's exactly the problem!" President Monet said in exasperation. "You know evolution research has always been our university's weak point. That old fossil Rowan must be trying to make a fool of me! That bitch..."
Gary nearly laughed out loud. "Professor, did you just say 'bitch'...?"
"Oh, good heavens, I'm not even making sense anymore." President Monet took a breath and continued, "Originally, I planned to have Dr. Lu Ren from our evolution research project represent Rainbow University at the exchange.
"But then Lu Ren's mentor, Dr. Namba, was put on the police's wanted list! Lu Ren was taken straight in for questioning!
"Damn it! That blasted Namba actually joined Team Rocket! I'm going to erase every trace of him from the university history exhibition!"
Gary shook his head as he listened. He had never expected Dr. Namba to be another piece of "talent" produced by Rainbow University. "So, Professor, what are you getting at?"
"Didn't you publish a paper on Eevee's evolutions before? I've thought it over and over, and you're the only one who can save Rainbow University's reputation!
"So! Gary, please come back and fill in as a teacher! Help me get through this exchange with some dignity!" President Monet pleaded helplessly.
Gary worked out his route. If he visited Bill along the way and then took a ferry from Vermilion City, he should make it in time. He nodded in agreement. "No problem, Professor Monet. I'll arrive at the university a week early. As for my appearance fee..."
"No problem at all. I'll pay you the attendance allowance for a doctoral scholar." Monet breathed a sigh of relief.
Gary was perfectly happy with that rate. Under the Pokémon League's salary cap, a doctoral-level scholar's appearance fee was around five hundred thousand a day.
"I also have some Pokémon with me," Gary reminded him.
"That's even less of a problem. I'll have the graduate students in the breeding department wait on them hand and foot!" The old man made his promise with grand confidence.
"Uh-huh. Deal." Gary hung up, thoroughly satisfied.
Rainbow University's support services were excellent. If his partners didn't put on a good few pounds there, those breeding graduate students could look forward to failing their courses!
With his next objective settled, Gary stopped dawdling. He let Eevee perch on his shoulder and headed toward the coast.
Once he passed through the dense forest and heard the waves, he would be close to his destination.
Ring, ring~
"Huh? Am I really this busy today?" Gary looked curiously at his ringing phone.
"Hello~ Is that my little Gary~?" A languid, alluring voice came from the other end.
Gulp~ Gary swallowed. "Lorelei! What can I do for you...?"
"Hehe~ Nothing much. There's an Elite Four Challenge in Vermilion City soon. Bruno and I are having a six-on-six battle, so I wanted to ask if you'd be interested in coming to cheer me on," Lorelei asked with a light laugh.
Gary's eyes lit up. An Elite Four-level battle, and a full battle at that! This was a spectacular event he couldn't miss.
"Of course! I'll be there on time to cheer you on, Lorelei. I won't let Master Bruno scare my big sister with all those muscles!" Gary thumped his chest in assurance.
"Haha~ Then I'll be counting on you to protect me~" Lorelei laughed delightedly.
"You've got it. See you there!" Gary very sweetly said goodbye to Lorelei.
"Phew~" After hanging up, Lorelei patted her chest. She didn't know why she had invited a rookie Trainer like Gary to watch her match. Perhaps... the boy really did have a lovely smile?
Oh, come on! What am I thinking? Lorelei rested a hand against her forehead and smiled.
Meanwhile, Gary continued toward the coast with a spring in his step.
The rewards for his earlier Gym battle mission in Cerulean City had arrived.
Technical Disk: [Water Pulse], Achievement Points: 50.
Honestly, Gary disagreed with that number of Achievement Points. Given the Cerulean Gym's current strength, he felt fifty was too generous...
Looking at the increasingly dense, waist-high grass ahead, which had already swallowed the path from view, Gary tilted his head. Wasn't there a side quest around here?
Right! If I keep going left, there's the Bulbasaur that ends up with Ash.
Remembering how that precious little fellow had stubbornly refused to evolve right through to the end, Gary decisively turned right.
"Scyther, clear a path up ahead. We're going right, with the stars and the sea as our destination!" Gary took out a Poké Ball and promptly sent out his master grass cutter.
"Shhh~" Scyther drew a deep breath, pulling a wisp of white vapor through his nostrils into his lungs.
Hiss~ With a forceful exhalation, the white glow of Focus Energy condensed without dispersing.
This was the result of Scyther's recent training. He could now maintain fully concentrated Focus Energy for a period of time.
Swish! His scythes danced, and the grass ahead was instantly sliced in half.
Gary nodded in satisfaction and continued onward.
Perhaps taking a part-time job mowing lawns or gardening would be a good idea someday. Scyther had a real talent for it...
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