After returning to Rainbow University with Principal Monet, Gary found himself surrounded by a bunch of old academics.
The professors, already balding in middle age, eagerly brought out their research topics, hoping Gary could offer a few insights.
Honestly, some of those topics had no business appearing in a university.
Gary was speechless. "Um, colleagues, academic discussions are fine, but could you please stop bringing me your doctoral students' dissertations? I haven't even earned a doctorate myself..."
"Oh, come on! You're being modest, junior. Getting your doctorate is only a matter of time!"
"Exactly! Whoever knows more is the teacher. Take a look at my research into a possible connection between Caterpie and Rayquaza!"
"And mine! A dissertation on whether Ninetales can mutate into a humanoid form, with a ranking of potential future wife Pokémon!"
"All right, all right. Save your questions for the open lecture. Let Gary and Miss Caitlin rest first!" With a broad smile, Principal Monet shooed away the knowledge-hungry teachers before leading Gary to the faculty office building.
"Room 303 on the first floor is your private office. It includes a laboratory, a training room, and a lounge. Here's the key." Monet took out a key and thoughtfully handed it to Caitlin.
Gary looked baffled. "Principal, shouldn't you be giving that to me?"
Monet pursed his lips. "What difference does it make which of you gets it? You're obviously going to stay together anyway."
Gary opened his mouth, then gave up on arguing.
Caitlin obediently handed Gary the key and lifted her little face nonchalantly. "It's fine. I never use keys to get inside."
Whoosh! With a flash of white light, Caitlin appeared inside Gary's office.
"Does a psychic need a key?" Gary spread his hands at Monet.
"Doesn't she?" The old principal wore an inscrutable expression.
"Tch." Gary pursed his lips, unlocked the door himself, and walked into the office.
There was a desk, an executive chair, a sofa for visitors, a drinks counter, and a small round table.
The whole office looked very tidy. A suit jacket and a white researcher's coat hung on the coat rack in the corner, complete with a staff badge bearing Gary's title.
[Gary Oak - Professor of Theoretical Studies]
"Well, well. That looks pretty convincing." Gary laughed.
Principal Monet proudly stroked his beard. "Of course. If we're putting on an act, we have to do it properly. I don't want that old pedant Rowan coming after me."
Gary took off his jacket, put on the suit jacket, and slipped the white coat over it. Professor Gary's transformation was complete!
Monet nodded in satisfaction. "A perfect fit! You really suit the researcher look, Gary."
"Mhm, I agree. Young Master Mao looks lovely dressed like this." Caitlin joined in with her appraisal.
Gary shrugged. "I think so too."
Once Gary was settled in, Principal Monet had to return to work. Before leaving, he reminded Gary not to forget the afternoon's open lecture, then hurried away.
Gary turned to Caitlin. "Have you looked at the other rooms yet?"
Caitlin shook her head. "Not yet!"
"Then let's go check out where the Pokémon will be staying." Leading Caitlin through the laboratory, Gary arrived with her at the Indoor Training Room.
"Wow! There's so much exercise equipment here, and even a swing!" Caitlin covered her mouth in surprise.
"Well, well. Rainbow University's Indoor Training Room really is luxurious." Gary took out his Poké Balls and released all his Pokémon. "Come on out, everyone!"
Eevee, Charmeleon, Growlithe, Scyther, Rhydon, and Gengar. That was the team Gary currently had with him.
The Pokémon's eyes sparkled as they looked at the room full of equipment.
"We'll be staying at Rainbow University for the next couple of days, so this will be your training room. Professional breeders will come by later to help with your training," Gary explained.
The Pokémon eagerly geared up, ready to give it their all.
"For now, you can play here. I need to prepare my lesson plan." Gary walked to the corner and pointed at the foam mats on the floor. "You can rest here when you're tired. There are energy drinks and Pokéblocks in the cabinet. Don't hold back-help yourselves!"
"Scy!" Scyther immediately nodded so fast his head became a blur.
"Young Master Mao, I want to play here too!" Caitlin looked at Gary.
Gary smiled. "No problem. I'll be in the office just outside. When we have some free time this afternoon, we can visit Erika's perfume shop. Until then, relax and have fun here."
Caitlin nodded happily. After releasing her own Pokémon, she eagerly rushed over to the indoor swing.
After reminding everyone to stay safe, Gary returned to his desk alone.
Twirling a pen in his hand, Gary settled down to think. Judging by the timing, Professor Rowan's visit was probably meant to announce two newly discovered Pokémon evolutions.
Those Pokémon were Magmar and Electabuzz! Both were widely considered fully evolved in the Kanto Region, but with the help of the Sinnoh Region's latest technological creations-the Electrodriver and the Magmadizer-they could undergo another transformation.
Magmortar and Electivire were indeed impressively powerful.
Most importantly, this evolution method was neither natural evolution nor Trade Evolution.
Instead, human-made products affected the Pokémon themselves, producing an unusual form of item-based evolution.
In that case, presenting ordinary evolutionary theories at the academic exchange would only get him thoroughly embarrassed.
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Even Eevee's evolution through natural evolution stones wouldn't be enough.
Bond Phenomenon? Gary shook his head. Setting aside how difficult that evolution was, even if he could formulate a theory, he had no readily available evidence to prove it existed.
Mega Evolution? None of the relevant evolution stones had surfaced yet, so that wasn't practical either.
With that in mind, Gary set his sights on his own Scyther and Rhydon.
Rhyperior required a heavy-duty Protector, while Scizor needed a Metal Coat.
Although those two materials weren't as sophisticated as an Electrodriver, their evolution process still involved human-made products resonating with Pokémon to bring about evolution.
The main issue was that both items were currently expensive and had to be imported from Hoenn.
Gary smiled. "Since the principal's paying anyway, I won't hold back."
His pen scratched across the paper as he drew up a list. "Metal Coat ×2, heavy-duty Protector ×1, top-grade Fire Stone ×1, Electrodriver ×1, Magmadizer ×1, Razor Fang ×1, Razor Claw ×1, King's Rock ×2."
"That shouldn't be... too much, right?" Gary raised an eyebrow and picked up the phone. "Hello, this is Room 303 in the faculty office building. I need some materials for my upcoming classes and academic exchange."
"Professor Oak, correct? The principal has already informed us. Send your list to the Logistics Department, and we'll prepare everything immediately and deliver it to your laboratory," the department director replied politely.
"Thank you. Sorry for the trouble." Hanging up, Gary nodded in satisfaction. He was definitely coming out ahead on this one.
That was just how lavishly the academic world operated. Items and materials many trainers struggled to acquire were available here with a single request.
Knock, knock, knock. Just then, someone knocked on Gary's office door.
Gary opened it to find Erika standing outside with several quiet, refined-looking young women.
"What's this?" The corner of Gary's mouth twitched. He suspected Principal Monet wanted to tie him to Rainbow University and had shamelessly resorted to matchmaking.
These understated, gentle-looking girls in round glasses really were the sort Gary tended to notice.
"These are graduate students from the breeding department. The principal said they'll be responsible for providing comprehensive care and training for your Pokémon over the next two days. Afterward, they'll receive credits based on how satisfied you are," Erika explained.
"Oh, right. The principal did mention that." Gary nodded and stepped aside. "Please come in, everyone."
The group followed Erika into Gary's office and stood neatly in front of his desk.
Putting on his serious professor face, Gary sat behind the desk. "Now, introduce yourselves and tell me what you can do."
Erika clapped encouragingly. "Don't be nervous, everyone. Professor Oak is very easygoing."
The first girl, a petite but fully grown young woman wearing denim overalls and a straw hat, with her hair in twin ponytails, gathered her courage and stepped forward. "Um... my name is Dingxiang. I'm a first-year graduate student in the breeding department. I specialize in preparing Pokémon Food and soothing Pokémon's emotions."
Once someone had broken the ice, the others began speaking up too.
"My name is Xiaoxue. I'm a first-year graduate student in the breeding department. I specialize in Pokémon massage and developing their six core stats," said a gentle-looking girl with pale green hair reaching her waist, raising her hand.
"And me! I'm July, a third-year graduate student about to finish my dual degree in breeding and coordination. I specialize in making Pokéblocks and shaping Pokémon's physiques," said a slightly haughty black-haired girl in office attire, placing one hand on her hip with complete confidence.
Gary nodded in satisfaction. "In that case, I'll leave my Pokémon in your care for the next few days. Put all your knowledge to use. If you need any materials, collect them directly from the Logistics Department under my name.
"I want to see my Pokémon energetic and refreshed in a few days, not listless.
"At the end, I'll award you credits based on their improvements and changes. I hope you'll demonstrate Rainbow University's professional standards.
"Is that clear?"
"Yes!" The three female graduate students nodded earnestly.
"Then you can head to the training room and meet the Pokémon. I'm planning to have a demonstration Gym battle with Erika this afternoon. Please get the Pokémon into good condition before then." Gary clapped his hands.
The three girls nodded and hurried toward the training room.
Erika asked excitedly, "Professor Oak, are you going to battle me this afternoon?"
Gary smiled. "I still need to collect Badges, after all. This way, I can teach and battle at the same time."
"Wonderful! Then I'll return to the Gym to prepare. I'll wait for you on the university's main sports field this afternoon," Erika said eagerly.
"All right. See you there." After seeing Erika off, Gary suddenly remembered something.
System? Little System? System, buddy?!! Gary called silently.
Ding! If you have something to say, spit it out.
Gary: (≖_≖)... Did you fucking pocket my Saffron Gym reward? I didn't hear a notification.
Ding... That battle? I can't even be bothered to criticize you... Forget it. Ding-dong: Kanto Series Missions, Toward Indigo Plateau, initiated. Current progress: (4/8). Current mission: Obtain the Saffron Gym Badge. Reward: 50 achievement points, Technical Disk: [Miracle Eye].
Gary rolled his eyes in displeasure. Fifty achievement points? What am I, a beggar? At least Miracle Eye is somewhat useful.
Considering Sabrina had simply given up during the battle, Gary could only reassure himself that he had still come out ahead.
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