"Ha ha, don't worry about it." Professor Evergreen chuckled. In reality, Kalia's ability to enter the Dream World was beneficial for him as well, allowing the restart of his research on this realm.
The Dream World had always been a significant subject of study; however, due to the scarcity of Lunar Feathers, progress had been hindered. Now that Kalia possessed one, he could have her explore and conduct detailed investigations within the Dream World.
This would greatly aid their understanding of the Dream World. Currently, both the Ellie Region and Sebas had limited insights into its mysteries. Being the first to unravel these secrets would hold immense significance.
"Most likely by tomorrow, we should be able to secure approval. Come here the day after tomorrow," said Professor Evergreen. The League's efficiency was commendable; having a Dream Machine ready by then indicated swift action.
"Ah, right, Professor, when does the Flora and Fauna Conference in Rhine City begin?" Kalia nodded, then recalling something, she asked.
As a long-time resident of Rhine City, Professor Evergreen had been there longer than Kalia. During her tenure as Gym Leader, she was constantly busy with training and had declined to attend the annual conference each year, although she vaguely remembered it was around this time.
"It starts tomorrow. Did you forget?" Professor Evergreen replied.
"Tomorrow? How quickly time flies." Surprised that it was already tomorrow, Kalia hadn't participated in the Flora and Fauna Conference for a long time, but this year, she wanted to join again.
After her mother's passing, her father lost interest in attending the conference with her, and Kalia herself felt disheartened about going without both parents. For her, the conference without her parents seemed incomplete.
However, now grown up, she realized her parents would never return. To honor their memory, she needed to live life fully, which included participating in the Flora and Fauna Conference once more.
Now, Kalia no longer wished to suppress her love for flora, just like her mother's passion. Deep down, she shared the same fervor for plants, though she had kept it hidden.
"Well, I'll be off now."
Kalia bid farewell, needing to find Julian. With the Flora and Fauna Conference starting tomorrow, given his competitive nature, he was likely to participate.
Julian probably couldn't afford lodging and would have to stay at the Pokémon Center's accommodations designated for Trainers. Therefore, visiting the center in the evening should suffice.
After leaving the research institute, Kalia headed to the Pokémon Hotel to register for her stay, as she anticipated being here for several days.
Later that evening, Kalia made her way to the Pokémon Center, once again entering Rhine City's facility.
This time, Kalia effortlessly found Julian, confirming her accurate judgment—there wasn't anywhere else he'd go besides the Pokémon Center.
Upon arrival, she discovered Julian engaged in battle on the battlefield. Compared to their previous encounter, his command skills were noticeably more refined, and his Pokémon had become significantly stronger.
***
A moment later.
"Kalia, what brings you here?"
Julian appeared somewhat excited, feeling like there was much to share with Kalia, such as his Pokémon's growth or having obtained five badges as a Trainer.
However, upon noticing the six badges on Kalia's shoulder, including her mid-level trainer badge, Julian suddenly felt taken aback.
Unbeknownst to him, the gap between them had widened significantly. Kalia already possessed her sixth badge and had become a mid-level trainer, while he remained a beginner trainer, still needing one more badge to participate in the mid-level assessment.
It would undoubtedly take a long time; by the time he became a mid-level trainer, Kalia might have collected all eight badges.
He recalled how they once challenged Falcon City's gym together, yet in no time, Kalia had surpassed him considerably.
"Do you remember what we talked about last time?" asked Kalia without dwelling too much on their differences. Without Charizard, she likely would still be a beginner trainer, progressing at a normal pace for a diligent Trainer.
Kalia's rapid advancement, becoming a mid-level trainer within just a year—even though she was previously a Gym Leader—was indeed quite swift.
"You found the Lunar Feather?" Julian immediately recalled that to enter the Dream World, one needed a Lunar Feather, as Kalia had mentioned she would inform him if she located one.
His primary motivation for entering the Dream World was his promise to Zapdos—to bring back the little Zapdos. Having made this commitment, he couldn't go back on his word. Knowing the little Zapdos resided within the Dream World, he was determined to retrieve it.
"Yes," Kalia nodded affirmatively.
"When can we enter the Dream World?" Julian asked. Honestly, ever since learning about the Dream World, he occasionally tried gathering information, but most people only knew of it secondhand and had never actually ventured inside.
He heard that Rhine City's research institute possessed a Dream Machine, so he approached Professor Evergreen about it. However, without the Lunar Feather, attempting to enter the Dream World could have severe consequences.
"The research institute currently has only one machine, but Professor Evergreen has already requested a second Dream Machine, which is expected to arrive in two days," Kalia explained.
"Kalia, you're truly impressive!" Julian exclaimed happily. What seemed like a daunting task turned out to be effortlessly resolved by Kalia.
"I just got lucky finding the Lunar Feather, that's all," Kalia smiled before asking, "The Flora and Fauna Conference starts tomorrow. Are you joining us there?"
"Of course! I was planning to attend anyway. Rumor has it that a legendary Pokémon might appear at this year's Flora and Fauna Conference," Julian nodded enthusiastically.
Kalia thought Julian was joking; how could the conference attract a legendary Pokémon? Such creatures were notoriously elusive and rarely appeared in urban areas.
"Don't dismiss it so quickly. You must know about Celebi, right? I heard that Celebi is expected to make an appearance this time. Have you noticed the unusually large crowds around town lately?" Seeing Kalia's skeptical expression, Julian earnestly explained.
"Celebi, but why would it show up here?" Kalia couldn't comprehend. Celebi was known as one of the more friendly legendary Pokémon, bringing vibrant blossoms and lush vegetation wherever it went.
The origin of Rhine City's Flora and Fauna Conference stemmed from Celebi's visit long ago, which led to the city's flourishing gardens ever since.
"It's because this marks the tenth anniversary of the conference. The details aren't clear, but apparently, Celebi appears once every ten years. Anyway, people are saying Celebi will definitely be present this year," Julian said. He too had only heard these rumors, but he believed them to be true.