Read up to 30 advanced chapters exclusively on my Patreon at - patreon.com/LoverrBoy
---------------------------------
After completing their registration, it was already past noon. Though lunchtime had come and gone, Liam and Delia still enjoyed a hearty meal at the Pokémon Center.
The long trek they had taken that morning had left them both quite drained, so this lunch felt especially delicious.
Once they finished eating, the two of them set off for the location of the first Gym in the Johto region—the nearest Gym city to New Bark Town: Violet City. (Though technically, there was still another town in between.)
Neither of them used any transportation. With just under six months remaining until the League tournament—a little more than five months to be exact—Liam and Delia still had plenty of time and weren't in any rush.
After leaving New Bark Town, they walked along a long road lined with dense grass and forests on both sides, where many wild Pokémon lived.
"Wow, Liam! That's a Pidgey! I didn't know Johto had Pidgey too! And look, Rattata! I know Rattata too~ Ahh! Bugs! Go away, go away!"
Delia kept gasping in surprise along the way. It was her first time traveling this far, and everything in the outside world felt new and exciting. Every rustle in the grass caught her attention.
"Uh… that's a Spinarak. Stay back a little—if you get too close, it can tie you up with its silk in seconds."
Liam couldn't help but chuckle at her antics, his face full of amusement as he quietly followed behind, enjoying how delighted she was.
"Hmm? Liam, there's someone in the grass up ahead! Look, what's he doing?"
Delia, walking a bit ahead of Liam, suddenly stopped and pointed to a figure crouched in the grass with a puzzled expression.
Liam frowned slightly and looked in the direction she pointed. He saw a young man in a white lab coat and glasses standing in the grass. In front of the young man stood a Sentret, and just beyond that, under a tree, lay a quiet Pineco.
The Sentret was staring nervously at the Pineco, its face focused and serious, clearly waiting for its trainer's command to attack.
"Now, Sentret! Use Quick Attack on Pineco!"
As Liam and Delia watched, the glasses-wearing youth—clearly nervous—suddenly pointed at the Pineco and gave his command.
"Sentret!"
With a shout, the Sentret coiled its tail, dropped to all fours, and dashed forward like a bolt of electricity toward the Pineco.
"Wait!! Don't be reckless, kid!!"
Liam paled the moment he saw Sentret launch its attack and yelled out in warning.
The boy turned in shock at the sudden shout from behind, eyes wide and confused, not understanding Liam's warning.
BOOM!!
He found out in the next moment.
As Sentret slammed into the Pineco with Quick Attack, the Pineco's tough body immediately began to glow. Sensing danger, Sentret turned and scrambled back to its trainer using all four limbs.
A massive explosion echoed across the path as a mushroom cloud erupted into the sky.
....
Cough cough… "What… the heck just happened…"
From the thick black smoke emerged the glasses-wearing youth, his white coat now charred black. His lab coat was torn in multiple places, one lens of his glasses was missing, and his face was covered in soot—he looked completely disheveled.
Sentret stumbled out behind him in the same singed state, its expression filled with lingering fear.
"…What happened? Don't you know Pineco explodes when attacked? Are you that desperate for a thrill?!"
Liam had shielded Delia the moment the explosion began. Hearing the youth's confused mumbling behind him, Liam turned around, clearly upset.
"Doing something this dangerous right by the road—do you have any idea how easily someone else could have gotten caught in that?!"
Liam was genuinely angry now. Pineco were practically living landmines—famous for exploding over anything: bad mood, good mood, no mood—it didn't matter.
The only saving grace was that Pineco's offensive power wasn't especially high. Unless multiple Pineco exploded at once, the danger was limited.
The boy had already been stunned by the explosion. After Liam's scolding, he immediately bowed deeply, his voice filled with shame.
"I'm really sorry! I just happened to spot a lone Pineco and didn't want to miss the chance to observe it. I acted rashly and caused trouble for you both. I sincerely apologize!"
His apology was heartfelt, leaving Liam and Delia with little to say.
"Ugh… fine. At least no one got hurt. Still, you should really avoid doing things this dangerous. Even if you don't harm others, injuring yourself or your Pokémon is just as bad…"
The young man nodded repeatedly, clearly swearing he'd never repeat the mistake.
"Judging by your coat, you're a researcher, right? I get your curiosity, but take care of your body. Your health is the foundation of your work. If you can't protect yourself, how will you ever conduct proper research…? Ah, you actually remind me of Professor Oak. The way you guys risk your lives for science is really… something else."
Liam had spent more than a year at Professor Oak's lab. He'd seen firsthand just how many reckless stunts the professor pulled in the name of research. Looking at this young man now, Liam felt more familiarity than irritation… which was honestly kind of weird.
"Wait—WHAT?!"
Just as Liam finished speaking, the youth suddenly stood bolt upright, eyes gleaming as he ran over, grabbing Liam's hand in excitement.
"You know Professor Oak?! From your tone, it sounds like you're really close with him! Please, tell me—what kind of person is he?!"
Taken aback, Liam leaned back, quickly shaking off the boy's grip before clearing his throat.
"Ahem. Yeah, we're from Pallet Town. Of course I know Professor Oak. I even worked as his assistant at the lab for a while. From my experience, he's deeply passionate about Pokémon research… and the kind of guy who's done what you just did—many, many times."
Just thinking about all the times Prof. Oak had blown up Koffing made Liam break into a cold sweat.
"Wow! That's exactly what I imagined! Professor Oak—the Father of Dark-types! The discoverer of Pokémon Abilities! He's a true legend, a man totally dedicated to Pokémon research!"
"I'm terribly sorry about earlier! Let me introduce myself properly. My name is Elm! I'm a Pokémon researcher! I'm extremely interested in Professor Oak's theory of Abilities, and I've always dreamed of visiting the legendary Oak Research Lab! If it's not too much to ask—could you introduce me to him? I'll definitely repay your kindness!!"
Now that he knew Liam was connected to Oak, the youth immediately straightened up and bowed again, shouting his request with sincere determination.
"Huh? You're Elm?!"
Hearing the name, Liam finally realized why the boy had seemed familiar. Upon closer inspection… wasn't this the future Professor Elm of Johto?
To think they'd meet like this… What a coincidence! Or perhaps—fate.