Chapter 144: South River University
"Basalt, over here!"
Lucas was waving energetically at the classic-style main gate of South River University.
"I see you, I see you!" Basalt jogged over, a mischievous grin on his face. "Hey, Lucas. Hope I wasn't interrupting your date with that cute girl." He had seen Lucas chatting with a long-legged girl by the gate just moments before. The moment he'd spotted Basalt, Lucas had quickly sent her on her way, which was a dead giveaway.
"What date? She's just a classmate. I was just saying hi," Lucas said, his face turning a little red. He quickly changed the subject. "The Professor has a meeting this morning, so she asked me to show you around the campus and the institute first. We can go wherever you want."
"And also, can you please not call me 'old man Lucas'? I'm only a freshman. I'm still young!" he complained.
"How about 'Bro Lucas' then? Or 'Big Lu'?"
"You know what? Just stick with Lucas," Lucas sighed in defeat.
"How about we check out Professor Nina's research institute first?" Basalt asked, batting his eyes. He could tour the university anytime he wanted. But Professor Nina's institute wasn't a place you could just walk into. He'd already learned from Lucas that it had numerous Pokémon fossils and a special lab filled with Grass-type energy—the perfect training spot. He'd been looking forward to this ever since he arrived in the capital.
"Alright, fossils it is," Lucas nodded. He didn't know why Basalt was so interested in fossils, but his job was to be a good host, so he couldn't refuse.
As one of the premier universities in the country, South River University's campus was enormous, covering over six square kilometers and equipped with every imaginable facility. They hopped on a campus shuttle, and Basalt pressed his face against the window, taking in the sights. Most of the buildings were modern steel and concrete structures, but they were interspersed with beautiful, traditional southern-style pavilions and courtyards. The lawns along the roads were dotted with students—some reading, some bonding with their Pokémon, and some bonding with their significant others.
In this world, trainers were the mainstream. As the shuttle drove on, Basalt saw countless Pokémon, most of them fully evolved. A fierce Pidgeot soaring overhead, an elegant Ninetales, a majestic Arcanine, the psychic master Alakazam, a three-headed Exeggutor... each one was incredibly powerful.
"Every student in the battle department at South River is the best of the best," Lucas explained, pleased with Basalt's awestruck expression. "Most of them reach the advanced tier by their second year and the professional tier by their third. Ninety-nine percent of them pass the professional trainer assessment before they graduate. If you can't become a professional-level trainer before graduation, you don't get your degree."
"A top-tier university really is on another level," Basalt remarked. His cousin, who attended a first-rate university in another region, was in his final year and had only just passed his advanced trainer assessment. And even that was considered impressive at his school.
"Whoa! A Dragonair?"
Suddenly, Basalt spotted a long, serpentine Pokémon. Its slender body was covered in sapphire-blue scales with a bright white underbelly. It had a small, white horn on its forehead and two small, feathered wings on the sides of its head. It was the pre-evolution of the pseudo-legendary Dragonite.
"Draaa~" Basalt could see three crystal-like blue orbs on its body—one under its neck and two at the tip of its tail. It spread its small head-wings and danced in the air, a faint blue aura surrounding it.
"Draaagon... Daaance!" Basalt recognized the move it was performing.
"It's called Dragon Dance, you've probably never seen it before," Lucas said, assuming Basalt was just guessing. "See that girl over there, the one with the light blue shirt and jeans? That's the Dragonair's trainer, Bianca. She's the most promising trainer in our entire university."
"Bianca is only in her third year, but she's already a certified professional-level trainer. Her strength is terrifying. As soon as her Dragonair evolves, she's a shoo-in for the university's official team. By her final year, she'll be the team captain, no question."
Following Lucas's gaze, Basalt saw Bianca, but she had her back to them. All he could see was her long, flowing hair. A group of underclassmen were gathered around her; she seemed to be teaching them the intricacies of Dragon Dance.
"Hey, buddy, snap out of it. We're miles away now, you can't see her anymore," Lucas teased, seeing Basalt craning his neck out the window. "Don't get any funny ideas. Bianca is completely focused on her training right now." He crossed his arms and gave Basalt a knowing, cheeky grin. The message was clear: Even if you're handsome, don't even think about it.
"I wasn't thinking about anything," Basalt said, pulling his head back in. He frowned. "I was just curious. Aren't pseudo-legendary Pokémon incredibly rare? How did she qualify to raise a Dragonair? I'd like to try for one myself someday."
The desert tyrant Tyranitar was a Pokémon he was determined to get. If he couldn't win the regionals, he would have to find another way. He was trying to plan ahead, not putting all his eggs in one basket.
"Uh... well..." Lucas scratched his head awkwardly. "Bianca is the daughter of our Regional Champion, Drake. So, her starter was a Dratini..."
"Never mind," Basalt said, his hopes dashed. So she's a legacy trainer. That path was closed to him. Maybe for his future kids, though.
Man, when I'm rich and famous, I'm getting each of my kids a full team of pseudo-legendaries just for fun. Whether the team composition made sense was irrelevant. It was all about the prestige.
As Basalt silently fumed, the shuttle finally arrived at Professor Nina's research institute. After swiping a keycard, they were greeted by heavily armed security guards. With Lucas leading the way, they passed through without any trouble.
"The security is this tight?" Basalt remarked. It felt like something out of a movie.
"Of course! Life Energy research is a brand-new field worldwide. Right now, only the five major nations and a few other countries have the capability to participate. Our country has to do whatever it takes to stay ahead." Lucas explained as he swiped his card at various checkpoints. "But I heard from my professor that the best Life Energy research institute is in the capital. That's the real heart of the research. We're just a satellite lab, providing support."
Basalt nodded in understanding. This level of security could stop a casual intruder, but not a serious threat. For truly top-secret technology, you'd need Master-level trainers on guard duty.
"Alright, here we are. The Pokémon fossil storage room."
After passing through three security doors, Basalt saw a massive glass display case filled with fossils of various shapes and sizes.
"These are the fossils of Omanyte and Omastar, and these are Kabuto and Kabutops. This is a Lileep fossil..." Lucas explained as they walked along the display. He pointed out the fossils of Anorith, Cranidos, and Shieldon as well. Even though Basalt was no expert, he could tell them apart.
"Don't you have any Aerodactyl, Tirtouga, Archen, Tyrunt, or Dracovish fossils?" Basalt asked. The collection wasn't as complete as he'd hoped.
"I'm surprised you know so much about fossils," Lucas said, looking at him with astonishment. "Aerodactyl fossils are extremely rare; the only ones are in the capital. Tirtouga, Archen, Tyrunt, and Amaura aren't native to our country; you can only find them in other regions."
"But... what was that last one you said? Dracovish? I don't think I've ever heard of that one. Is it a new discovery?" Lucas asked, scratching his cheek.
"Uh..." Basalt tensed up. In this world, the technology to revive fossils was still in the research phase. There was no way they would know about the artificially combined fossil Pokémon. Crap... I slipped up.
"Oh, uh, I think I read it in some magazine," Basalt stammered, trying to cover. "It was just some fan theory from amateur paleontologists, you know? Haha..." He quickly changed the subject, moving to get a closer look at the Lileep fossil. Its root-like tentacles were completely petrified, but he could still vaguely make out their original form from millions of years ago.
"So, you're interested in fossils?" Lucas teased. "You should apply for the Life Energy program next year. We could be lab partners. You already know Professor Nina, and she's interested in your Drilbur. I'm sure she'd give you a special admission in a heartbeat."
"Nah, I'm not interested in research," Basalt said with a wave of his hand. He and his Drilbur much preferred battling; the thrill was indescribable.
"Then why are you staring at it so intently?"
"I was just wondering what they would look like if they could really be revived," Basalt said, lost in thought. Cradily, Bastiodon, Dracovish, Aerodactyl... he wanted them all.
Beep! Beep!
Just then, the sound of a car horn came from outside. Lucas looked out the window. "That's my professor. She's back. Let's go meet her. Then she can measure Drilbur's Life Energy index."
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