Looker did not answer Ludwig's question immediately. He first removed his coat and folded it once over his arm before speaking.
"I came regarding the grant I mentioned previously."
Even after Looker dropped the seemingly heavy political topic, the restaurant didn't die on its track. Because that's just not how Checkpoint operates. Oil still continued to murmur in the pan, a ladle struck the rim of a pot somewhere behind them, and the patrons were still drinking and eating.
Only Claire's attention shifted fully to the topic.
Ludwig motioned Looker to take a seat before jumping back to the stool. It's going to be another long talk, he could feel it in his bones
"That was quick."
Looker took a seat before eyes roaming around the menu. Then he spoke, "It was processed faster than anticipated. The League just sent me a text message: 'The Clearance has been approved.'"
It was approved. Not gifted, not granted. A careful choice of words, Ludwig noticed that.
"I see." Ludwig nodded his head, deciding not to pry to the wording. Not because he's not curious, but because he knew perfectly well why it was approved rather quickly.
"I'll make it formal now." Looker inclined his head slightly towards Ludwg. "You, Rimuru, and Claire are permitted to became Trainer under League jurisdiction from now on."
Ludwig's expression did not change, but he understood the phrasing. Permitted to register meant they did not yet exist in the system. It meant a door had been unlocked for them, not that they had stepped through it.
"What does that require?" Claire asked.
"Physical presence at a regional branch." Looker answered evenly. "Photograph, signature, and basic biometric record. After that, Trainer identification numbers will be issued."
Looker did not dramatize it. He might as well have been listing shipping procedures rather than talking about granting a legal ID to… alien?
Then he remembered Claire. She shouldn't known about those… No matter how close she was with Ilea, that technology was far from what her current world had, so he looked at the woman.
But contrary to his expectation, she just nodded her head. It baffled him for a second. But then, he remembered. The Great Sage-like skill she had.
"You will then have full access to Pokemon Center services, legal Pokemon ownership, and purchase authorization for Poke Balls and related equipment. You will also have the freedom to travel between borders without triggering enforcement review." Looker's voice made another appearance.
"It opened quite a lot of doors." Claire said calmly,
"Indeed."
"But also, I guess you will have the record of what we did."
"Yes."
There was no hesitation in Looker's answer. Not like he didn't like it. After all, dealing with this kind of person was the easiest sometimes.
"Don't worry, it's a standard practice in our world. League facilities maintain standard records, healing logs, registration updates, and ownership data. Everyone was subjected to the same protocol." Looker continued.
Claire hummed at the explanation. Clearly impressed. "Convenient. Making anyone who did something unlawful easier to apprehend."
"You are correct there." Looker nodded.
Ludwig folded his arms after hearing that.. "And in return? I suppose our… help, is not standard practice for a normal citizen or trainer?"
Looker did not react to the slight emphasis. He first adjusted his seat before answering.
"Registered Trainers fall under regional civic statute." He said. "In the event of large-scale unlawful activity, assistance may be requested."
"Requested?" Claire repeated, her tone even.
"Yes."
There was no attempt to soften it further.
Ludwig watched him for a moment. "What about declining?"
"It depends on the situation." Looker replied. "Ordinary civilians are not obligated to engage in danger. However, registered Trainers are expected to report what they witness. Interference without coordination is discouraged."
It was discouraged. Not prohibited. Ludwig nodded.
"What about us?" Claire asked.
Looker didn't answer that instantly. He let the silence hang, like he was preparing for a grand reveal. Though, Ludwig already had a hunch about it. Their situation might be stricter than other trainers. If he had to put it in levels. Their cooperation might be as required as the presence of maybe a Gym Leader in case of emergency.
Then, Looker answered, his tone didn't even change. "You are not League officers nor are you Gym Leaders."
A pause followed.
"But your circumstances are not ordinary."
Claire's gaze did not shift. "Meaning?"
"Meaning," Looker continued, "you will not be requisitioned as part of standing emergency protocol. However, if a matter was big enough to threaten a good chunk of the citizens of my world, or, it's a matter that came or will affect this place, expect a call from me and me alone."
Claire looked straight at him. "From you alone, huh?"
"Yes."
"No intermediary?"
"No intermediary."
It was a narrow line, but it was clear nevertheless. Not League summons nor formal deployment. Just personal contact of someone whose job is to keep the world peace It's not bad, but it's not good either. He had done it before. Saving the world from the Demon King. Another job in that line didn't appeal to him.
However…
Every big disaster in Pokemon world had Ash in it as far as he knew. No matter what the scheme, no matter how perfect it looked, Ash would always come on top. So, in case they were called, he guessed he could just shove Ash into the situation while they pretend to help.
But, appearance and wording mattered. So, "And if we decide not to answer?"
Looker regarded him without irritation. "Then you will have decided."
It was by no means a threat nor a reassurance. Claire understood that better than most people would. "So we are not bound by statute beyond standard reporting."
"That is correct."
"But you reserve discretion, I presume?"
"I do."
Ludwig let the words settle. It was cleaner than an elevated classification. Cleaner than being inserted into emergency doctrine. They were not assets on paper. Just reachable.
"That's acceptable." He said.
Looker inclined his head once. The understanding reached between them.
"For clarity," Claire added, "our cooperation in such a case would not automatically extend beyond the scope of that specific matter."
Looker's eyes moved to her. "Noted."
She nodded once, satisfied. Then, the tension escaped.
Finally, Looker called Vilera and ordered some food and drinks. It seemed like he was finally letting himself relax after delivering the news.
But… There's still things they need to talk about.
"Say, Agent Looker." Ludwig started. "You said we need to register at the regional branch right? When should we go? I guess you want us to register as fast as possible just in case?"
Looker accepted the glass Vilera placed in front of him with a short nod before answering Ludwig.
"You can go by your convenient. I will ask Professor Oak to help. However…" He paused. "If you ask for what I want, I want you to do it tomorrow at nine in Viridian City administrative branch. Earlier is cleaner."
"Cleaner." Claire repeated.
"Fewer variables. Fewer observers." He took a measured sip. "Once documentation is completed, your status becomes stable."
Meaning their identity would be harder to revoke.
Ludwig nodded. "You do want it done quickly."
"Yes."
There was no denial in his words. Only truth.
For a few seconds, the conversation could have ended there. It almost did. Looker set the glass down and glanced briefly toward the dining hall. But then, his eyes returned to them.
"There is another matter." He said.
Claire's posture adjusted slightly at the words.
"Once you complete your registration," Looker continued, "I would advise you to acquire Pokemon."
Ludwig blinked once. "I think that's like the first thing we will do, no?"
He looked at Claire who smirked and nodded her head.
Looker did not smile at Ludwig's answer, but something in his gaze shifted in approval.
"I assumed as much." He said. "However, intention and execution are separate matters."
Claire leaned back slightly in her seat. "You're not advising us to simply own Pokemon, do you?
"No." Looker folded his hands over the table once more. "I am advising you to train them."
Ludwig hummed. So he wasn't just telling us to get a pokemon they think cute. He wanted them to train them to be battle-ready pokemon. They need to be a proper one.
Ludwig tilted his head. "To what extent, though?"
"At least until their next evolutionary threshold. Two or three pokemons would suffice." Looker said. But then, he seemed to be remembering something and continued. "Well, about the evolutions, you can ask Professor Oak for more details."
Claire nodded, probably already knowing where the conversation was going. But she still asked regardless. "Why though?"
"Because I'm concerned about what will happen if you are seen resolving incidents without Pokemon present. It's not like I banned you guys from using your power. If something can be resolved easier with your power, you will have to report to me first. However, with no pokemon… it will invite questions that are… unproductive." Looker answered in a matter-of-fact manner.
Ludwig chuckled. Unproductive, he said. He downplayed it quite a lot. Ludwig could already picture it. People knowing a human was capable of doing something only Pokemon could and beyond.
Yeah, that's not just unproductive. It would be destablizing. Moreover, it would only brought more people to his door, just like what he thought about when facing that family of four.
Moreover, it would not just bring curiosity.
It would also bring fear.
And fear, in any world, had a habit of turning into policy.
Ludwig rested his elbow against the counter, fingers brushing lightly against the stem of an empty glass. "So you want a picture, huh? If something happens, it must look like a Pokemon handled it."
"I want structure preserved." Looker corrected evenly. "Battles occur between Trainers and Pokemon. Disasters are addressed through recognized channels. If you intervene, it should remain within that narrative."
Claire did not look amused. "Narrative management, then."
"Yes."
Ludwig could not fault him for that. The League's authority rested on a shared understanding of how power functioned. Gym Leaders. Elite Four. Champions. Legendary incidents carefully framed as exceptional events.
Not civilians carrying swords while folding space and time fighting Palkia or Dialga.
"And if," Claire continued, "the situation escalates beyond what Pokemons can credibly account for?"
Looker met her gaze without blinking. "That will not happened. As long as you picked proper Pokemon, by that I mean, Pokemon people known as strong enough, no one will question it. That's just how our world works."
Looker answered.
"But, if something like that really happened, then I will ensure the incident report reflects appropriate context."
Meaning he would either bury it, redirect it, or classify it.
"Good enough. You covered your base well." Ludwig nodded.
But then, he could feel Claire was looking at him. It seemed like she was surprised or maybe baffled that Ludwig said something like that.
Well, he said that with a little bit of smugness, so, he couldn't really fault her, can he?
"I prefer prevention to containment."
That, at least, was honest.
He glanced briefly toward the dining hall, then back at Looker. "Fine. We'll go with what you want."
Claire gave a short nod in agreement. "We will select carefully. And we will train them properly."
Looker inclined his head once. "That is sufficient."
For a moment, the matter seemed closed. Then Ludwig's expression shifted. He decided to voice his worry. After all, maybe Looker was the only one in his restaurant that understood what he was most worried about.
"You know, if word spreads that humans can do what Pokemon do and beyond… you won't just have panic."
Looker waited.
"You'll have replication attempts, experiments, and organizations trying to manufacture it as well as governments wanting to weaponize it." He smiled faintly. "That's a mess even I don't want to clean."
Looker's gaze sharpened just slightly. "Exactly."
Claire folded her hands neatly on the table. "Then, I guess we should remain… conventional. Lucky that my power isn't too flashy, unlike certain someone."
"Hey, blinking hundreds of kilometers in a few seconds is not flashy, okay? It's just convenient." Ludwig defended himself.
"Whatever…" Claire shrugged.
But then, Looker joined. "Uh well, if that's one of your ability, I suggest you to capture a Pokemon that have teleportation ability."
Claire wiped her head so fast towards Looker. Her eyes shining. "There's pokemon with that kind of ability? Okay that will be my first priority."
Ludwig looked at Claire like she looked at the biggest betrayer of all time. His teleportation shouldn't be that bad, right?
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