Otherwise, how could that flimsy story of theirs about even their IDs being blown away by a storm get believed so easily?
And this guy is actually a professor?
Did they already have the title of "professor" a thousand years ago?
Still, no matter what, being able to gain their basic trust is ultimately a good thing.
Cynthia forced down the doubts in her heart and asked.
"Professor Laventon, could you tell us what this Jubilife Village is all about?"
Professor Laventon nodded and opened the floodgates.
"Let me put it this way: the Land of Hisui is actually quite a barren place."
"The land is desolate, resources are scarce. For ordinary people, surviving here is no easy task."
"Yet Jubilife Village rises straight out of this barren land."
"In Jubilife Village, everyone can eat their fill, wear warm clothes, and have a roof over their heads. You could say there are countless people from outside who long to move into Jubilife Village."
Here, his tone dipped slightly.
"However, the conditions for moving into Jubilife Village are extremely restrictive. The most important requirement is that newcomers must be able to face Pokemon directly, and even tame Pokemon."
"Long ago, these Pokemon used to be called 'monsters' by people."
"And even now, here in the Hisui Region, there are still quite a few people filled with fear and rejection toward these creatures."
Professor Laventon let out a sigh, a trace of helplessness appearing on his face.
"The greatest wish of my life is to promote peaceful coexistence between humans and Pokemon."
"But all this time, the results have been minimal."
"Until recently, Team Galactic over there invented a brand-new device."
When they heard the words "Team Galactic," Ash and Cynthia exchanged a look, a flicker of surprise flashing in their eyes.
Team Galactic?
How is this name showing up a thousand years ago?
Could Cyrus's Team Galactic actually be an organization that's been passed down for a millennium?
They just didn't know what kind of organization Team Galactic was in this era…
Neither of them spoke up to interrupt and kept listening to Professor Laventon.
"With the help of that device, humans and Pokemon have finally started trying to make contact and even live together."
"This should have been an enormous blessing."
Professor Laventon's tone sank again.
"But because of the deep-rooted fear of Pokemon over so many years, there still aren't many people who dare to take the initiative to approach Pokemon. So right now Jubilife Village is absolutely desperate for people who can face Pokemon head-on."
"If you brother and sister really have that kind of ability, you won't have to worry about finding a place to settle down."
At this point, Professor Laventon seemed to recall something and instinctively glanced to his side.
The next second, his whole body froze.
"Ah!!" He suddenly let out a shout, his face scrunching up all at once. "This is bad, this is bad!"
"The Pokemon I definitely had with me just now—how did it suddenly disappear?!"
"Professor Laventon, what does your Pokemon look like?" Ash spoke up immediately. "Maybe I can help you find it."
With his Aura Power, sensing the location of a single Pokemon was no big deal.
But Professor Laventon didn't answer right away.
His gaze was currently glued to Ash's feet, and he was completely stunned.
"Boy, the Pokemon at your feet is…" He swallowed hard, disbelief coloring his voice. "Is that a Pikachu?"
Being suddenly called out made Ash blink, and then he realized Professor Laventon was talking about the Pikachu lying by his feet.
"Ah, yeah." Ash nodded. "This is Pikachu. It's my partner."
"Pika-pika~"
Pikachu obligingly leapt onto Ash's shoulder, waved its little paw at Professor Laventon in a friendly greeting.
But when Professor Laventon saw Pikachu's gesture and the natural, harmonious way Ash and Pikachu interacted, his expression instantly became indescribably rich.
It was the look of someone witnessing a miracle.
"Y-you-you…" He rushed up to Ash in one stride, so excited he could barely speak. "Boy! You can actually get along with a Pokemon this harmoniously?! And it's a Pikachu with such a violent temper at that!"
"How in the world did you pull this off?! Good heavens, this is absolutely unbelievable!"
Professor Laventon grabbed Ash's shoulders in one go, his eyes practically shining.
"Do you have some secret for living peacefully with Pokemon? Or is it that back overseas where you're from, you've already found a way to coexist harmoniously with Pokemon?!"
Ash: …
Pikachu: …
The boy and the mouse stared at each other, seeing nothing but deep confusion in each other's eyes.
Seriously, what kind of era is this Hisui Era supposed to be?
He knew from Cynthia that people in this era didn't get along very well with Pokemon… but wasn't this a bit too exaggerated?
It's just getting along well with Pikachu. Is that really worth getting this worked up over?
Also, the Pikachu he's talking about—are we sure it's the same species as the Pikachu on his shoulder?
"Violent temper" my foot.
Setting personality aside, just look at Pikachu's round, fluffy, adorable appearance—what part of it looks violent?
In Ash's understanding, Pikachu is famous for being gentle (not actually gentle).
As long as you don't go out of your way to mess with it, it generally won't lay a hand on people.
Its temperament is practically just like its looks: timid as a mouse. (Pika-god excluded.jpg)