"…So, about this matter—what do you think, Ash?" Professor Oak asked.
"Emmm…"
"When I was experimenting with helping Magikarp learn Tackle, I didn't properly calculate or summarize the costs—time, effort, or the consumption of my psychic power. Right now, the skill shop has accepted three orders."
"I need to first organize and analyze the costs and the average time required to successfully teach the skill. Coincidentally, the outside world also needs these three orders to verify the authenticity of my ability to help Magikarp learn Tackle."
"So let's wait until these three orders are completed before discussing anything else. Helping Magikarp learn Tackle isn't an easy task, and it's absolutely impossible for the League to expect me to do it for free."
"The League's current attention toward me, and the protection of my personal safety, are ultimately based on my Trainer talent. Even the so-called promises—like pseudo-legendary hatchlings—still require me to win major League championships before they'll be fully honored…"
"Up to now, Froakie was something I earned through my own efforts at the Pokémon Summer Camp. The Poké Ball Teleporter was arranged by you, Professor. Rotom was also given to me by you. My borrowing privileges at Kanto's legal city libraries were all thanks to you as well. And today, you even left one of your own Pokémon by my side to protect me."
"Up to now, the actual benefits I've received from the League are very few—and none of them were unconditional. Everything comes with strings attached that I'll have to repay, often with interest. The League's concern for me is entirely built on my Trainer talent."
"Only you, Professor—Aunt Mihoko, Sister Daisy, Gary, and my mom… only you all treat me well without caring about my talent or asking for anything in return. So if the League wants me to help cultivate Magikarp, then payment—or compensation of equal value—is non-negotiable."
"After all, my research into helping Magikarp learn Tackle is purely about changing Magikarp's fate and benefiting the species—just like how science has no borders."
"My time and energy are limited, and the number of Magikarp I can help within a certain period is also limited. So what I want to do is help as many Magikarp as possible within that limited time—regardless of where they come from."
"The Kanto League, ordinary Trainers, a certain Kanto family, families from other regions, or even Pokémon Leagues from other regions—I don't care."
"Of course, even though the League's concern for me is based on my talent, and I haven't received much real benefit from them yet, no matter what, I'm still a citizen under the Kanto League."
"I'm grateful that the League values me and sends people to protect me. So under equal compensation and equal cost, I'll prioritize the Kanto League."
"And if you or your team have any academic research projects related to Magikarp learning Tackle, Professor, I'm willing to help unconditionally at any time."
"That's basically how I see things."
Facing Professor Oak, Ash didn't hide his true thoughts at all—he spoke with complete honesty.
"Mhm."
After listening, Oak nodded, finding nothing improper in Ash's stance.
"The League's attention toward you really is based on your Trainer talent, and nothing you've received from them has been unconditional. So it's perfectly reasonable for you to charge compensation if the League asks you to cultivate Magikarp."
"But just as you said, let's wait until the three orders you've already accepted are completed before handling the rest. And later, whether you're helping the League or other forces cultivate Magikarp, always act within your limits. Don't push yourself too hard."
"For you right now, the most important thing is still improving your own strength. For a Pokémon Trainer, personal strength always comes first."
"Yes."
Ash nodded in agreement at Oak's advice.
"Oh right, Professor—Pidgey agreed to be captured today. Its body is somewhat malnourished, and its physical development has issues, which is why it hasn't evolved into Pidgeotto even though its level already meets the requirements."
"So could you ask the doctors and nutritionists at your lab to give Pidgey a full checkup and then design a diet to improve its condition?"
Ash glanced toward the windowsill, where Pidgey stood quietly, listening to their conversation.
"Sure, that's a small matter. I'll take Pidgey back to the lab first. After you've had lunch, come over—everything should be ready by then."
"Thank you, Professor."
"Then I'll be heading out."
"Professor, stay and have lunch with us."
"No need. The League is probably anxiously waiting for my reply."
...
With everything settled, Professor Oak hurriedly left again, taking Pidgey with him. Watching his back, Ash couldn't help but sigh.
"Professor Oak really is a busy man."
"Ho… tell me about it."
Beside him, Charizard scratched its head with a claw and complained.
"When he was still a Trainer, we trained and battled together every day—it was great. Ever since he became a researcher, he's stuck in the lab all day. No time to keep me company, no time to train or battle. I'm bored out of my mind."
"Are you really that bored, Charizard?" Ash asked tentatively.
"Then when I train Pichu and Frogadier every day, I can arrange some training for you too."
"Ho—?!"
Charizard's eyes widened.
"Kid, you can understand what I'm saying?!"
"Yep. I'm a psychic. I can communicate freely with Pokémon and heal their injuries, so of course I can understand you."
"Hoho… wow! A psychic!"
Charizard looked impressed.
"Kid, you're amazing."
"But you don't need to train me. At my level, I know how to train myself. Just keep me company and chat with me to kill the boredom."
"Hoho… Oak's other Pokémon are way too dull. Dragonite is too gentle and hates fighting—super boring. Blastoise is a blockhead—talks rough and hides in its shell during battles. Venusaur is even worse, lazing around in the sun all day…"
Maybe it had been bored for too long with no one to talk to—Charizard suddenly turned into a nonstop chatterbox.
If it were a human rambling like this, Ash would've found it annoying.
But since it was a Pokémon, it felt completely different.
Watching Charizard talk endlessly, Ash actually found it amusing—and strangely comforting.
"Ash, lunch is ready! Come downstairs."
"Coming!"
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T/N:
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