Hearing Professor Oak's suggestion, Red said,
"What I want most right now is a high-tier resource that can help Larvitar evolve."
"But I haven't been able to think of anything particularly suitable."
"Your shiny Larvitar is about to evolve?!"
Professor Oak's eyes immediately lit up.
As a Pokémon researcher, he was interested in all rare Pokémon.
And a shiny Larvitar was extraordinarily rare.
Furthermore, after observing Red's shiny Larvitar before, Professor Oak had always felt that its Ability didn't seem to be Sand Veil.
However, because Red had never agreed to let him properly study Larvitar, Oak had never gotten a clear look.
"How about we discuss letting me research Larvitar a little—"
Seeing the professor practically drooling, Red decisively refused.
He had no habit of letting others study his Pokémon.
Even if that person was Professor Oak.
Still, seeing the anticipation in Oak's eyes, Red eventually made a small concession.
"If you can help me choose a suitable high-tier resource for Larvitar, I'll let you observe its evolution."
"But sending it to your laboratory for research is out of the question."
Professor Oak nodded immediately.
"Of course!"
After all, the rewards were coming from the League.
But if he could build a good relationship with Red, the research data would belong to him personally.
As an old veteran, Oak understood such distinctions very clearly.
Use the League's money to handle your own business!
After learning about Larvitar's current condition, Professor Oak thought for a moment before saying,
"In your situation, there's actually an extremely rare high-tier material I'd recommend."
"What resource?"
Red's eyes brightened.
As expected, these old League veterans knew plenty of insider secrets.
"It comes from Hoenn."
"From the legendary Pokémon known as the God of the Land."
"A fragment of Groudon's armor."
Red couldn't help sucking in a breath.
"Wait."
"The League's high-tier resources include things like that?!"
Professor Oak nodded.
"Normally, anything related to a Legendary Pokémon at Groudon's level would be categorized even higher."
"But this one is special."
"A piece of Groudon's armor fused with a massive rock."
"No one has been able to separate it."
"Most Pokémon can't use it at all."
"So its classification was lowered."
"But Larvitar might be different."
"With its incredible digestive ability, it may actually be able to consume the armor and absorb it directly."
Hearing that explanation, Red was tempted immediately.
"Alright."
"Let's go with your recommendation."
Seeing Red's excitement, Professor Oak gritted his teeth and added,
"Wait."
"There's something even better than Articuno's abandoned nest for your Marshtomp."
"Articuno's nest contains both Ice- and Flying-type energy."
"I'd recommend Thousand-Year Mystic Ice instead."
"Legend says even Regice's body is composed of it."
"It's a pure Ice-type resource, making it a far better fit for your needs."
Red's eyes immediately started shining.
"Professor Oak, please sit down!"
Then he glanced at the cheap green tea in front of Oak and instantly shouted,
"Xiaochun! Xiaowen!"
"How can you serve such cheap tea to Professor Oak?!"
"Bring out the Da Hong Pao left behind by the former Gym Leader!"
Watching Red's attitude do a complete one-eighty, Professor Oak couldn't help laughing.
After receiving Oak's advice, Red ultimately selected:
Groudon Armor FragmentThousand-Year Mystic IceChampion-level Dragonair Dragon Pearl
Although the Dragon Pearl wasn't nearly as impressive as the other two resources, it was perfectly suited for Castform.
For the final reward, following Oak's recommendation, Red chose:
A Flame from Moltres
This one was meant for Ninetales.
After all, Ninetales served as Red's bodyguard, warmed his bed at night, and had nearly sacrificed her life in battle before.
She deserved a proper reward.
Thanks to Professor Oak's guidance, the quality of Red's choices far exceeded his previous selections.
Once the list was finalized, the League moved quickly.
Before long, Red received:
50 million PokédollarsThe four selected resourcesOfficial documents granting him a 2% profit share
In return, he handed over the Dynamax Device for League research.
However, Red made one final request.
"I have one more condition."
"Once Dynamax Devices are mass-produced, I'd like priority sales to go to the Joy family, the Dragon Clan, Goldenrod Gym, and Cynthia of Sinnoh."
Professor Oak agreed immediately.
"Oh, right."
Red added,
"And the faction connected to Ma Zhiji? They get supplied last."
For such a harmless request, Oak saw no reason to object.
Looking around at the women surrounding Red—
Human-form Ninetales.
Xiaowen.
Xiaochun.
Joy Xue.
Sabrina from Goldenrod Gym.
And Cynthia.
Professor Oak couldn't help sighing.
"Gym Leader Red really does have... extensive connections."
"But be careful."
"A woman's heart is deeper than the ocean."
"You should be wary of women."
The professor spoke with heartfelt experience.
After all, he had spent half his life dealing with Agatha.
The term red-faced confidante left a deep impression on him.
"You're exaggerating, Professor."
Red laughed awkwardly.
Professor Oak didn't say anything more.
Instead, he handed over the four resources.
The first was the Dragon Pearl from a Champion-level Dragonair that had somehow never evolved.
Red immediately gave it to Castform.
The moment Castform saw the Dragon Pearl, she couldn't look away.
Because it contained the powers of:
RainSandstormSunny DaySnow
And it was beautiful.
A dazzling, multicolored white glow shimmered within it.
Castform became completely captivated.
Carefully accepting the Dragon Pearl, she hung it around her chest.
Instantly, she could feel her control over weather growing stronger.
Filled with excitement, she shot straight into the sky.
Next came the Thousand-Year Mystic Ice.
Even sealed inside a special preservation sphere, terrifying cold radiated outward.
"This one's for your Marshtomp."
Marshtomp caught the ice.
The instant his hand touched it—
His arm froze solid.
Yet Marshtomp wasn't alarmed.
Instead, his eyes lit up with excitement.
The moisture in the surrounding air immediately gathered.
A giant hand formed.
The next second, it transformed into solid ice.
The ice was incredibly dense.
Even opponents of the same level would struggle to break free.
Using the Thousand-Year Mystic Ice, Marshtomp had finally touched the highest realm of Frozen Hell.
Though he couldn't maintain that level without the resource, it still represented tremendous progress.
Next came Moltres's Flame.
The living flame floated gently toward Ninetales.
Looking at the flame full of vitality, Ninetales turned to Red in confusion.
When Red nodded—
Her expression instantly transformed.
Confusion became excitement.
Excitement became shock.
Shock became overwhelming joy.
The beautiful fox spirit threw herself directly into Red's arms.
"Waaah—!"
"Master, you're too good to me!"
"How am I supposed to repay you?"
Before Red could respond, her eyes sparkled mischievously.
"Master, from now on, any kind of play you want is fine."
"My transformations can even imitate other people."
Red nearly choked.
Turning toward Professor Oak with a stiff smile, he hurriedly explained,
"Professor Oak, she's just talking nonsense."
Surprisingly, Oak looked completely unfazed.
Instead, he patted Red's shoulder.
"Red."
"Let me tell you a secret that's not really a secret."
"In the ancient era, there are records of humans and Pokémon interbreeding."
"..."
"Professor Oak."
"You're joking, right?"
"Right?!"
Red felt his sanity crumbling.
What exactly were ancient humans doing to Pokémon?!
Finally—
The most important resource.
The fragment of Groudon's body.
Red released his shiny Larvitar.
"Larvitar."
"It's yours."
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