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"Steelix, huh?! Alright, Professor Oak, there's a Pokémon Transfer Machine right here. I'll give you the serial number, and you can send it over right away."
Upon learning that Steelix was about to return, Liam's face lit up with joy. He glanced at the operating instructions taped to the side of the Pokémon Transfer Machine, read them carefully, and then turned to speak to Professor Oak.
"Oh? It's already set up? That's quick. Well, of course—machines this convenient should be spread as soon as possible. Heh, I've tried this Pokémon Transfer Machine several times over the past few days, and it's just amazing. The person who invented this… truly a genius!"
Upon hearing that Liam had a machine nearby, Professor Oak was visibly pleased, his voice tinged with excitement.
"Uh… haha, yes… definitely a genius invention…"
Liam gave an awkward smile in response.
"Well then, since you have a Transfer Machine there, I'll send Steelix over right now. But, Liam, you still have Aerodactyl with you, don't you? Send it to me too. I've already completed the research data for Omastar and Kabutops—only Aerodactyl is missing. If you're not in a rush, leave Aerodactyl with me for a while so I can finish the records."
Professor Oak shook the PokéBall in his hand and grinned at Liam.
"...Well, since you put it that way, Professor, I can't exactly refuse. I'll let Aerodactyl stay with you for a bit."
Liam knew how passionate Professor Oak was about his research. If he refused now, Oak definitely wouldn't let it go, so he decided to agree.
Hearing Liam's reply, Prof. Oak happily asked for the machine's serial number. Then, linking both machines, he placed Steelix's PokéBall on the platform. A surge of electricity enveloped it, and in an instant, the PokéBall vanished from Oak's side.
"Got it, Professor Oak. I'll send Aerodactyl over to you now."
On the other side of the line, Liam picked up the very familiar PokéBall that had just arrived, showing it to Prof. Oak through the screen.
"Aerodactyl, take a little break at Professor Oak's lab. Help him with his research, and I'll come get you later."
After storing Steelix's PokéBall, Liam took out Aerodactyl's, whispering a few words to it. The ball shook lightly in response. Liam placed it on the machine, notified Prof. Oak to receive it, and sent it over.
"Hoho~ Received! Wonderful! Something new to study again!"
Professor Oak beamed as he held Aerodactyl's PokéBall.
"Haha… so, Professor Oak, anything else?"
Seeing Oak so cheerful, Liam scratched his head, slightly amused.
"Oh! Right! Delia! Are you there?"
Realizing something, Oak called out again—this time to Delia.
Delia, who had been quietly standing nearby, leaned closer to the screen, curiosity in her eyes. "Professor? What is it?"
"You! Running off with this rascal Liam without a word was bad enough—but you even took Cleffa with you! Do you know how worried your Aunt Fumiko has been? Send Cleffa back immediately so she can have some company!"
Oak's expression turned stern as he spoke.
Delia stuck out her tongue sheepishly, quickly pulling out Cleffa's PokéBall. After murmuring a few words to it, she placed it on the machine. Electricity surged, and the ball disappeared.
"Got Cleffa. That's all for now… oh, about that guy Elm you mentioned last time—he's already been here. Nice young man, I like him. I'm thinking of taking him on as a student to help with Pokémon Ability research. Just letting you know. Anyway, I need to bring Cleffa to Fumiko, so I'll be off. Keep in touch~"
With that, the call ended. Delia looked at the darkened screen and playfully stuck out her tongue again.
Liam: "…Wait a second! Professor Oak—you still never told us how you knew where we were!"
By the time Liam realized it, Oak was already gone.
.....
Outside the Pokémon Center's battle arena, Liam and Delia arrived. Liam took out Steelix's PokéBall and tossed it high into the air.
"Rooarr!!"
A beam of white light descended, revealing Steelix's massive body. It roared mightily.
"Yo! Long time no see, Steelix! How've you been?"
Liam excitedly approached, running his hand along Steelix's metallic body.
"Grrr~"
Steelix blinked in surprise at first, but upon recognizing Liam, its eyes softened. It pressed its head against him affectionately, shaking him a bit to show how much it had missed him.
After catching up with Steelix, Liam and Delia, carrying their bags, left the Pokémon Center. They followed the same road as yesterday until they reached the gate of the Kurt Residence and rang the bell.
"Hello, this is the Kurt Residence. May I help you?"
The side door opened, revealing the same kimono-clad lady from yesterday.
"Hello, ma'am. We visited yesterday—may I ask if Mr. Kurt is home now?"
Seeing her, Liam quickly stepped forward and asked politely.
"Oh! It's you two. Please, come in! The master has returned and instructed me to welcome any of Professor Oak's acquaintances without delay. Follow me."
Recognizing their faces, the woman smiled warmly and ushered them in.
"Uh… then we'll accept your hospitality. Thank you."
Though a bit taken aback by her enthusiasm, Liam followed her inside with Delia.
But just as they entered, a familiar voice rang out from up ahead.
"Ho! Brat! It really is you! Hahaha! So Oak wasn't lying—a Regional Champion at your age? You've got incredible potential!"
Liam looked up to see the "old man" they'd met last night sitting comfortably on a blanket under a large tree in the courtyard. A small table with tea and snacks sat before him—nothing like the bedraggled state he'd been in before.
"Haha, thank you for the compliment, sir. You must be Mr. Kurt's father? Glad to see you again. Is Mr. Kurt home?"
Liam smiled and approached with Delia, speaking respectfully.
The moment Liam said that, the kimono lady behind them clapped a hand over her mouth, glancing nervously at the old man under the tree—whose face had already darkened to a dangerous shade of blue…