Ray's boots echoed down the empty hallway as he reached the small annex room assigned to the Researcher specialization. It was tucked behind the academy library, modest compared to the spacious Ranger wing or the combat arenas. When he stepped inside, the room smelled faintly of paper, ink, and old electronics.
It was... empty.
Well, almost.
At the far end of the room, hunched over a datapad, was a bespectacled man with graying sideburns and a long lab coat slightly wrinkled from disuse. He looked up, blinking in surprise.
"…You're early," the man said.
Ray nodded. "I'm the only one, right?"
The man gave a dry chuckle. "First student to pick Researcher in five years. I had to wipe the dust off the curriculum."
The Path of the Researcher
"I'm Instructor Halden," he said, motioning for Ray to sit at one of the tables. "Welcome to the most ignored, underappreciated, and overworked specialization in the entire academy."
Ray smirked. "Can't say I'm surprised."
Halden folded his arms, then fixed Ray with a more serious expression. "So you want to be a Pokémon researcher. Why?"
Ray hesitated for a moment, then replied honestly, "I want to understand how Pokémon grow. Why some evolve differently. What limits them… and how to break those limits."
The instructor stared at him for a moment, then nodded slowly.
"Good. You've got an aim. That's more than most."
He began to pace.
"A researcher's job isn't to memorize facts or regurgitate knowledge," he said. "We ask questions no one's answered. We find evidence. We test theories. We challenge what's accepted—sometimes what's sacred."
Structure and Expectations
Halden walked over to the holo-board and activated a display. A series of titles appeared:
Junior Researcher
Senior Researcher
Professor
"Your official career begins when you submit your first recognized study. If it's reviewed and accepted by a registered institution, you'll be granted the title of Junior Researcher."
Ray raised an eyebrow. "What makes an institution 'registered'?"
"Good question. We'll get to that next class. For now, know this: your research must be original, backed by evidence, and structured according to legal and academic standards. Otherwise, it's just a fancy diary entry."
Halden continued:
"To move from Junior to Senior, you need at least three accepted papers, one of which must demonstrate significant impact—changing public policy, advancing training methods, or unveiling unknown phenomena."
Ray's mind was already racing with ideas.
"And to become a Professor… well, that's a long road. You'll need over a dozen accepted publications, mentorship history, and—more than anything—recognition from the League's academic circles. Professors are seen as authorities. Few ever get there."
The Nature of the Course
Ray looked around the near-empty classroom. "So... what exactly are you going to teach me?"
Halden smiled faintly. "Not what to research. That's your job. This course teaches you how to structure your findings, apply for institutional review, request grants and funding, build peer networks, and avoid plagiarism lawsuits."
Ray blinked. "So basically… the boring stuff?"
Halden chuckled. "The boring stuff that makes your discoveries matter."
As class ended, Halden handed Ray a packet—digital and physical. "Read this. It contains the legal format for submitting a formal research proposal. You'll need it soon."
Ray took it with both hands, understanding the weight it carried.
He was alone in this room.
But maybe, just maybe, that would be his strength.