Chapter 185: Teacher Lu's Secretary
The Dynamax phenomenon was unique to the Galar region. However, many Trainers preferred Mega Evolution over Dynamaxing. Lu Ye had no strong feelings either way. "After all, they're both official mechanics," he thought to himself.
Just then, the bell signaling the end of the meeting rang.
"I need to go find Professor Magnolia." Sonia stood up, waved her sparkling manicured nails at Lu Ye, and smiled sweetly. "Anyway... Galar always welcomes you!"
Watching Sonia bounce away, clearly in high spirits, Lu Ye felt a little conflicted. The Dynamax Band was a rare item, on par with the Z-Power Ring and Key Stone. Was it really okay to just give it away like that?
"...Forget it," Lu Ye sighed, rubbing his temples. "Even if I visit Galar, that'll be way later." For now, his priority was preparing to head to Kanto for his new position in the latter half of the year. Before that, he had to evolve Haunter first.
"Gengarrr?" Haunter had ice cream on its face and licked the corner of its mouth with its crimson tongue.
"It's nothing." Lu Ye patted its head with a smile. "This afternoon, we still need to visit an expert in Pokémon communication technology!"
Just then, Sonia rushed back in a hurry. "Forgot something?" Lu Ye asked.
Sonia shook her head, then quickly nodded. She held up her phone and pointed at the screen. "Can I... get your contact info?" she asked, her eyes shining expectantly.
A moment later—watching Sonia leave with a disappointed look, Lu Ye chuckled coldly. Trying to get me to be a free ancient language translator? Not happening! Still, learning more about the state of Dynamax research had been useful. Lu Ye nodded thoughtfully, taking advantage of the lunch break to meet up with Cynthia and the others.
Restaurant
The restaurant was bustling with familiar faces, engaged in conversations in small groups. Among them was Professor Sycamore, his unshaven face and flowing hair giving him a casual charm—an expert in Mega Evolution. There was also Professor Kukui, tanned and wearing goggles, laughing heartily—an expert in Z-Moves.
Lu Ye retracted his gaze and curiously asked: "Professor, are there any experts on Pokémon communication technology at this conference?"
Professor Rowan stroked his beard in thought. "Professor Bill from Kanto is attending… You should be able to find him in the discussion hall."
The discussion hall was an area where scholars and investors freely exchanged ideas, whether for research collaborations or investment opportunities. The conversations were lively and intense. Cynthia led Lu Ye to the hall, hands in her pockets, nodding lightly.
"I have a presentation coming up. When you're done, wait for me to pick you up."
Lu Ye's heart skipped a beat, and he cleared his throat before nodding. Cynthia smiled slightly, waved her hand behind her back, and walked away gracefully.
Lu Ye pulled himself together and muttered, "Alright… time to find Professor Bill!"
All around, different research teams displayed their scientific achievements, attracting investors. Lu Ye wandered around but didn't spot Professor Bill. Instead, a research booth labeled "Macro Cosmos Research Lab" caught his attention.
"This name sounds familiar…" Lu Ye rubbed his chin. "Is it related to Dynamax?"
Just then, the door to the booth swung open. A researcher stormed out, carrying a pile of documents and complaining loudly, "With standards this high… why don't you just do it yourself?!" The researcher almost bumped into Lu Ye and was about to curse—but then, he caught sight of Lu Ye's conference badge and swallowed his words. "Assistant to Professor Rowan…?" The researcher gulped.
Anyone with the title of "Professor" was a top expert in their field. And their assistants were usually being groomed as successors. More importantly, this assistant was so young… No need to offend him. "Are you… here for a research collaboration?" The researcher stammered. "We're from the Macro Cosmos Research Lab, studying the phenomenon of Gigantamaxing…"
"Oh… I'm just looking around." Lu Ye cut him off and glanced inside the lab. Dim lighting, books stacked like mountains—the atmosphere was suffocating. Only one researcher remained at her computer, furiously typing and muttering under her breath: "The primary difference in Lapras's Gigantamax phenomenon lies in the multi-layered structure of its shell…"
The woman had disheveled hair, with chestnut bangs covering her forehead, and wore thick glasses. Suddenly, her typing halted, and she blankly looked up. "Are all these research materials yours?" Lu Ye glanced around, clicking his tongue in amazement.
The researcher stared at him for a long time before nodding stiffly.
"That's impressive…" Lu Ye murmured. Even Sonia might not be as capable as her. Could she be some hidden genius? The thick frames of her glasses obscured her expression as she studied Lu Ye's face.
"What's your name?" Lu Ye asked.
The woman opened her mouth but hesitated for a long while before whispering in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz: "O-Oleana."
Lu Ye stroked his chin. The name sounded oddly familiar, but he couldn't quite place it. Pulling up a chair, he sat beside Oleana and asked curiously, "You're here to present your findings on Gigantamaxing, right?"
The fluorescent light reflected off her greasy hair. Oleana's ears turned red, and she stiffly nodded.
"But you're the only researcher in this booth," Lu Ye teased. "How do you plan to secure funding?"
A long silence followed. Her thick glasses glowed under the fluorescent lights. "I… love this work. Even without funding, it's fine…" Oleana murmured.
"Keep at it," Lu Ye said with a smile as he stood up. "Even if you're alone, don't give up."
Oleana stared blankly. As she watched Lu Ye's departing figure, she seemed to gather her courage. Suddenly, Oleana called out loudly: "W-Would you be willing to listen to my presentation?!"
Dust motes floated in the sunlight. She could even hear her own heartbeat. Lu Ye stood with one hand in his pocket, pondered for a moment, then smiled. "Of course."
Oleana sat there in a daze, only snapping out of it after a long while. The feeling of being recognized… She removed her glasses and wiped the corners of her eyes. Then, she opened a search engine and typed in the name from his conference badge. Her face flushed as she refocused her gaze.
Exiting the booth, Lu Ye scratched his head. "Oleana… That name really does sound familiar…" The next moment, his expression turned strange. "Wait, isn't Chairman Rose's secretary named Oleana?" But that Oleana was a long-haired, high-heeled office lady—a total boss. How could she be the same person as this messy-haired researcher?
"Probably just a coincidence," Lu Ye muttered, nodding to himself.
Refocusing on his goal, he resumed searching for Professor Bill's booth. His persistence paid off when he finally spotted a sign in a corner of the venue: "Professor Bill's Lab"
In both the games and the anime, Bill was a well-known figure. His most famous scene from the anime? The massive Dragonite by the lighthouse. This slim, unassuming Pokémon communication expert was extremely friendly. The moment he heard that Lu Ye was a friend of Red, he threw an arm around his shoulder.
"You're here to evolve Haunter, right? No problem! The risk can be completely avoided!" Bill said confidently.
"Gengarrr!" Haunter stuck out its tongue and lunged toward Bill with a wicked grin.
"Aah! No! I'm terrified of Ghost-types!!"
"You're quite popular with Pokémon, Bill." The gentle, long-haired Daisy, Bill's assistant, smiled.
"Yeah," Lu Ye agreed as he watched Bill collapse into paralysis, nodding in sympathy.
"Oh, right—Teacher Lu, Green really appreciated your help before," Daisy said, bowing slightly.
"You are…?" Lu Ye paused, confused.
"I'm Green's older sister." Daisy tucked her hair behind her ear and smiled elegantly.
[Inorin Note:
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