The office of Joseph Stone, head of Devon Corporation, was quiet save for the low hum of machines and the ticking of a grand clock on the wall.
Piles of documents and reports rested neatly on the desk, yet Mr. Stone's attention was not on them.
His gaze lingered on a slim folder in his hands, the name Albert Hugo Deford stamped across the cover.
Seated across from him, with legs dangling just above the ground, was a boy with ice blue hair and curious blue eyes—his son, Steven.
Though only five, he already carried himself with a composure that belied his age. His interests were unusual for a child, leaning toward stones and minerals rather than toys or games.
"Father," Steven asked softly, watching the way his father studied the folder. "Is he really that special?"
Joseph Stone closed the file and rested it on the desk, steepling his fingers. "Special is too small a word, Steven. This boy has advanced through education as if the curriculum itself were made of paper. At five years old, he stands at the level of a high school graduate. His teachers speak of flawless memory, of insight far beyond his years."
Steven tilted his head, thoughtful. "So… smarter than me?"
Mr. Stone's stern expression softened slightly. "Not in the same way. You are gifted, Steven. Your curiosity, your patience, your fascination with the natural world—those probably are not traits that Albert shares. Genius takes many forms. Yours will grow steadily, like stone weathered into shape. His… burns brightly, like fire that consumes everything around it. Both paths have their strength."
Steven swung his legs idly, considering. He wasn't offended, only thoughtful. "So you admire him?"
Joseph gave a short laugh, low and measured. "I admire potential. And Albert Hugo Deford is nothing but potential. A mind like his, at such an age, could shape the future of Pokémon research and technology. That is not something to ignore."
Steven frowned slightly. "But he's still only five. He can't even train yet."
"True," Joseph said with a nod. "But brilliance does not wait for age. If nurtured correctly, it becomes the foundation of greatness. The question is whether Albert's path will align with ours—or diverge into something else entirely."
Steven's eyes narrowed a little—not in suspicion, but in quiet curiosity. Even at his young age, his fascination with stones, minerals, and the natural world already shaped his reserved personality.
Yet the idea of another boy, his own age, already far ahead in both studies and maturity, stirred something in him.
"I want to meet him," Steven said at last. His voice was calm, almost flat, but behind it lay genuine interest.
Joseph smiled knowingly. "And you will. But first, I want to understand not just his mind, but his character. Intelligence without discipline can be dangerous. Drive without direction, destructive. If Albert is to stand as a peer—perhaps even a rival—to you, then we must see for ourselves what kind of child he truly is."
The clock ticked on. Outside, footsteps echoed in the hall.
Joseph straightened in his chair, his expression hardening back into the mask of authority he wore for the world. "It seems our guest has arrived."
Steven's eyes flickered toward the door, curiosity glinting in their depths. He said nothing, but his small hands tightened slightly on the arms of his chair
Moments later, a knock sounded at the grand doors of the office.