The night deepened.
However, a soft light still shone within the study of the Celadon Gym Leader.
After hosting Ash and his two companions at the Gym, Erika still had other matters to attend to.
She sat upright in front of her desk, but what was unfolded before her was a holographic projection screen... could this be considered a combination of high technology and classical style?
Displayed on the screen was the face of Professor Oak, wearing a gentle smile.
The familiar outlines of the laboratory's instruments were faintly visible in the background.
"Teacher, I apologize for disturbing you late at night." Erika nodded slightly, her tone respectful yet carrying a hint of closeness.
Although Professor Oak was not the Chancellor of Celadon University, he was the true head of the university. He was the current paramount figure in the world of Pokémon scholars, a true Titan and Luminary of the field.
And as a visiting professor at Celadon University, Erika—a rising star in the academic world—was also under Professor Oak's name... well... in name, at least.
"Hoho, it's Erika. That's quite alright. I just finished organizing the data sent over by Bill on my end as well." Professor Oak laughed heartily. "So, did you meet that kid, Ash? How do you feel about him?"
Mentioning Ash.
A heartfelt smile couldn't help but surface on Erika's face. "Yes, Teacher."
"We just finished his Gym Battle. He won the Rainbow Badge."
After consulting the League's records of Ash's matches at other Gyms, Erika realized that she was actually the easiest hurdle for him so far.
But that didn't matter, as he was about to enter 'Hell Mode' soon enough.
Erika felt that Ash should be heading to the Saffron Gym next... there was a 90% probability he would be targeted by Sabrina.
The moment she thought of her neighbor, Sabrina, Erika felt a bit of a headache, but at the same time, she looked forward to seeing what would happen.
Eri·Pink-Cut-Black·ka.
Humorous.
Saffron City once had a Fighting Dojo that competed with the Saffron Gym... but they couldn't outplay Sabrina at all.
After all, Sabrina was someone qualified to run for the title of the strongest Psychic in this world.
"Oh?" Professor Oak leaned forward with interest. "So fast? It seems his performance was good?"
"It was more than just good." Recalling the scene on the battlefield, Erika's tone carried a sense of wonder. "His tactical thinking was clear, and his adaptability was extremely strong."
"Although his Pokémon are still slightly immature, his bond with them is profound... He has already taken that most important step toward the future ahead of time."
The Pokémon's [Love] for the Trainer, and the Trainer's [Love] for the Pokémon.
This is an indispensable element to becoming an ultimate powerhouse.
"Hahaha!" Professor Oak laughed heartily upon hearing this, appearing very gratified. "To receive such high praise from you, it seems that kid hasn't embarrassed me."
"He does have some cleverness and is bold, but he's a bit rash at times and still needs a lot of polishing."
Of course, these words were just spoken for the sake of it; a form of modesty.
After all, Ash was a Pokédex Trainer registered under Professor Oak.
"It is a good thing for young people to have drive." Erika smiled, then changed the subject, her expression becoming a few degrees more serious. "Teacher, contacting you this time, aside from Ash's matters, was mainly to report on the latest observations of the 'Pokémon Adaptation Zone'."
"It's regarding the conflict between the Shiinotic and the Parasect populations, correct?" Professor Oak nodded knowingly, his expression also turning serious.
He was aware of these research projects... invasive species were becoming increasingly common in the Kanto region.
"Yes." Erika sighed softly, a trace of worry flitting across her brow. "Although we have attempted various forms of intervention and guidance, the competition stemming from the nature of their ecological niches seems difficult to reconcile."
"The spore diffusion ability of the Shiinotic is too strong, and their demand for territory grows day by day; meanwhile, the Parasect clan, under the guidance of a 'Titan', has shown abnormally prominent expansionist and defensive traits."
"I fear this kind of structural contradiction cannot be fundamentally resolved solely by limited zoning and resource supplementation."
"Currently, we can still artificially suppress these conflicts through our interference."
"But if more Pokémon from other regions are introduced, it may lead to very terrible results."
This was the Phase 3 trial.
Phase 1 was the friction between individuals within the laboratory.
Phase 2 was the small-scale ecological experiment within the garden.
Phase 3 was the regional trial conducted in the wild area.
Introducing exotic species has always been a matter requiring careful and cautious consideration.
Erika pulled up some data charts to show Professor Oak. "The data shows that the frequency and intensity of conflicts have periodic peaks during specific seasons."
"This corroborates our previous hypothesis: simply introducing one or two exotic species, without a comprehensive top-level design and continuous ecological regulation, will likely only postpone the problem, or even trigger more complex chain reactions."
"Shiinotic are already the Mushroom Pokémon with the highest compatibility with Parasect; in other regions, they are still able to barely maintain a balance."
"But currently, in our Kanto, it won't work."
Erika knew very well that this experiment was the League's drill for future crises.
But if this drill wasn't controlled well, it would be tantamount to advancing the arrival of the future crisis.
Professor Oak listened quietly, his fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on the tabletop as he fell into deep thought.
After a moment, he spoke slowly:
"Your concerns are very reasonable, Erika."
"The balance of Pokémon ecology is extremely delicate and fragile. Especially with the introduction of cross-regional species, one must absolutely not be hasty."
"There is also quite a bit of controversy regarding this within the League. We must present more solid research data and more persuasive proposals."
"However, there is one point... plans to deal with ecological defects must be prepared..."
Speaking to this point, Professor Oak's mood turned melancholic.
The fewer the number of species, the lower the fault tolerance of the ecology... but he didn't intend to say more about that for now.
He paused, his gaze looking profound through the screen:
"It seems that the scale and observational dimensions of the existing 'Adaptation Zone' need to be further expanded and deepened."
"We need to conduct longer-term simulated observations on a larger scale that is closer to the real natural environment but still relatively controllable."
"Whether it is Trainers traveling through different regions or Team Rocket and Poacher Gangs, they will all cause different Pokémon to spread to different regions."
"This work is of great significance, but the burden is heavy and the road is long."
Professor Oak was already considering the situations that would occur in the future.
The establishment of Leagues in different regions and the connection between these Leagues—this process could not be disconnected or stopped.
It was impossible to seal off the Leagues of different regions and close the country to the outside world.
This was a crisis that the development of the League would inevitably lead to.
The more prosperous it became, the easier it was to invite destruction.
"I understand, Teacher." Erika nodded solemnly.
"Celadon University will continue to follow up, improve the monitoring network, and attempt to introduce more variables for simulation analysis."
Celadon University had many different research projects.
For example, they had accepted a commission from Lt. Surge of the Vermilion Gym.
Is there a way to make Pikachu evolve into the Alolan version of Raichu?
But the current research conclusion was—Pikachu can only evolve into the Alolan version of Raichu using a Thunder Stone within the Alola region.
There is a problem with the environmental existence of that Alola region.
Even an Alolan Pikachu, once it leaves the Alola region, cannot evolve into the Alolan version of Raichu.
There are too many unsolved mysteries in this world.
Lt. Surge was still a bit greedy for the Alolan Raichu's Ability: Surge Surfer.
Well, mainly, he was a bit greedy for the Psychic powers.
Especially after having met Sabrina and having a little friction occur between them.
But the problem was that the proficiency of the Alolan version Raichu he caught later was not up to par.
Currently, it could only serve on the second or third team.
On one hand, its strength couldn't compare to his main force, Raichu, who had been with him since childhood.
On the other hand, the [Love] in one's heart is limited.
Lt. Surge could only achieve that step further of communicating hearts with his main force, Raichu, who had been with him since he was small.
Power improvement is something that always gets slower the later it gets, and the conditions become increasingly harsh.
Especially [Love].
The more deliberate one is, the more elusive it becomes.
Simply pursuing powerful Pokémon cannot allow one to step onto the summit of this world.
What?
You say capture Gods?
How can you capture Gods if you don't become strong?
You've already captured a God, aren't you already very strong?
So this becomes a [Chicken or the Egg] problem, stuck in a loop.
The weak cannot do it, the strong do not need it.
Humorous.
"Mm, with you responsible for this aspect, I am very relieved." Professor Oak praised, then, as if remembering something, his tone became lighter.
"By the way, Erika, Ash and the others are still in Celadon City, right?"
"Yes, I invited them to stay in the Gym's guest quarters." Erika nodded.
"That works out perfectly." Professor Oak laughed.
"That kid is full of curiosity about Pokémon; he is moldable talent."
"If you have time during this period, why not take him to visit Celadon University?"
"Let him personally feel the atmosphere of frontier Pokémon ecological research, and see how the academic world thinks about and solves these complex problems. It should be of great benefit to broadening his horizons."
"He's always running around in the wild; it's time he came into contact with some 'Academic Style' things, hoho."
The Professor Oak of the past was also of the 'Wild Style', and regarding the training of his Pokémon, he also stressed conviction, perseverance, emotions, and so on.
It was only after switching careers to become a Pokémon Professor that he further came into contact with more scientific methods of Pokémon training.
There is no inherent conflict between the Academic Style and the Wild Style.
Combining them yields better results.
Although he hadn't truly fought in many years, Oak felt that he was stronger now than before.
A Pokémon Trainer's strength lies mostly in their Pokémon, and it does not fade rapidly with increasing age.
Especially since Professor Oak's Pokémon included a Dragonite.
In fact, the stronger the Pokémon, the longer their lifespan.
Although theoretically, [There are 8 million knives in the world, but none cut deeper than the lifespan theory], in reality, there are quite a few special cases.
It's just that most of the time, people don't intentionally do this kind of thing.
The strong who can step onto the peak often have noble ideals as their motivation for action...
Perhaps this ideal is right, perhaps it is wrong; perhaps it is kind, perhaps it is evil... but there isn't a single one who does it purely for lifespan.
Facing death calmly is also a kind of bravery of the strong.
Hearing this, a trace of a smile flashed in Erika's eyes. "That is a good idea, Teacher."
"Celadon University indeed has quite a few research projects and facilities worth seeing."
"I think Ash should be interested."
"I will arrange it in two days."
Erika recalled her previous research results.
A Pokémon's species is just a rough classification.
If subdivided, the same species of Pokémon can have many different subspecies.
For example, the vast majority of Magikarp only know Tackle and Splash.
But the Magikarp of the Galar region have a subspecies that knows [Hydro Pump].
There are also other relatively common Giant Magikarp individuals; sighting records exist in the Sinnoh region, the Orange Islands, and other areas.
The research results from a while ago even included a subspecies of Magikarp capable of using [Dragon Rage].
...In short, it makes people feel quite absurd.
However, this does not hinder Magikarp from generally remaining at the bottom of this world's ecology.
"Good, then I'll leave it to you." Professor Oak nodded with satisfaction. "It's getting late, you should rest early too."
"Teacher, please take care of your health as well."
The communication ended, and the light screen went dark.
Peace was restored to the study, leaving only the faint sound of insects chirping outside the window.
Erika gazed at the starry night sky outside the window, thinking about taking that energetic young man to visit the university later, and the corner of her mouth couldn't help but hook up into a smile of anticipation.
Perhaps, this would also be a good exchange opportunity.
As a descendant of a prestigious family, Erika actually was under a lot of pressure and had many things to do.
For example, dealing with Team Rocket.
But... fight what?
Erika: Me fight Giovanni? (⊙○⊙)
Erika: Me???? (一_一)!!
Forget about solving Giovanni; Erika couldn't even beat Sabrina.
This major mission was as good as non-existent.
Since it couldn't be solved anyway, it was better to lie flat.
So, stealing a bit of leisure from the busyness wasn't unacceptable.
Wouldn't it be quite nice to take a break occasionally?
_____
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