The three of them headed toward Professor Cerise's Laboratory.
It wasn't exactly close—they still had a good several dozen minutes of walking ahead.
With nothing better to do, Ash couldn't help but pull out his Pokédex again.
"So now that I'm already Level 2H, how do I level up to 10H?"
After thinking for a moment, he shouted confidently:
"That means I can beat ten Team Rockets!"
Clearly, that sounded way more impressive than beating two Team Rockets.
"Beep.
Requirements for Trainer Level 10H:
Capture 12 Pokémon and obtain 8 Gym Badges."
The Pokédex replied promptly.
"Eight badges, huh…"
Ash frowned.
He only had three so far—still a long road ahead.
But he'd already captured seven Pokémon.
That part, at least, seemed achievable faster.
Maybe visiting Professor Cerise's lab would even net him another Pokémon?
After all, everyone knew—
Research labs were where you got free Pokémon.
Bored along the way, the three switched the Pokédex screen to the Achievements tab.
It still showed only three unlocked achievements:
Road to Best Actor
Food Chain
Longevity Bond
At the very top was a grayed-out title:
Pokémon Master
Judging by the description, unlocking everything below it would make him a so-called Pokémon Master.
What nonsense!
He wanted to be a Pokémon Master, okay?!
Still, perhaps because Ash's Trainer Level had reached 2H, several new achievement hints had appeared below.
"Renaissance: Obtain a Fossil Pokémon."
"Egg-Laying Rooster: Obtain a Pokémon Egg and successfully hatch it."
"Grand Yin-Yang Master:
Capture a Machamp (specified gender: female),
capture a Gardevoir (specified gender: male),
capture—"
The list went on with Pokémon Ash had never even heard of.
It read like a riddle.
"…These all sound like a pain," Brock said, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully.
Misty leaned in as well. After scanning the list, she realized that although there were many achievements listed, none of them were realistically doable in the short term.
"…Looks like only this last one works."
She scrolled to the very bottom.
Ash leaned closer.
"A Teacher for a Day, a Father for Life (Level 1):
Teach a beginner how to properly capture a Pokémon."
"Teaching a beginner… how to catch Pokémon?"
Ash pondered deeply, brow furrowed.
Just a few weeks ago, he had been a clueless beginner too.
But now?
He was a man with seven Pokémon under his belt.
Sure, if you excluded non-combat captures, that left…
Pidgeot and Bulbasaur.
…Still fine.
Catching Pokémon?
Yeah, he totally knew how.
"Decision made! When we get to Professor Cerise's lab, I'll see if there's a newbie I can teach!"
"I'm going to achieve A Teacher for a Day!"
With a dramatic point of his finger, Ash led Brock and Misty forward.
Professor Cerise's Laboratory was located on the outskirts of Vermilion City, where property prices were moderate.
At the front stood a tasteful small villa, serving as the main research building—used for daily operations and receiving visitors.
Behind it stretched a large, artificially landscaped green park where Pokémon lived and rested.
Its scale couldn't compare to the vast backyard of Professor Oak's Laboratory in Pallet Town.
After all, Oak's lab was in the countryside—cheap land, massive space.
Housing a hundred Pokémon there wouldn't even feel crowded.
The front door wasn't locked.
The three walked straight in and entered what looked like a public reception hall.
They had already called ahead.
Inside sat three people, all wearing white lab coats.
Leading them was a middle-aged man with brown hair, a square face, and a gentle, approachable demeanor.
This was their contact—
Professor Cerise, Director of the Cerise Laboratory.
It was said that he had once been half a student of Professor Oak, and that Oak held his research work in very high regard.
In autumn, Professor Oak often set up a grill in his backyard with Bill, enjoying fat, juicy Kanto crabs.
In summer, Oak more often dined with Professor Cerise, feasting on fragrant Hoenn lobsters.
After all—both had red shells.
Old dining buddies.
"Finally! You're here!" Professor Cerise said warmly.
"Let me introduce everyone. These are my two assistants—graduate Pokémon researchers Chrys and Ren."
"And I'm Professor Cerise. You could say I'm half of Professor Oak's disciple… or rather, his meal buddy."
He laughed and extended his hand.
Ash quickly shook it.
"My name's Ash. I'm currently training with my Pikachu to become a Pokémon Master!"
"I'm Brock, Trainer from the Pewter Gym."
"I'm Misty, Trainer from the Cerulean Gym."
After exchanging greetings, the blue-haired, gentle Chrys and the messy-haired, glasses-wearing science-type Ren stepped closer curiously.
Professor Oak had said the visitors this time were the most outstanding Trainer from their village.
But looking at Ash now…
Didn't he just look like a newbie?
Professor Oak wasn't someone who praised people lightly.
"Hehe, Professor Oak keeps praising you," Cerise said.
"So, Ash—how long have you been a Trainer?"
"Three weeks," Ash replied instinctively—
Then immediately added:
"Three years. Today marks exactly my third anniversary. Haha."
He suddenly realized he was representing Pallet Town's reputation.
Ash shamelessly inflated his résumé.
Three weeks ≈ one month
One month ≈ half a year
Half a year ≈ one year
One year ≈ three years
Therefore—
Three weeks = three years.
Perfectly logical.
After all, ability was what really mattered!
Professor Cerise didn't doubt him at all.
After all, Professor Oak wouldn't lie.
"Three years already? You look quite young."
Was Pallet Town starting Trainers three years earlier these days?
Or did this kid just… never age?
It would be interesting to see if he still looked this young in twenty years.
After some small talk, they finally got to business.
"As I mentioned on the phone," Professor Cerise said, scratching his head apologetically,
"there seems to be a wild Pokémon living inside our lab grounds."
"It likes to play pranks. Nothing dangerous so far."
"Honestly, I think it might just be lonely—trying to get attention. I don't entirely dislike that."
"But the lab is about to officially open to the public."
"This is a port city—crowded and noisy. We're used to it, but visitors might not be."
"And if the people here get offended, it'll be troublesome."
"Not to mention Vermilion City's… infamous news media."
"If they catch even a whiff of something strange here, they'll blow it completely out of proportion."
After all, people still had to eat.
Life had to go on.
The lab couldn't shut down over something like this.
Ash, Brock, and Misty nodded seriously.
They'd only been in Vermilion City for a day, yet they already understood how terrifying its media could be.
"So our task is to flush out that Pokémon?" Ash said confidently.
"Got it."
Translation: Capture the troublemaker.
Huge profit.
"Then I'll leave it to you," Professor Cerise said with a helpless smile, patting Ash's shoulder.
"We have some errands to run. The lab will be in your care for now."
They were researchers—not battlers. Outsourcing was unavoidable.
"Of course, you won't be working for free."
"If you truly resolve this incident, I'll give you three tickets for the S.S. Anne, which sets sail the day after tomorrow."
Ash, Brock, and Misty's eyes lit up instantly.
That's what we were waiting for!
Soon after, Professor Cerise and his team left.
The vast laboratory was left with only Ash and his friends.
They began discussing how to lure the prankster Pokémon out.
"If a newbie showed up right now," Ash sighed,
"I could deal with the troublemaker and clear an achievement at the same time."
No sooner had he said that—
A voice came from the entrance.
"Hey! Is Chloe here? I came to hang out!"
The voice sounded young.
When the person walked in, the three stared.
It was a dark-skinned boy with short black hair and a few curled cowlicks.
His skin tone was almost as dark as Brock's.
Judging by his age—he looked about the same as Ash.
He froze when he saw the three strangers.
"…Who are you guys?"
Ash's eyes widened like bells.
"I'll ask first—are you a Trainer?"
"Uh… I can't get my Pokémon for another year," the boy replied instinctively.
Ash's eyes shone brighter than ever.
His tone turned solemn.
"Then it's decided."
"I'm going to be your dad—
I mean, your teacher."
"I'll teach you how to catch Pokémon!"
…
…
…
(End of Chapter)
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