Meeting Professor Oak

After arriving in Pallet Town last night, I stayed at a hotel. Daisy had invited me to stay at her home, which I refused. How could I move in without even knowing each other well? Though I was tempted by the offer, I didn't want to make a bad impression on her parents or Professor Oak.

Instead, I chose to stay at a quaint hotel, which was more like a three-story house managed by a kind elderly couple.

In the morning, I went out of the hotel to train my body and have my Pokémon do their stretching exercises. After that, we headed to the nearby woods for more intensive training. I hadn't explored Pallet Town yet, but I planned to do so after the training session and a nice shower.

After two hours of training, I checked my Pokémon's status panel.

I saw that Kubfu's level had increased to 9. Its move proficiency had also improved to the intermediate level for Focus Energy and Rock Smash, while the Endure move was progressing and would soon upgrade. The other two Pokémon practiced their move proficiency and the number of times they could use specific moves, improving little by little without putting too much strain on themselves.

I gave them their Pokéblocks since they had been training since morning. After that, I returned them to their Luxury Ball and Great Ball. Then I headed back to the hotel to take a shower.

After taking a shower, I redressed in the same clothes since they were still clean.

Feeling hungry after my training session and noticing it was almost 10 AM, I decided to find a good restaurant.

"Rotom, search for nearby good restaurants," I asked.

{Sir, search complete.}

{It's about 70 meters to the right and then 30 meters ahead} Rotom replied.

I went to the restaurant, which wasn't very big, just like the nearby houses with some modifications to make it a restaurant.

Inside, the place had a warm and positive environment. I sat on one of the chairs at a small table with two chairs.

I ordered some food that looked good on the menu while simultaneously searching for special dishes of Pallet Town on my phone.

After having breakfast, I took a stroll around the town. While browsing goods in a shop, I heard an excited shout from behind.

I turned around and saw Ash. He told me that Professor Oak wanted to meet me.

So, I followed him to Professor Oak's lab, a two-story building that stands out in Pallet Town. The modern structure features large glass windows and is adorned with climbing ivy and Pokémon-themed decorations. Adjacent to it is a tall windmill, adding a rustic touch.

I felt a wave of nostalgia seeing the building with the windmill by its side in real life. It was surreal to finally stand before the place I had seen so many times in pictures and on TV.

We entered the lab, and I was immediately struck by its spaciousness. The room buzzed with activity as many aides were busy at their tasks. Some were hunched over desks, scribbling notes and writing theories, while others were engrossed in various research activities. A few were working on repairing machines that looked like they had seen better days.

We walked further inside, making our way to a side room. There, standing near a large glass window, was a man who seemed to command the room's attention. He was observing the Pokémon outside, who were engaged in various activities. Some were running, their joyous energy contagious. Others were showing off their abilities, like breathing fire or practicing their moves. The man held a file in his hand, which had just been handed to him by an aide standing nearby. His eyes flickered between the file and the lively scene outside, a look of deep peace on his face.

As we approached, the man near the window turned slightly, revealing his familiar face. A kind, gentle smile on his face as always. He wore a crisp, white lab coat that reached down to his knees, its pockets filled with various tools and notes. Underneath the coat, he had on a red shirt, buttoned neatly up to the collar, and a pair of khaki pants. His shoes were practical, dark brown loafers that hinted at both comfort and style.

"We are here, Professor Oak," Ash announced, his voice ringing with his usual enthusiasm. 

Professor Oak turned away from the window, his gaze shifting to me with a mix of curiosity and warmth.

"I see you have brought the guest," he said, his voice calm and measured, yet full of interest. As he spoke, his gentle smile widened slightly. 

"You must be Aiden Black. Thank you for saving these children in the forest," he continued, his tone sincere and appreciative. His words conveyed a deep sense of gratitude, reflecting both his recognition of my actions and his warm, welcoming nature.

I nodded respectfully, feeling a sense of honor at being acknowledged by the renowned Professor Oak. "It was my duty, Professor," I replied, my voice steady with respect. "I couldn't stand by knowing they were in danger."

Professor Oak nodded thoughtfully, his expression thoughtful as he considered my words. "Courage and compassion are rare qualities in a trainer," he remarked, his tone carrying both praise and a hint of curiosity. "Please, come in. Let's discuss your journey and how we might assist you further."

I took a seat opposite Professor Oak, feeling a mix of anticipation and respect. He began asking me a series of questions, delving into my background, where I was from, and my journey so far. His inquiries were thorough, reflecting his genuine interest in understanding me better.

As we talked, I expressed my eagerness to learn more about Pokémon and how I wanted to assist him with the Pokémon outside the lab. "I believe that by helping take care of the Pokémon in their natural environment, I can gain a deeper understanding of them," I explained. "Additionally, I have experience as an intermediate breeder and would love to contribute my skills to support your research."

Professor Oak listened intently, nodding with a look of approval. "Your dedication to learning and contributing is commendable," he said thoughtfully. "We'll find ways for you to assist with our Pokémon care and research. Your experience as a breeder will certainly be valuable."

With that, he began outlining ways I could get involved, mentioning specific tasks and areas where my skills would be beneficial. 

Professor Oak continued, "My grandchildren, Gary and Daisy, spoke highly of you and your heroic battle. Daisy, in particular, has never been this enthusiastic about anyone before. It seems your actions have made quite an impression on her."

I smiled wryly, wondering if Professor Oak was subtly setting me up for his granddaughter.