Chapter 033

Alex and Joseph disembarked from the ship and started walking towards Pallet Town. The letter asked us to go to the guest house next to the Pokemon Lab. Even from a distance, it was obvious where the Pokemon lab was. It was a pure, shiny white, and was the only modern building in eyesight. The other buildings in Pallet Town were either old fashioned or compact and elegant made out of wood or cement.

The two boys registered at the guest house, where they were asked to have dinner and then rest, and were informed that Professor Oak would address them early in the morning the next day, along with the others taking the same sponsorship.

Alex and Joseph talked for a bit before heading off to sleep.

The next day, both of them got up very early and started to get ready. They were going to meet Professor Oak at 9 sharp, as they had been informed yesterday.

Alex and Joseph joined about a dozen others in the lobby of the lab, as they waited for Professor Oak to address them.

Soon, a middle-aged man with greying hair and thick bushy eyebrows and dressed in a lab coat walked in

Alex was excited. It was the PROFESSOR OAK! The origin Pokemon Professor. The first-ever person to introduce Pokemon to gamers.

Professor Oak walked into the room, stood on a raised platform in front of us and said, "‌Hello! Sorry to keep you waiting! Welcome to the world of Pokemon! My name is Oak. People call me the Pokemon Professor. As you know, this world is inhabited by creatures that we call Pokemon. People and Pokemon live together by supporting each other. Some people keep them as pets, some battle with them. As for myself, I study Pokemon as a profession. Despite our bonds with them, we don't know everything about Pokemon yet. There are still many mysteries to solve. That's why I study Pokemon every day."

Alex had goosebumps listening to the familiar dialogue. He had read these words countless times, even as his fingers were continuously hitting the 'A' button on his console.

He half expected Professor Oak to ask everyone for their names and the names of their rivals.

"The 14 of you have are all young geniuses who passed the third round. Since you have come here, I will assume that you have accepted the conditions for sponsorship by the Oak Corall. Shortly afterwards, you will be led by my research assistant for a tour of the facilities. After that, I would like to speak to each of you individually. This can be considered the fifth round of the PIT in a sense. Rest assured, those who arrived here are those who are eligible to receive the sponsorship from the Oak Corall. But if you impress me enough, you will receive a tilt in resources and attention. Finally, A world of dreams and adventures with Pokemon awaits you all! Good luck!" said Professor Oak.

He walked down the podium, admits light applause from the 14 children.

Another person walked in and said, "Follow me" to the children as he walked away, and they shuffled behind him.

"Alex? Ah it's good to meet you. Would you stay behind for a while? You can have a tour of the facilities later" said Professor Oak walking up to Alex.

Alex was confused, and then assumed maybe it was probably because he applied for both the research assistant internship along with the adventure sponsorship.

"Yes Professor!" he said, as he waited on the spot.

Professor Oak waited for everyone else to leave, and then said, "Good to finally meet you. I was both pleasantly surprised and curious that you applied to be a research assistant. I was also most intrigued by your answers to the questions I sent you. But still, I would like to ask you a question. Why did you apply for both the adventure sponsorship and the research sponsorship?"

"Uh Professor, it's actually because I want to go on an adventure, but I wasn't sure I was ready. Also, I have an enormous interest in Pokemon research. I think I have a good eye for detail and decent analytical abilities. I would thus like to also pursue research, even if it's not necessarily now" said Alex.

Professor Oak nodded, and said, "Actually, I too am opposed to sending out 10-year-olds into the dangerous wilderness. I tried many times to increase the minimum age for an adventure to 14, but I was always unsuccessful. Sending out 10-year-olds on a journey as a coming of age ritual of kind, is a tradition that dates back hundreds of years. Hence, this policy has a lot of support within the Alliance. 10-year-olds are also eager for adventure, and their words in public do not help my cause. So I can only allow this practice, recommending caution at most."