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Luther had originally planned to look up some academic papers about Larvitar, hoping to figure out what kind of soil it considered "delicious."
However, Ash helped Luther call Professor Oak directly.
Professor Oak, also known as Samuel Oak, could be considered a pioneer of Pokémon studies worldwide. His students and associates were spread throughout various regions, and he served as an honorary professor at Rainbow University.
Although he shifted his research focus thirty years ago toward the relationship between Pokémon and humans, meaning his published results were no longer as groundbreaking as in his early years, his work was still widely studied, expanded upon, and referenced within the academic community.
Unlike in certain special editions or game lore with darker settings, in the TV canon, he was a proper professor and researcher. In his early days, he was even a Pokémon field observer. However, his battle strength was fairly average.
Still, when Luther met Professor Oak, he couldn't help but recall the Kangaskhan and Chansey from the special editions, as well as the Champion trophy.
This was Luther's first time meeting Professor Oak in person. After introducing himself, the professor mentioned that he had heard quite a bit about Luther from Ash.
"If we're being specific," said Professor Oak, "based on observational reports from trainers who have raised Larvitar over the years, Larvitar generally prefers soil rich in minerals and metal content."
"But there are no absolutes. Every Pokémon has its own preferences. You'll need to prepare soil suited to your own Larvitar's preferences."
If there isn't enough soil or ore available, you can substitute it with sufficient food. Larvitar has a very varied diet. From the moment they hatch, they grow rapidly. As long as they consume large amounts of food and convert that energy efficiently, they can evolve into Pupitar."
'In short, raising Larvitar wasn't difficult. As long as it was well-fed and well-rested, the little guy would evolve on its own.'
That wasn't too hard. One could say that Larvitar hatched at a good time.
The tournament cafeteria was fully buffet-style, so Larvitar could eat as much as it wanted!
"Research has also found," Professor Oak continued, "that Pupitar's growth rate is linked to how well-fed and nourished it was during its Larvitar stage. If you want a Tyranitar in excellent physical and mental condition, you need to start putting in the effort now."
Luther asked if feeding Larvitar minerals and metal directly was better than a mixed diet. Professor Oak chuckled and explained that a trainer had once conducted a comparative experiment and invited him to observe it.
Ultimately, however, battle strength depended far more on the trainer's long-term cultivation. Whether Larvitar ate soil, metal, or a mixed diet mainly influenced how quickly it stored and converted energy, not its ultimate potential.
The opportunity to speak with Professor Oak was rare. Etorre, Mao, Dawn, and Mai each took the chance to ask questions about their own Pokémon.
Professor Oak patiently answered each one before finally ending the call.
With the issue settled, most trainers who raised Larvitar no longer had to worry about feeding problems. Luther, however, didn't have that concern.
As long as he kept winning, he could stay on Lily of the Valley Island for at least another month.
One month should be enough time for Larvitar to store enough energy to grow into Pupitar, shouldn't it?
If that wasn't enough, after the tournament ended, Luther would take a trip to Oreburgh City and head straight to an abandoned mining area to let Larvitar forage freely.
Everyone was still stunned by Professor Oak's vast knowledge and took a while to recover. By then, Larvitar's face was already covered in strips of napkin paper.
The toss-and-catch game that Chikorita, Milcery, and Beautifly were playing had a penalty, which Milcery had learned from watching TV.
Having just joined, Larvitar wasn't familiar with the rules and quickly became the weak link that the other three targeted.
With paper strips stuck all over his face, Larvitar could barely see the road ahead. Chikorita suggested that he tear some off so they could continue playing, but the competitive Larvitar refused. He insisted on finishing the match with the paper still stuck to his face.
Ash's Riolu had been observing the entire time, hesitating over whether to join in. Earlier, circling Larvitar was part of wanting to play together.
When Milcery pretended to fumble and miss a tossed sugar ornament, Larvitar burst with joy, tearing the paper strips off his face and sticking them on Milcery. Riolu glanced at Ash.
"Go play."
With Ash's approval, Riolu ran over to Chikorita and joined the game.
After arriving at Lily of the Valley Island, Luther bought a cat teaser wand. He had originally intended to use it to entertain Espurr or Jumpluff during downtime, but unexpectedly, Espurr became completely attached to it.
Espurr could hold the wand herself and play alone, passing the time while watching over the little ones.
With Espurr around, Luther could prepare for the next day's preliminary round with ease.
To check whether Marill was in good condition, he only had to observe her appetite. She was almost finished with the pears that Candice had bought earlier. With her in such good shape, letting Marill battle again tomorrow should be no problem.
Etorre had suggested letting the Pokémon adapt to the tournament atmosphere, and Luther agreed. Tomorrow, he would try sending out Chansey and Mismagius as well.
Soon, it was almost dinnertime. This time, Luther arrived at the nearby restaurant half an hour early. There were fewer people at this hour, so Marill and Larvitar could eat more freely.
Ash's Snorlax took up an entire table.
Marill and Larvitar occupied another.
Luther and the others simply ate their meals.
Having learned from prior experience, the restaurant staff and chefs were on high alert. As soon as Marill and Snorlax arrived, dedicated staff members stepped in to assist with feeding.
Larvitar felt a little intimidated by all the staff in white uniforms surrounding him.
As the "big brother," Marill pressed down on the slightly uneasy Larvitar, signaling for him to observe and learn.
Sitting atop the table, Marill crooked a finger at a nearby staff member. Someone immediately brought a serving from the food cart and placed it before her.
Marill devoured the meal like a whirlwind, licking the sauce clean off the plate. After setting the empty plate aside, she tilted her head and glanced at Larvitar.
"Didn't you just eat two Nutrient Eggs and say you were still hungry?" Marill said vaguely, lifting another plate and dumping the food into her mouth. "Eat quickly before more people come. Otherwise, a bunch of clueless spectators will crowd around you."
Larvitar was indeed starving.
Right after hatching, he had been surrounded by Pokémon, and he had spent the entire afternoon playing with Milcery and the others. No matter how much energy he had, it wouldn't last forever.
He had an intense urge to eat, even wanting to dive face-first into the ground on the way to the restaurant and start gnawing on what looked like delicious soil.
But Luther would never allow that. This was Lily of the Valley Island, the headquarters of the Sinnoh League.
Starting holes and eating dirt here would be like dancing on the Sinnoh League's face.
Watching Marill's rough and straightforward eating style, Larvitar timidly called out to another staff member.
When a plate of food and a pile of berries were placed in front of him, he opened his mouth wide and bit down, plate included.
Marill, who had been wolfing down her own meal, paused mid-chew as she watched Larvitar crunch the plate along with the food, producing an unsettling grinding sound. Cold sweat trickled down her face.
'Had he gone crazy from hunger?'
Luther covered his forehead.
Fortunately, the Pokémon League covered all expenses during the tournament. At least the food problem was solved.
Otherwise, with these two eating like this, Larvitar might end up eating dirt, and so might Luther and Mai.
(End of Chapter)