After finishing the Gym battle, Erika handled the Gym's affairs and took Lucas to Pallet Town.
Looking at the somewhat familiar buildings, Lucas walked along the road, his mind drifting slightly.
After all, wasn't this also where his own dreams began?
Arriving in front of a highly iconic and familiar-looking building, Lucas followed Erika inside.
As soon as they entered, they heard a burst of hearty laughter.
"Hahaha, Ash's Muk is as lively as ever."
Upon hearing this, Erika silently hid behind Lucas.
Lucas walked over with a smile, seeing the familiar white coat, the familiar hair, the familiar face, and the familiar—Muk.
"Hello, Professor Oak."
Erika, still hiding behind Lucas, gave a soft greeting.
Professor Oak looked over, and seeing Lucas and Erika, he said with a smile, "Gym Leader Erika, you've arrived so soon?"
He then let Delia pull the Muk off him before approaching them.
Erika backed away a short distance.
Professor Oak: ————
"Hahaha, wait for me a moment. I'll go change my clothes and be right back."
Professor Oak rubbed the back of his head and said with a laugh.
Erika nodded with a smile.
While Professor Oak was away, Lucas took the opportunity to observe the Research Institute.
Watching Delia cleaning the Muk, he had to admit that its smell was truly comparable to that of a Gloom.
Back at the Breeding House, people had also boarded Gloom with Lucas.
That smell—to be honest—was certainly bracing.
During that time, Shauna rarely ran to the backyard. It wasn't until the smell grew stronger and the Trainer came to pick it up that, with Lucas's reminder, it successfully evolved into another beauty of the Grass-type, Bellossom.
Having looked after Gloom for so long, he suddenly felt that Muk's smell was somewhat acceptable.
Lucas thought to himself.
Perhaps because, as the owner of a Breeding House, he didn't discriminate against any Pokémon, he felt that Muk was actually a bit—
—cute?
"Hello, you must be Lucas, right?"
Professor Oak walked out from behind the door, greeted Lucas with a smile, and then asked.
Lucas nodded quickly and extended his hand. "Hello, Professor Oak. I am Lucas."
Professor Oak reached out and shook Lucas's hand, then sized him up.
He was very handsome, and his aura seemed to make it easy for Pokémon to trust him; his eyes were also full of love for Pokémon.
He glanced at the Gengar beside him, which also seemed very polite; when it saw him looking, it even gave a shy smile.
This young man is not bad.
This was the conclusion Professor Oak reached.
"I heard that fellow Rowan mention you. I heard you're quite skilled at treating Pokémon's psychological issues. Also, I heard from him about the fever problem in Twinleaf Town in the Sinnoh region. Well done."
Professor Oak slapped Lucas's shoulder, making him hiss in pain.
As expected of the Pallet Town Superman, why does it hurt so much?
"And then there's that kid Gary."
Mentioning his grandson, Professor Oak couldn't help but laugh even harder.
"You have no idea. Those things he said when he came back after battling Ash... they really didn't sound like the things he used to say. I've seen his changes with my own eyes; he's looking more and more like a Pokémon Researcher."
"As long as you don't blame me for making him work for me."
Professor Oak was stunned for a moment by Lucas's joke, then laughed even more happily.
"Work? That's exactly what he should be doing."
After laughing for a while, Professor Oak recovered and asked, "Is there something you need my help with today?"
Lucas shook his head. "I was commissioned by a promising child to come to Celadon Academy to solve a psychological problem for their friend's Pokémon. After finishing that, I thought I'd pay you a visit, Professor Oak, and perhaps learn a thing or two."
At this point, Lucas felt playful again. "Of course, if you don't find that reason sufficient, Professor Oak, you can also treat it as a home visit. After all, as Gary's Master, it should be quite normal for me to come for a home visit, right?"
Professor Oak rubbed the back of his head and pointed at Lucas. "You rascal."
He shook his head with a light chuckle. "Just as Gary said."
Then the two of them looked at each other and smiled.
"Come on, I'll take you to the backyard and show you how we take care of Pokémon."
"Sorry for the intrusion."
Lucas said, then followed behind Professor Oak.
"Gen Gengar—
—"
Me too~
Erika also followed along.
Arriving at the backyard, they found Delia washing Muk's body. Lucas took a glance and then looked into the distance.
He didn't see any fences.
It wasn't that Professor Oak's Research Institute didn't need fences, but rather that as far as the eye could see, everything was the backyard of the Research Institute.
Lucas released Lilligant and the others. Professor Oak looked at the Pokémon standing beside Lucas.
"You've really raised them well, Lucas."
Professor Oak said earnestly.
"Cynthia and Lance say so too."
Lucas said with a smile.
Professor Oak shook his head. "I am also a Breeder; I can see it more directly."
Professor Oak bent down and picked up Vulpix.
His expression suddenly sank.
It looks like a normal Vulpix, but why does it feel so heavy—
Pretending nothing was wrong, Professor Oak stroked Vulpix and then set it down.
Relieved, he then said, "To see if a Pokémon is well-cared for, first look at its eyes. A Pokémon's eyes are the least likely to lie. A well-cared-for Pokémon has a light in its eyes, and your Pokémon's eyes are all filled with the scent of happiness."
After saying that, Professor Oak bent down and gently patted Lilligant's little head. "For example, Lilligant—even its floral scent is the scent of happiness."
Then he looked at Gengar and the others, saying with a smile, "Lucas, they really trust you."
Lucas tugged at the corner of Gengar's mouth. "And I feel the same about them."
By then, Delia had finished washing Muk, and she came over to Lucas with Mr. Mime.
"Hello, Auntie Delia."
Lucas greeted her politely.
Delia covered her mouth, a little surprised. "Oh, you still recognize me?"
Lucas smiled and said, "Of course. Ash mentioned you to me. He's very grateful that you're at home, which allows him to travel with peace of mind and move toward his dreams."
Hearing Ash's name, Delia's expression immediately softened. "He didn't cause you any trouble, did he?"
Lucas shook his head. "He actually helped me a great deal."
Then Lucas shared some stories about Ash with Delia.
Delia's smile grew visibly wider.
Seeing this, Lucas couldn't help but nod.
It seems Ash hasn't called home in a long time.
After all, no mother doesn't worry about her child traveling away from home.
Next time they met, he would definitely make Ash call home.
After chatting for a while, Lucas suggested taking a walk around the backyard.
Professor Oak said with a smile, "I was going to show you how our Research Institute takes care of Pokémon anyway. Come on, I'll show you around."
۞۞۞۞
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