The Four-headed Weezing continued training its control over the airflow of Icy Wind for another week, and it finally began to take shape.
As long as it could successfully use the airflow to enfold the Poison Gas, delivering it to the designated location was relatively simple. It only needed to stop at the right moment once it reached the target.
The next step was using Flamethrower to ignite the Poison Gas. Limited by its body's structure, this combination inevitably had a flaw. The two heads that could use Icy Wind were different from the two heads that could use Flamethrower. Therefore, after the Poison Gas reached the designated location, Weezing had to turn its heads before using Flamethrower.
No matter how fast Weezing was, there would always be a slight delay. As a result, the Poison Gas would inevitably become somewhat thinner, reducing the power of the explosion.
At that point, he would have to step in himself. Tetsuya would use his psychic powers to keep the Poison Gas from dispersing and preserve its purity. He would only need to withdraw his power the instant Flamethrower reached it.
There were only another fifteen days before the New Year. Although many things had happened during this year, what had to end would still come to an end. Next year he would turn thirteen, and it would also become another busy year.
Although the Four-headed Weezing's training was still incomplete, it could only be put on hold for the time being. It was time to deal with the Aerodactyl in his possession. Tetsuya had just earned 1.5 million from the Pokémon Daycare, bringing the balance on his card to 2.45 million.
That was no small sum. Even after spending three years as a Pokémon Hunter, one would still need good luck to earn that much. Therefore, taking this Aerodactyl to Professor Witherwood was no longer mainly about money. What he needed was "status".
He was already recognized as a Pokémon Scholar. If Tetsuya could take another step forward and become a Pokémon Researcher or even earn the title of Pokémon Research Bachelor, he would open up a new path for himself in a specialized field.
Moreover, the field of Pokémon research was respected everywhere.
The research achievements of a Pokémon Professor were protected by every League and received special subsidies, because every League needed such research to improve its own capabilities. That was why Professor Oak had gained such tremendous fame and was even able to organize League-wide events.
After making some simple preparations, Tetsuya boarded a vehicle. In only half a day, he arrived at Lyra Town.
The familiar lake was still there, as was the familiar Laboratory. It was wonderful that Professor Witherwood was still alive!
The sun was already setting. An old man with a long white beard and white hair was completely absorbed in observing the Espeon and Umbreon before him.
"…What changes will happen to Espeon and Umbreon when day turns into night…?" The old man kept muttering to himself.
It was obvious that Professor Witherwood was already nearing the end of his life. The principles behind the Evolution of Espeon and Umbreon had only been fully explained later after his proud student, Professor Elm, continued the research based on the base he had established.
"Hello, Professor," Tetsuya greeted him as he stepped forward.
Professor Witherwood raised his head and looked at Tetsuya. His eyes narrowed to thin slits as he scratched his head and asked, "You are…?"
"I'm Tetsuya. We met here four years ago," Tetsuya said patiently.
Professor Witherwood appeared deep in thought, repeatedly murmuring, "Tetsuya? Tetsuya…"
In the end, he still shook his head.
"I'm getting old. I don't remember… I don't remember…"
Tetsuya could only smile helplessly. For a scholar devoted to research like him, the only things that truly interested him were his investigation and the subjects of his research. Everything else was insignificant. If he actually remembered Tetsuya, that would have been the unusual thing.
"Do you remember the Evolution theory for Politoed that I proposed back then?" Tetsuya continued. There was a chance he would remember an academic research topic like that…
"…Hmm? Oh… Ohhh! So you're that young man! What was your name again…?" The moment Politoed was mentioned, Professor Witherwood's eyes instantly lit up, completely unlike their previously Psyduck appearance. However, that was all he could remember.
"Uh-oh… My name is Tetsuya. Tetsuya," Tetsuya said with an awkward smile.
"Oh, right! Right! Right… Come into the Laboratory and have a cup of Moomoo Cola."
Only then did Professor Witherwood stand up.
At that moment, Elm had just finished preparing dinner and walked out from inside the Laboratory. The rest of the Laboratory staff had already gone home for the day, leaving only Elm behind.
"Professor Witherwo…! Eh? And you are…?" Elm asked.
Tetsuya had no choice but to introduce himself once again. There was no chance Professor Witherwood would be introducing him.
At least Elm was still perfectly normal. He could still remember Tetsuya. In the years to come, he would inherit his mentor's spirit of research.
After finishing a simple meal, Elm helped Professor Witherwood to bed.
Tetsuya sat at the table drinking Moomoo Cola. "Ahhh~"
Elm walked out of Professor Witherwood's room and sighed.
"My mentor's memory has deteriorated considerably… The only things he can still remember are his achievements."
"Elm, you're already a Professor now, aren't you? As Professor Witherwood's best student, you should now be one of the leading figures among the younger generation. In reality, you're already the one running this Laboratory now… aren't you, 'Professor' Elm?" Tetsuya said.
Elm had a reserved personality and looked a little embarrassed. Scratching his head, he laughed and said, "H-Hahaha… It's all thanks to Professor Witherwood's guidance. Umm, by the way, Tetsuya, what brings you here this time?"
"I caught an Aerodactyl, and I've also conducted some research on it. I was wondering whether your Laboratory would be interested."
Tetsuya then handed "Professor" Elm all of the information he knew about Aerodactyl. Elm's eyes immediately lit up, and he was so excited that he could hardly speak.
"T-This… this is incredibly interesting! And this material could absolutely be published!"
Tetsuya shook his head.
"I'm only recognized as a Pokémon Scholar. I don't have the qualifications to publish research independently, so I can only rely on your Laboratory."
Elm immediately replied, "That's easy! The Evolution method for Politoed that you provided four years ago has already become one of my mentor's representative achievements. This Aerodactyl research report is equally remarkable. Why don't you join our Laboratory? I can immediately promote you to Pokémon Researcher."
Tetsuya smiled slightly and "honestly" said, "I enjoy traveling everywhere to conduct Pokémon research. Otherwise, I wouldn't have encountered this Aerodactyl. I can donate this Aerodactyl to your Laboratory. However, it still hasn't lost its wild nature yet, so you'll need to be careful with it. In return, I'd like to exchange it for a Pokémon Research Bachelor's degree. What do you think?"
Elm was still young, and there were many things he did not dare decide on his own. Although he greatly wanted the Aerodactyl, privately granting someone a Pokémon Research Bachelor's degree made him somewhat uneasy. After all, the bachelor's examination was extremely difficult.
Across the entire Johto League, there were only a little over a hundred people who held such a degree.
As for Pokémon Professors… there were only three or four in an entire region!
Each Pokémon Professor had the authority to recommend no more than five bachelor's degree recipients. However, Elm had only recently become a Pokémon Professor himself, so he still handled such matters rather cautiously.