With this bachelor's degree certificate, any Pokémon he caught could be entrusted to Laboratories throughout the regions, where dedicated staff would be responsible for raising them. It also qualified him as a League public employee, with a salary issued by the League every month.
However, this required being affiliated with a Laboratory in a particular region, so Tetsuya certainly would not be receiving that salary. With his current circumstances, there was no way he would remain in some Laboratory for the rest of his life.
Most importantly, he would be able to publish Pokémon research findings independently, and whenever Leagues in different regions used his published research, they would have to pay the patent fees.
Elm still did not dare make the decision himself and could only wait until Professor Witherwood made the final decision the following day.
That night, Tetsuya stayed at the Laboratory.
The next morning, when Tetsuya woke up, he found Professor Witherwood already sitting beside his bed.
"…!!?"
Tetsuya was startled.
"…Professor, what are you doing…?"
"Aerodactyl… Aerodactyl! That boy Elm told me all about it. Compared to research on Aerodactyl, what does a mere bachelor's degree amount to!?" Professor Witherwood said.
Tetsuya smiled awkwardly.
"Ugh… Professor, at least let me get out of bed first."
Elm half-pulled and half-persuaded Professor Witherwood out of Tetsuya's room, allowing Tetsuya to finally get up.
After washing up, Elm had already prepared breakfast for Tetsuya. Tetsuya finished eating quickly, then came to the Laboratory courtyard, where Professor Witherwood had already been waiting for quite some time.
"Quick, quick! Release the Aerodactyl so I can have a look!" Professor Witherwood said.
"Just a moment, Professor. This Aerodactyl is extremely wild. Let me release my own Pokémon first in case it goes on a rampage," Tetsuya said.
Professor Witherwood shook his head.
"No need. With Espeon and Umbreon here, everything will be fine."
Tetsuya hesitated somewhat. The old man was already in such frail condition, yet he was still this confident. He could not help but glance at Elm.
"It's fine, Tetsuya." Professor Elm said reassuringly.
It seemed he had been worrying unnecessarily. These Pokémon Professors had an exceptionally thorough understanding of Pokémon research, often allowing them to bring out the greatest strengths of their Pokémon.
Although they might not necessarily own Pokémon with outstanding potential and natural talent, their overall level was still far beyond that of ordinary Trainers. There had even been Pokémon Professors whose strength had reached the level of the Elite Four or Champion.
Tetsuya released Raven's Aerodactyl. Although Aerodactyl had remained inside its Poké Ball for more than three months, its fierce spirit had not diminished in the slightest. The moment it saw Tetsuya, its eyes turned bloodshot with hatred.
Aerodactyl wished nothing more than to tear him to pieces immediately!
Aerodactyl dove straight toward Tetsuya.
"Espeon."
Professor Witherwood spoke only a single word calmly. Espeon's eyes instantly glowed blue as powerful psychic energy spread outward. Aerodactyl immediately frozen.
What followed became Espeon's one-sided performance. Aerodactyl was beaten so thoroughly that it had no chance to fight back, and it was quickly subdued.
At that moment, Professor Witherwood seemed unusually clear-headed.
"I never imagined that before I died, I would still have the chance to research Aerodactyl… Even if I die now, it will have been worth it!"
Professor Witherwood then turned toward Tetsuya and said, "Tetsuya, I'll have Elm attach your research findings to the records on your bachelor's certification. With achievements like yours, you're qualified to receive this bachelor's degree."
"Tetsuya, why don't you stay here for a few days? Processing the certificate is somewhat complicated, but with my mentor's recommendation, there certainly won't be any problems," Elm said.
"All right. Then I'll trouble you for a few days."
---◓---
Tetsuya simply decided to stay at the Laboratory for several days. From Professor Witherwood's investigation topics, he could generally determine how far Pokémon research had progressed at the present time.
Professor Witherwood's Laboratory occupied more than half of Lyra Town, rivaling even Professor Oak's Laboratory in Pallet Town. There were twenty to thirty staff members working there, all of them busy every single day.
Tetsuya found an open area and arranged his Pokémon's training.
None of the training assignments for his Pokémon had changed. The one that needed the most effort now was Weezing. The other Pokémon were all focusing on physical training and reinforcing the moves they had already trained, whereas the move combination Tetsuya had designed for the Four-headed Weezing had not yet been completed.
As for Skorupi, it was already time to begin its most basic training. It had been born for half a month now, and every part of its body had developed very well. However, it was rather lazy. If this continued, it would probably become difficult to discipline.
Ditto stayed by his side, serving as Skorupi's instructor.
After eating breakfast, Skorupi watched the other Pokémon train for a while before wandering off to play by itself. In its mind, it was still just a newly born Baby Pokémon.
Tetsuya walked over in front of Skorupi and said, "Skorupi, starting today, we're going to begin some simple training as well."
"… ᕙ[○_○]ᕗ" Skorupi glanced at Tetsuya, turned around, and went off to play somewhere else.
"… … …"
Tetsuya followed Skorupi and once again told it to begin training. However, Skorupi only wanted to play. Just watching Mamoswine and the others train looked exhausting to it, so naturally it had no interest in such thing and ran off to the side again.
Tetsuya walked over to Skorupi for a third time and said, "Skorupi, don't forget that you're a Pokémon. Your duty is to train and battle."
Skorupi seemed to understand something, but its playful nature still won out, and it wandered off to the side once again.
It was time to teach this little fellow some discipline…
Tetsuya used his psychic powers to restrain Skorupi. Skorupi immediately frozen as its body was slowly lifted into the air. It looked at Tetsuya, then looked down beneath itself, revealing a terrified expression. Tears welled up in its eyes!
At that moment, Skorupi's mind was in complete chaos. It had only wanted to be a little lazy, yet it had received such punishment…
And with a Trainer who had psychic powers, resisting was completely impossible!
"Skorupi, this is your lesson for today. If you dare disobey again, you'll find out what happens!"
After saying that, Tetsuya used his psychic powers to make Skorupi experience several high-altitude drops. He never let it hit the ground, but the thrilling experience was enough to leave a deep impression on it. Fortunately, it was not frightened badly enough to faint.
After being set back on the ground, Skorupi was completely dazed and disoriented. When Tetsuya approached, it did not even dare raise its head to look at him.
"Stay here for the entire morning. You're not allowed to move. If you move even once, you'll receive the same punishment as before."
After Tetsuya finished speaking, Skorupi truly remained completely motionless. Right now, Skorupi was just like a wild child. Without teaching it a proper lesson, there would be no way to keep it under control.
He had paid an enormous price and wait five full years raising this Skorupi variant. Its toxicity rivaled that of the Four-headed Weezing. If he did not increase its training and develop its potential, such a Pokémon with tremendous potential would simply be wasted.