Pokémon: I picked up a reborn Eevee at the start of the game.

Legend has it that if the fiery red fox concentrates its mind on the flame burning at the end of the wooden staff, it can foresee future events.

So, it just foresaw that Xia Chen would meet with Dr. Blatano in a little while, so it let itself in without asking any questions?

Have the Pokémon in the research institute become this strong?

…………

Perhaps because it was built in the heart of the expensive Miare city center, the Bratano Institute was much smaller than the Nandu Institute that Xia Chen had visited, but it was still home to just as many elves.

Along the path, the flower buds and petals, almost blending into the flowerbed, basked comfortably in the sun, occasionally waving their stems to scare away the colorful butterflies that lingered on their flowers, wanting to sip nectar.

On the grass nearby, the mischievous panda and the croaking frog were wrestling with pure physical strength, but were interrupted by the digging rabbit that just happened to emerge from the mud under their feet.

The two staggering elves, nearly falling over, exchanged a glance and decided to turn enemies into friends and teach this clueless fellow a lesson.

In the garden further away, Lady Flower, Dorimia, Fragrance Fairy, Fat Sweetie, and many other unique fairies from the Carlos region live in harmony.

Xia Chen stroked his chin and suddenly thought that becoming a PhD with both fame and fortune wouldn't be bad either, as he could also live the life he had always dreamed of.

However, when he entered the research institute and saw Dr. Blatano running back and forth between different instruments, almost constantly on his feet, he gave up the idea.

As expected, the life of a lazy gym leader suits me better.

Upon seeing the fiery red fox lead the guests in, the tall and thin Dr. Blatano put down his work.

"Ah, you must be Xia Chen, the one who discovered Milotic's second evolutionary path? Because the experiment was very urgent, I couldn't leave, so I had the Fiery Fox wait at the door."

Dr. Blatano is a handsome, easy-going middle-aged man. Although he is somewhat unkempt due to long hours of experiments, with stubble on his chin that looks rather unappealing, he still exudes a charm that makes people want to like him.

No wonder he's known as the legendary "Dr. Heartthrob".

Eevee on Xia Chen's shoulder was more concerned about something else: Did the Red Fox already know that Xia Chen and it were coming?

Who were they trying to fool by pretending to "predict the future" just now?

Eevee squinted at the nonchalant Fiery Fox beside him, thinking, "This is the first time I've seen someone who can put on an act even better than me!"

Chapter 121 The Journey Begins with an Undercover Mission to the Flame Team

"Hmm, I see." Dr. Blatano looked thoughtfully at the letter in his hand and muttered to himself.

He looked up and examined Xia Chen's youthful face. "So, you're planning a trip to the Carlos region that will last about six months?"

Xia Chen replied, "Yes, Doctor, I am very interested in the Carlos region, which is the birthplace of the fairy attribute."

The doctor seemed to have thought of something, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "If that's the case, I have an important favor to ask of you."

Xia Chen guessed, "It's not the same as last year, but related to the fairy aura explosion the year before?"

Blatano nodded. "That's right, that's the direction I've been researching recently. Although Xerneas is the god of life, the aura of the legendary elves, no matter how gentle, is extremely aggressive to ordinary elves."

"These energies are like alien species, reacting violently with the energy in the elves' original bodies. Some elves are more compatible with this energy and, after being corrupted, gain a new attribute, which is what everyone now knows as the fairy attribute."

The professor raised a question: "But what about the Pokémon whose attributes didn't change?"

Xia Chen was stunned. Based on his knowledge from games and anime in his previous life, Xerneas possessed the ability to share eternal life.

As for the negative consequences of the released energy, that was beyond his knowledge.

Xia Chen hypothesized, "Perhaps... there's no harm in it?"

The PhD student remarked with a sigh, "What I fear most is the absence of any harm."

…………

Suddenly, Blatano asked, "Do you know about the elf protection organizations that were active in various regions decades ago?"

Xia Chen subconsciously thought of Team Plasma, the classic evil organization in the Unova region that advocated rescuing all Pokémon from humans.

But this didn't quite match the activity in the various regions the doctor mentioned, so he replied, "I don't know."

The professor said, "That organization not only advocates for harmonious coexistence between humans and elves, but also proposes that elves should coexist peacefully with each other. Isn't that ridiculous? The law of the jungle is a perfectly normal phenomenon in nature."

"This organization later forcibly conducted an experiment, creating an elf ecosystem without conflict, killing, or food chains. The result was that within a year, the elf population exploded, the ecosystem became resource-scarce, and the entire system collapsed."

Xia Chen finally understood what the doctor meant; he wasn't worried that Xerneas's energy would destroy the elves' lives.

Instead, they worry that the pseudo-"eternal life" created by excessive life energy will cause the entire Carlos region to collapse, just like the ecosystem in that experiment.

“Balance exists in all things,” he murmured.

The doctor's eyes lit up. "Hmm, a very philosophical sentence. It seems you understand what I mean."

Xia Chen shrugged. "But I don't understand what you want me to do."

Blatano patted Xia Chen on the shoulder solemnly, “The world has its own way out. Perhaps there is a problem with the ecological balance, and nature or some legendary elves will come out to solve it. But at that time, we don’t know what the society in which humans and elves live in harmony, which we have spent thousands of years building, will look like.”

"In the end, the existence of humans on this planet we live on is measured in tens of thousands of years. In the eyes of those immortal legendary elves, they are probably just like a few insignificant guests visiting their home."

"Human destiny must be in our own hands. All we scholars can do is anticipate potential risks and then inform the alliance so they can find ways to avoid them. That's all."

…………

Xia Chen suddenly realized that Dr. Syracuse's persuasive skills were quite impressive; no wonder he could become close friends with Team Flare's boss, the Thanos of the Pokémon world, Lysandre.

If I were truly a sixteen-year-old lad, I'd probably be completely absorbed in the mission to save Carlos right now.

Unfortunately, beneath the guise of a spirited and passionate young man lies the soul of a corporate slave yearning to slack off.

Xia Chen replied calmly, "Doctor, please tell me, I will try my best."

Bratano suddenly felt a sense of frustration; his own passion was burning like a raging fire, while the other side was as still as the ocean.

He awkwardly scratched his head and said with a wry smile, "It's nothing serious. I'd like to ask you to catch some Pokémon in different regions during your travels. I want to study whether there are any differences in the life energy within Pokémon from different places."

"In return, in addition to a monthly salary from the Blatano Research Institute, I will also apply to the League to reimburse your entire travel expenses, as well as some rare Pokémon resources, or anything else you need."

So it's just catching Pokémon, a simple and easy thing.

Moreover, by accepting this mission, this trip will not only be free, but will also make money, so it's a win-win situation no matter how you look at it.

The shrewd Xia Chen readily agreed, "No problem, Doctor."

After agreeing on the salary and benefits, Xia Chen bid farewell to Dr. Blatano.

There is a seven-hour time difference between Kalos and Donghuang. Right now, all he wants to do is lie on the soft bed, hug Eevee and Ralts, get a good night's sleep, and recover his energy so he can officially begin his Kalos journey.

Xia Chen flagged down a passing taxi and left the research institute.

Unbeknownst to him, in a coffee shop across from the research institute, a person dressed in orange clothes and orange sunglasses was quietly pressing a communicator on their ear.

"The target has boarded a taxi with license plate number xxx. Please stay tuned."

…………

I slept until I naturally woke up, and it was already eight o'clock.

But in Miare, the city that never sleeps, the moment the neon lights begin to illuminate the night is when life truly begins to shine.

As the human with the worst physical condition, Xia Chen took the longest time to adjust his sleep schedule.

In front of the huge floor-to-ceiling window that offers an unobstructed view of the nightscape of Lunare, the Milotic in the aquarium is admiring the night view of this unfamiliar region.

On the soft, luxurious carpet, Eevee and Ralts practiced their martial arts routines to pass the time while waiting for Xia Chen to wake up.

Xia Chen yawned, walked to the French windows, sat down in a chair, and stared blankly at the Prism Tower, which was very close by and shimmering with soft lights.

The hotel next to the famous landmark in Miare is certainly not cheap, but Dr. Bratano said he would reimburse the travel expenses, so why not take advantage of Carlos's money?

Before the trip officially begins, we should enjoy as many of the sweet treats of civilized society as possible.

In a few days, I estimate that most of the time we'll be sleeping outdoors under the open sky.

After admiring the night view, which exuded an aura of wealth, for a while, Xia Chen got up.

Xia Chen retrieved Milotic from the aquarium, picked up Eevee and Milotic from the carpet with one hand, and walked out of the room.

"Let's go and eat."

…………

Although the hotel Xia Chen stayed at had a very interesting name, it was called the Regent Hotel.

But in terms of facilities, service, and dining, this is the best hotel Xia Chen has ever experienced.

Although he used to only stay in hotels costing a few hundred dollars at most.

Xia Chen was enjoying Kalos region specialties with his three Pokémon at the hotel restaurant when Eevee subtly scratched his thigh with its little paw.

Xia Chen immediately understood and glanced at the surrounding environment out of the corner of his eye.

When he spotted that conspicuous orange figure in the corner, he understood everything.

He's been targeted by Team Flare!

Tu

Xia Chen clicked his tongue slightly. He had just arrived in Carlos and was already being targeted by a local evil organization. What kind of protagonist treatment was this?

As for why he was targeted so quickly, Xia Chen had a pretty good idea.

Team Flare's leader, Flareda, has a close relationship with Professor Blattano, and in the game, he shows great interest in the trainer entrusted to him by the professor, who is the protagonist.

So you're starting to monitor yourself now?

This little Thanos looks a bit like a yandere.

Xia Chen scratched Ibu to indicate that he had discovered the watcher, and then ate while thinking about countermeasures.

Regardless of what Flalida's purpose was in doing this, Xia Chen disliked the feeling of being monitored.

I took my Pokémon out of the city, enjoying the scenery and singing songs, when suddenly Team Flare started following me!

Thinking about this kind of thing makes me feel really bad.

Therefore, a trip without Team Flare is a good trip.

Xia Chen decided to find a way to get rid of these flies before setting off.

However, how to catch up seems to be a very thought-provoking question.

Do I have the strength to challenge an evil organization that can infiltrate an entire regional alliance?

…………

"Buyi!"