Ash's Pokémon Travel Has Big Problems

"I'm always running around in the wild, it's time to get involved in some 'academic' stuff, haha."

Professor Oak was once an untrained individual, and his training of his Pokémon emphasized belief, perseverance, and emotional control.

Only after switching careers to become a Pokémon scholar did I come into contact with more scientific methods of Pokémon training.

There is no inherent conflict between academic and self-taught approaches.

Combining them will yield better results.

Although he hasn't really fought in years, Daiki feels he's stronger now than before.

A Pokémon Trainer's strength is primarily reflected in their Pokémon and does not diminish rapidly with age.

In particular, Professor Oak's Pokémon include Dragonite.

In fact, the stronger a Pokémon is, the longer its lifespan will be.

Although theoretically there are 800 million knives in the world, the most dangerous one is the lifespan, there are actually many exceptions.

However, most people don't do this intentionally.

Those who reach the pinnacle are often driven by lofty ideals...

This ideal may be right or wrong, kind or evil... but none of them are simply for the sake of longevity.

Facing death with equanimity is also a form of courage for the strong.

Upon hearing this, a smile flashed in Lijia's eyes: "That's a good idea, teacher."

“Rainbow University does indeed have many research projects and facilities worth seeing.”

"I think Ash would be interested."

I'll make arrangements in a couple of days.

Lijia recalled her previous research findings.

The Pokémon species classification is just a general one.

If we break it down further, there are many different subspecies of the same Pokémon.

For example, most Magikarp can only use Tackle and Splash.

However, there is a subspecies of Magikarp in the Galar region that can use [Water Cannon].

Other relatively common giant Magikarp individuals have been sighted in Sinnoh, the Orange Islands, and other regions.

Recent research even revealed a subspecies of Magikarp capable of using [Dragon's Fury].

...In short, it's quite outrageous.

However, this does not prevent Magikarp from still being at the bottom of the world's ecosystem overall.

"Alright, then I'll leave it to you." Professor Oak nodded in satisfaction. "It's getting late, you should get some rest too."

"Teacher, please take care of yourself too."

The communication ended, and the screen went dark.

The study returned to silence, with only the faint chirping of insects coming from outside the window.

Lijia looked out the window at the starry night sky, and a smile of anticipation crept onto her lips as she thought about taking the energetic young man on a tour of the university.

This might also be a good opportunity for exchange.

As a daughter of a prestigious family, Rika actually faces a lot of pressure and has many things to do.

For example, dealing with the Rockets.

But... how about taking a step?

Rika: Me, fighting Giovanni? (⊙o⊙)

Rika: Me????? (ー_ー)!!

Let alone defeating Giovanni, Rika can't even beat Natsumi.

This momentous task is as if it doesn't exist.

Since there's no way to solve it anyway, I might as well just give up.

So it's not impossible to steal a moment of leisure from a busy schedule.

Isn't it good to take a break once in a while?

Chapter 108 Zivqi Mujin

a few days later.

A comfortable minivan slowly pulled up in front of Rainbow University's magnificent gate.

No matter what, Rika is a young lady from a prestigious family; she couldn't possibly have just walked over.

As for riding a Grass-type Pokémon over, that wouldn't suit her image as a young lady; it would be too high-profile.

So the most practical car is still... uh... we can't exactly carry a sedan chair, can we?

Xiaozhi, Xiaoxia, and Xiaogang followed Lijia out of the car.

Ash was instantly stunned by the sight before him.

It's less like a university and more like a well-planned, lush city.

A city within a city?

That's roughly how it can be described.

In the seemingly endless campus, various architectural styles, yet harmoniously integrated, are scattered among wide roads and large lawns.

The towering research buildings, the art-filled venues, and the enormous greenhouse dome faintly visible in the distance... all demonstrate the grandeur and profound heritage of this world-class university.

Rainbow University is unique in the whole world.

"This is Rainbow University," Rika said with a hint of pride.

Rainbow University is the greatest heritage of Rainbow City.

This is also a sacred place for all scholars.

The school gatekeeper clearly recognized Lijia, and after bowing respectfully, quickly let her through.

His gaze lingered curiously on Ash and his two companions for a moment, but he didn't ask any further questions.

People outside the area might not know Rika's status... she's not just an ordinary gym leader.

Only locals truly understand the value of the identity of "Rika's descendant of a prominent family".

Stepping inside the campus, the sense of openness becomes even stronger.

Board the sightseeing bus.

Tour guide Rika introduced the three of them to the various colleges they passed along the way:

"That's the Pokémon Pharmaceutical Academy over there. It mainly studies the development of Pokémon-related drugs, analysis of berry components, and enhancement of the efficacy of various wound medicines and antidotes."

As she passed a building with striking lines and contrasting colors, she pointed to the other side:

"That's the Pokémon Art Academy, which studies Pokémon coordination performance, Pokémon appearance design aesthetics, and even Pokémon-themed music and literature creation."

"!!!" Xiaoxia's eyes lit up immediately, especially when she heard "coordinated performance", she couldn't help but take a few more glances.

“And we’re heading to the area where the Pokémon Ecological Research Institute is located,” Rika continued, guiding the way.

“There are large simulated ecological parks and cutting-edge laboratories there, mainly responsible for Pokémon ecology, habitat protection, and… the cross-regional species adaptation research we mentioned earlier.”

Many students and teachers wearing white coats or casual clothes were walking around the campus.

They would nod and greet Rika in a friendly manner when they saw her, and their eyes would sweep over Ash and his friends with curiosity, but they all kept a proper distance and no one went up to disturb them.

Xiao Gang listened very attentively, occasionally asking some professional questions and exchanging ideas with Li Jia.

At this moment, the group passed by the alumni wall.

There are many pictures and introductions of people on it.

For example: Dr. Masahiro, Dr. Sakuragi, Dr. Kuroki, Dr. Shuri...

"Dr. Masaki's full name is... Masaki Sonezaki..."

Xiao Zhi and his two friends followed behind Li Jia, listening to her introduce the people in the photos on the alumni wall.

"This is Zuvchi Hibiscus, the founder of Devon Manufacturing Co., Ltd., the father of Steven, the Hoenn League Champion, and a graduate of the Faculty of Economics at Rainbow University."

"this……"

"this……"

Finally, they arrived at a group of buildings surrounded by low walls and marked "Key Experimental Zone".

Security here is noticeably tighter.

Passage is strictly restricted.

It's only because Lijia's identity is so special that she can't just bring people here for a visit.

Even Rika had to strictly adhere to the visitor flow.

After she verified her identity with her fingerprints and iris, she led Xiaozhi and the other two into a white building that looked exceptionally modern.

The building was quiet and clean, with a faint smell of disinfectant and electronic equipment in the air.

The road was filled with various surveillance cameras.

Ultrasonic probes, infrasound probes, infrared cameras... and so on.

Rika led them with practiced ease to a laboratory labeled "Aquatic Pokémon Potential Development Project Department" and gently knocked on the door.

The door was quickly opened.

An elderly professor with gray hair, thick glasses, and a somewhat wrinkled research coat appeared at the door.

When he saw Lijia, a warm smile immediately appeared on his face.

"Master Lijia! Welcome, welcome!"

"What brings you here today?"

As he spoke, he was also sizing up the three people behind Rika.

Uh... I don't know him.

"Professor Matsumoto, I'm sorry to bother you." Rika smiled and bowed slightly, then stepped aside to introduce herself:

"These are my friends: Ash from Pallet Town, Misty from Cerulean City, and Brock from Pewter City."

“They are very interested in Pokémon research, so I brought them here today for a visit.”

Rika then explained her purpose: "In particular, I wanted to bring them to see your 'star research achievement'—that Magikarp that can use Dragon's Fury."

Experimental research cannot be conducted by a single person.

Rika is actually part of Magikarp's research team, but she's mostly just a figurehead.

Rika's main research work is still focused on Pokémon ecology.

Upon hearing this, Professor Matsumoto's eyes behind his glasses lit up, and his smile became even brighter.

Some people might feel that allowing laypeople to visit is a disturbance.

But Professor Matsumoto is not.

In Professor Matsumoto's view, being visited proves that the visit is valued.

This is a good thing; the higher the level of importance attached to it, the less likely it is to be blocked from funding.

He had previously worried that the research project would be meaningless and would eventually be stopped.

It's quite rare for Magikarp to be able to use Dragon Rage.

However, if Magikarp evolves into Gyarados, then it can use Dragon Rage, which is standard equipment.

It's rare that Gyarados can't use Dragon Rage.

Professor Matsumoto quickly stepped aside: "Oh dear, it's a guest brought by Principal Rika! Please come in, please come in!"

"Welcome to our lab! I'm overjoyed that someone is interested in that child!"

He warmly welcomed everyone into the laboratory.