The next morning, at dawn.
Gray was still deep in dreamland, happily meeting the Santa, when a sudden series of knocks on the door dragged him unwillingly back to reality.
He truly had never imagined that someone as upright and righteous as himself would one day experience sleep paralysis.
Well…
More accurately, it had been ghost paralysis.
Gastly paralysis.
After all, the culprit currently lying on top of him with a mischievous grin was none other than a certain purple ghost.
Picking up the smirking Gastly and tucking it under his arm like a body pillow, Gray rubbed his sleepy eyes and staggered toward the door.
His voice was still thick with sleep as he muttered: “I’d like to see who’s disturbing my beautiful dream this early in the morning…” The door opened.
Standing outside was a short elderly man with a warm and gentle smile.
Gray instantly sobered up.
Every trace of drowsiness vanished.
The lazy expression on his face disappeared in an instant and was replaced by a flawless professional smile.
“Professor!
Please come in!
You should have told me beforehand if you were coming.
I could have gone downstairs to welcome you.” “There’s no need for all that.” Professor Oak waved his hand casually and stepped inside.
As he entered, his gaze carefully swept over Gray from head to toe.
“I heard about what happened yesterday from Cynthia.” His expression carried genuine concern.
“You weren’t injured, were you?” Then his eyes landed on Gastly.
For a moment, he visibly froze.
Professor Oak valued Gray extremely highly.
From the very first time they met, he had relied purely on intuition to conclude that this young man was an exceptionally powerful trainer.
Yet there had always been something strange about him.
Gray had never revealed a bonded Pokémon.
Nor had he shown any intention of forming a new bond.
He had repeatedly declined Professor Oak’s invitations and suggestions, always using excuses like “my strength is insufficient” or “my knowledge is still lacking.” Privately, Professor Oak had once speculated that perhaps Gray had experienced a painful separation in the past.
A wound that had never fully healed.
But now…
Had he finally decided to take that step forward?
A trace of relief rose within the old professor’s heart.
Smiling, he reached into his pocket and took out a Pokéblock.
He offered it directly to Gastly.
“Gaaas!” (You truly understand my heart!) Gastly’s eyes lit up instantly.
Gray could only sigh helplessly.
He pushed the troublesome ghost back into his shadow before inviting Professor Oak to sit on the sofa and pouring him a cup of hot tea.
“Regarding compensation for the accident…” Professor Oak had barely begun speaking when Gray immediately interrupted him.
“How could I possibly accept compensation?” His expression was sincere.
“Helping you with your work is already part of my job.” “But…” Professor Oak was about to object.
Then he noticed half of Gastly’s head secretly poking out from the edge of a shadow.
The ghost was attempting to steal a sip of his tea.
The professor paused thoughtfully.
Perhaps…
Compensation could come in the form of supporting Gastly’s training instead.
“Very well.” He nodded.
“In that case, you can temporarily put your research work aside and rest for a few days.” “You make it sound so serious.” Gray smiled.
“Being able to help you is an honor, and honestly, I’m completely fine.” Then he suddenly remembered something.
“Oh right.
There’s actually something I’d like your opinion on.” “Please wait a moment.” He stood up and returned to his room.
A few moments later, he came back carrying a Pokédex.
After inserting the storage cartridge for Pokémon FireRed/LeafGreen and connecting it to the television, he confirmed everything was functioning correctly before sitting back down beside Professor Oak.
“Do you remember when I asked for your permission to use your likeness?” Gray smiled.
“I used those materials to create a game.
I’m planning to release it publicly, so I’d like your opinion on whether it’s appropriate.” “Inappropriate?” Professor Oak’s eyes immediately brightened.
He turned eagerly toward the television screen.
“What is there to question?” “As long as you think it’s appropriate, then it must be appropriate.” He had never once doubted Gray’s talent.
This young man always found new ways to surprise him.
A game…
After all, Professor Oak had enjoyed games quite a bit when he was younger.
Unlike Red and the others, Gray had no intention of slowly exploring every hidden detail.
What he wanted to show Professor Oak was the game’s core mechanics and revolutionary appeal.
The opening animation began.
Nidorino and Gengar stood facing each other in dramatic opposition.
Professor Oak’s expression instantly stiffened.
He quickly recovered and disguised his reaction by coughing twice before taking a sip of tea.
A faint smile appeared on Gray’s face.
Without comment, he skipped the settings and rapidly advanced through the story.
As the plot progressed, the interest in Professor Oak’s eyes gradually transformed into excitement.
Then they reached the first battle.
“Real time command battles?” Professor Oak suddenly leaned forward.
“Wait…
Abilities?
Moves?
Quantified levels?” His voice grew increasingly excited.
“How did I never think of this?” As the battle demonstration continued, the old professor’s face visibly reddened.
“Using a game format to subtly educate players and popularize Pokémon knowledge!” “Genius!” “Gray, you’re an absolute genius!” His voice rose uncontrollably.
Gray clearly had not expected such an intense reaction.
For a moment, he felt somewhat overwhelmed.
As a former Champion of Indigo, Professor Oak had dedicated his entire life to advancing trainers.
Whether through Pokémon research or the invention of the Pokédex, everything he had done shared the same goal.
He wanted more people to understand Pokémon.
To love Pokémon.
To learn about Pokémon.
Popularizing Pokémon knowledge had been his lifelong dream.
And now, right before him, stood an opportunity too valuable to ignore.
“Gray!” Unable to restrain himself any longer, Professor Oak suddenly sprang to his feet from the sofa.
His eyes burned with almost fanatical enthusiasm as he stared directly at Gray.
The intensity of that gaze sent chills running down Gray’s spine.
Goosebumps instantly appeared all over his body.
“Professor Oak!” “Please calm down!” Gray hurriedly soothed the elderly professor and gently pushed him back onto the sofa before he could combust from excitement.
“It’s enough that you approve of this format…” Then he quickly brought up the main topic.
“I’d like to ask for your help with something.” “What do you need?” Professor Oak nearly stood up again.
This time, however, he forcibly restrained himself.
Out of habit, he reached for his teacup to hide his excitement.
Only then did he realize the cup was already empty.
“Tell me!” “As long as it’s within my power, I won’t refuse!” At that moment, Gastly poked half its head out from the shadows while quietly laughing.
Gray casually smacked it with a chop to the head before explaining: “Regarding the game’s production and release…” “I’d like to establish a studio first.” “However, I don’t have any manufacturing infrastructure.” “I may need to use part of the resources from the Pokédex production lines under your name.” “Hahahaha!” Professor Oak burst into hearty laughter.
He grabbed Gray’s hand and shook it vigorously.
“Of course that’s fine!” “The Pokédex itself contains countless contributions from you!” “You were also responsible for much of the production process!” “You can use those resources however you like!” “If this helps the game reach the public sooner, I’ll be delighted!” “Thank you for your support, Professor.” Gray smiled.
When it came to the Pokédex, he had indeed provided crucial suggestions regarding its data architecture and methods for mass production.
There were actually two types of Pokédex.
The first was the special edition personally crafted by Professor Oak, infused with his years of dedication and research.
The second was the standard version mass-produced under Gray’s management.
Professor Oak cared little for business matters.
As a result, the manufacturing and sales systems for the standard Pokédex had almost entirely fallen under Gray’s supervision.
Gray attempted to subtly withdraw his hand.
Unfortunately, Professor Oak’s grip was surprisingly strong.
He did not feel comfortable using force.
Left with no other option, he silently turned to Gastly for help.
‘Your Imperial Father is in danger!
Assistance required immediately!’ ‘Leave it to me!’ Gastly was a ghost of action.
Without saying another word, it floated behind Professor Oak and immediately unleashed Hypnosis.
‘I told you to make some noise and distract him!
Why did you go straight for Hypnosis?!’ Gray nearly panicked.
“Hm?” Professor Oak blinked.
“Why am I suddenly feeling a little sleepy…?” He muttered in confusion.
Then he casually slapped his own cheeks a few times.
The drowsiness vanished instantly.
As if nothing had happened, he grabbed Gray’s hand again and enthusiastically resumed discussing future plans.
Gray: “…” Professor…
Is your resistance stat even legal?
After their discussion concluded, Gray prepared to head to the League Administrative Center.
There were still numerous procedures to complete.
Studio registration.
Business filing.
Patent applications.
And many other bureaucratic formalities.
Professor Oak enthusiastically accompanied him.
With a legendary academic authority personally present, procedures that would normally take days became astonishingly efficient.
In less than a single morning, nearly everything had been completed.
At the service counter.
The young female clerk secretly glanced at Gray’s handsome profile once again.
A faint blush appeared on her cheeks as she handed over a document.
“Please fill in your studio’s name.” “The relevant certification documents and patent acceptance notices will be mailed to you within seven working days.” “Thank you for your cooperation.” “We wish you a pleasant day.” The studio name…
Gray picked up the pen.
After a brief moment of hesitation, he finally wrote down the name.
Pokémon Studio.
(End of Chapter) TN: Almost tempted to name it Nintendo haha.