[Incoming Caller: Professor Sada] “Hm?” Michael let out a quiet sound of surprise.
Was the professor calling because the Tera Orb had finally been completed?
His long, slender fingers quickly tapped the answer button on the screen.
A burst of faint static came through the speaker, prompting Michael to sigh.
“Come to think of it…
I really should replace this phone.” When he had first transmigrated to this world, he firmly believed that falling behind meant getting beaten.
As a result, he’d spent most of his savings buying this secondhand phone.
And because of this very phone, he had met Luxray.
“What’s wrong with your phone?” A woman’s voice, carrying a faint smile, came from the other end of the line.
It belonged to Sada.
Michael was snapped out of his reminiscing by Sada’s voice.
Blinking, he quickly collected himself.
“It’s getting pretty old.
I’m planning to replace it when I get the chance.” “I see.” On the other end, Sada casually spun around in her rocking chair using one long leg before getting straight to the point.
“The Tera Orb is finished.” “Oh?” Michael’s eyes lit up.
That was excellent news.
“So, should I come to the Lighthouse Laboratory to pick it up?” “No.
A little courier volunteered to deliver it for me~” Sada’s tone became noticeably gentler, carrying a trace of pride hidden deep beneath her words.
“…Arven’s coming?” Michael’s expression froze, his voice filled with uncertainty.
Sada’s silence served as confirmation, leaving him speechless for a moment before he sighed helplessly.
“He’s only a ten-year-old kid.
Professor, you’re really comfortable letting him travel all the way through Area One to Mesagoza?” “Why wouldn’t I be?” Sada sounded completely unconcerned.
“That child is already ten years old.
In any other region, children his age would have already received their first Pokémon, become Trainers, and set off on adventures full of dreams.” Knowing exactly what Michael was worried about, she continued, “Mabosstiff is accompanying Arven.
With its strength, crossing Area One, which is intended for beginner Trainers, won’t be a problem.” “…You’re right, Professor Sada.” Michael admitted that she’d convinced him.
After all, he’d transmigrated into this world at seventeen.
He had subconsciously forgotten one of the Pokémon world’s most outrageous settings.
Here…
Children officially became Pokémon Trainers at the age of ten.
Whether it was Arven or Nemona, whom he’d rescued not long ago, they had both reached that age of independence.
“In any case,” Sada continued, “Arven left quite a while ago, so he should be arriving in Mesagoza soon.” “He doesn’t know where your ranch is, so I’ll have to trouble you to pick him up at the town entrance~” “Got it.” Michael nodded as he answered.
At the same time, his gaze shifted toward Swampert, which had just finished walking over.
As if suddenly remembering something, Sada added, “Oh, right.
Once you receive the Tera Orb, if you have any questions, try to ask me within the next few days.
Once Naranja Academy starts its new semester, my husband and I will be returning to the Great Crater of Paldea for our research.
By then, I probably won’t have much time to deal with these sorts of things.” Michael fell silent for a moment before asking, “If both of you are entering the crater for research…
what about Arven?” Sada’s expression turned a little awkward.
“Naranja Academy is a boarding school.
Even if we’re home, we’d still have him stay on campus so he can better fit in.
Don’t let his appearance fool you.
That child is actually very independent.
Recently, he even seems to have developed an interest in cooking.” “So…
For the time being, I’ll have to trouble you to look after him, Professor Michael~” “…Alright.” Michael sighed before agreeing.
Sada chatted with him for a little while longer before ending the call.
Putting away his phone, Michael looked at Swampert, now standing beside him, and smiled apologetically.
“Come on.
We still need to head into town to pick someone up.” Swampert nodded.
With footsteps as steady and solid as the earth itself, it followed behind Michael.
…
Area One, Lighthouse Laboratory Seeing his wife end the call, Turo, dressed in his futuristic attire, spoke up.
“It looks like…
Once our research starts making progress, we’ll need to prepare a special gift to thank this guy.” Sada gently touched the beast-fang necklace hanging around her neck and nodded.
“Ever since hearing the rumors about bullying among the students at Naranja Academy, I’ve been worried about Arven.
That child is so straightforward.
If someone bullied him, he’d probably just endure it in silence.
Other than Geeta, we don’t really know anyone at the academy.” “Clavell does intend to take up a position there, but distant water can’t extinguish a nearby fire.” She smiled faintly.
“Maybe it’s just my instincts…
but I feel that this new teacher is someone we can trust.
So I shamelessly asked him for this favor.” Turo took out the Scarlet Book he always carried with him, gently stroking its cover as he stared into the distance.
“‘Shameless’…
You’re right.
In order to fulfill the dream we’ve pursued since we were young, once we enter the Great Crater, we’ll probably have almost no time to accompany Arven throughout the year.” “And who knows how many years that life will continue?
On one side lies the dream we’ve cherished since childhood.
On the other…
Our responsibilities as parents.” “…Reality really is cruel.” Sada stood and gently placed a hand on Turo’s shoulder.
“But Michael’s question cut straight to the heart of the matter.
‘If we’re both entering the crater for research…
then what about Arven?’ Will he be sad?
Will he feel lonely?” “To be honest…
I’d never really thought about those things before.” Turo embraced Sada gently.
“Let’s work together.
Let’s find a balance between our dreams…
and our responsibilities.” “…Alright.” …
“Wow~~ So this is Big Bro’s ranch?” Arven looked around with sparkling eyes, fascinated by the scenery surrounding him.
‘You were about to call me ‘Uncle,’ weren’t you?’ Forcing a smile that wasn’t quite a smile, Michael replied, “As you can see, most of it is still just wasteland.
It’s still a long way from becoming a proper ranch.” Arven nodded thoughtfully.
Squatting down, he reached into the backpack carried by Mabosstiff, who seemed noticeably restrained with Swampert standing nearby, and carefully took out a black crystalline sphere shaped like a Poké Ball.
Holding it with both hands, he presented it to Michael.
“Big Bro, Mom asked me to bring you this Tera Orb.” Michael accepted it.
The first thing he noticed was its smooth, cool surface.
It felt perfectly flawless, as though it had been formed by nature itself.
Its jet-black crystalline shell made it difficult to imagine the dazzling brilliance it could unleash when activated.
After examining it carefully, Michael couldn’t help marveling at the incredible technology required to create such a beautiful device.
Arven tugged lightly on his sleeve.
“…do you know how to use it?” Michael hesitated for a moment before nodding.
He still remembered the activation process.
The only question was…
would it actually work?
He turned toward Swampert beside him.
Swampert looked back at him.
Years of mutual understanding allowed them to instantly grasp each other’s intentions.
A smile spread across Michael’s face.
For the first time in a long while, he felt a familiar heat welling up in his chest.
He raised the Tera Orb high and shouted, “Terastallize, Swampert!”