The ship sailed away from Celestia Island just as the sky began to turn orange.
Lucian remained beside the railing longer than necessary.
In the distance, the silhouette of his home gradually grew smaller.
First, the mansion vanished among the treetops, then the orchards became nothing more than patches of green, and finally, the mountains took over the horizon.
Growlithe sat beside him with his chest raised and his snout pointed toward the wind.
He seemed to enjoy the ocean breeze ruffling his fur.
Beldum, on the other hand, floated in front of Lucian without taking its single eye off him.
“I’m fine,” the boy said.
Beldum released a low hum.
Lucian raised an eyebrow.
“I’ll only be gone for a month.”
Another hum came from Beldum, this one longer than the first.
“No, I’m not trying to convince myself.”
Growlithe turned his head and snorted in a way that sounded far too much like laughter.
Lucian glanced at him.
“You’re not helping.”
The Fire-type wagged his tail against the deck.
Lucian sighed and turned his attention back toward the island.
He could barely make it out through the mist, but he could still remember Elena standing at the harbor.
Before he boarded the ship, she had placed her old compass in his hand and closed his fingers around it.
“So you don’t forget the way back.”
It wasn’t a particularly valuable compass.
Its case was scratched in several places, its needle took too long to stabilize, and Elena had painted a small yellow mark on its lid.
Even so, Lucian had carefully stored it inside one of his jacket’s inner pockets.
Daisy’s scarf rested around his shoulders.
It was dark blue, soft, and far too long for someone his size.
Two completely different gifts.
One to help him return.
The other to welcome him when he arrived.
Lucian lowered his gaze toward the sea.
At six years old, this wasn’t his first journey beyond the island.
He had accompanied his grandfather on a few short visits to Saffron City and the Indigo Plateau, but he had never been separated from him for this long.
Nor had he ever lived somewhere else without the protection of the Starfall family.
That made this journey important.
Not because of the danger, but because of what it represented.
For the next month, he would study directly under Professor Samuel Oak, one of Kanto’s most respected Pokémon researchers.
He would have access to Oak’s archives, observe his research methods, and experience a laboratory very different from Celestia Island’s breeding center.
More importantly, he would be able to spend time with Daisy.
Lucian closed his eyes.
He could feel Beldum’s psychic energy as a steady presence to his left and Growlithe’s warmth beside his leg.
Beyond them, he sensed scattered emotions—the captain’s calm, one of the sailors’ exhaustion, and the curiosity of a young Wingull following the ship.
Ever since his psychic abilities had awakened, the world had never been completely silent again.
He still couldn’t read minds.
His grandfather had explained that it was an advanced and dangerous ability, especially for someone who was only beginning to distinguish his own emotions from those of others.
What Lucian perceived were impulses.
Fear.
Joy.
Hostility.
Trust.
They were vague sensations, but useful ones.
That was why he knew someone was approaching before he heard the footsteps.
“Young Master Lucian, we’ll reach the harbor in about twenty minutes.”
The captain was a gray-bearded man whose skin had been weathered by years beneath the sun.
He had worked with the Starfall family for years, transporting supplies and visitors between the island and Kanto.
“Thank you, Captain.”
“Professor Oak sent someone to receive you.”
“Probably one of his assistants.”
The man smiled.
“That’s what I thought at first.”
Lucian noticed the amusement behind his words.
“Who came?”
The captain pointed toward the front of the ship.
“You’d better see for yourself.”
Lucian walked toward the bow.
Growlithe immediately followed him, while Beldum floated above his right shoulder.
Pallet Town wasn’t visible yet, but the small harbor connecting the maritime routes to the town was beginning to come into view.
There were several fishing boats, wooden warehouses, and a pier reserved for passenger vessels.
There was also a small figure waving both arms with enough force to make it seem as if she were attempting to guide the entire ship.
Lucian didn’t need to see her clearly to recognize her.
“Lucian!”
Daisy Oak’s voice managed to overpower the sound of the engine and the waves.
Lucian couldn’t stop himself from smiling.
Daisy wore a light-blue dress beneath a white jacket.
Her blonde hair, much longer than the last time they had seen each other, was tied with a ribbon the same color as Lucian’s scarf.
Professor Oak stood beside her, his hands tucked into the pockets of his lab coat and a resigned expression on his face.
“I told you he couldn’t hear you yet,” Oak remarked.
“Of course he could! He’s looking at me!”
“We’ve also been looking at the ship for the past ten minutes.”
“Grandpa, that doesn’t mean everyone has hearing as good as mine.”
Lucian heard the professor even before the ship finished approaching the dock.
“This is going to be an interesting month,” he muttered.
Beldum released a sound of agreement.
Once the gangway was in place, Daisy waited exactly three seconds before ignoring her grandfather’s instructions and running toward Lucian.
“You’re here!”
The girl stopped in front of him and examined him as if she needed to make sure he had arrived in one piece.
Her green eyes moved down to the scarf.
“You’re wearing it.”
“You told me to wear it when I arrived.”
“I thought you’d keep it in your suitcase.”
“Then I wouldn’t have followed your instructions.”
Daisy smiled, satisfied.
“I knew you’d like it.”
Before Lucian could answer, she hugged him.
The gesture was so sudden that Growlithe’s ears rose and Beldum floated a few inches closer.
Neither of them intervened.
They both recognized Daisy and could sense that she posed no threat.
Lucian remained still for a moment before returning the embrace.
“It’s only been a month since your last visit to the island,” he said.
“It was a long month.”
“All months are approximately the same length.”
Daisy pulled back enough to look him in the eyes.
“Sometimes I forget how strange you are.”
“I’m happy to see you too.”
Daisy’s smile returned immediately.
Professor Oak approached at a more relaxed pace.
His gaze settled first on Lucian and then on his two Pokémon.
“So they finally let you leave without your grandfather following in another boat.”
Lucian inclined his head in greeting.
“Professor Oak.”
“Samuel is enough while you’re living under my roof. If you continue calling me Professor during breakfast, I’ll start feeling like I’m still at work.”
“You’re always working.”
Oak opened his mouth, but Daisy spoke first.
“I told you, Grandpa.”
The researcher coughed.
“That isn’t the point.”
His attention returned to Lucian.
“How is that stubborn old man?”
“He continues to insist that you owe him a rematch.”
“He’s the one who refused to accept the result of our last battle.”
“According to my grandfather, you distracted his Metagross by talking about your research.”
“A perfectly valid strategy.”
“You showed it a stone you found in Hoenn.”
“It was a fossil.”
“My grandfather claims it was a rock.”
Oak narrowed his eyes.
“He gets more unbearable every day.”
Lucian could feel the amusement hidden behind the professor’s words.
Their rivalry had begun decades ago, when they were still young Trainers dreaming of reaching the Elite Four.
Their paths eventually separated.
Lucian’s grandfather specialized in breeding and training Psychic- and Steel-type Pokémon, while Samuel Oak abandoned official competitions to dedicate his life to research.
That hadn’t stopped them from comparing their achievements every time they met.
“Professor,” one of the sailors interrupted, “we still need to unload the luggage.”
“Of course. One of my assistants can handle it.”
Lucian shook his head.
“I only brought two suitcases.”
Daisy examined the two pieces of luggage that had just been placed on the pier.
Then she looked at Lucian.
“How can you live for a month with only two suitcases?”
“One contains clothes. The other contains books, instruments, and supplies for Growlithe and Beldum.”
“That doesn’t answer my question.”
“Yes, it does.”
“No. It explains why one of your suitcases doesn’t contain clothes.”
Oak laughed.
“You should be grateful he didn’t arrive with a portable laboratory.”
Lucian remained silent.
Daisy stared at him.
“You brought one, didn’t you?”
“Only a few basic instruments.”
“How many?”
“The necessary amount.”
“That means too many,” she concluded.
Growlithe barked once, supporting her opinion.
Lucian ignored him.
The journey from the harbor to Pallet Town took a little over half an hour.
A laboratory vehicle was waiting near the pier, allowing them to transport the luggage without difficulty.
Lucian observed the scenery through the window.
Pallet Town was even quieter than he remembered.
The houses were separated by wide stretches of grass, and the roads didn’t have the constant traffic found in larger cities.
In the distance, groups of wild Pokémon rested in the fields.
It was a simple place.
Peaceful.
Perfect for studying Pokémon without the distractions of a city like Saffron or Celadon.
Daisy sat beside Lucian and spent most of the journey telling him everything that had happened since her last visit.
“The Pidgey Egg hatched four days ago. It happened early in the morning, and the assistant in charge fell asleep.”
“Is the Pidgey all right?”
“Perfectly. Grandpa wasn’t. I woke him up by pounding on his door.”
“You screamed from the other side of the hallway,” Oak corrected from the front seat.
“You couldn’t hear me.”
“The entire town could hear you.”
Daisy ignored the comment.
“We also received three injured Rattata from Route 1. One of them has already returned to its territory, but the other two are still recovering.”
“What happened to them?”
“They got into a fight with a Fearow. They have several wounds on their backs, and one of them lost some of the fur on its tail.”
Lucian nodded slowly.
“Did you modify their diet during their recovery?”
“We’re giving them a mixture containing Oran Berries, protein, and minerals. We also added a small amount of powdered Sitrus Berry.”
Lucian tilted his head.
“Sitrus Berries help restore energy, but the concentration may be too strong for a young Rattata.”
“I know. The mixture is diluted.”
“At what ratio?”
“One part to twelve.”
“That could work.”
“I don’t need you to say that as if you’re grading my homework.”
“You asked me a question.”
“I didn’t ask you anything.”
Lucian thought about it.
“That’s true.”
Oak observed them through the rearview mirror.
“You two are going to get along very well in the laboratory.”
“We always get along,” Daisy said.
“Until one of you tries to prove that you know more than the other.”
“That only happens when Lucian is wrong.”
“I don’t remember that ever happening,” he replied.
Daisy lightly punched his shoulder.
The Oak Laboratory stood atop a hill on the outskirts of town.
The main building was large, with white walls and a red roof, as well as several sections that had been added over the years.
Behind it stretched enormous grounds divided into different habitats for Pokémon.
There were wooded areas, open meadows, ponds, and rocky fields.
Lucian sensed dozens of presences as soon as he stepped out of the vehicle.
Some were small and curious.
Others possessed much greater energy.
A massive figure was sleeping beside a group of trees.
Even from the entrance, Lucian could recognize the bulky body of a Snorlax.
Farther away, a Tauros struck the ground with one of its hooves while two others watched.
“The grounds are larger than they appeared in the blueprints,” Lucian remarked.
Oak stopped.
“Blueprints?”
“My grandfather had an old copy.”
“Why did he have a copy of my laboratory’s blueprints?”
“He said he wanted to determine whether his breeding center was larger.”
“Of course he did.”
Daisy took one of Lucian’s hands.
“I thought we were going to visit the laboratory.”
“Afterward. You’ve spent hours on a ship.”
“I’m fine.”
“Growlithe is hungry.”
The Pokémon’s ears rose at the mention of food.
Daisy smiled.
“See?”
“That was manipulation.”
“It was an observation.”
Growlithe started following Daisy without waiting for permission.
Lucian watched him for a moment.
“Traitor.”
The Pokémon wagged his tail.
Oak’s house was connected to the laboratory by a covered corridor.
It wasn’t as large as the Starfall mansion, but it felt busier.
Books had been placed on nearly every available surface, along with Pokémon photographs, awards from old conferences, and boxes that had yet to be opened.
The room prepared for Lucian was on the second floor, directly across from Daisy’s.
It contained a bed, a desk, several empty shelves, and a window overlooking much of the laboratory’s grounds.
A small vase filled with white flowers stood on the desk.
Lucian approached it.
“Daisy picked them this morning,” Oak explained.
“She also tried to rearrange the entire room three times.”
“The original arrangement was terrible,” she protested.
“You only moved the desk.”
“It gets better light now.”
Lucian examined its position relative to the window.
“She’s right.”
Daisy raised her chin proudly.
Oak shook his head.
“I’m beginning to remember why I only agreed to keep you here for a month.”
“My grandfather said you insisted.”
“Your grandfather also believes an argument counts as an invitation.”
While Daisy helped organize the clothes, Lucian opened the second suitcase.
Inside were several notebooks, sample containers, a small energy reader, a portable scale, supplements, brushes, and products intended for the care of his Pokémon.
Daisy picked up one of the notebooks.
The cover read, “Variations in the Development of Beldum’s Metallic Structure.”
“How many notebooks did you bring?”
“Seven.”
“Lucian.”
“Eight, if we count the one for general observations.”
“You promised you would rest too.”
“Recording data isn’t work.”
Daisy held the notebook against her chest.
“Then you won’t mind if I keep this until tomorrow.”
“Daisy.”
“You just arrived.”
The two stared at each other in silence.
Beldum floated between them, moving its eye from one child to the other.
Growlithe lay on the rug and watched the confrontation without intervening.
Lucian could have retrieved the notebook with his psychic powers.
Daisy knew this and tightened her grip on it.
Eventually, he closed the suitcase.
“Until tomorrow.”
“Until after breakfast tomorrow.”
“Before.”
“After.”
“Before.”
“During,” Oak interrupted from the doorway.
“He can write while he eats, and then neither of you wins.”
Daisy frowned.
Lucian nodded.
“Acceptable.”
“You’re not supposed to help him,” she complained.
“I’m not helping him. I’m protecting my peace of mind.”
After feeding Growlithe and giving Beldum its mineral supplement, Lucian followed Daisy and Oak to the laboratory.
The main section was filled with computers, shelves of samples, and analysis stations.
Several assistants worked quietly, although they all looked up when the professor entered with a silver-white-haired boy, an unusually colored Beldum, and a Growlithe.
Lucian could feel their curiosity.
He was accustomed to it.
Beldum wasn’t merely shiny.
Its metallic coloration and golden markings made it impossible to ignore, especially for researchers familiar with its species.
“Don’t let his appearance distract you,” Oak warned them.
“Lucian will be working with us for the next month. He’ll have access to the general areas and accompany me on several projects.”
One of the assistants blinked.
“Professor, did you say working?”
“That’s what I said.”
“But he’s a child.”
Daisy placed her hands on her hips.
“He’s six, not three.”
The man appeared to realize that her explanation hadn’t helped.
Oak smiled.
“Lucian has spent more than a year studying breeding, basic genetics, nutrition, and Pokémon energy under his grandfather’s supervision. He isn’t here as an official Trainer or an independent researcher, but he knows how to follow instructions.”
Daisy looked at Lucian.
“Sometimes.”
“And he knows how to respect safety restrictions,” Oak continued.
Daisy kept staring at him.
Lucian decided not to respond.
One of the monitors released a sound.
The nearest assistant checked the information before addressing Oak.
“Professor, we finished analyzing the Rattata samples.”
Daisy immediately approached.
“Did you find an infection?”
“No. However, the younger specimen’s energy levels remain lower than expected.”
Lucian observed the data from a respectful distance.
He didn’t need the system to understand most of the information, but the blue screen appeared before his eyes as soon as he focused on the graph.
Only he could see it.
Side Mission Detected
Name: A Guest in Need
Objective: Assist in the complete recovery of the injured Rattata without using items provided by the system.
Additional Conditions:
—Identify the cause of its slow recovery.
—Design a safe nutritional adjustment.
—Obtain Professor Oak’s approval.
Reward: Basic Knowledge—Dietary Evaluation for Pokémon with Accelerated Metabolisms.
Additional Reward: Will be determined according to the quality of the solution.
Lucian read the message twice.
The system hadn’t appeared to give him an answer.
Instead, it was pushing him to discover the answer himself.
He liked that much more than receiving a complete solution.
“I want to see the Rattata,” he said.
The assistant hesitated.
“You just arrived.”
“Exactly. I haven’t participated in its treatment, so I can observe it without any preconceived ideas.”
Oak studied him for a few seconds.
“What are you thinking?”
“Nothing yet. I only know its energy levels and part of its diet. I need to observe its behavior, coat, breathing, and reaction to food.”
A smile appeared beneath the professor’s mustache.
“Good answer.”
Daisy handed Lucian the notebook she had tried to confiscate.
“This isn’t yours.”
“I brought it to take my own notes.”
“Then why did you try to take mine?”
“Because you had just arrived. Now you’ve arrived.”
Lucian decided not to argue with that logic.
The three headed toward the recovery area.
Growlithe walked beside Lucian, but Beldum remained slightly farther back to avoid frightening the injured Pokémon.
The two Rattata rested in separate enclosures.
The first stood as soon as Daisy approached and placed its front paws against the transparent barrier.
The second remained curled up on a blanket.
Lucian didn’t approach immediately.
He observed.
Its breathing was stable, and the wounds on its back appeared to be healing well.
There were no obvious signs of infection.
Its coat looked dull, but not enough to suggest a severe deficiency.
A container of food rested only a few inches from its head.
It had barely touched it.
“When was its last full meal?” Lucian asked.
“Last night,” the assistant replied.
“It eats small amounts, but it stops quickly.”
“Have you tried changing the texture?”
“We tried solid food and a soft mixture.”
Lucian crouched down.
Growlithe remained behind him, neither barking nor moving too close.
Rattata opened its eyes.
It looked at Lucian first.
Then it noticed Growlithe and tensed.
Lucian felt its fear like a sharp prick against his senses.
It wasn’t simple nervousness.
It was an intense reaction.
“Take Growlithe out of the room for a moment.”
The Fire-type lowered his ears.
Lucian placed a hand on his head.
“You didn’t do anything wrong. Wait with Beldum.”
Growlithe obeyed and left beside the Steel-type Pokémon.
Slowly, the Rattata stopped trembling.
Oak crossed his arms.
“Interesting.”
Daisy looked at the injured Pokémon and then at the door.
“It was attacked by a Fearow, not a Growlithe.”
“But Growlithe is still a predator,” Lucian replied.
“Rattata experienced a violent attack and is now in an unfamiliar place surrounded by the scents of different Pokémon. It may not feel safe enough to eat.”
“The other Rattata doesn’t have that problem,” the assistant pointed out.
“Not everyone reacts the same way.”
With Oak’s permission, Lucian opened the enclosure.
He didn’t attempt to touch the Pokémon.
Instead, he placed a small Oran Berry in front of it and stepped back.
Rattata sniffed the air.
It took nearly a minute before it approached.
It took one bite.
Then another.
Daisy smiled.
“It’s eating.”
“We still need to confirm whether that is the only cause,” Lucian said.
“We could cover part of the enclosure and move it to a room with less traffic. It would also be better to keep larger Pokémon away until it regains its confidence.”
Oak nodded.
“What about its diet?”
“I wouldn’t change it completely. First, I would reduce the concentration of Sitrus Berry and offer smaller portions several times a day. If fear is causing it to stop eating, a mixture that is too concentrated may only make it more uncomfortable.”
The professor looked at the assistant.
“Do it. Record every meal and any changes in its behavior.”
The man nodded and began preparing for the transfer.
A new line appeared in front of Lucian.
Mission Progress: 1/3
Preliminary hypothesis accepted.
It still wasn’t complete.
That meant he would have to observe the Rattata’s condition over the next several days.
Perfect.
His first project in Pallet Town had begun less than an hour after his arrival.
When they left the recovery area, Growlithe ran toward Lucian and sniffed his hands.
“I’m not replacing you with a Rattata,” the boy assured him.
Growlithe placed his front paws against Lucian’s chest.
Lucian lost his balance and landed on the floor.
Daisy began laughing.
“Was that also part of your evaluation?”
Lucian held Growlithe back before the Pokémon could lick his entire face.
“He’s checking whether I still smell the same.”
“I think he’s jealous.”
“He isn’t jealous.”
Growlithe positioned himself between Lucian and the door to the recovery area.
Daisy raised an eyebrow.
“Of course not.”
Beldum floated closer and gently pushed Growlithe with its head.
The Fire-type turned around.
The two Pokémon stared at each other.
Oak took a step back.
“Should we be concerned?”
“No,” Lucian replied.
Growlithe barked.
Beldum vibrated.
“Probably.”
Lucian stood before their disagreement could turn into a competition.
“We can visit the grounds.”
The two Pokémon calmed down immediately.
“They’re too much like you.”
“I don’t see how.”
“All three of you turn everything into a competition.”
“That isn’t true.”
“Do you want to bet?”
Lucian narrowed his eyes.
Daisy smiled, having proven her point.
Oak led them to a meadow behind the laboratory.
Pokémon rested beneath the trees, chased a ball thrown by one of the assistants, or approached to greet the professor.
Lucian recognized several species native to Kanto.
Nidoran.
Oddish.
Paras.
A small group of Bellsprout.
He also saw Pokémon belonging to Trainers currently traveling through other regions.
“Many Trainers leave behind the Pokémon they cannot take with them,” Daisy explained.
“Grandpa supervises their health, and they live on the grounds until their Trainers return.”
“It’s a useful system, but it requires too much space and personnel.”
“That’s why I wanted to learn more about Celestia Island’s breeding center,” Oak said.
“Your family maintains several stable populations with less human intervention.”
“The tribes possess their own territories. We only intervene when we detect diseases, food shortages, or disputes that threaten an area’s balance.”
“That works on a private island. Here, we receive Pokémon from different Trainers almost every week.”
Lucian observed a Krabby inside one of the ponds.
Both models had their advantages.
On Celestia Island, Pokémon lived with greater freedom and formed natural social structures.
The laboratory, on the other hand, needed to constantly adapt to new individuals.
Perhaps he could learn from both systems.
A blue flash crossed the field.
Lucian turned his head.
For an instant, he thought he saw a small Pokémon hiding behind the bushes.
The presence disappeared before he could identify it.
“What’s wrong?” Daisy asked.
“Something was watching us.”
Oak looked toward the bushes.
“Probably one of the Pokémon living on the grounds.”
Lucian kept his gaze fixed on the spot for several seconds.
He hadn’t sensed any hostility.
Only curiosity.
He decided to let it go.
The sun was beginning to set when they returned to the house.
Daisy insisted on preparing a sleeping area for Growlithe, although the Pokémon seemed determined to sleep beside Lucian’s bed.
Beldum chose to remain floating near the window, from where it could observe the laboratory’s lights.
During dinner, Oak explained the schedule for the coming weeks.
The mornings would be dedicated to studying and caring for the Pokémon.
After lunch, Lucian would be given supervised access to the laboratory’s archives.
Three times a week, Oak would evaluate Beldum and Growlithe’s training.
“You’ll also have free time,” Daisy added.
“I can use it to review the archives.”
“No.”
“To train.”
“No.”
“To study the wild populations on Route 1.”
Daisy placed her utensils on the table.
“Free time means we’ll do something fun.”
“Those activities are fun.”
“Something fun for normal people.”
Oak calmly drank from his cup.
“I refuse to become involved in this argument.”
Daisy turned toward him.
“We’re going to the river tomorrow.”
“That sounds good,” Lucian replied.
She blinked, surprised by how easily she had won.
“Without books?”
“I’ll bring a notebook.”
“Lucian.”
“A small one.”
“No instruments.”
“Only the compass.”
Daisy’s expression softened.
“You brought it?”
Lucian removed the object from his pocket and placed it on the table.
Daisy immediately recognized the yellow mark.
“It belongs to Elena.”
“She lent it to me before I left.”
“Lent it?”
“She said I had to return it when I came back.”
Daisy examined the compass.
“That’s how she’s making sure you return.”
“I would have returned anyway.”
“I know.”
There was no annoyance in her voice, but Lucian sensed a faint trace of unease.
Daisy touched the blue scarf around his neck.
“The compass doesn’t match my scarf.”
Lucian considered both objects.
“They don’t need to match.”
“One is inside my pocket.”
“That doesn’t matter.”
Oak concealed a smile behind his cup.
Lucian began to suspect that the coming month would be more complicated than he had expected.
After dinner, he went to his room.
Growlithe settled on the rug, and Beldum remained near the window.
Lucian opened one of his notebooks and recorded his first observations about the Rattata.
He noted its reaction to Growlithe, the amount of food it had consumed, and the changes he had recommended.
Then he turned to a fresh page.
At the top, he wrote:
“Oak Laboratory: Differences Compared to Celestia Island’s Ecosystem.”
He had only completed three lines when he heard a soft knock on the door.
“Come in.”
Daisy entered carrying two cups.
“Grandpa said you’re not allowed to drink coffee.”
“I didn’t want coffee.”
“That’s why I brought hot chocolate.”
She handed him a cup and sat across from the desk.
For several minutes, neither of them spoke.
It was a different kind of silence from the one found on the island.
There, he could always hear the wind moving through the trees, the distant cries of wild Pokémon, or the ocean crashing against the cliffs.
In Pallet Town, the night seemed quieter.
“Do you miss home?” Daisy asked.
Lucian looked through the window.
“A little.”
“You can return early if you don’t like it here.”
“I don’t want to return early.”
“Good.”
“Did you think I would?”
Daisy shook her head.
“I thought you might miss your grandfather too much… or Elena.”
Lucian drank some of his hot chocolate.
“I miss them, but a month isn’t that long.”
“You said that this morning.”
“Because it’s true.”
Daisy rested her arms on the desk.
“Then we have thirty days.”
“Twenty-nine after today.”
“Don’t ruin the moment.”
Lucian remained silent.
Daisy smiled.
“I want to show you the river, Route 1, and the field where I train. There’s also a clearing in the forest where many Pokémon appear when the trees bloom.”
“We can study their behavior.”
“We can observe them,” she corrected.
“Without turning everything into research.”
“That sounds a lot like research.”
“Just promise me you won’t spend the entire month locked inside the laboratory.”
Lucian looked at the open notebook.
The system had recognized a mission inside the laboratory.
Oak possessed records that could help him better understand Beldum, his psychic powers, and the breeding methods used beyond the island.
But this journey wasn’t only about gaining knowledge.
It was also the first time he could live alongside Daisy for more than a few days.
“I promise.”
The girl extended her little finger.
Lucian looked at it.
“What are you doing?”
“It’s a promise.”
“I just promised.”
“This makes it more serious.”
Lucian hooked his little finger around hers.
“Then I promise again.”
Daisy stood, satisfied.
“I’ll wake you up early tomorrow.”
“I always wake up early.”
“Earlier.”
“For what?”
She walked toward the door.
“It’s a surprise.”
“I don’t like surprises.”
“I know.”
Daisy left before he could ask any more questions.
Lucian continued staring at the door.
Growlithe raised his head from the rug.
“Don’t say anything.”
The Pokémon settled down again, although his tail struck the floor once.
Lucian closed the notebook and approached the window.
From there, he could see the lights of Pallet Town and part of Route 1 stretching northward.
Somewhere beyond it was Viridian City.
Then came Viridian Forest.
Much farther away, hidden among mountains and tunnels, stood Mount Moon.
A notification appeared before his eyes.
Special Mission Active: Echoes Beneath the Moon
Current Objective: Locate the Astral Resonance Network node hidden within Mount Moon.
Warning: Investigation is only recommended with Pokémon at the Advanced Strength category or higher.
Time Limit: None.
Reward: Unknown.
Lucian closed the system window.
It wasn’t time yet.
Beldum and Growlithe were progressing, but they still needed to grow stronger.
He also lacked the necessary experience to explore a place connected to a mission with an unknown reward.
Mount Moon could wait.
He had one month to learn everything he could from Professor Oak, help Daisy, and understand a world that, despite his memories, was far larger than any anime or game.
Lucian placed one hand against the glass.
For the first time since his reincarnation, he was far from the island without his grandfather.
He wasn’t afraid.
He felt anticipation.
His new life had finally begun to extend beyond the shores of Celestia Island.
Meanwhile, back on the island, Elena walked behind her father along one of the trails north of the orchards.
The compass no longer hung from her belt, and every time she instinctively reached for it, she remembered who had it.
“You need to pay attention to the terrain,” Adrian said without turning around.
“A guardian doesn’t only observe what’s directly in front of them.”
“I am paying attention.”
“Then tell me what’s following us.”
Elena stopped.
The forest was silent.
Too silent.
She examined the branches, the bushes, and the tracks across the damp ground.
She saw nothing.
However, something moved between the trees.
A white silhouette appeared atop a distant rock.
Elena barely managed to distinguish a pair of red eyes before the creature disappeared.
“Was that a Pokémon?” she asked.
Adrian stared at the now-empty rock.
His expression became serious.
“Yes.”
“What species?”
“One that rarely approaches human settlements.”
Elena took a step toward the forest.
A deep sound echoed in the distance, almost like a warning.
The birds fled from the treetops.
Adrian placed a hand on his daughter’s shoulder.
“Don’t follow it.”
“Why?”
The man looked toward the northern mountains.
Dark clouds were beginning to gather around their peaks.
“Because Absol never appear without a reason.”
End of Chapter 13