Chapter Eighty-Three: A New Holder of the Compendium

Professor Oak was quite troubled at the moment.

Chen Ou had refused the title “The Researcher” that Professor Oak had given him, so Oak had no choice but to come up with another designation that would satisfy him.

Neither Green nor Red showed any intention of helping him with this issue.

Everyone’s title was bestowed by Professor Oak; favoritism would be inappropriate.

But that wasn’t the main cause of Professor Oak’s worries. After all, Chen Ou hadn’t pushed him, and there was still plenty of time before the Quartz Conference ended. He could take his time, and he already had a rough idea.

What truly troubled him was Professor Juniper’s request.

Half a day earlier.

“Professor Oak, it’s been a while!” On the other side of the video call, a beautiful woman with chestnut hair, dressed in a white lab coat, greeted him.

“Oh, Juniper! It really has been a while. How have you been? Any progress in your research?” Professor Oak replied cheerfully. Indeed, it had been some time since he’d last seen Juniper. Strictly speaking... he had taught Juniper, so they weren’t of the same generation, and their conversations were fewer.

Yet that didn’t mean their relationship was distant. On the contrary, Professor Oak was quite familiar with Juniper’s family and was close friends with her father.

“Thanks to a certain young professor in your family, I’ve achieved a breakthrough by approaching the legends of Pokémon through mythological perspectives,” Juniper said, her face bright with joy. Clearly, she was delighted.

“Really?! So Chen Ou isn’t entirely useless after all! Hahaha!” Professor Oak laughed, his humility tinged with pride.

“Professor Oak, I actually have a favor to ask of you this time.”

Juniper’s smile faded, and she spoke earnestly.

Still basking in his happiness, Professor Oak waved his hand, “Just say it—I’ll do my best to help!”

Juniper looked troubled. “I’ve sent a Pokédex to a young girl. She previously spent some time in an organization called Team Plasma and seems to have some unresolved ideological issues. I’ve tried to persuade her many times, but it doesn’t seem to have helped.”

Professor Oak began to sense trouble.

“So I thought, since you’ve trained so many outstanding Pokédex holders—and you were the one who established this group—perhaps she could spend some time under your guidance?” Juniper said sincerely. “She’s a kind and talented child, but if her mindset isn’t corrected, she might end up causing serious problems. Please, help me with this.”

Seeing the figure bowing at a ninety-degree angle on screen, Professor Oak found himself unable to utter a single word of refusal.

Busy with work? He wasn’t really; most of his tasks now involved promoting the Pokédex.

Incapable of teaching? That would be a lie; Nanami, Chen Ou, Green, Red, and Blue had all achieved success under Oak’s guidance.

Unwilling to get involved? No, Professor Oak was absolutely not the type to stand by and watch a child go astray.

The virtues present in Red, Green, Chen Ou, and Nanami were, for the most part, nurtured under Professor Oak’s influence.

After a brief silence, Professor Oak nodded. “Alright, send me her information. Leave the rest to me.”

“Thank you so much, Professor Oak!”

And so, Professor Oak accepted Juniper’s request.

Now, he was troubled over how to educate this girl named “Baici.”

Juniper had given her the title “The Liberator.”

A girl of strong righteousness, yet she seemed to have some misconceptions about the relationship between humans and Pokémon, and between Pokémon and their environment. These misunderstandings weren’t easily resolved—and more importantly, they usually required practical experience.

But Professor Oak was getting old; he could no longer travel around with Baici. Letting her travel on her own was possible, but... what if she veered even further off course?

Who would take that risk?

A gentle knock sounded at the door. Nanami pushed it open, carrying a plate of Poffins and a cup of coffee, and smiled as she approached Professor Oak.

“What’s wrong, Grandpa? You look worried.”

Nanami smiled warmly, then reached out to massage Professor Oak’s temples.

As he enjoyed his granddaughter’s massage, Professor Oak sighed, “I’m pondering how to arrange things for the girl named Baici.”

He had already discussed Baici with Nanami, so she was aware of the situation.

“Why not let someone else take her on a journey?” Nanami suggested, smiling.

“But Green and Red aren’t suitable.”

“Then let Chen Ou do it!”

At Nanami’s words, Professor Oak’s expression grew even more bitter.

“Think about Chen Ou’s travels these past few months,” he said, resigned.

Nanami reflected carefully.

Burning the mayor’s house.

Catching poachers.

Battling legendary beasts—a whole group of them.

Rumor had it he’d just encountered the Creator, Arceus.

“Indeed... not very suitable,” Nanami admitted, her expression equally strange.

They knew Chen Ou’s capabilities, so they weren’t too worried about his safety. But this girl, Baici, might not be able to handle such ordeals. To be honest, even Green and Red were stunned when they heard about Chen Ou’s recent exploits.

Back in their rookie days, the most they did was fight Team Rocket.

Never did they constantly clash with legendary Pokémon...

“Let Baici choose for herself when the time comes. She can stay here for research, go with Red for special training... Actually, better not send her to Red—having Yellow and Misty around is chaotic enough. Chen Ou hardly ever does anything normal... She could follow Green and help at the gym, or go traveling with Chen Ou—though he must be instructed to ensure her safety.”

“See? That solves it,” Nanami said with a smile.

Professor Oak was relieved; there was really nothing to worry about.

“Nanami, do you blame your grandfather?” Professor Oak suddenly asked.

Nanami’s hands paused.

“I know this isn’t the best way, but it was Professor Rowan’s request, and I never expected Chen Ou to fall so quickly...”

He wanted to say more, but Nanami interrupted him.

“Grandpa, he... only sees me as a sister...”