"Ahem." It was Professor Oak who first noticed Silas's expression, coughing lightly to remind his senior to watch his demeanor.
"What are you coughing for?" Professor Rowan snapped grumpily, picking up the cup noodles on the table which had gone a bit soggy and began eating them naturally.
At the same time, he accepted the juice and milk Silas handed over. He was quite fond of sweet things like that. As for spicy rice crackers, those savory snacks weren't part of his diet.
Then, while slurping noodles, he reached into the pocket of his coat and pulled out a red device, handing it to Silas.
Professor Oak watched this scene with a smile. He had already guessed why Silas had come as soon as he entered the room.
After all, the application that Professor Yama had submitted on Silas's behalf had gone through the Oak Research Lab.
Whether it was the information available on Silas, the feedback from the Pokémon Academy, or even Professor Yama's own descriptions plus the brief exchange they'd just had Professor Oak felt that Silas had a great character, impressive talent, and strong potential.
He was even more convinced that helping Silas had been the right choice.
Silas took the red device with both hands, excitement washing over him. For a moment, he didn't know what to say.
Did this mean… he was officially a direct League Trainer now?
"Thank you so much, Professor Rowan. And thank you, Professor Oak. I really appreciate it."
In the end, that was all he could manage to say.
Both professors smiled knowingly. They could clearly see how moved and grateful Silas was, and they understood exactly how he felt.
"Alright, now that you've got your Pokédex, I've already arranged for the Pokémon you requested to be swapped. I'll take you to pick it up in a bit," Professor Yama said casually as he reminded, "Oh, and don't forget to pay and activate it at the Pokémon Center later!"
Silas was even more grateful now.
Yes, the red device he had just received was none other than the Pokédex a symbol of being an officially recognized direct member of the Pokémon League.
Actually, based on Silas's records and achievements, he would have qualified to apply for one after reaching quasi-Elite Four level strength.
After all, not everyone could simultaneously earn the recognition of Nurse Joy, the Pewter Gym, and the Oak Research Lab. Plus, he came from a respectable background.
But by then, the Pokédex wouldn't hold the same significance.
This time, he had been able to apply in advance through the Oak Research Lab largely thanks to the fossilized Skull of a Cranidos he had sent to Professor Rowan earlier.
Through Professor Rowan's "maneuvering," that contribution had smoothly been converted into a valuable opportunity.
As for the starter Pokémon, even if he paid the necessary fees, the logical choice given his origins in Viridian City would have been a Bulbasaur from Kanto.
However, Silas had always dreamed of having a Grass-type ace who was a pure Grass-type like Meganium or Serperior, not a dual Grass/Poison type like Venusaur.
Appearance-wise, Venusaur looked more like a giant toad. At first, Silas even thought it walked on all fours.
It wasn't until he came to this world and studied Pokémon closely that he realized Venusaur moved by hopping just like a real frog.
That was something he really couldn't accept.
On top of that, considering the roles of each member in his team, he hesitated for a long time before finally requesting from Professor Yama whether he could get a Chikorita or a Snivy instead the basic forms of Meganium and Serperior.
Professor Rowan had agreed instantly, as if it were no big deal.
Even so, Silas had been extremely nervous, repeatedly saying that it was okay if he had to settle for Bulbasaur.
But Professor Rowan assured him it wasn't a problem, chatted a bit, and then hung up the call.
And now… it seemed his request had been approved.
Seeing how excited Silas looked, Professor Rowan explained with a slight smile: "Really, this kind of request is very simple. Every year, plenty of new trainers ask for different starters. After all, everyone has their own favorite Pokémon.
For rookie trainers, truly loving a Pokémon is the key to caring for it and raising it well. That's especially important when it comes to starter Pokémon.
Your timing just didn't match up before. It's honestly not a big deal.
Coincidentally, we had just exchanged some starter quotas with other regional professors, so I just used one of those for you."
Even with that explanation, Silas still felt incredibly grateful.
It sounded easy, but Professor Rowan had no obligation to help him. If he had chosen not to use the exchanged quota for Silas, that would've been perfectly normal.
After all, Silas wasn't a newly registered rookie anymore, so technically, he didn't even qualify under the reasoning Professor Rowan had just used.
Thinking of this, Silas quickly pulled out a boxed perfume set he had bought earlier in Celadon City.
"By the way, Professor Rowan, I remember you mentioned before that your granddaughter wanted some perfume. I happened to pick up some local specialties while I was in Celadon. Please have a look."
"Heh, you brat," Professor Rowan said with a mock-annoyed grin as he accepted the perfume set.
On one hand, he knew this was Silas's way of showing his appreciation and he had indeed helped him, so accepting the gift was actually the polite thing to do. It wasn't anything expensive anyway.
On the other hand, his granddaughter though outwardly cool and aloof was quite close to him in private and had been pestering him lately about perfume.
She'd been too busy to come all the way to Kanto, and even when she did, she had no time to shop.
Celadon Gym's perfume was famous worldwide, and in the far-off Sinnoh region, it was particularly hard to get.
"I'll send this over to that girl later. Now she won't have a reason to nag me every day," Professor Rowan thought to himself.
His face softened into a smile. Silas had picked a perfect gift not too extravagant, but thoughtful enough to show he cared. Given their relationship, it was just right.
Silas watched eagerly as Professor Rowan slowly slurped his noodles, drank his soup, and took another sip of juice and milk.
His heart was practically on fire with anticipation, but he couldn't exactly rush Professor Rowan to eat faster.
Professor Oak chuckled silently at the scene. This kid looked just like those two young ones he knew.
Sure enough, no matter the age, anyone who truly loved Pokémon would show the same uncontrollable excitement when encountering one they cherished.
Shaking his head, Professor Oak thought, "Forget it. Let them handle this on their own. I've got other things to do."
With that, he said goodbye to the two and left the room.
Silas continued to stare eagerly at Professor Rowan.
Professor Rowan glanced at the closed door, then put down his cup of instant noodles.
Some things were understood without needing to be said aloud.
Sensing that Professor Rowan was about to say something important, Silas straightened up, sitting like a well-behaved student.
Professor Rowan glanced at him and chuckled inwardly, but still decided to clarify things. His expression gradually turned serious.
"This time, your application was approved partly due to the fossil you submitted, and also because your file was very well-documented plus the endorsements from me, Pewter Gym, and the Joy family.
Your funding sources were mostly bounty tasks and the Fire Stone. The unexplained transfers were explained by Pewter Gym as investments they made in you, including a 2.2 million donation from the Joy family as a personal investment.
Your starter Pokémon, Rattata, came from a wild egg. Pidgey was captured using Rattata in battle.
After Pidgey evolved into Pidgeot and reached Advance level, you explored a previously discovered ruin near Viridian City and found a Torchic egg, along with part of a breeding plan inside.
After Torchic hatched, you bought the necessary materials to raise it. As for Roggenrola, that came from Pewter Gym.
The League has strict vetting procedures for each of its core trainers you happened to have the time, place, and people all in your favor."
Silas looked slightly confused. Transfers? Investments? Pidgey was captured by Rattata? Torchic came from a ruin? And even had a breeding plan?
Why didn't he know any of this?
But seeing the meaningful look in Professor Rowan's eyes, Silas quickly caught on.
"Yeah, I was lucky. That ruin collapsed just after I got out. I was nearly buried alive."
Hearing Silas' words, Professor Rowan nodded slightly. Not bad not too dense. A bit cliché, maybe, but the League doesn't care about that. As long as the surface story holds up, it's fine.
"Oh, and Professor Rowan, I found a hidden ruin on the road from Vermilion City to Lavender Town. There were a lot of murals inside that recorded some interesting things."
Silas hesitated for a moment but decided to share it. He'd realized by now offering these things seemed to bring more benefits.
"Hmm." Professor Rowan considered it for a moment. "Mark the location later. I'll send people to investigate."
"Alright!" Silas agreed enthusiastically.
Professor Rowan chuckled softly and looked at him. "Impatient?"
"No, not at all!" Silas shook his head quickly.
But his eyes were still locked onto Professor Rowan.
Seeing his eager eyes, Professor Rowan was a little dumbfounded. He said with exasperation, "You're really something, kid. Come on, follow me."
She stood up and walked into a small room at the back of his lab.
Silas hurried to follow, curious about what his fourth Pokémon would be.
Judging by Professor Rowan's expression, it had to be either Chikorita or Snivy. He really wanted both! His imagination was running wild.
"Ow!"
He had been too distracted and bumped into Professor Rowan's back when he stopped walking.
"Heh heh~" Silas scratched his head and gave a sheepish smile as Professor Rowan turned to look at him.
Professor Rowan couldn't help but shake his head. This was already his fourth Pokémon, yet he still acted like a rookie trainer. But that was also something he appreciated his love for Pokémon was so evident.
He pressed a red button, and a regular Poké Ball slowly rose from the device in front of them.
"Alright, this is the Pokémon you've been waiting for. Go ahead and open it."
Silas nodded excitedly.
Strictly speaking, this would be his fifth Pokémon, but that didn't dampen his joy at all. If anything, he felt like he was about to open a mystery box.
Rubbing his hands in anticipation, Silas stepped forward, picked up the Poké Ball, and pressed the button to enlarge it. Then he tossed it forward. "Come on out, my future partner!"
Ding~
With a crisp sound and a flash of red light, a green Pokémon appeared before him.