"Didi di..."
Just then, Ash's phone rang. It was Burnet.
The female professor excitedly told her idol about the rewards from the papers.
First was a large sum of research funding.
Ash didn't care much about this, as he was currently living a pretty comfortable life on Lusamine's dime...
Second was a new title—Chief Researcher. This was a special title awarded by the Researcher's Association of the Alliance and was a symbol of rank.
That's right, just two papers were enough for Ash to receive such an honor.
Those who walk the research path generally start as assistants, then become researchers, who are also divided into different ranks. The highest rank is Chief Researcher, and finally, Pokémon Professor.
So, Chief Researcher has another name among the public—Professor-in-Training.
However, one must have enough experience to get this title. In other words, you have to work for a few years, or make even more outstanding contributions.
Ash's previous classmate, Sakuragi, was in a similar situation.
Of course, Ash had a next step in his plan, which was to continue research on the Fairy type, Mega Evolution, Z-Moves, and Dynamax.
The easiest to start with was the Fairy type, as he only needed to verify its existence and its type-effectiveness.
But Ash did not plan to move too fast in a short time. Even with the Silver Dragon Knight identity as a shield, it would be too abrupt to release a third paper so soon.
Of course, this did not stop Ash from preparing his research team in advance.
With this thought, he invited Burnet. "Uh... Dr. Burnet, are you interested in working on a new project with me?"
"Huh? You already have a good topic?" Burnet's heart pounded. This was an invitation from her idol!
"Mmm, it's about type research... Of course, there are no details yet. I'm just very interested in you, so I was wondering..."
Before Ash could finish, Burnet excitedly interrupted, "Yes, yes, I'd be happy to!"
After saying that, Burnet felt she had been too forward. She corrected herself, "Emmm, what I mean is, if you have any details, you can tell me right away. Maybe we can collaborate~"
"Mmm, definitely!"
Ash smiled and shook his head. This female professor, who looked mature and composed on the outside, had a fanatical fan-girl quality... He had to admit, it was a little cute.
On the other side, Burnet hung up the phone and was overjoyed. She even hugged her sleeping Snorlax and kissed it.
Her eyes sparkled with stars as she began to dream. "This is great! I'll get to do research with my idol! I'm so excited~..."
Wicke, standing nearby, also hugged her large breasts at the right moment. "Then I'll get a chance to see the Silver Dragon Knight up close too? Mmm... it's a romantic scent~!"
Ash didn't know that two older sisters were going crazy over him. At this moment, he was already on the road with the three girls who had finished their paperwork...
He did not use his teleportation ability and instead walked the same path he had taken on his way here.
The same scenery, the same road, but his state of mind was different.
Before, he was a nobody, carrying a faded Poké Ball, wanting to fight for a future.
Now, he was with three girls and four little darlings, and his mindset had changed significantly.
"I'm going to catch a Feebas and raise it into a strong and beautiful Milotic!"
Misty had become a little obsessed ever since she read the latest evolution news. She was thinking about catching a Feebas every day...
Ash couldn't help but tease her. "I think Gyarados suits you better."
"No way!" Misty gave him a punch. Her orange ponytail swayed playfully.
"Ash is always teasing our Misty~" Ayumi walked over and hooked her arm around Misty's.
However, before Misty could feel touched, Ayumi said, "Although I also think Gyarados is a good fit..."
"..." Misty was speechless.
"Misty, there's a Gyarados behind you!" Green walked over and patted her shoulder.
Misty didn't take her seriously. "How can there be a Gyarados on land!"
However... the next moment, a loud roar sounded from behind her.
"Roar!"
The powerful gust of wind even carried the scent of strong breath...
She turned her head, and an ugly, large face was almost right in front of her.
"Ah!!!"
Although she had overcome her fear of Gyarados, anyone would scream after such a sudden scare...
Misty immediately hugged Ash like an octopus.
"I have to say, Green, you are too cruel, aren't you?" As he spoke, Ash patted Misty's butt to signal her to calm down.
"Hehe... you did a good job, Little Ditto~" Green clapped her hands. In a flash of light, the Gyarados turned into a pile of purple, putty-like goo. It was Ditto!
This was the first time Green had revealed her trump card to the three of them. In the manga, she relied on Ditto in many situations to turn the tide.
Choosing to expose Little Ditto to them was a sign of Green's trust in her friends.
Of course, the process was a bit shocking for Misty...
The next few days were calm. The three of them passed through Viridian City and visited Officer Jenny Lan and Nurse Joy Jun.
Ash also cooked a good meal to entertain the two older sisters, making the two girls wish they could abandon their duties and follow him to live a life of good food and fun every day...
The group then re-entered Viridian Forest. Misty was searching for streams and rivers the whole way, hoping to encounter a Feebas.
But every time she fished, she only got Magikarp...
Out of spite, Misty made a fatal vow. "If I catch 100 Magikarp and still don't get a Feebas, I'll train one of them into a Gyarados!"
Finally, on this day, while fishing...
Misty indeed caught her 100th Magikarp...
"See, I told you that you're destined to be with Gyarados..." Ash said, holding back a laugh.
On the other side, Ayumi was clutching her stomach from laughing, and even Green couldn't help but turn away, her shoulders shaking.
"..." Misty put her hands on her hips and stared at the bouncing Magikarp on the ground.
Finally, she let out a sigh and smiled. "Then, I choose you!"
She reached out and touched the Magikarp, whose eyes showed a hint of intelligence. The obsession in her heart had eased slightly. It was the 100th one, so it must be fate.
Ash had once said that to become a Water-type Pokémon Master, one must fully understand and be able to accept all Water-type Pokémon.
She had also heard the same words from Lorelei.
The moment the Poké Ball captured the Magikarp, she officially took the first step toward becoming a Water-type Pokémon Master.
However...
"Splash..." A sound of splashing water came from Ash's side.
A pockmarked, brownish-yellow and blue fish was pulled out of the water by Ash. It was a Feebas.
Misty instantly turned to stone.
In that countless number of moments, she had missed her chance with the Milotic of her dreams...
"Feebas, the Fish Pokémon. Although its body is full of flaws, it has the tenacious vitality to survive in any region. Its evolved form is Milotic."
The Pokédex's voice brought Misty back from her daze. She immediately felt that her "destined" Magikarp in her hand was no longer as appealing...