The next day, the morning sunlight filtered through the streets of Rustboro, gilding the sycamore leaves lining the road with a thin edge of gold.
Carrying his neatly packed backpack, Theo stood at the entrance of the hotel and took a deep breath. The air was filled with the warm scent of freshly baked bread from a nearby bakery and a faint floral fragrance drifting from a flower shop in the distance, making one's spirit feel refreshed and clear.
He lowered his gaze and lightly patted the Poké Balls at his waist. Inside, Tyrunt and Feebas seemed to sense the atmosphere of departure as well, shifting slightly and letting out faint sounds from within.
Following the street, he walked forward unhurriedly and passed through the lively central plaza. Early-rising residents were already there, playing and laughing with their Pokémon under the warm glow of the morning sun.
Theo did not stop. Turning around a corner, an imposing building suddenly appeared before him—the Devon Corporation headquarters.
The glass façade of the Devon building reflected dazzling light under the morning sun. The revolving doors at the entrance spun nonstop as employees in business attire entered and exited, the air filled with an atmosphere of efficiency and rigor.
Just as Theo reached the front of the building, an elderly man with graying hair and gold-rimmed glasses approached from inside the lobby.
"You must be Mr. Glenwood? I am Chairman Stone's secretary. The chairman is already waiting upstairs. Please follow me."
The old man's voice was gentle yet steady, his expression marked by a polite, practiced smile.
Theo nodded respectfully and followed the secretary through the entrance.
The marble floor of the lobby gleamed brightly, reflecting the crystal chandelier above. At the reception desk, staff were handling their tasks with smooth precision.
Whenever employees passed by, they subconsciously slowed their steps—clearly showing respect for the secretary's status.
They took the elevator straight to the third floor. When the doors opened, a deep brown carpet extended down a long corridor. The walls on either side were lined with maps of the Hoenn region and photographs documenting the development history of Devon Corporation.
The secretary stopped before a solid mahogany door and knocked lightly.
"Chairman, Mr. Glenwood has arrived."
A deep voice sounded from within:
"Let him come in."
The secretary opened the door and gestured politely for Theo to enter.
Theo walked into the office, and the first thing that greeted him was the enormous floor-to-ceiling window occupying the entire wall.
Outside, the streets of Rustboro stretched far and wide. The layered rooftops, the winding roads, and the distant patches of greenery blended into a broad, open panorama that cleared the mind at a glance.
Bathed in morning light, the office felt subtly warm and serene.
Chairman Joseph was standing by the window. His silver hair was combed immaculately, with no trace of disorder, and the well-tailored dark-gray suit he wore emphasized his stable and dignified bearing.
When he saw Theo enter, he slowly turned, his deep gaze resting on the young man, lips lifting into a gentle yet authoritative smile.
"So, this is our second meeting, isn't it?"
His voice carried a hint of nostalgia. His eyes seemed to assess Theo—yet carried an appreciating warmth.
"It feels like it hasn't been long at all, yet you've already made quite a name for yourself. Yesterday's Contest performance, and your battle at the Rustboro Gym before that—I watched them. You did exceptionally well."
Joseph walked to his desk and sat down, gesturing at the chair across from him.
"Sit. At such a young age, to already have such unique ideas in Pokémon battles and move combinations… your future is limitless."
Theo sat and scratched his cheek a bit awkwardly.
"You flatter me. I still have a lot to learn… and compared to someone like you, Chairman Joseph, my achievements are nothing."
"Oh?" Joseph raised a brow, looking intrigued.
"I have never been much of a great trainer. Now I'm curious—how did you arrive at that conclusion?"
"With all due respect… your accomplishments in the business world are far more impressive than a Champion's title." Theo said sincerely.
"Under your leadership, Devon Corporation managed to rival Silph Co. in the field of Poké Ball manufacturing within just over a decade. You carved out a place in a market that had been monopolized for years.
If Mr. Steven is a champion among Pokémon trainers, then you are a champion in the world of commerce."
"Hahaha! You really know how to talk, child!"
Chairman Joseph burst into hearty laughter, his eyes crinkling with warmth.
As he continued looking at Theo, a faint glow of recollection softened his expression—memories of Devon's early, difficult years flickered behind his eyes.
Then he looked at Theo again, his admiration even stronger than before.
"Good lad. Talking with you is far more pleasant than talking with Steven. Every field has its own battlefield. A trainer's battlefield is the arena; a businessman's battlefield is the market."
He paused, then shifted his tone to something more serious:
"The reason I invited you here today… is to ask:
Would you be interested in being affiliated with Devon Corporation?"
Theo blinked, slightly puzzled.
"Affiliated with the company? You mean…"
"Don't worry, nothing complicated."
Joseph waved a hand casually.
"We mainly want to use your image and video clips to help promote our new line of Poké Balls.
Besides mineral research, fossil revival technology, interactive Pokémon devices, and other divisions, Poké Ball manufacturing is one of Devon's core businesses.
A young trainer's perspective can appeal greatly to consumers of your age group."
After a brief pause, he added candidly:
"Of course, this is also an investment. Devon has always believed in supporting promising young trainers.
Once you establish yourself in the League and gain influence, policies and resources may one day align with us in mutually beneficial ways.
That kind of healthy interaction benefits the entire trainer ecosystem of Hoenn."
Only then did Theo fully understand why he had been summoned to Devon just before leaving—so this was the reason.
Joseph continued, his voice steady:
"As for compensation, you need not worry. In addition to a fixed monthly stipend and discounted access to various Pokémon supplies…
Over the years, Devon has formed stable and in-depth partnerships with many Pokémon Professors across various regions to further our Poké Ball research."
The chairman took a sip of tea, pride slipping into his tone:
"With the massive datasets and behavioral reports compiled by these professors, we have been able to design Poké Balls that not only capture efficiently, but also provide comfortable environments for Pokémon to rest within.
Thanks to these partnerships, if you later meet the expectations we set for you…
Beyond the basic benefits, if you ever want rare Pokémon exclusive to other regions, we can help coordinate through these professors' networks.
After all, supporting capable trainers so they can grow without worry—this is something Devon has always done, and will continue doing."
He smiled again.
"Most importantly, we also maintain long-term support and cooperation with many Gym Leaders across Hoenn."
At this point, Chairman Joseph suddenly mentioned a very well-known name, his tone warm with familiarity and respect:
"Norman of Petalburg Gym—you must have heard of him?
He is a renowned Normal-type Gym Leader, and many consider him a strong contender for the next Elite Four.
His ace Pokémon, Slaking, has overcome its notorious Truant ability. Even his unevolved Slakoth can unleash astonishing power under his guidance."
Joseph paused briefly before continuing, seamlessly connecting the past:
"Norman has been dedicated to researching Slakoth's behavior for years. To support his studies and training efforts, Devon extended a helping hand early on.
We funded the creation of a dedicated Slakoth Forest behind Petalburg Gym, giving him the perfect environment for uninterrupted observation and research."
The chairman looked at Theo again, his gaze deep and earnest, his voice steady and sincere:
"So, when we meet a young man with insight and ambition like you, we are naturally willing to support you with everything we can."
(End of Chapter)