Divine Plan? But I'm a Pokémon trainer.

Chapter 430 The Wind of Departure
The following day, in Wakaba Town, Johto Region, a town where the winds of change begin to blow.

Professor Oak, who had just returned to the Kanto region, was invited to be interviewed by Goldenrod TV and was temporarily unable to get away, so Link had to deliver the precious box (which included the prototype Pokédex) to his student, Professor Elm.

Upon arriving in Wakaba Town, he felt that it was similar to Pallet Town, a town where people and nature coexisted harmoniously.

The Skywood Research Institute is located directly north of the town, and Link visited it as promised in the early morning.

That said, this was his first visit to this seemingly insignificant doctor.

Professor Elm, a student of Professor Oak who graduated from Celadon University, is the originator of the Egg Swarm Theory and is also researching the characteristics and evolution of Pokémon.

Compared to Professor Oak, who makes public appearances every now and then, Professor Elm's research field is almost unknown.

Or perhaps it's a lack of achievements and fame?

However, Link is quite interested in the egg groups and abilities... It's about time he got some of his Pokémon home.

"Hello, I'm Link, Professor Oak's assistant."

Upon arriving at the Skywood Research Institute, he handed his briefcase to the professor who had come to greet him: "The second generation Pokédex has undergone some modifications and optimizations since then. You can check it if you need to."

The professor, eager to check the contents of the briefcase, discovered that the three items in the encyclopedia differed slightly from the previously obtained illustrations.

According to Dr. Oak, it seems to have integrated a software called HOME?
"Thank you for your hard work, Xiaolin. I didn't expect that in addition to being a champion and a designer, you also have the ability to develop and maintain software."

To be honest, the few kids in town could barely be considered his fans. They were quite shocked when they watched the final of the Saiyu Tournament, where the kids who had moved from Wakaba Town were performing.

"That was actually thanks to the multifaceted beast; I only provided suggestions."

Dr. Elm had never heard of Porygon possessing such intelligence before.

Compared to that, he tested the encyclopedia he had obtained immediately.

The encyclopedia, map, distribution search, communication... up to this point, everything is the same as before.

The newly added HOME and Pokémon Box are even more powerful than expected.

Not only can you use the storage system in the wild, but Pokémon stored in HOME can also receive training or trade battles... Hmm?

"This has more features than Professor Oak mentioned on the phone, right?"

Training is fine, but what's with the online multiplayer mode?
Trainers can't remotely command Pokémon battles in HOME using the Pokédex, can they?
"Solvadocana".

Link, however, disagreed.

"We have used the most cutting-edge technology to make it possible for trainers to conduct remote battles via HOME. There are three conditions for realizing this function."

"First, both parties must have a Pokédex with the 'Pokémon Champions' software installed."

"Secondly, both teams must be in the HOME area when they are competing."

"Third, both sides consume HOME points to start the battle."

Simple and clear, without any redundancy.

Nevertheless, Kuki still couldn't understand how this remote combat was implemented.

Therefore, Link continued to explain: "After the battle begins, images of the Pokémon and the opponent will be projected in front of both sides based on VR technology. Communication between the trainer and the Pokémon is also realized through technical means, basically just like a normal battle. Even things like Mega Evolution, which require the trainer and the Pokémon to connect, can be done."

As for the specific technologies used, it's naturally inconvenient to disclose—the connection is currently a secret of the Alliance. "If you, Dr. Kongmu, cannot understand or believe it, you can have a communication battle with me."

"That's unnecessary. Actually, I'm not very good at fighting."

Dr. Elm has no intention of fighting against the former champion of the Kanto region.

These features sound incredible, but he absolutely trusted his teacher, so he didn't dwell on the technologies he didn't understand.

It's normal for a researcher like him, who's focused solely on laying eggs, not to understand the Alliance's cutting-edge technology.

"Speaking of which, what do these HOME points mean?"

Dr. Kumoki grasped the key point.

"The points earned from completing tasks can be used to initiate battles, train Pokémon, or exchange for items... and of course, there's pocket money. In short, it can provide support to the Pokédex holder in all aspects."

If you're willing to spend points, you can also choose the expedited "Fireproof Dragon Express" function, which delivers the items your trainer needs at near teleportation speed—the principle being to use stairs (Dream Realm).

Incidentally, the HOME points consumed by trainers when initiating remote battles are essentially the Release Power they themselves generate.

The points consumed are more than the power released to realize this virtual battle (after all, the real battle actually takes place in the dream realm rather than reality), and the excess will be taken by Link and Professor Oak and stored for later use.

Without realizing it, Link and Professor Oak seem to have taken on the role of black market dealers in gacha games, much like the infamous "Big Bitch."

But this percentage is also a necessary cut; they still need to research/organize the conference.

"I see."

Dr. Elm suddenly realized: "Could I or someone else also issue quests to Pokédex holders?"

Link nodded; they would indeed give some points to Kumoki and Dr. Yamanashi.

In the future, they might even add a feature that allows Pokédex holders to enter the Dream Realm while they sleep, but whether this is necessary is still under consideration.

At this point, all the functions of the encyclopedia have been introduced, and Dr. Elm only has one last question left.

"Kobayashi, the number of illustrations in the box seems to be more than the number I applied for."

Today, only three trainers—Ah-Xiang, Qin-Yin, and Chris—came to collect their beginner Pokémon, but they delivered four Pokédex entries.

"The last one is a free gift. You can keep it, Doctor, or give it to a suitable trainer."

However Dr. Elm chooses...

Link glanced subconsciously out the window of the research institute and saw a barely noticeable red.

In short, it's normal for 3 people to need 4 machines.

Professor Elm seemed to be deep in thought, already having a few candidates in mind, but for today he would only consider the new trainers from Wakaba Town.

While waiting for the others to arrive, Professor Elm and Link discussed the characteristics of Pokémon.

The latter then learned that the other party had been paying attention to his research on ability capsules and had even helped with the previous experiments on exchanging and impersonating Pokémon abilities.

The starter Pokémon provided for new trainers this year are also special versions that have undergone relevant training.

In other words, today's Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile not only have the "Grass/Fire/Water" abilities, but also the "Leaf Defense/Chlorophyll", "Flash Fire", and "Hardcore" abilities!
(End of this chapter)