Pokémon: Trainers Returning from Monster Hunter

Seeing Shin-chan's utterly hopeless expression, Oreki even suspected that if he gave it a "B" button, it might actually press it.

It's certainly upsetting when a teammate fails, but it's even more heart-wrenching when they succeed!

"Meow..."

I'm going back to sleep...

Xin Ye Miao turned and left without the slightest hesitation.

"Hey, you're going the wrong way."

"..."

Xin Ye Miao's paw hung awkwardly in the air. Without saying a word, she turned around and rushed into the house in a flash.

After the most dazzling white light flashed across Ralts' body, the outline enveloped in light gradually became clear.

The horns that were originally distributed front and back on the head gradually moved to the sides, and the hair slowly parted and grew longer, revealing the inner curve of the eyes.

Her body also became more slender, with her long, delicate legs extending from the spread-out hem of her skirt.

The entire statue looks like a ballerina.

After a short while, the white light gradually faded, and the evolved Kirlia was fully revealed.

"Chiru!"

With a delicate shout, her pink fist, crackling with electricity, charged straight at Oreki.

"You're still paralyzed, aren't you!"

Kirlian ignored her and continued throwing punches.

There was no other way but to let Oreki temporarily act as a punching bag, allowing it to vent its frustrations.

Just like the night we first subdued it.

"Chichiru..."

Why can't I still beat them...?

Before long, Kirlia finally gave up.

The more it grows, the more it can sense the gap between itself and its trainer.

This is absolutely outrageous!

"Alright, go back and eat some cherry to relieve the numbness, and then comfort your big sister."

Oreki whispered something in Kirlia's ear.

"Chiru?"

What's wrong?

"What else could it be? It was here first, but you evolved first, so it's upset."

"Chiruchiru".

Kirullian rolled her eyes.

Calling her "Big Sister" makes her think she's the older sister?

Although I don't want to mention it, I'm clearly older than it!!

...

...

The next morning, after most of the day's rain, the air was exceptionally fresh.

Shin-Ye-Miao slipped out of the house just as dawn was breaking.

Oreki and Kirlia simultaneously realized they had opened their eyes, and both saw a smile in each other's eyes.

Last night, the two of them, Oreki and his Pokémon, did everything they could to soothe Newleaf's complex emotions of "jealousy, embarrassment, envy, and regret."

To sum up the ending in New Leaf Cat's own words, it's no use. This cat's mind is made up. Starting tomorrow morning, I will not slack off until I evolve!

"I didn't expect such a pleasant surprise?"

Oreki lay on the bed, sighing.

Ever since Ralts recognized Shin-chan as its leader, this proud little cat has started to slack off in her training.

As for whether I can complete the daily training program... well, I can probably.

During this period, its strength has improved a lot. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been able to support Ralts on the weekend. It would probably have been caught off guard and killed by Magmar in one or two moves.

But the initial drive was gone.

Oreki hasn't forgotten that Shin-chan once wanted to become stronger in order to protect him.

"Chiru".

It's not that great.

Kirullian echoed this sentiment and closed her eyes to rest again.

"It's good, but in this situation, isn't it a bit much to let it make breakfast?"

"Chiru".

Then you go.

"Then forget it."

Oreki also closed his eyes.

One hour later.

Upon returning home and going upstairs, seeing the two still lying in bed, Xin Ye Miao immediately let out a soft snort.

After evolving, you've been slacking off, haven't you, Little Ra?

I'll work really hard and surpass you!

With this in mind, Shin-Ye-Nyan also regarded "cooking" as a special kind of practice.

—Able to control body balance and adapt to standing life in advance!

Hearing the clanging and banging coming from the kitchen downstairs, Oreki's last shred of conscience compelled him to get up and go downstairs to help.

Just as I reached the kitchen door, my phone beeped with a video call notification.

Who is it so early in the morning?

Oreki picked up his phone and looked at it.

— Zhu Lan requested a video call.

Oh, Qingmei, then it's alright.

This time, Oreki fixed his hair to make sure he looked as handsome as ever before before clicking the "connect" button.

"Good morning, have you eaten yet?"

A lone figure appeared on the phone screen, wearing pajamas and lazily holding an Eevee.

Good morning, breakfast isn't ready yet.

Origami flipped the camera, and in the lens, Shin-chan was climbing up and down, cooking.

"Ahem... So your Shin-chan really can cook..."

A hint of shock flashed in Zhu Lan's beautiful eyes.

But Eevee in her arms seemed to have found a kindred spirit, and hurriedly raised its head and made a few "bu-ee" sounds.

"Stop kidding, you actually want to play games just because I said you know how?"

After calming down the restless Eevee, Cynthia continued.

"I've watched all the recent live streams. The gym challenge on weekend was exciting, the Evolution Stone strategy yesterday was quite interesting, and so was the history lesson."

No, did you call so early in the morning just to praise me?

This is way more ambiguous than Cattleya following me around like a little shadow!

Oreki was momentarily at a loss for words.

Seemingly realizing that her words were a bit strange, Zhu Lan quickly skipped the small talk.

"Do you remember when we asked you to translate the stone tablets at the Random Relics site?"

"I remember." Oreki breathed a sigh of relief.

"That paper has been published and caused a great stir in the archaeological community. Grandma's idea is to take this opportunity to hold an exchange meeting and ask you to explain the meaning of the unknown totem."

Oreki suddenly looked enlightened.

"No wonder I've been getting calls from other regions these past few days. I thought it was a scam, so I didn't answer any of them."

Zhu Lan sighed helplessly and put on a "I knew it" expression.

"That's why Grandma asked me to contact you last night, but it was too late and I was afraid you were already resting, so I didn't bother you."

"So, are you interested? After the exchange meeting, you should be able to apply to the Alliance to become a Level 2 Researcher."

"It wasn't there before, but now that you mention it, it is!" Oreki readily agreed.

The title system in the Pokémon world is different from that in the previous version, and is simpler and more intuitive.

There are only four stages in total.

First, there are ordinary instructors like Oreki, who are currently qualified to provide guidance.

Each mentor is a Level 3 researcher, capable of conducting independent research and publishing results.

Once you have achieved certain research results or made special discoveries, you can apply to the alliance to become a Level 2 Researcher.

Level 2 researchers have a mandatory term of office, usually two years.

These two years are used to examine the practical significance of researchers' achievements or discoveries.

If the research results are indeed of profound significance, then after two years, they can pass the alliance's review and directly become a Level 1 Researcher without needing to submit any other results.

Of course, even if the practical significance is insufficient, with further reflection and sufficient achievements, one can still apply to become a first-level researcher.

It's just that the time span is quite long.

There's nothing shameful about gaining seniority!

Level 1 researchers are able to apply to the alliance for research funding assistance.

Although the funding for Level 1 Researchers is much less than that for Professor Pokémon, every little bit helps.

Moreover, who knows whether those funds will be spent wisely or wasted!

It all depends on how you apply.

This is also one of the reasons why Oreki wants to improve his professional title.

"League of Legends fan"!

Finally, there's Professor Pokémon.

The awarding of this title is very strict. It requires selection by the League and anonymous voting by other Pokémon professors, with more than two-thirds of the votes being in favor.

The recipients are all individuals who have made significant contributions to Pokémon research.

Sometimes it might take three or four years to produce just one.

"What's the specific time and place?" Oreki asked.

"This Saturday at 3 PM, at the Shenhe Town Historical Research Institute. I'll buy the plane tickets."

"it is good."

After confirming the details, Oreki hung up the phone.

Only then did he realize that the strange tree had already replied to him at night.

[Mom's Amazing Tale: No problem, senior, I've got it covered!]

Oreki casually replied with "Good luck."

He replied instantly.

[Mom's Amazing Talk: Good morning, senior! The video is being rushed into production; I'll send it to you as soon as it's finished!]

"Still full of energy."

Oreki put away his phone.

Then they heard a knock on the courtyard gate.

I turned around and took a look.

A dragon-like Pokémon, entirely orange with long, thin antennae on its head and standing on two legs, peeked out from outside the courtyard.

?

Whose fat is this?

……