Bottom-tier trainers in the Pokémon world

Then Xia Yan and Shirona followed Sakuragi into the research institute.

Because it was recently built, the facilities inside are very complete and new, but Sakuragi's data and Pokémon from the "Eevee Evolution Research Institute" have not yet been moved over.

I arrived at a place that looked like an office.

Sakuragi took out two certificates covered with seals from the drawer.

"This is......"

"The first one is your degree certificate, which has been with me for a long time, but I haven't had a chance to give it to you. The second one is your researcher certificate, which I'll stamp after your identity is announced," Sakuragi said with a smile.

For those who want to do research, a bachelor's degree is just the most basic requirement.

The second researcher certificate is the key.

It represents not only a higher degree, but also a status.

Only with this certificate can Xia Yan truly be considered a researcher.

But Cynthia's attention was clearly not on the two certificates. She looked at Xia Yan with some surprise and asked, "Are you going to reveal your identity?"

Xia Yan touched his nose. "Mmm."

Since Cynthia didn't ask, Xia Yan couldn't very well tell her on his own initiative, "I'm going to reveal my identity," could he?

"Alright, you guys can wander around on your own for now. After I finish awarding ranks at six o'clock tonight, Xia Yan will be at my beck and call." Sakuragi patted Xia Yan on the shoulder and then left.

As the host, he was still very busy today.

Then only Xia Yan and Xi Lunna were left, staring at each other.

However, Cynthia quickly took out her phone.

"What are you doing?" Xia Yan had a vague sense of unease.

But then Cynthia looked up playfully, smiled, and shook her phone, saying, "The others don't seem to pay much attention to this kind of thing, so I'll let them know for you."

Xia Yan: "..."

[Cynthia]: Tonight is Mr. Sakuragi's award ceremony. Everyone can pay attention if they have time. There will be a surprise.

Looking at Cynthia's rarely seen girlish and playful side.

Xia Yan held his forehead.

This is a hurdle that can't be fooled.

【Daigo who loves stones】: I was there.

[Kona preparing to graduate]: Me too.

[The Most Handsome Dragon Tamer]: Is everyone here? I'm coming right away!

【Xia Yan】：...

Chapter 113 I am the "Dodo Bird"

The sky gradually darkened.

But the lawn outside the research institute was brightly lit.

It must be said that the league values ​​Sakuragi, a young genius scholar who has made outstanding contributions, very much.

Just looking at the setup, it's clear that a lot of effort, manpower, and resources were invested.

Because of their status, Xia Yan and Xi Lunna were placed in a relatively corner position.

Together with them.

Daigo, representing the German company, also came to offer his congratulations and to discuss in detail the manufacturing and production of the "intimacy" testing instrument.

Kona, one of the most outstanding students in her cohort at Silver Academy, accompanied her doctoral advisor to the event.

And Wataru and Tsubaki, who came to offer their congratulations on behalf of the Yulong clan after receiving the news.

After the opening ceremony of Xia Yan Dojo, the group gathered together again.

But the atmosphere was a little strange.

"Ahem... What's the meaning of you all staring at me like that?" Xia Yan coughed, breaking the silent and awkward atmosphere.

"What kind of surprise is it? We asked them, but they wouldn't tell us," Du couldn't help but ask.

Xia Yan turned her eyes away, avoiding looking into his eyes.

"...You'll find out soon enough."

After a slight pause, he asked in return, "Have you been that free lately?"

Du stretched lazily and said with a smile, "I have a lot to do, but I happen to have some free time."

"You really know how to pick your timing..." Xia Yan couldn't help but mutter to himself.

After Xia Yan broke the silence, the others started talking non-stop.

They started talking about topics related to Pokémon training and battle techniques.

The most discussed topic was still about the composition of the Pokémon team.

We all know each other quite well, so there's nothing we can't say.

Xia Yan suddenly felt a gaze coming from behind him, and it was a gaze that stared at him for a long time without looking away.

Ban turned his body to the side and slightly turned his head.

He saw a girl of about fifteen or sixteen years old, with long black hair, wearing a red bodysuit, and eyes that shimmered with a faint green light, staring at him from two tables away.

Her hands were also tinged with a green light, and a wine glass filled with juice twirled between her fingers like a playful sprite.

There was no sign of it turning over, and not even a single drop of juice spilled.

Naza!

Their eyes met.

Naza tilted her head, a hint of confusion in her eyes.

Xia Yan felt a little chilled in his heart.

He knew that Sabrina had sensed his superpowers.

But Xia Yan wasn't nervous.

His disguise as a hunter goes beyond just his appearance; it includes his height, habits, personality, and even his way of thinking. Naturally, he also disguises his superpowers to some extent.

Superpowers, in essence, are abilities manifested through different frequencies by a tangible spiritual force.

If you want to disguise it, it is still possible.

Xia Yan then smiled slightly at Na Zi and raised the wine glass in his hand.

When Naz saw Xia Yan's actions, she was stunned for a moment, then pouted and turned her head away, looking as if she didn't want to have any interaction with Xia Yan.

Xia Yan smiled and didn't seem to mind.

That's just her personality—a girl who never grew up and does things solely based on her own whims.

It's a miracle that she can sit there obediently now.

Xia Yan's gaze swept over the people around Na Zi.

Lt. Surge, the Gym Leader of Vermilion City, dressed in military uniform, was gulping down alcohol. In his eyes, the contents of the glass seemed to be plain water, not alcohol.

Wearing a black bodysuit and a red mask, with her arms crossed and leaning back in her chair, Akari, the Gym Leader of Asaka City, was resting with her eyes closed.

When she noticed Xia Yan's gaze, she slightly opened her eyes a crack.

However, by the time he turned his gaze to the source of the problem, Xia Yan had already looked away.

And Rika, a girl dressed in a kimono with a warm smile, is the Gym Leader of Celadon City.

It seems that the table is where the gym leaders from several gyms around Vermilion City are seated.

Sakuragi's influence is evident.

But there were three Team Rocket officers at one table, and Xia Yan couldn't help but smack his lips.

Team Rocket must value Sakuragi, such a talented researcher, quite a bit.

"What are you looking at?" Cynthia noticed Xia Yan's gaze and couldn't help but ask.

"No." Xia Yan smiled and took a sip of the slightly bitter wine in his glass. "Let's see which important people are here."

Are you nervous?

Cynthia clearly misunderstood.

Upon hearing this, Xia Yan chuckled softly, appearing calm and composed.

But he replied verbally, "Mm."

This is probably one of those ways to say the most cowardly things while being the most arrogant.

Seeing Xia Yan's nonchalant demeanor, Cynthia thought that Xia Yan wasn't nervous at all.

But upon hearing his words, Cynthia couldn't help but laugh.

“We’re all here,” Cynthia said softly.

Xia Yan's gaze swept over the group, finally settling on Wataru, who was dealing with Kotsuba, and he twitched his lips.

You guys are the ones who are nervous now.

However, he nodded and let out a sigh of relief.

While they were chatting.

The ceremony quickly began with an announcement from the host arranged by the alliance.

The ceremony is actually not complicated.

First, several PhDs who had gained authoritative status in the field of Pokémon research were invited to give speeches on stage one by one.

The content of the speech wasn't important, but everyone still gave Sakuragi face and showered him with praise as soon as he went on stage.

Starting with Dr. Emi, who is currently the youngest doctor, then Dr. Odamaki, and then Dr. Yamanashi, Dr. Yew, and so on.