Chapter 220

Chapter 220: Chapter 220

Mike sat down, took the Rotom Phone into his hands, and looked at Grandma and Growlithe on the screen with a proud grin.

"How was it, Grandma? Pretty impressive, right?"

Grandma smiled and nodded.

"I knew my good boy would do wonderfully. Whether it’s photography or academic research, you’re amazing at everything."

"Exactly, exactly!"

Mike puckered his lips proudly, looking suspiciously like a certain familiar someone.

"Gar—!"

[Me too! Me too!]

Gengar shoved his enormous face into the frame.

"What did you contribute? I’m the one who did all the work! What does any of this have to do with you?"

Mike pushed him out of view.

Gengar refused to accept that and used his broad body to force himself right back beside Mike before cheerfully greeting Grandma.

"Arf~!"

[Mike, both of you are amazing!]

"Growlithe, who’s more amazing—me or Gengar?"

"GAR!"

[Obviously me!]

Growlithe watched the human and ghost immediately start arguing again, tongue hanging out as he gave a goofy smile.

"Arf~"

[Both of you are amazing!]

After chatting with Grandma and Growlithe a little longer, Mike ended the call.

"I already recorded all the best moments from your presentation, roto," Rotom announced.

Mike stared at the floating phone.

"Weren’t you busy handling the video call? How did you take pictures at the same time?"

"Would you like to know? Since you’re so desperate to know, then this great Rotom shall—"

Rotom didn’t get to finish.

A chubby little hand grabbed the phone and forcibly powered him off.

"Gar—!"

[What level are you even on? Trying to steal my job?]

Gengar expertly shoved the Rotom Phone back into Mike’s pocket, raised the camera hanging from his neck, opened the photos he had taken, and proudly showed them off.

"Gar—!"

[I took them for you!]

Mike examined the pictures.

The framing was excellent, and every image was sharp and clear.

As expected of a camera designed to adapt to all kinds of environments.

"Looks like you’ve already mastered about fifty percent of my photography skills, Gengar the Great Hero indeed."

Mike patted him on the shoulder.

Gengar proudly puffed out his chest.

"Gar!"

"You’re getting extra food tonight."

"Gaar~"

Just then, Professor Sycamore approached with Alain.

Sycamore smiled.

"Assistant Mike, it looks like today’s Gold Award already has your name written all over it."

"Gold Award?" Mike blinked. "I thought the awards hadn’t been announced yet."

"Huh? You didn’t know?"

Sycamore looked genuinely surprised.

"Usually, exceptionally strong presentations receive preliminary results on the same day. Today’s reports were all very good, but yours was easily among the most valuable. At this point, you receiving a Gold Award is practically guaranteed. The formal result should be announced soon."

"That’s how it works?"

This was the first Mike had heard of it.

"Forget the Gold Award. Unless something unexpected appears over the next two days, you may even end up taking the award above it—the Most Valuable Research Award."

Mike stared.

"There’s an award above the Gold Award?"

He suddenly realized just how little he actually understood about this summit.

"Of course. The Most—"

Before Sycamore could finish explaining, Professor Oak and Professor Rowan approached.

"Looks like Professor Oak and the others need you, so I won’t keep you any longer. I’ll see you next time."

With that, Sycamore left with Alain.

"Mike."

Professor Rowan called to him.

"Your result is already confirmed. There’s no question about the Gold Award."

"Thank you very much."

Mike’s gratitude was sincere.

After all, most of the actual papers and the formal report had been written and polished with extensive help from Professor Oak and Professor Rowan.

Without them, Mike seriously doubted his presentation would have reached this level.

"All right, enough with the formalities."

Professor Oak waved him off.

"These are results you earned. The final awards should be announced around tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" Mike asked. "Doesn’t the summit last three days?"

"The summit lasts three days, but there aren’t actually that many formal presentations," Professor Oak explained. "Most of the remaining time is set aside for research teams and commercial groups to meet and discuss potential cooperation."

He gave Mike a meaningful look.

"You know as well as anyone that scientific research burns through money."

Mike immediately understood.

That made far more sense.

A proper academic summit wasn’t only about researchers presenting their findings.

It was also a place where commercial organizations looked for promising research teams to fund and where both sides could establish mutually beneficial partnerships.

"Remember to come back tomorrow."

Professor Oak and Professor Rowan then left the venue together.

They had been busy managing the summit for days and were exhausted.

Now that the first day had finally ended, both professors wanted nothing more than to get some rest.

Mike originally intended to leave with Lucian, but several researchers spotted him and quickly surrounded him with more questions.

Lucian took one look at the situation, squeezed his way out of the crowd, waved cheerfully at Mike from a safe distance, shoved both hands into his pockets, and walked straight out of the building.

Not far away, Professor Kukui was speaking loudly into his phone.

"Hey, Burnet, I’m telling you, you really missed out by not coming this year. There have been a ton of incredible results at this summit!"

Mike heard the name Burnet from inside the crowd.

’Burnet... isn’t she Professor Kukui’s future wife?’

By the time Mike finally escaped the researchers surrounding him, he practically sprinted toward the exit.

The moment he stepped outside, he released a long breath.

"That was terrifying..."

"Gar—"

Gengar nodded solemnly in complete agreement.

Mike’s phone had been vibrating nonstop.

Curious, he pulled it out and checked the fan group.

Almost every message was tagging him!

[hector lyng: @GengarStoleMyDrumstick Wait, new Hisuian Pokémon have already appeared?!]

[Juice Bro: @GengarStoleMyDrumstick Get out here and explain! Which Hisuian Pokémon was it?!]

[Professor Purple: My guess is Hisuian Lilligant. Lilligant is beautiful, and knowing Mike, there’s an eighty or ninety percent chance he’d prioritize her first.]

[Mad Silence: I doubt it. Could be something more intimidating. Ursaluna, maybe?]

[hector lyng: Mike’s ignoring me. Overtime Bro, you tell us! @IDontWantOvertime]

[IDontWantOvertime: The details can’t be disclosed yet. If they could, those Hisuian Pokémon would already have been formally announced.]

[Juice Bro: Damn it! Somebody just tell me which Pokémon came back! I’m dying of curiosity!]

[Professor Purple: Wait. Did nobody notice Overtime Bro said those Hisuian Pokémon?]

[Mad Silence: Meaning...]

[hector lyng: There’s more than one?!]

[Juice Bro: Mike, you bastard! You’ve been hiding this from us!]

At that point, Gholdengo Bro finally sent a message.

[Gholdengo Is Number One: I actually helped with one of them.]

[hector lyng: !!!]

[Professor Purple: !!!]

[Mad Silence: !!!]

[Juice Bro: !!!]

Then another message appeared.

[Mineral Enthusiast: Uh... has the summit finished already? I was involved too.]

[hector lyng: ?!! Champion Steven?! When did you join this group?!]

[Juice Bro: !!!]

[Professor Purple: !!!]

[Mad Silence: !!!]

Steven’s appearance instantly diverted everyone’s attention away from the mysterious Hisuian Pokémon and onto him instead, solving Mike’s problem without Mike having to say a word.

Mike exhaled in relief, switched off his phone, and put it back into his pocket.

He had no intention of answering the group’s questions.

It still wasn’t time to publicly reveal Kleavor and Ursaluna.

Until the League formally released the information, announcing too much would only increase the risk that someone with bad intentions might target the newly restored Pokémon.

Fortunately, everyone involved in bringing those Hisuian Pokémon back had agreed to follow Mike’s arrangements and had kept the specific details confidential.

...

The next morning, Mike arrived at the venue early.

"Good morning, Assistant Mike."

Sonia, who was sitting nearby, greeted him as he approached.

"Morning."

Mike sat down beside her.

At ten o’clock sharp, the second day of presentations officially began.

As the morning progressed, Sonia eventually excused herself and went backstage to prepare.

Her presentation was scheduled to be the final report of the entire academic summit, and her topic concerned Dynamax.

That made sense when Mike thought about it.

Sonia’s personal research focused more heavily on the legends of Galar, but she had studied under Professor Magnolia for years, so choosing Dynamax as her subject wasn’t surprising.

When Sonia finally completed her report, thunderous applause swept across the hall, celebrating the successful conclusion of this year’s academic summit.

Click—

Camera flashes illuminated the stage.

Professor Oak stood beneath the lights with a smile and raised the microphone.

"With that, this year’s academic presentations officially come to an end. Next comes the part everyone has been waiting for—the awards."

Looking down at the rows of researchers in white coats, Oak’s smile only deepened.

"I have to say, the results presented this year have genuinely surprised me. We’ve been fortunate enough to witness an extraordinary number of outstanding achievements..."

He paused briefly before continuing.

"And so, I now announce the teams receiving this year’s Research Gold Awards."

"Professor Kukui’s team, for ’The Influence of Pokémon Signature Moves and Bloodlines.’"

"Champion Cynthia’s team, for ’An Analysis of Legendary Pokémon in the Hisui and Sinnoh Eras.’"

"Mike’s team, for ’The Reemergence of Pokémon from the Hisui Era.’"

Several other teams were announced afterward.

Then Oak raised the microphone again.

"At the same time, the recipient of this summit’s award for the Most Outstanding and Influential Young Scholar is—"

"Mike!"

"..."

"And finally, the team receiving this year’s Most Valuable Research Award is also—Mike’s team!"

The moment the awards were fully announced, the hall erupted like a still lake struck by a massive stone.

Mike’s name appeared in nearly every major award-winning project.

That meant he had participated in several different research programs at once—and had produced significant results in all of them.

The applause that followed was the loudest of the entire summit and refused to die down. Nearly every pair of eyes in the hall turned toward Mike.

The scene reminded him of award ceremonies he had watched on television in his previous life, where a single film swept nearly every major category at an international festival.

Every researcher present offered him their most sincere applause.

Mike had just started to rise and bow in acknowledgment when Professor Oak coughed twice from the stage, drawing everyone’s attention back toward him.

"Ahem. After discussion between Professor Rowan, several other senior professors, and myself, we’ve also decided to formally confer the title of Pokémon Professor upon several outstanding scholars."

So this was the promotion ceremony.

Mike wondered who would receive the title this year.

Oak read out two names before stopping.

He exchanged a glance with Professor Rowan in the audience.

Rowan nodded.

Professor Oak then announced the final name.

"Mike!"

The room immediately filled with discussion again, voices almost drowning out Oak’s microphone.

Some scholars felt Mike had unquestionably earned the title.

Others questioned whether becoming a Pokémon Professor after what appeared to be only one major research project was perhaps too easy.

Sonia turned toward Mike, who remained remarkably calm.

"Assistant Mike, aren’t you nervous at all?"

"Nervous about what?" Mike asked.

"This is the title of Pokémon Professor!" Sonia’s voice carried genuine urgency. "What if those objections somehow prevent you from receiving it?"

From her perspective, Mike’s accomplishments during this project alone were already substantial enough to justify the promotion.

Mike looked at her and smiled.

"It’s only a professor title. It’s not something that important to me."

Sonia stared at him.

"You forgot? I’m a photographer. Traveling is still what I actually want to do."

"That..."

Sonia fell silent.

Her gaze drifted toward the camera hanging from Gengar’s neck.

When she thought about it that way... Mike actually had a point.

Suddenly, Professor Sycamore stood up.

"I support conferring the title on Mike."

He raised one hand and spoke clearly across the auditorium.

"The new Mega Stone discovered by my laboratory was only identified because of his assistance. That alone demonstrates that his knowledge of Pokémon is exceptionally broad."

"I agree."

Professor Kukui stood as well.

"The most important step in helping Stantler relearn the signature move once belonging to its species came from Mike’s guidance."

Professor Juniper rose next.

"His understanding of Pokémon is exceptionally deep, and he participated in the majority of this summit’s major breakthroughs. I see no reason he shouldn’t receive the title."

One scholar after another began voicing support.

In the end, Mike received the Pokémon Professor title with overwhelming approval.

Professor Oak invited Mike and the other newly promoted researchers onto the stage.

He offered a few words of encouragement to the group.

The other two scholars were visibly overwhelmed.

Tears were streaming down their faces by the time they shook Professor Oak’s hand.

Being formally recognized as a Pokémon Professor meant proving that they had become leading experts within their respective fields—possibly even the figures others would now follow.

No wonder they were emotional.

"Congratulations, Professor Mike."

Professor Oak extended his hand.

"Thank you."

Mike smiled and shook it.

Once the formal handshakes were finished, the other two professors stepped down.

Mike was about to follow when Oak motioned for him to remain.

Professor Oak raised the microphone again and looked toward the audience.

"After considerable discussion, Professor Rowan and I have decided that Professor Mike’s formal research designation will be—"

He paused.

"Ancient Pokémon Evolution and Moves."

Mike stared at him.

’???’

’What?’

’Professors get specialized titles too?’

Discussion immediately swept through the hall once again.

Mike had already become the youngest Pokémon Professor in the modern academic world.

The previous record-holder had been Professor Birch, and even he had been around thirty when he formally received the title.

Mike, by comparison, looked barely over twenty.

That alone was enough to demonstrate how extraordinary his achievements were.

But now Professor Oak had gone even further and given him a dedicated research designation.

That meant Mike wouldn’t simply be considered a researcher working within an existing discipline.

He would effectively become the founder and leading authority of a new research direction: ancient Pokémon evolution and moves.

Professor Rowan offered the closest comparison.

As the Pokémon Professor who pioneered the modern study of Pokémon evolution, Rowan remained one of the most authoritative figures in that entire field

Even Professor Sycamore’s work on Mega Evolution could, in a broad sense, be considered an extension of the field Rowan had helped establish.

Could someone in his early twenties really bear that kind of academic distinction?

In the audience, Cynthia watched Mike with surprise flickering through her beautiful eyes.

She had expected him to become a Pokémon Professor eventually.

What she hadn’t expected was for him to receive a dedicated field designation along with the title.

Academically speaking, that meant Mike was already standing on ground comparable to hers within his own specialty.

Sonia’s eyes were filled with longing.

A Pokémon Professor in his early twenties...

She needed to work harder too!

Maybe she could earn the title within the next few years.

In the original course of events, Sonia would indeed eventually become a Pokémon Professor after the events in Galar, making her one of the only researchers in the series to achieve the title in her early twenties.

Mike had simply beaten her to it.

"Ancient Pokémon evolution and moves, huh?"

Professor Sycamore laughed.

"Stantler’s evolution, Scyther, Ursaring... yes, that research direction fits him perfectly."

"Ancient Pokémon moves?"

Professor Kukui scratched the back of his head and laughed.

"Come to think of it, Psyshield Bash and Stone Axe were both techniques Mike identified first. There’s really nothing strange about the designation."

Professor Oak patted Mike on the shoulder.

"Keep working hard."

Then he finally let him leave the stage.

Another burst of camera flashes filled the room.

Professor Oak returned his attention to the audience, satisfaction written across his face.

"And with that... today’s award ceremony officially concludes. Thank you, everyone, for the tremendous work you’ve put into Pokémon research."

He bowed deeply.

The auditorium fell silent.

Professor Rowan stood, turned toward the audience, and bowed as well.

Professor Carolina was the first to rise.

Cynthia followed.

Mike had only just returned to his seat and hadn’t even managed to sit down when Lucian grabbed him and pulled him into the bow as well.

One after another, the remaining scholars rose from their chairs and bowed deeply toward Professor Oak and Professor Rowan.

It was a gesture of respect toward two seniors who had devoted so much of their lives to Pokémon research and to building the academic community into what it was today.

The atmosphere in the auditorium grew solemn.

Professor Oak noticed and suddenly broke into a grin.

"Well, since today is such a memorable occasion and I didn’t prepare anything special, how about I compose a Pokémon senryū for everyone to celebrate?"

"Ahem. Samuel, come down."

Professor Rowan immediately interrupted him.

"We still have things to do."

"Professor Oak, you’ve worked hard. Why don’t you come down and rest for a while?" Professor Kukui added with a smile.

"Subarashii! We actually get to hear Professor Oak compose something live?" Professor Sycamore looked genuinely excited. "I can’t wait."

"We’ll handle the rest from here," Professor Juniper said.

"I suddenly feel a little sleepy," Dr. Bill murmured.

"It really has been a long time since I’ve heard one of Professor Oak’s compositions," Professor Birch said with a laugh.

"Professor Oak, it’s time to eat!" Mike called.

"Hahaha!"

While laughing, Professor Oak allowed Mike to drag him down from the stage.

And with that, this year’s Celestic Town Academic Summit officially came to a successful conclusion.