Chapter 259

Chapter 259: Chapter 259

Mike had to admit that Lucian was exceptionally good at administrative work.

While everyone else had been busy setting up the research camp, Lucian had already arranged almost everything they would need for the expedition.

Food supplies, security arrangements, emergency procedures, and even the people responsible for handling unexpected situations had all been taken care of.

No wonder Steven had once mentioned that the Hoenn League would love to have someone like Lucian working for them.

Who wouldn’t want someone that capable?

Not only was Lucian an extremely powerful Trainer, but his administrative abilities were also among the best Mike had ever seen.

He could coordinate an entire research expedition while making it look like a perfectly ordinary day at the office.

Mike glanced toward Oleana, who was working alongside Lucian, and quietly let out a breath of relief.

’Thank goodness I managed to recruit Chairman Rose’s secretary.’

He couldn’t imagine what his life would be like if he had to handle all this paperwork himself.

Meanwhile, Lucian had just finished transferring the funds for their food supplies to the person responsible for logistics in Rondo Town.

He put away his phone and adjusted his glasses.

Strictly speaking, this entire research project was being led by Mike’s institute.

Under normal circumstances, the institute itself should have been responsible for covering the expenses.

However, things had turned out a little differently.

Manryo, who was currently residing in Paldea, had recently provided the Sinnoh League with a substantial amount of sponsorship funding.

And that wasn’t all.

Afterward, Manryo had contacted Lucian privately and informed him that he was also willing to cover the expenses associated with Mike’s research into Hisuian Pokémon.

In other words, the financial side of the expedition had practically taken care of itself.

Lucian looked toward Mike, a complicated expression appearing in his eyes.

Here was a young Pokémon Professor who could attract wealthy sponsors to the Sinnoh League without even trying particularly hard.

And more importantly, his assistant was astonishingly capable.

After working with Oleana for a while, Lucian had discovered that her ability to manage administrative affairs was almost on par with his own.

’Wait a minute...’

A wonderful possibility suddenly occurred to him.

’Does this mean my good days are finally coming?’

’Could I actually stop working overtime every single night?’

Lucian unconsciously touched his hair.

’Maybe... Maybe my hairline can still be saved!’

Unfortunately, Lucian wasn’t the only person entertaining pleasant thoughts about the future.

Behind him, Cynthia was watching the entire scene with her hands tucked into the pockets of her black coat.

Her fingers lightly tapped against her thigh.

’With Mike and Oleana staying in Sinnoh, Lucian shouldn’t have nearly as much reason to complain about overtime anymore.’

The thought brought her considerable satisfaction.

’And if Lucian isn’t constantly complaining about being overworked...’

A small smile appeared on her face.

’Then I can finally sneak away from work without feeling guilty!’

As far as Cynthia was concerned, everything was working out wonderfully!

"Boss."

Oleana approached Mike, interrupting his thoughts.

"Sonia contacted me. She said Champion Leon helped capture several Bergmite, and they’re ready to be transferred whenever we need them."

"Bergmite?"

Professor Rowan, who happened to be standing nearby, looked up in confusion.

"Aren’t there already Bergmite living deep inside Mount Coronet?"

"There are," Mike answered with a nod. "But that’s exactly why I asked Oleana to contact Professor Magnolia’s institute."

He turned toward the elderly professor and explained his reasoning.

"If we really manage to evolve Bergmite into Hisuian Avalugg, some of the Pokémon involved in the research will probably be adopted by the participating Trainers or researchers."

He glanced toward the mountains.

"But the Bergmite living here have spent their entire lives on Mount Coronet. There’s no guarantee they’d want to leave their home, and I don’t want to force them."

Mike continued, "That’s why I asked Oleana to contact the researchers in Galar and find out whether they had any Bergmite we could borrow."

He smiled slightly.

"Besides, this gives us another opportunity to test our hypothesis. If Bergmite from other regions can also evolve into Hisuian Avalugg, we’ll have a much better understanding of what actually causes the evolution."

Professor Oak, who’d been listening nearby, nodded repeatedly.

"That’s a very thorough approach, Mike!"

He seemed quite pleased with the suggestion.

"If Bergmite from different regions can undergo the same evolution, it would tell us a great deal about the conditions involved!"

After all, if the evolution wasn’t limited to Bergmite descended from the ancient Hisuian Avalugg clan, then the unusual magnetic field might be far more important than the Pokémon’s ancestry.

It was certainly worth investigating.

By the time they’d finished discussing the matter, the temporary camp had been fully assembled.

Lucian returned with several assistants from Professor Rowan’s laboratory, accompanied by the two researchers Oleana had recruited for Mike’s institute.

Although the institute itself was still under construction, Oleana had already managed to hire two assistants.

One was named Kaito, and the other was Koji.

Mike greeted them with a nod before examining the finished campsite.

The location was well chosen.

They’d established the camp in an area sheltered from the worst of the mountain winds, and it was far enough from the Jynx’s cave that the researchers wouldn’t interfere with the Pokémon’s normal activities.

Everything looked satisfactory.

"Kaito, Koji, I want you two to go to Rondo Town with Assistant Oleana," Mike instructed. "Pick up the Bergmite that Researcher Sonia has prepared for us and bring them back here."

Oleana: "???"

’Again?’

’Why is it always me?!’

"Yes, Professor!"

The two young researchers immediately nodded.

However, before Oleana could resign herself to yet another trip, Cynthia spoke up.

"Rondo Town? I’ll go."

Everyone turned toward her.

Cynthia looked at Mike.

"Just let Sonia know I’m coming."

With that, she headed toward Garchomp.

A moment later, the Dragon-type spread its powerful finlike wings and launched into the sky, carrying Cynthia away from the campsite.

Mike watched them disappear above the mountains.

Then he unconsciously pulled his scarf a little tighter.

’Seriously...’

’It’s already freezing down here. Doesn’t flying through the air in weather like this make it even worse?’

Just thinking about it made him shiver.

Fortunately, Cynthia didn’t keep them waiting long.

She soon returned with the Poké Balls containing the Bergmite from Galar.

Mike accepted them and counted the balls.

Five in total.

"Thanks for going to all that trouble."

He then turned toward Oleana.

"Could you thank Sonia and Leon for me too? I really appreciate their help."

"Of course."

Now that the additional Bergmite had arrived and the camp was ready, there was no longer any reason to delay the research.

Mike looked around at the assembled group.

"All right, everyone! Since we’ve finished preparing everything out here, let’s head inside and take a look at the research site!"

With that, he led the way toward the passage connecting the canyon to the deeper parts of Mount Coronet.

...

After passing through the tunnel, the researchers emerged into the secluded snowfield where Mike had discovered the Hisuian Avalugg fossil.

They’d barely stepped outside when a clear, piercing cry echoed from a distant mountain peak.

"ARTICUNO!"

Lorelei’s Articuno immediately raised its head.

Its red eyes turned toward the sky.

A moment later, another magnificent blue figure descended from above.

The Articuno that lived on Mount Coronet had arrived.

It spread its enormous wings and glided down toward the assembled group, its crimson eyes fixed firmly on the Articuno standing beside Lorelei.

Then it turned toward Mike.

The look it gave him was unmistakably accusing.

’Human.’

’You brought ANOTHER Articuno into MY territory?’

’And you had the nerve to do it right in front of me?!’

Mike felt the atmosphere grow tense.

Before he could say anything, Cynthia and Lucian had already moved.

Both stepped in front of the other researchers, ready to respond if the Legendary Pokémon showed any hostility.

Garchomp moved with Cynthia.

The moment the resident Articuno noticed them, however, something rather amusing happened.

Its neck drew back slightly.

"..."

Apparently, it recognized Cynthia.

And Garchomp.

Especially Garchomp.

Mike noticed the reaction and almost laughed.

"It’s fine, everyone. Don’t worry!"

He gestured toward Lorelei’s Articuno.

"That Articuno is a very good friend of one of my friends. It isn’t here to cause trouble."

Lorelei understood the situation immediately.

She gently patted the Articuno beside her.

"Thank you for bringing me here. You can come back and pick me up when we’re finished."

The Articuno nodded.

It looked toward the other Articuno standing nearby, then glanced at Mike.

There was something strange about this human.

For some reason, his presence felt remarkably pleasant.

The Articuno couldn’t quite explain why, but it found the sensation comforting.

Unfortunately, that didn’t change the fact that it had entered another Articuno’s territory.

And among Pokémon like them, there were certain rules that ought to be respected.

Since its task of delivering Lorelei was complete, there was no reason to remain.

With one final glance at the group, it spread its enormous wings and took flight.

A moment later, the beautiful Legendary Pokémon disappeared into the sky.

The resident Articuno watched it leave.

Its long tail feathers swayed gently as it raised its head with obvious pride.

"Articuno."

[Did you see that? Two kings cannot share the same throne! Naturally, it had no choice but to withdraw before my might!]

Mike looked at it.

"...Yeah, yeah. Very impressive."

He walked over and casually patted the Legendary Pokémon.

"Now hurry up and go back to sleep. If you get beaten up again, I won’t be able to help you."

Articuno: "..."

The Legendary Pokémon didn’t argue.

Instead, after Mike finished speaking, it quietly spread its wings and flew back toward its cave.

Candice stood frozen.

"..."

Ever since arriving at Mount Coronet, she felt as though her mouth had spent more time hanging open than closed.

Had she really just watched a human casually pat Articuno and tell it to go back to sleep?

And the Legendary Pokémon had actually listened?!

’What kind of person IS Professor Mike?!’

Lorelei, meanwhile, looked at Mike with renewed curiosity.

"Do you have an Articuno too?"

"Huh? Oh, no."

Mike smiled and shook his head.

"It’s the same situation as yours. We’re just friends."

He added casually, "Actually, we only met yesterday."

Lorelei studied him for a moment.

"Really? The way you two interact doesn’t make it seem as though you’ve only just met."

She glanced toward the direction Articuno had disappeared.

"Ice-type Pokémon tend to be quite solitary, and many of them are difficult to approach. Articuno in particular are famously proud."

For someone who specialized in Ice-type Pokémon, the sight she’d just witnessed was genuinely unusual.

Yet Mike had spoken to the Legendary Pokémon as though he were teasing an old friend, and Articuno hadn’t shown the slightest sign of anger.

Mike merely smiled.

He didn’t offer any further explanation.

Instead, he led Professor Oak and the others toward the area where Hattrem had previously detected the unusual magnetic field.

"All right, everyone. This is the place I was talking about."

He gestured toward the surrounding rocks.

"This entire area seems to be affected by a strange magnetic field."

The task of examining the magnetic field was handed over to Professor Rowan’s research assistants.

While they began setting up their instruments, Mike led the rest of the group toward the fossilized Hisuian Avalugg.

Candice was the first to react when she saw it.

"So this is what a Hisuian Avalugg looks like?"

She stared at the enormous fossil embedded in the mountainside.

The ancient Pokémon’s remains had become so thoroughly integrated with the surrounding rock that parts of its body were difficult to distinguish from the mountain itself.

Professor Rowan crouched beside the fossil.

"It certainly resembles the depictions we’ve seen in ancient murals."

He reached out and carefully touched the fossilized structure beneath its jaw.

"The lower jaw is particularly interesting. It resembles an enormous shovel."

Lorelei examined the remains from another angle.

"Wait... Are its limbs actually made of rock?"

She sounded genuinely surprised.

As far as she knew, modern Avalugg possessed bodies composed almost entirely of ice.

Seeing one with rocky limbs was quite unexpected.

"Not just the limbs," Professor Oak explained.

He pointed toward the exposed sections of the fossil.

"Judging by the structure, most of its body was made of rock. The upper surface and lower jaw appear to be the main exceptions."

Professor Rowan nodded thoughtfully.

"That may have something to do with the environment during the Hisuian era."

He studied the fossil again.

"Hisui had a colder climate, and much of the region consisted of rugged mountain terrain. Developing a body reinforced with rock would likely have been advantageous for Avalugg living in those conditions."

The professors began discussing the possible relationship between the Pokémon’s anatomy and its ancient habitat.

Their conversation quickly became rather technical.

Mike, meanwhile, was standing a short distance away.

His gaze had wandered elsewhere.

He looked down toward his shadow.

"Hey, Gengar," he whispered. "What do you feel like eating later?"

Gengar’s head emerged from the darkness.

"GENGAR!"

[MEAT! I WANT MEAT! LOTS AND LOTS OF MEAT!]

Mike nodded seriously.

"Got it."

Then he looked toward Snivy and the others.

"What about you girls? Anything special you want today?"

While the professors were busy studying a potentially groundbreaking fossil, Mike was conducting his own equally important investigation.

He was deciding what everyone wanted for lunch.

By the time he’d finished asking his Pokémon about their preferred dishes, one of Professor Rowan’s assistants approached with a scientific instrument in hand.

"Professor Mike, we’ve finished the preliminary measurements."

Mike immediately returned his attention to the research.

"Oh? What did you find?"

The others gathered around as well.

The assistant looked at the readings before explaining.

"According to our measurements, the magnetic field in this area is indeed different from what we’d normally expect."

He adjusted the instrument slightly.

"There appears to be some kind of energy interfering with the local magnetic field. We’ve also detected unusually high concentrations of energy throughout the surrounding area."

Professor Rowan’s expression became more serious.

"So there really is a possibility that this environment could allow Bergmite to evolve into Hisuian Avalugg?"

"Based on Professor Mike’s hypothesis and the environmental conditions we’ve observed, I believe it’s possible," the assistant replied.

Of course, that wasn’t the same as proving the hypothesis.

They still needed controlled experiments and further measurements before drawing any firm conclusions.

Nevertheless, the preliminary findings were encouraging.

Professor Oak smiled.

"Excellent! In that case, let’s get started!"

He turned toward Mike.

Mike immediately understood that everyone was waiting for him to assign the next steps.