Natsume was slightly taken aback.
Well, well, Bill. You even managed to rope Professor Samuel Oak's granddaughter into being your assistant!
Speaking of Daisy Oak, she was also a Pokémon Coordinator who had once won the Kanto Pokémon Contests Championship.
To put it in Blue Oak's words: I thought we were friends, but you're trying to become my brother-in-law?!
"A-Anyway," Bill said, his expression easing as he cleared his throat and clenched his fist, "the principle of trade evolution is to simulate a special magnetic field."
"All you need to do is swap Poké Balls and use a communication device to complete the evolution!"
Natsume nodded and exchanged a glance with Haunter.
"Haunter! （`▽`)??"
Natsume could see Haunter's desire to grow stronger.
He really needed to consider its feelings...
Natsume said reluctantly, "Can we do the trade now?"
"Unfortunately... the Pokémon Center in Canalave City isn't equipped with trade facilities," Bill scratched his head. "When you come to Goldenrod City, I'll help you with the trade!"
"Isn't your research institute at the Lighthouse in Kanto?" Natsume asked curiously.
"Goldenrod City is Professor Bill's hometown. He has a research institute there too," Daisy Oak explained with a smile.
Natsume suddenly understood.
He was planning to visit Johto anyway.
If he could meet 'Link Trade' Silver and get Professor Bill's help, it would be a foolproof plan.
"Then I'll trouble you!"
After thanking Bill, Natsume also took a [Trade Evolution Guide] from him.
It explained the principles of trade evolution and included detailed data analysis.
Natsume flipped through a couple of pages and immediately felt a headache coming on.
"Haunter!" (I see!)
Glancing to the side, he saw Haunter rapidly flipping through the guide, nodding from time to time.
Natsume's expression turned complicated.
Wow, you're even planning to handle your own evolution!
You're something else, Haunter!
...
Meeting Bill had completed Natsume-sensei's initial plan.
Time flew by, and it was already evening.
Natsume sat in the conference hall, waiting for Cynthia, looking rather...
Well-behaved.
Then, a graceful figure approached, her golden hair cascading down her back, exuding an extraordinary aura.
"Did you meet Bill?" Cynthia asked.
"I'm confident Haunter can evolve now," Natsume nodded.
"Evolution is something that should be approached with caution," Cynthia said thoughtfully.
Outside, it was dusk, and a Starly flew across the sky.
"The conference still has one more day."
Cynthia stretched, her hands clasped together, and let out a soft groan.
"Let's go home first."
Natsume-sensei's face turned red.
The Second Day of the Research Conference.
Natsume mainly attended Oleana's presentation.
Although the audience was sparse, and the disheveled female researcher seemed a bit introverted, her presentation on 'Gigantamax Phenomena' was outstanding, earning her rounds of applause.
Finally... it was over!
Oleana's shoulders relaxed as she walked through the backstage corridor, where she vaguely saw a familiar figure.
"Natsume-sensei!" Oleana hurried over, clutching her documents.
"Oh, Oleana," Natsume nodded with a smile. "Great presentation!"
Oleana nervously adjusted her glasses.
Remembering the information she had looked up last night, her cheeks flushed.
"I heard... you... run a studio... Are you... still hiring?" she stammered.
Natsume was slightly surprised.
The studio... Honestly, it's just Kazuya and Mina right now.
Even with Devon Corporation's technical support... I can't keep relying on Kazuya forever!
Hiring and setting up the company... It's definitely time to get things moving.
"We are hiring, but it's not really related to the research field," Natsume said thoughtfully.
"Th-That's fine... I've also studied accounting and economics..."
Oleana lowered her head, clutching her folder tightly, her nails almost digging into it.
"If... you're still looking for... administrative staff... would you consider me?"
Natsume stroked his chin.
A researcher switching to HR?
That's such a waste of talent!
But then again, I can't keep having Matori handle all the miscellaneous tasks...
I wonder how capable she is. I'll have to evaluate her later.
"Next time," Natsume nodded. "We haven't finalized the company's location yet. I'll contact you when we do."
"Okay!"
Oleana suddenly bowed deeply and said loudly, "Really... thank you so much!"
Natsume waved his hand with a smile.
...
Two days passed in the blink of an eye.
The Research Conference officially came to a close.
Natsume-sensei had also obtained contact information from Sonia, Bill, and others.
Once he got in touch with 'Link Trade' Silver, Haunter's evolution wouldn't be far off.
The Dynamax Band was an unexpected bonus.
The feeling of getting something so valuable for free was overwhelming.
Natsume couldn't help but sigh, "If only Professor Augustine Sycamore would give me a Mega Stone too!"
Mega Stones were worth at least eight figures, and they were priceless but unavailable on the market.
Just thinking about the cost of Mega Evolution made Natsume-sensei shiver.
"Luckily... I don't have to worry about that for now," Natsume comforted himself.
"Let's focus on paying off my debts first!"
Returning to Steven's villa, Natsume planned to bid farewell to Professor Rowan.
But as he approached the entrance, he spotted a suspicious figure lurking around.
A man with fiery red spiky hair was looking around nervously.
When he saw Natsume, his eyes lit up. "Natsume-sensei! I'm Flint!"
"I know... What brings you here?" Natsume asked, on guard.
Flint laughed awkwardly and scratched his head. "I felt bad about disturbing you the other day, so Aaron and I wanted to apologize..."
"And I brought you a gift as a token of our apology!"
"A gift?!" Natsume's heart skipped a beat.
"That's really not necessary!"
Flint, however, looked serious. "Natsume-sensei, even though I can't beat you, I'm still an expert in Fire-type Pokémon."
With that, Flint pulled out a simple notebook from his pocket and said earnestly, "I've been preparing this for a while... It's all the key points of Flamethrower. If you find it troublesome, I can even demonstrate it for you!"
Natsume was both amused and exasperated. "Such a precious thing... Please, keep it for yourself!"
"Hehe," Flint glanced at Growlithe, who was eagerly waiting in the yard. "Your Growlithe has remarkable Fire-type potential."
"With your excellent breeding skills... It could even go for a mixed-attack build!"
Natsume's expression turned complicated.
It's just a bit of a glutton!
Is that what you call excellent breeding?
"Fine... Come on in and have a seat."
Natsume sighed and opened the door.
"Growlithe!" Growlithe wagged its tail and pounced at Natsume.
Natsume sidestepped and rubbed the dog's head in mock anger.
"Natsume-sensei!" Flint stretched his arms. "Do you want me to demonstrate now?"
Natsume's face changed.
"Don't worry, it'll be quick!"
Flint released his majestic Houndoom and pointed to the sky. "Houndoom, Flamethrower!"
Houndoom let out a proud roar, and a towering pillar of fire lit up the sky.
BOOM!!
"Growlithe!" Growlithe's eyes sparkled with envy.
"All the techniques are in this notebook," Flint said, recalling Houndoom with a laugh. "I won't disturb you any longer."
He forcefully shoved the notebook into Natsume's hands and waved.
"Natsume-sensei! See you around!"
Flint put on a carefree expression, thinking to himself,
If I can get on Natsume-sensei's good side, maybe he'll go easy on me in the future.
Even though it's a bit of a loss... Making friends with Natsume-sensei is worth it!
Natsume watched Flint's retreating figure with a deep gaze.
Looking down at the excited Growlithe, Natsume took a deep breath.
"This grudge... I, Natsume-sensei, will remember it!"
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