Natsume: ???
[Natsume-sensei: Next time, don't buy it. I'm not used to driving this.]
"Sorry..."
Cynthia apologized, "I didn't think it through."
"But that's a bike equipped with a Rotom device."
Cynthia explained, "In towns where riding Pokémon isn't allowed, the Rotom Bike is much more convenient."
Natsume suddenly understood.
This was the [Important Item] every protagonist had in the games—the Bike!
And in the eighth generation, the Bike was enhanced by Rotom… with speed rivaling a galloping Tauros.
But a bike with such special modifications wasn't cheap.
As a high-end custom bike, it was even more expensive than some sports cars…
[Cabbage Ice Cream: This is also… a thank-you gift for translating those research papers for me last time.]
Natsume stared at the message on the screen, his throat bobbing.
A thank-you gift? She could just marry him instead.
Who needs a bike?
But in this early spring chill, only Cynthia and Pokémon could bring a little warmth to Natsume-sensei.
[Natsume-sensei: When are you coming next? I'm already prepared.]
[Cabbage Ice Cream: Rest a little longer… You looked so tired last time.]
Thanks to Sylveon's 「Yawn」 and Gengar's 「Hypnosis」, Natsume-sensei's biological clock was now set to "early to bed, early to rise."
A glass of Moomoo Milk before sleep, never carrying fatigue into the next day.
Staying up late gaming… was a bit too much for Natsume's elderly routine.
Natsume nodded cheerfully and replied, "No problem!"
...
After signing for the delivery, Natsume watched as the shipping container was unpacked layer by layer.
Finally, the rare packaging of the foldable bike was revealed.
Aside from the special electrical system that allowed Rotom to merge with it, the texture and finish were top-notch.
For travel, the bike was clearly more convenient than a car. (Wallace's amphibious sports car excluded; Gary's harem-mobile excluded.)
"Gengar?"
The little ones circled the bike, examining it curiously.
"Blastoise… ヾ(■_■)"
Blastoise released its aura, confirming there were no hidden bombs inside, then sighed in relief.
"Arcanine! (｀0｀)"
Arcanine bared its teeth at Rotom, furious.
Stealing housework was one thing, but now even transportation?!
Damn you, Rotom!
"System Overload, Rotom~ o(TヘTo)"
"Let's test it out."
Natsume swung his leg over the bike and pressed down on the pedals.
"Just merge with it, please. Thanks, Rotom!"
"Rotom~"
Rotom slipped into the bike, and as its new form took shape, blue electricity flickered around the wheels!
"Holy—!"
With just a light press on the pedal, the bike shot forward at insane speed.
The glowing bike wheels were so bright they nearly blinded Arcanine.
"Arcanine~!" Arcanine covered its eyes.
"Bike! So fast!"
Natsume's voice trailed off as the bike vanished down the road in an instant.
"Gengar! Σ(°△°|||)︴"
Gengar panicked, grabbing the little ones' Poké Balls and chasing after them with 「Agility」.
Wait for me!
Ride recklessly, and Pokémon will cry!!
...
First Experience with Rotom · Bike Forms
It ended with smoking tires and two streaks of skid marks on the ground.
"Probably not a quality issue…"
Natsume executed a sharp drift, his foot planted firmly on the ground, hand gripping the brakes, and a subtle expression on his face
His own Rotom's electricity was too potent, overloading the system in an instant…
Even a Bike could screech from drifting.
No wonder the speed demons in the Pokémon world all rode Bikes!
Glancing at the dejected Rotom, Natsume reassured it:
"Don't worry, we can just replace the tires and keep going!"
"Roger that, Rotom!" Rotom instantly perked up.
A faint sense of unease crept into Natsume's mind:
"Back at School, are you sure you got all the proper licenses?"
Rotom puffed up proudly. "Planes, tanks, F1 racing… those are my specialties, Rotom!"
Natsume: "…"
What does that have to do with riding a Bike?! (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻
If it weren't for my expert driving, we would've failed miserably just now!
"Oh… Gengar, over here!" Natsume waved.
Behind him, a small, dark figure gasped for breath, swimming through the air in a freestyle motion to catch up.
"Gengar!"
Once it reached him, Gengar high-fived Natsume, looking utterly exhausted.
"Congratulations, you're this year's swimming champion!"
"Gengar~（`▽`)" Gengar instantly revived.
Natsume scanned the surroundings. "Seems like… we're not far from Rowan Research Institute now."
Fresh green sprouts lined the fields, swaying in the breeze.
In the distance, a Bidoof munched on a Berry, staring straight at Natsume.
"Gengar, let's stash the Bike in your pocket for now."
Natsume folded the Bike compactly.
"Gengar!" Gengar nodded smugly.
Piece of cake~
"Let's go."
Natsume clapped his hands.
"Time to pay Professor Rowan a visit!"
…
Sandgem Town, Rowan Research Institute.
The stern-faced Professor Rowan stroked his mustache, deep in thought as he reviewed documents.
A seasoned expert in the field of Evolution, Professor Rowan had mentored prodigies like Samuel Oak and Cynthia.
Meticulous and unwavering, he trusted his judgment—it was never wrong…
"Professor Rowan."
A Researcher interrupted softly. "There's a Trainer here to see you."
"Ah… the child from Pallet Town?" Professor Rowan mused, stroking his beard. He'd heard rumors.
The Researcher shook his head. "A Trainer from Touran. Also the Champion of the Kanto League."
A faint glimmer lit up Professor Rowan's solemn eyes.
"Show him in—no, I'll greet him myself."
Watching the Professor rise, the Researcher looked stunned.
This level of courtesy was reserved for only a handful—Professor Oak, Cynthia, and a select few.
Without a doubt, Professor Rowan held this Trainer in exceptionally high regard!
"Unfair… How can someone so good-looking also be this talented?" the Researcher muttered.
Moments later.
Natsume grinned and waved. "Long time no see, Professor Rowan!"
"Indeed, nearly half a year."
Professor Rowan nodded solemnly. "Congratulations on becoming Champion, Natsume!"
Natsume scratched his cheek awkwardly. "Well, it wasn't really my doing…"
"I understand."
A rare smile touched Professor Rowan's lips. "Valuing a Pokémon's own will is one of a Trainer's greatest virtues."
Natsume blinked.
That's how you interpret it?
Scholars really do have a way with words!
"Actually, Professor Rowan," Natsume coughed lightly. "I plan to stay in Sinnoh for a while, so I thought I'd drop by, say hello…"
Professor Rowan chuckled. "I figured as much!"
Samuel Oak had already mentioned it.
Ash was preparing for the Lily of the Valley Conference, and Natsume would arrive in Sinnoh soon.
Helping them both with Trainer registration was a trivial matter.
A question mark popped up over Natsume's head.
What exactly did you figure out?!
Professor Rowan had once invited Natsume to become a Researcher, but Natsume hadn't been interested at the time.
Now, however, the Professor didn't bring it up again, merely stroking his mustache.
"In that case… hand me your Pokédex first."
"Huh? The Pokédex?"
"Yes. It needs an update with Sinnoh's regional data and procedures."
Natsume nodded, pulling out the Rotom Pokédex from his backpack and handing it over.
"Rotom!" Rotom emerged from the device, electrical ions crackling around it.
"Professor Oak entrusted Rotom to you as well?" Professor Rowan remarked, slightly surprised.
"It's… a long story," Natsume sighed.
Professor Rowan nodded thoughtfully.
It seemed Professor Oak's judgment aligned with his own.
Moreover, he'd even given Natsume a Special Edition Pokédex.
Only those with both exceptional character and skill received such an honor from Professor Oak.
After a brief glance at Natsume, Professor Rowan smiled approvingly, inputting the necessary data into the Pokédex.
A few minutes later.
Natsume faintly heard a ding—a System notification.
"Here, your Pokédex is ready." Professor Rowan handed it back with a smile.
"Gengar!" Gengar hopped up, snatching the device with a toothy grin.
"You have a Pokémon that truly trusts you."
Professor Rowan's gaze softened as he observed Rotom, the curious Togepi peering around, and chuckled:
"No… you have many."
Natsume's expression froze for a split second.
"Professor Rowan, this registration process is for…?"
"Ah, it's the Sinnoh Trainer License. Professor Oak already informed me you'd be competing in the Lily of the Valley Conference."
Professor Rowan stroked his beard. "With this, you can challenge Gyms and collect Badges!"
Natsume's smile stiffened, and he coughed abruptly.
The moment the registration finalized—
The long-dormant System flooded him with notifications.
Natsume-sensei was utterly baffled.
So today's knife was wielded by Professor Rowan?!
Professor Rowan, Professor Oak… you've doomed me!!
[Ding! Sinnoh Trainer License activated!]
[Ding! Major Quest detected: 'Sinnoh League'!]
[Objective: Sinnoh, a land of ancient ruins and legends, is a holy grail for researchers. As a Legendary Trainer, you can't afford to fall behind.]
[Objective: Win the gold award at the Canalave City Research Conference.]
[Major Quest Progress: (1/3)]
[Reward: Choice of any Mega Stone* 1]
Fortunately… no "Collect Badges" side quest popped up this time.
Even if Gengar soloed every Gym, it wouldn't matter.
As for the Mega Stone reward—
Pretending he wouldn't pick Gengarite was pointless.
Natsume's mood was delicate.
Last time he tried Blastoise's Mega Evolution, it took him weeks to recover.
Given Gengar and my bond… wouldn't this drain me completely?
Sorry, Gengar, but we're not ready for Mega Evolution yet.
Let me train for a few more years, build up my stamina first!
As for the quest's feasibility—
Natsume looked skyward.
Winning a research conference was far harder than collecting Badges.
Even if Natsume presented findings on Ancient Language,
outshining Professors like Oak and Rowan seemed impossible.
Natsume smirked.
If I don't participate, how can the quest complete itself?
Gengar can challenge Gyms alone, but can it write my research papers too?
"Ha!" Natsume laughed brightly.
This is totally under control!
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