The entire exhibition hall fell silent.
Every gaze was fixed on Cynthia.
The legends of Sinnoh… Legendary Pokémon… What an immense subject.
For centuries, countless Trainers had tried to uncover the mysteries of Legendary Pokémon, yet only fragments of knowledge had ever been revealed.
Now, after years of research in the field of Legendary Pokémon, Team Carolina was challenging this "summit" once more.
Among the seated scholars, reactions varied—some were calm, some excited, some indifferent.
Cynthia was indeed the Sinnoh League Champion.
But in the realm of research, she still paled in comparison to her grandmother, Professor Carolina.
A team of just three people. And one of them, Natsume, was practically unknown in the research community.
What kind of results could they possibly present on such short notice?
Whispers spread through the crowd.
"Begin," Professor Oak, dressed in a white lab coat, said with a smile from the judges' panel.
Instantly, all murmuring ceased.
Cynthia smiled faintly, and the holographic projection behind her began to shift.
"These are the Temporal and Spatial Dragon Statues at the entrance of Solaceon Ruins."
Blue light wove together, forming a 3D rendering of the two statues.
"Like the Twin Dragon Statues in Eterna City, the Plates are inscribed with text composed of Unown. The message reads—"
Cynthia spoke slowly:
"When life meets life, something new is born."
Standing on the stage, hands tucked into the pockets of her lab coat, golden hair partially obscuring her face, she smiled and said:
"That is also the guiding principle of this research. Now, before presenting our first discovery, I'd like to borrow a moment from one of the professors here."
A hushed discussion broke out.
Bill leaned toward Natsume and whispered, "Champion Cynthia's presence is overwhelming."
"She's not so bad once you get to know her," Natsume replied after a pause. "Though sometimes she's like a Garchomp."
"You—!"
Bill widened his eyes and punched Natsume lightly in the side. "I always thought you and Professor Erika had something going on."
"Don't say nonsense." Natsume's expression twisted. He glanced furtively at Professor Carolina beside him, relieved to see she hadn't reacted, then muttered:
"Just wait. When we get back, I'll have Professor Oak reassign Daisy Oak as your assistant again."
"Natsume-sensei, I was wrong!" Bill immediately bowed his head in surrender.
"Professor Hale," Cynthia called out, looking toward the audience. "Last year, you published a research paper on the newly unearthed Plates of Sinnoh, stating that they remained undeciphered. Is that correct?"
The spotlight shifted to a scholarly middle-aged man. He stood, adjusting his glasses with an apologetic smile.
"Ah, yes. The Unown script in Sinnoh differs structurally from that of Johto, so further study is required—"
"Who's that?" Natsume asked Bill.
"Professor Hale. His field is ancient languages. Rumor has it he was the first to discover Unown."
Bill lowered his voice. "There's even a rumor that Unown nearly killed him once!"
"Unown murder incident?"
Natsume blinked, then suddenly froze.
Spencer Hale…? The professor from Pokémon 3: The Movie who studied ancient languages?
Good grief, this conference is packed with legends. Every single attendee is a heavyweight in their field!
Cynthia smiled faintly and continued:
"That excavated plate records the legends of time and space in the Sinnoh region, though key sections are slightly worn… I assume that's why you haven't made further progress."
"Indeed."
Professor Hale nodded involuntarily, murmuring, "My team also believes we should consult scholars more specialized in mythological studies."
Suddenly, Professor Hale's glasses gleamed as he asked in shock, "Don't tell me…"
"You and Professor Carolina have already deciphered the inscriptions on that plate?"
A wave of hushed whispers spread through the previously silent arena.
Every region, every unearthed plate—each was an incredibly rare archaeological artifact.
For example, the plates from the Ruins of Alph in Johto were said to be connected to Arceus; the plates excavated in Hoenn were linked to the legendary titans.
And the plate from Solaceon Ruins in Sinnoh… its contents involved the legends of time and space…
If so, Professor Carolina's team might truly be one step ahead in their research!
Scholars turned their gazes toward Cynthia in unison.
She merely smiled warmly, her eyes curving slightly as she nodded.
"How is this possible? They've outpaced even Professor Hale, a leader in the same field!"
"Is it because of mythology? But without experts in ancient languages, deciphering it overnight would be impossible…"
"Unbelievable… If this translation is accurate, it's an achievement worthy of the history books!"
Amid the uproar in the exhibition hall, Natsume broke out in a cold sweat.
An… ancient language translation?
An achievement for the history books?
Natsume looked up at the ceiling, recalling his first days in Sinnoh.
Cynthia: "Huh? When did this note…"
Natsume: "It was tucked in your book. I translated it in passing."
Cynthia frowned slightly: (After examining it) "It… seems to be correct?"
Natsume: "Of course. It was so simple, I got it at a glance."
Cold sweat trickled down his forehead.
It was like a teacher assigning homework, slipping an unsolvable math problem into a book. The student takes it home and casually solves it.
And not just solves it—but then mocks it in front of the teacher and mathematicians:
Is that all you've got?
Natsume smacked his left hand in frustration. "Why can't I control my own hands?!"
The discussion continued. Scholars waited eagerly for Cynthia to reveal the contents, their anticipation at its peak.
"Professor Carolina, I had no idea you were also versed in ancient languages," Bill said with a smile, complimenting the professor seated beside Natsume.
"It wasn't me," Professor Carolina replied flatly, leaning on her cane.
"Eh?" Bill blinked.
Carolina glanced at Natsume, her gaze approving, and gave a slight nod.
Natsume: "…"
"…" Bill's eyes lingered on Natsume-sensei's handsome face.
His jaw dropped exaggeratedly, but before he could exclaim, he angrily pinched his own thigh.
"Ouch—" Bill hissed in pain.
This guy's handsome, ridiculously skilled, AND a research prodigy?!
How is anyone supposed to compete with that?!
At the same moment—
Cynthia projected the translated plate transcript on screen, with every character annotated. The translator had even helpfully included pronunciations, as if eager to flaunt their mastery of the ancient language.
The other scholars, though not fully grasping its significance, turned as one toward Professor Hale, the authority in ancient language studies.
Professor Hale trembled, removing his glasses to wipe them before putting them back on.
He scrutinized the text again and again. After a full ten minutes, his chest swelled with emotion, as if a long-held belief had finally been validated.
"Incredible," Professor Hale choked out. "It's flawless… utterly incredible!"
He couldn't immediately verify its accuracy, but his expertise allowed him to recognize the brilliance of this work.
This was the exhilaration of a scholar witnessing a long-unsolved puzzle finally cracked.
There was no academic rivalry here. Whoever achieved this deserved nothing but respect.
The crowd studied Professor Hale's reaction, a single thought echoing in their minds:
This translation… might actually be legitimate…
"My apologies, I got carried away," Professor Hale said, taking a deep breath. "I'd like to request access to this research for further cross-examination."
"At my current level, I can't immediately confirm its accuracy or completeness," he admitted sincerely. "But I firmly believe this will be an extraordinary, groundbreaking presentation!"
This was the highest praise a professor could give—straight from the heart.
Clap clap clap—
Thunderous applause erupted spontaneously in the exhibition hall. Professor Oak smiled and joined in.
Faced with this masterpiece of research, Professor Hale remained standing until the applause subsided before asking:
"Might I ask… how did you…"
"I'm not the author," Cynthia gently corrected.
Professor Hale froze, stumbling over his words. "Then… who…?"
Seated in the audience, Natsume felt an inexplicable chill down his spine, squirming in his seat.
Suddenly, the screen zoomed in on Natsume, who was currently digging his toes into the floor.
Cynthia smiled. "Natsume. He's the one who translated this plate."
Silence.
The crowd's expressions ranged from bewilderment to awe to sheer disbelief.
Because… he was far too young!
Too young to belong in this forum of professors, whose average age was 45+.
Had he attended as an assistant, it would've been impressive enough.
But here he was, presenting a complete academic breakthrough—one that even humbled the leading expert in the field!
Amid the stunned silence—
Natsume stood up, casually smoothing over the imaginary villa his toes had just "dug."
With flawless poise and perfect etiquette, he bowed slightly.
(Natsume: "The traitor was me all along?!")
This was the image of a peerless, unrivaled genius scholar.
In that instant—
The audience's eyes flickered, overcome with shock.
The applause that followed was deafening, lasting far longer than courtesy demanded.
"Natsume…"
Professor Oak forgot to clap, muttering in disbelief, "This guy… wasn't he a strategist?"
"Did I misjudge him?"
He lowered his head, conflicted, and murmured:
"Platinum is the strategist… and this guy is the true scholar?"
Bill felt a pang of bitterness.
When I earned my professorship, I never got this kind of reception…
Natsume-sensei wasn't even a professor yet, and he'd already won the recognition of hundreds in the field.
If he actually became one… would he just casually publish classified intel on the Temporal and Spatial Dragons next?
"Is ancient languages Natsume's real specialty?"
In the audience, the stern Professor Rowan stroked his mustache, nodding silently.
"Indeed… Rather than studying evolution under me, it's better for him to learn from Carolina first."
"However."
Professor Rowan's gaze flickered toward Cynthia on stage as he muttered under his breath:
"But even this achievement alone might not be enough to impress Samuel…"
Professor Oak crossed his arms, staring at the blank sheet on his desk as he pondered the day's awards.
"Next—"
Cynthia's magnetic voice interrupted his thoughts.
"—is the second research finding."
Second?!
Every scholar in the room widened their eyes.
They had assumed the so-called "analysis of legendary Pokémon" relied on deciphering stone tablets.
Deciphering the Solaceon Ruins tablet was already a monumental feat that could reshape the field.
And now, Carolina's team had a second presentation?!
Bill gasped in delight. "There's another surprise?!"
Natsume groaned inwardly. "Another surprise?!"
On stage, the holographic display shifted again.
This time, it showed Snowpoint City blanketed in ice. The camera zoomed in on Snowpoint Temple atop the mountain, shrouded in swirling snow.
Suddenly—
A beam of red light shot from the temple into the darkened clouds, and the entire structure trembled.
Then, to the audience's utter astonishment—
A colossal metallic giant emerged, its crystalline eyes blazing with crimson light, its massive arms raised high—
The footage cut off there, with no battle recordings included.
But those few seconds of high-definition imagery were enough to send Pokémon researchers into a frenzy.
"That's—!"
"A legendary Pokémon?!"
"Regigigas… I thought it was just part of Sinnoh's folklore! It actually exists?!"
The exhibition hall erupted in uncontrollable chatter.
Amid the chaos, Cynthia remained calm, her voice clear and unhurried:
"Among Sinnoh's legends, Regigigas created the three legendary titans. It was imprisoned in a temple, awaiting the day of its revival. Some scholars believed Regigigas had perished in ancient times—like other Legendary Pokémon unseen for centuries."
"However." Cynthia paused. "Through field research, my team has confirmed Regigigas's existence… and recorded data worthy of inclusion in the Pokédex."
As Sinnoh's Champion, Cynthia undoubtedly had the means for such "field research."
But her mention of "companions"—could it be…?
"Natsume-sensei," Bill whispered, trembling. "When that thing woke up… you didn't…?"
Natsume's expression was unreadable. "Yeah… I was there."
Bill's eyebrow twitched wildly—until Natsume added flatly:
"I even punched it."
"Hah, you're joking—" Bill's laughter died as he saw Natsume's deadpan face. "...Right?"
Platinum, wearing her white round hat, stared wide-eyed.
She had seen Regigigas too—but the incident had been too sudden to collect any data.
Now, the legendary colossus had reappeared before her eyes.
"As expected of Champion Cynthia… and Natsume-sensei," Platinum murmured in admiration.
The Pokédex entry contained only estimated height and weight, with move data left blank.
But that was enough.
Merely witnessing it and securing its place in the Pokédex was already historic.
When Professor Oak created the Special Edition Pokédex and distributed it to select trainers, this was precisely the kind of discovery he'd hoped for.
"This guy, Natsume…"
Professor Oak chuckled, suddenly feeling proud.
"At least he hasn't forgotten he's a Pokédex holder!"
Awe.
The ancient legendary giant's appearance left everyone speechless.
Meanwhile, Natsume was utterly lost.
Who am I? Where am I? Why did I have to go and provoke Regigigas?!
As discussions raged, Cynthia leaned toward the microphone, and the hall instantly quieted.
Professor Carolina's team had already delivered two staggering surprises.
"Don't tell me…"
"Wait, let me grab my heart medication first…"
"A third one? Seriously?"
"Next," Cynthia announced with a smile, "is the third finding."
The room fell dead silent—then erupted.
"Gah—" Natsume and Bill both sucked in a sharp breath.
"Why are you gasping?" Natsume asked.
"My—my tooth hurts," Bill lied, clutching his cheek.
Natsume, already dreading the third revelation, covered his face.
"Ugh… mine too."
The hologram changed once more.
When the third finding was revealed—
Every attendee, regardless of academic standing, composure, or expertise—
Found themselves at a loss for words, their minds blank except for one thought:
Holy sh—!