Chapter Fourteen: The Knot in My Heart—Read as Cowardice, Written as Betrayal

"Xiao Ou, you must know that there are some truly annoying things when traveling," said Professor Oak, his face grim on the computer screen in the Viridian Gym.

Chen Ou saw the professor's expression and felt a sinking dread. Clearly, whatever Professor Oak had learned was quite serious and beyond his ability to intervene.

Chen Ou nodded. "Red and Green both told me about some of their experiences on the road, and I've seen plenty myself wandering through the Viridian Forest."

Professor Oak, his face dark as iron, said, "What are kids thinking these days? Even in our rougher era, I never heard of such things! Has improved technology and conditions just bred this nonsense? Forcing others to release their Pokémon so they can capture them themselves—deep in the forest, no less! Do they think everyone is like you, a walking Pokémon?"

Professor, are you here? Why are you dragging me into this?

Chen Ou smiled helplessly while piecing the story together in his mind.

The situation was now clear: this little Charmander's previous trainer had been defeated deep in the forest and, under pressure, forced to release their Pokémon. The challenger tried to capture Charmander but failed. Judging by this, Charmander likely wasn't injured in the battle—not at all.

That meant there was more to the story.

Chen Ou quickly tried to comfort Professor Oak. "Please don't be angry, Professor. Let's talk this through calmly."

Professor Oak took a deep breath and explained everything in detail.

"That boy, Bailey, started his journey with Charmander. Then his rival, a kid named Morning, beat him, forced Bailey to release Charmander, and attempted to capture it himself. But after releasing Charmander, Bailey blocked the Poké Ball with his backpack and urged Charmander to flee. Charmander escaped. Morning, not intending to kill Bailey, simply roughed him up and left. Bailey hurried home and decided never to travel again."

Chen Ou nodded to show he understood, though his tightly furrowed brow made his skepticism obvious.

Professor Oak noticed this through the screen and reined in his temper, asking suspiciously, "You don't believe it?"

Chen Ou raised an eyebrow. "Partly true, partly not. I neither believe nor disbelieve entirely. Please send me their contact information. I'll investigate and try to resolve this once and for all."

He glanced at the reflection in the screen, where Charmander was happily eating and burping.

Professor Oak frowned, thinking deeply, but spoke quickly. "Morning and Bailey are both from Viridian City. Bailey is the mayor's son. Morning is talented but grew up in an orphanage; a businessman adopted him when he showed promise. I'll send their addresses to your phone. You can track them down yourself."

"Understood."

Chen Ou was about to hang up when Professor Oak suddenly remembered something.

"By the way, you're having trouble communicating with Charmander, aren't you?"

Chen Ou nodded. Naturally, his Fruit Ability wasn't a form of psychic power from this world—nothing like Aura, Viridian Power, Overcoming Power, or Spirit Power, all of which could help trainers communicate with Pokémon. His Burn-Burn Fruit only aided in battle, and he was considering ways to use it to support Pokémon in combat.

Without any special communication abilities, and before forming a bond, the greatest challenge for a trainer was how to communicate effectively with their Pokémon. Chen Ou couldn't avoid this issue. At times like this, he lamented human arrogance. If Meowth could learn human speech, surely humans could learn to communicate with Pokémon? Rapport couldn't solve every problem.

He was struggling with this communication gap—but it seemed Professor Oak had a solution.

"I'll upgrade your Pokédex. Go to the transfer machine, and I'll send you a trained Rotom. Let it merge with your Pokédex. That kid Citron really has some ideas—thanks to his improvement, he can now join the ranks of researchers. Oh, and you've been selected as a professor."

Everything up to that point was fine; Chen Ou was only mildly surprised by Citron's invention from the anime. But Professor Oak's last sentence left him completely stunned.

"How did I become a professor?"

Chen Ou was utterly bewildered.

"Your lecture. We voted afterward and felt you filled gaps in Pokémon ecology and history, so you were selected as a professor."

"Why does it feel like your selection process is so slapdash?"

"Uh, slapdash? I don't think so," Professor Oak scratched his head. "Your research really is impressive."

Chen Ou's mouth twitched. Well, no one else had produced results in that field.

"Fine. Professor it is. Right now, solving Charmander's problem is more important."

"Alright. I'll send Rotom to you now."

Professor Oak acted swiftly—a red-and-white ball containing Rotom was delivered via transport.

Chen Ou, equally efficient, promptly released Rotom.

The orange Rotom burst out and zipped around the ceiling, chattering "Rotom, Rotom!" with a mischievous but cheerful smile.

Charmander ran over, eyes wide with curiosity, smiling at the new companion. Chen Ou watched, smiling as well, and patted Charmander's head. Charmander's smile froze; he glared at Chen Ou, hands on his hips, but didn't push his hand away.

Chen Ou smiled and pulled out the Pokédex. Rotom grinned slyly and dove into the red Pokédex. The device flew from Chen Ou’s hand, transforming in midair—eyes and antenna-like arms popped out.

"Rotom Pokédex reporting for duty, Rotom!"

Rotom Pokédex gave a salute.

Chen Ou smiled. "Hello, Rotom. I’ll be counting on you from now on!"

Charmander: "Ooh~" (I’ll be counting on you!)

"Of course, Rotom! I can help you solve plenty of problems, Rotom!"

Chen Ou's smile faded; he gently rubbed Charmander's head and said, "Rotom, could you please translate what Charmander says for me?"

"Certainly, Rotom!"

Rotom agreed without hesitation.

Chen Ou gazed gently at Charmander and asked, "Charmander, what did your previous trainer do?"

Charmander's smile vanished. It lowered its head and stayed silent for a long time.

Chen Ou simply stroked its head, not rushing it.

After a long moment, Charmander lifted its head and spoke.

"Ooh~~~"

Chen Ou glanced at Rotom.

Rotom seemed momentarily frozen, then after a pause replied, "Charmander says, 'He was a coward. He betrayed me.'"