Chapter Four: The Pokémon Research Summit Officially Begins

“Now, let us welcome Mr. Chen Ou, a researcher from the Oak Institute of the Kanto region, to present his research findings.”

The host’s announcement was spirited yet polite, or perhaps rather indifferent. He could hardly be blamed for his lack of enthusiasm; preceding Chen Ou was the illustrious Dr. Oak, whose latest discoveries in the relationship and origins between Pokémon and humans had further cemented his reputation. Following Chen Ou would be Dr. Rowan from Sinnoh, whose seniority even surpassed Dr. Oak’s. Rumor had it that Dr. Rowan had achieved a breakthrough in the study of Pokémon evolution—a report everyone had eagerly awaited. Frankly, were it not for the rules of decorum, the audience might have preferred to skip this unknown researcher and move directly to Dr. Rowan’s presentation. After all, few were interested in the results of an obscure junior scientist.

But rules were rules.

Yet, there were always those who stood apart. When Chen Ou’s name was announced, a female researcher with knee-length hair, glasses, a white lab coat, and a purple flower hairclip instinctively clutched at Professor Juniper’s sleeve beside her.

Juniper sensed her tension and smiled, asking, “Fennel, is this the promising researcher you mentioned to me—the one worth studying?”

Fennel nodded, replying, “Yes, that’s him. I don’t know what method he used, but through my dream energy, he managed to trace Darkrai, the Nightmare Pokémon, and then… he actually fought Darkrai.”

Professor Juniper watched as the young man stepped onto the stage and bowed gently to the audience, unable to fathom how this slender figure could possibly have managed the feat Fennel described—battling a legendary Pokémon. Allegedly, it was even a physical confrontation… The story sounded outrageous. To her knowledge, the only so-called humanoid legendary beings in the League were Caitlin, the Psychic-type Elite Four of Unova, and Sabrina, the Gym Leader of Saffron City in Kanto.

But neither had ever personally fought a legendary Pokémon hand-to-hand.

Juniper found the idea utterly unbelievable.

Interest was piqued elsewhere as well: Dr. Rowan, an elderly man with snow-white hair and beard and a stern, robust presence, regarded the stage with curiosity. Nearby, Professor Magnolia, noticing her old friend’s interest, asked, “Rowan, do you know this young fellow?”

The blonde woman seated beside Magnolia also glanced over with curiosity.

Dr. Rowan nodded, “That youngster once visited my research institute under Oak’s guidance. We discussed several concepts regarding Pokémon evolution—he’s quite creative. Many of my recent hypotheses and ideas were inspired by him. Oak truly has a successor.”

Professor Magnolia, hearing Rowan praise a junior so highly, finally took an interest in the youngster on stage.

“By the way,” Rowan suddenly recalled, “he mentioned that he is very interested in Sinnoh’s mythology. After this summit, he’ll likely seek advice from you two on related research topics. He may even travel through Sinnoh for a while.”

Magnolia’s brows furrowed. Rowan had just said that Chen Ou had considerable insight into Pokémon evolution, and now mentioned his interest in Sinnoh’s myths. This left her with a less favorable impression; after all, human energy is limited, and most professors focus relentlessly on their own fields. Dr. Oak’s research is already vast, yet he refrains from spreading himself too thin. Magnolia naturally felt a touch of displeasure upon hearing about Chen Ou’s interest in mythological studies—not from prejudice, but from a practical understanding of energy constraints. The polymath is often broad but shallow; this was the conclusion drawn from years in their field.

Clearly, Chen Ou was not an exception in Magnolia’s mind.

Yet, for the sake of her old friend, she replied rather coolly, “I’ll have a chat with the young man,” and left it at that.

Dr. Rowan noticed her displeasure but offered no explanation for Chen Ou, only smiling quietly. The blonde woman, none other than Sinnoh Champion Cynthia, overheard their conversation and found herself curious about the young man on stage, who appeared to be about her own age. She straightened up, determined to listen closely to his presentation—after all, with Rowan’s recommendation, he was surely no ordinary person.

Aside from them, almost no one in the audience paid much attention to Chen Ou. He had always kept to himself at the institute, save for the time Dr. Oak dragged him to Sinnoh, where he met Rowan, and his idea to use dream energy to probe the power levels of legendary Pokémon, which led him to Fennel. He had little interaction with others in the scientific community.

His results were rarely published; the few inconsequential papers were submitted by Nanami on his behalf, without which he’d have virtually no reputation at all. His claim of a modest reputation was not self-aggrandizing, but relative—among these summit luminaries, few knew him. “Obscure” was no exaggeration.

As a result, most of the audience relaxed, adopting casual postures; listening to reports is no story hour—paying close attention is exhausting. Some female researchers, admiring Chen Ou’s handsome face, wondered why someone so attractive would choose research over a career as a Pokémon Hollywood actor.

Chen Ou stood on stage, face calm, surveying the audience. He displayed two photographs on the screen—one of Mew beside the World Tree, the other of Mew tugging Chen Ou’s hair, with the three legendary titans—Regice, Regirock, and Registeel—in the background. In the photo, Chen Ou looked resignedly at the mischievous Mew, yet his handsome features remained unchanged.

He spoke in a clear voice: “My presentation is titled ‘The Significance of Legendary Pokémon, Represented by the World Tree and Mew, in the Maintenance of World Order, and the Development and Application of Aura Energy.’”

The previously relaxed atmosphere below froze instantly. Everyone stared at the screen, at those two unmistakably authentic photos, stunned.

Most researchers and even professors had never seen a legendary Pokémon, let alone studied one. The topic and research subject alone were enough to leave them awe-struck for a year.

But Chen Ou was not finished. He continued flipping through slides, speaking of “the World Tree not only as a transcendent entity but also as the force balancing the energy of the entire Kanto region. The symbiotic relationship between Mew and the World Tree helps maintain this fragile equilibrium. The creator of the three titans, Regigigas, also participates in stabilizing the World Tree…”

He presented a photo of Darkrai, who looked quite exhausted.

“Regarding Darkrai, the Nightmare Pokémon, it and Cresselia, the Dream Pokémon, fundamentally exist to maintain the cycle of dreams and nightmares, both essential and inevitable for human life…”

He moved to the next slide: documents about Sir Aaron, the Aura Guardian, and his Lucario with the staff.

“The understanding of Aura energy is as follows…”

Chen Ou spoke at length, while the audience remained stunned throughout.

Legendary Pokémon are legendary because of their mystery and the unknown—their power breeds uncertainty, uncertainty breeds fear.

This time, Chen Ou revealed but the tip of the iceberg regarding the strength and significance of legendary Pokémon.

It was enough to shake the soul—for not everyone has the courage to face gods.

Of course, Chen Ou left much unsaid. For example, Mew tugged his hair because he had just roasted Mew’s tail with fire; Darkrai appeared exhausted because he had just fought Chen Ou; as for Aura and Lucario, Chen Ou hadn’t anticipated that the power of the Burn-Burn Fruit could mimic or even match Aura’s essence, thus fooling Lucario into emerging.

Most of the time, this fellow’s actions diverged greatly from normal human conduct.

“So, we can understand that legendary Pokémon possess unknown yet vital significance. Therefore, when conducting research on legendary Pokémon, we must strive not to endanger the Pokémon themselves.”

No, you misunderstand—the issue isn't whether we choose to endanger legendary Pokémon… Some things are not about ambition, but about ability.

“My presentation ends here. Thank you all for listening.”

Chen Ou bowed to those present.

A tense silence settled over the audience, still lost in the shock of what they had witnessed. These were all senior researchers and professors, accustomed to all manner of surprises.

But legendary Pokémon—this was unprecedented.

Dr. Oak glanced at the slightly awkward Chen Ou on stage, then at the silent, astonished crowd, and began to applaud with a smile.

Dr. Rowan followed suit, then Professor Magnolia, Juniper, Cynthia, Fennel, Elm, Birch, Birch, Birch, Birch…

In an instant, the hall was filled with thunderous applause.

Chen Ou descended from the stage, smiling as the applause continued.

Fennel whispered to Juniper, “Darkrai looked so tired in that photo because they had just fought, and Truffle took the picture.”

Juniper was momentarily at a loss—should she praise Chen Ou’s strength, or light incense for Darkrai?

Professor Magnolia, applauding, moved closer to Dr. Rowan and whispered, “Rowan, introduce me to this young man—or rather, to this new ‘doctor.’”

Rowan nodded with a smile.

Cynthia gazed at the young man seated beside Dr. Oak, radiant with newfound brilliance, her lips curved in a smile and her eyes filled with curiosity.