Pokemon : I'm Just a Photographer!

Chapter 123: Chapter 123

"Where are you going next?" Professor Rowan asked.

Mike shook his head.

"I still haven’t decided. Right now, I’m torn between Eterna City and Floaroma Town."

"Eterna City and Floaroma Town?"

Rowan thought about the routes involved.

"Eterna isn’t particularly far from Oreburgh, but Floaroma would take you somewhat out of your way."

He glanced at Mike.

"I remember you saying Crown City was your first major destination. Going through Eterna would put you on the natural route north, so why Floaroma?"

"Cynthia told me that ruins connected to the Forces of Nature were apparently excavated around Floaroma Town."

Mike answered honestly.

"I want to take a look and see whether there’s anything there related to Enamorus."

"Enamorus? The Herald of Spring?"

Professor Rowan looked interested.

"There were ruins associated with it around Floaroma Town?"

He thought for a moment.

"In that case, you might as well ask Cynthia what she’s found. She’s already headed there, so she may have useful information by now."

Then he smiled faintly.

"Besides, Floaroma Town is beautiful in its own right. The area is famous for its flower fields, and the legendary Gracidea grows there. If you’re lucky, you might arrive while the flowers are in bloom."

"Gracidea?"

Mike looked genuinely surprised.

"They grow in Floaroma Town?"

"Of course. Floaroma is famous for its flowers, and there are countless varieties cultivated throughout the area."

Professor Rowan continued, "It’s also not particularly far from the coast. Between Floaroma Town and Eterna City lies Eterna Forest, so whether you’re looking for Pokémon footage, landscape photography, forest scenery, or simply want to visit the seaside, that route offers plenty of worthwhile stops."

He looked toward Mike.

"And unlike Trainers traveling specifically to collect Gym Badges, you’re not under any pressure to follow the most efficient route."

"If you want to visit Floaroma first, there’s nothing wrong with taking the detour."

Rowan’s voice softened slightly.

"That’s part of what traveling is about. You only need to know where you ultimately want to go. The road you take to get there doesn’t always have to be the shortest one."

Mike thought about that for a moment before nodding.

"You’re right."

"I’m not traveling like a Trainer who needs to rush from Gym to Gym."

He smiled.

"Then Floaroma Town it is. I can see the Gracidea flowers, look into the ruins, and take Snivy to see the ocean while we’re there."

Professor Rowan nodded.

Then something else occurred to him.

"By the way, the next Pokémon Academic Summit will be held soon."

"This year, the venue is Celestic Town here in Sinnoh."

"Pokémon Academic Summit?"

Mike had never heard of it.

"It’s held once every year," Rowan explained. "Pokémon researchers from around the world gather there to exchange ideas, discuss ongoing work, and learn from one another."

"It’s also one of the major places where important discoveries are formally presented."

"Every year, a large number of papers are submitted to the summit. The review committee selects the most significant ones, and the authors are invited to present their findings in front of the attendees."

"The audience also evaluates the presentations."

Rowan paused.

"For many younger researchers, successfully presenting major work there is one of the main paths toward being formally recognized as a Pokémon Professor."

Mike blinked.

’So basically... a thesis defense?’

Then he remembered their own research.

"What about our paper?"

Professor Rowan immediately understood his concern.

"You don’t need to worry."

He gave Mike a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

"Samuel and I are both among the summit’s founders and serve as reviewers, but even setting that aside, the quality and importance of this paper are more than sufficient."

Mike relaxed.

So Professor Rowan and Professor Oak were both founders and reviewers.

Their own people were practically running the place.

The deck could not possibly be stacked any more heavily in their favor.

How were they supposed to lose?

Professor Rowan looked toward Wyrdeer and sighed with genuine admiration.

"Still, all of this really does come back to you."

"Helping a Pokémon that had effectively vanished from the modern world return again is already an extraordinary accomplishment."

Mike shook his head.

"I only did what I should have done."

The two continued chatting for a while before Mike eventually got up to prepare lunch.

After they ate, Mike accompanied Professor Rowan to the vehicle that would take him back to Sandgem Town.

Before leaving, Rowan lowered the window.

"I’ll contact you before the summit begins. Until then, enjoy your journey."

"I will."

Mike nodded.

Once Professor Rowan had left, Mike gathered Gengar and the others and headed toward the Oreburgh Gym.

The moment he entered, the receptionist recognized him and gave him a brief nod before returning to work.

The lobby was busy with newly registered Trainers.

Apparently, quite a few people had come to challenge the Gym today.

Mike had never actually watched another beginner attempt a Gym challenge, so curiosity got the better of him.

He walked toward the battlefield, found an empty seat among the spectators, and settled in.

Roark was already battling a rookie Trainer.

Mike watched two matches in succession.

When the second battle ended, he looked around and noticed that there were no new challengers waiting to enter the field, so he stood and headed down.

Roark had just handed a Badge to the Trainer in front of him and offered a few words of encouragement.

The teenage boy nodded so enthusiastically that his entire face lit up, clutched the Badge tightly, and rushed out of the Gym with his Pokémon.

He nearly ran straight into Mike on the way.

Roark laughed as he approached.

"Most rookie Trainers are like that after earning their first Badge."

Mike watched the boy disappear through the doors before turning toward the helmeted Gym Leader.

"There’s something I don’t understand."

"Hm?"

"I remember your Geodude being knocked out in the first match."

Roark smiled.

Then he reached into his pocket and opened his hand.

Several Poké Balls rested in his palm.

"A competent Gym Leader keeps multiple teams prepared for challengers of different levels."

"For Trainers with no Badges, or maybe only one, we normally use a much weaker lineup."

He gestured toward the Poké Balls.

"For example, I might use Geodude, Onix, and Cranidos."

Mike paused.

"Cranidos?"

"Right. Cranidos."

Roark nodded.

"My Rampardos is already too strong for most beginner challengers, so I replaced it with another Cranidos."

Mike stared at him.

"So Gym Leaders really keep several separate teams?"

"Of course. I personally have five different lineups prepared for Trainers of different levels."

"I see."

Mike nodded.

Then his expression slowly changed.

"Wait."

Roark immediately sensed danger.

Mike narrowed his eyes.

"If that’s the case, why did you use Rampardos against me?"

"I didn’t have a single Badge when I challenged you!"

Roark blinked.

"Uh... well..."

He suddenly looked slightly awkward.

"The main problem was the people who came with you."

Mike continued staring.

Roark hurriedly explained.

"Forget Professor Oak and Professor Rowan for a moment. Lucian alone was enough to make me nervous."

"He’s the one who usually handles our annual Gym evaluations."

"If I’m careless when he’s watching, I get criticized."

"And Champion Cynthia was standing there too!"

Roark scratched his cheek.

"So after thinking about it for quite a while, I decided to include Rampardos in the lineup."

"That way, I could show them through the battle that I was taking the Gym challenge seriously while also preparing myself mentally for whatever evaluation came afterward."

He coughed.

"Besides, when I saw you casually talking and joking with Cynthia and Lucian like old acquaintances, it was very easy to assume you were an exceptionally strong Trainer."

Mike continued giving him a death stare.

Roark immediately changed tactics.

"Look, everything turned out exactly the way I expected!"

He spread both hands.

"You swept all three of my Pokémon with Snivy alone."

Mike said nothing.

Roark’s smile became increasingly strained.

Then he hurriedly changed the subject.

"So... what brings you here today?"

"I came to say goodbye."

Mike’s voice remained flat.

Roark’s expression changed.

"Goodbye? You’re leaving?"

"Yeah."

Mike finally relaxed.

"The Wyrdeer project is finished, the professors have already left, and it’s time for me to continue my journey."

"I see."

Roark nodded.

"When are you leaving, and where are you going next?"

"Tomorrow morning."

Mike smiled.

"Floaroma Town."

"Tomorrow, huh..."

Roark thought briefly.

"All right. Dinner’s on me tonight, and I’ll come see you off tomorrow."

Mike’s mood improved immediately.

"Deal."

...

After thoroughly taking advantage of Roark’s offer and eating an extremely satisfying dinner at his expense, Mike wandered through the streets of Oreburgh City with Gengar and the others.

Truthfully, compared with an industrial city like Oreburgh, Mike preferred places like Twinleaf Town—quiet, clean, and surrounded by beautiful scenery.

Even so, Oreburgh would always hold a certain significance for him.

It was the city where he had challenged his first Gym after arriving in this world.

More importantly, it was the place where Wyrdeer had returned to the modern world.

Mike walked slowly, letting the meal settle as he wandered through the city.

Eventually, he passed a narrow alley.

He stopped and looked inside.

Then quietly turned and walked into it.

A moment later, the terrified screeches of several stray Meowth echoed from between the buildings.

(Bro’s really got a problem with Meowth lmao)

...

Not long afterward, Mike emerged from the alley with Gengar beside him.

He dusted off his hands, looking thoroughly satisfied.

"Come on."

He started walking again.

"Let’s go back and get some sleep."

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