Chapter 318: Cooperating with the Research
Sandgem Town.
When Professor Rowan saw five different Pokémon appearing at his door, he was quite baffled.
Because his lab was on a small hill at the very edge of Sandgem Town, where almost no one approached on weekdays.
Even right now, there was no second human figure around besides him.
In other words.
These five little ones found their way here themselves.
"Whose children are you? Are you lost?"
Professor Rowan stretched his neck to confirm again that there were no humans around.
"Professor Rowan, hello. Sorry for the intrusion, I have a favor to ask."
Will bowed and communicated directly using Aura Power.
Facing Professor Rowan, he didn't hide the fact that he could speak at all.
After all.
The Lucario line could use Aura to do this; it wasn't a secret.
At most, a Riolu doing this so early would be a bit rare.
But ultimately, it was within the range where humans could convince themselves with logic.
This was completely different from speaking with Aura as a Piplup in his previous life.
Moreover.
Even if he were a Piplup in this life, he wouldn't mind letting Professor Rowan know he possessed Aura Power.
Whether it was Commander Kamado a thousand years ago, the Yamanashi (Rowan relative/ancestor) Will knew, or the current Professor Rowan.
Their lineage had never stood on the side of evil.
Even if Kamado did some wrong things, it was based on the concept of "protecting Jubilife Village"; his stance as a righteous party didn't waver.
So.
Will was willing to give Professor Rowan some trust.
"You? You are the Riolu Carmela saved?"
"Yes."
Will nodded.
When Carmela saved Will from Hunter G, Rowan should have known about it, perhaps even been at the scene.
So Will wasn't surprised that he recognized him.
"I didn't expect you to really master Aura to this extent at such a young age. Truly remarkable. So, the matter you mentioned is... this Pinsir?"
Rowan stroked his chin and sighed with emotion, his gaze shifting and finally resting on Pinsir.
The cracks on Pinsir's horns were just too obvious.
"Yes, my companion's horns cracked due to battles with other Pokémon."
Will nodded, turning to look at Pinsir behind him.
He waved his hand.
Signaling Pinsir to step forward and let Rowan examine the injury.
"Pinsir..."
Pinsir was somewhat resistant to Rowan, but still stepped forward two paces obeying Will.
It was his first time contacting humans.
Being nervous was inevitable.
Especially since Rowan looked too stern.
Rowan lowered his head and observed carefully.
"Mm, this injury is quite severe. If left to recover naturally, it would take at least half a year. For a wild Pinsir, this is almost as good as killing them."
Rowan nodded gently.
As expected of a professional Pokémon Professor.
Just a few glances and he could judge the severity of the injury.
"Can you help Pinsir recover quickly here?"
"Mm, reducing the recovery time to a week is possible, but he needs to stay for a few days of observation. Let's say 10 days."
"10 days?"
Will opened his mouth, turning to look at Pinsir beside him.
He might have overestimated the current level of human Pokémon medical technology.
Pinsir's horns.
Maybe twenty years later in Ash's era, a few "ding-ding-ding" sounds at a Pokémon Center would fix it.
But right now.
It might take more time.
10 days clearly exceeded Will's original estimate of 3 days.
In this case, Pinsir could only be left here alone for treatment.
"Pinsir."
Pinsir hesitated, looked up at Rowan, then shook his head at Will.
He didn't trust this human.
Didn't want to stay here.
"Hmm... come in first, let's do some simple treatment. Also, Riolu, I want to ask you some things, is that okay?"
"Of course, please feel free to ask if you need my help."
Will nodded.
He didn't want to take help from Rowan for nothing.
Since the other party made a request, that was naturally for the best.
Rowan led the five Pokémon into his lab.
Although his face was expressionless now, he was actually a bit excited inside.
This point.
Will naturally sensed.
He could also understand Rowan's excitement.
Five different species of wild Pokémon with no relation gathered together, seemingly having a good relationship.
Among them was a Riolu who could speak using Aura at a young age.
Any Pokémon Professor in this world wouldn't be able to suppress the excitement and curiosity in their hearts upon seeing this.
Moreover.
Carmela should have told Rowan.
Will was a wild Pokémon who walked out of Mt. Silver.
That area still had too many unknown and unexplored territories for humans; Rowan must want to learn about it from Will.
After entering the lab.
"Professor, this is?"
Two young men and women in white coats walked over.
Looking at their age, they should be assistants studying at the lab.
"I need to repair this Pinsir's horns. Go prepare."
"Yes!" (x2)
Although when speaking of "medical treatment," Pokémon Centers seemed more famous and Nurse Joys were mentioned more often.
But.
"Medical treatment" was one of the few fields Joy excelled in.
While for a Pokémon Professor.
"Medical treatment" was just one of the many fields they must master.
The surgery began quickly.
At first, Pinsir felt very panicked.
Originally, Will planned to use Aura Power to soothe him.
But Professor Rowan used some unknown massage technique, which actually calmed Pinsir down very quickly. The effect was no worse than Will's Aura Power.
Truly a Pokémon Professor.
Deeply experienced in contacting Pokémon.
Will sensed the changes in Pinsir's inner Aura, estimating that after this surgery ended and he noticed the recovery of his horns, he shouldn't resist staying at Professor Rowan's lab for treatment.
The surgery process wasn't complicated.
Roughly using a special syringe to apply a kind of adhesive that promotes keratin repair into the cracks of Pinsir's horns.
For the next week, Pinsir would probably need to replenish this adhesive daily.
A week later, he should recover to a level where he could fight.
The surgery lasted an hour.
Although the process wasn't complicated, the duration was relatively long.
"Pinsir!"
As Will expected, Pinsir came out expressing his willingness to stay.
He would return to Wolf Mountain by himself after ten days.
"Riolu, can I invite you to stay at my lab for two days? I have some research that might need your cooperation."
Rowan walked up to Will and issued a sincere invitation.
"I need to rush back within three days; I have an agreement with my family."
Will looked up, hesitating.
Staying here for two days meant he had to take the three minions back early in the morning on the third day.
The time would be tight.
And.
He wanted to take the minions to see the ocean.
These Pokémon who grew up in the mountains hadn't seen the sea and the Pokémon there.
"On the third day, I can drive you back to the Mt. Silver area. It's very fast."
"In that case, no problem."
Hearing this, Will nodded decisively.
Being driven back would not only save several hours but, crucially, allow Will to walk less.
In his last life, being carried by Lorelei and Lucario.
He had become a lazy guy.
In this life, being able to walk less, he was naturally happy.
'When I save you guys in the future, I'll continue letting you carry me.'
Will lowered his head and muttered in his heart.
But suddenly he frowned.
If Liz and Lorelei both wanted to carry him at the same time, what should he do?
Given Lorelei's personality, she would definitely snatch him by force.
Liz was so gentle; she would probably yield and then cry secretly at night, right?
Will shook his head vigorously.
Too lazy to consider such distant matters.
Besides, this might not even happen.
For the next two days.
Will stayed by Professor Rowan's side, cooperating with his research.
The research directions were many and varied.
Mostly Rowan asking, and him answering.
For example...
The specific functions of Aura Power.
The living environment of Pokémon in Mt. Silver.
The habits of the Mightyena clan.
In short, this Professor was interested in everything.
But most questions were touched upon lightly. After asking a few sentences, Rowan would have some judgments and ideas.
Maybe not his field of interest, so many topics stopped continuing just after starting, switching to other directions.
When free.
Professor Rowan let his assistants take Will and the others to the seaside south of Sandgem Town.
There.
The bullies of Wolf Mountain saw the ocean for the first time.
They also realized their insignificance for the first time.
It turned out this world didn't just have forests, plains, and lakes, but also an endless ocean.
Will told them.
If they could find a trainer in the future and travel together, they could see more beautiful scenery.
And learn about shocking legends.
Floatzel and Cacnea both showed looks of expectation and longing.
While Toxicroak and Pinsir didn't seem very interested.
This surprised Will a bit.
He originally thought Toxicroak would be the one with the biggest reaction.
As for whether the four minions would all run away with humans in the future...
Will didn't care much.
Although he hoped to let the four little ones guard the Mightyena clan for him.
He wouldn't restrict their personal freedom.
If they really wanted to leave, Will certainly wouldn't force them to stay on Wolf Mountain.
Will treated them as members of the Mightyena clan.
He wouldn't restrict the freedom of other Mightyena.
So naturally, he wouldn't restrict the freedom of the four little ones.
Another day.
Will and the others returned to Wolf Mountain first.
Pinsir stayed behind, but followed back to Wolf Mountain a week later.
Time passed bit by bit.
Unknowingly.
More than half a year passed.
The time came to the last month of League Year 182.
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