A few days later.
A comfortable business van slowly pulled to a halt in front of the magnificent gates of Celadon University.
After all, Erika was the young lady of a prestigious family; it was impossible for her to just walk over. As for riding a Grass-type Pokémon, that didn't quite fit her image as a refined young lady—it would be too high-profile. So, naturally, a car was the most practical option... er... it wasn't as if she could be carried in an eight-person palanquin, right?
Ash, Misty, and Brock followed Erika out of the vehicle.
Ash was instantly shaken by the scene before him. Rather than a university, it looked more like a meticulously planned, verdant city.
A city within a city?
That was probably the best way to describe it. In the campus that seemed to stretch endlessly, architectural groups of vastly different styles yet harmonious integration were scattered artfully between wide roads and vast lawns. Towering research buildings, venues filled with artistic flair, and the giant greenhouse domes faintly visible in the distance... everything manifested the majestic momentum and profound heritage of this world's highest institution of learning.
Celadon University was unique in the entire world.
"This is Celadon University," Erika's voice carried a hint of pride.
Celadon University was the greatest foundation of Celadon City. It was also the holy land for all scholars in the academic world.
The school's gatekeeper evidently recognized Erika. After bowing respectfully, he quickly allowed them to pass. His gaze lingered curiously on Ash's trio for a moment, but he asked no questions.
Non-locals might not be clear about Erika's status... she was not just an ordinary Gym Leader. Only locals truly understood the gold standard contained in the identity of "Erika, Scion of a Noble House."
Stepping inside the campus, that sense of openness became even more intense.
Sitting on a sightseeing car, Guide Erika introduced the various colleges they passed along the way to the three of them:
"Over there is the College of Pokémon Pharmacology. They mainly research drug development related to Pokémon, Berry component analysis, and the efficacy improvement of various Potions and antidotes."
As they passed a building full of artistic lines and colliding colors, she pointed to the other side:
"That is the College of Pokémon Arts. Their research directions include Pokémon Coordinator performances, the aesthetics of Pokémon appearance design, and even Pokémon-themed musical and literary creation."
"!!!"
Misty's eyes lit up immediately, especially when she heard "Coordinator performances"; she couldn't help but take a few extra looks.
"And where we are going now is the area where the College of Pokémon Ecological Research is located," Erika continued to guide their direction. "There are large-scale simulated ecological parks and cutting-edge laboratories there, mainly responsible for Pokémon ecology, habitat protection, and... the cross-regional species adaptability research we mentioned before."
Many students and teachers wearing white lab coats or casual clothes came and went through the campus. When they saw Erika, they would nod in friendly greeting. Their gazes also swept over Ash's trio with curiosity, but they all maintained an appropriate distance, and no one came up to disturb them.
Brock listened with exceptional seriousness, occasionally raising some professional questions and exchanging views with Erika.
At this moment, the group passed by the Alumni Wall. There were pictures and introductions of many people on it. For example: Professor Bill, Professor Cerise, Professor Elm, Professor Rowan...
"Professor Bill's full name is... Sonezaki Masaki..."
Ash and his two friends followed behind Erika, listening to her introduce the figures in the photos on the Alumni Wall.
"This is Mukuge Tsuwabuki—Mr. Stone. He is the founder of the Devon Corporation, the father of the Hoenn League Champion, Steven Stone, and also a graduate of the Celadon University School of Economics."
"This one..."
"And this one..."
Finally, they arrived before a complex of buildings surrounded by low walls and marked as the "Key Experimental Zone." The security here was obviously much stricter. Passage was strictly restricted.
Only someone with Erika's special status could bring people to visit; otherwise, there would generally be no way to bring outsiders in casually. And even Erika had to strictly abide by the visitation procedures.
Only after passing fingerprint and iris verification did she lead Ash's trio into a white building that looked exceptionally modern.
The interior of the building was quiet and immaculate, the air filled with the faint scent of disinfectant and electronic instruments. The path was full of various surveillance probes. Ultrasonic probes, infrasonic probes, infrared cameras... and so on.
Erika familiarly led them outside a laboratory labeled "Aquatic Pokémon Potential Development Project Department" and knocked gently on the door.
The door was opened quickly.
An old professor with graying hair, wearing thick glasses and a somewhat wrinkled research coat, appeared at the doorway. When he saw Erika, a warm smile immediately appeared on his face.
"Gym Leader Erika! Welcome, welcome!"
"How did you find the time to come to my place today?"
As he spoke, he was still sizing up the three people behind Erika. Er... he didn't recognize them.
"Professor Matsumoto, I apologize for disturbing you," Erika bowed slightly with a smile, then turned sideways to introduce them: "These are my friends: Ash from Pallet Town, Misty from Cerulean City, and Brock from Pewter City."
"They are very interested in Pokémon research, so I brought them over for a visit today."
Erika then explained her purpose: "Especially to show them that 'Star Research Result' of yours—that Magikarp capable of using Dragon Rage."
Experimental research couldn't be done by just one person. Erika was actually also on the research team for this Magikarp, though she was mostly there in name only. Erika's main research work was still focused on the Pokémon Ecology side.
Upon hearing this, the eyes behind Professor Matsumoto's lenses instantly lit up, and the smile on his face became even more brilliant.
Perhaps some might feel that being visited by laymen was a disturbance. But Professor Matsumoto was not one of them. In Professor Matsumoto's view, being visited proved that he was being valued.
This was a good thing; the higher the degree of importance, the less likely his funding would be cut. Previously, he had worried that this research project lacked significance and would eventually be terminated.
A Magikarp being able to use Dragon Rage was indeed very rare. But if a Magikarp evolved into a Gyarados, then using Dragon Rage would be standard equipment. A Gyarados unable to use Dragon Rage—now that would be the rarity.
Professor Matsumoto hurriedly stepped aside: "Oh my, so they are guests brought by Gym Leader Erika. Please come in, please come in!"
"Welcome to our laboratory! I couldn't be happier that someone is interested in that child!"
He enthusiastically welcomed everyone into the laboratory. Inside, various precision instruments were in operation. Several researchers were busy at work, but seeing Professor Matsumoto enter with guests, they all nodded politely in greeting.
"That Magikarp, oh, it has brought us quite a few surprises!" Professor Matsumoto couldn't wait to start introducing it as he led them toward a large observation tank in the interior.
His tone was filled with a researcher's excitement, "This might overturn some of our inherent perceptions about the Pokémon known as Magikarp, and could even reveal some undiscovered potential clues within the Gyarados evolutionary system!"
If he could discover a new evolutionary form for Magikarp... then he could definitely become a famous figure in the scientific research world. In the future, he would never lack research funding again!
Ash's gaze had long since been attracted by that massive observation tank, unable to wait to witness that strange Magikarp with his own eyes.
This was far rarer than a Golden Magikarp.
A Magikarp that knows Dragon Rage?
This world really was different.
_____
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