"I've heard about what happened at Vermilion Harbor. I assume you're pnning to investigate that matter as well. In that case…"

  Professor Oak picked up a piece of paper and wrote down a string of numbers.

  "This is…?"

  Seeing August's puzzled expression, Professor Oak expined, "One of my students is conducting research in Vermilion City. If you head there, you can contact him."

  Professor Oak's student, currently researching in Vermilion City…

  August thought for a moment and asked, "Professor Cerise?"

  Thanks to a certain someone, he had a rather strong impression of Professor Cerise, one of Professor Oak's students.

  "Oh? You know him already? That makes things much easier," Professor Oak said with a smile.

  "Cerise recently became a Pokémon Professor and is in the process of setting up his own research b in Vermilion City. He might have some useful information for you. You can ask him about it when you get there."

  Hearing this, August's eyes lit up.

  He had been worried about not having a reliable contact in Vermilion City, but now, one had practically fallen into his p.

  With Cerise—a local—on his side, his future investigation would be much smoother.

  "Thank you, Professor Oak!"

  "Haha, no need to be so formal." Professor Oak waved him off. To him, this was just a small favor.

  Besides, it was a mutually beneficial arrangement.

  For August, it meant gaining an ally in his investigation. For Cerise, it meant befriending someone within the League.

  Despite the respect Pokémon Professors commanded within the League, they still faced numerous challenges.

  For example, they had to apply for research grants from the League every year, and before conducting any dangerous studies, they needed to submit detailed reports and receive official approval.

  No one dared to obstruct Professor Oak's projects, given his status as a leading authority in the field.

  But Cerise, though Oak's student, was not Professor Oak.

  Having friends within the League to put in a good word could make things significantly easier.

  August, at his age, was already a fully independent International Police officer. And if Lance was personally calling in favors for him, his future within the League was bound to be promising.

  Professor Oak was essentially paving the way for his student.

  "Oh, by the way, if you ever change your mind, my research assistant position will always be open for you!" Professor Oak added.

  He still hadn't given up on recruiting August into his b.

  "Next time, for sure. Definitely next time," August replied with a ugh.

  Becoming an assistant? No way. Not in this lifetime!

  ...

  After bidding farewell to Professor Oak, August had more or less accomplished his goal for this visit. The only slight regret was not running into Ash.

  Out of curiosity, he casually asked why he hadn't seen Professor Oak's grandson, Gary.

  According to Professor Oak, he had no idea where his grandson had run off to with his group of so-called "girlfriends."

  Professor Oak looked quite exasperated—clearly, he had no control over his grandson.

  In response, August could only offer some words of comfort, saying that every generation had its own path and that if he ever ran into Gary, he'd try to talk some sense into him.

  The moment August stepped beyond the boundaries of Professor Oak's b, a system notification sounded in his mind.

  [The Pce Where It All Begins – Visit Professor Oak in Pallet Town. Title Unlocked: "Aspiring Pokémon Master."]

  [Please choose your reward!]

  [1. Mimic Mask][2. Rotom Bike][3. Master Rod]

  Huh?

  An unexpected bonus?

  Though, the rewards seemed a bit underwhelming—nowhere near as impressive as his previous ones.

  But considering how easy this title was to unlock, it made sense.

  August didn't rush to choose his reward. Instead, he released Gardevoir.

  "Gardevoir, use Teleport. Let's head back to the hotel!"

  Now that she had reached Elite Four-level strength, Gardevoir could safely transport people through teleportation without getting caught in spatial turbulence. However, for long-distance teleportation, there were still restrictions—such as requiring prior psychic marking of the destination.

  Having been summoned solely for teleportation duty, Gardevoir gave August a resentful look before silently opening her arms and embracing him.

  A fsh of blue light.

  Whoosh.

  They vanished.

  When August regained his senses, he was already lying on his hotel bed.

  "Even after teleporting so many times, I still can't get used to this feeling." He shook his head, trying to dispel the lingering dizziness.

  Then, he turned his attention to the system's reward options.

  The first one to go was the [Rotom Bike]. While it wasn't cheap, it was a mass-produced item in Gar—something he could simply buy if he ever wanted one. Besides, he had no real use for a bike.

  If not for option 1, he might have chosen the [Master Rod]. As an avid fisherman, he would have loved the chance to take a break and enjoy some paid fishing sessions.

  But clearly, option 1 was far more useful for his current investigation.

  "As a dedicated, w-abiding trainer who works tirelessly for the League… I'll go with the [Mimic Mask]!"

  The moment he made his choice—

  Whoosh.

  A fsh of white light appeared, and a bnk, featureless mask materialized in August's hand.

  Examining the mask, he couldn't help but grumble, "Wearing this thing… wouldn't I be completely blind?"

  Still, trusting that the system wouldn't screw him over, he pced the mask on his face.

  The moment it touched his skin, the mask, initially rger than his face, began shifting and molding itself, perfectly fitting his facial contours.

  At the same time, a translucent interface appeared before him, dispying a list of portraits.

  August scrolled through them.

  Among the familiar faces were Professor Oak, Lance, Caesar, Officer Jenny, and many others—including some people he had only met briefly.

  "So this is what 'Mimic' means?"

  Standing before a mirror, August selected the image of a taxi driver he had encountered earlier.

  He felt a strange sensation on his face as the mask wriggled and shifted.

  In the mirror, a completely different face stared back at him—an exact replica of the taxi driver.

  Testing the disguise, August made a few exaggerated facial expressions, thoroughly impressed by the mask's realism.

  Then, suddenly, he turned to Gardevoir with a mischievous grin.

  "Heh heh, Gardevoir… I'm taking you to the dark room for some serious interrogation!"

  Lounging on the sofa, Gardevoir gnced up from her novel, giving him a bored look.

  She rolled her eyes.

  Ignoring her master's childish antics, she calmly sipped her tea while using her psychic abilities to turn the page.

  "No fun."

  August removed the disguise and tossed the mask into his backpack.

  He hadn't expected to fool Gardevoir anyway.

  After all, they were linked through telepathy, and he had transformed right in front of her. If he had managed to trick her, that would have been the real surprise.

  Some Pokémon with sharp senses might not be fooled either.

  But…

  "This is more than enough."