"Since you're not ready to engage with anyone from the Pokémon League right now, let's just forget I mentioned it. However, as a Pokédex holder who has successfully passed our research lab's evaluation, your data will be uploaded online. The Sinnoh Pokémon League conference next year will take place on Lily of the Valley Island. If you participate in Gym battles and earn badges, your data will be accessible to other Trainers."
"So, if I don't earn any badges, others won't be able to see my data?" Luther was determined to keep his information private, but he needed to find a way to delay when it could be accessed.
Professor Rowan quickly grasped Luther's intentions and advised, "A good way to keep your data hidden is to stick with a fixed team in Gym battles... delaying your badge acquisition won't be very effective."
"When is the Lily of the Valley Conference?" Luther inquired.
"It will be held around the end of August next year. You have a full year to prepare your team. However, a year can pass by quickly. Cynthia didn't participate in that conference; she waited two years for the next one."
Luther felt cornered. According to the usual storyline, Ash would defeat Paul in this tournament and then face the legendary Trainer Tobias, ultimately finishing in the top four.
Luther was determined to clear the path for Ash to win the championship.
In his own world, after completing the Diamond and Pearl series, he had to endure the altered storyline of Black and White due to an Earthquake, finally arriving in Kalos, the region closest to the Champion.
However, what he encountered was the unbeatable golden healing shuriken and the Water Absorb Charizard, which had snatched Ash's Champion title away.
Afterward, Luther joined the chorus of fans criticizing the writers. He wasn't alone in this; many fans who had followed Ash's journey through Kalos were equally outraged by the writers' reckless decisions.
Since the writers hadn't provided the opportunity, Luther resolved to create the ultimate battle stage for Ash himself.
To achieve this goal, Luther had to meet two conditions: first, his arrival in this world hadn't altered the original draw order. Second, he and the legendary Trainer Tobias needed to be in different halves of the bracket, with Ash in another half, ensuring they wouldn't cross paths.
"I have my reasons for participating in this conference, and I'll work hard to address the Pokémon issue," Luther said, glancing at Jumpluff. "I can tackle a small problem right now."
Seeing Luther's determination, Professor Rowan approached the table where Jumpluff stood, gently stroking it while watching Jumpluff seem to enjoy the attention.
"As long as it's willing to accompany you, I have no objections."
This was a tacit approval. Luther bent down to meet Jumpluff's gaze and softly said, "I heard you've been battling Steel-type Pokémon to train?"
Jumpluff showed a hint of respect for Luther, not throwing a tantrum, and nodded in response.
"There are stronger Pokémon outside the research lab, and my goal is to find and capture them. Compared to the grassy fields of the lab, I can show you many other Pokémon, and I doubt a mere research lab Pokémon leader will satisfy you. I can't promise everything, but I can tell you that my aim is to become one of the Elite Four."
"Why not aim to become the Pokémon League Champion?" Professor Rowan couldn't help but ask. He felt that someone like Luther, who could overcome their inner struggles, should have a more ambitious goal.
"I don't think I can beat Cynthia!" Luther's answer was straightforward, but it didn't reflect his true feelings.
To clarify, becoming a renowned Champion like Cynthia comes with many challenges, one of which is facing a constant stream of challengers. While not many Trainers have that qualification, living alongside challengers isn't the life Luther desired.
What Luther truly wanted was to take it easy! The Elite Four are below the Champion, and most Trainers only think about battling them when they seek the Pokémon League's recognition to challenge the Champion. Typically, the Elite Four spend their time relaxing, pursuing their own interests, and living comfortably, rarely appearing unless summoned by the Pokémon League.
As a result, all Trainers view this as the mark of a true master, rarely seen.
Luther's declaration of wanting to become an Elite Four made Jumpluff's eyes widen with hesitation.
This was the internal struggle that many Pokémon face before choosing to follow a Trainer.
Should they opt for a stable, carefree life in the wild, or work hard alongside a Trainer they respect?
In this world, there are many professions related to Pokémon. Trainers seek to enhance their own strength and that of their Pokémon, participating in various tournaments to prove themselves.
Coordinators focus on improving the appearance and condition of Pokémon, training them to showcase their best qualities on the glamorous tournament stage.
Breeders share some overlap with Trainers, but they concentrate more on raising and breeding Pokémon rather than battling.
Observers take their Pokémon to collect and record data on wild Pokémon.
In this diverse array of professions, people and Pokémon work together to accomplish their goals. This process involves both Trainers selecting Pokémon and Pokémon choosing their own Trainers.
If possible, Luther would have preferred to capture Jumpluff through battle, but given Jumpluff's performance in the recent Blind Pick battle, even if his Ralts and Marill teamed up against Jumpluff, they would likely end up defeated. So, Luther decided against embarrassing himself and chose to persuade instead.
Luther gently placed a Poké Ball in front of Jumpluff, giving it the opportunity to choose.
He wasn't very confident in his persuasion skills; after all, he was naturally clumsy with words, so he allowed Jumpluff some time to think.
The Pokémon surrounding Jumpluff all watched the interaction, and even Manectric and Roserade, who had previously argued with Jumpluff, showed no intention of interfering.
This was the wisdom gained from years of partnership between Pokémon and humans; they understood that Jumpluff was facing an important decision.
Jumpluff, who had been staring at the table, suddenly lifted its head. Outside the main research room's window, a large flower petal floated by, with several bouncing Oddish perched on it.
Vileplume turned around with a look of disdain, and its sudden movement nearly caused two Oddish to tumble off. After stabilizing them with its Vine Whip, Vileplume shot a glare at Jumpluff and continued patrolling the grassy path of the research lab with its Oddish and Gloom entourage.
In a surprising turn of events, Jumpluff kicked the Poké Ball away, hitting Luther squarely in the face.
As Luther covered his nose to stop the bleeding, Jumpluff jumped down, pressed against the Poké Ball it had just kicked, and gently pressed the button on top. To Luther's amazement, Jumpluff dove into the Poké Ball, which didn't shake at all and settled firmly on the ground.
What he thought was a lost cause had taken a sudden twist...
Professor Rowan observed Vileplume's retreating figure thoughtfully, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
Luther didn't dwell on it; he casually grabbed a tissue to wipe his nose. While all the Pokémon celebrated Jumpluff finding its Trainer and bid farewell to the troublesome Jumpluff, Luther released Jumpluff from its Poké Ball.
Ralts and Marill, his first two Pokémon, looked at the proud Jumpluff, timidly shrinking behind Luther. Finally, he picked up Ralts and Marill and gently pushed them forward to meet Jumpluff. The three Pokémon began to rub against each other, getting acquainted.
Once the leader of Professor Rowan's research lab, Jumpluff showed no fear in front of other powerful Pokémon. However, when it came to the younger, weaker Ralts and Marill, Jumpluff displayed a gentle demeanor.
Not only did it sway its cotton-like body, dropping some fluff for Ralts to play with, but it also comforted the somewhat shy Marill, encouraging it not to cry.
Was this the same Jumpluff that had stubbornly taken super-effective moves, nagged at teammates, and caused chaos with Manectric during battles? Oh, right, it had just kicked the Poké Ball that hit Luther in the face; understanding a Pokémon's heart is truly challenging.
Professor Rowan and Luther watched the interaction between the three Pokémon with great interest.
The nosebleed was no big deal; Luther felt he had gained something valuable.
This was not just about capturing a Pokémon; it felt like finding a mother for his Pokémon.
Ralts and Marill quickly became attached to Jumpluff, circling around it excitedly.
"This is the charger and charging cable for your Pokédex. If it gets damaged, you can use your phone's charging cable as a substitute; it should work just fine."
"These Poké Balls are for Rookie Trainers; they're quite basic. However, the specifications provided by the Pokémon League are these initial Poké Balls. I recommend using different types of Poké Balls depending on the situation when capturing Pokémon. Over the years, they've developed many kinds of Poké Balls, most of which are very practical."
"While you can check detailed maps on your phone, some areas have particularly poor signals. You should also take this Sinnoh Region map booklet with you."
"Shiran mentioned you forgot to bring cooking tools when you left, so we prepared these for you. Here's a frying pan and some packaged seasonings."
Luther examined the Rookie kit that Professor Rowan had given him, carefully listening to the advice for new Trainers.
He picked up the Pokédex charging cable and compared it to his phone's charging cable in his backpack, finding that, whether in his past life or now, the style and charging specifications of phones seemed to be quite similar.
Luther was already familiar with the distinctions between Poké Balls; he had a Great Ball in his backpack, ready to be thrown at any suitable Pokémon he encountered.
The map was indeed something Luther needed. Based on Luther's original memories, although the communication infrastructure in the Sinnoh Region was quite good, there were still many areas without signal... The Pokémon League's regulations prevented excessive encroachment on the habitats of wild Pokémon.
However, he had heard that there were recent advancements in information infrastructure, and reports within the Pokémon League suggested that small communication devices could be disguised without disturbing wild Pokémon.
As for the cooking tools, those were definitely something Luther urgently needed.
Coming from a country known for its cuisine, knowing how to cook was essential. Not to mention, one couldn't survive on dry rations while traveling; he wouldn't always be lazy and rely on rides, as that would be no different from staying home playing games.
(End of This Chapter)