"Yes, Professor. He said that when he saw Leafeon, he felt it looked very similar to Eevee, so after rescuing it, he casually asked about it. Leafeon wanted to repay Haruki, so it voluntarily led him to the Moss Rock. And when I mentioned the word 'Leafeon', he clearly had a look of sudden realization on his face."
After listening, Professor Rowan fell silent.
He had always been a veteran researcher in Pokémon evolution, and had absolute confidence in that field.
But the evolution method of Probopass, which he had studied for years, ended up being pointed out by Haruki.
Even after confirming the effects of Magnetic Fields, Haruki had also independently drawn a connection to Magnezone.
…And now, after just one trip to Eterna Forest, he had discovered the evolution method of Leafeon.
If Haruki had chosen the path of a Researcher, just these two discoveries alone would have been enough for him to qualify for a junior professorship.
Yet this man's identity was unclear and somehow tied to underground forces.
'Could it really be pure necessity… and absurdly good luck?' Rowan looked toward the Greenhouse and chose to trust.
He was confident that no underground organization knew as much about Pokémon evolution as he did.
And there was no way they would offer up two major evolutionary discoveries just to get someone close to him.
So, Haruki must have joined them out of desperation. And now that good fortune came his way, he chose to share it with Rowan.
'Wasn't that a kind of loyalty pledge?'
At that moment, Professor Rowan made a new decision in his heart.
"Isn't there a meeting with Professor Magnolia coming up?"
"Yes, Professor. It's scheduled for next Monday."
"I recall she wanted to trade Starter Pokémon with us for mutual development?"
"Right. The Galar Region is about to launch a Starter distribution program and wants to compare the early stages of each region's Starters for reference."
"Then prepare three sets for her, and let Haruki choose one."
Weston was stunned. He hadn't expected the Professor to value Haruki so highly, he was even preparing to find a Starter from another region just for him.
'Wait a minute… another region!' Weston immediately understood. The Professor wanted to invest in Haruki but was also wary that Haruki's shady past might explode and implicate him.
So giving him a foreign Starter would make it easier to disassociate if anything went wrong.
'Tch. So cunning… What a master move.'
Weston secretly admired him. As expected of his teacher, he still had a lot to learn.
After replying with an affirmative, Weston quietly left to handle the Starter exchange preparations.
As one of Sinnoh's top Research Labs, Professor Rowan certainly had the authority to do so. But the reason he wanted to trade a Galar Region Starter for Haruki wasn't just to cover his bases.
He had this lingering feeling… Haruki always seemed to have an uncanny connection with "new" Pokémon.
Giving him a species he had never seen before… who knew what kind of sparks might fly?
And if it brought even more surprises, all the better.
----
Back in Eterna Forest, unaware that he was about to receive a Galar Starter, Haruki was still grinding levels and battling wild Pokémon.
As the largest forest in the Sinnoh Region with the highest diversity of Pokémon species, Eterna Forest offered immense potential for training.
Skiploom remained a constant companion by Haruki's side, while Marowak and Metang were rotated out in battle.
When Metang skillfully finished off an Aipom with a final Bullet Punch, Haruki's Poké Ball immediately followed and struck it cleanly.
Rescuing baby Pokémon was one thing, but catching wild Pokémon that approached on their own: those could be traded in for points.
There was no conflict between the two.
After the incident with the Pokémon Hunters, Haruki had become much more pragmatic about these things.
For the next week, Haruki wandered through Eterna Forest, stopping and starting until he had made it through most of it.
Skiploom floated beside him while Marowak led the way up ahead.
And before the trio stood an old, dilapidated mansion.
Gazing at the eerie, gloomy house, Haruki could already guess what lived inside: Ghost-type Pokémon.
Recalling his previous encounter with Mismagius, Haruki involuntarily shuddered.
'Maybe... I should just skip this place.'
He muttered to himself and decisively turned around to leave.
Ten minutes later, when Haruki once again saw the mansion appear before him, he sighed deeply.
As expected, once you ran into a troublesome Ghost-type Pokémon, it wasn't about whether you wanted to leave…
It was about whether they would let you leave!
"Metang!"
A flash of red light, and Metang appeared beside Haruki. Marowak also remained out of its Poké Ball.
Looking at the three Pokémon surrounding him, Haruki felt a surge of safety.
"If anything happens, don't hesitate. Act immediately!"
All three Pokémon nodded. Skiploom quietly use Tailwind, granting the status to everyone including Haruki.
Without hesitation, Haruki marched toward the mansion with Marowak and the others.
At the entrance, a plaque that read "Old Chateau" hung above the door. It looked brand new, far too new to be real.
Haruki ignored it and placed his hand on the door.
Before he even applied pressure, the door swung open on its own.
…As expected, it wanted him to come in.
Taking a deep breath, Haruki stepped inside.
Once all three Pokémon and Haruki were inside, he looked back.
The door had closed itself…
'Stay calm. This is all standard behavior.'
Turning his head forward again, Haruki saw a maid at the end of the hallway, her face obscured. She raised a hand and beckoned to him.
When he focused again, she was gone.
"Did you all see that?"
Haruki licked his dry lips and asked slowly.
But all three Pokémon shook their heads.
So... only he had seen it?
If it was just a mischievous Ghost-type Pokémon, Metang should've sensed it.
If not a Ghost-type Pokémon, then...
'A REAL GHOST?!'
As Haruki's mind started to spiral, the maid appeared once more, still beckoning him forward.
"…"
The three Pokémon remained alert but showed no signs of noticing anything unusual. Haruki couldn't help but grab Skiploom and give it a rough squeeze.
It was real.
"Skiiiip!"
Skiploom cried out in protest; Haruki had startled it just now with his sudden action.
"J-just checking, just checking."
Haruki mumbled an awkward excuse, feeling a bit more relaxed.
'Maybe the ghost maid just wanted help. Maybe she truly meant no harm…'
Thinking this, Haruki shook out his shaky legs and began climbing the stairs.
Creeeak~ creeeak~ creeeak~
Each step he took made the old staircase groan, but that somehow made Haruki feel a bit better.
At least the staircase was real.
He turned and continued upward.
Sure enough, the headless maid stood at the corridor's end, once again gesturing toward the right.
After seeing this twice already, Haruki had gotten used to it. Without hesitation, he rested his hand on Metang and kept climbing.
The ghost maid continued to lead the way bit by bit, eventually guiding Haruki to the third room on the right side of the second floor.
"Metang, use Confusion to open the door… gently."
"Meta~"
But before Metang could even apply pressure, the door creaked open on its own.