"Jonathan, you finally arrived. Rhydon and Rhyhorn couldn't wait any longer," said an old man dressed like a farmer, slowly walking out of the valley while kindly greeting Professor Jonathan Harris.
"Hahaha, it's Mr. Williams!" replied Professor Harris, stepping forward respectfully to greet him.
"These two are the boys you told me about from the school, right?" added Mr. Williams, nodding and then glancing at Ethan Black and Alex Baxter.
Both boys quickly hurried to greet him. If even Professor Harris was so respectful toward him, then this old man must really be an important figure.
"Follow me then," Mr. Williams instructed, turning calmly to guide them.
As they followed him deeper into the valley, a white mist suddenly rose up, growing thicker and thicker until it completely obscured everyone's vision.
As quickly as it came, the mist also vanished.
Ethan Black opened his eyes wide and froze for a moment. His pupils dilated slowly as he stared in disbelief at the scene before him.
Before his eyes stretched a lush green meadow, dotted in the distance with a few hills. There was no trace at all of the steep cliffs they had seen earlier!
"Could this place be the so-called Resource Kingdom?" exclaimed Alex Baxter, surprised, seemingly having figured out what was happening.
"Resource Kingdom? And what's that?" asked Ethan Black, blinking with a rookie expression.
"Secret Kingdoms are generally divided into temporary and permanent," explained Alex Baxter. "The Resource Kingdom is a type of permanent Secret Kingdom, characterized by having no dangers and being filled with resources."
His eyes gleamed with a strange light.
"Now I understand why the Pokémon University of Ironvale City has developed so quickly... It turns out they have a Resource Kingdom as support!"
"Large families also usually have access to kingdoms like this, and not to mention the Pokémon League's central headquarters: it's directly established inside a Resource Kingdom like this!"
Thanks to Alex Baxter's explanation, Ethan Black understood the enormous importance of this place. The most remarkable thing was the high concentration of energy it contained.
Training Pokémon here yielded results twice as effective with half the effort!
"You're not mistaken. Welcome to the Secret Kingdom of the Pokémon University of Ironvale City," said Professor Harris, stepping closer with a smile while gazing at the clear sky in the distance.
Compared to the outside world, this environment was simply perfect. So pure that there wasn't even a single particle of pollution!
"We'll be here for an entire week for our research. Make the most of it, as this is a unique opportunity," said Professor Harris with a smile.
Just then, a roar rumbled from afar. The ground trembled as a great cloud of dust rose. Dozens of Pokémon were running closer.
It was an army of Pokémon, mostly Ground- and Rock-types. It was obvious they were all Professor Harris's Pokémon, raised freely inside this Secret Kingdom.
"Are these Professor Harris's Pokémon? Each one looks so strong!" exclaimed Ethan Black, impressed by the sight of the Pokémon cuddling up to and doting on the professor.
With a smile, he also released Sandshrew. Alex Baxter did the same, releasing Donphan and Magneton.
"Come on, it's still early. Let's first stop by my house to settle in," said Professor Harris, bidding farewell to Mr. Williams before mounting a Pokémon together with Ethan Black and Alex Baxter, heading toward the distant meadow.
In the center of the plain stood a row of numbered villas. Professor Harris's Pokémon army stopped in front of a particularly luxurious one.
"All right, let me go inside and tidy up a bit. Wait here a moment, I'll be right out," he told them while calming his Pokémon and entering the villa with the boys.
The environment inside the Secret Kingdom was so pure that not even a speck of dust floated in the air. Despite Professor Harris having been away from his home for some time, it remained perfectly clean.
He placed the luggage in the living room, then gave them a brief tour of the villa, inviting them to make themselves at home.
"Professor Harris... these shelves... can I read these books?" asked Ethan Black, unable to take his eyes off the library in the study.
"Of course. All those books are the results of my research. Read them freely," replied Professor Harris with a smile.
He had observed Ethan Black's dedication closely during this time. He knew he had great talent, and if not for the fact that he didn't show an inclination toward scientific research, he would have already considered taking him as a disciple.
Upon receiving permission, Ethan Black let out a cheer of joy and plunged into the books. His eyes skimmed over the titles: mostly scientific articles and monographs.
Since Professor Harris was a specialist in Rock- and Ground-type Pokémon, most of his works focused on these types. In one corner, Ethan Black even discovered a breeding guide for the Rhydon evolutionary line.
He eagerly pulled out the book and began reading it. To his surprise, it was extremely detailed. From how to strengthen the foundations of a Rhyhorn, to the specific foods for its growth, the moves it could learn, and complete training methods.
Evidently, this book contained all of Professor Harris's personal experience raising his own Rhydon. If one followed his steps to the letter, they could definitely raise an excellent specimen.
In addition to that, there were some other shorter guides on Golem, Dugtrio, and Onix, though not as complete.
"Too bad there's nothing on Sandshrew... but maybe I can take useful ideas from these Ground-type methods," Ethan Black told himself, excited as he immersed in the reading.
In his plan, Rhydon —or even Rhyperior— would be a key member of his future team. Having access to this guide was a true blessing.
Time flew as he read. When lunchtime came, Professor Harris called them.
The menu: berries, Beedrill honey, and fresh Miltank milk —all 100% natural and additive-free.
After eating, the professor led them to the grassland in front of the villa. His Pokémon quickly surrounded them.
"All right, now we'll begin the second phase of the Sandstorm move research. The goal is to replicate Sandshrew's training method based..."
Professor Harris set up the measuring equipment on the grass and summoned two Golem —the protagonists of this phase of the experiment.
(End of chapter)