But in the years after he turned ten, Professor Cerise visited less frequently.
His daughter, Chloe, almost never came. It seemed she was attending the Pokemon Research School.
The Pokemon Research School is specifically for learning theoretical knowledge about Pokemon. Graduating from this school makes it easier to enter the research field in the future, and it also builds a solid foundation.
Ash didn't know exactly where Professor Cerise lived either. It was only today when Professor Oak mentioned it, that Ash found out Professor Cerise actually lived in Vermilion City.
And today was the opening day of his research institute.
"Professor Cerise... I've heard of that name. He seems to be a disciple of Professor Oak, who has published many academic papers and is quite a renowned figure in the research community. I didn't expect today to be the opening of his institute!" Brock rubbed his chin, recalling as he remembered the name Professor Cerise.
As a former Gym Leader, it's essential to watch the news every day and be aware of the latest rumors around the world. So Brock knew about Professor Cerise's existence, although he hadn't met him.
"Yes, that guy used to be flying around everywhere. It was only this year that he finally decided to settle down and open an institute near his home. As they say, it's better to be lucky than early. Ash, you haven't seen Chloe in a long time, have you?" Professor Oak said while eating instant noodles and chatting with Ash.
Ash nodded: "Yeah, it seems like it's been one or two years? The last time I saw her was during her summer holidays. After that, she seemed to spend her vacations studying."
"Who is Chloe? Sounds like a girl?" Misty raised her eyebrows and asked in a flat tone.
"She's Professor Cerise's daughter. Professor Cerise used to bring her to Pallet Town to play, but then she went to attend the Pokemon Research School and hasn't come by much." Ash explained casually, then asked Professor Oak for Professor Cerise's address and hung up the call.
"Let me see, this place is not too far from the Pokemon Center. It should take about ten minutes to get there." After hanging up, Ash glanced at the place name reported by Professor Oak on the large map of Vermilion City beside him and found that it wasn't far from where they were.
"Then let's go. Let's see what the institute's opening is like. I haven't been to one before." Misty adjusted her small backpack and headed towards the door of the Pokemon Center first.
"Hey, wait for me! Why are you walking so fast?" Ash shouted after Misty while picking up his backpack and jogging to catch up.
Brock followed slowly with a thoughtful expression behind the two.
...
The three soon arrived at the location of the institute mentioned by Professor Oak. There were some fallen streamers on the steps at the entrance, which looked as if they had just been released by a celebratory cannon.
They walked up the steps and quickly reached the institute's entrance, where the door was open. Inside, a middle-aged man stood on a relatively high platform, with a large screen above performing a presentation.
The middle-aged man seemed to be explaining Pokemon-related research.
Ash felt both familiar and unfamiliar with the image above. Unfamiliar because he had only seen the Pokemon in the image once, familiar because he had firmly remembered it when he did—on that image was Ho-Oh!
"...Ho-Oh hasn't appeared before humans for hundreds of years. Legend has it that those who witness Ho-Oh will receive eternal happiness and may even have the chance to be chosen as Ho-Oh's hero, known as the Rainbow Hero. But all of this is just legend, and research on Ho-Oh has long since ceased who knows how many years ago."
Professor Cerise explained everything about Ho-Oh with a hint of regret in his tone.
Misty and Brock couldn't help but glance at Ash standing in the middle after hearing what Professor Cerise said about Ho-Oh. The Rainbow Hero, acknowledged by Ho-Oh and having seen it, was standing right here.
Ash couldn't help but smile proudly after hearing what Professor Cerise said about Ho-Oh. Encountering the once-in-a-century Ho-Oh, and even becoming the Rainbow Hero, was indeed something to be proud and happy about.
But it surely wasn't something that could be openly talked about...
"Professor Cerise, long time no see!" Ash yelled as he walked into the institute. For a moment, all the guests' eyes focused on Ash.
Professor Cerise, on the stage, was momentarily stunned, then reacted, showing a slight smile: "Isn't this Ash? How come you're in Vermilion City and didn't tell me you were coming?"
"I came to challenge the Gym. After defeating the Vermilion Gym, I learned from talking with Professor Oak that your institute was opening today, so I came to see you." As Ash spoke, he was also curiously looking around the institute.
Compared to the Oak's Research Institute, this place was a bit smaller, but renting such a large place in Vermilion City wasn't cheap, at least much more expensive than renting in Pallet Town.
"Professor Cerise, who is this..." One of the guests asked curiously.
"Oh, this is Ash, a Trainer from Pallet Town. Ash, you should sit inside for a bit. I'll come over soon." Professor Cerise pointed to the screen, indicating that he still had something to do, and asked Ash to sit in the garden inside the institute for a while.