"Alright, kids! That's all for this morning's lesson.
Grab your lunches, and this afternoon we'll head deeper into the forest to observe Pokémon up close."
Professor Oak's voice carried warmly across the clearing.
The moment he finished, the children scattered back to their parents, excitedly unpacking neatly prepared meals.
Some even shared snacks with their friends—laughter, chatter, and the rustle of lunchboxes filled the entire forest clearing.
A bright, carefree atmosphere.
Chen Shi let out a small sigh and motioned for Florges and Togekiss to return.
Togekiss practically sparkled—she and Serena had become inseparable within an hour.
Just minutes ago, Togekiss had taken Serena on a gentle flight, drawing out the sweetest silver-bell laughter from the shy little girl.
Swampert had also returned at noon—naturally, when food was involved, he never needed an invitation.
Chen Shi took out Pokéblocks and distributed them to his partners.
And then—
The Eevee-shaped Mew perked up like a radar dish scanning for sweets.
It rushed between Pokémon, sniffing each Pokéblock, analyzing scent, texture, and sweetness until—
Of course.
It chose Togekiss's Pokéblock—the sweetest one.
Because apparently, the mighty mystical Mew had a sweet tooth.
Chen Shi pressed a hand to his forehead.
"Don't steal hers. I have more. Come here."
Mew's eyes lit up instantly.
It scampered toward him, sat properly, puffed up its chest, and looked at him like a child waiting for dessert.
Chen Shi sighed again and handed it a sweet-flavored Pokéblock.
So much for mythical dignity.
Not a shred left.
Professor Oak walked over and noticed the new "Eevee."
"Oh? You found an Eevee?
These aren't common around here. Planning to catch it?"
Earlier he'd seen Chen Shi with a "Pidgey."
Now it was an Eevee.
But this was Viridian Forest—Pokémon showed up everywhere.
Even pseudo-legendaries sometimes appeared in the deeper zones.
Only idiots, however, approached Champion-tier wild Pokémon.
Chen Shi forced a wry smile.
"Something like that… I'm just taking care of it for now."
He obviously couldn't say:
"This 'Eevee' is Mew. If you knew, this camp would end instantly and you'd be dissecting the air around it out of excitement."
Oak didn't pry.
"As long as you know what you're doing.
This afternoon, you'll escort the kids to meet wild Pokémon. Make sure you stay sharp—don't drop the ball."
"Don't worry, Professor."
Chen Shi pointed at his steely partner.
"Metagross will lock onto all the kids with psychic tracking. Nothing will happen.
Right, Metagross?"
"Metaaa~"
The steel giant rumbled dutifully.
Though, inwardly?
It was complaining.
Babysitting children was not what it considered fulfilling work.
It wanted to train.
Or fight something strong.
Or crush rocks.
But trainer's orders were trainer's orders.
Professor Oak laughed heartily.
"Good. With Metagross watching them, I feel relieved."
His biggest fear was a child angering a wild Pokémon.
But with a floating steel supercomputer on watch, accidents were unlikely.
And as for truly dangerous Pokémon deeper in the forest?
Oak wasn't worried.
His Dragonite was secretly observing everything.
Meanwhile, the children ate together, chatting excitedly—
Until the topic shifted.
"That big brother over there looks really strong. Who is he?"
"No clue. Someone said he's the security guy."
"Security? Pfft! And here I thought he was some elite Trainer—he's just a guard!"
Little Ash slammed his hands on the table.
"Don't talk about Brother Chen like that!!!"
The rude boy flinched—
But seeing that Ash didn't have a parent around, his arrogance returned.
"What? Did I lie? He IS a guard! A stinky guard!"
The boy's father watched silently.
Didn't stop him.
Didn't correct him.
Only watched—enjoying the drama.
Ash opened his mouth to argue—
But someone else beat him to it.
Gary Oak.
Arms crossed.
Chin raised.
Smirk loaded.
"Ignorant fool.
My uncle is the youngest Intermediate Breeder in League history, my grandfather's personal student, and currently a High-Level Researcher."
"Not a 'stinky guard.'"
The rude boy's father turned pale.
Gary Oak.
The grandson of Professor Samuel Oak.
Which meant—
The "security guard" was also a prodigy whose connections reached the top of the League.
The man immediately yanked his son close, shutting him up before things got truly ugly.
Not far away, Serena's mother Grace froze.
"So that's who he is… I read a report about a fourteen-year-old Breeder prodigy.
I thought it was someone with the same name…"
Other parents overheard.
"Fourteen-year-old Intermediate Breeder?!"
"Impossible—wait… no, it's true!"
"And he's Professor Oak's student?!"
"A High-Level Researcher too??"
The buzz spread like wildfire.
Ash puffed his chest proudly.
Gary calmly shoved a giant piece of food into Ash's mouth to shut him up before he bragged them into more trouble.
Ash—simple as always—immediately forgot the entire argument and resumed eating happily.
But the damage was done.
The warm, lively atmosphere…
Shattered.
Parents whispered in hushed tones.
Children sat down quietly.
No more noise.
No more laughter.
Just awkward silence.
All because of one brat's careless words.
Far away, Chen Shi—completely unaware—continued chatting with Professor Oak.
Oak glanced at the camp and frowned.
"I wasn't gone long… why does the atmosphere feel so stiff?"
Chen Shi shrugged, clueless.
"Maybe they're just trying not to disturb others while eating."
He had absolutely no idea what had just happened behind him.
Read 50 chapters ahead on P@treon -> patreon.com/lucarioTL