Chapter 105: The Future Foreshadowed by Slowking

Professor Birch felt completely unable to compose himself. Relicanth—those were the legendary Pokémon long thought to be extinct! Heavens, they actually still existed in this world! What was even more crucial was that there was more than one Relicanth in this pond. This meant that somewhere else in the world, others must surely be surviving as well. Discovering new Pokémon, observing their ecology, and uncovering their distribution patterns had always been the research goals of Professor Birch.

Furthermore, what shocked the professor even more was that the Slowking could actually speak human language! Although there were rumors suggesting that humans were themselves a type of Pokémon, Birch did not personally subscribe to that theory. Humans and Pokémon were clearly two distinct species. After much thought, he attributed the Slowking’s ability to speak to its learning capacity, mentally classifying it as a unique individual among its kind.

Professor Birch was exhilarated and asked, "Are there any other Pokémon in this ecological park?"

"There is a group of Slowpoke," Hyo replied.

Professor Birch immediately requested to observe them. Having nothing better to do, Hyo led him to the Slowpoke living area. Upon seeing such a large number of them, the professor’s eyes lit up. He leaned over toward a Slowpoke to observe its appearance, then moved on to a Slowbro after a moment, unable to resist gently stroking the Slowbro’s ears.

The Shellder on the Slowbro’s tail grew alert and immediately communicated with the dazed Slowpoke. Soon, the Slowbro opened its mouth slightly and emitted a warning sound. Professor Birch had already circled behind the Slowbro to observe the Shellder on its tail.

"It is truly marvelous that a Shellder biting a Slowpoke's tail can trigger their evolution!" the professor exclaimed, reaching out to touch the tail.

The next second, the Slowbro flicked its tail, sending Professor Birch flying.

Hyo: "..." Now he understood why Professor Birch was so frequently chased by Poochyena. Hyo himself wouldn't dare touch wild Pokémon so recklessly, yet Birch was remarkably bold.

Professor Birch slid down from a tree trunk, his interest undiminished and his body seemingly unharmed.

Hyo: "..." Good grief, another "Super Pallet Towner" constitution.

"May I take some photos of them?" the professor asked.

Hyo didn't mind. "Of course."

However, Professor Birch hadn't brought his camera, so he prepared to return to his laboratory to retrieve it. After he left, Hyo returned to the living room to contemplate his next steps. He was planning to head to Dewford Town next, which meant there would be no one to look after the Slowpoke and Relicanth in the ecological park.

There was a solution, however—hiring a professional breeder. While pondering, Hyo noticed the Slowking standing by the window, reading a book with its eyelids half-closed. His eyesight was excellent, so he immediately caught the title: *The Complete Guide to Pokémon Nutritional Meal Preparation: How to Become a Qualified Breeder*.

Seeing this, a thought stirred in Hyo's mind. Perhaps he could leave the Slowking here to look after the Slowpoke and the Relicanth. He called the Slowking over and asked, "Do you recognize the words in this book?" He had only given the Slowking a fifteen-minute lesson the night before.

"I don't recognize many," the Slowking replied. "But I recognize the ones you taught me yesterday."

Hyo thought carefully and asked, "Slow-Wis, what do you think of this place?"

"It is wonderful," the Slowking said. "The Slowpoke love it here."

Hyo: "..." If he put himself in their shoes, he would love it there too.

"Could you stay here and help me take care of them?" Hyo asked. "Just feed them every day, live here, and don't let any thieves sneak in." He wasn't entirely comfortable with outsiders.

The Slowking asked, "Are you going on a journey?"

Hyo nodded. "If you want to come with us, then we can go together, and I will find someone else to care for the Slowpoke."

The Slowking sank into thought. Suddenly, a blue light flashed in its eyes. Within that light, it saw a vast, deep blue expanse. The Slowking fell into a trance, leaving Hyo momentarily confused. But soon, the Slowking returned to its usual wise demeanor. Its brow furrowed slightly as it said, "I just... saw the future. I believe I should stay here."

The Slowking looked at Hyo and added, "My staying here will be of greater help to you than if I were to leave with you. Thank you for helping us escape that island, Hyo."

"This place is our 'Slowpoke Paradise'."

Hyo was stunned. The future? The signature ability of the Psychic type—Future Sight? "What did you see?" he asked.

"The future," the Slowking replied.

Hyo: "..." Please, no riddles.

The Slowking continued, "If you have the time, help me find two humans and a Meowth. They will also be of great help to you in the future."

At that moment, Hyo felt like he had become a Slowpoke; how did he suddenly fail to understand what was happening? And surely, that combination of two humans and a Meowth couldn't be the Team Rocket trio, could it?

Hyo: "...So, what did you see?"

The Slowking understood his meaning and explained slowly, "I didn't look at what you are doing in the future; I only looked at my own future. It told me that I should stay." Hyo had fulfilled its wish by helping them find their legendary "Slowpoke Paradise." In return, it would help him achieve his dreams.

"..." Hyo sighed. "Fine."

He wanted to say more, but just then, a knock sounded at the door. Professor Birch had returned with his camera, looking embarrassed. "Sorry to trouble you!"

The Slowking went back to its book. Hyo, while mentally searching for online courses to buy for it, led Professor Birch back into the ecological park. He then found the professor with his rear end in the air, hunched over the pond, trying to lure the Relicanth to the surface.

Hyo: "..." He stepped forward and squeezed a bit of berry juice into the water. Soon, the surface began to bubble. Professor Birch’s eyes lit up, and after a word of thanks, he rapidly clicked his shutter.

Once finished, the professor left, fully satisfied with his camera in hand. Before departing, he excitedly told Hyo, "Thank you for your help. When this paper is published, I will include your name on it."