Pokemon: I am Gary

The academic exchange conference at Celadon University concluded successfully.

Although Principal Monet felt victorious, as Professor Rowan put it, this was a celebration for the academic community.

The day after the conference, all papers were uploaded to the academic forum according to their authorship.

The paper titled "Evolution Branches and Prospects" by Honorary Professor Gary Oak topped the charts.

Numerous scholars sighed in admiration, remarking that the Oak family genes were truly remarkable!

Before the paper was published, Principal Monet approached Gary, hesitantly wanting to place "Celadon University" before Gary's name on the paper.

Being respectful of his elders, Gary readily agreed. "Celadon University is my alma mater; such a request… of course, comes with a fee~"

Thus, Principal Monet waved her hand and issued Gary a check for thirteen months' worth of professor salary, which Gary could only accept with tears in his eyes.

In addition to this, Professor Rowan also expressed his respect for Gary and sincerely invited him to further his studies in Sinnoh.

According to Professor Rowan's own words, if Gary agreed to come, he would be given a separate research facility where he could decide on his own research projects.

Each year's research funding would be provided with a blank check—he could fill in whatever amount he used.

To be honest, Gary was quite tempted. Although he didn't lack money, he still felt inadequate compared to the professors of his grandfather's generation.

If he accepted Professor Rowan's offer, Gary would immediately step into a realm where money was of no concern.

After all, if it was just a matter of filling in numbers, who would care about the specifics?

However, for the sake of his dream of becoming the strongest in the world, Gary held back.

Certain things could be done later; dreams wouldn't wait around.

Even without joining Professor Rowan's team, Gary still gained a lot. He managed to acquire an Electric Drive device—a cutting-edge product that would surely come in handy in the future!

Additionally, he gathered a large amount of materials and berries from Celadon University.

One could say that this trip was definitely fruitful for him…

Not only did he collect plenty of breeding materials but also received a seven-figure check.

The only downside was that Caitlin had left.

Although he had enjoyed his time recently, she had duties as an Elite Four member to fulfill.

Just as Cynthia was preparing to confront Lance in battle, Caitlin had taken her private plane and left together with Cynthia.

When she departed, the little girl had tears in her eyes and looked like she was about to cast a curse on Gary with her circle-drawing antics.

Gary stuffed Caitlin's small bag full of snacks and candies and even arranged to send her a bottle of perfume to Unova before she finally calmed down.

After several days at Celadon University, Gary's Pokémon had also made significant progress overall.

Now his team—aside from Golduck, who remained an oddball—was mostly stabilized around an average level of 35.

Moreover, thanks to systematic scientific training during this period, the improvements seen in Gary's Pokémon were not merely reflected in their levels.

Only Gary's rivals would truly understand how exaggerated their real enhancements were.

Leaving Celadon University behind, Gary first found the Pokémon Center and sent back any extra Poké Balls he had to Professor Oak's lab.

He then made a video call to Professor Oak to report on his situation.

Click—when the call connected, Professor Oak was seen holding chopsticks over a bubbling pot of Sukiyaki, enjoying his meal heartily.

"Grandpa?" Gary called out helplessly. The old man had moved on from instant noodles and was now indulging in Sukiyaki hotpot…

"Wow—this weather calls for Sukiyaki!" Professor Oak said as he dipped some raw egg into his bowl and swallowed down some beef slices with gusto.

"Grandpa, I'm preparing to leave Celadon City and continue my journey. Please take good care of my Pokémon at home," Gary requested earnestly.

"Gulp—no problem! Hoo—this grilled tofu is quite hot; let me check if the konjac noodles are cooked yet…" Professor Oak replied absentmindedly while rummaging through the pot's ingredients.

"About that Dragonite egg…" Gary reminded him with a twitching mouth.

"Hey! I told you that you never come without reason…" Professor Oak took a couple sips of beer before responding. "Don't worry; it should hatch in a few days. Dragon-type Pokémon have longer incubation periods; it seems unlikely you'll make it back for the Indigo Conference. I'll have Dragonite bring the baby over when it hatches."

"Alright then~" Gary shrugged; indeed, baby dragons had limited abilities. It would be better for it to stay with Dragonite at home and learn some skills while getting fed properly for faster growth.

After reminding Professor Oak about a few more things, Gary finally hung up the call.

Adjusting his Pokémon team—Eevee, Charmeleon, Arcanine, Sneasel, Golduck, and Scizor—Gary left the Pokémon Center.

Walking down the street towards Erika's perfume shop entrance, just as he approached the door, he saw two familiar faces being thrown out by store employees.

Bang! The person who got thrown out rolled over and landed perfectly on his knees right in front of Gary without any awkwardness!

"Hey—if it isn't loser Ash! What's with such grand gestures during this off-season?" Gary laughed as he spoke.

Indeed, those two being thrown out were Ash and Brock.

"Damn it! Misty! Remember this! And those store employees too—I won't give up!" Ash gritted his teeth as he got up.

"You're saying that? If you hadn't blabbed about how perfume is just a boring scam, I could have watched those girls for longer," Brock sighed deeply.

"Gary! What are you doing here?" Ash asked curiously.

"I'm doing part-time work at Celadon University; I just finished up and am preparing to head to the next city," Gary shrugged in response.

"So you've already challenged Erika?" Brock chimed in eagerly.

"Of course." Opening his badge collection box revealed that the latest badge inside was indeed Erika's Rainbow Badge.

"That's great! I want one too!" Ash exclaimed enviously as he nearly drooled at the sight.

"Gary! Do you think Erika will accept Ash's challenge?" Brock asked with a sigh resignedly.

"Well… she probably will; however, you'll need to wait until she cools off," Gary chuckled and shook his head. "Ash! You big mouth! Do you realize that aside from her gym battles Erika cares most about her perfume brand? Criticizing her perfume? I think you're done for when it comes to getting that Rainbow Badge!"

"Hmph! That's exactly why! Perfume is something you can't eat or drink!" Ash pouted defiantly. "If she won't let me challenge her, I'll find another way!"

"Sigh—I should go restock at Friendly Shop first," Brock said helplessly as he nodded at Gary before heading off alone to buy supplies.

Not bothering with Ash's stubbornness any longer, Gary turned around and entered the perfume shop behind him.

"Sorry! We don't serve men who don't appreciate perfume!" As soon as he walked in, one of the young female employees shouted out loud.

Gary pointed at himself helplessly: "I'm here to buy perfume; are you sure you want me gone?"

"I'm sorry; our manager is upset right now; we're not serving men these days," another slightly older female employee explained apologetically.

"Oh man! All these perfumes look so good~ What should I do? I want to buy them all!" On another counter nearby sat Misty excitedly clutching several expensive bottles of perfume close to her chest.

"Then just buy them all! After all, girls can never have too many perfumes!" one employee chimed in cheerfully while bouncing around excitedly.

"But this price…" Misty knew very well what her wallet could handle and felt hesitant about spending so much money.

"Our shop accepts credit cards and installment payments," said the female employee encouragingly.

With gritted teeth and determination shining through her eyes, Misty slammed her palm on the counter decisively: "Bought! Just deduct it from Ash's food expenses later!"

Gary silently rolled his eyes; thankfully this girl wasn't destined for Ash!

"Alright sir! Please leave!" At that moment another employee directly ordered Gary out of the shop.

"Hold on; let me make a phone call." Taking out his phone, Gary dialed Erika's number.

"Hello~ This is Erika; please speak." Erika's calm voice came through on the other end of the line.

"Well… I'm trying to buy perfume at your shop right now but your staff is trying to kick me out; could you come down and help me?" Gary said helplessly.

"Professor Oak?" Erika exclaimed happily upon hearing his name. "I thought you had already left!"

"I haven't yet; I wanted to buy some perfume for friends so I came here hoping you could assist me," Gary replied with a smile.

Erika immediately perked up; for her liking perfumes meant they were friends!

Moreover, given how much attention Gary had drawn in academia over these past few days made Erika admire him even more!

"So can I shop at your store now? Because your staff looks ready to chase me out with brooms," Gary said wryly as he laughed about it all.

"Oh no! Don't worry! I'm just behind our store at the gym—I've just finished making some new fragrance samples. Just come over there instead!" Erika suggested enthusiastically.

"Okay then; got it." Nodding along with understanding before hanging up on their call,

Erika quickly called her store back right after hanging up with Gary.

Upon receiving instructions from Erika's call one employee immediately changed their attitude 180 degrees—respectfully unlocking their password-protected door allowing Gary entry through Celadon Gym's back entrance instead!

"Professor Gary? Master Erika is preparing for her Grass-type Pokémon breeding class right now; please head straight over to our greenhouse," said one apprentice waiting by the back door with a high ponytail hairstyle.

"Thanks for your help." Following behind this apprentice led him straight into an indoor greenhouse filled with lush greenery.

"Gary…" Suddenly an almost inaudible gasp reached his ears.

Looking up revealed someone wearing a pink dress with golden wig resembling "Ash-ley" standing before him.

"Oh wow…" The corner of Gary's mouth twitched as he took stock of this cross-dressing master before him: "Ash! You really go all out for gym battles…" If you need any further modifications or assistance, feel free to ask!