"Harumi, do you still have contact info for Professor Rowan's lab?"
Haruki took the Tenta skewer and asked casually. If possible, he really did want to get in touch with Professor Rowan.
Starter Pokémon were something he coveted deeply.
"Mm~~ I do, actually. Why do you ask?"
Harumi munched on her skewer, curious.
"I had some direct encounters with Probopass in the cave, and their behavior seemed off. I'm not sure if it has to do with evolution. Do you think I should tell them?"
Haruki asked with a tone of goodwill.
Harumi's eyes lit up instantly; she had a favorable impression of the "benefactor" who had paid them so much money.
And if she could help out further, that'd be great too.
Who knew, maybe Haruki would even get a bonus? After all, they had shared life-and-death experiences before.
"Of course! I'll call them right now!"
"Right now?"
"Yup, right now, they're total Noctowls'. Once they're researching, they don't even eat, let alone sleep."
Harumi chuckled and walked off toward a quieter spot.
Soon, the call connected.
Harumi got straight to the point, relaying Haruki's idea without embellishment. She clearly knew how to deal with researchers.
"Hey, Professor Rowan wants to speak with you directly."
Haruki blinked as she handed over the phone.
'That fast? I haven't even rehearsed what I'm going to say!'
But time waits for no one. Haruki steadied himself and took the call.
"Hello, is this Professor Rowan?"
"Yes. Young man, could you describe in detail the unusual phenomena you observed?"
A calm and stern voice came through. Haruki immediately matched the voice to Professor Rowan's face in his mind.
"Right, it's like this..."
After a brief pause, Haruki said, "When I entered the cave, I quickly encountered a Probopass stationed near the entrance. From what I understand, the red magnetic noses of Probopass usually point north by default.
But strangely, this one was facing south. Its body was also floating slightly off the ground, not fully touching the floor. Coincidentally, I had a compass with me, and the needle inside was extremely unstable."
Haruki delivered a story that was one part truth and nine parts fiction.
His only goal: steer their attention toward the magnetic field within the cave.
After all, both Probopass and Magnezone evolve by sensing special magnetic fields and leveling up within them.
After he finished speaking, there was a brief silence on the other end of the line.
Ten seconds passed… Haruki debated whether to just come right out and mention magnetic field research, when Professor Rowan finally spoke again.
"Young man, may I have your name?"
"Haruki."
"Haruki, would you mind leaving your contact info? Your suggestion is very insightful. We'll begin researching in that direction."
"It would be an honor."
After hanging up, Haruki let out a long breath. It seemed he'd made it through the first hurdle.
If they made any progress, he'd be the first person they remembered. And once that happened, he could gradually offer more "correct" ideas and earn further attention and trust.
At that point… even starter Pokémon might not be out of reach!
"So you really saw all that in the cave? We were scared out of our minds on our first two visits…didn't notice a thing."
Azuma, with his honest face, finally spoke for the first time that day, grinning.
Haruki smiled.
"Who knows if it'll help them at all. Let's just not get in their way."
The three of them continued happily strolling through the festival. Haruki also released Marowak and Skiploom so they could enjoy the fun together.
----
Inside a private room of the restaurant next to the stadium.
Steven had just finished dinner with Bertha and Byron.
Seeing that it was already late, he hesitated for a moment but ultimately didn't call Haruki.
'I'll talk to him tomorrow.'
---
Outside the mine near Steelrock Town.
Professor Rowan stared at a table full of useless reports, deep in thought.
"The magnetic field... Could it really be possible?"
"Weston, submit a request for two magnetic field detectors. Let's change our research direction."
"Yes, Professor Rowan!"
A researcher named Weston responded immediately, though his gaze couldn't help but drift toward the phone in Professor Rowan's hand.
'Who exactly was that Haruki? To think he actually caused Professor Rowan to change an entire research direction that was already halfway completed!'
---
The night passed uneventfully.
The lively Oreburgh Festival had come to an end, but Haruki still got up early.
After bidding farewell to Harumi and Azuma, who were heading to Floaroma Town, Haruki arrived at the Pokémon Center.
In the lounge area, Steven was quietly sipping coffee, while a Lairon beside him was focused on devouring a slice of chocolate cake.
"Morning, Steven."
"Morning. Want some coffee? The Blue Mountain here is pretty good."
Steven smiled and gestured for Haruki to sit down.
"Sure, but I like mine with milk and sugar."
Once the coffee arrived, Steven got straight to the point without wasting time.
"Haruki, you've got real potential as a Trainer. I'd like to invest in you."
"Huh? You want to invest in me, or does Devon Corporation want to invest in me?"
Last night, after returning to his room, Haruki had done some research on Steven.
While Team Rocket didn't have much presence in the Hoenn Region, there were still plenty of public clues to piece things together.
[Hoenn League acquires 23% of Devon Corporation shares at a premium]
[Hoenn League Deputy Minister of Finance appointed CFO of Devon Corporation]
[Hoenn League and Devon Corporation to co-develop PokéNav]
After reading all this, Haruki already had a theory.
Unlike the harmonious future relationship between them, Devon Corporation at present was at risk of being absorbed by the Hoenn League.
The reasons were obvious: greed for wealth and insufficient strength!
As the designated heir of Devon Corporation, Steven naturally had to carry that burden.
One strategy was investing in promising new Trainers.
And his eventual rise to Champion would be Steven's strongest rebuttal to their encroachment.
That was why Haruki asked the question. Not to get an answer. but to make it clear: "I know what you're trying to do."
This time, the upper hand had to be his.
"What's the difference?"
Steven kept smiling. He already understood that Haruki had figured out his identity long ago, and yesterday's delay had been calculated.
He liked smart people like this. So, what kind of surprise would Haruki bring him today?
"Fair point. So, what's the "heir" offering me?"
Haruki nodded, indicating he was willing to hear him out.
"Training methods for Beldum."
"To what level?"
"Champion!" Steven grinned, then added, "Do you dare accept it?"
Hearing that, Haruki actually felt more at ease.
"Right now? No. But in the future… maybe. Though I'd like to change the wording."
"What wording?"
Haruki took out an envelope he had already prepared and placed it on the table.
"Let's call it… partnership!"