Chapter 124: Exchange Student

"Yes. You can come in.", An aged voice answered Liko. Nodding her head, she slowly opened the door. Seeing a couple rows of closed see-through cabinets lined out containing various study materials, she couldn't help but blink seeing a lot of stuff scattered around.

Liko continued to walk in amazement, only to see the Director of Uva Academy sitting behind his desk. Yet she couldn't help but blink her eyes again, as she saw the Director wasn't alone. Two familiar people currently stood beside him, both appearing to be Professors.

"...Please tell me I didn't come at the wrong time.", Liko began to say, feeling a bit guilty seeing the Director not alone. Hearing Liko say this, the Director chuckled.

"Hoho, no need to worry about that, Lady Liko. You did arrive at the appointed time. I do apologize that I have a couple guests with me. I did not inform you ahead of time.", The Director said with a smile.

"Y-You don't need to apologize for me!", Liko immediately retorted.

"Haha, so this is the one, eh? I'm sure my Grandson wouldn't mind picking this little lass up once she arrives in Kanto. It is better to have a familiar face with you in a foreign land.", The person on the left said. Hearing him say that caused the other Professor on the right to nod his head as well.

"That I can agree with, Professor Oak. Tackling going out to whole new land by yourself is quite a challenge. Still, it's pretty rare for you to agree on a foreign exchange student transfer like this, Director Clavell.", The Professor on the right said with a nod of their head.

"You think so, Professor Sycamore? It is not the first time for Uva Academy to do this, nor it is the last.", The Director named Clavell said, tilting his head a bit, musing to what the Professor on the right just said. As this quick conversation was exchanged between the three, it took a moment for Liko to understand what just happened. Yet as she began to realize, Liko's eyes began to sparkle.

"W-Wait, you can't mean...!", Liko tried to say, only to have the Director's face bloom into a full smile seeing Liko react like this.

"A congratulations are in order, Lady Liko. I have just signed off on your transfer papers this morning. You are set to depart for Kanto to the Indigo Academy in Viridian City tomorrow morning.", Director Clavell declared, only to cause Liko to smile in happiness.

"Yes!", Liko happily answered Director Clavell, seeing that the Director has approved her family's request to initiate a study abroad. The destination their family had was Kanto no less either, to where a certain trio was currently undergoing a journey in collecting badges to partake in the Indigo League. Yet that excitement seemed to last only for a moment as Liko saw the Director lean forward, only to rest his two shoulders on his desk, folding his hands together. He then spoke out to Liko in a more serious tone.

"You understand the condition set in place for this transfer to occur, don't you, Lady Liko?", Director Clavell asked seriously. When Director Clavell said that, it helped Liko calm her excitement down, only to proceed to nod her head.

"Yes, Director.", Liko answered in acknowledgment.

"Good. You will use this opportunity to try and discover yourself. It will be your Treasure Hunt. I have noticed that you have been lacking in your determination to find out what you want to become compared to our other students. I do hope this will be a good learning opportunity for you.", Director Clavell said as his hands were over his chin.

"Yes!", Liko said, as determination appeared in her eyes.

"However!", Director Clavell immediately retorted Liko, continuing to speak. "That is not the condition we have placed for you to take part in our study abroad program. Lady Liko, it is time for you to choose your partner.", Director Clavell immediately declared after seeing Liko's determination in her eyes.

"...Is it really ready for me to choose my partner? None of the Pokemon that have been handed out in classes so far were able to bond with me...", Liko said, feeling a bit disheartened after hearing the condition.

"Not all Pokemon work out for everyone. But similar to how our students would go out on their own Treasure Hunt, we have suitable Pokemon for such occasions. They are typically not given out during classes, but for when one starts their own journey to discovery.", Director Clavell said, reassuring Liko. Liko then turned toward Professor Oak, who was still on his left.

"Professor Oak, you have the Pokemon ready, right?", Director Clavell asked him.

"I sure do! Each region has their starting Pokemon, and Paldea is no less. You will have three Pokemon to choose from today, Liko. But likewise, once you have chosen your partner, I have my own condition as well, which is to save one of the remaining two for my Grandson to receive, once you are on the other side, hoho.", Professor Oak said in acknowledgement. Hearing that, Liko felt a bit nervous again, only to get a good look at Professor Oak.

"I understand. But you wouldn't happen to be THAT Professor Oak, right? The one who allows many trainers to start their own journey in Kanto?", Liko tried to ask, still not believing Professor Oak was still standing before her.

"The one and only. Are you sure you're up for such a daunting task though, Liko? It'll likely be your first time going abroad like this. Your parents won't be there for you.", Professor Oak also asked seriously.

"I am! I've always wanted to see what the outside world has in store for me. I'm sure there will be many fun adventures waiting!", Liko said as sparkles appeared in her eyes. "And is it true that one of your own is already on their journey, Professor?", Liko decided to ask

"Hoho, they sure are, along with a couple friends of his. He doesn't know it yet, but I don't think he would mind it. After all, he'll be receiving a Pokemon from Paldea to become one of his partners, like how I gave him one of Kanto's Pokemon to start his journey. It'll make it easier for you, right, Liko? I hope you won't mind it. I just need to reach out to my Grandson to let him know to pick you up--?", Professor Oak tried to answer Liko.

Yet at this time, the four of them in the Director's Office suddenly began to hear a caller notification sound off in the room. Only to come from Professor Oak's pocket...

"My apologies, Director Clavell.", Professor Oak said, as he scratched his cheek a bit.

"None taken. I know you are quite a busy man yourself, Professor Oak.", Director Clavell said, nodding his head.

"Not everyone calls you on your direct line though, so you probably should pick it up.", Professor Sycamore also said as interest appeared in his eyes.

"You are right about that. Please pardon me for a moment.", Professor Oak said, only to reach into his robe, only to pull out a phone. Aside from Pokedexs, technology has started to quickly advance in each region. Even wireless phones were now available for public use. And if one had equipment setup nearby, one could even hook it up to a monitor for a video call, much like one can video call through the PCs at Pokemon Centers.

With Professor Oak doing his magic, it didn't take long for the couple of big monitors set off to the side to light up. On one of them appeared a screen. Professor Oak immediately smiled seeing who the caller ID was. Yet the moment the image became clear, he couldn't help but blink as he saw a tan brown haired man and a blonde pearly-white skinned woman appear on video. Professor Oak immediately took notice of the two's surroundings, as did Director Clave and Professor Sycamore. The two were clearly outside, and not inside a building.

"Well if it isn't Itsuki my boy! I only see one of the two lasses is with you. The other one off having some fun?", Professor Oak asked, seeing me appear on screen.

"Hey there, Gramps.", I replied, as I couldn't help but blink seeing where Professor Oak currently was. It appeared....he was in an office of sorts? And he was not alone either...

*

Power stones please?