Chapter 7: Consultation
Chapter 7: Consultation
"Daigo?"
Seeing the person who had entered, Jing He was a bit surprised but quickly recovered.
Zuborev Daigo was not only the young master of Devon Corporation and the future Champion of the Hoenn League but also a passionate rock enthusiast. His greatest interest was exploring, studying, and collecting various types of stones. Dr. Solance, being a meteorologist, geologist, and archaeologist based in Kanaz City, naturally had a connection with Daigo.
"I didn't expect your office to be here, Teacher Jing He," Daigo said, surprised but still polite.
Jing He smiled and glanced at the sign outside that read "Pokemon Psychological Counseling Room."
Following his gaze, Daigo's expression cleared.
However, he didn't forget the purpose of his visit and asked, "Teacher Jing He, have you seen Dr. Solance? He told me yesterday that he would see me in his office after the new students' registration, but I've been waiting for an hour, and he still hasn't shown up."
The counseling room was right next to Dr. Solance's office.
"I haven't seen him all day," Jing He said, leaning against his desk and rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
"All day?"
Daigo looked surprised.
"Actually," Jing He walked to the coffee machine, skillfully taking out an electronic scale and measuring out coffee beans with a spoon. As he did this, he turned and asked, "Would you like some?"
Daigo was taken aback and almost instinctively nodded.
Seeing this, Jing He nodded slightly, "How many shots?"
Daigo finally reacted, "Two, thank you, Teacher."
Jing He smiled.
"It seems we have similar tastes."
With practiced movements, he continued, "Actually, Dr. Solance was supposed to handle today's new student reception, but since he couldn't be found, I was pulled in to substitute."
"So,"
As the coffee machine hummed, he spoke calmly, "Dr. Solance has been missing for a day."
Hearing this, Daigo frowned.
"Dr. Solance is a man of his word."
"Perhaps you should give him a call."
Jing He handed him a cup of coffee.
Daigo quickly took it with both hands, saying "Thank you" and then gave a wry smile, "I already tried, but his phone is still in his office."
"Ah."
In the ceiling, Gastly had a moment of realization.
It had heard the noise from the next room, thinking it was the computer.
"Given this, it seems Dr. Solance has run into something."
Jing He glanced at the ceiling, having a suspicion about what Gastly had done to the computer.
However, now wasn't the time to focus on that. He sat down in his chair, his face serious.
From what he remembered, Dr. Solance would indeed be involved in some events in the future, but not at this time.
"Run into something?" Daigo's expression changed, and he asked urgently, "Teacher Jing He, should we call the police?"
"Call the police?"
Jing He shook his head, "Dr. Solance is just temporarily missing. This isn't the first time he's disappeared. He might have found something new and gone rock hunting."
"That's true."
Daigo sighed, helpless.
At Jing He's gesture, he sat down across the desk.
"Don't worry, Dr. Solance is a grown man. He won't be in any danger. The school faculty already know he's missing and might be looking for him," Jing He reassured him.
This made Daigo's eyes brighten.
While they couldn't call the police, they could send someone to look for him.
He apologized to Jing He and took out his Pokemon phone, dialing a number.
The call was quickly answered, and Daigo's demeanor changed instantly from a polite and humble student to a young master with a commanding presence.
"I'm Daigo. Send people to find Dr. Solance."
Noticing Daigo's change in demeanor, Jing He looked thoughtful.
Click.
After hanging up decisively, Daigo noticed Jing He's gaze and smiled sheepishly, apologizing again, "Sorry, Teacher."
'Daigo. Could he have a split personality?'
Jing He waved it off, but the thought lingered in his mind.
For a moment, the counseling room fell silent.
Jing He sipped his coffee and picked up a research paper to read, while Daigo quietly drank his coffee, occasionally glancing at the paper.
After a while, perhaps feeling the awkwardness or wanting to start a conversation, Daigo broke the silence.
"Teacher Jing He, could you help me check on my Pokemon? It seems to be a bit off lately."
"Oh?" Jing He paused, looking up, "Did you bring it?"
"Sure."
"Let me see."
Daigo didn't hesitate, taking out a black and gold Luxury Ball from his waist.
With a flash of red light, a Pokemon appeared in the room.
Its body was gray and white, with a shiny metallic sheen. It had a disc-shaped body, large iron claws on its arms, red eyes, and silver spikes on its cheeks and back.
A second-stage Pokemon from the Hoenn region, Metang! And it was a shiny Metang!
Clearly, it would become Daigo's signature Pokemon, a shiny Metagross!
"A shiny Metang. That's quite rare."
Jing He couldn't help but sigh.
“Ku”
Hearing Jing He's sigh, Metang's body stiffened slightly, a reaction that didn't escape Jing He’s notice.
However, he didn't say anything about it, only asked, "Tell me about its condition."
Daiwu hesitated for a moment before speaking, "I don't know why, but I feel like Metang hasn't been quite itself lately. It seems a bit distracted. But both Nurse Joy at the Pokemon Center and our home equipment have shown that Metang is perfectly healthy, with no issues. So I was wondering..."
“Ku—”
Metang moved closer to Daiwu, who responded with a reassuring smile and naturally placed his hand on Metang's head. Despite the situation, Metang remained affectionate towards Daiwu.
‘Why can't I see Metang's information?’
Jing He's mind was filled with questions. He had been able to see Gastly's Pokedex and information earlier, but now he couldn't see Metang's.
‘Is it because Metang isn't my Pokemon? Or is it...’
"Can you have it use a move for me to see?" Jing He asked.
Daiwu nodded and instructed Metang, "Metang, use Psychic."
“Ku!”
Metang immediately complied, its eyes glowing with a pale blue light. The coffee cup on the desk floated up, enveloped in a blue aura.
As Metang used its Psychic ability, a series of text appeared before Jing He's eyes.
Metang
Type: Steel, Psychic
Ability: Clear Body
Moves: Psychic, Metal Claw, Magnet Rise, Tackle, Pursuit, Bullet Punch, Miracle Eye, Zen Headbutt, Scary Face, Telekinesis, Iron Defense, Thunder Punch, Sharpen, Ice Punch, Stealth Rock, Heavy Slam
Mood: Calm, Disheartened (Perhaps it needs more confidence)
Status: Excellent (Excellent training has led to excellent condition, perhaps it needs a challenge)
Friendship: 0 (It doesn't recognize you)
‘So, it’s not because Metang isn’t my Pokemon, but rather this ability only shows the Pokedex of a Pokemon when it’s using a move?’
Jing He pondered as he read Metang's Pokedex.
Disheartened?
Lacking confidence?
He quickly identified the issue and turned his gaze back to Metang.
But a mighty Metang, and a shiny one at that, lacking confidence?
“Ku”
Feeling Jing He's gaze, Metang instinctively avoided eye contact.
Considering its previous actions and reactions, Jing He smiled warmly.
"Teacher?" Daiwu noticed his expression and called out tentatively.
Jing He looked away and took out a file and a pen, asking, "Your family doesn't just have one Metang, right? Or more accurately, a group? Was your Metang originally part of that group?"
Daiwu was taken aback but nodded, "Yes, though not many, it's a group. And Metang was indeed one of them."
"Where?"
"Outside the city, at the mine."
"Have you taken Metang back there recently?"
"Three days ago."
"..."
As they exchanged questions and answers, Jing He's pen scribbled on the paper. Seeing his focused and serious demeanor, Daiwu's expression grew more serious.
Could Metang really have a psychological issue?
Unable to contain his curiosity and worry, Daiwu glanced at the file.
When he saw the content, Daiwu was taken aback.
Jing He had drawn a Metang on the paper! It was standing at what could be considered a fork in the road.
And, well, it was a bit...
"Does it look like it?" Noticing Daiwu's gaze, Jing He asked with a calm expression.
"A bit... abstract," Daiwu tried to control his expression.
Jing He laughed, "Abstract? You're too kind."
Scribble, scribble, scribble—
His pen finally left a line of text on the paper.
Due to its shiny form, it was isolated, leading to early mild autism.
Hmm?
Autism?
This was something Daiwu hadn't considered.
But upon reflection, it did seem to fit. Metang was hard for anyone other than Daiwu to approach, and when it was still a Beldum, it wasn't well-liked by the other Beldum.
This was a common issue for many shiny Pokemon.
In Jing He's previous life, gamers often sought out shiny Pokemon, but in this world, for trainers and Pokemon alike, being shiny wasn't always a good thing.
Shiny meant different, and being different often led to different treatment, even if it was just strange looks.
If not addressed in time, it could eventually lead to some form of psychological disorder.
Ding!
Just as Daiwu was about to ask what to do next, his PokeGear suddenly rang.
After answering, Daiwu's face lit up, and he quickly told Jing He, "Teacher Jing He, Dr. Solance has been found!"
"So soon?" Jing He was surprised. "It seems you mobilized a lot of people."
"No," Daiwu shook his head, maintaining a calm expression. "I just bought a few detective agencies."
Jing He: "..."
Very Daiwu.
(End of Chapter)
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