Pokemon: With Title System

Chapter 36: Appointment at Rainbow University

After showing Professor Oak's recommendation letter to the gatekeeper, Asahi and Green entered the Rainbow University campus under the gatekeeper's respectful gaze.

Once inside, Green couldn't suppress her curiosity. "What exactly did you show him?"

Though the gatekeeper had never met Asahi, his reaction was full of reverence.

"Professor Oak's recommendation letter," Asahi replied casually. "He's a lifelong professor here, so his name carries a lot of weight."

"They say he earned that title at the age of 25."

"Twenty-five…?"

It was widely known that Professor Oak was a renowned Pokémon researcher, but Green hadn't realized he had achieved so much at such a young age.

"That's not all. He was also a powerful trainer in his youth," Asahi added with admiration.

Professor Oak's career was undeniably legendary.

If he hadn't shifted his focus to becoming a Pokémon researcher, perhaps he'd be sitting on Kanto's champion throne today.

The two chatted as they walked, eventually arriving at the office of the university president.

Having scheduled an appointment the day before, Asahi knocked on the door.

"Come in!"

Pushing the door open, Asahi entered and found himself face-to-face with Rainbow University's president—an elderly man with snow-white hair and a kindly demeanor. He sat behind a desk, reviewing documents.

When the president looked up, he asked curiously, "And you are?"

"Asahi. I made an appointment yesterday," Asahi answered with a smile, handing over the recommendation letter.

The president's eyes lit up when he saw the letter and heard Asahi's name. "Ah, I remember now. You're the one Oak recommended!"

Professor Oak's full name, Yukinari Okido, was used casually by the president, indicating a close personal relationship.

"I'm Hiroshi Furuya, the president of Rainbow University. You can just call me President Furuya," he said with a warm smile.

"Yukinari already told me about you. Honestly, you didn't even need a recommendation letter. As a registered Alliance researcher, you're more than qualified to apply for a temporary lecturer position here."

Asahi merely smiled in response.

While it was true that Alliance researchers were eligible to apply for such roles, actually securing one was a different story. A position at a prestigious institution like Rainbow University required a notable research portfolio, competing with numerous other candidates, and a willingness to handle the heavy teaching load.

Asahi did have research credentials—his energy block expertise, provided by the system.

The system's master-level recipes came with detailed knowledge about berries, their flavors, nutritional values, and effects. They essentially taught Asahi how to create the perfect energy blocks from scratch. With that expertise, he could easily pass as an expert in berry research.

But Asahi hadn't forgotten his main job: being an international police officer. Spending excessive effort on competing for a teaching position wasn't worth it when he could just use Professor Oak's recommendation for an easier ride.

President Furuya seemed to understand this as well. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, he got straight to the point.

"Yukinari mentioned in his letter that you might not have time to teach regularly. That's fine. We have professors here who spend a lot of time conducting field research. We'll handle your position similarly."

"By the way, what subjects do you plan to teach?"

Asahi thought for a moment. "Pokémon battles and berry studies."

"Battles and berries?"

The president was perplexed about how Asahi had combined two seemingly unrelated fields. But since he was recommended by Professor Oak, there was no reason to doubt his qualifications.

After jotting down the subjects on Asahi's file, President Furuya looked up again.

"You can decide your teaching schedule, but you need to teach at least once a year. When you plan to teach, inform the academic office a week in advance, and they'll arrange everything for you."

"As for compensation, the school operates under the board's regulations, so you'll be paid per lecture."

In short, more lectures meant more pay.

That was reasonable, and Asahi had no objections. "That's fine."

Professor Oak's recommendation letter truly worked wonders!

Although his earnings here would be meager compared to his international police salary, Asahi valued the minimal workload.

"Anything else?" the president asked with a smile.

"There is one more thing. The Kanto-Hoenn exchange event is being held here, right?"

"Yes, that's correct." President Furuya wasn't surprised. News of the event was widely known.

"I'd like to attend the exchange event." Asahi pulled out another letter of recommendation and handed it over.

President Furuya's eyes went straight to the signature: "This is… Drake?"

His previously calm demeanor vanished, and he scrutinized Asahi more closely.

Someone who could present letters from both Professor Oak and Drake—just who was this young man?

Sensing the president's curiosity, Asahi humbly explained, "I've made some minor breakthroughs in energy block research, which led to a collaboration with Devon Corporation through Drake's connections."

"I need to attend the event to discuss further cooperation with Steven Stone."

President Furuya was stunned. "Wait… Steven Stone is coming?"

Having reviewed the guest list, he had no idea Steven would be attending.

Asahi was equally puzzled. "...?"

Am I the only one who knows Steven will be there, aside from Drake?

Since it wasn't confidential, Asahi assured President Furuya not to spread the news. Then, he politely concluded, "Thank you for your time!"