Heading back along the road, seeing that it was getting late, Chen Ming took out the lunch Auntie Delia had prepared from his bag.
As for Ash, he was slumped face down over the dining table looking completely devastated, like a soul that had lost its body. Even the delicious meals prepared by his mother had lost their appeal.
Professor Oak raised a finger and said eloquently, "The camping segment of our summer camp is here again, everyone please organize your assigned tasks in an orderly fashion."
"Okay~"
Everyone got to work.
The campsite they chose was near a small stream. It was a clever spot, free of excessive sand and stones—carefully arranged by Professor Oak, naturally, so it was basically completely safe.
While everyone was helping prepare lunch, Professor Oak took the opportunity to impart some wilderness knowledge.
As Pokémon trainers, much of their time would be spent camping in forests, the wilderness, and other places with few human settlements. Possessing good survival knowledge at times like this was a fantastic skill to have.
After Mew left, Chen Ming shifted his focus entirely back. In a place like this, anything capable of beating the Professor's Dragonite simply didn't exist.
After finishing lunch, Chen Ming didn't stop to rest, choosing instead to press onward.
Along the way, he would stop to observe any Pokémon he encountered. If inspiration struck, he would sketch them for his collection; the drawing process itself was a way to observe them with even greater detail.
Walking and stopping like this, the afternoon quickly slipped away.
Delia returned around the usual time and saw Ash sitting in front of the television watching the League matches.
With vegetables in her hands, Delia looked at Ash, who was completely absorbed in the screen: "Oh my, Ash, why are you still here? Didn't you go over to Professor Oak's?"
Coming back to his senses, Ash looked very sheepish, wearing an expression of utter grievance at the mere thought of it.
One look and Delia knew what had happened. She let out a gentle sigh; there would always be next year, he could just go then.
The dejected look on Ash's face vanished in an instant, and he cheerfully replied, "Okay, thanks, Mom—"
Chen Ming pushed open the door and stepped inside, greeting them politely as usual: "I'm back. Hello, Auntie Delia, Ash..."
"Eh? Ash, why are you still here? Weren't you going to the summer camp?"
Knowing the truth and playing along were two different things.
Ash pouted in dissatisfaction: "Mmph—don't even bring it up. I get mad just thinking about it."
Chen Ming smiled dismissively, naturally taking the vegetables from Auntie Delia's hands and pitching in to help.
Seeing this, Ash came over to help as well.
It was just that Chen Ming didn't particularly want him to help.
"Squirtle, use Scratch!"
While washing vegetables, Ash must have thought of something; he flicked his hand, sending a splash of water flying across.
Let it go... just let it go...
"Charmander, use Ember to counter—!"
And then, well, there was no then.
"Ash, can you please be quiet for once?!"
Chen Ming was so exasperated he wanted to slap him right across the face. Optimistic guys were just too difficult to deal with!
Noticing A-Ming's face covered in water, Ash scratched his head sheepishly.
Delia stood off to the side, giggling softly. Incidents like this happened almost every day, and she genuinely loved having A-Ming around.
Before A-Ming joined them, it had just been her and Ash. With Ash's father and grandfather constantly traveling, it was just the two of them, and a sense of loneliness was inevitable.
Watching the two bicker, Delia sincerely hoped things could stay like this forever.
Ash was easy to read at a glance, and Chen Ming harbored no ill intentions toward him—their spats were purely accidental. Being around Ash probably meant Chen Ming's temperament from his past life was being worn completely smooth.
Several more days passed in laughter and joy, until the arrival of winter break brought a change.
Professor Oak unexpectedly brought up an interesting activity: "Ash, Gary, A-Ming, would you boys like to go on a little trip?"
Gary waved his hand dismissively, indicating he had no interest. He was going to become the strongest Pokémon trainer, after all—how could he waste time on things like that?
Ash widened his eyes, a look of hopeful expectation on his face: "Hey, hey, Professor, are there lots of Pokémon we've never seen before over there?"
Professor Oak couldn't quite handle Ash's overwhelming enthusiasm. He put his hands behind his back and said solemnly, "Naturally. After all, every region has a different environment, so the Pokémon that live there will vary as well."
Hearing this, Ash scrambled to volunteer: "I want to go, I want to go! Professor, I want to go!"
Chen Ming didn't rush to reply. He wanted to hear what kind of activity the Professor was talking about, looking unfathomably calm.
The Professor then explained, "There are conditions for going, of course. I'll be giving a test shortly, and only those who answer correctly can go."
"The environment in the Arctic tundra is extremely harsh. You can't just entrust your life entirely to others; you must have a certain level of knowledge yourself so that even if you encounter a crisis, you won't panic."
Hearing "Arctic tundra," Chen Ming instantly perked up. Ash, on the other hand, turned utterly wilted upon hearing there would be a test—this was practically his ultimate challenge.
As expected, after a round of testing, Ash was weeded out.
No matter how much Ash begged, Professor Oak refused to relent.
He had his own research to attend to, and Delia had her own matters, neither of them could accompany Ash. Without sufficient knowledge to guarantee his safety, the risks of going were simply too great if an emergency occurred and no other researchers were present.
"A-Ming, would you like to go?"
Professor Oak held high regard for Chen Ming's abilities, possessed by some inexplicable confidence...
"Go on, go, A-Ming! Remember to draw lots of Pokémon pictures—the kind we've never seen before."
Ash thought about it: since he couldn't go himself, he could let A-Ming go instead! A-Ming was good at drawing, and his sketches looked so lifelike.
Before Chen Ming could answer, Professor Oak continued, "The famous Dr. Runda is stationed over there, and he's been in the tundra for quite a while now with fully equipped facilities. I did receive an invitation, but I'm too busy to go. A-Ming, you can go in my place."
Hearing the name Dr. Runda, Chen Ming instantly changed what he was about to say.
Recalling a possibility within his plans, he agreed immediately: "Alright, Professor. How should I get there?"
"You don't need to worry about that, the entire itinerary has already been arranged. Just remember to say hello to Dr. Runda for me."
With that, Professor Oak finalized the arrangement. Originally, had no one passed the test, he had planned to turn down Runda's invitation.
As for reminding A-Ming to follow the local arrangements, Oak didn't dwell on it. Unlike the impulsive Ash, A-Ming was sensible enough that he didn't need to be told to behave.
Chen Ming nodded to indicate he understood.
Gary watched them grade the test from the side, soon mocking Ash for failing such simple questions.
Naturally, Ash wouldn't let him get away with it, and within moments the two were bickering again. Used to this routine, Professor Oak merely shrugged in helpless resignation.
—
After packing his luggage, Chen Ming said goodbye to Auntie Delia as he headed out the door.
"Remember to call whenever you arrive! Don't forget to eat, it's very cold over there so remember to wear extra layers, don't stay up too late..."
"Got it—"
He sprinted away decisively; that way he was safe...
Watching him recede into the distance, then glancing back at Ash, Delia let out a sigh—it seemed A-Ming was being corrupted by Ash after all; the old A-Ming used to be so obedient.
Before departure, Professor Oak drove him to the airport. For Chen Ming, who had rarely ever left Pallet Town, the outside world looked fascinatingly novel.
Upon reaching the airport, the Professor offered a final round of advice and concern. After all, he was heading off to a very distant tundra, so an extra warning or two was only right.
Seeing off Professor Oak, who had come to see him off, Chen Ming boarded the plane.
The issue of his identity had been completely sorted out by the Professor. To this day, Chen Ming still couldn't figure out why the Professor treated him so specially.
The tundra was quite far away, and even by plane it would take several hours. Choosing to sleep during the flight was a very good decision.
Then again, this was an airplane ride—something he hadn't even experienced in his past life—so his innate curiosity was instantly piqued.
Not sleeping on a plane had its perks, too; you could enjoy the magnificent scenery outside, and occasionally catch sight of Pokémon flying freely.
Chen Ming was extremely fortunate to spot a flock of Altaria.
Even without hearing their graceful, melodious cries, simply watching them look like birds of paradise wrapped in fluffy cotton brought a sense of joy.
It looked like this journey was going to be a wonderful trip.
After getting off the plane, he still had to take a high-speed train, followed by an all-terrain vehicle, before finally reaching his ultimate destination.
Just like that, a whole day was burned through. By the time Chen Ming arrived, it was right around the end of the workday for the researchers.
Among the group, the Doctor looked quite senior, his breath pluming into white mist as he spoke: "So glad you could make it, A-Ming. I'm Dr. Runda. How is Professor Oak doing?"
Chen Ming's breath plumed in the freezing air as well, making it clear just how cold the temperature was here: "It's a pleasure to meet you, Dr. Runda. I bring you regards from Professor Oak. He's doing very well over there, and thanks you for your concern."
Runda naturally waved him forward: "Let's not stand out here talking, come inside and sit down. You must be tired from the trip, A-Ming."
Chen Ming followed without hesitation, stepping into the temporarily constructed base.
As they walked, Chen Ming asked, "Dr. Runda, is anyone else invited here? If possible, I'd like to consult with them about Pokémon knowledge first."
"Haha, A-Ming really does love to learn, just like Professor Oak said. It's a pity that the only one who accepted the invitation was Professor Oak—everyone else had pressing matters and couldn't make it."
Runda seemed somewhat resigned to the result; he had wanted to discuss the local situation with more authoritative figures.
"If you don't mind, you can always ask me if you have any questions."
"Really? Won't that be imposing on you?"
Chen Ming still wore a pleased expression, though some necessary courtesies had to be observed.
"Not at all, not at all. I never turn away someone eager to learn."
Dr. Runda laughed heartily. So far, Chen Ming seemed quite to his liking.
The closer they got to the base, the more it looked like a gigantic RV, though the materials certainly gave it that proper research-base feel.
Upon entering the base, Toi suddenly popped out from nowhere.
Toi pulled a funny face and then burst into laughter: "Roar-ha—were you scared?"
Was he scared? Probably a little.
Fortunately, Chen Ming had been tempered by Ash's brand of hyperactivity, making him somewhat immune by now. Even if he had been startled, his face barely betrayed a single expression.
Now that he thought about it, was that a bit sad?
Toi stopped laughing and naturally extended a hand: "Hi, I'm Toi. I'm the only one in the base around your age, so please take care of me from now on."
"Nice to meet you."
Chen Ming shook his hand in return.
"Toi, stop running around everywhere next time. The environment outside is no joke."
Dr. Runda sighed helplessly. He had repeated this countless times.
Toi smiled and nodded: "Got it, Dad."
Watching this exchange, Chen Ming instantly mentally labeled him as a restless spirit. Comparing this behavioral benchmark to Ash's personality, why did it feel so fitting?
At that moment, an intellectual-looking woman walked over.
Yuko felt a headache coming on from their antics: "Alright, alright, hurry on inside. Aren't you two cold standing around chatting out here?"
Lying down in his assigned room, Chen Ming stared out the window at the magnificent starlit sky—a breathtaking sight rarely seen even in Pallet Town, with every single star radiating its own brilliance.
Unlike the quiet tranquility of the forest, the lingering, isolated atmosphere here felt much denser, strangely resonating with his own soul.
Deoxys—wonder if he'd get to see one, along with a giant "Caterpie." Just thinking about it got him excited.