Pokemon: I'll Exchange Everything

Read up to 30 advanced chapters exclusively on my Patreon at - patreon.com/LoverrBoy

---------------------------------

Liam admitted that he was utterly captivated. Everywhere he looked, he saw Pokémon he often encountered in his dreams. But this time, they were real—living, breathing creatures.

Without realizing it, his eyes almost welled up in tears at what he was currently feeling.

Professor Oak noticed and, surprised, asked, "Huh? Liam, are you okay? Are you feeling unwell? If you're not feeling well, we can head back and rest."

Liam quickly got himself together and replied sheepishly, "It's nothing, Professor Oak. It's just... this is the first time I've ever seen so many different Pokémon all at once. I got a bit emotional from the joy I felt. A bit embarrassing, really."

Hearing this, Professor Oak burst out laughing.

"It seems you truly love Pokémon, Liam. There's nothing embarrassing about that! Loving Pokémon is something to be proud of! It's because of this love that so many Pokémon now live alongside humans and have become our most reliable partners."

Liam nodded, enthusiastically agreeing with every word. His eyes sparkled as he looked at all the different Pokemon everywhere. 

"Ahem. Let me call over the Pokémon in the yard so you can get acquainted," Professor Oak said with a warm smile. He quickly rummaged around and took out a whistle from his pocket. Placing it to his lips, he blew a sharp note.

The piercing sound echoed throughout the backyard. As soon as the Pokémon heard it, they started pouring out from all directions, like students rushing to the cafeteria after the bell rang. 

In an instant, a wave of Pokémon surged toward Professor Oak. Seeing this, Liam instinctively stepped back.

Sure enough, the next moment, Professor Oak was buried under the swarm of Pokémon, only managing to let out a pained yell.

Liam watched the Pokémon rush over, leaving Professor Oak covered in footprints. Just then, a clumsy Psyduck waddled over, swaying as it walked. Step by step, it climbed onto Professor Oak's head and trod across him, leaving behind a row of clear duck-footprints.

"Uh... Professor Oak, are you okay?"

After the Psyduck finally left, Liam approached and crouched down beside him, asking with concern.

Cough, cough. 

"Haha, just a small mishap," Professor Oak said awkwardly, forcing a smile. "This whistle drill is still a work in progress. A few more tries, and it'll go smoothly."

Liam's mouth twitched at that. If it weren't for the footprints covering Professor Oak, he might have actually believed that nonsense. 

Then again, thanks to the incredible resilience of people in this world, what would have been life-threatening trampling in his old world left Professor Oak looking perfectly fine. (Maybe that's why Professor Oak had developed such a knack for reckless behavior?)

After brushing off the footprints and cleaning his hands and face, Professor Oak dragged Liam to the storage shed and rolled out a cart of Pokémon food. He opened several large bags and scattered the food on the ground. 

Then, he blew the whistle again.

The Pokémon swarm charged over once more, and Liam took another cautious step back, fearing a repeat of the earlier chaos. But this time, his concerns were unwarranted.

As the Pokémon approached, they noticed the delicious food on the ground and immediately skidded to a halt. They formed a circle and dove into their meal, savoring the feast.

Professor Oak discreetly wiped the sweat off his forehead, then turned to Liam with a grin.

"See? This time it went perfectly! I told you, with a bit of practice, there's nothing to worry about."

Liam could only respond with a dry laugh, looking at Professor Oak with obvious disbelief. He hadn't missed the subtle gesture of wiping sweat earlier. 

Suddenly, Liam wondered if helping out at the lab was the right choice. Professor Oak hadn't mentioned that working here came with life-threatening risks!

Feeling the weight of Liam's skeptical gaze, Professor Oak's expression faltered. Determined not to let Liam look down on him, he resolved to show his most dignified side.

"Look, Liam, now that the Pokémon are eating, this is the perfect time to approach them. When they're relaxed and focused on food, they won't see us as a threat. Watch!"

With that, Professor Oak tiptoed toward a Nidorino engrossed in its meal. He gently stroked its back and, seeing no reaction, confidently grabbed its ear and tugged lightly. Just as he turned to say something to Liam, a sharp pain shot through him. 

Before he knew it, he was launched skyward by Nidorino's horn, his screams echoing as he landed with a splash in the lake, startling a stunned Magikarp.

"No pain, no gain, huh, Professor Oak?" Liam thought, utterly exasperated. He had always known about the Professor's reckless tendencies, thanks to the lectures at the end of every season of the TV show. 

But seeing it firsthand? 

It was a whole new level of chaos!

The man was clearly suicidal!

Still, watching the scene unfold solidified Liam's decision to stay and help out at the lab. With only a few workers besides Professor Oak, Liam realized that if someone didn't keep an eye on the Professor, things could spiral out of control. 

For the sake of the good Professor's health, for the system's rewards—and for Delia's peace of mind—Liam decided to tackle Professor Oak's reckless habits head-on.

No sooner had he made up his mind than Professor Oak, somehow antagonizing a massive Gyarados in the lake, was launched out with a resounding smac.. He crashed onto the shore with a loud cry.

Liam's face went pale. "That smack looked like it could very well be a one-hit KO! Are you okay?!" He rushed over and helped the Professor up, relieved to find that his body was still in one piece. 

Did he mention that the people in the Pokémon world were incredibly resilient?

After shaking off his daze, Professor Oak awkwardly chuckled at Liam's concern.

"Professor Oak, can you not scare me like this?! You're a pillar of the Pokémon world! We can't afford to lose you! From now on, you're banned from performing any dangerous stunts! Leave all the Pokémon care to me. I'll make sure they're healthy and happy. Just focus on your research, okay?"

Though touched, Professor Oak was clearly hesitant. "But that's too much work for you! My body is fine—I can handle it. Really!"

Liam smiled dryly. "Really?"

Professor Oak: "Really, really!"

"Ah.. I see."

Satisfied, Professor Oak let his guard down, confident he'd retained some freedom.

Then Liam added, "Since you insist, I guess I'll just have to report today's events to Aunt Fumiko. I'm sure she'll enjoy hearing about how I saved someone from an Ekans, watched them get trampled by a swarm of Pokémon, get launched into the air by a Nidorino, and topped off with a smack from a Gyarados..."

Professor Oak clutched his chest dramatically, his expression pained. Seeing Liam's serious face, he finally relented.

"Fine! You win! You're in charge!" he said through gritted teeth.

Liam flashed a triumphant grin, thinking to himself, Heh, that was easy!