Wanderer of the Pokémon World

Chapter 235: A Scholar's Request

As Xiu prepared to leave, his gaze fell upon Rinko's Gloom, which was contentedly basking in a patch of sunlight near a window. "Miss Rinko," he began, pausing at the door, "I've always wondered… Pokémon like Gloom are infamous for their potent smell. Yet, your Gloom seems remarkably… odorless. Is there a particular technique you use?"

Rinko was silent for a moment, a thoughtful expression on her face. Xiu, fearing he'd overstepped into a proprietary family secret, quickly added, "My apologies. Just a passing curiosity. If it's a sensitive subject, please disregard the question."

"No, not at all," Rinko replied, waving a dismissive hand. "It's quite simple, really. The strong odor associated with Gloom is a defensive secretion, a substance released from the flower on its head to deter predators." She elaborated,

"Under normal, calm conditions, a Gloom won't randomly emit that scent. It only does so when it feels threatened or needs to protect itself. In fact," she added, a hint of amusement in her voice, "releasing that concentrated odor is quite taxing for the Gloom. And ironically, while it repels most threats, the potent nectar within its flower also attracts certain other Pokémon."

Interesting, Xiu mused. The world is rarely as simple as the Pokédex entries make it out to be.

With Rinko having answered his question and the Professor's materials now gathered, their initial business was concluded. But Xiu, still eager to tap into her expertise, hesitated. He hadn't come all this way just to be a delivery boy.

"Actually, Miss Rinko," he began, deciding to be direct, "while I'm here… I have a personal list of materials I'm trying to source. Some are rather specific, so I was wondering if, by chance, you might have access to them, or at least know where they could be found."

"Let me see your list," Rinko replied, offering no promises.

Xiu quickly gave a list of over thirty different botanical ingredients – herbs, roots, pollens, saps – many with specific requirements regarding freshness or preparation. These weren't for the Bug-type Gym's purple flower formula; this was for the psychic-dampening potion he'd been trying to create for Abra.

Rinko took the list, her brow furrowing slightly as she scanned through the items. After a moment, she looked up, a thoughtful expression in her eyes. "I have most of these on hand, some of them I can even cultivate," she stated. "However, the quantities you're requesting for some items are… substantial. It will take some time to prepare everything."

"That's perfectly understandable," Xiu replied, relieved. He knew some of the ingredients weren't native to Kanto and would require her to either tap into specialized networks or source them from her existing stock. "There's no immediate rush."

With that settled, Xiu had no further pretext to linger. He thanked Rinko for her time and assistance, promised to return to collect the materials when they were ready, and took his leave, heading back down the mountain path.

The journey back was filled with all sorts of thoughts from their previous discussion. Countless new ideas, new connections, new potential pathways for adapting the formula for Scizor, bloomed in his mind. By the time he stepped back into Professor Oak's lab, his head was spinning with inspiration, but also with a profound mental fatigue.

"Professor, the materials you requested," Xiu announced, placing the bags on Oak's workbench. He then sank into a nearby chair, feeling suddenly drained… the discussion with Rinko had been exhilarating, but exhausting.

Oak looked up from his own work, a knowing smile touching his lips as he observed Xiu's weary state. He ignored the bags of materials for the moment. "So," the professor began, his eyes twinkling, "how was your visit? Productive, I trust?"

"Exceedingly so, Professor," Xiu admitted, a spark of his earlier enthusiasm returning. "And then some." He launched into a summary of his conversation with Rinko, praising her professionalism, in the field and the way she had effortlessly clarified concepts that had stumped him for days. "She's a true master in her field. My own understanding feels amateurish by comparison."

"She specializes in botany, Xiu," Oak chuckled. "Generations of Murasame family knowledge reside within her. It's hardly surprising her expertise surpasses that of yours." He paused, then added, "But I suspect your enthusiasm and unique perspective likely impressed her as well."

"Perhaps," Xiu conceded. "No time to dwell on it now, though." He pushed himself out of the chair, a renewed sense of urgency filling him. "I have several new hypotheses to test, new lines of inquiry to pursue based on our discussion. The afternoon is still young." He headed towards the lab equipment, his mind already racing.

Oak watched him go, shaking his head with a smile.

Over the next few days, Xiu threw himself back into his research with renewed vigor. Armed with new insights, he used Professor Oak's lab equipment to test new combinations and verify the conclusions he'd drawn from their conversation.

His progress accelerated dramatically, his efficiency far surpassing his earlier, solitary efforts. Within three days, he had worked through most of his questions and refined his understanding of the purple flower's core components, and even drafted a preliminary, heavily modified formula tailored for Scizor.

But, as often happens in research, solving one set of problems only revealed new, more complex ones. He was venturing into uncharted territory now, pushing the boundaries of his current knowledge.

"Professor," Xiu announced one morning, "I need to make another trip to the Murasame Botanical Garden. More questions have arisen. Do you require anything this time?"

"No, thank you, Xiu," Oak replied absently, already deeply engrossed in his own research.

Familiar with the route now, Xiu bypassed Pallet Town, taking a more direct shortcut through the fields and foothills. He soon found himself back at the base of the mountain, beginning the now-familiar climb.

The botanical garden seemed as quiet and deserted as before. He headed straight for the villa, knocking firmly on the door. He half-expected no answer, thinking Rinko might be out in the greenhouses or deep within the forest. But after a moment, he heard movement inside before the door opened.

Rinko stood there, but her appearance was… startlingly different. She wore a crisp, white lab coat, buttoned high, almost severely. Her vibrant purple hair was tied back tightly, and she wore a protective face mask and fitted goggles. Her hands were encased in milky-white rubber gloves.

"Xiu! You're here!" Even through the mask, her voice conveyed a clear note of pleasure at his unexpected arrival.

"Miss Rinko," Xiu replied, momentarily taken aback by her professional attire. "Am I interrupting something? You look… busy."

"Oh, this?" Rinko looked down at herself, then explained, "I was just processing some of the more volatile materials for your order."

"If it's an inconvenient time," Xiu offered, "I can easily return another day. I wouldn't want to disturb your work."

"Not at all! Please, don't be silly," Rinko said, her voice surprisingly animated. She reached up, pulling down her mask. "I was just taking a break anyway. Come in, come in!" She stepped back, holding the door open.

"Thank you," Xiu said, stepping inside. "My apologies for the intrusion."

As Rinko began to remove her gloves, Xiu interjected, "Actually, Miss Rinko, if it wouldn't be too much trouble… I'd be fascinated to see your workspace. Perhaps I could even offer some assistance, if you need an extra pair of hands?" He was genuinely curious, and offering to help felt like a fair exchange for her expertise.

"Oh, it's nothing special," Rinko demurred, though she seemed pleased by his interest. "Just a standard processing lab. But certainly, if you'd like a look." She turned and led him through the familiar living room, down a corridor he hadn't explored before.

The interior decor of the villa was consistently in style – antique furniture and traditional art – a striking, almost anachronistic contrast to its wild, forested mountain setting. At the end of the corridor, Rinko paused before a sturdy door. "My spare lab coat is just inside," she said. "You'll need to wear it."

"Of course," Xiu agreed readily. He took the offered coat and slipped it on. It was a bit large on him, the sleeves too long, but well... it was certainly professional.