As Ashborn and his friend Terry arrive by car, Ashborn's aunt, Alvera, steps out, removing her large sunglasses.
Her face, though not strikingly beautiful, holds a charm in its calm and refined features.
Ashborn notes that the Zovic family, from his uncle to his father to his aunt, aren't known for their physical beauty, but they all share an air of intelligence and a calming presence.
Terry, on the other hand, feels a strange sense of familiarity when he sees Ashborn's aunt, even though it's their first meeting.
"Have I seen her somewhere before?" he wonders aloud, half-joking that it might be a past-life memory.
Ashborn, however, isn't impressed and coldly tells Terry to stop with his nonsense.
"Her name's "Alvera Zovic "," he clarifies, shutting down Terry's musings.
It then dawns on Terry why he recognizes her: Alvera is a renowned Pokémon scholar.
Her face had appeared in his textbooks, specifically in the third-year text, 'On the Influence of Pokémon Abilities on Moves'.
Terry, realizing who she is, is amazed and shares his excitement with her.
Alvera Zovic , though clearly important, seems nonchalant about her fame.
She had written many papers and books over the years, and this was just one of her many contributions.
After some small talk, Alvera offers to either take Ashborn and Terry out to lunch or head to her "Laboratory".
Ashborn, though annoyed by her playful teasing of calling him "Litte boy" (a nickname he despises), opts to go to the Laboratory.
Alvera has a way of teasing Ashborn, and even though he protests, it's clear that this banter has been a long-standing tradition between them.
While Ashborn remains stoic, his frustration is evident, making Alvera's teasing all the more amusing to her.
Terry, witnessing this exchange, can't help but chuckle at Ashborn's discomfort.
As they head to the Laboratory, located in the northern part of the capital near "Damang Mountain", it becomes clear that this isn't just any facility.
The Laboratory is a "national key research center", guarded tightly with soldiers and elite-level Pokémon to ensure its security.
Alvera is one of five senior scholars stationed there, each researching different Pokémon-related subjects.
Ashborn's connection to the facility is through his grandfather, Bruce, who had discovered "Slowking", a Pokémon Ashborn had brought to the Laboratory for study.
Once inside, Alvera takes them to the Laboratory's restaurant, where the food is of the highest quality—prepared by state-banquet-level chefs.
Terry, used to more modest meals, is blown away by the flavors, momentarily fantasizing about switching careers to become a Pokémon scholar just for the food.
After lunch, Alvera takes them to the "Breeder facility" where rare and powerful Pokémon are kept.
Terry is awestruck by the sight of pseudo-legendary Pokémon like "Salamence", as well as rarities such as a white Pikachu and a Gardevoir.
But one Pokémon stands out to him—a creature that looks like Slowbro, though different.
Terry asks, and Ashborn calmly responds, "That's a 'Slowking'."
Slowking, a Pokémon Ashborn had entrusted to the Laboratory, has clearly thrived in its time there.
Ashborn notes that it has leveled up from 22 to 25 and seems healthier—its belly rounder than when he last saw it.
Slowking acknowledges Ashborn with a nod, indicating it's doing well.
Alvera explains to Terry that Slowking is one of "Slowpoke's" evolutionary forms and that it was discovered by her during her research.
Ashborn had lent Slowking to the Laboratory for further study. Terry, already impressed, is left in awe when Alvera shares that Slowking's "IQ" is off the charts.
In fact, the researchers had determined that Slowking was smarter than 99% of the humans there.
She jokingly adds that while Slowking may think Ashborn is "stupid," as his trainer, Slowking would never admit it.
Ashborn, unfazed by her teasing, remains calm, though his usual composure is visibly shaken as Alvera continues to poke fun at him.
Terry, on the other hand, finds the interaction highly amusing, leaving Ashborn to endure the light-hearted teasing from both sides.
_________
Adios