Arriving at the car, Julian's aunt removed her large sunglasses, revealing a face that resembled Jake's by three or four points. Though not a classic beauty, her facial lines and features gave off a sense of calm and comfort.
From his uncle, to his father, to his aunt, and now to Julian himself, the Walker family had never been known for stunning looks. Yet calling them ordinary wasn't right either.
Julian, however, believed he was an exception. After all, both his mother and Love, the Indeedee, often claimed he was more handsome than his father, Jake.
"Julian, your aunt… why do I feel like I've seen her somewhere before?"
Will asked, squinting as he examined Quinn after she took off her sunglasses.
Before she revealed her face, Will had only noticed how young she looked, but now something about her seemed oddly familiar.
"Could it be I've awakened some past life memories? Maybe I met her in another life?" Will mused, only half-joking.
Julian shot him a glance, wondering if Will was being serious or just showing signs of mental imbalance.
"That's my aunt, Quinn Walker. Keep whatever weird ideas you've got to yourself," Julian replied coldly.
"Quinn Walker? Wait, isn't she the one from the textbooks?"
Will suddenly connected the dots. No wonder she looked familiar. Wasn't this the same person featured in their third-year textbook, "The Influence of Pokémon Abilities on Moves".
Her photo and achievements were right on the first page, celebrating her as the youngest-ever recipient of the prestigious Arceus Award, the highest honor for Pokémon scholars.
Will was amazed that this formidable figure, whose achievements were practically legendary, was standing right in front of him—Julian's aunt, no less.
"Textbooks?" Quinn raised an eyebrow, her tone curious.
Will, now a bit more serious in front of this renowned scholar, explained, "Yeah, it's your book, 'The Influence of Pokémon Abilities on Moves'. It's part of our third-year curriculum."
"Oh, that one," Quinn nodded, only vaguely recalling it.
She'd written so many papers and books over the years that she hardly remembered them all. This particular book was likely something she had delegated to her assistant, with her only needing to sign off on it.
"Alright, enough academic talk. It's almost noon— Little Juli should I take you two to lunch first or head straight to the lab?" Quinn asked.
"Let's go to the Laboratory, we will eat there"
Julian had long given up on fighting the nickname 'Little Juli' his aunt had bestowed upon him. After more than a decade of battling the name, it had become clear that his efforts to shake it were as futile as Team Rocket's endless attempts to catch Pikachu.
As they drove toward the lab, Quinn couldn't resist teasing her nephew. "Little Juli, why so glum? Don't tell me it's because I called you by that name again?"
Julian turned his gaze out the window, signaling he had no interest in engaging with her playful remarks.
"Elder brother calls you Little Lia, but I think Little Juli sounds much cuter," Quinn teased further.
The visible tension in Julian's face only amused her more. She hadn't had the chance to tease him like this in three years, and now that she could, she wasn't going to let up.
"Pfft—" Will suddenly stifled a laugh.
Julian shot him a glare, regretting bringing him along.
"Sorry! Saw something funny on my phone," Will said innocently.
Though the phone in his hand clearly displayed a photo he had taken at the airport—a perfect shot of Quinn tugging at Julian's cheeks. It was just about to be sent to his circle of friends.
"Auntie, your bodyguard has a license to kill, right? Can we just get rid of him now?" Julian muttered, his voice low.
Will: (?_??)
Quinn's laboratory was situated on the outskirts of the Imperial Capital, nestled against the scenic Norman Mountain.
It wasn't just any lab—it was one of the nation's key research centers, protected by Elite-level trainers and soldiers armed with powerful Pokémon.
The facility housed not only Quinn, a strategic-level scholar, but four other researchers, each focused on different areas of Pokémon research.
As they arrived, the security was immediately evident—every five steps, there was a checkpoint, and the soldiers were all equipped with elite-level Pokémon.
Quinn had already informed the lab about Julian and Will's visit, and thanks to Julian's connection with his grandfather, John, and his Slowking discovery, they were granted access.
However, Will was only allowed in non-restricted areas.
"Professor Walker," one of the researchers greeted as Quinn led them into the lab's dining area.
Several others acknowledged her as they passed, their gazes shifting curiously toward Julian and Will, wondering who they were to warrant such company.
The dining hall's food was of the highest quality, befitting a national research lab.
State-banquet-level chefs prepared their meals, ensuring everything was not only nutritious but also delicious.
Will, after a few bites, was in awe. "This is amazing! Everything I've eaten before feels like pig food compared to this," he said, briefly considering a career change to Pokémon scholarship just for the meals.
After lunch, Quinn took them on a tour of the lab's Pokémon care facility. Will's eyes widened as he saw rare and powerful Pokémon he had only read about in textbooks.
"Salamence, the pseudo-legendary dragon type…" Will murmured, awe-struck.
"Gardevoir, wife material.."
"A white Pikachu"
"Wait—what's that?"
Will pointed toward a figure standing on a high rock, its back straight, hands behind its back, and an air of wisdom emanating from it.
"That looks like… a Slowbro?" he asked uncertainly.
Julian stepped forward. "That's Slowking."
Slowking, who had been deep in thought about the mysteries of the universe, perked up at the sound of a familiar voice.
"Slow~!" it called out, floating down from the rock and slowly making its way over to Julian.
"How's life been at the lab?" Julian asked, patting Slowking's pink belly, which had grown noticeably rounder since he'd last seen her.
Slowking nodded, indicating she was doing well, even showing off that her level had increased from 22 to 25.
"Julian, it's called Slowking?"
"Um"
"How do you know it's called that?"
"Because it's my Pokémon"
"It's another evolution of Slowpoke," Quinn explained. "Little Juli discovered it, and I borrowed it for some research."
Will felt like he needed a moment to process everything. First, Julian's aunt was a record-breaking scholar, and now Julian owned a never before discovered Pokémon.
"Little Juli, Slowking's IQ is extremely high—It has been tested by more than 99% of the researchers in our laboratory. In fact, in its eyes, most humans are idiots. "
"But don't worry, even though it probably thinks you're stupid, as your Pokémon, it would never say so out loud. If you have any problems with your homework in the future, you can ask Slowking for advice."
Julian: (-_-)
*****
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