---
"Hi, Uncle! My name's Arven, and I'm ten years old!"
On the way to the research lab, Arven had fully recovered his energy and was now chattering non-stop at Eric's side.
Eric couldn't help but feel a headache forming. 'This talkative kid… is really going to grow into the slightly melancholic upperclassman Arven from Scarlet and Violet. The change is way too drastic!'
Still, Arven's chatter wasn't the problem. Eric had endured far worse during endless, post-work four-hour meetings in his past life. The mere verbal bombardment was nothing.
But there was one thing Eric couldn't stand.
When Arven called him "Uncle" for the umpteenth time, Eric finally placed a hand on the boy's shoulder, a smile playing on his lips. "Have you considered that I might only be about eight years older than you?"
"Be good. Call me 'Brother.'"
Arven hesitated, then mumbled, "…Brother Eric."
Though he preferred calling Eric "Uncle," something about Eric's smiling expression made him feel like stepping back was the wisest choice.
Arven's mood bounced back quickly, and he resumed his lively chatter, this time peppering his sentences with "Brother Eric" over and over.
Finally, Professor Sada, who had been listening quietly, lost her patience. "Enough! Go to your room with Mabosstiff!"
Clearly used to his mother's fiery temper, Arven made a face at her before riding off on Mabosstiff, disappearing around a corner.
Professor Sada sighed in exasperation but watched her son with a soft, almost invisible fondness in her eyes.
Seeing their interaction, Eric couldn't help but think of the older, more sorrowful Arven.
Even as a child, Arven must have realized something was wrong when his parents disappeared into Area Zero for years, leaving only their AI replacements to contact him.
He must have felt the growing distance, sensed that the voices he spoke to weren't truly his parents.
That pain and uncertainty were why his brow was always furrowed in melancholy.
Though the AI modelled emotions well, true love was impossible to replicate. It wasn't until witnessing the protagonists' journey that Professor Sada's and Professor Turo's AI counterparts began to truly understand the meaning of connection.
'Can I change this tragedy?' The thought struck Eric, and he fell into deep contemplation.
Professor Sada noticed the shift in atmosphere and, still feeling guilty for having misjudged Eric earlier, decided to strike up a conversation.
"Do you know why I was so on edge earlier?" she asked suddenly.
Eric blinked and pulled out of his thoughts. He hadn't considered it before, but now that Professor Sada mentioned it, her tension seemed unusual. Paldea was known for being relatively peaceful, with minimal criminal activity compared to other regions.
"I'm curious," Eric admitted.
Professor Sada's face grew serious. "The police issued a report recently. A group of criminals from other regions has fled into Paldea. Their targets are children either for ransom or to sell to organizations like Team Rocket or worse. That's why I was so protective earlier."
Eric's gaze hardened. He had nothing but disdain for those who preyed on children.
Though he wasn't one to seek out trouble, if he crossed paths with such criminals, he wouldn't hesitate to make them regret their choices.
---
Soon, they arrived at the research lab. To Eric's surprise, the facility didn't resemble the high-tech, metal-heavy labs he'd expected. Instead, it felt lived-in and comfortable.
Sophisticated equipment was present, but so were bookshelves crammed with various texts and personal touches that made the space feel like a home.
Noticing Eric's curious glances, Professor Sada smiled and began to explain. "In addition to crafting Tera Orbs, my husband and I research the ancient legends of Paldea."
She gestured toward the room. "The four ancient shrines scattered across the region, the ultimate mystery of the Great Crater of Paldea… I can't help but get fired up just thinking about them!"
Professor Sada's passion for her work was evident, her entire demeanour lighting up as she spoke.
She walked to a bookshelf, pulled out a red-bound book, and lovingly ran her fingers over its cover. "This is the Scarlet Book. It's one of our most important references."
Eric's pupils contracted slightly as he recognized the book.
The Scarlet Book…
He remembered its contents vividly. Written over two centuries ago by the explorer Heath, it detailed his expedition to the bottom of the Great Crater Area Zero.
The book described strange, fantastical Pokémon and the mysteries of what Heath called Paradox Pokémon.
However, its bizarre content led many to dismiss it as fiction. Heath himself had been labelled a fraud, and the Scarlet Book was relegated to the realm of supernatural literature.
Its counterpart, the Violet Book, soon followed, but it faced a similar reception.
Eric knew these books were kept in the Naranja Academy library, where he could revisit them if necessary. What truly concerned him wasn't the book's existence but the implications of Professor Sada holding it.
It suggested that she and Professor Turo might already be considering building the time machine that would bring Paradox Pokémon into the present triggering the events that led to tragedy.
Eric stood silently, grappling with his thoughts. He had come here to pursue a peaceful life, yet the thought of leaving this potential disaster unaddressed gnawed at him.
Finally, he broke the silence. "Professor Sada, you seem to have a deep fondness for the Scarlet Book."
Professor Sada blinked, then beamed. "I'm fascinated by the accounts of ancient, wild, and ferocious Pokémon. It's what inspired me to devote myself entirely to researching Area Zero."
She paused, her expression brightening even more. "You've come at the perfect time. My husband and I are planning to restart the Tera Project this month. He's out negotiating funding with interested companies, but once the project begins, we'll be too busy to craft Tera Orbs. You're lucky we can fit this into our schedule!"
Eric's heart sank slightly at her words. The Tera Project, an expedition into Area Zero, was the first step toward the creation of the time machine.
Noticing Professor Sada's hopeful gaze, Eric realized she was gauging his interest. "Do you like the Scarlet Book too?"
She must have been hoping to recruit him into their research team. After all, as Geeta had mentioned, Eric was a Champion-level Trainer. His strength would be invaluable in protecting their team from the dangers of Area Zero.
Eric hesitated, then replied humbly, "I've read it before, but only know a little about it."
---
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