Chapter 24 — They Haven't Realized the Gravity of the Situation

An hour later, in Postwick.

Sun Wuming, Hop, and Gloria arrived at Magnolia Research Lab.

Besides the familiar Sonia, there stood an elderly woman with white hair, wearing a white lab coat and frameless glasses.

She was Sonia's grandmother, the most renowned Pokémon scholar in the Galar region—

Professor Magnolia.

"Are you sure about this?" 

Professor Magnolia asked Sun Wuming.

"Yes, thank you for your help."

Sun Wuming replied.

"Then follow me."

Professor Magnolia, leaning on her cane, led everyone to a patch of wasteland on the outskirts of Wedgehurst, and turned to say:

"This is the place."

Just as Hop and Gloria were looking curious, wondering what they were going to do.

Suddenly, a very familiar voice called out:

"Hey! Sonia!"

Looking over, it was indeed Leon.

But what surprised them even more were the two people behind Leon.

Chairman Rose of the Galar League and his secretary Oleana!

"It's a miracle you didn't get lost."

Sonia said half-jokingly.

She knew her childhood friend's habits all too well.

"Hehe~ I came on the Chairman's private jet."

Leon smiled and turned to Sun Wuming:

"Mr. Sun, long time no see. Oh right, let me introduce you to Chairman Rose of our Galar League."

"Hello, Mr. Sun, I've long admired your reputation."

Rose approached with a smile, extending his right hand to Sun Wuming.

"Ah... hello, hello."

Sun Wuming shook his hand.

The League Chairman, the highest authority in a region.

As far as Sun Wuming knew, the President of the Pokemon League was that small white-bearded old man named "Charles Goodshow" who appeared multiple times in the anime.

He served as both the Kanto League Chairman and the overall League President.

Other regions each had their own chairman leading the entire region.

For example, in the Hoenn region, the League Chairman was Devon Corporation's President Mr. Stone.

While he might not be very well-known, his son certainly was.

Steven Stone!

The Hoenn League Champion, well... though he's apparently the former champion now.

They say he voluntarily stepped down and gave the position to his friend Wallace, so he could have more time to collect stones...

Rose's control over the Galar region far exceeded that of other regional League chairmen.

His Macro Cosmos corporation covered aviation, railways, energy, technology, internet, construction... dozens of industries closely tied to people's daily lives.

Even Devon Corporation couldn't compare in this regard.

But Sun Wuming showed little interest in Rose.

Although the other party held a high position, he had no favors to ask of him.

"Master, what exactly is this training about?"

Hop interjected.

"Farming."

The two words Sun Wuming spoke left everyone stunned.

Professor Magnolia explained:

"Postwick plans to develop this wasteland for growing berry trees. We were originally going to have the farm's Tauros handle it, but since young Sun said he could help, I accepted his offer."

"Since when is farming considered training?"

Leon muttered under his breath, blinking twice.

However, Hop and Gloria's Pokemon didn't question it, quickly grabbing hoes to strike the wasteland and turn over the buried soil.

"Wait, no hoes allowed."

Sun Wuming suddenly spoke.

"Huh?"

Hop, who was also holding a hoe ready to start, froze in surprise.

"Show them how it's done."

Sun Wuming gave his Kubfu an eye signal.

"Hyah!"

Kubfu leaped into the center of the wasteland, took a deep breath and with a loud shout, plunged its small hands into the soil, forcefully digging and turning over the earth.

"Ayayayaya!!!"

Kubfu shouted as it vigorously dug with its hands, quickly creating a straight furrow from the center all the way to Sun Wuming's feet.

As everyone looked on in shock, Sun Wuming continued:

"This is to train your core strength, wrist power, and hand strength."

"Of course, no moves or special techniques allowed. You must rely solely on your own physical strength."

Hearing this, Machamp, Golisopod, and the other Pokemon stared wide-eyed at the seemingly endless wasteland.

"Meh..."

Machamp mumbled something under its breath, as if saying "We have to do all this land by hand?"

"Goli~ Goli~"

Golisopod turned to Sun Wuming, waving its huge claws.

"What's this bug saying?"

Sun Wuming turned to ask.

As a trainer who had spent years with her Pokemon, even without understanding Pokemon language, Gloria could guess what Golisopod was saying, and replied:

"It's probably saying something like 'Can we stop doing these chores? We want to get stronger quickly, just teach us special moves'..."

Her voice grew quieter towards the end, as she noticed Sun Wuming's expression growing increasingly dark.

Beside her, Hop also showed a shrinking expression like a child caught doing something wrong by their parents, hanging his head low.

Meanwhile, Leon, Sonia, and the others hadn't yet realized the gravity of the situation.

***

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