As thunderous applause erupted, the entire academic hall was filled with cheerful energy.
Everyone had gained research funding, and Shiro had completed his professor conferment... everyone got the best outcome. It was a win-win situation.
At that moment, Shiro walked down from the stage and stopped in front of Oak in the first row. With a "sincere" tone, he said, "Professor Oak, I was only able to become a professor thanks to your support."
He extended his hand. But the bent-over, silent Oak suddenly raised his head, revealing bloodshot eyes.
"Shiro..." Oak lowered his voice as much as possible, every word trembling. "What exactly did you give them?"
"Give them?"
Shiro withdrew his hand. He glanced around at the researchers subtly gathering nearby and replied with a faint smile, "How could it compare to your support, Professor..."
The moment those words fell, Oak became like a powder keg ready to explode. He almost lost control, but after seeing the researchers gathering around them, he forcibly endured it.
"Professor Shiro! Professor Shiro!"
A researcher from Oak Research Institute was the first to rush over. He tightly shook Shiro's hand and said, "Thank you for the research funding donated by Galar! The project I wanted to do finally has hope now!"
As soon as he finished, another person squeezed forward.
"Macro Cosmos is really generous. They gave so much research funding that I don't even know what to study first..."
"Yeah, I've never personally received this much Pokédollars before!"
"Thank you for Galar's research donation! Professor Shiro, you truly earned everyone's support!"
"That's right! I support Professor Shiro!"
They only knew that they had made the decision to support Shiro. After that, all of their thoughts naturally leaned completely toward him.
The many researchers surged forward like fans chasing a celebrity. Shiro responded to them one by one and only managed to break free with the help of psychic power.
Meanwhile, Oak, who remained where he was, had been forgotten in the corner. It was as if no one could even see him anymore. Everyone had run off to chase after Professor Shiro.
Oak sat there blankly, feeling as if he had been struck by a Caterpie using Draco Meteor.
The power of money!
Just money alone had stolen away every researcher?
That was it?
He could hardly believe that his prestige was worth less than such a tiny amount of Pokédollars.
He quickly grabbed a passing researcher and anxiously asked, "How much money did you receive?"
"Uh..." It was one of the researchers under Oak Research Institute. He awkwardly scratched his chin. "Ten million Pokédollars. Everyone got ten million..."
Hearing the answer, Oak's hand dropped weakly, and he sank back into his seat.
There were one hundred and seventeen people in the hall. Ten million each meant over one billion Pokédollars.
That was nearly two years of Oak Research Institute's research budget.
Galar's Macro Cosmos... truly ruthless.
Oak gritted his teeth.
And on top of that... he had voted yes too, and received nothing.
With his heart bleeding, Oak felt his head growing dizzy.
* * *
"Congratulations, Professor Shiro. Becoming a professor before even turning twenty..."
Below the stage, congratulations rang out from every side.
Rowan, Juniper, Sycamore… led by the major professors, many researchers gathered around Shiro after he returned to his seat.
Shiro politely responded to each of them.
A moment later, Oak pushed through the crowd and came before Shiro. Wearing a broad smile, he said, "Shiro... congratulations, congratulations. Shall we have a talk?"
Once he spoke, the surrounding crowd quieted down.
Many eyes focused on Oak and Shiro.
Although things had already reached this point, and everyone had voted in favor of Shiro, most people knew in their hearts that Oak had not wanted anyone to complete the professor conferment at this Academic Summit.
Yet Shiro had still succeeded, and with a perfect record never seen before.
Shiro smiled in return and raised a hand. "Of course, Professor. Please."
The two men looked like old friends with a great age gap who had known each other for years. Smiling and chatting, they walked side by side under the gaze of the crowd.
The researchers voluntarily stepped aside and watched the old man and the young man leave together.
* * *
Not long after.
Inside a hidden room within Oak Research Institute.
After they arrived, Oak's smile disappeared instantly.
But Shiro still wore a bright smile.
"Shiro, stop pretending..." Oak's expression darkened. Lowering his head slightly, he coldly asked, "What special method did you use? It must have been something from Galar. How else could everyone vote in favor..."
Shiro shook his head lightly. "Professor, that was money power."
"Money power?" Oak sneered. "I don't believe those funds alone could buy every researcher."
Especially several from his own laboratory. Those were diehard loyalists.
How could they be moved by such a little money?
Besides, Galar had contacted him as well, using research donations as the reason to ask for his support.
Oak had politely refused, saying he was very "fair." Whatever should happen would happen, and he would not take money.
Shiro only smiled and said nothing. He did not continue discussing money. Instead, he changed the subject. "Professor, do you possess Pokémon data from all the major regions?"
Oak's pupils suddenly shrank, though his expression remained calm, as if hearing something unrelated to himself. "What are you talking about, Shiro? Pokémon data from every major region is top secret..."
"Top secret... but with your prestige, Professor, it should be easy to obtain through a few favors, right?"
As he spoke, Shiro narrowed his eyes slightly and continued in a low voice, "When I was at Rowan Research Institute, I accidentally saw Professor Rowan entering data for you. Were you... planning to create a device that helps beginner trainers identify most Pokémon?"
"..."
Veins bulged on Oak's forehead as his heart sank to the bottom.
He understood. Shiro had definitely discovered something.
Perhaps even the secret project he had been working on for years...
This brat was actually so sharp? Just from a bit of data, he could guess his intentions?
A true research genius... and an annoying one.
Oak gritted his teeth and stayed silent.
Shiro strolled casually, unhurried as he kept speaking, "Yes, that Pokémon data is top secret. Most ordinary trainers are not allowed to know it... yet you want to make the data public and create a revolutionary device."
"That would certainly draw the attention of many Pokémon clans, noble families, and even the League itself. They would treat you as a thorn in their side and attack together."
"Professor Oak, after touching the core interests of those people, were you planning to drag the entire academic world into resisting them?"
**
**
**
Thank you for reading! If you'd like access to extra chapters and want to support my work, you can visit my P@treon:
P@treon/SilverShark769
Vote with Power Stones for Bonus Chapters!
Your support means a lot, thank you!