"Impressive," Professor Oak commented, watching Abra effortlessly levitate the designated sacks onto the cart as he pointed them out. "Good coordination." He didn't specifically mention Abra using its powers, but the acknowledgement was clear.
His praise, however casual, momentarily confused Xiu again. 'Is he testing my reaction to using Abra's powers? Or just genuinely acknowledging the efficiency?'
Before Xiu could overthink it, Professor Oak was already heading towards the warehouse exit, calling back over his shoulder, "Still dawdling? How long does it take to load a simple cart?"
"Coming!" Xiu quickly pushed the now-loaded cart, Abra floating silently alongside, out of the warehouse and into the bright afternoon sun.
As they walked along the path leading towards the main backyard habitat, Professor Oak suddenly asked, "Did you memorize the quantities I listed just now?"
"Yes." Xiu replied automatically. Honestly, he hadn't focused on memorizing the exact scoop counts amidst the rapid-fire instructions and coordinating with Abra.
But Abra… missed nothing. Its psychic mind possessed an eidetic memory far exceeding human capability. The information was stored, accessible through their telepathic link if needed.
"Good," Professor Oak nodded. Then, almost dismissively, he added, "Completely useless information, though." He didn't seem to care about Xiu's potential reaction to the blunt statement.
Knowing the Professor's likely intention was to provoke a question, to test his critical thinking, Xiu obliged. "Useless, Professor? Why?"
"Because," Professor Oak explained, slowing his pace slightly, "the Pokémon here aren't like those in your managed Wilderness Area, or even a standard breeding facility. My philosophy here," he gestured expansively towards the sprawling habitat behind the Institute, "is focused on simulating a natural ecosystem as closely as possible. Minimal human interference.
The Pokémon forage, interact, establish territories on their own. The data gathered from observing truly natural behaviors is far more valuable, more real, than data from artificially controlled environments."
"Then these Pokéblocks…" Xiu gestured towards the cart, confused. "Why prepare specific amounts if they forage naturally?"
"Those are just supplements." Professor Oak clarified. "To ensure baseline nutrition, especially for the younger or less dominant individuals, and to allow for close observation during feeding times." He pointed towards several distinct areas within the habitat – a small pond, a rocky outcrop, a grassy meadow. "Those are the designated feeding stations."
Xiu looked closer, following the Professor's gesture. "So," he asked, connecting the dots, "the amounts you listed… they aren't fixed daily rations?"
"Exactly," Professor Oak confirmed with an approving smile. Clearly, Xiu was asking the right questions now. "Relying on fixed, memorized amounts is pointless here. Yesterday's intake has no bearing on today's needs."
Xiu immediately grasped the implication. He wasn't just a delivery boy, dropping off pre-measured food. Professor Oak wasn't someone who just wanted tasks completed; he valued independent thought, initiative, the ability to analyze and adapt.
"Memorizing is useless." Professor Oak elaborated, reinforcing the point. "What you truly need to remember, to observe, is the condition of the Pokémon themselves. Learn to assess their energy levels, their health, their social dynamics each day. Then, based on those observations, you formulate the appropriate supplemental Pokéblocks for that specific day, for that specific group. Understand?"
"Then… how do I determine the correct amounts?" Xiu asked, realizing the complexity of the task.
"Don't worry," Professor Oak reassured him, a faint smile returning. "I will teach you. Observation, analysis, and formulation… that will be part of your real training here."
Xiu fell silent again, nodding slowly. 'This job… it was far more involved, far more demanding than simply feeding the Pokémon'. This was exactly the kind of practical, advanced knowledge he needed to become a true Breeder.
"Alright," Professor Oak said, pointing towards the small, artificial pond. "Let's start with the aquatic habitat. We'll work our way around from there." He indicated a rough circular route that encompassed the main feeding stations within the immediate backyard area.
"The rest of the back mountain," he added sternly, "is off-limits for now. The Pokémon further out there are less accustomed to humans. Intruding unprepared will provoke an attack, so stick to these areas until you're more experienced."
"Yes, Professor." Xiu glanced around the designated area. It was large, but the number of Pokémon immediately visible seemed manageable. 'Perhaps a dozen different species, maybe thirty or forty individuals in total?' Still more than he'd handled alone at the park, but within the realm of possibility, especially with Abra's help.
'However… taking direct responsibility for formulating their diets? Based on daily observation?' The pressure felt immense, but those dedicated to their craft can't say no to a challenge! He quickly adjusted his mindset, embracing the difficulty. This wasn't just a job; it was an apprenticeship.
They reached the edge of the pond. It was fed by a channel diverting water from the nearby stream, with another outflow channel ensuring constant circulation, preventing stagnation. Small clumps of reeds and water plants grew along the edges. On the far side, away from the main stream flow, a shallow depression held marshy grasses, providing a habitat for semi-aquatic species.
Professor Oak stood silently for a moment, simply observing the Pokémon in the water. Xiu took the opportunity to do the same, fascinated. Water-types, especially those unable to move freely on land, were relatively rare inland. Seeing them up close like this was a valuable learning opportunity.
He spotted several Goldeen darting beneath the surface, their horns catching the light. Staryu rested motionlessly on the bottom, its central core pulsing faintly. Tentacool drifted near the reeds. In the marshy area, a large Krabby scuttled sideways, pincers raised defensively, while several Poliwag tadpoles swam in the shallows. Common Kanto aquatic Pokémon, yes, but observing their natural interactions in this semi-wild setting was enthralling.
"Well?" Professor Oak finally asked, breaking the silence, a teasing glint in his eyes. "See anything interesting? Or are you disappointed that Professor Oak's world-famous research institute… is filled with nothing but common pond-dwellers?"
Xiu scanned the pond again. "Actually, Professor," he replied honestly, "I am a bit surprised… not to see any Magikarp." Given their ubiquity in Kanto's waterways, their absence here felt noteworthy.
"Ahem!" Professor Oak cleared his throat, his jovial expression momentarily tightening. "Magikarp?" he repeated, his tone stiff. "Who in their right mind would deliberately keep those useless, splashing nuisances in a research habitat!" He waved a dismissive hand, clearly ending that line of discussion. "Enough talk. Let's get to work."
"Yes, sir!"
"Alright, the Staryu blend goes here, near the rocks… not too much, they mostly filter feed… scatter the Goldeen pellets near the reeds, don't clump it… the Tentacool supplement needs to be dissolved near the outflow current…" Professor Oak began issuing precise instructions, guiding Xiu through the specific feeding requirements for each species in the pond habitat.
Xiu followed diligently, absorbing the information, Abra assisting silently with placing the food precisely where directed.
They continued this process, moving from the pond to the rocky outcrop (feeding Geodude and Sandshrew), then to the grassy meadow (feeding Nidoran, Rattata, Pidgey). After circling the entire designated backyard paddock, distributing the Pokéblocks according to Oak's specific, observation-based instructions for that day, they finally returned towards the warehouse, the feeding cart now empty.
"So?" Professor Oak asked, stopping near the warehouse door. "Think you've got the hang of it?"
"Mostly," Xiu replied cautiously. "The principles seem clear, though remembering the specific needs of each species each day will take practice." The process had been intense, far more detailed than the simple feeding routines at the park.
"Good enough for a start," Oak nodded, seemingly satisfied. "Your main duty is simple: feed this group three times a day – morning, midday, late afternoon. Adjust how many you give them based on daily observation. Keep their habitats clean. Don't worry about the Pokémon further up the mountain; they manage themselves."
"Understood, Professor."
"And," Oak reiterated sternly, "stay out of the back mountain woods unless you're with me or my fellow colleagues. The Pokémon there are wild. They will attack intruders."
Xiu remained silent for a moment, processing everything. Then, a lingering question surfaced. "Professor," he asked hesitantly, "I have one more question."
Oak raised an eyebrow, looking slightly pleased by the inquiry. "Oh? Go on."
"It's just… earlier, you said memorizing the initial quantities was useless," Xiu began carefully. "But then you spent the entire time giving me very specific instructions based on your observations today. If I'm supposed to learn to formulate the Pokéblocks myself based on my own observations… why not just let me try that from the beginning?"
Professor Oak chuckled softly, a knowing look in his eyes. "Patience, young man," he replied cryptically. "What you really need to learn hasn't started yet. You'll understand why I did it this way soon enough."
"Okay, Professor," Xiu murmured, falling silent again, though his expression clearly showed his lingering confusion and perhaps a hint of frustration. He still felt like he was missing a crucial piece of the puzzle.