"Uh, so what do I say?"
Dax looked at Auron with a completely bewildered expression.
"Whatever you want. Anything works."
Auron responded, caught between laughter and tears.
"Alright, I'm starting then. Are you all ready?"
"Just hurry up already. Stop dawdling."
This time, even Ashford couldn't take it anymore. He gave Dax a light smack on the back of the head.
"Okay. Respond to my evolution, Aggron! Mega Evolve!"
Aggron looked at Dax excitedly as white light enveloped his body.
The evolution had begun.
"It's real... it's actually evolving?"
Dax's jaw dropped as he stared at Auron. Only now did he truly believe what they had been telling him.
"The way you say it, you make it sound like I've deceived you before."
Auron rolled his eyes at Dax helplessly.
The two national-treasure-level researchers paid no attention to their exchange. With serious expressions, they watched the newly evolved Aggron, immediately directing everyone to measure physical data, energy readings, and more.
After evolution, Aggron's body had grown slightly larger, and his coloring had shifted from primarily black to primarily white.
After a busy period, most of Aggron's data had been collected. However, before they could finish measuring some of the more specific readings, Mega Aggron reverted to his regular Aggron form.
"What a shame. Not enough time. Otherwise, we could have finished studying the evolved form."
Flint shook his head with some regret.
"Let's take it slow. We're already far ahead of other countries."
Ashford replied casually, his eyes fixed on the Mega Aggron data in his hands.
"That's true. Thanks to Auron. Otherwise, we'd be stuck at square one just like everyone else."
Flint excitedly patted Auron on the shoulder, already thinking about how to secure some official recognition for him.
Auron scratched the back of his head and said modestly: "Hehe, it's nothing, really."
"Oh, right. I think I've also confirmed my earlier theory."
"Hm?"
"Hm?"
The moment Auron spoke, both Flint and Ashford turned to look at him simultaneously. The Mega Aggron data in their hands suddenly didn't seem so interesting anymore.
"Well, I heard you mention earlier that his Pidgeot didn't evolve. And during the first trial, even without any cooldown in effect, there was still no reaction. That got me thinking—maybe there's another condition involved."
"I've been researching evolution conditions recently, and after eliminating all the evolution conditions I know of, the only ones left were friendship-based evolution and beauty-based evolution like Milotic's."
"So I thought, what if it's related to friendship? After all, both Grandpa Flint's and Grandpa Ashford's Pokémon successfully evolved. But his Pidgeot didn't—could that be because the friendship level wasn't high enough?"
"That's when I thought of Uncle Dax. He's the perfect test subject. After all, Steelix is a Pokémon he only recently caught, so their bond might not be very strong yet. But his Aggron has been with him for a long time, so their friendship wouldn't be low. That's why I asked Grandpa Flint to call Uncle Dax over."
After hearing Auron's explanation, everyone had their "aha" moment.
A senior researcher nearby even turned to the younger researcher beside him—who bore a slight resemblance to him—and said:
"Do you see? Bold analysis, careful verification. That's the attitude a qualified researcher should have."
"Yes, I understand."
The young researcher looked at Auron with admiring eyes as he spoke eloquently, then replied to the senior researcher beside him.
"So in my view, the conditions for Mega Evolution should be: first, the trainer must have a Key Stone, and the corresponding Pokémon must carry the matching Mega Stone. That's the prerequisite."
"The second condition, as I just successfully demonstrated, is that the Pokémon and trainer must have a sufficient level of bond before evolution can occur."
Flint and Ashford nodded simultaneously, then a fervent gleam appeared in their eyes. Both began making phone calls to summon people.
When two national-treasure-level researchers called for help, even Elite Four members would give them face—let alone for a national research mission.
Those nearby said they'd arrive soon, while those farther away indicated they'd come as quickly as possible.
Of course, for classified research at this level, they only contacted trainers they knew well and completely trusted.
"Is there anything I can help with?"
Seeing them frantically calling people in, Ji Qianyi stepped forward and volunteered.
Auron looked at her and nodded. "Of course. First, release all your Pokémon so we can check if there's a matching Mega Stone."
"Okay!"
Ji Qianyi agreed eagerly. If anyone would be most excited about Pokémon evolution, it was definitely the trainer. Witnessing your Pokémon's new form—even if temporary—was incredibly thrilling.
"Everyone, come on out!"
Six beams of white light flashed, and six Pokémon materialized on the grass.
Auron scanned the group of Pokémon, mentally exclaiming: I choose you—the Psychic empress, Gardevoir!
Ji Qianyi's six main battle Pokémon, from left to right, were: Florges, Togekiss, Gardevoir, Primarina, Galarian Rapidash, and Clefable.
"Gardevoir. We have her Mega Stone."
"Okay!"
Ji Qianyi answered excitedly, then snatched the Key Stone from Dax's hand and gripped it tightly.
Meanwhile, Auron accepted the Gardevoirite from the young researcher, said "Thank you," then turned and walked toward Gardevoir. He fastened the bracelet containing the Mega Stone onto Gardevoir's wrist. Watching her curiously raise her hand to examine the Mega Stone, he couldn't help but think:
As expected of my waifu. So beautiful.
The Gardevoir who had been examining the bracelet froze. Her face flushed slightly pink as she shot Auron a look, and then a gentle, mature-sounding voice echoed in his mind.
"Hmph. Shameless."
When Auron heard that elegant voice in his head, he panicked internally. He nervously turned to look at Gardevoir, who was slightly shorter than him.
Their eyes met. Extremely awkward.
Auron hastily pulled up Gardevoir's information panel, thinking with a wry smile:
Why does she have to have the Telepathy Ability? This was literally my first time making that kind of joke...
"Hmph. Bad person. I don't believe you."
Gardevoir lifted her chin, glared at Auron once more, then quickly ran over to Ji Qianyi's side, leaving Auron alone with his troubles.
Sigh. If I ever get a Gardevoir waifu in the future, I definitely won't pick one with Telepathy. Zero privacy...
"Auron, is everything ready?"
Ji Qianyi looked at Auron excitedly. Only then did he snap back to attention, quickly nodding.
"Mm-hm, all set. Just do it like Uncle Dax did."
"Okay! Respond to my evolution, Gardevoir! Mega Evolve!"