When Albert's submissions arrived at the International Journal of Pokémon Evolution, the editorial office immediately sensed something unusual.
For years, the journal had not seen any new authentic evolution papers. Mostly about false discoveries and flawed methodology.
Now, here were five complete manuscripts, all from a single young researcher. The sheer audacity of it stopped the reviewers in their tracks.
The first paper was opened.
The reviewer's eyes widened as they scanned the diagrams: an Eevee glowing intensely white, its body shifting into a sleek, feline-like quadruped with lilac fur, large ears, a red gem embedded in its forehead, and a thin, forked tail.
Notes detailing Albert's controlled environmental manipulations, psychic communication, and genetic analyses filled each page.
A reviewer muttered under their breath, "Wait… this is Espeon?" Their hand shook slightly as they flipped through the data again. "And… It's only one of five?"
The second paper detailed the Dark-oriented Eevee evolving into Umbreon under moonlight.
The reviewer's fingers trembled as they scrolled through energy fluctuation graphs and behavioral observations. "Five… by the same person? This is unprecedented," one whispered.
Another leaned over to check the tables of happiness levels and environmental readings, muttering incredulously, "They tracked every single Pokémon's emotional and energetic state during evolution… meticulously!"
By the third submission—Grass-oriented Eevee evolving into Leafeon with Leaf Stone influence—the room had grown tense. "We haven't seen a legitimate new Eevee evolution in decades," one reviewer muttered aloud. "And now, five at once, fully documented with scientific rigor… by the same author?"
The fourth paper, detailing Ice-oriented Eevee's evolution into Glaceon with Ice Stone influence, left reviewers gasping. The graphs of energy and body temperature, alongside detailed environmental simulations, showed unprecedented precision. "This… this is like… watching evolution itself being demonstrated in front of me," another whispered, eyes wide.
Finally, the fifth paper was opened, which was labeled as Unknown-orientation. It described the so-called Unknown-oriented Eevee evolving into Sylveon after playful interaction and learning the Baby-Doll Eyes move.
Reviewers leaned back in disbelief.
The existence of a previously unknown evolutionary pathway, documented with care, was enough to freeze everyone in awe. "An evolution no one's ever documented before… and somehow tied to a Pokémon move?" a senior reviewer whispered, voice barely audible.
The editor, usually composed, sat frozen, eyes darting between papers. "All by… the same researcher?" they murmured, nearly disbelieving their own words.
Murmurs spread through the office. "Five new evolutions, simultaneously… fully documented…"
Then the moment of ultimate shock came: when they traced the submission's origin.
The account belonged to the recently turned famous person in the Pokémon Research world, the five-year-old elementary researcher, Deford.
The editor's jaw nearly dropped while the reviewers leaned back in their chairs, dumbfounded.
A five-year-old had submitted not one, not two, but five full research paper manuscripts detailing entirely new Eevee evolutions.
Hands flew to faces, murmurs escalated to astonished exclamations.
"Five-year-old?" one reviewer finally managed. "We're… we're saying a child—just five years old—did all this?"
Another reviewer, eyes wide, shook their head slowly. "No… it can't be… There must be a mistake… check the credentials again!"
The editor, finally regaining composure, glanced over at the staff. "There is no mistake," they said gravely, though their voice shook. "Every submission is flawless, every measurement verified… and yes, the author is indeed the Elementary-Rank Researcher Deford."
The office, usually quiet and orderly, erupted into stunned, whispered chaos. "This… this changes everything," someone muttered. "Five years old… five new Eevee evolutions… fully documented… simultaneously… by the famous child researcher…"
In that moment, everyone knew they were witnessing something historic: a young prodigy rewriting the understanding of Pokémon evolution before anyone could even believe it was possible.
As the initial shock began to settle, the editor leaned back in their chair, hands pressed against their temples.
They had never faced anything like this in their career. Five-year-old? A child?
It seemed impossible, yet the evidence was undeniable. The data, the methodology, the evolution records—every measurement meticulously logged—was flawless.
Their mind raced with questions. How do we even announce this? If they publicized the author's age too early, it could overshadow the scientific achievements.
Yet concealing it might feel like dishonesty, and the implications were staggering: a child had not only observed but orchestrated evolutions with precision that seasoned researchers could only dream of.
The editor tapped a finger against the desk, thinking through every scenario.
We need to verify everything beyond a shadow of a doubt. Calls to the journal's ethics board, double-checking submission metadata, confirming the author's identity—every precaution had to be taken.
Yet even as they planned, a small part of them marveled: this could be the most extraordinary moment in the history of Pokémon research.
They considered the potential fallout: professional jealousy, disbelief, media frenzy—but also the opportunity.
These papers weren't just groundbreaking; they were revolutionary.
"If we do this right," the editor murmured to themselves, "the world will remember not just the discoveries, but the prodigy behind them."
After long moments of deliberation, the decision was made.
The editor would personally oversee the publication, carefully framing the narrative.
The age of the researcher would be revealed—but in a way that emphasized the scientific rigor and innovation first, letting the work speak for itself, proving the brilliance of the five-year-old genius researcher.
The world will tremble in its core due to the magnitude of what has been achieved.
For the first time in years, the editor felt a shiver of anticipation.
This wasn't just another journal issue—it was history in the making.