It was precisely because of this sincere emotion that Lysandre now held the highest esteem and unparalleled respect for Hakuya.
He liked people like this very much.
In Hakuya, Lysandre saw exactly what he had been pursuing his entire life.
Kindness, selflessness, and possessing a pure, untainted heart...
If only the world were filled with people like Hakuya, how wonderful it would be...
"Hakuya... people like you are the ones who truly deserve to remain in the new world I will create."
The tall man with a lion-like mane of hair opened his eyes, a shockingly terrifying light bursting forth from his gaze.
He had long been utterly disappointed with this ugly, filthy world.
Once upon a time, when Lysandre was still a philanthropist, he was always willing to lend a helping hand to the weak, wanting to make the world a more beautiful place.
However, human greed and desire were ultimately terrifying to the extreme.
Upon seeing those who received aid demanding even more charity instead, and after witnessing with his own eyes the increasing ugliness of society, he grew angry, and he fell into despair—not only angry that those former weaklings had become increasingly arrogant, but also despairing that people, driven by their desires, constantly fought and scrambled against each other, becoming ever more hideous.
Therefore, in order to create a beautiful world without strife, he decided to eradicate all greedy and ugly life.
Thinking of his plan, Lysandre's gaze once again fell on the Seven-colored Meteorite not far away.
"As long as I can analyze the power of this Giant Rock and activate the Ultimate Weapon, I will be able to use the Ultimate Weapon's power to wipe clean all the worthless people in this world, creating my ideal, beautiful world!"
For a moment, Lysandre's tone became extremely fanatical, and his facial features twisted even further.
...
5:30 PM
[Slateport City, the harbor where people, Pokémon, and nature intersect]
Holding Eevee's Great Ball, Hakuya returned from the tall grass in the wild to the Pokémon Center in Slateport City.
"Come on out, Eevee~"
He threw the Great Ball, and a petite, light brown figure bathed in light appeared in front of Hakuya.
"Vee~"
Standing on the solid floor, the little Eevee first looked around curiously, and then her bright, spirited brown eyes noticed Hakuya—the Trainer and master she had forged a contract with.
Compared to the pictures from his past life, a living, breathing Eevee was clearly much more lovable.
Even if she were to compete on the same stage as the former Sprigatito, she wouldn't lose out in the slightest.
"Eevee, I look forward to working with you from now on..."
"Vee-vee~"
"Vee~"
Sensing Hakuya's aura, the little Eevee's voice was dyed with a touch of joyful emotion.
"Eh?"
Hakuya blanked out for a moment, then helplessly shook his head.
Even though it was their very first meeting, the little Eevee's affection level towards him seemed as if it were almost maxed out.
Perhaps his charm genuinely had a super-effective attack bonus against Pokémon...
Looking at the little Eevee who seemed to like him particularly well, Hakuya couldn't help but curl up the corners of his mouth, his mood becoming excellent.
"Eevee, these others are your future companions. Remember to get along well with them from now on~"
Gently rubbing Eevee's head, Hakuya introduced her to the other Pokémon on the team.
"Nai~" Alcremie didn't have much of a reaction, merely nodding gently.
Ever since she evolved, she seemed to have matured a lot, rarely fighting for favor like a child as she did before.
Harboring sincere thoughts of welcome, Alcremie revealed a friendly smile to Eevee.
"La-woo~"
The tsundere little jet plane was too embarrassed to speak, only turning her head away slightly and puffing her cheeks to express her dissatisfaction.
As for Floragato...
She lifted her face, looking extremely unhappy as she stared at Eevee, who was currently rubbing constantly against their Trainer's chest like a little nymphomaniac.
Why is every new companion after our Trainer's body?!
"Meowha-meowha——"
Floragato dashed forward in two or three quick bounds, leaping right to Hakuya's side and tightly hugging his thigh, as if terrified her Trainer would abandon her for this adorable, fluffy little creature in front of him.
"Vee~"
Seeing this, the little Eevee first nuzzled her head, then jumped down to the ground and, copying Floragato's actions exactly, hugged Hakuya's other leg.
Compared to the gentle mommy-type Alcremie, the tsundere losing-heroine-type Latias, and the constantly jealous, gradually yandere-fying Floragato, Eevee was much more like an innocent and naive little child who loved to act spoiled and fight for attention.
"Ugh..."
Hakuya sighed helplessly.
Well, sometimes being too popular with your Pokémon wasn't exactly a good thing either.
"You two, competing with each other is one thing, but absolutely no fighting, okay~"
Finally, demonstrating proper Trainer authority, Hakuya knocked on their heads with his knuckles. He then took out the Legend Plate he had obtained from the NPC earlier from his system backpack and handed it to the little Eevee.
"Here, this is a meeting gift for you, Eevee."
Eevee tilted her head, looking somewhat curiously at the Legend Plate her Trainer held out to her.
Although she didn't know what this thing was, the little creature, whose initial affection for Hakuya was quite high, did not hesitate.
Unlike items like the Focus Sash that are tied onto the body, the Legend Plate is carried by directly absorbing it into the body.
The moment Eevee pressed her pink paw pads onto the Legend Plate, a dazzling and brilliant light of energy erupted. It then flowed around her body before finally being completely absorbed by her.
"Meowha~"
Floragato had just let go of her Trainer's leg when she saw Eevee suddenly transform into a completely different appearance.
Is this... evolution?
"Vee?"
Eevee lifted her own paw pads, surprised by her current changes.
—Her originally light brown fur had now turned entirely black, and after being illuminated by the moon overhead, the golden ring-like patterns on her body faintly glowed.
With just a single thought, she had changed from her initial normal Eevee form into an Umbreon.
Before long, Eevee immersed herself in the joy of changing forms.
She would frequently turn into a Flareon, spewing scorching red flames from the tip of her nose; occasionally she would turn into a Jolteon, her fur standing on end as she emitted crackling sounds of electricity; and at other times she would become a Sylveon, happily waving her ribbon-like feelers.
Meanwhile, Hakuya rubbed his chin and nodded thoughtfully.
"So both typing and physical appearance can be changed like this?"
Relying on the [Multitype] ability and the Legend Plate, the little Eevee could indeed freely switch between all eighteen elemental types.
Furthermore, unlike holding the single Pixie Plate earlier—perhaps because the power of the Legend Plate was far greater—while switching types, the little Eevee could also physically transform into the corresponding evolutionary forms of those types.
Of course, her current physical forms were limited to the eight known Eeveelutions, such as Vaporeon, Flareon, and the rest.