"I never imagined the significance of this article would be so great!"
Ethan Black's figure was leaning against the railing on the edge of the plaza, his gaze lost in the mountain range stretching far into the distance.
"Yes, it's no wonder Professor Harris could guarantee you'd become an Advanced-level Researcher."
"A new direction for the evolution of a Pokémon will undoubtedly allow more Pokémon to break through the barriers of their species."
"And the evolution of more Pokémon means a general strengthening of the League. Just imagining it—the simple fact that an Onix can successfully evolve into Steelix would already allow ground-type specialist trainers, like Professor Harris, to raise their strength to another level."
"Of course, the evolution from Onix to Steelix is only one example, but you've opened a new path of research for Pokémon evolution."
"Imagine if the President of the League, being a Champion-level trainer, could make his Pokémon evolve once more. The increase in power would be enormous!"
Alex Baxter sighed at his side. The more he thought about it, the more value he saw in Ethan Black's discovery.
"Champion-level trainers...?"
Ethan Black's eyes sparkled, suddenly remembering the Gardevoir of the Grand President of the Pokémon Researchers Guild.
"If Mega Evolution also existed in this world... and the Grand President's Gardevoir could mega evolve!"
At the thought of that possibility, Ethan Black couldn't help but draw in a sharp breath of cold air. The increase in power would truly be terrifying.
"I think I've really done something incredible."
His eyes gleamed again, and he finally understood why the president and the others had reacted with such surprise.
"Well, all of that is something those high-ranking leaders must consider."
"Thanks to you, even though we can't leave the Sky's Secret Kingdom for now, the president has compensated us by allowing us to read some of the Pokémon books here."
"You must know that this is the headquarters of the League's Pokémon Researchers Guild. Books stored here are almost impossible to find outside!"
"And since the president will pay out of his own pocket for what we read, we can't waste this opportunity!"
After sighing, Alex Baxter dusted off his clothes and smiled at Ethan Black.
"Well, even if we don't get resources approved yet, making the most of this isn't bad."
Ethan Black quickly stood up and followed Alex Baxter toward the library of the Pokémon Researchers Guild.
...
In the library of the Pokémon Researchers Guild headquarters.
Ethan Black held in his hands a detailed book on the care and training of Flygon, flipping through it nonstop.
Although Flygon is a very rare Pokémon, there are so many trainers and researchers in the League that it isn't unusual for some to be interested in it.
Moreover, since the Guild is the main hub of researchers, finding such a detailed manual on Flygon wasn't difficult.
In addition to that book, Ethan Black also found detailed manuals on the Shellder line and on Shuckle.
There was even a book about Sandslash training, and this edition was more detailed than the one Professor Harris had obtained previously, though it came from the same author.
"Once I finish reading all this, I'll be able to prepare much more specific training for several of my Pokémon."
Ethan Black, excited, continued skimming and carefully memorizing the content.
Unfortunately, in this library, books couldn't be copied or taken out; otherwise, he could have designed training plans right there.
For the next three days, Ethan Black and Alex Baxter spent their time immersed in the library absorbing knowledge, something key for their future development.
On the other hand, Grand President Beckett, President Hamilton, Professor Harris, and Professor Reynolds tried applying the principle of the Metal Coat combined with "spatial evolution" on other Pokémon.
However, perhaps because they believed Onix could evolve into Steelix only thanks to the Metal Coat altering its rock type, all the Pokémon they chose for experiments were rock type... and all attempts failed.
Ethan Black, a bit anxious, almost told them that Scyther could also evolve into Scizor with this method.
But then he thought better of it: if they continued without results, he could keep taking advantage of the library.
So deep down, he wished their experiments would proceed more slowly so he could read more books.
After all, it wasn't every day that Grand President Beckett would pay for him to read. Professor Harris had had to spend a fortune just to get a book on Sandslash!
"Besides these four Pokémon, I should also look at manuals on most rock-, ground-, and steel-types."
"Especially the steel-types. Meltan has only just been discovered, and all of its training depends on me researching it well. If I don't plan properly, I'll waste its talent as a mythical Pokémon."
"I should also look into Pokémon with abilities like Overcoat or Magic Guard... well, if I have time, the best thing is to read everything."
Ethan Black smiled to himself, almost determined to empty Grand President Beckett's pocket.
Meanwhile, Alex Baxter was also gaining great benefits, though he focused on books about the principles and methods of moves.
Alex Baxter had already told him that, more than being a trainer, he wanted to become a Pokémon Researcher.
That way, Ethan Black could help Alex Baxter train Pokémon, and Alex Baxter, in return, would research moves. Both would complement each other and progress faster.
For example, the joint project of the combined move "Spin Drive" they were working on together had made great progress after consulting so many books in the Pokémon Researchers Guild.
Once Sandslash finished mastering the technique of concentrating on two things at once, they could begin training the combined move Spin Drive.
If this project succeeded, Alex Baxter could become an Intermediate-level Pokémon Researcher in one leap.
(End of chapter)