"Ethan, wait here for a moment."
"Professor Ackerman surely went out to conduct research on sound waves, but he'll return shortly."
Nolan led Ethan to a fairly simple laboratory and smiled as he spoke.
Ethan nodded, showing no sign of impatience. In his mind, he was still thinking about how to develop Vibrava's sound-type moves.
As his thoughts wandered, he suddenly saw an Altaria approaching quickly from the horizon, and he could vaguely make out a person riding on its back.
"Professor Ackerman."
Upon seeing Altaria, Nolan waved cheerfully.
"Nolan, what are you doing here? And this person—who is he?"
Professor Ackerman looked very young, in his early thirties.
"Professor, this is Ethan, the one Professor Harris mentioned to you."
Nolan quickly introduced Ethan. Ethan stepped forward and greeted him respectfully.
"So you're Ethan, the expert who proposed 'A New Direction for Pokémon Evolution'."
Ethan was a little surprised; he hadn't expected Professor Ackerman to know about him as well. He had underestimated his own fame in the academic world.
Ever since multiple special Pokémon evolutions were discovered, the author of "A New Direction for Pokémon Evolution," Ethan, had already been acknowledged as one of the most outstanding scholars of his generation.
"Is this Vibrava?"
Professor Ackerman walked over to observe Vibrava.
Since Vibrava could flap its wings at high speed to generate ultrasonic waves, it naturally fell within his field of study.
However, after observing it for a few moments, he noticed that this Vibrava had an exceptional level of development.
"The development of this Vibrava is truly impressive. What strong wings!"
Professor Ackerman didn't hold back his praise; he looked at Vibrava almost as if it were a perfect research specimen.
"Thank you, Professor Ackerman."
Seeing the professor's surprise, Ethan couldn't help feeling a bit proud.
Trapinch had been added to his team relatively late, but it had received a large amount of resources at the time. Its training conditions had been excellent.
Furthermore, during its Trapinch phase, it had already fully developed its Ground-type talent, and Ethan let it evolve in an optimal environment.
In Dragon Valley, Trapinch evolved into Vibrava. Under the intense Dragon-type energy of the place, its newly awakened Dragon-type talent had fully activated.
That was why the current Vibrava had its full potential developed. Even its one-and-a-half-meter size was proof enough of its magnificent growth.
"It's excellent research material. I'm actually about to start a project on Vibrava. Leave it to me."
Professor Ackerman kept nodding with satisfaction as he observed it.
In fact, this research project on Vibrava had been directly requested by him to the Pokémon Research Guild.
And when Professor Harris learned of it, he immediately thought of Ethan's Vibrava. Coincidentally, Ethan was already training it in sound-related abilities, so both sides matched perfectly.
"You and your Vibrava will work as my assistants. In exchange, I'll teach your Vibrava how to train sound-type moves. That's the content of the contract. Does that sound good to you?"
Professor Ackerman reviewed the entire contract with Ethan.
Naturally, Ethan accepted without hesitation. Clearly, he was the one benefiting most.
Of course, besides Professor Ackerman's interest in Vibrava, the influence of Professor Harris and the Guild President also played an important role.
"Then follow me."
Professor Ackerman called for Altaria to descend.
Ethan released Pidgeot, intending to follow him to the research area.
"You don't have Vibrava?"
Professor Ackerman frowned when he saw Ethan take out Pidgeot.
"Uh... my Vibrava has never tried carrying anyone while flying."
Ethan scratched his head, feeling a bit embarrassed. In reality, a one-and-a-half-meter Vibrava could carry a person.
But its speed and comfort did not compare to a Pidgeot designed for mounted flight, so he always preferred riding Pidgeot.
"Let Vibrava carry you."
"Carrying a person in flight is excellent training for strengthening its wings."
"The wings are the main medium Vibrava uses to emit ultrasonic waves. Without strong wings, it can't generate more powerful waves."
Since the professor had already said so, Ethan had no choice but to nod. He stroked Pidgeot, gave it some food and juice, and didn't return it to the Poké Ball so it could play outside for a while.
Then he looked at Vibrava. After thinking for a moment, he let it grab him from behind with its four legs.
He remembered that in the manga, Shelly and Matt from Team Aqua traveled like this on a Vibrava, and it didn't seem slow. Of course, the comfort level didn't compare to riding a Pidgeot.
"Follow me."
When Ethan was ready, Professor Ackerman took off riding Altaria.
Vibrava rapidly flapped its wings and took off. As it ascended, it maximized its Levitate ability, making Ethan's body feel lighter.
"Looks like you're getting better and better at controlling your Levitate ability."
Ethan smiled as he felt the change. It was actually quite comfortable.
"Viiibbraa!"
Vibrava responded happily.
Then it beat its wings hard, creating a gust of Tailwind that it used to propel itself forward, quickly catching up to Altaria. Its speed wasn't bad at all.
"Levitate + Tailwind... Looks like Vibrava's flight can really be developed seriously."
Ethan fell into a brief thoughtful silence. Originally, he planned to use it as a mount after it evolved into Flygon, but perhaps he could advance the process.
However, its wings were still developing, and long flights could be an issue. He wasn't sure if the combination of Levitate and Tailwind would be enough to compensate.
He also wondered if there was a way to accelerate the development of its wings.
(End of chapter)