Dinner that night was quiet.
Chen Shi stared at his plate, absentmindedly pushing rice around while his mind raced a hundred miles per hour.
There were things he couldn't delay any longer.
He had Salamence and Garchomp breaking into Champion-tier, a full team advancing rapidly, Mega Stones quietly stockpiled through Steven… but none of it mattered if he remained unknown.
He needed reputation.
He needed recognition.
He needed influence.
He needed—
A backer.
A real one.
Someone with the authority to silence greedy opportunists and give him the protection he'd need when he eventually revealed the truth about Mega Evolution and Fairy-types.
He already had a plan.
Once Dragapult evolved, he would visit Professor Birch.
Aside from the Stone family, Birch was the only Hoenn professor whose character he trusted completely.
But…
In his heart?
The true ideal was still Professor Oak.
Not only was Oak legendary in research—
but his political weight, his connections, and his terrifying Dragonite made him a pillar of the entire League.
The man's casual presence could shift the balance of a region.
But Oak lived in Kanto… and Chen Shi doubted the professor would be able to stand publicly behind someone outside his region.
He let out a quiet laugh at himself.
Imagine that—
picking which legendary figure to choose as your shield.
Ridiculous.
But also necessary.
He had very little time left before the World Championship.
If he wanted a higher Researcher Rank… he had to publish.
Tonight, he would unleash three research papers at once—
Scyther → Scizor evolution
Poliwhirl → Politoed evolution
Slowpoke → Slowking hypothesis
Enough to shake the entire Researcher Forum awake.
And once professors swarmed him, he would naturally bring up his other theories… and then politely request an invitation.
No professor alive would refuse such a genius.
Decision made, Chen Shi straightened.
"Grandpa," he suddenly said, "could you help me find a Scyther and a Poliwhirl as fast as possible? No need for high potential—just strong enough for evolution testing."
Grandpa didn't even ask why.
He simply stood up.
"Leave it to me."
Grandma, however, watched her grandson carefully.
The way he had returned this time…
restless, driven, almost agitated—
Something had happened out there.
But then she remembered the two pseudo-legendary Champions sitting in their backyard.
With Salamence and Garchomp as guardians…
what danger could threaten her grandson?
"Grandma, I'm done eating. I'll be in my room. When Scyther and Poliwhirl arrive, have Gardevoir call me."
"Alright, Shi'er. Go ahead."
Upstairs — Midnight
Chen Shi rushed to his desk and immediately began typing.
Clack—clack—clack—
Togekiss, happily licking her evening ice cream, stared blankly at him.
Why is Shi'er typing like his life depends on it?
After peeking at the screen full of symbols she couldn't understand, she quickly got bored and resumed her ice cream.
Leafeon, curled up nearby, cracked an eye open.
Then shut it again.
Must sleep. Massive training tomorrow. Must preserve strength.
11 a.m. — The Next Morning
The Researcher Forum exploded.
Three papers had dropped simultaneously, all from the same name:
"Severe Indecision Disorder."
The papers:
"Scyther Evolution Theory"
"Poliwhirl's Evolutionary Branch"
"Hypothesis on Slowpoke's Evolution into Slowking"
The comment section instantly turned into a battlefield.
"Scizor?! A Bug/Steel evolution for Scyther?! This is insane!"
"Politoed! Poliwhirl has two evolutions!?"
"Trading + Held Items… this researcher cracked communication evolutions wide open!"
"Did you see the Slowking theory? It actually makes sense!"
"Does this genius even sleep?!"
Within minutes, Chen Shi's inbox hit 99+, then 999+.
But he ignored everything.
He was waiting.
For one name.
The right person.
The moment he saw it, he'd know.
Minutes passed.
His eyes felt dry, heavy.
Still nothing.
Just when he thought he would pass out—
A notification blinked.
A comment shot to the very top.
"Brilliant idea. Your hypothesis on Slowking is highly plausible.
You should attempt it with a Slowpoke and a King's Rock.
I look forward to your results."
— Professor Oak
Chen Shi sat up straight, exhaustion gone in an instant.
He replied so fast his keyboard nearly broke:
"Professor Oak, greetings!
I have several other theories.
Could I discuss them privately with you?"
Oak's reply came within seconds.
"Of course."
Chen Shi opened a private chat immediately.
His hands flew across the keys.
"Professor Oak, I believe not all Pokémon evolve by items or magnetic fields.
Some evolve through… emotional bonds.
Between Pokémon and Pokémon.
Or Pokémon and Trainer."
He gave examples—
Riolu evolving into Lucario
Azurill into Marill
Togepi into Togetic
His own Togekiss evolving from affection
He admitted openly—
This evolution method was extremely hard to prove.
But it existed. He was certain.
Meanwhile — Kanto's Pallet Town
In a massive research lab filled with machinery, papers, and a Dragonite sleeping in the corner—
A gray-haired professor slurped noodles while reading Chen Shi's messages.
His eyebrows slowly rose.
"…Affinity-based evolution?"
"What a fascinating idea."
"The bold ones are always the most interesting…"
He set the noodle cup down, wiped his mouth, and typed:
"Your theory is excellent.
If you're available, you are welcome to visit the Oak Research Lab in Pallet Town.
We can discuss it face-to-face."
Chen Shi stared at the message.
And smiled.
Wide.
Read 50 chapters ahead on P@treon -> patreon.com/lucarioTL