Professor Sycamore's laboratory was completely different from Professor Oak's.
Professor Oak preferred conducting research alone, so he never recruited assistants or additional researchers.
Professor Sycamore, however, was the complete opposite.
The moment Chen Shi and the others entered the rear section of the laboratory, they saw numerous researchers in white lab coats bustling around busily.
None of them reacted too strongly to the group's arrival.
Most merely glanced over once before returning their attention to their own work.
Professor Sycamore excitedly led everyone toward a large wall covered with countless photographs.
Most of the images contained either ancient text nobody could understand or murals depicting Mega-Evolved Pokémon.
Professor Sycamore pointed toward one particular photo and said:
"Chen Shi, look here."
"The Pokémon recorded in this mural looks very similar to Gardevoir."
"Do you think this might be Mega-Evolved Gardevoir?"
Hearing this, both Chen Shi and Diantha immediately looked toward the photograph.
Although the mural had become blurry from the passage of time, its rough outline was still visible.
Inside the image was clearly a Pokémon whose appearance differed greatly from an ordinary Gardevoir.
Compared to a normal Gardevoir, the Pokémon in the mural wore a fluffy blue gown, while its long blue hair curled elegantly as though drifting in the wind.
Its arms were blue, and two red horn-like protrusions extended from its chest.
No matter how one looked at it—
It truly resembled Gardevoir.
"Chen Shi…"
"Is the Pokémon in this mural really Mega Gardevoir?"
Diantha's eyes sparkled brightly.
After just one glance, she had already fallen in love with the Pokémon's appearance.
At this point, her anticipation toward Mega Evolution had grown stronger and stronger.
Chen Shi's expression became slightly strange.
"Although the mural is blurry, it's still recognizable."
"This really is Mega Gardevoir."
"However…"
"However what?"
Diantha instantly became nervous.
Chen Shi coughed awkwardly.
"This isn't an ordinary Gardevoir."
"It's a Shiny Gardevoir."
Seemingly worried they wouldn't believe him, he explained further:
"If it were a normal Gardevoir undergoing Mega Evolution, the hair and dress would still remain green and white."
"Only a Shiny Gardevoir would appear blue."
"Because Shiny Gardevoir itself is blue originally."
"So that's how it is…"
Professor Sycamore suddenly understood.
Originally, they already suspected the mural depicted Mega Gardevoir.
As for the dress color, they simply assumed it was part of the Mega Evolution transformation.
After all, Charizard literally turned black after Mega Evolving.
So Gardevoir turning blue didn't seem that strange either.
Who could've guessed it was actually a Shiny Gardevoir…
Professor Sycamore stroked his chin thoughtfully before nodding slowly.
Although he had never personally seen a Shiny Gardevoir before, he once encountered a Shiny Ralts several years ago.
That Ralts indeed possessed blue hair.
Which meant Chen Shi was probably correct.
Meanwhile, after hearing Chen Shi's explanation, Diantha's expression stiffened slightly before obvious disappointment appeared in her eyes.
After a short while, however, she seemed to figure something out and softly sighed in relief.
If it wasn't blue, then so be it.
White dresses were beautiful too.
Besides—
As long as it was her Gardevoir, she would love it no matter what it looked like.
...
Afterward, Professor Sycamore pointed out several unfamiliar Pokémon from other murals, hoping Chen Shi could help identify them.
The two discussed enthusiastically back and forth, constantly exchanging ideas about the contents of the photographs.
Meanwhile, Steven, Cynthia, and Diantha eventually grew bored and simply pulled over chairs to sit behind them.
Only Alain remained standing quietly nearby, listening attentively to every discussion.
After a long while, Professor Sycamore suddenly smiled and said:
"Mega Evolution really is fascinating."
"Not only does it drastically increase a Pokémon's strength, but it can even alter their typing and abilities."
"I feel like everything we've discovered so far is still only the surface of Mega Evolution."
Chen Shi nodded subconsciously.
"Professor, I feel the same way."
"I actually have a theory."
"I wonder if you'd like to hear it."
Professor Sycamore instantly became interested.
"Go on."
Because of the ancient ruins discovered throughout Kalos—many of which contained Mega Stones—Professor Sycamore had already become deeply fascinated with Mega Evolution.
And more than anything else, he truly wanted to uncover the deeper secrets hidden behind it.
Now that the discoverer of Mega Evolution himself stood before him, of course he was willing to listen carefully.
"Mmm…"
Chen Shi stroked his chin thoughtfully for a moment before slowly saying:
"I actually don't think Mega Evolution is evolution at all."
"Mega Evolution isn't evolution?"
Professor Sycamore froze before immediately asking:
"What do you mean by that?"
At the same time, Steven, Cynthia, and Diantha also couldn't help moving closer.
All of them wanted to know how Chen Shi—the very discoverer of Mega Evolution—viewed the phenomenon himself.
Chen Shi didn't keep them in suspense.
"How should I put it…"
"I think that in ancient times… or perhaps during prehistoric eras…"
"Mega-Evolved forms were actually Pokémon's original appearances."
"For example, take Gardevoir."
"Perhaps in ancient times, Mega Gardevoir's form was Gardevoir's true original appearance."
"And modern Gardevoir is actually a devolved state."
"The essence of Mega Evolution…"
"…is allowing Pokémon to temporarily return to their original forms."
The moment those words were spoken—
The entire room instantly fell into dead silence.
Everyone stood frozen in shock, unable to believe what they had just heard.
Mega-Evolved forms…
…were Pokémon's original forms?!
If Chen Shi's theory were true, then this would become yet another world-shaking discovery.
Because it was simply too unbelievable.
According to Chen Shi's explanation—
Modern Pokémon were all "devolved" forms.
And Mega Evolution restored them to their true appearances!
Even Steven and Cynthia, who usually trusted Chen Shi deeply, couldn't stop themselves from doubting him internally this time.
Even Alain, Chen Shi's biggest fanboy, stood there with his mouth hanging open while staring blankly at him.
Logically speaking, Alain should've believed his idol unconditionally.
Yet after hearing such a theory…
Even his confidence wavered.
Was everything his idol said automatically correct?
Even Professor Sycamore himself felt deeply shocked upon hearing this idea.
He had to admit—
Chen Shi's theory was astonishing.
And incredibly bold.
Whether the theory was true or not, Professor Sycamore didn't know.
But one thing he did know now was this—
Chen Shi was absolutely a qualified researcher.
Not for any other reason—
But because he dared to think.
He dared to challenge established understanding.
A true researcher needed exactly that kind of mindset.
One had to dare to imagine the impossible and break through conventional beliefs.
No wonder Chen Shi was able to discover Mega Evolution and prove the existence of the eighteenth Pokémon type.
"Why would you have such a theory?"
Professor Sycamore asked with an extremely serious expression.
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