"So... what do you think of that plan?"
Suddenly, the head of the Silver family spoke, and the atmosphere became solemn.
"I think it's feasible. We haven't been able to investigate those nuts at all. We could hand a small portion of the nuts to Ethan so he can study them. I have a vague feeling that those nuts are related to his Meltan."
After a moment of silence, an old man spoke.
In any case, they hadn't made any progress with those nuts. It would be better to use them to exchange for Lucario's mental cultivation method.
If they managed to develop a method to research the power of aura, its value would not be inferior to discovering the whereabouts of a legendary Pokémon.
"Alright... let's first complete the exchange for Lucario's evolution method. We'll use three treasures from the warehouse for it. We're not losing out. After all, in the beginning we didn't expect Ethan to actually discover Lucario's evolution method."
As he said this, the head of the Silver family showed a somewhat awkward expression. As a businessman, he hadn't expected to miscalculate on this matter.
"In fact, that Riolu might have been worth more than an ordinary Riolu," another old man murmured softly, causing bitter smiles.
Without Ethan, that defective Riolu would have remained nothing more than a defective Riolu.
Soon, after another round of discussions, more details of the exchange were finalized.
In reality, at their level, there was no longer such a thing as a truly equivalent exchange; it was simply about satisfying each other's needs.
...
Following Lucas, Ethan entered the Silver family's residence.
In the Pokémon breeding area, the head of the Silver family received Ethan.
"Ethan, we meet again."
Upon seeing him, the head of the Silver family couldn't help but sigh.
Although Ethan had already shown great strength before, the Silver family had not truly taken him seriously. At that time, their main interest had been obtaining information about his Meltan.
But now, when Ethan stood before him again, the strength he displayed was impossible to ignore.
Quasi-Elite level.
That alone was already enough to make him take Ethan seriously. But what impressed him even more was his age and potential.
At just twenty years old, he had already crossed the threshold of the Quasi-Elite level! His future was practically limitless.
Beyond the exchange, Ethan himself had enormous value as an ally.
"Yes, we meet again, Mr. Silver."
Ethan bowed politely.
Although his status and strength had changed, the head of the Silver family was Lucas's father. As an elder, he had to maintain proper manners.
"Riou!"
"Riou!"
"Riou!"
At that moment, three Riolu timidly came out from the grass and approached the head of the Silver family.
"It's those three Riolu!"
Ethan froze for a moment, remembering when he first saw his Riolu.
Back then, Riolu had been desperately striving to grow stronger so he could keep up with those three companions.
"Come out and greet your companions, Lucario."
With a faint smile, Ethan threw the Poké Ball.
In an instant, Lucario's figure appeared, floating slightly in the air.
"Luucaarr!"
After coming out, Lucario looked around.
After observing the surroundings, he slightly narrowed his eyes.
Although he had been away for some time, this was the place where he had been born and raised. He still felt a certain attachment.
He withdrew his gaze and looked at the three Riolu in front of him. For a moment, he was stunned, and scenes from his past life there surfaced in his mind.
Back then, he had been a Pokémon with defects. His only wish had been to strengthen his body a little more so he could run at the same pace as his companions and play with them.
In fact, when he learned he would return, he had felt some anticipation, imagining what expressions they would make when they saw his current strength. He had even felt a little pride.
But now, standing truly before them, everything suddenly felt bland.
His former companions were too weak.
The gap between them was too great.
So great... that he didn't even feel like showing off.
While Lucario evaluated his former companions, the three Riolu were also observing him.
Seeing his evolved form before them, they appeared extremely tense.
It was a pressure that came from the very level of life itself.
But gradually, they suddenly began to perceive a familiar aura. And thanks to the ability of aura power to detect emotions, they clearly recognized the essence of the Lucario standing before them.
Instantly, all the Riolu opened their eyes wide. In their minds, that figure who used to run after them, trying to catch up but never succeeding, appeared simultaneously.
The mockery and laughter from back then, at that precise moment, transformed into an endless mixture of astonishment and fear that flooded their thoughts.
Was it really that weak companion?
Why?
Why had his aura become so terrifying?
And he had even achieved the evolution he had always dreamed of!
Evolution... that was evolution!
"So, can you tell us the evolution method of Lucario now?"
After a few moments of silence, the head of the Silver family suddenly spoke.
The three Riolu were stunned, and immediately afterward they cast hopeful glances.
Evolution method?
Did that companion possess the evolution method of their species?
"When I finish choosing the items, I'll give you Lucario's evolution method."
Ethan smiled faintly, although inside his heart was pounding fiercely.
Lucario's Mega Stone...
It must be known that Mega Stones, even in the original Pokémon world, were extremely rare items.
In the real world, Pokémon items came from Secret Kingdoms. For a Secret Kingdom containing a Mega Stone to descend into the real world and then be discovered was an incredibly low probability.
And not only that—even if one found a Mega Stone, it had to match exactly with the Pokémon one possessed. That was even more difficult.
So far, Ethan had only seen three Mega Stones in the real world.
One was the Charizardite Y, accidentally found at the bottom of the magma in a volcanic Secret Kingdom.
The second was in the headquarters of the Pokémon Researchers' Guild, although Ethan still didn't know which Pokémon it corresponded to.
And the third was the one he had discovered in the Silver family's treasure vault: most likely the Lucario Mega Stone inherited from the Devon Company.
This alone was enough to understand the colossal value of that Lucario Mega Stone: a supreme treasure that practically could not be exchanged for anything.
Ethan had even thought that, in a real world where Mega Stones were so scarce, even if he revealed the method of Mega Evolution, it might take years or even decades before another Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution appeared again.
Not to mention the other requirements of Mega Evolution—the bond and the Key Stone—just finding a compatible Mega Stone was already an obstacle that would defeat countless trainers.
Soon after, under Ethan's expectant gaze, the head of the Silver family led him to the treasure vault.
But the very next moment, before Ethan could even scan the place with his eyes, he felt a Poké Ball at his waist begin to shake violently.
"This is... Meltan's Poké Ball!"
Seeing it, his expression suddenly changed.
Immediately he remembered something.
The last time Meltan reacted like this was in the Steel Secret Kingdom.
Could it be that there were Meltan nuts in this treasure vault?
(End of Chapter)