"Young Ethan, what's going on?"
The head of the Silver family also noticed the shaking Poké Ball and narrowed his eyes.
It seemed that... he had guessed correctly.
Those nuts were indeed related to Meltan.
He just still didn't know what the relationship was between Meltan and that mysterious legendary Pokémon.
After all, the nuts were a characteristic shared by both Meltan and that mysterious legendary.
"It's nothing, he's just a little excited."
Ethan gently stroked Meltan's Poké Ball and smiled.
Then he quickly entered the treasure vault, determined to find the Mega Stone and Meltan's nuts.
Very soon, in an inconspicuous corner, he saw the Mega Stone again. His heart settled.
The Mega Stone was secured.
Now he only needed to find Meltan's nuts and this visit would be an enormous gain.
However, after checking almost all the objects and tools, he found no trace of the nuts.
"What's going on? Could it be that they aren't here?"
"Of course... The Devon Company, being one of the most important companies in the Daleron League and even in the world, can't possibly have only this collection. Just like the League's treasury: the truly valuable items are surely stored somewhere else."
Ethan sighed internally and began thinking about how to obtain the nuts.
"It seems I'll have to offer something more..."
With a slight sigh, he continued walking around the place.
For now, the first thing was to secure Lucario's Mega Stone.
While Ethan was choosing items, the head of the Silver family followed him silently.
Seeing Ethan look for something and then pretend to continue selecting normally, the head of the Silver family confirmed his suspicions internally.
After that, the two continued walking silently through the treasury.
In terms of variety and value, the Devon Company's treasury even surpassed the one Ethan had previously visited at the League.
Partly because of the powerful financial foundation of the Devon Company; partly because that League treasury was only one among many and was specifically intended for world championship competitors.
Finally, after reflecting, Ethan chose two items: the Twisted Spoon and the Black Belt.
The Twisted Spoon was a spoon imbued with psychic power that increased the strength of Psychic-type moves.
The Black Belt was a band that strengthened the spirit and increased the power of Fighting-type moves.
Both items were clearly intended for Lucario: one enhanced psychic moves, the other Fighting-type moves.
After choosing them, he began thinking about what his third item would be.
Little by little he approached Lucario's Mega Stone, pretending to be curious.
He picked it up and examined it carefully, showing great interest.
"Mr. Silver, I'll choose this as my third item. I've always been interested in these kinds of objects with unknown uses."
He smiled while holding the Mega Stone.
As an Elite-level Pokémon Researcher, his explanation sounded perfectly logical.
The head of the Silver family nodded, since his mind was occupied with the nuts, Lucario's evolution method, and its special-attack-focused training. He didn't pay attention to the objects Ethan had chosen.
After storing the three items in his spatial backpack, Ethan took out Lucario's evolution method under the expectant gaze of the head of the Silver family.
"Lucario's evolution method!"
The head of the Silver family opened it impatiently.
In the next instant, his expression froze.
He had read the words: friendship evolution.
"Friendship? What is that?"
He had never seen that term before.
He had thought the evolution would require some special item. But what Ethan had given him talked about evolution through friendship.
He couldn't help but doubt its authenticity.
He raised his gaze toward Ethan. And then his eyes widened suddenly.
He watched Ethan playing with a ring on his finger: the spatial ring representing the rank of Pokémon Professor, granted by the president of the Pokémon Researchers' Guild of the Daleron League himself.
"Pokémon Professor!"
"You've already become a Pokémon Professor!"
Holding back his shock, he said it word by word.
"That's right. I obtained the title precisely thanks to friendship evolution."
Ethan smiled broadly.
With the ring in sight, no further explanation was necessary.
"A twenty-year-old Pokémon Professor... probably the youngest in the country... or in the world."
Although it was hard to believe, the ring couldn't be fake.
The status of a Pokémon Professor was equivalent to that of a Champion.
Ethan's identity was now completely different.
"Friendship evolution..."
The head of the Silver family took a deep breath and looked again at the notes.
"I see... emotional energy?"
"A Pokémon being able to evolve thanks to emotional energy... what a surprising discovery."
After finishing reading, it no longer seemed strange to him that Ethan had reached the rank of Pokémon Professor.
With his previous discoveries about new evolutionary directions and multiple forms, he had already been an Elite-level Pokémon Researcher.
Now, by revealing the completely new field of friendship evolution, he had more than enough merit.
When this news became public, it would shake the entire League.
"Perhaps we can exchange ideas in greater depth." said the head of the Silver family, softening his tone.
Ethan was now at the same level as him.
"Yes, I think we have a lot to talk about."
Ethan replied, thinking about Meltan's nuts.
How could he obtain them?
...
At noon, the head of the Silver family organized a banquet in the breeding area.
"Friendship evolution?"
Lucas was also surprised when he read the method.
Suddenly he remembered what Ethan had told him earlier: "Treat your Riolu better."
Now he understood: that was friendship.
He sighed softly and looked at his timid Riolu.
It hadn't evolved because the friendship wasn't strong enough.
"So... treat your Riolu better."
Ethan smiled while serving a piece of meat to his Lucario.
Lucario looked at him with tenderness.
Everything he had achieved was thanks to Ethan. He felt infinite gratitude. Meeting him had been the greatest fortune of his life. With just one look, their bond seemed to grow even stronger.
The other three Riolu looked on with a hint of envy.
"Ethan, how about a battle between your Lucario and mine?"
Suddenly, Lucas stood up with determination.
"A battle?"
Ethan narrowed his eyes and looked at the Poké Ball in his hand.
"That's right. I captured this Lucario recently. I want this to be the first battle between my Lucario and me."
He released a robust Lucario onto the field.
"Recently captured?"
Ethan was surprised.
His own Lucario also looked at the opponent.
Suddenly, he frowned.
With the power of aura, he sensed something strange.
The affinity between Lucas and his Lucario was very low.
"I see... your Lucario had another trainer before, right?" Ethan said seriously.
Normally, a Pokémon only recognizes one trainer.
Accepting another one is extremely difficult.
If it changes trainers, the friendship is usually low; there can even be disobedience.
That is why the Pokémon Trainers' Guild strictly regulates the change of trainers.
Unless the Pokémon accepts it voluntarily, it is not permitted.
That is also the reason why most people use Pokémon they have raised themselves.
Beyond knowledge, synchronization is key.
Especially at the Quasi-Elite level, the trainer's command ability is crucial.
If there isn't enough coordination, the performance may be inferior to that of a Pokémon raised from the very beginning.
(End of Chapter)