Regarding this matter, the two continued exchanging opinions. After Lucas consulted with his family, Ethan also called the two professors to discuss it.
Upon learning that they could participate in Registeel's release, both accepted without the slightest hesitation and were extremely excited.
In addition, both Professor Harris and Professor Reynolds immediately thought of the possible unlocking of the stone door, and their expressions became more serious.
Even if, after successfully capturing Registeel, the Silver family did not allow them to study it, they already had a potential Regirock available to them through the stone door!
After both parties completed their respective consultations, the agreement was finally sealed.
As the first phase of the deal, Ethan directly accompanied Lucas back to the Silver family and obtained six Meltan nuts from him.
After already having obtained nine Meltan nuts previously, Meltan now obtaining another six left Ethan quite surprised.
Adding everything together, the Silver family had gathered no fewer than fourteen Meltan nuts. Ethan did not know how they had obtained them, but that certainly showed why they were considered the largest financial consortium in the League.
And furthermore, upon receiving those six nuts, Ethan once again fell into deep reflection.
If he let Meltan absorb all six nuts at once, wouldn't it be able to evolve directly into Melmetal?
But now that the deal had already begun, it was inevitable that Meltan would absorb those nuts. So Ethan could only observe and see what happened.
Even if Meltan evolved right there into Melmetal, Ethan did not believe the Silver family would dare to seize it by force.
His current position was no longer that of a nobody.
A Pokémon Professor specialized in evolution was a figure of enormous weight within the entire League. And combined with his youth and his Quasi-Elite-level strength, Ethan was already a priority protection target for the League.
In addition, behind him were the Pokémon Researchers Guild, Ironvale City Pokémon University, and his ties with Champion Leo Cross, so the Silver family would never dare act against him openly.
Thinking of all that, Ethan's mood relaxed quite a bit, and he even began to feel somewhat excited at the possibility of Meltan's evolution.
After Meltan successfully evolved into Melmetal, he could also be considered a Divine Envoy, and he had great confidence in Meltan's strength: it would undoubtedly be a true Elite-level Pokémon.
After handing all the nuts over to Meltan, and under the observation of the Silver family, Meltan began absorbing them.
Now, Meltan's strength had already reached the Quasi-Elite level, so the speed at which it absorbed the nuts was much greater than before.
They could see the metal stirring, and Meltan's body growing once again. In the end, starting from more than one meter in height, it grew another thirty centimeters, reaching around one meter thirty.
At the same time, the energy fluctuations emanating from its body also became even more terrifying, leaving everyone deeply surprised.
That six Meltan nuts were capable of increasing Meltan's strength to this extent was, without a doubt, exaggeratedly powerful.
However, the evolution Ethan had imagined did not occur.
Even after absorbing fifteen Meltan nuts, Meltan still did not evolve!
"Although it didn't evolve directly, it shouldn't be far off anymore."
Although he felt somewhat disappointed, Ethan also let out a sigh of relief and, at the same time, could not help secretly feeling a little glad.
When he returned, if he managed to gather enough Steel-type resources and used the fusion method through the Substitute move, perhaps he really could make Meltan take that final step.
"What a powerful Magnet Pull ability. It seems the plan to capture Registeel will become much simpler."
After examining Meltan in detail, the researchers in charge of assisting with Registeel's release showed satisfied smiles.
Now Meltan had already absorbed all the nuts, and the observation work had concluded.
Next would be the second phase of the deal: Registeel's release and the installation of the magnetic suppression field.
In this phase, Professor Harris and Professor Reynolds also participated, and judging from their expressions, they had gained quite a lot.
As for unlocking the stone door that sealed Regirock, when they returned, both professors could already begin researching it.
And once that second phase ended, naturally, the third and final phase would arrive: the phase of capturing Registeel!
On this occasion, the place chosen to release Registeel was a cave inside a volcanic Secret Kingdom.
In a scorching environment filled with Fire-type energy and high temperatures, Registeel, being Steel-type, was placed in a very unfavorable position.
In addition, inside that cave, thanks to Meltan, a terrifying magnetic field had been arranged.
Under such an intense magnetic field, Registeel's mobility, as a Steel-type Pokémon, would undoubtedly be greatly reduced.
On the other hand, in order to face that Legendary Pokémon, the Silver family had specially raised a Fire and Fighting-type Blaziken for Lucas.
From the perspective of types, Blaziken had an enormous advantage. And furthermore, with the volcanic environment's bonus for Fire-type Pokémon, even while only being at the Quasi-Elite level, it already had the conditions to face Registeel under those oppressive circumstances.
"It's about to begin. The first step will be opening the sealed iron door."
The researchers of the Silver family laboratory murmured in low voices while activating the instruments to proceed with opening the door.
Then a seven-colored ray was seen striking the iron door, while spatial ripples constantly spread across its entire surface.
It was evident that the Silver family's method of opening the door involved the use of spatial power. They were precisely relying on that force of space to break the seal of the iron door and open the sealed space it contained.
Creeeak.
With a dull and heavy sound, the iron door opened.
At that instant, all gazes turned toward the figure standing inside the space behind the door.
Registeel's upper body was gray and spherical in shape. Its body was covered by some black stripes, and on its face there was a hexagonal pattern composed of seven red dots.
Each of its black arms ended in three fingers, its legs were cylindrical, and its entire body was covered in metal. It possessed a body harder than any metal, and its appearance resembled that of a robot, conveying a tremendous sense of oppression.
"It has appeared! The Steel-type Legendary Pokémon, Registeel!"
As soon as they saw that figure, everyone became extremely excited.
"Reggiistll!"
With the opening of the iron door, Registeel also opened its eyes at the same time.
At that instant, a seal that had remained closed for an incalculable amount of time was finally released!
Accompanied by heavy steps, Registeel walked out from the inner space of the iron door, projecting an oppressive presence.
"Become my partner, Registeel!"
"From now on, your opponent will be me! I'm going to capture you right here!"
Watching Registeel's figure walk out of the door, Lucas raised his voice forcefully.
At the same time, the Poké Ball in his hand shone with white light, and Blaziken appeared on the field.
As soon as it came out, Blaziken immediately fixed its gaze on Registeel, while scorching fire began to burn over its body.
(End of chapter)