Chen Shi tilted his head. "What's wrong? Do you… not have many friends?"
Steven lowered his gaze, voice quiet but steady.
"I'm the heir of the Devon Corporation. Since childhood, most people approached me for status or profit. Real friends? I never had any."
Then he looked at Chen Shi.
"What about you? With grandparents like yours—renowned Breeders—shouldn't your situation be the same?"
Chen Shi paused.
Thought carefully.
And realized—
…Damn.
It really was almost exactly the same.
With a mature soul from his past life, he had always understood people's intentions clearly.
Most who approached him had done so for benefits.
Real friendships were scarce.
Except… maybe that one reckless weirdo from Sinnoh.
Steven saw the silence and understood immediately.
Their eyes met.
And suddenly—both burst into helpless laughter.
"Metaaa~."
Beside them, Metagross hummed in amusement.
As Steven's very first partner, it knew better than anyone how solitary Steven's life had been.
Watching him form an honest friendship for once filled Metagross with a strange, parental pride.
Chen Shi snapped his fingers. "Right—your fossil revival research. How far have you gotten? If it's a secret, pretend I never asked."
Steven waved casually.
"It's not a secret. Multiple groups are researching fossil revival. But everyone is stuck on one point—life energy."
"We suspect our failures come from not having enough of it."
Chen Shi grinned.
"Since we're friends now… want a little tip?"
Steven blinked.
"A tip? Don't tell me there's a second Fossil Valley out there."
Chen Shi rolled his eyes.
"There's only one 'Big Dumb Valley,' don't overthink it."
He leaned closer.
"Your research direction is wrong."
Those words hit Steven like a truck.
Chen Shi continued calmly:
"Fossil revival requires dream-energy—specifically from the Litwick evolutionary line. Their dream-manifestation ability is the key."
"Forcing life energy into fossils will never work. Even Xerneas couldn't revive fossils that way."
Steven stared at him like he'd been struck by a Hyper Beam.
This was research Devon had poured absurd time, money, and manpower into.
And Chen Shi was casually saying—
They had gone in the wrong direction from the very beginning.
"A-are you certain?"
"Absolutely. I don't know the full process, but without Litwick-line dream energy, it's impossible."
Steven suddenly stood up, pacing with barely contained excitement.
"That's enough! That alone is a monumental breakthrough!"
"If the direction is correct, fossil revival will be completed—soon!"
He never suspected Chen Shi was lying.
Why would Chen Shi bother tricking Devon?
There was no benefit—and it would be suicidal.
Steven clenched his fists, trembling.
"To revive fossil Pokémon… with our own hands…"
He looked like he might ascend into the stratosphere at any moment.
Chen Shi smiled to himself.
He didn't give this away for free.
If he partnered with Devon one day, obtaining Mega Stones, rare ores, and research rights would be infinitely easier.
Besides…
Once Mega Evolution surfaced publicly, the entire League would crush them with political pressure.
But with Devon Corporation backing him?
They could stand firm.
Just not yet.
Not until he himself reached at least Elite Four strength.
Only then could he protect himself—and the partners he loved.
A shadow streaked down through the clouds.
Dragapult returned, carrying a space backpack and a Luxury Ball.
Chen Shi opened it.
"Fleur, come out."
A soft green glow rippled—
Florges appeared gracefully.
"Flo~."
"Fleur, help these big guys recover with Grassy Terrain."
"Flo~."
She smiled and released a wave of emerald radiance.
Soft grass sprouted across the devastated ground, bathing the wounded steel-type Pokémon in soothing vitality.
Chen Shi followed up with healing sprays, treating Aggron and Lairon one by one.
Soon, the entire tribe was awake.
But thanks to their leader—
none showed hostility.
Half an hour later—
A Jenny swooped down riding a Swellow.
Without hesitation, she opened her sack and tossed more than thirty Poké Balls into the air.
A herd of Aron burst out.
One particularly large Aron squeaked happily and barreled straight into the arms—well, armor—of its father, the Aggron chieftain.
"Koh-koh!"
Aggron's eyes softened.
Its rage melted.
Its child was safe.
It lowered its head deeply toward Chen Shi.
Chen Shi crossed his arms sternly.
"Protect your little ones."
"If they get captured again, the consequences won't be this mild."
Aggron nodded solemnly.
Then—
"Hoooorrugh!"
With a commanding roar, it turned, and the entire tribe marched back toward Granite Cave.
Chen Shi let out a long exhale.
Thank goodness.
If the townsfolk hadn't responded fast, with this many Steel-type giants rampaging…
There would've been casualties.
This peaceful resolution was the best anyone could hope for.
Advance Chapters available on P@treon
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