Lucas was discussing the issue of Pokémon habitats with Professor Birch until Cynthia took the stage.
"Shh."
Lucas interrupted Birch, who was still talking incessantly.
"Champion Cynthia? Her research report seems to be about the Legendary Pokémon of the Sinnoh region. Are you very interested in it?"
Birch glanced at Cynthia on stage and then asked.
Lucas said calmly, "No, what I'm interested in is the person on stage."
Birch curiously sized up Lucas, then shook his head and said, "Let me tell you, Champion Cynthia's standards are very strict. It is said that she likes people who are stronger than her."
Many people have heard of Cynthia's criteria for a partner.
"I am her boyfriend."
Birch was stunned for a moment, thinking Lucas was joking. At this moment, Cynthia on stage reached a key point. She glanced at Lucas's position and smiled as she began, "I have conducted field research in many places where myths have appeared. Every place has left behind more or less evidence, and this evidence precisely illustrates the understanding and awe that the people of the Sinnoh region had for the Legendary Pokémon in Sinnoh legends at that time."
Cynthia clicked the mouse, and many broken walls appeared on the big screen. Some were covered with ancient characters, while others were carved with blurry images. Although the images were very blurry, Lucas could still recognize the Pokémon expressed in the images.
There was the Nightmare Pokémon that makes people fall into nightmares, and Cresselia that makes people have sweet dreams.
There was Dialga, who controls time, and Palkia, who controls space, as well as Giratina, who was banished to the Distortion World.
Finally, the screen stopped on an image. The image showed a huge stone wall, on which stood a majestic four-legged Pokémon, surrounded by many plates, rushing towards something falling from the sky.
"This is the stone wall I found in the Michina Temple, the legendary Arceus."
Lucas listened quietly to Cynthia reporting on her research topic.
It must be said that standing on the stage, Cynthia showed no timidity at all. It seemed she was accustomed to such things, coupled with her inherently strong personality.
However, Lucas quite liked the Pokémon Researcher outfit she was wearing today.
Golden hair, white Researcher lab coat, still wearing wide-leg pants, and the gold-rimmed glasses on her face.
Mine, hehe.
Lucas was almost drooling. Gengar reached out a hand from the shadow and handed over a tissue.
"Gen gengar —"
"Wipe your drool; it's disgusting."
Birch had just turned his head to ask Lucas his opinion on the Legendary Pokémon of the Sinnoh region, but before he could speak, he saw a black hand stretch out from the shadow under Lucas's feet, holding a black tissue.
"Fa — — — — Lucas — — — — there — — — — there's a ghost — — — —"
Birch's tongue was tied.
"Where is there a ghost?"
Lucas was also startled for a moment, but quickly reacted and looked at Birch, "If we are talking in a strict sense, it really is a ghost."
Gengar is also a ghost, right — — — —
Seeing Birch's face turn pale, Lucas stomped his feet, "Don't scare people, really."
Gengar jumped out of the shadow and made a face at Birch.
"Uh — — — — fainted."
Birch rolled his eyes and fainted directly.
Gengar: ?!!
Stop it!
Gengar was so scared that its eyes popped out.
Why did he faint?! I haven't done anything yet! Why did he faint! At the Breeding House, this level wouldn't even scare a Combee! Why did you faint!
Gengar scrambled to find its eyes, then shook Lucas's hand frantically.
What to do, what to do, he won't die, right?!
"I told you not to scare people casually. Look at this now."
Lucas hurriedly checked Birch's condition and found that he had only been scared into fainting. He breathed a sigh of relief, had Gothitelle feed him some herbal medicine, and then looked at Gengar, saying angrily.
Gengar intertwined its fingers, looking aggrieved.
I didn't know he was so easily scared — — — —
"You think everyone has a big heart like us at the Breeding House — — — —"
Looking at Gengar's somewhat self-blaming expression, he reached out and pulled its corner of the mouth, "Alright, don't blame yourself. When he wakes up, we will apologize properly and make it up to him. You can't just scare people outside casually next time, got it?"
Gengar grinned and nodded heavily.
Birch opened his eyes slowly, looked at Lucas sitting beside him looking at him with concern, and asked suspiciously: "What happened to me?"
"You were accidentally scared into fainting, but I fed you some herbal medicine to soothe your spirit. You're fine now."
"Feeling it like this, my body does feel much lighter. But what did I get scared by? Oh right! Lucas! There's a ghost!"
Birch's face turned pale again.
Lucas hurriedly reassured him, "Don't worry, what you are talking about is my ace partner, Gengar, not a real ghost."
"Gengar? Really?"
Lucas nodded, then called out to Gengar. Gengar jumped out of the shadow.
"Gen gengar"
Nice to meet you.
Afterwards, Gengar sincerely apologized to Birch. After Birch realized it was Gengar, he waved his hand generously to show it was fine.
Seeing this, Gengar even shared its snacks with Birch. After going back and forth, the human and the ghost started putting their arms around each other's shoulders.
Watching the relationship between the human and the ghost heating up rapidly, Lucas shook his head.
Sure enough, when it comes to interpersonal communication, it still depends on Gengar and Shauna.
On stage, Cynthia was answering a question from a Researcher.
"May I ask how you are sure that these Legendary Pokémon actually exist? And that they are not products constructed in legends?"
Cynthia answered calmly: "Please look."
Immediately after, a few blurry pictures appeared on the big screen. Although they were a bit blurry, the blurry figures in the photos still gave everyone present a huge shock.
"These are — — — —"
"This is Dialga, the God of Time in Sinnoh legends; this is Palkia, the deity in charge of space in Sinnoh legends; and Giratina, the master of the Distortion World."
"In addition, this is Arceus."
The pictures should have been snapshots, so they were a bit blurry.
"This — — — — this is how shocking — — — —"
The questioning Researcher couldn't help but speak.
At the same time, Cynthia also played a few videos. They were not long, but the Roar of the Legendary Pokémon inside made everyone present feel their scalps tingle involuntarily.
The battle between Dialga and Palkia, the giant of the snow mountain turning the tide, the anger of Giratina, and the divine punishment brought down by Arceus — — — —
Lucas watched these familiar videos and wondered when Cynthia had secretly filmed them.
"Were these all filmed when you were fighting them?"
Cynthia shook her head, "No, it was when the second Champion of our Sinnoh region was fighting them, some people on the scene captured them."
When mentioning the second Champion, the smile on Cynthia's face became even brighter.
After Cynthia finished her report, she returned to sit beside Professor Carolina. As soon as she sat down, her phone vibrated.
She took out her phone and browsed the message Lucas had just sent her.
Lucas: You spoke so well, I'm almost obsessed with you.
Cynthia's eyes curved.
Cynthia: Then you shouldn't be obsessed with me; I have a boyfriend.
Lucas: Isn't that a coincidence? I have a girlfriend too.
Cynthia: Your girlfriend lost to my boyfriend.
Lucas: — — — —
Lucas: You say it like that — — it seems there's no problem?
Cynthia: Hmm? [Garchomp sharpening knife.jpg]
Lucas: — — — — I mean — — — — you're going to lose friends saying that.
Cynthia: You mean I'm lying? [Garchomp wiping scythe.jpg]
Lucas: So, no matter what I do, I'm at a dead end?
Cynthia: You guess?
Lucas: But your lab coat is actually quite pretty.
Cynthia: Grandma helped me make it, pretty right?
Cynthia: What about yours? Did you bring it? I see you're not wearing it.
Lucas: !!!
Lucas: Do I have to wear a lab coat to go on stage?
Cynthia: — — — —
Cynthia: You — — — — never mind, wait for me a moment.
Professor Carolina looked at her granddaughter, "Are the two of you inseparable?"
Cynthia blushed, then stood up and whispered: "Grandma, wait for me for a moment."
Professor Carolina nodded.
On the other side, Lucas and Birch were chatting when he suddenly smelled a familiar fragrance.
Lucas turned his head and saw Cynthia walking over.
Because Lucas and Birch's seats were in the last row, there was no one around.
"Why are you here?"
Lucas asked curiously.
Cynthia handed the lab coat in her hand to him, "You use this first. It's better to dress more formally when going up to report."
Lucas took the lab coat, and the heart-penetrating fragrance filled his nose.
"This wouldn't be — — — —"
Lucas was a bit shocked.
Cynthia's expression was calm as always, but the burning sensation behind her ears became more intense.
"Don't be afraid, just follow what you prepared. There shouldn't be any big problems. Come on."
Cynthia showed a beautiful smile to encourage Lucas, and after saying hello to Birch, she returned to her seat.
Lucas put on Cynthia's lab coat and suddenly felt that he had also become a fragrant and soft little cake.
"Hehe."
The smile on Lucas's face couldn't stop. He looked at Gengar with an extremely smug expression, and even sang out: "I have her perfume on me~"
"Gengar, oh Gengar, look at you, you look so stinky, unlike me, fragrant and soft~"
Gengar's teeth gnashed loudly.
"From now on, let's keep our distance first. I'm afraid I'll become stinky too."
The more Lucas looked smug, the more Gengar Licked Lucas's face directly.
"Num — — — — num — — — — num — — — —"
A red light flashed.
"Gothitelle."
What are you doing again?
Birch still couldn't quite accept the way Lucas and Gengar got along.
At this time, he was shocked, "This — — — — Lucas, are you okay?"
"Gothitelle, he — — — —"
Gothitelle had just come out of the Poké Ball, and looking at Lucas, who was in a paralyzed state, shook her head, accustomed to it.
"Gothitelle."
Don't worry about him, he's fine.
Then she stuffed a Cheri Berry into Lucas's mouth.
"Are you okay?"
Facing Birch, Lucas shook his head, "This level is a piece of cake."
Birch: As expected of you! Amazing!
Then he remembered what he had just seen and asked tentatively: "You and Champion Cynthia — — — —"
"Didn't I say it? I am her boyfriend."
Lucas was immersed in the fragrance comparable to the gracidea flower, answering matter-of-factly.
Birch: !!!
Just like that, some time passed, and Professor Oak called Lucas's name on stage.
Lucas stood up and saw Gengar beside him also wearing its own lab coat and glasses. He hesitated for a moment and asked Birch: "By the way, can I take Gengar up with me?"
Birch nodded, "If Gengar is acting as your assistant, then that's no problem."
Lucas nodded and looked at Gengar, "Then let's go, Gengar assistant."
"Gen gengar —"
Received, Researcher Lucas.
Lucas walked onto the stage, looking at the group of famous professors sitting below. At a glance, most of them were professors he had seen or had an impression of, and he couldn't help but feel nervous.
This situation is even more terrifying than facing Arceus, okay — — — —
Off stage, Professor Oak was nodding at him with a smile, signaling that he could begin.
Lucas closed his eyes and took a deep breath, then clicked on the PPT and started talking.
As he became more and more engaged, Lucas's nervousness gradually disappeared, replaced by a kind of confidence, a calm confidence.
Soon, Lucas finished reporting his research topic, and the Q&A session followed.
An unknown Researcher asked: "May I ask how you view the relationship between your dietary therapy method and the methods we currently use to treat Pokémon?"
Lucas thought for a moment and began to speak: "Actually, neither method encompasses the other; rather, they have a symbiotic relationship. Regardless of the method, our goal is to make Pokémon better. For example, after a battle, if a Pokémon is injured and needs treatment, using dietary therapy is clearly unreasonable; conventional treatment methods should be used. If one insists on defining the relationship..."
"I believe that dietary therapy has more advantages in treating a Pokémon's inner state compared to conventional methods. At the same time, dietary therapy is not only suitable for Pokémon; it is equally applicable to humans."
Lucas smiled and asked the unknown Researcher: "May I ask, do you enjoy good food?"
The Researcher nodded: "I quite like it."
"I like it too. According to my research, the frequency of humans suffering from various symptoms due to deep emotional wounds is not much less than that of Pokémon. However, regardless of the mood of humans or Pokémon, they always share one commonality: eating."
Lucas began to explain his views in detail, and in the end, he even brought up Shauna's example.
Before coming, he had asked for Shauna's opinion. Shauna is now able to face everything she experienced in the past calmly. If she were to meet that butler who bullied her now...
According to Shauna, she would say: "I would punch him flying."
Lucas did not doubt the truth of this statement because he felt Shauna could absolutely do it.
After hearing Shauna's example, the Researchers and scientists below nodded one after another.
"Besides the psychological advantages, dietary therapy can also help Pokémon grow better and increase their potential."
After finishing, Lucas brought up the example of Jenny Shila's Arcanine from Kopo Town: "Take Jenny Shila's Arcanine from Kopo Town as an example."
"When it was still a Growlithe, it once had too much fire-type energy in its body that couldn't be released. This is actually a problem that most Fire-type Pokémon often encounter: the Fire-type energy in their body is too abundant, and because they are in a town, it cannot be released, leading to physical damage and greatly reducing their potential."
"At this time, if we use some spicy-tasting food mixed with some herbal medicine that promotes appetite for it to consume, and then find a suitable place for them, part of the fire-type power in their bodies will be absorbed by the body, part will be excreted, and the rest will be released under the stimulation of the spicy food. In this way, we can ensure its physical condition remains good, and its potential will not be damaged."
Lucas spoke eloquently.
Professor Oak and Professor Rowan exchanged glances; Professor Rowan was listening with great interest.
Professor Oak was calculating something in his heart.
At this moment, another professor raised his hand—a familiar person, a familiar handsome uncle.
Lucas signaled, and Professor Sycamore stood up.
"The paper mentions that dietary therapy helps with Mega Evolution. Could you be more specific?"
Lucas nodded, signaled for Professor Sycamore to sit down, and then began: "Before discussing the relationship between dietary therapy and Mega Evolution, we must first understand the essence of Mega Evolution. In my opinion, the reason why Trainers and Pokémon can achieve the miraculous Mega Evolution lies in the bond between them. When the bond between the Trainer and the Pokémon reaches a certain level, they will achieve this miraculous evolution."
Professor Sycamore nodded; he understood this point, after all, he was also a professor who researched Pokémon Mega Evolution.
Immediately after, Lucas continued: "Then we need to discuss the meaning of the two words: 'bond'."
"Some say that a bond is generated when the relationship between a Trainer and a Pokémon reaches a certain critical point. Others say that a bond is an ethereal thing generated when hearts are connected with the Pokémon. Still others say that a bond is the Trainer loving the Pokémon, and the Pokémon loving the Trainer in return—"
"These are all actually correct. If one must be specific, a bond can be protection—the Trainer wants to protect the Pokémon, and the Pokémon also wants to protect the Trainer in return. When this mutual feeling reaches its extreme, they will create a miracle, which is our Mega Evolution."
"It can also be anger—the Pokémon feels angry when facing the disappointment on the Trainer's face. It can also be feeling angry when the Trainer is hurt, thereby transforming this emotion into power to achieve Mega Evolution."
"Hatred, love, indifference—these emotions together create the bond between the Trainer and the Pokémon. The bond is the link between the Trainer and the Pokémon; through this link, the Trainer and the Pokémon can perceive each other's feelings."
After explaining the essence of Mega Evolution, Lucas rested for a while, took the water handed over by Professor Oak, unscrewed it, took a sip to moisten his throat, and continued: "Mega Evolution will greatly improve a Pokémon's strength. This leads to some Trainers and Pokémon constantly looking for ways to achieve Mega Evolution, but they often ignore one point: Mega Evolution is not just a burden on the Trainer; it is a much greater burden on the Pokémon."
"Blindly forcing the establishment of a bond link will cause great harm to the Pokémon's body. These injuries will not show up immediately but will manifest over time. That is why the strength of some Trainers who have mastered Mega Evolution declines rapidly."
"However, if we pursue the bond link with our Pokémon while using food and medicine as aids, we can keep the Pokémon in a pleasant mood without great pressure, while also slowly healing the injuries left behind by Mega Evolution within its body."
"Through striving for the same goal again and again and feeding them time and time again, the relationship between the Trainer and the Pokémon will leap qualitatively, establishing an extremely strong emotion. A Pokémon with strong emotions will, at some time, at some moment, respond to the Trainer's feelings, thereby achieving Mega Evolution."
Lucas smiled as he said this. Just when everyone was confused about why he had stopped, a brilliant light shone from Lucas's chest.
The wooden plaque pendant embedded with a key stone floated up out of thin air. Lucas reached out and grabbed it, gave it a gentle tug, and the red string snapped. Then Lucas gently kissed the key stone.
"Our hearts are connected."
"Gengar, Mega Evolution."
Gengar grinned, curled its tongue, the Mega Stone appeared, and then a brilliant and intense light flared up.
Gothitelle nonchalantly opened a protective barrier.
The brilliant light dissipated, and Mega Gengar stood on the stage. Lucas smiled and pinched its mouth.
"When the affection between us Trainers and Pokémon is deep enough—that is, when the so-called bond is deep enough—Mega Evolution will appear effortless. At the same time, the strength of both of us will also improve a step further because of our bond."
Gengar stood on the field, aura fully unleashed; the strength of a Champion's ace filled the entire venue.
"Such strong power—" Professor Kukui frowned.
"This—such a strong bond—" Professor Sycamore was dumbfounded.
All the professors and Researchers present could perceive the bond between Lucas and Gengar—ethereal yet clearly visible.
Lucas snapped his fingers, and Gengar returned to its original form, flashing a peace sign at everyone off-stage.
"Hee hee, you were scared, weren't you?"
"At the same time, I hold a profound suspicion that when the bond reaches a certain level, whether Pokémon and Trainers can achieve a true unity of heart and mind, thereby achieving an evolution different from Mega Evolution."
"Finally, I also wonder if Mega Evolution can transcend time and space to convey the feelings of both parties."
Regarding this suspicion, Latias indicated that it was entirely possible, because when it was fighting Arceus back then, it had been 'hijacked' by two shameless things.
"Actually, it's not just Mega Evolution; the Z-Moves of the Alola region are not much different from Mega Evolution."
Professor Kukui: ??? "Gen gengar" He also understands Z-Moves?!
Lucas then started talking about Z-Moves.
When he got to the end, Lucas paused for a moment before continuing: "When our bond with our Pokémon reaches a certain level, we can release Z-Moves in a way that we like or that the Pokémon likes."
Just when Professor Kukui was preparing to refute, he saw Lucas raise his wrist. The Z-Ring was clearly visible on it.
Gothitelle, which had just protected them, floated to Lucas's side, smiled, and high-fived him, then began to circle Lucas gracefully, while Lucas just closed his eyes, crossed his hands, and stood still.
Professor Kukui: ? How does he know everything? Is dietary therapy really that powerful?
Lucas suddenly opened his eyes. Gothitelle stopped dancing; its eyes opened as Lucas opened his, and the symbol of the Z-Move lit up.
An extremely terrifying psychic power spread throughout the venue, slightly lifting everyone present, and then suddenly retracted, causing everyone to sit back in their chairs.
Gothitelle threw a "Shattered Psyche" at Gengar.
The Dark Void in Gengar's hand connected to the Distortion World.
Lucas had communicated with Giratina beforehand and received Giratina's affirmation.
Facing the incoming Shattered Psyche, Giratina used Shadow Ball.
Immediately after, the Shadow Ball was blasted apart head-on. Then—Boom!
Giratina smashed hard into the floating stone wall in the air.
Giratina: ??? Gengar's head stretched into the Distortion World. "What's up? Why such a big commotion?"
Giratina calmly shook its head. "It's nothing, I'm repairing things."
Gengar opened its mouth wide. "As expected of Giratina—such strong power—even I wouldn't dare take this move head-on, yet Giratina actually took it and still looked effortless."
"As expected of you, Giratina. It looks like I still need to keep learning."
After Gengar left, Giratina immediately bared its teeth. "Awoo! My wing is broken again—it hurts so much! Damn Lucas! Why didn't you tell me in advance that it would hurt so much!"
Giratina looked at its twisted wing, gritted its teeth, and swallowed its grievances. "It hurts so much!"
In the real world, after Lucas finished talking about Z-Moves, he started talking about Dynamax in the Galar region.
Just like that, Lucas carefully explained the relationship between dietary therapy and bonds. He also explained all the other fields that dietary therapy involves.
Originally, everyone had five to ten minutes for their report, but Lucas ended up reporting for a full hour.
However, no one present spoke up to interrupt Lucas, because everyone was listening with great interest.
The aspects involved in dietary therapy are too broad; it touches upon many research topics.
"With that, the above is the content I needed to report. I am very sorry for taking up so much of everyone's time."
Lucas let out a sigh of relief, then bowed.
Professor Oak took the lead in applauding, and immediately after, continuous applause rang out in the venue.
Seeing this, Lucas exchanged a glance with Gengar. "Finally done."
Gengar revealed its standard big smile and gave him a thumbs up. "Gen gengar" "As expected of you, Lucas."
***************************
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