"Professor Sycamore… has he been receiving some kind of special attention?"
Shiro couldn't help asking, deliberately emphasizing the words "special attention."
As a Pokémon Professor, Sycamore would inevitably require a vast amount of research material, and to obtain it, he would have to gather it himself.
Shiro could only speculate that during the process of collecting these Mega Stones, Sycamore might have encountered numerous obstacles, perhaps even the "special attention" of certain powerful figures.
"Special attention?" Rowan scratched his head in confusion. "What special attention? Do members of the Stone family just happen to like these stones too?"
Shiro fell silent for a few seconds, unsure what Rowan meant.
Stone… the Stone family?
Sycamore and the Stone family?
And Mega Evolution…
He pondered it briefly but couldn't connect the pieces. Deciding not to dwell on it, he lowered his gaze to the wooden box before him. It was filled to the brim with Mega Stones, very likely the result of Sycamore's long-term collection efforts.
"So? Do these stones have research value?" Rowan asked again.
Shiro nodded, then shook his head.
Yes… and no.
If even Sycamore had been unable to advance this research, it would be unwise to interfere blindly.
If Mega Evolution, something potentially monopolized by aristocratic families, were suddenly made public and handed to countless mid- and lower-tier trainers, those noble houses would surely grind their teeth in fury. One might very well "accidentally choke on water" the next day… or be conveniently declared a suicide.
"What do you mean?" Rowan looked utterly bewildered.
Nodding and shaking his head at the same time, what was that supposed to mean? Did the stones possess phased research value? Or conditional research value? Like suitable for study in spring and autumn, but not in summer and winter?
No, that was ridiculous.
Rowan simply couldn't figure it out.
He could only watch as Shiro, unusually serious and cautious, picked up one of the stones and examined it carefully.
'A,' Shiro asked silently in his mind, 'is there one among these Mega Stones that we can use?'
After carefully probing with psychic power, Unown A replied regretfully, 'Not a single one.'
Shiro had already prepared himself for that answer and wasn't too disappointed. Among the Pokémon he owned, only Haunter had a corresponding Mega Stone, and the chances of finding it here were slim. If he had happened to obtain one from Rowan's collection, that would have been ideal. If not, it didn't matter.
He had originally planned to consult Professor Sycamore anyway, and afterward, perhaps try contacting Steven. Steven might have one.
"Ahem." Rowan coughed lightly. "Shiro, have you discovered anything?"
Following a brief hesitation, Shiro answered, "These stones… are very likely the catalyst for Pokémon to continue evolving."
"Continue evolving?" Rowan frowned. "What do you mean? Do they accelerate evolution? Or allow Pokémon that have exhausted their potential to evolve again? Could it be…"
Shiro nodded. "They allow Pokémon that have already completed their final evolution to evolve once more."
Rowan's mouth fell open slightly. He wanted to speak, but no words came out.
Allow a Pokémon that has already completed its final evolution to evolve again? That meant giving it one more stage of evolution?
Then…
He did not question Shiro's claim. In that instant, what filled his mind was the practical side of Mega Evolution.
"There must be limits to this additional evolution, right? It can't possibly let a Pokémon remain permanently in that evolved state."
"There are limits," Shiro replied. "It's only a temporary evolution that enhances the Pokémon's strength."
"If that's the case, then wouldn't that mean—"
Rowan stopped mid-sentence when he saw Shiro subtly shake his head, his expression grave. In that instant, Rowan understood.
Mega Evolution had already been discovered. It simply could not be discussed openly.
Thinking back to how Sycamore had abruptly halted his research and sent these stones over with strict instructions to guard them carefully, Rowan could now guess who likely controlled such power.
"Ah…"
He let out a long sigh, his heart heavy with the quiet frustration of age.
He did not ask how Shiro knew any of this. Instead, he silently locked the box and returned it to storage. Something that could not be researched was ultimately useless. It only had a bit more potential than actual trash.
Neither of them mentioned Mega Evolution again.
* * *
Rowan resumed the tour, leading Shiro through other parts of the laboratory. They examined fossils and various Pokémon artifacts, moving from room to room.
Halfway through, Rowan suddenly slapped his forehead as if recalling something important. He hurried back to Lab No. 1 and soon returned with a flat, dark gray rectangular device, which he handed to Shiro.
"This is a communication device developed by our institute. It ensures there's no surveillance and no privacy leaks…"
After thanking him, Shiro inspected it. Compared to the devices in Galar, this one was smaller in size with a larger screen, and it even resembled a later version of the Pokédex.
"I designed it based on some research details Professor Oak revealed," Rowan explained with a smile, stroking his graying beard. "It's essentially a simplified computer. It can access the internet. Unfortunately, it doesn't have a camera, so it can't identify Pokémon…"
"It's already excellent. Professor, this device is perfect."
Shiro was very satisfied. He didn't need a Pokémon identification function. He could recognize most species himself, and with Unown A around, there was nothing to worry about.
Hearing the praise, Rowan's smile widened, and even his steps grew lighter as they continued walking.
After visiting a few more areas, Shiro chose the right moment to speak. "Professor Rowan, I'd like you to take a look at one of my Pokémon."
"Oh?" Rowan's interest was instantly piqued.
He knew Shiro was also a trainer and even possessed a Gym-level Haunter. Even if his other Pokémon were not all at that level, he was undoubtedly experienced. Any Pokémon Shiro wanted examined had to be unusual.
Without further delay, they headed toward the grassland zone.
When they reached an open stretch of lawn, several Bidoof and Venonat noticed them and immediately lowered their heads before sprinting away, vanishing into thicker patches of grass nearby.
"These Pokémon aren't familiar with us at all…" Rowan remarked helplessly at their wary behavior.
Shiro waved a hand dismissively. "That's actually better. The Pokémon I'm about to release is quite large. It might hurt them."
With that, he took out Rhyperior's Poké Ball and released it.
Boom!
Rhyperior landed heavily on the grass, leaving two deep indentations where its feet struck the ground. The surrounding lawn trembled faintly, and from within the grass came hurried rustling sounds as more Pokémon fled even farther away.
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