This is indeed a notable discovery.
Though it may not be as sensational as Natsuhiko's discovery that Feebas can evolve into Milotic, it's still a solid research achievement.
"Wait a minute, Natsuhiko, you mentioned two methods?" Dr. Yamanashi asked.
Natsuhiko nodded, "Yes."
He glanced back at Flint, who was admiring the Onix, and gently tugged him, indicating he should listen carefully.
"Ordinary Onix have a hard time coming into contact with a 'Metal Film', let alone needing the magnetic field stimulation."
After a brief pause, he continued, "Based on my observations and investigations, Onix like to bury themselves deep underground. The stronger the Onix, the deeper it burrows, and it does so in areas rich in metals and minerals deep beneath the earth.
Because they can use this method to use their own bodies as raw materials, the earth as a hammer, bit by bit....."
Natsuhiko then explained the process of how wild Onix evolve into Steelix.
Flint, listening nearby, showed a look of realization.
He looked at Natsuhiko with a hint of gratitude.
He finally understood why Natsuhiko said this was for the benefit of him and his Onix.
Because this second method of evolution can indeed make the evolved Steelix more outstanding.
"Mr. Natsuhiko, what you say makes sense, but may I ask if you have any evidence or proof?" Someone questioned at this point.
"I do."
Natsuhiko wasn't surprised by the objection, and he threw out a Pokeball.
Another Steelix appeared on stage.
Initially, everyone thought that the recently evolved Steelix was already quite impressive.
But when they saw the Steelix that Natsuhiko summoned, everyone fell silent.
The difference was too obvious.
It was plain to see.
After a brief showcase, Natsuhiko retracted the Steelix.
With a smile, he said, "I believe everyone should be clearer than I am about the difference between the two Steelix, so I won't elaborate unnecessarily."
That was enough.
Nothing is more convincing than showing the difference between two Steelix evolved through different methods.
Once everyone accepted this outcome,
Natsuhiko began to tell what he truly wanted to share.
"Just as Onix can evolve into Steelix in two ways, I believe Feebas can also evolve into Milotic in two ways."
As he spoke, Natsuhiko's gaze swept around the venue.
This time, no one objected, and instead, they all showed thoughtful expressions.
The best point to prove this theory is, how did the first Milotic appear?
If other Milotic were merely lucky Feebas that happened to find a 'Beautiful Scale' and evolved, then how did the first Milotic come about?
After confirming that no one objected, Natsuhiko continued, "So, I propose a bold hypothesis, that for Feebas to evolve into Milotic, the 'Beautiful Scale' is not essential. There is a more difficult way."
In the Pokemon Realm, there are few who have mastered telepathy or can communicate with Pokemon, but they're not nonexistent.
Has no one tried communicating with evolved Milotic to ask how they evolved?
You really can't say no one has.
But so far, no one has drawn a conclusion.
This suggests that most of these rare Milotic did not evolve through the 'Beautiful Scale'.
In fact, for Feebas, finding a 'Beautiful Scale' is like finding a needle in a haystack, isn't it?
And those evolved Milotic probably don't even know how they themselves evolved, what conditions were triggered, they just evolved unknowingly.
With Steelix as a reference, as soon as Natsuhiko mentioned that Milotic's evolution had two methods, everyone was quickly receptive to the idea.
"Milotic is known as 'The Most Beautiful Pokemon', yet it evolves from the relatively ugly Feebas, which reminds me of the quite interesting tale of 'The Ugly Duckling'. Hence, I propose a bold hypothesis, which I call 'Beauty'.
Can Feebas evolve into Milotic through its own 'Beauty', once it reaches a certain threshold?
Furthermore,
Does every Pokemon possess a 'Beauty' value that influences their judgment of 'beauty' among each other?"
As he spoke these words, most people fell into deep thought.
Only a few had eyes that brightened slightly, thinking it indeed plausible, a decent conjecture.
And the most apparent reaction,
came from the attending league officials.
They exchanged somewhat excited glances.
Beauty?
If the existence of such a thing can be proven, wouldn't it mean that the Gorgeous Competition would finally have a more authoritative numerical basis beyond the intuitive feelings of the audience and judges?
With their keen political noses, they clearly sensed the link between this 'Beauty' and the Gorgeous Competition.
As the league actively promotes the Gorgeous Competition but with little success, one crucial factor is that people's judgments of beauty are subjectively influenced, lacking an accurate concept and standard.
But if an authoritative 'Beauty' could be introduced as a direct numerical display, combined with the reaction and feedback of judges and audiences...
They saw the potential for the Gorgeous Competition to be widely accepted and embraced.
And the key to this is whether the 'Beauty' that Natsuhiko mentioned can truly be proven to exist.
That will have to wait for the results of Natsuhiko's research to know.
However, seeing the possibility, combined with Natsuhiko's previously demonstrated abilities and outcomes, they believed it was worth supporting.