"But Dragonite, Altaria, and Hydreigon are all Dragons, aren't they?!"
Lance protested, his face turning red.
"Ah, yes, yes—everything you say is right," Chen Shi nodded perfunctorily, wearing an expression that clearly meant sure, whatever you say.
As long as Lance felt good about himself, that was all that mattered.
If he said they were Dragons, then they were Dragons.
Hearing that blatantly dismissive tone, Lance's defenses instantly shattered. He was just about to say something—
when Lorelei cut in from the side.
"Alright, we're done talking about Lance," she said coolly.
"Shouldn't it be my turn now?"
"I'd also like to know—which of my Pokémon can Mega Evolve. Can you give me a hint in advance?"
She adjusted her glasses, a faint smile tugging at her lips. She was clearly in a very good mood.
Chen Shi thought about Lorelei's lineup for a moment, then answered honestly.
"None of them."
Lorelei's expression froze.
Then it darkened.
She sat back down in her chair without another word.
At that moment, Lance suddenly felt much better. He waved his hand cheerfully and strolled back to his seat, looking completely relaxed.
Chen Shi blinked innocently.
He really wasn't lying.
The Pokémon Lorelei had used in the World Tournament truly didn't include a single one capable of Mega Evolution.
As for her other Pokémon—
he hadn't seen them, so how would he know?
Meanwhile, another person stepped forward.
"Hello, Mr. Chen Shi," a tall man said with a friendly smile.
"I'm Leon from the Galar region. Would you mind if we got acquainted?"
Facing the future strongest Champion, Chen Shi naturally wouldn't snub him.
"Nice to meet you, Leon," he replied warmly.
"Just call me Chen Shi. No need to be so formal—we're all about the same age."
Seeing the genuine smile on Chen Shi's face, Leon relaxed slightly before continuing,
"I wanted to ask—does Mega Evolution only work in certain regions, or can it be used anywhere?"
Hearing the question, Chen Shi immediately understood.
Leon was probably thinking that Mega Evolution was like Dynamax in Galar—restricted by region.
So he shook his head.
"Mega Evolution isn't region-locked," he explained.
"You can use it anywhere, at any time."
"It's different from Dynamax."
Leon's eyes instantly lit up.
No regional or time restrictions.
Massive power boost.
Usable at will.
For someone whose goal was to become the strongest Trainer, this was phenomenal news.
He immediately followed up,
"Then could you tell me what conditions are needed for Charizard and Dragapult to Mega Evolve?"
"And what changes after they evolve?"
He'd seen Chen Shi's Mega Charizard before, as well as the transformed Dragapult in the finals.
He owned both Pokémon himself—Charizard was even his ace.
As for Dragapult, he currently had a Dreepy, already close to evolving.
Naturally, he wanted to know more.
Chen Shi thought for a moment, then glanced at Steven beside him before answering,
"Mega Evolution requires a Key Stone and a specific Mega Stone."
"If you're interested, after the World Tournament ends, you can come to Hoenn and attend Devon Corporation's auction."
"They'll be auctioning off three pairs of Mega Stones."
"I think there's a good chance that Charizard's Mega Stone will be among them."
Hearing this, Steven's eyes flickered.
Recalling the look Chen Shi had given him earlier, he immediately understood.
Chen Shi was hoping Devon Corporation would auction off a Charizard Mega Stone—
to build goodwill with Leon.
And thinking it through further—
Leon was the most gifted Trainer Galar had seen in years.
He'd reached the Top 8 in the World Tournament.
In the future, he would undoubtedly become Galar's pillar.
Wasn't now the perfect time to form a connection?
Chen Shi wasn't just talking casually—
he was helping Devon Corporation build relationships.
Realizing this, Steven smiled and spoke up,
"Our company is indeed planning to hold an auction. You're very welcome to attend."
"Great," Leon said, eyes shining, nodding without hesitation.
Then Chen Shi turned his gaze toward Diantha.
"There will also be a Gardevoir Mega Stone in that auction," he added casually.
"Ms. Diantha, you're welcome to attend as well."
Diantha froze for a moment—then looked at Chen Shi in delight.
"Gardevoir… can Mega Evolve too?"
After hearing that only a few dozen Pokémon could Mega Evolve, she'd already given up hope.
She didn't believe her luck would be good enough for her Pokémon to be among them—
so she'd never even asked.
And now Chen Shi was telling her that Gardevoir was one of them.
How could she not be excited?
Gardevoir was her ace.
If it could Mega Evolve, the boost would be enormous.
Chen Shi nodded and added jokingly,
"Of course. If your Gardevoir Mega Evolves, there's a good chance it could pin Lance's Dragonite to the ground and beat it."
Lance's face immediately darkened. He crossed his arms and sat there silently.
Why was it always his Dragonite getting pinned to the ground?
Cynthia frowned slightly.
"That doesn't sound right," she said.
"Diantha's Gardevoir is around the same level as my Garchomp."
"Even after Mega Evolution, it would only reach quasi–Elite Four peak."
"From the way you're talking, it sounds like Mega Gardevoir would definitely win."
Diantha also came back to her senses, looking at Chen Shi in confusion.
Cynthia wasn't wrong.
Even a quasi–Elite Four peak Mega Gardevoir shouldn't be an absolute win.
She'd seen Chen Shi fight Lance before—
that Dragonite's stamina and raw power were terrifying.
Chen Shi himself had needed multiple Pokémon to finally bring it down.
Was Mega Gardevoir really that strong?
Chen Shi shrugged, smiling meaningfully.
"Who told you… that Gardevoir is just a Psychic-type Pokémon?"
"Gardevoir isn't just Psychic—then what else could it b—"
Diantha was about to argue.
She'd spent so long with Gardevoir that she believed she understood it completely.
Wasn't Gardevoir universally acknowledged as a Psychic-type Pokémon?
What else could it possibly be?
But before she could finish—
a thought struck her.
She remembered Florges.
The Florges that defeated Hydreigon in three moves.
The Florges that tanked Dragon Pulse head-on without a scratch.
The room fell silent.
Thoughtful light flickered in everyone's eyes.
No one here was foolish.
Every person present was a once-in-a-generation talent.
They had already suspected that Florges possessed something unusual—
something that didn't belong to any known type.
A new attribute.
And judging from Florges's performance, this new attribute didn't just counter Dragon-type—
It might even be immune to it.
Now, combined with what Chen Shi had just said—
Gardevoir might not be a pure Psychic-type Pokémon either.
There was still—
One undiscovered attribute.
…
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