Lionel opened the metal case; the ores inside instantly gave off a cold metallic sheen, especially that piece of iron-nickel alloy coated in deep-blue metal.
Tiny streams of light seemed to swirl slowly across its surface—one glance and you could tell it was extraordinary.
Beldum popped out of its Poké Ball, hovering in place as it curiously drifted toward the ores.
It couldn't stop rubbing against the ores, wagging its body in excitement, looking desperate to absorb these "treasures."
Lionel laughed and held it back, whispering, "Easy, we'll be back at the hotel soon—then you can absorb them slowly."
"Thanks."
Lionel closed the case and said gravely to the officer, "Please convey my gratitude to the chairman."
"I certainly will."
The officer smiled and added, "By the way, the equipment for the new Poké Ball promo shoot we arranged earlier is fully set up. Would now be convenient to start?"
"Of course, let's do it."
Lionel agreed readily.
Following the officer into the adjoining studio, he found a clean, eye-catching backdrop already erected, with lights and cameras ready.
This time the product being advertised was Devon Corporation's newly developed Dive Ball.
The entire sphere was sky-blue, dotted with delicate wave patterns.
Light filtered through the overhead diffuser, scattering a shimmering gleam across the surface; at first glance it looked like a condensed ocean—exquisite and captivating.
"Inside this Dive Ball, the pool habitat perfectly simulates the deep-sea environment: water temperature held at the optimal level for Water-type Pokémon, with gentle currents released continuously so they feel as free as in the ocean."
The officer pointed to the Dive Ball and elaborated, "Not only does it greatly raise catch rates on wild Water-types, even your own Water Pokémon will stay comfortable inside without ever feeling confined."
Hearing this, Lionel at once pulled from his backpack the Poké Ball containing Feebas.
A red flash, and Feebas appeared beside him, deftly manipulating airborne moisture to keep itself suspended.
Its round eyes curiously scanned the studio while its silver tail fin flicked from time to time.
When the officer gently placed the new Dive Ball next to it, the little one seemed captivated by the pure blue and swam over on its own.
It brushed the brand-new sphere with its tail fin, clearly fascinated.
"Perfect—let Feebas try it first and see if it likes it."
Lionel smiled and pressed the button on top of the Dive Ball.
A red glow gently wrapped Feebas and drew it inside.
A few seconds later the ball shook with a crisp "click"—successful capture.
After a moment Lionel pressed the button again and released Feebas, squatting to ask softly, "How was it? Comfortable in there?"
Feebas's hovering body wagged excitedly, its little head nodding non-stop while its tail beat the air—clearly delighted with its new home.
The officer lifted the Dive Ball toward the camera and said, "See, everyone? Water-type Pokémon readily accept the Dive Ball."
"And the comfortable interior keeps them in peak condition, whether they're resting or traveling."
The rest of the shoot went smoothly.
With Feebas in his arms and the Dive Ball in hand, Lionel smiled at the camera: "As trainers, we all want our Pokémon to live comfortably."
"Devon's Dive Ball is thoughtful; every detail caters to Water-types—ideal for them. I sincerely recommend it to every Pokémon-loving friend."
Feebas cooperated fully, even using moisture to levitate the Dive Ball and spinning it or pushing it up and down like a circus act, showing how much it loved its new home.
The cameraman quietly directed, "Mr. Lionel, please move a bit closer to the lens—Feebas, be even livelier if you can!"
Lionel and Feebas worked in perfect sync, quickly capturing several flawless shots.
After the shoot, the officer handed over an elegantly wrapped blue box: "Here's an extra Dive Ball for Feebas—may it enjoy its exclusive new home."
Lionel accepted the box and carefully transferred Feebas from the display Dive Ball into the new one.
From now on, this exquisite Dive Ball would be the little one's residence.
When they left the Devon Corporation branch in Mauville City, the setting sun bathed the vibrant city in warm gold.
Backpack on his shoulder and metal case of ores in hand, Lionel hurried to the hotel he had booked.
Beldum could hardly wait, letting out soft "ding-ding" sounds inside its Poké Ball, clearly obsessed with the ores in the case.
The moment they entered the hotel room and Lionel set the case down, Beldum shot out of its Poké Ball like a silver cannonball straight at the case.
It rammed the rim with its head, ruby eyes wide, body ringing "ding-ding-ding"—unmistakably urging, "Open it, open it now!"
Lionel laughed, keyed in the code, and opened the case; the cold gleam of metal and ore instantly filled the air.
Beldum excitedly floated up, rubbing against the ores and metals, nudging them with its head—desperate for a first taste.
Meanwhile, the Dive Ball holding Feebas wobbled slightly; Lionel set it on the table and pressed the button.
A red flash, and Feebas emerged, supported by moisture, gently swimming over to its assigned spot: a large aquarium nearby.
As for Tyrantrum, its nearly three-metre size obviously couldn't stretch out in a hotel room, but Lionel was prepared.
While still at the Devon branch he had applied to switch Poké Balls.
It was a special Nest Ball Devon Corporation designed for large cave-dwelling Pokémon—the same model Steven used for his Aggron.
The interior was vast, simulating a rocky cavern with specially regulated temperature and humidity so Tyrantrum could live in comfort.
Staff said it would be transferred from Devon HQ and delivered to the hotel front desk later that evening for pickup.
"All right—time for your 'extra meal.'"
Lionel took out various rare metals and ores and, following Steven's training manual, lined them up in order.
The manual was clear: first absorb common silver ore and mithril to stabilize the body, then magnetic ore to stimulate Beldum's magnetic potential.
Finally, use that rare iron-nickel alloy coated in deep blue to strengthen magnetism, letting Beldum's magnetic movement speed increase even more.
The remaining ores supplied the minerals Beldum would need for evolutionary fission—those could be taken bit by bit later on.
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