บท 87: There's Something Off About My Pokémon [87] [40 PS]
Bonus Chapter!
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He furrowed his brows. In his previous life, he remembered that there were only about ten Pokémon that evolved through learning specific moves, including those like Poipole. If he really had to investigate every single species like Su Xiangrou suggested, it would be like finding a needle in a haystack. He could easily list all ten Pokémon that required move-based evolution, but how could he possibly explain his knowledge to the research community?
It would be like a regular high school student solving the Goldbach Conjecture!
Sighing, Lu Cheng decided to leave the headache to the professional researchers. At worst, he'd just reveal the move-based evolution Pokémon that hadn't yet been discovered, one by one.
He cleared his throat. "Do you remember those Mr. Mime that were at the U20 tournament venue? My family has a Mime Jr., and it evolved without much training. I think it might also be related to move-based evolution."
Su Xiangrou nodded thoughtfully. "That's a good lead. I'll have my uncle analyze the data."
Even if Lu Cheng knew all the correct answers, the proof still needed to be shown, and that required the help of professionals.
"Oh, by the way," Lu Cheng said, deciding to take this opportunity to ask Su Xiangrou a few questions. She kept up with the forefront of research, so she should have some insights. "How many types of evolution have been discovered so far?"
He wanted to confirm his suspicions.
Su Xiangrou thought for a moment before answering slowly, "The most common type is battle evolution, then there's friendship evolution, like Ding Chong's Crobat, as well as trade evolution and evolution through evolution stones."
She sighed. "But the field of evolution is incredibly complex. Some scholars have even proposed that weather, magnetic fields, and even a Pokémon's abilities can affect evolution. I checked some foreign databases, and the theory of move-based evolution has been suggested in the U.S., but there's still a lack of solid evidence and demonstrations."
There was no mention of Mega Evolution or Bond Evolution. Lu Cheng frowned. Bond Evolution was understandable—those were legendary cases that appeared once in a blue moon—but as for Mega Evolution...
Lu Cheng sighed. It would have to wait. Even if Mega Evolution existed, the Mega Stones and Key Stones weren't something he could concern himself with right now.
"If you're interested in evolution," Su Xiangrou suggested, "you could speak with Professor Du Wen. Her master's thesis was on the symbiotic evolution of Slowpoke and Shellder."
Of course, Lu Cheng thought. This topic exists no matter the world.
"And," Su Xiangrou continued seriously, "you could ask Professor Du Wen to write you a letter of recommendation. It would be very beneficial to establish a good relationship with a professor early on."
"With your position as first author on the paper and your understanding of move-based evolution, I doubt Professor Du Wen would refuse."
Research, huh? Honestly, Lu Cheng hadn't initially considered that path. But now, the idea of revealing the correct answers to a room full of esteemed researchers sounded... quite interesting. It was like watching mathematicians struggle with Fermat's Last Theorem while he already had a "beautiful solution."
Thinking about it, Lu Cheng couldn't help but grin.
Su Xiangrou chuckled, too. "High school students who publish papers in Pokémon Science get a five-point bonus on the final exams, but I suppose you don't need it anymore."
Lu Cheng, who was planning to focus solely on training his Pokémon, laughed. "Since I've got a guaranteed spot at university, I won't be taking the exams."
"What about you? Where are you planning to go?"
Su Xiangrou's grades were already outstanding, and the five-point bonus gave her even more choices.
"I'm considering Beijing or Shanghai," she said, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear and smiling. "For a research program. But nothing's set in stone yet."
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Lu Cheng got his academic certificate from the chubby principal. As for coordinating with Jiangnan University, someone else would handle it on his behalf—he just needed to relax at home and wait for the acceptance letter.
The rewards for winning the U20 Championship included a guaranteed spot at Jiangnan University, 200,000 yuan in cash, a Fire Stone, customized training tools from the Wilderness Group, and a year's supply of Pokémon food from Hu's Group. Lu Cheng had already looked through the food samples sent by the company; they were just meal-replacement energy bars, which didn't provide the essential nutrients that Pokémon needed.
Damn capitalists!
With the U20 Champion prize money, the 150,000 yuan reward for rescuing civilians, and the 100,000 yuan consolation from the Armed Forces Department, Lu Cheng had a total of 450,000 yuan. For ordinary citizens who weren't trainers, this was a small fortune. But for a trainer, it was just a drop in the bucket. Even a single Fire Stone could cost around 500,000 to 600,000 yuan!
Looking at the Fire Stone sitting in his system's inventory, glowing a warm red, Lu Cheng couldn't help but sigh.
He wasn't in a hurry to evolve Vulpix. The Fire Stone was there, but it made more sense to let Vulpix learn all the moves it could before evolving. As he planned the training regimen for his two Pokémon, Lu Cheng headed to the research lab.
He had done his homework. Du Wen's master's mentor, Liu Bosheng, had recently started teaching at Jiangnan University due to a talent transfer program. If Lu Cheng could make contact with him, it would be a significant opportunity.
"Professor Du, are you there?" Lu Cheng pushed open the door to find Du Wen, clad in a white lab coat, staring intently into a microscope. At the same time, she was holding a cup of milk tea.
You're really not being careful here!
Seeing Lu Cheng, Du Wen jumped a little, quickly put down the milk tea, glanced around nervously, and cleared her throat. "I was just about to look for you."
"Huh?" Lu Cheng was surprised.
"That introduction article I showed you last time, you were clearly the first author! Why didn't you say anything?" Du Wen marched up to him, glaring with puffed-up cheeks.
"And I even showed you the paper—so embarrassing!"
Lu Cheng scratched his nose awkwardly. "I mean, I was only responsible for the general direction. I didn't pay much attention to the content of the paper."
Du Wen gave him a skeptical look, then cleared her throat, regaining her usual composure.
"I read the article in Pokémon Science. Your research into moves is a novel field. If you're interested in pursuing research, it could be a fantastic starting point."
Lu Cheng nodded. "I actually came to see if you could write me a letter of recommendation. I'd like to check out Jiangnan University's research facilities."
He had given it careful thought. The cutting-edge scientific research there might just give him the chance to explore Mega Evolution and Z-Moves, which would be invaluable.
Du Wen smiled. "That's not a problem. My former mentor is currently a professor in the Pokémon Research Department at Jiangnan University. I can introduce you."
"But," she added with a playful grin, "the old man has a bit of a temper, so you'd better be mentally prepared!"
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