Chapter 30
Mike stood to the side and listened carefully as Professor Rowan began speaking.
"Mike told me today that one of his friends was having trouble with his Pokémon’s evolution and wanted to ask for my advice. Since we had the opportunity, I decided to try livestreaming and explain some common problems people encounter during Pokémon evolution, along with how to handle them."
Professor Rowan looked toward the camera.
"I hope none of you find that boring?"
The comments immediately filled with replies.
[Route201Camper: Not at all!]
[PiplupSupremacy: I’m sitting properly and listening.]
[BerryJuiceAddict: Please teach us, Professor!]
Professor Rowan narrowed his eyes at the screen, but the comments were moving too quickly for him to read clearly.
"Your messages are scrolling too fast. I can’t see them properly."
He looked back toward the camera.
"If no one has any objections, I’ll begin."
Professor Rowan glanced at Mike.
Mike nodded, and Professor Rowan began explaining the material he had prepared.
"As everyone knows, evolution is one of the most common events in a Pokémon’s life. Evolution represents growth, and it usually means becoming stronger."
"That is why many Trainers choose to let their Pokémon evolve into their final forms. However, I would first like to explain several common situations involving evolution."
"The first is evolution during battle."
"I believe many of you watching are Trainers, so you should be familiar with Pokémon evolving in the middle of a battle."
"This kind of evolution usually happens when a Pokémon responds to its Trainer’s wishes and draws out its hidden potential. It does not damage the Pokémon’s body. On the contrary, it may improve the Pokémon’s potential."
"The second is natural evolution."
"This occurs when an ordinary Pokémon reaches the proper stage of growth and evolves naturally. It is a smooth process that does not harm the Pokémon’s body, and it is also the kind of evolution we see most often."
"The third involves Pokémon that evolve through special items."
"Eevee, for example, can evolve with the help of different evolutionary stones. This kind of evolution will not normally harm the Pokémon either."
Professor Rowan paused before continuing.
"None of the methods I just mentioned should cause harm to the Pokémon. However, there is something you must understand."
"Evolution does not only change a Pokémon’s body and strength. Sometimes, its personality may change as well."
Mike knew about that.
Ash’s Charizard was a perfect example.
"Let us use Sinnoh’s first-partner Pokémon as an example."
"Before evolving, a Piplup may be very attached to its Trainer. It may remain that way after evolving into Prinplup."
"However, after its final evolution into Empoleon, its behavior may change completely. It may deliberately keep some distance from its Trainer."
"At times like this, we need to understand that it does not necessarily dislike its Trainer. It may simply believe that it has grown up and should become more independent."
Mike listened especially carefully from the side.
He had never realized there were so many things to consider when a Pokémon evolved.
Then again, evolution in the real world was irreversible. It was not like the games, where someone could simply press the B Button to cancel it.
"I would also like to share a small piece of advice," Professor Rowan continued.
"Within reasonable limits, controlling the speed of a Pokémon’s evolution can help improve its potential."
"This is something Sinnoh Champion Cynthia once told me."
"It may allow the Pokémon to learn additional moves and strengthen itself before evolving."
Professor Rowan looked down at his notes.
"That concludes what I prepared for today. Next..."
He turned toward Mike, silently asking what he should do now.
Mike quickly stepped forward.
"Next, everyone can post their questions in the comments. If Professor Rowan sees a question he can answer, he’ll explain it."
"That’s correct," Professor Rowan said with a nod.
The comments began scrolling again.
[SinnohFieldNotes: What is Mike’s relationship with you?]
"Mike?"
Professor Rowan glanced toward him.
"At the moment, he is my assistant. He also has a deep understanding of Pokémon. You only need to look at the Gengar and Weedle he has raised."
[CameraBugCatcher: Isn’t he a photographer?]
"He is a photographer," Professor Rowan replied. "I only asked him to temporarily remain as my assistant."
Another comment appeared.
[RareCandyAddict: Isn’t that neglecting his real job?]
Professor Rowan looked toward Mike.
"Mike, they say you’re neglecting your real work."
Mike immediately protested.
"What do they mean? neglecting my real work?"
"A Champion can be a historian, a Champion can be a miner, and a Champion can even be an actress. Why can’t a Pokémon professor’s assistant also be a photographer?"
Professor Rowan looked at Mike.
One of those Champions sounded increasingly familiar.
Another question appeared on the screen.
[EverstoneCollector: What should I do if my Pokémon refuses to evolve?]
"I already mentioned this," Professor Rowan answered.
"Evolution is not only the Trainer’s concern. It is also the Pokémon’s choice."
"Only by respecting your Pokémon can you become a better Trainer."
Professor Rowan had learned quickly and now knew to choose only the questions related to Pokémon.
He seemed to enjoy answering questions during the livestream and continued talking without stopping.
Mike exchanged glances with several nearby assistants.
The assistants helplessly spread their hands.
...
It was almost dark by the time Mike finally spoke.
"Professor, it’s time for the viewer call-in section."
"The viewer call-in section?"
Professor Rowan paused.
"Oh, right. I nearly forgot about the favor you originally asked me for."
He pointed toward the livestream camera.
"This is quite enjoyable. Remember to set one up for me later. When I have free time, I can share some Pokémon knowledge with everyone."
"Of course, Professor."
Mike smiled and opened the viewer call-in function, then immediately brought Gholdengo Is Number One into the call.
"Hello, Trainer. Can you hear me?" Professor Rowan asked experimentally.
Several things seemed to bump into each other on the other side before a voice finally replied.
"Hello, Professor Rowan. Yes, I can hear you."
’A man’s voice?’
’So Gholdengo Is Number One really is a guy.’
His voice sounded quite pleasant too.
"Mike told me that you were having trouble with your Pokémon’s evolution," Professor Rowan said.
"Could you explain the problem so I can analyze it?"
He added, "Assuming you trust my judgment."
"Of course, Professor. You’re joking!"
"Having you personally analyze the problem is already far beyond what I expected."
"Everyone knows you’re an authority on Pokémon evolution. I actually wanted to ask you from the beginning, but Paldea is very far from Sinnoh, and I wasn’t able to make an appointment with you."
Mike listened from the side.
’See? This is why he’s Gholdengo Is Number One. He really knows how to speak.’
"The situation is like this, Professor. My..."
Gholdengo Is Number One explained the problem with his Pokémon.
"So your Gimmighoul wants to evolve but has been unable to do so, and now it is refusing to eat?" Professor Rowan asked.
"Yes, that’s right. It was a little better today. I found another coin for it, and it finally agreed to eat."
"Gimmighoul’s evolution method should be..."
Professor Rowan began thinking.
"It’s said to evolve through battle after collecting 999 Gimmighoul Coins," Mike said quietly.
"Yes, Mike is correct."
Professor Rowan looked toward the screen.
"Has your Gimmighoul already collected 999 coins?"
"It has collected 9,999."
Professor Rowan: "..."
Mike: "..."
The viewers: "..."
Mike could already imagine every other Gimmighoul shouting:
’How can you be so selfish?!’
"To be honest, Professor, I originally thought I had counted the coins incorrectly or bought counterfeit ones, so I acquired a few more."
"But it still couldn’t evolve. What could be causing this?"
"That is very unusual. It may be related to the Pokémon’s physical condition or its individual traits."
Professor Rowan thought for a moment.
"Could you show me your Gimmighoul?"
"Of course. Please wait."
Mike heard footsteps moving farther away, then gradually returning.
Gholdengo Is Number One turned on his camera.
He did not appear in the frame. Only a Gimmighoul could be seen, curiously looking at the screen.
Professor Rowan observed it but found nothing obviously wrong.
Then he looked around and noticed something missing.
"Where is Gimmighoul’s treasure chest?"
"Treasure chest? What treasure chest?" Gholdengo Is Number One asked in confusion.
Mike and Professor Rowan immediately understood the problem.
"Gimmighoul has two forms," Professor Rowan explained.
"One is Chest Form, where it lives inside a treasure chest. Only this form can evolve into Gholdengo."
"The other is Roaming Form, like your Gimmighoul. Without its treasure chest, it cannot evolve into Gholdengo."
"What should I do, then?"
"Find its treasure chest and return it," Professor Rowan said.
"As long as you find the chest that belongs to it, it should be able to evolve."
"So that’s the reason..... Thank you for your guidance, Professor."
"You’re welcome."
"I won’t take up any more of your time."
Gholdengo Is Number One decisively ended the call, sent three Poké Gala gifts, then immediately left the livestream.
He had probably gone to search for the treasure chest.
Professor Rowan continued answering questions through viewer calls.
...
"Mike."
"Huh? Oh, I’m here."
Mike heard a viewer call his name and responded.
[NorthernWindChaser: Was the Suicune in your video... real?]
Mike froze.
Professor Rowan was right there offering advice, yet this viewer had called in just to ask whether Suicune was real.
"Suicune?" Professor Rowan asked curiously. "You encountered Suicune?"
"I met it beside a lake before reaching Sandgem Town. I’ll show you."
Mike took out his tablet and connected the video to the livestream.
Professor Rowan watched the tablet, and several assistants in the distance also walked over.
Mike’s voice came from the recording.
"Um... Suicune, could you say hello to everyone watching?"
To everyone’s surprise, the Shiny Suicune actually greeted the camera.
Professor Rowan: "?"
The assistants: "??"
The viewers: "???"
[Call Me a Ghost-Type Expert: Is this what a real photographer can do?]
[Definitely Not a Fairy-Type Fan: So it really was real... and it was Shiny too...]
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Read more Chapters ahead here... currently at Chapter 60.
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