Chapter 154
Elena and Anna both stared at him in total disbelief.
The mother and daughter had only mentioned it as a casual thought.
They never intended for him to actually provide an answer.
How did he just come up with an idea on the fly?
No way... is there really a person this gifted on Earth?
Even if he could generate "crazy inspirations," producing one this effortlessly was beyond absurd.
"Are you... certain?"
Even Elena was visibly startled.
"Mmm. It might be worth a try."
Lorze nodded seriously.
"Fine. Let's hear your thoughts. If it's plausible, I will support you with everything I have."
Elena rubbed her forehead, feeling a headache coming on.
She wanted to see his flashes of inspiration, yes.
But you can't just come in and flex on me like this immediately!
I just threw out a random "impossible" topic.
If you can solve it in a second, how is a person like me—who spent three days and nights failing at her own work—supposed to feel?
"Basically, Anna wants a Pikachu that has the potential of a Raichu, right?" Lorze asked.
"That's exactly right. But is there a supplement that can boost a Pikachu's ceiling?"
Anna couldn't understand how he planned to do it.
"I don't know about supplements. But all Pokémon that use an Evolution Stone to evolve share a trait: their genes are unstable."
"The energy from the stone triggers a genetic mutation, which we call 'Evolution'." Lorze analyzed.
"So what's your plan?" Elena got straight to the point.
"It's actually quite simple. We know that the Everstone suppresses evolution because it has the effect of stabilizing a Pokémon's genes."
"So, why don't we use an Everstone to stabilize the genes first, and then let the Pokémon touch the Evolution Stone?"
Lorze laid out his basic theory.
"That is an interesting concept, but unfortunately, it's a dead end."
"Once a Pokémon's genes are locked into a stable state, they can no longer absorb the energy of an Evolution Stone."
Elena shook her head.
She had studied Eevee's mutation principles and understood the nature of Pokémon genetics intimately.
"That's okay. This is where the Eviolite (Evolutionary Miracle Stone) comes in."
"The reason an Eviolite can boost the power of a Pokémon that can still evolve is because it acts as a catalyst for certain genetic mediums."
"It is entirely possible that it can allow stabilized genes to regain the ability to absorb the energy of an Evolution Stone."
Lorze snapped his fingers, believing his deduction was flawless.
Mostly because he knew Anna's dream was achievable.
In his past life's Pokémon games, there were "Partner Pokémon" that functioned under a similar special mechanic.
This gave him the confidence to propose the idea.
His plan was simple: Use the Everstone to anchor the genes and prevent the physical mutation.
Then use the Eviolite to draw out the "Potential Factors" of evolution from the stable genome.
This would allow the Pokémon to safely absorb the Evolution Stone's energy without the body changing form.
Whether it could actually be built was one thing, but the logic was sound.
As long as the quality of the Eviolite and Everstone was high enough, one could theoretically draw out 100% of the evolutionary potential.
The result would be a Pikachu with the Base Stats of a Raichu.
Granted, the "Partner Pikachu" in the games still had a gap compared to a true Raichu.
That meant the latent potential wasn't fully tapped.
But that research in the games was just the beginning.
With deep study, Lorze believed the potential could be extracted completely.
"The Eviolite? That's a rare item. I'm surprised you even know about it."
"It seems you don't just have inspirations; your knowledge base is quite deep too."
"Fine. I'll leave this project to you and Anna."
Elena pondered for a moment before agreeing to open the research project.
It truly did have a non-zero chance of success.
If they could actually create "Partner Pokémon," the economic impact would be astronomical.
Humans are visual creatures. No one dislikes "cute" or "beautiful" things.
No Trainer wants to see their partner get "disfigured" by evolution.
But if you don't evolve, you can't compete in high-level matches.
Most people eventually settle for the "disfigurement" just to stay relevant.
If a method appeared that provided the power without the change, people would throw money at them.
The research funding would be limitless!
Elena looked at Lorze with a hint of envy. This boy's research talent is terrifying.
If... I mean IF I let Lorze join that secret research that only Xue Xu and I know about...
Could he bring a critical breakthrough for us?
To be honest, she wanted to try. But she didn't dare to gamble.
Her fear wasn't the research failure; it was human nature.
The human heart is a complex, treacherous place. Countless people betray their own families for profit.
She couldn't afford to lose.
The thing they were studying... it was a legendary object that could grant any wish.
Anyone who saw it would be driven to madness.
Sigh... I should observe him longer. Lorze is still a minor; it's not the right time to pull him in yet.
Besides, science is a game of luck.
Even though Lorze just showed off his talent, she didn't believe he could achieve more results in the short term.
Otherwise, she'd start worrying if the "Heavens were going to kill him out of jealousy."
"By the way, Auntie, how deep is your expertise in genetic research?" Lorze asked suddenly.
"I'm barely passable, I suppose. Why?" Elena asked, confused.
"I have another theory that is already proven to work. I'd like your help with it."
"What? There's more?"
"Yes. A theory regarding Pokémon Abilities."
"I believe a Pokémon possesses multiple Abilities simultaneously. It's just that most of them are in a 'Recessive' state."
"I have actually already enabled 'Dual-Wielding Abilities' for Xue Yi and the others."
"If it's already been done, then what do you need me for?"
Elena rubbed her temples again, feeling the headache returning.
She literally just told herself he wouldn't achieve anything else for a while.
And then, seconds later, he slaps her across the face with this.
Dual-wielding Abilities?
Do you know that Ability research is one of the largest mainstream projects in the world?
Global science has grinded for decades, and no one has ever heard of a Pokémon using two traits at once.
How can you just say you've already 'realized' it???!
Are you serious? It's been mere months since your Emotional Energy reveal.
Where did you find the time for another massive study? How did you pull it off?
"Well, although I achieved it, I used a 'special ability' to do so. The method can't be replicated easily."
"So I was thinking: since the recessive genes in the Pokémon can be activated..."
"...can we develop a drug that allows a Pokémon to switch its Ability at will?" Lorze proposed.
Elena: "..."
Elena was rendered speechless.
For as long as anyone could remember, a Pokémon's Ability was seen as a gift from birth.
It was innate. No one could choose it.
During breeding, there was a chance to inherit the mother's trait, but it was just a probability.
Accurate control was impossible.
In fact, the hatched egg records she was working on just now were focused on that exact problem.
She was currently pulling her hair out trying to boost the inheritance percentage by a single point.
And here comes Lorze, proposing a drug that can just "Change" the trait entirely.
If this works... then what was the point of my life's work?
She suddenly felt that her three days and nights of no sleep were a joke.
It was a special kind of insult to be told by a child exactly how stupid your hard work was.
She felt thoroughly mocked by the universe.
"Sigh... you're staying the night at my place."
Elena let out a long sigh, giving up on logic entirely.
I was trying to understand a genius's brain with a normal human's mind. I brought this on myself.
"Huh? So sudden?"
Lorze was startled. She's already down to sleep with me?
To be honest, Elena really was frigid.
He had his Cute Charm at max output, and she hadn't shown a shred of interest in his body.
But after a five-minute talk about science, he gets an overnight invite.
Is this the 'Brain-Con' (sapiosexual) lifestyle?
I love it~.
"What are you thinking about? I'm just worried you'll get hit by a truck if you walk outside right now."
Elena shot him a glare. Who said 'staying the night' meant 'going to bed'?
She was just so shaken by his talent that she was terrified the world would "balance" the scales by killing him.
My late husband was too talented for his own good too... and he died young.
I will NOT let another genius slip through my fingers!
Lorze: "..."
I feel like she's cursing me...
But to be fair, Auntie, your husband probably didn't die because of 'Heaven's Jealousy'.