It was the height of summer;

the weather was sweltering.

Lu Ye abandoned riding Arcanine and pedaled his Rotom bicycle, leisurely making his way down the street.

Professor Sycamore's Research Institute and the café were both located on the south side of the street, the most eye-catching buildings on this block.

Because the institute sat in Miare City, its backyard was relatively small — not remotely comparable to Professor Samuel Oak’s expansive grounds.

"Looks like I can't borrow Professor Oak’s training grounds this time…" Lu Ye thought with regret.

The invisible Haunter floated next to Lu Ye, sending off a faint chill like a portable air conditioner.

To anyone else, that chill might feel eerie… but Teacher Lu had long since grown used to it and found it pleasant.

They walked through rows of shady lanes and symmetrical buildings until they arrived at a research institute with white stone pillars.

Led by the Audino serving as guide, Lu Ye went toward the institute’s central courtyard.

The pink Audino trotted ahead with its hands cupped together, charmingly comical.

Lu Ye thought to himself, "Isn't this an Experience Baby?"

Audino emitted a sound something like "audino-audino."

Passing through the front yard and climbing to the second floor overlooking the courtyard, Lu Ye leaned on the stone balustrade and looked out toward the backyard.

He could spot Flabébé, Bunnelby, and other Pokémon common in Kalos, and even the Kanto starter Pokémon — ones Professor Sycamore had requested from Professor Samuel Oak for Mega Evolution research.

Lu Ye tried to find Ash’s extraordinarily gifted Froakie to see it in person, but to his disappointment he found nothing.

When they entered the institute, Professor Sycamore’s eyes lit up and he greeted them with a smile:

"Finally we meet, Mr. Lu Ye!"

"Long time no see," Lu Ye replied. "I never got a chance to thank you properly for helping me find the storefront last time."

"I didn't do much," Sycamore said. "That kid Alain caused you some trouble!"

"It wasn't really trouble…" Lu Ye hesitated.

After all, Xerneas's blastoise-like situation hadn’t even had its defenses broken;

at least he saved on medical costs.

This visit was mostly formal — paying respects to the local Pokémon professor after arriving in a new region.

Compared to Professor Samuel Oak and Professor Rowan, Professor Sycamore was younger and had only recently risen to prominence in academia.

Also, Sycamore’s catchphrase was "How marvelous!" — earning him the playful nickname "Dr. Splendid."

"Gengarrr~"

Haunter materialized from invisibility, baring its teeth, and cheerfully handed Sycamore a special edition Pokédex.

Lu Ye and Sycamore were both taken aback.

"Gengarrr?" Haunter scratched its head in puzzlement.

When you arrive in a new region, don't you need to register before challenging the League?

Lu Ye: "…"

How are you so familiar with the procedure?!

Pressing the purple little chubby one's head, forcing it into the shadow, Haunter made a bubbling, drowning noise: "Gengarrr~ glub-glub~"

Lu Ye clapped his hands and, expressionless, looked at Sycamore: "Please continue."

Sycamore wiped sweat from his brow and said, "Actually, there is one favor I need to ask of you."

He glanced at the data on the upright projector, then handed Lu Ye a small box from behind the analyzer and said:

"This is a Pupitar Mega Stone. If you don't mind, please accept it."

The dark Poké Ball at Lu Ye’s waist jostled as if it smelled something delicious.

Lu Ye paused and slowly formed a question in his expression.

Teacher Lu: ?

"I'd like to ask you to evolve the Larvitar into Pupitar, then have it Mega Evolve so we can collect the data."

Sycamore and Alain exchanged a glance;

having reached this conclusion between them, Sycamore looked to Lu Ye and said:

"As compensation, this Pupitar Mega Stone will be given to you."

Inside the box sat an earth-colored orb with streaks of red and black flowing through it.

Compared with typical Mega Stones, this one was larger — roughly fist-sized — and Lu Ye could sense the Aura radiating from it.

Hearing this, Lu Ye hesitated.

He did, after all, need to collect a Pupitar Mega Stone for his data.

But Larvitar was only in its early form, and besides, Teacher Lu didn't like owing people favors.

Lu Ye pondered: "Professor Sycamore, this gift is too valuable. I can't accept it."

The dark Poké Ball at his waist stopped jostling.

The Larvitar inside the ball stared at the Mega Stone, then obediently turned its gaze away.

"Yoji…"

Unlike the somewhat mischievous Togepi, Larvitar wasn't the type to cry or make a fuss — more like a sensible little one.

Professor Sycamore recognized Lu Ye's reservations and smiled gently:

"We can sign a commercial contract and transfer the Mega Stone to you."

"You only need to record the data when Pupitar Mega Evolves in the future and send it to me."

A commercial contract was no problem.

It just meant another big expense if Lu Ye wasn't careful.

After accumulating earnings across multiple regions… Teacher Lu had indeed improved his finances;

one Mega Stone was clearly affordable.

Lu Ye accepted the proposal and sighed softly:

"I'll have my secretary handle the contract details."

Still, frugality is a virtue… he ought to have Olivia haggle down the price!

With the agreement settled, Lu Ye placed the wooden box on the ground.

"Gengarrr~" Haunter didn’t put its head out;

instead it reached a little paw, like a cat burying a coin in a box, and pulled the wooden box into the shadow.

Sycamore watched this and couldn't help but smile.

Although they hadn't spent much time together, he could see from that tiny gesture the precious bond between trainer and Pokémon —

"This is simply… marvelous!" Professor Sycamore exclaimed, stretching his arms out dramatically.

Alain looked a bit helpless and said to Lu Ye, "That's the professor for you… please don't mind him."

Lu Ye nodded.

Alain's bill would be covered by the funds from purchasing the Mega Stone.

Next up was taking the Pupitar Mega Stone home to study it.

"Larvitar seems to be resonating with this Mega Stone."

Lu Ye fell into thought: "But it hasn't even evolved yet…"

With that question in mind, after saying farewell to the professor, Lu Ye hurried back to the café.

The earth-colored Pupitar Mega Stone in the wooden box gave off a faint sheen, emitting dense waves of energy.

Lu Ye took out the dark Poké Ball and released Larvitar, meeting its eyes.

"Yoji?" Larvitar tilted its head slightly.

Lu Ye: "You're not going to do a two-stage evolution like that Blastoise situation… are you?"

"Yoji…" Larvitar blinked;

the black markings beneath its eyes looked like scars, but it behaved very obediently.

"Looks like it's not the same case."

Lu Ye pondered: "Blastoise's double evolution was due to the Tree of Beginning's Aura and the Everstone breaking…"

"For Larvitar, it won't evolve unless it has eaten enough."

Flipping through Essence of Earth, Lu Ye murmured:

"Normally, with Evolution Suppression you'd expect Larvitar to learn Earthquake earlier…"

"Tomorrow I should find a proper training ground… or ask Clemont if we can borrow Prism Tower."

"Yoji…"

Larvitar stared unblinkingly at the translucent Pupitar Mega Stone in the wooden box.

Lu Ye closed the book and watched the little demigod-in-training's adorable behavior, a slight smile appearing.

Suddenly Teacher Lu froze, then his pupils constricted.

"Gengarrr!"

Larvitar opened its gaping mouth and quickly swallowed the Mega Stone, then — crunch — bit it to pieces.

Clack!

Lu Ye and Haunter stared in stunned silence: (⊙ˍ⊙)

"Gengarrr! Σ(°△°|||)︴" Haunter belatedly let out an alarmed cry.

Lu Ye: "I-Is it eating it?! w(ﾟДﾟ)w"

"Yoji… (￣～￣)"

Larvitar chewed crunch-crunch on the broken Mega Stone, swallowing laboriously, and an intense presence surged around it.

Then Larvitar’s gaze sharpened as if the spirit of an unyielding beast had taken hold, and it slammed a tiny fist into the ground.

"Yoji! (▼へ▼メ)"

Delicious!

I want another one!

A gale of force roared;

the ground cracked with a loud clack and fissures spread forward.

It was one of the ultimate ground techniques — Earthquake.

Even before evolving, Larvitar had already comprehended this move!

Lu Ye's expression tightened. With the instincts of a Tactician he reacted and shouted:

"Haunter, Hypnosis!"

"Gengarrr~" Haunter’s eyes glowed deep blue and it easily put the aroused Larvitar to sleep.

The earthquake was hard to contain, like a roaring beast shaking the entire courtyard!

Boom!!

Dust billowed, and the streets of Miare echoed with explosions;

passersby looked in surprise at the trembling café.

Lu Ye stood on solid, unharmed ground and surveyed the ruined courtyard ahead, a twitch at the corner of his mouth.

Looks like for a while… I’ll have to sleep with Mengmengda.

"Little Rotom, contact Matori." Lu Ye rubbed his forehead.

"Beep beep… connecting now, Rotom!"

Matori replied punctiliously: "What are your instructions?"

Lu Ye massaged his temples and said:

"Send me the fastest renovation team in Miare City!"

**

Half an hour later.

Lu Ye: (⊙ˍ⊙)

The renovation foreman awkwardly asked, "Pardon me, do we know each other?"

The foreman had curly hair and a carefully groomed stubble, but beneath appearances Lu Ye could still sense his true character.

"It's nothing." Lu Ye sighed. "I know your relatives in Lumiose City, Goldenrod City, and Jubilife City."

The foreman froze.

A coworker stepped forward and whispered, and the foreman straightened with respect:

"Teacher Lu, honored to finally meet you. No need for more words — we'll do this job free of charge!"

Lu Ye looked up at the sky, tears welling at the corners of his eyes.

There he was — the renovation foreman, the face of Kalos!