🎆 Happy New Year! 🎆
Thank you all for the amazing support throughout this year. 💙To celebrate the arrival of the new year, here is a special New Year code:
🎁 Code:NewYear: F3B16
📅 Code validity:
Start: December 30, 2025 at 11:55 p.m.
End: January 2, 2026 at 11:00 p.m.
Enjoy it and let's start this new year strong. 🚀✨Here's to an amazing 2026! 🎉
-------
"Absol's physical condition improved?"
Upon hearing the researchers, Ethan Black's gaze flashed several times.
"Could it be because of the ability Justified?"
"The effect of the ability Justified is that, when hit by a Dark-type attack, due to its sense of justice, Attack increases. But... what does that have to do with Absol's physical improvement?"
"Although, come to think of it, dark energy isn't purely Dark-type energy. That Justified's effect might have changed isn't impossible either."
Ethan Black pondered, though without much certainty. These were all just conjectures; the true reason still required more research.
"Absol has awakened?"
At that moment, Grand President Beckett arrived after hearing the news.
"Yes, here are Absol's data."
A researcher quickly handed him the report from Absol's examination.
"Eh? Its physical stats increased this much!"
After seeing the data, Grand President Beckett was also surprised.
"President, could it be related to Absol's Justified ability?"
Ethan Black, after thinking, decided to share his conjecture, hoping it would help Absol.
"The Justified ability? That's very possible. But, as to whether Justified can absorb dark energy, we still don't have a clear answer."
"During this time, we've located some Absol, but none had the Justified ability."
"If we want to confirm the relationship between Justified and dark energy, we'll need deeper research."
Grand President Beckett neither confirmed nor denied Ethan Black's assumption. As a researcher, one must dare to propose hypotheses, but conclusions must always be supported by data.
"You didn't find any Absol with the Justified ability?"
Ethan Black silently sighed upon hearing this.
Absol had three possible abilities: Pressure, Super Luck, and Justified.
Of them, Justified was a hidden ability, therefore very rare.
And Absol itself was already a scarce Pokémon; finding one with a hidden ability was even harder.
However, Absol wasn't the only Pokémon with Justified: Growlithe, Arcanine, Lucario, Gallade, Cobalion, Terrakion, Virizion, and Keldeo also had it.
Cobalion, Terrakion, Virizion, and Keldeo, in fact, only had that ability; but being legendary, they were nearly impossible to encounter.
Growlithe, Arcanine, Lucario, and Gallade were also rare, and for them Justified was likewise a hidden ability.
This showed just how exceptionally scarce the ability was. In the short term, finding a Pokémon with Justified was nearly impossible, especially considering that the League still had no knowledge about it.
After thinking, Ethan Black did not reveal that those other four Pokémon could also have the Justified ability. Explaining it would be impossible.
In the end, he decided to let Absol continue collaborating with Grand President Beckett and his team's experiments. Although Absol already seemed fine, until he fully understood dark energy, Ethan Black didn't dare relax.
"Don't worry, we'll do everything we can."
"You've truly helped us a lot with this."
"If it's confirmed that the Justified ability can absorb dark energy, it will be a key weapon against the Dark League Organization."
"And you will be the greatest hero in defeating them!"
Seeing that Ethan Black agreed to let Absol continue with the experiments, Grand President Beckett let out a sigh of relief. With a kind smile, he patted him on the shoulder.
"By the way, I have another matter to discuss with you."
Suddenly, he remembered something. He took a book out of his pocket and handed it to Ethan Black.
"This is...?"
"The Breeding Guide of the Slowpoke Evolutionary Line!"
Reading the title, Ethan Black was shocked.
"Exactly. We obtained this book from the Slowpoke Breeding House."
"After you mentioned the man in black, we investigated the breeding house. It turned out that this man in black was Adrian Walsh, the third son of the breeding house's owner."
"But Adrian Walsh disappeared three years ago, and only recently returned to the family. Now it's clear: in those three years he was missing, he joined the Dark League..."
Upon hearing this, Ethan Black's gaze flickered. So the Strongest Shellder Tournament had been a trap set by Adrian Walsh!
However, according to the League's investigation, the Slowpoke Breeding House knew nothing about his connection with the Dark League.
Even so, to make amends, the breeding house yielded their greatest family secret: the Breeding Guide of the Slowpoke Evolutionary Line, which they voluntarily handed over to the League.
"The Slowpoke Breeding House bore responsibility in this. But since they've already made concessions and surrendered the Breeding Guide of the Slowpoke Evolutionary Line, the League decided to close the matter. And as compensation, you will receive this book."
Ethan Black remained silent for a few seconds, but then accepted the guide in a gesture of agreement.
The League's stance was clear: minimize conflict. After receiving such a great benefit, it made no sense to press the matter, and besides, it wasn't something he could pursue on his own.
What's more, the Breeding Guide of the Slowpoke Evolutionary Line would be of enormous use to him at this moment. With this book, he could finalize the ultimate training plan for his Slowking, which would be a huge advantage.
(End of chapter)