"I see... happiness energy and anger energy."
"The reason the President called me... it's about the Kingdra matter, isn't it?"
Ethan's eyes sparkled for an instant; he already had an idea of why he was summoned. It surely had to do with Kingdra and the Totem Pokémon.
Back in Dragon Valley, when he saw that only the leader of the Seadra managed to evolve into Kingdra, he had already begun to suspect something.
Moreover, Ethan connected that phenomenon with the pressure exerted by the Totem Pokémon, forming a hypothesis that bridged both concepts.
So, when President Beckett discovered this special type of emotional energy, it was only natural that he thought of Ethan first.
"What do you say? Are you interested in participating in the emotional energy research?"
President Beckett smiled as he invited him. Even though Ethan didn't seem particularly gifted in research, he always came up with strange and unexpected ideas... and that too was a very valuable talent for a researcher.
"Emotional energy research..."
Upon hearing that, the first thing that came to Ethan's mind was friendship evolution.
During his stay in Professor Ackerman's Secret Kingdom, after hearing about Crobat, he had already begun to wonder how he could introduce the concept of "friendship evolution" without it sounding strange.
Perhaps, if he took this opportunity to suggest it during the emotional energy research, he could do so naturally.
That way, he could take a new step into the field of special evolutions and maybe even become a "Pokémon Professor" in that specialty.
Thus, after only a brief hesitation, Ethan accepted the invitation, his mind already plotting his own plans.
And so, after the sandstorm research, the Lazy Researcher returned once more... this time with emotional energy as his target.
...
Half a month later
In a lakeside laboratory.
Ethan watched a group of important Pokémon researchers arguing nonstop, completely confused.
What exactly were they arguing about?
Energy theories, emotional fluctuations, psychological responses... He understood nothing.
"Forget it... more than being a researcher, becoming the strongest trainer is my real goal."
With that conclusion, Ethan walked toward the lake's edge beside the lab.
Splash, splash.
As he approached, the water began to stir.
Slowking and Kingdra surfaced calmly and approached him.
"Thank you for your work in this research."
Ethan smiled as he petted both Pokémon, handing them some snacks as a reward.
At that moment, the arguing researchers finally seemed to reach an agreement, and the research resumed with renewed energy.
As days passed and the research deepened, the secrets of emotional energy gradually came to light.
And so, one morning, a few days later, Ethan left the Sky Secret Kingdom. Riding on Vibrava, he took off toward the outside world.
This time, after considering it, Ethan decided not to take Kingdra with him.
On one hand, Kingdra could work perfectly with President Beckett's research team and would benefit greatly from it.
Besides receiving frequent guidance, he would have no shortage of high-quality juice and premium food... much better than following Ethan on his travels.
On the other hand, Kingdra wasn't very convenient to carry around. Most of the places Ethan traveled through were land and mountains, uncomfortable environments for a Water-type Pokémon.
And in front of others, he could only release six Pokémon at once; practically speaking, Kingdra almost never came out.
Therefore, leaving Kingdra at the Sky Secret Kingdom was probably the best choice for him, and it also allowed Ethan to focus on the other eight Pokémon he carried.
In reality, temporarily leaving certain Pokémon in a safe place and switching them out when needed is a very common method both in the original Pokémon world and in this more realistic world.
"Vibrava, are you ready?"
"This time, you'll be the one competing in the club tournament."
As they flew, Ethan spoke to Vibrava.
Because the reason he had left the Sky Secret Kingdom was precisely to participate in the National Pokémon Club Tournament.
It was a promise he had made to Rachel Blake the day she handed him her "Water-Type Pokémon Breeding Notes"; and now it was time to fulfill it.
"Viiibbraa!"
Hearing Ethan, Vibrava cried out excitedly and sped up its flight.
The Sky Secret Kingdom wasn't far from Ironvale City, and after all its recent training, Vibrava could now make the trip without issue.
"Ethan, you finally made it."
Seeing him arrive, Hailey Blake—who had been waiting for quite some time—let out a sigh of relief.
"Long time no see."
Ethan greeted her with a smile, then nodded to the gathered club members. Finally, his eyes met Rachel's.
She also looked at him, showing a peculiar expression in her eyes.
The last time they saw each other, Ethan was strong, yes... but for an elite hunter like her, that was all: "strong."
But in just one year, his growth had completely surprised her.
Winning first place in the competition for the starter Pokémon slots...
Not even she, who had been called a genius since childhood, had ever achieved such an honor!
She had watched several of his battles. Ethan's Slowking had impressed even her.
Combined with Sandslash, Cacturne, and Meltan, Rachel was sure: Ethan was already an Advanced-level trainer, and even close to the minimum level of a Pokémon Hunter.
A trainer's level measures their Pokémon's combat strength. Being a Pokémon Hunter is a profession. They're not directly linked.
Even so, the minimum requirement to be a Pokémon Hunter is to be an Advanced-level Trainer, so most people consider Hunters to be a level above.
That level is usually called the Professional Level, situated between Advanced and Elite.
Furthermore, there was another group of trainers close to Elite level: the so-called Quasi-Elite trainers.
Therefore, the classification recognized by most trainers was:
Beginner-level Trainer → Intermediate-level Trainer → Advanced-level Trainer → Professional-level Trainer (Pokémon Hunter) → Quasi-Elite Trainer → Elite-level Trainer → Champion-level Trainer
(End of chapter)