"A fourth evolution?!"
"It seems that, indeed, young friend, you know quite a lot about this." The head of the Thorne family grew more serious.
"Vital energy. From the perspective of vital energy, Pokémon evolution has no limits."
Ethan smiled faintly and said, "In fact, studying the evolution of Pokémon is studying the process of vital energy. Pokémon evolution is a leap of life. Therefore, if we want to research Pokémon evolution, we must necessarily start with vital energy."
Upon hearing Ethan's words, the gaze of the head of the Thorne family flickered, revealing a thoughtful expression. As for research into vital energy, the Thorne family had always been working on it.
After all, their family specialized in Ghost-type Pokémon, and the importance of vital energy to this type of Pokémon was something that needed no explanation.
And now that Ethan suddenly mentioned vital energy, it carried a deeper meaning.
But thinking about it carefully, what Ethan said made a great deal of sense.
Pokémon evolution is a leap of life.
Therefore, researching Pokémon evolution starting from vital energy was indeed a very sound line of thought.
Moreover, Ethan was currently an Advanced-level researcher in the field of Pokémon evolution; he could be considered a leader in this area and one of the people who had studied it most deeply.
Under these circumstances, the head of the Thorne family began to doubt the true depth of Ethan's words.
Seeing the expression of the head of the Thorne family change again and again, Ethan did not rush. That Mega Evolution was related to vital energy was not something he had said lightly.
In the games, Professor Sycamore of the Kalos region, who researched Mega Evolution, had already pointed out that Mega Stones were formed by the radiation of energy generated during the battle between the Legendary Pokémon Xerneas and Yveltal; they were stones that contained an enormous amount of vital energy...
Likewise, in the movie Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction, the god of life Xerneas mentioned that vital energy was the key to Mega Evolution, and that Diancie was able to complete an autonomous Mega Evolution precisely because it understood the use of vital energy and the essence of life.
From these pieces of information, one could conclude that vital energy was undoubtedly the key to evolution: Pokémon evolution is a leap of life!
At that moment, the head of the Thorne family was still deep in thought. Based on his research and understanding of vital energy, inwardly he began to agree more and more with Ethan's viewpoint.
Moreover, it seemed that Ethan had indeed used some method to successfully discover multiple forms and methods of Pokémon evolution, which further caused the head of the Thorne family to waver.
"Vital energy... perhaps we can exchange ideas in depth."
The head of the Thorne family took a deep breath and said to Ethan.
"Alright, that sounds good." Ethan smiled slightly. Obtaining information about vital energy from the Thorne family was precisely one of the objectives of this trip.
"Additionally, I have another gift for you."
With a faint smile, Ethan took out a notebook and handed it to the head of the Thorne family.
"The evolution method of Dusknoir?!"
Upon opening the notebook, the pupils of the head of the Thorne family shrank.
"Reaper Cloth! You even know the evolution method of Dusknoir!"
The head of the Thorne family took a deep breath and looked at Ethan with a complex expression.
"Yes, vital energy."
"What I have researched is no less than what your Thorne family has researched. For example, the method of using Litwick's move Substitute."
"Regarding vital energy and the evolution of Ghost-type Pokémon, perhaps we can seriously exchange ideas."
Ethan smiled, becoming even more unfathomable. At a moment like this, he naturally had to do his utmost to increase his own value.
After reaching a preliminary consensus, the conversation between the two became much smoother, and the central topic was, naturally, vital energy.
During that period, through his exchange with the head of the Thorne family, Ethan gained a great deal.
On one hand, Ethan further deepened his understanding of vital energy; on the other, the head of the Thorne family obtained from Ethan new ideas about the role of vital energy in Pokémon evolution and, filled with enthusiasm, began to continue researching Mega Gengar.
From a theoretical standpoint, Pokémon should be able to complete Mega Evolution through vital energy; the only unknown was whether this could be achieved without relying on the Mega Stone and the Key Stone.
In addition, the two discussed extensively the issue of Litwick's evolution.
Unfortunately, even for the Thorne family, it proved impossible to find a method that would allow Litwick to evolve, which left Ethan slightly disappointed.
Just as Ethan had previously concluded, Litwick had consumed too much energy in the move Substitute, thus losing its potential for evolution.
In this regard, it was quite similar to the Team Rocket Meowth from the anime.
That Meowth, in order to learn to walk upright and speak human language, had consumed too much of its own potential, thereby losing the possibility of evolution.
However, the Thorne family proposed a solution: if Litwick had lost its vital potential by consuming too much energy, wouldn't it be enough to supplement it with sufficient vital energy?
In this regard, the Thorne family was quite generous and gifted Ethan the formula for a nutritional juice capable of replenishing vital energy.
Of course, it could not be said to be a gift without conditions. Ethan had promised the head of the Thorne family to keep the evolution method of Dusknoir secret, so this could be considered a transaction: both sides obtained what they needed.
Moreover, this formula also had major limitations. This nutritional juice, called "Water of Life," was only a low-level formula; its effect could only work on relatively weak Pokémon, and it only functioned on Ghost-type Pokémon.
In addition to that, the materials required for this "Water of Life" were very expensive, and its effect did not justify its value. Therefore, after developing the formula, the Thorne family did not use it much and simply handed it over to Ethan.
Even so, Ethan was extremely satisfied. Although this "Water of Life" was only a basic formula, he had Shuckle. If he could turn this nutritional juice into Pokéblocks, its effect would surely be significantly enhanced.
"Litwick, don't worry, I will definitely help you complete your evolution."
Ethan smiled as he comforted the dejected Litwick, not telling it his plan to manufacture vital Pokéblocks, since even he did not know whether it would succeed.
"And besides, even if you fail to evolve, relying on your own control of vital energy, you can still become a powerful Pokémon capable of standing on your own."
Ethan smiled gently and continued. After these days of exchange, his understanding of vital energy had deepened even further. Even if Litwick ultimately failed to evolve, he already knew clearly how to train it properly.
(End of chapter)