Austin had already silenced his Pokégear and had not seen the message from his grandpa yet.
He carefully explained Energy Cube production on camera, using a Petaya Berry as the example.
Because he was explaining, Austin was especially focused this time.
The Berry machine dispensed sparkling, gem-like pink Energy Cubes.
The high-definition camera captured everything clearly.
The Identification Eye displayed the result.
[A nearly perfect Petaya Berry cube.]
This was the second time Austin had produced a nearly perfect Energy Cube.
He had used those berries because they were special treats for Metang and the others.
These increased Special Attack potential.
Agni and Shiny Metang were already restless with hunger.
"Wait. Don't rush. Let me introduce it first."
Ryu stiffened.
His body wanted to move forward like Agni.
His mind stopped him.
Stay composed.
Mind over body.
"These are Energy Cubes made from a rare berry. Take a look."
"Newcomers should start with Oran Berry, Cheri Berry, or Rawst Berry."
"High-quality Energy Cubes from a Berry are hard to make. Technique matters."
Austin finished the explanation and divided the cubes into three equal portions.
"Alright. Eat."
Agni moved first.
One tongue sweep took more than half. Two bites later, the bowl was empty.
Metang used Confusion. The cubes floated in one by one and vanished into its mouth on its underside.
Ryu tied his napkin, picked up a spoon, and ate slowly.
Agni drooled while watching Ryu's bowl, but did not snatch it.
He could not win anyway.
Austin had always been fair.
Ding!
[Energy Cube proficiency obtained. +999]
They were clearly pleased.
Proficiency applied to an entire portion.
From Austin's observation, 999 seemed to be the maximum per portion.
To confirm it, he would need to produce a perfect-quality Energy Cube.
As the final cube entered its mouth, Shiny Metang erupted in brilliant white light.
The glow wrapped around its body as it rapidly expanded.
Two metal arms extended from behind its disc-shaped body, forming four legs.
The spikes on its face reshaped into an X-shaped golden metal cross.
Metang evolved into Metagross.
Austin's Shiny Metang had already been larger than average.
After evolving, the size advantage became obvious.
A normal Metagross has a body height of about 1.4 to 1.6 meters.
Austin's Metagross exceeded his height.
Austin stood 1.86 meters tall with a 1.89 wingspan.
He estimated Metagross's body height at over 1.90 meters.
"Meta."
Metagross narrowed its red eyes and lifted Austin with Confusion.
Ryu and Agni watched with curiosity.
The room was not large, and Metagross was massive.
Flight should have been difficult.
Yet it moved steadily, without a single collision.
The reason was its four linked brains.
They formed a neural network more complex than a supercomputer.
Parallel processing allowed instant calculations.
It could even predict skill trajectories after impact.
The Identification Eye updated.
[Name]: Metagross
[Type]: Steel, Psychic
[Ability]: Clear Body (Prevents stats from being lowered.)
[Skills]: Iron Defense, Protect, Hammer Arm, Psychic Fangs, Psychic, Bullet Punch, Comet Punch, Zen Headbutt
[Strength Rating]: Platinum (Intermediate)
The evolution pushed Shiny Metang straight from Gold (Advanced) to Platinum (Intermediate).
The jump was significant.
Austin attributed it to the Metal Coat and the nearly perfect Petaya Berry cubes.
"Let's go outside and test ."
Austin turned off the camera first.
Then he recalled Metagross into its Luxury Ball. It was too large to leave otherwise.
"Hello."
"Hi."
Austin accepted all of them.
Arriving at the fountain in front of the main gate, Austin Black released a Luxury Ball.
"Come out, Metagross."
Austin jumped onto Metagross's back. Metagross surged upward, turning into a silver streak in the air.
Wind roared past Austin's ears.
Agni and Ryu sprinted after the silver flash.
"Caninee~~~"
Agni let out a powerful roar.
Ryu stretched his arms forward. White light wrapped around him as his speed kept climbing.
Maki, who was feeding wild Pokémon nearby, looked up.
"Shiny Metagross. It evolved fast."
Shion, the new employee Maki had brought along, stared at it with open envy.
Maki shut the fantasy down quickly.
"Metagross is extremely rare, especially Shinies. Don't expect one. I have only seen Steven, the Hoenn Champion, and Austin Black with one."
Shion sighed.
"Maki, I was just saying it. I know."
Metagross carried Austin to the edge of Black Crest Jubilife Breeding House.
Dai Yui was there, washing Tauros with his Incineroar.
"Yo, Brother Dai Yui."
Dai Yui looked up and froze when he saw Austin on Metagross.
"It evolved already. That fast. Battle later?"
"Sure. Before dinner. Finish your work first."
"Deal."
Metagross descended smoothly and landed beside the fountain pond.
The silver glow faded.
Austin jumped down from its back and looked up at the massive steel body.
Agni slowed to a stop, panting lightly. Ryu landed beside them, posture straight and calm.
Austin placed a hand on Metagross's leg.
"Good work," he said.
Metagross lowered its head slightly, red eyes focused on him.
Austin paused, then smiled.
"There's one more thing," he said. "I'll be choosing a name for you soon."
Agni's ears twitched.
Ryu glanced over.
Austin continued, his tone steady.
"You've reached your final evolution. I name all my Pokémon when they get here. It matters."
Metagross remained silent, but its Confusion stirred faintly around Austin, controlled and precise.
It understood.
"Take some time to get used to your new body," Austin said. "We'll make it official soon."
Agni gave a low, approving rumble.
Ryu nodded once.
. . .
Austin returned to his room soon after. Metagross headed out for routine combat training.
The afternoon was free time for field challenges.
Austin spent two hours editing and uploading the Energy Cube tutorial, the drooling reactions from Agni and Metang, and the Metagross evolution footage.
"Pokémon Trainer Guide: Energy Cubes" uploaded successfully. Status under review.
After three straight videos passed the million-view mark, the review speed on PokéStream clearly improved.
[Your video has been reviewed and uploaded successfully.]
Austin picked up his Pokégear and checked the message from his grandpa.
[Austin]: Okay, Grandpa. Do you need me to pick him up?
[Grandpa]: No. He will go directly.
. . .
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