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At Steven's gesture, Lucas picked up the Sceptile mega stone; it was crystal clear and contained powerful energy.
[Sceptile mega stone: When held by the Pokémon Sceptile, it can create a connection with the key stone held by the Trainer, enabling Mega Evolution through powerful bond energy.]
"I know this is a Sceptile mega stone."
Lucas quickly scanned the text that popped up and spoke in his heart.
"Steven already said it's a Sceptile mega stone, I don't need you to identify it."
[————]
Lucas put the stone back into the box on the table. "What about that mysterious mega stone? Would it be convenient for me to take a look?"
Steven nodded. "Of course. It's perfect timing for the Store Manager to help me reference which Pokémon's mega stone it is."
Lucas was a bit curious about how they usually identified mega stones, so he asked, "By the way, Steven, how do you usually identify which Pokémon a mega stone belongs to when you dig them up?"
Steven replied, "The Kalos region has recorded all the types of mega stones discovered so far. For any excavated mega stone, we just need to use a machine to check if the energy fluctuations inside match any of the recorded ones, and then we'll know exactly which Pokémon's mega stone it is."
"And what if it hasn't been recorded?"
Hearing Lucas's question, Steven thought for a moment and then said with a smile, "I don't know either."
Lucas: ————
"It should be possible to analyze the energy fluctuations inside the mega stone with a machine to see what type of energy it is, and then based on the results, search and compare them one by one among the Pokémon that possess that type."
Cynthia's voice came from beside them.
Lucas rubbed his chin; this method did seem feasible.
"I remember there are currently 46 recorded species of Pokémon that can Mega Evolution, right?"
"That's right, but there are 48 forms."
Steven answered Lucas.
As for why there were 48, it was because Mewtwo and Charizard were the favorites, having two different Mega forms.
Lucas picked up the unknown stone in front of Steven.
It looked almost identical to the Sceptile mega stone, except the pattern inside was different; seeing it like this confirmed it was a mega stone.
"The energy contained in this stone hasn't been recorded?"
At Cynthia's gesture, Lucas placed the stone in her hand and then looked at Steven.
Steven nodded. "I even specifically went to consult Professor Sycamore of the Kalos region, but even he hadn't seen the fluctuations contained in this stone."
"Professor Sycamore?"
That Kalosian professor who specializes in researching Mega Evolution?
Taking the stone handed back by Cynthia, Lucas looked at it intently.
Soon, a line of text popped up.
[×× Evolution Stone: When held by ×× Pokémon, it can react with the key stone held by the Trainer, thereby achieving Mega Evolution.]
The good news was that it could be clearly confirmed as a mega stone, but the bad news was that the specific Pokémon it belonged to was unknown.
"Can't identify it?"
Lucas frowned and asked in his heart.
Looking at the text transformed from his own words just now, the five words "no need for you to identify" were thoughtfully bolded and enlarged.
?!
"Hey, I've noticed something—you really like taking things so seriously."
No new text popped up; it seemed like it didn't want to pay attention to Lucas.
Lucas was helpless.
He could only shake his head and put the mega stone back into the box. "I haven't seen it before either."
Steven didn't put the stones on the table away; instead, he displayed them openly.
"Although we can't be sure which Pokémon's mega stone this is, there's no denying that it's beautiful, isn't it?"
Lucas looked at the relaxed and satisfied Steven and nodded.
"Just as handsome and beautiful as Metagross."
Steven was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing.
"I also think Metagross is the most handsome and beautiful Pokémon in the world."
Metagross's gaze toward Lucas also became incredibly friendly.
No, it's not the most beautiful Pokémon.
Lucas took a sip of tea and said in his heart.
You'll know once you see Diancie.
Lucas looked at the Sceptile mega stone on the table, thinking deeply.
Could this Sceptile mega stone be the one given to Sawyer in the future?
If it were given to Ash, and Ash mastered Mega Evolution, then at the Lily of the Valley Conference, if he used it with the Sceptile that defeated Darkrai even without Mega Evolution, would he be able to see the Legendary Trainer's other Pokémon?
As Lucas's thoughts began to drift, the Breeding House fell into silence.
Cynthia continued reading her book, and seeing Lucas in thought, Steven didn't disturb him further. He just quietly sipped his tea and chatted softly with Gengar about those Evolution Stone.
He discovered that Gengar also particularly liked collecting these stones.
The more Steven and Gengar talked, the more they hit it off. He was so happy that he even waved his hand and said he would send Gengar a stone he had long cherished as a meeting gift once he returned.
Hearing this, Gengar hurriedly pulled out various snacks he had secretly hidden and shared them with Steven and Skarmory.
The sound of "da-da-da" rang out as Shauna skillfully climbed down from Rapidash's back and ran into the Breeding House with Tomoyo.
Tomoyo looked at the handsome guy sitting in the lounge area, was stunned for a moment, and then returned to normal.
Another one————
Tomoyo said silently in her heart.
"Uncle."
Shauna's voice pulled Lucas's thoughts back. Seeing that Shauna was back from school, Lucas reached out and rubbed her little head.
After asking a few questions about her school life today, he introduced Steven to Shauna and Tomoyo. Likewise, Lucas introduced Shauna and Tomoyo to Steven.
"Hello, Uncle Steven."
Hearing Shauna's voice, Steven's smile clearly stiffened.
Un... Uncle?
Steven reached out to tidy his hair. Had he already grown old?
Lucas sat aside, stifling a laugh.
However, Steven's upbringing made him not mind such things; on the contrary, he friendly greeted Shauna and Tomoyo.
"What pretty stones."
Seeing the Evolution Stone, mega stones, and other stones on the table, Shauna couldn't help but exclaim.
"Uncle Steven, can I take a look?"
Seeing the pleading look in Shauna's eyes, Steven smiled and nodded.
Shauna originally wanted to pick up that bright and dazzling Fire Stone, but by a twist of fate, she reached out and grasped that unknown mega stone.
As soon as Shauna held the mysterious mega stone, an image appeared in her mind.
A Pokémon that looked like a key ring with many wind chimes hanging on it was smiling at her.
"Ring~"
Shauna was about to ask it a question when she found the Pokémon in front of her had disappeared, replaced by the faces of Lucas and Gengar.
A look of slight disgust appeared on Shauna's face.