Eevee didn't like it. Magnemite didn't like it. Although the Pokéblock had physically manifested, it was functionally no different from a total failure.
However...
Owen couldn't dwell on the taste yet. He stayed up late into the night, documenting the key manufacturing points while they were fresh in his mind.
"Pokéblock Production Guidelines 1.0"
Point 1: Rotational Synchronization. The concentration of energy and nutrients is tied to the blender's speed. Theoretically, different combinations of Berries require different RPMs to perfectly condense nutrients and filter out impurities. A maker must find the "sweet spot" through trial and error; every block has a minimum speed requirement.
Point 2: Instantaneous Extraction. Once the nutrients are mixed, the core essence must be separated from the center of rotation in a split second. The faster the separation, the lower the nutrient loss and impurity count.
Point 3: Geometric Stability. After extraction, a cubic mold must be used as a carrier to compress the material. Energy only stops leaking once it is compressed into a properly sized, solid cube.
Point 4: Electrolytic Tempering. Use electric current for the final purification. The current "tempers" remaining impurities, while the heat generated by the electricity stimulates the final solidification.
The quality, effect, and flavor were all inextricably linked to Berry freshness, rotation speed, recipe, extraction speed, compression, surface smoothness, and electrical intensity. One wrong move, and you were left with a "Black Pokéblock"—bitter, charred, and nutritionally void.
Owen tugged at his hair in frustration as he looked at his notes.
"Even knowing the method, it's incredibly difficult to produce high-quality blocks by hand without precision machinery."
"It's tough..."
"And the recipes... I have to experiment with those myself. This is going to be a massive drain on my time and wallet."
"I wonder if the recipes from the Contests in the games would work in reality?" Owen had spent a significant amount of time grinding Contests in the games.
Since the games had fewer Berry varieties than the many subspecies in the real world, he still remembered several classic combinations.
He pondered his options. The main bottleneck was controlling the rotation speed—a household blender had too many limitations.
He decided he'd eventually need to buy a high-end, professional-grade machine. As for the extraction, compression, and tempering, those were tests of Magnemite's control over psychic power and electricity.
This aligned perfectly with Magnemite's existing training plan, so it wouldn't require diverted effort.
"I'll tinker with it whenever I have free time. Once I can make high-quality blocks, it won't just solve the resource problem for Eevee and the others—it'll be a major path to wealth."
For now, their production level wasn't enough to satisfy his Pokémon's palates or nutritional needs. Owen had to temporarily shelve the project; after all, "haste makes waste."
"What is the tactical significance of the Anticipation Ability? Do other Pokémon possess it?" — Pokémon Ability Network
"An Education That Never Gives Up: Interpreting the Philosophy of Fairview No. 1." — Student Daily
"Shocking! The person who discovered the new Ability is actually a rookie trainer?!" — Dawn News
No matter how minor an event might be, once it fell into the hands of journalists, they could squeeze a full-length feature out of it. Besides, this was a discovery with genuine discussion value and eye-catching potential.
The name "Owen" began to draw attention once again, albeit in a smaller circle.
During this time, faced with a barrage of interviews, the school leadership and Owen's homeroom teacher were remarkably eloquent.
"Owen... he has always been an outstanding student. He is enthusiastic about serving the collective, actively participates in labor, respects his teachers, and is united with his classmates.
He has an upright attitude toward learning and is well-developed in morals, intelligence, and physical fitness..."
While Fairview No. 1 sang Owen's praises to high heaven, they didn't forget to mention the school's "meticulous training" of his talent, creating a perfect win-win situation for their reputation.
At the Fairview Trainer Association, the two professional trainers, Zoe and Ethan, shared complicated thoughts. Seeing the reports on the Anticipation Ability, they finally understood why Owen could grow so rapidly with "just" an Eevee.
"I get it now," Ethan remarked. "A rookie trainer who is diligent in thinking, good at observing, and brave enough to research. He transformed an Ability that even senior trainers might overlook into a tangible part of his Pokémon's strength. He's a natural-born trainer."
"It might seem like a small thing, but as a rookie from Fairview, we've gained a lot of positive press. The provincial capital has already sent us a commendation."
"We should definitely give Owen an appropriate reward. Also, with this momentum, his request for a second Pokémon should be approved very soon," Ethan added.
"Exactly," Zoe agreed. "For a trainer from a normal family like Owen, getting the qualification for more Pokémon in their first year is usually very difficult, even with a professional recommendation. It requires a lot of networking. With this paper as leverage, it should be no problem now."
"But did you find out why he made that specific request?"
"Yes. His family is keeping a Magnemite from a power plant. According to the records, Magnemite had a physical defect and was going to be released by the plant, but Owen's father took it in.
Based on Owen's current motivation, Magnemite likely has an unknown talent. He seems to know what he's doing; if it were truly a defective Pokémon with no potential, capturing it would be an unwise move," Ethan explained.
"I see." Zoe nodded. "That's good. He has great potential, and capturing a second one early will give him a better head start in university.
Once the approval is down, I'll handle the paperwork for him. By the way, how are we arranging the three of them for this winter break? It's about time we finalize the last two spots for the New Star Project."
Ethan fell into deep thought. "Owen's strength has already far surpassed Lynnea and Leo. It's no longer suitable for them to train together... Before school lets out, pick two other rookies worth cultivating. As for Owen, we'll make separate arrangements for him when the time comes."
Owen had no idea just how much benefit that one paper had brought him. Aside from the manuscript fee, he hadn't just secured a school reward; the Fairview Trainer Association had decided to ramp up their support for him significantly.
🌟 The story is already written… waiting to be unleashed. Claim early access on Patreon: [email protected]/Master_Studios677
🔓 You hold the keys to bonus chapters:💬 10 reviews ignite 1 bonus chapter🔷 100 Power Stones summon another
🔥 Your power determines how fast the tale unfolds.