Professor Carolina asked Eevee, "Besides evolving during the daytime, do you think there's anything else that needs to be considered?"
Asking a Pokémon for advice felt quite novel and fascinating to her!
"Maybe I should get myself a Psychic-type Pokémon too," she thought. "It could keep me company while I do my research and even lend a hand with tasks!"
Of course, other Pokémon could also help, but none were as intelligent as Psychic-types, nor did they have telepathy for direct communication.
Eevee pretended to think deeply before replying, "I believe emotions play a role as well. I only truly evolved when I sensed Cynthia's feelings for me and when our hearts resonated. That emotional bond—or what you humans call a 'connection'—seems to be the key!"
"Additionally, if the same conditions are met at night instead, you might get a surprising result."
Eevee had just hinted at the evolution into Umbreon.
"Oh?" Professor Carolina's eyes lit up in excitement. "Are you saying that under the same conditions, evolving at night would lead to a different form?"
"Yes!" Eevee nodded, speaking through telepathy. "That's what I feel! Last night, when I was about to evolve, I sensed a strong resistance, and my instincts told me that evolving at night wouldn't give me what I wanted."
"That makes perfect sense!" Carolina clapped her hands. "I'll have to arrange for another group of Eevee to evolve at night!"
She then smiled warmly at Eevee and said, "Little one, you really do keep surprising me! You've helped me uncover two huge mysteries."
"So, tell me, what do you want as a reward? I won't mention things like top-grade Pokéblocks and special Pokémon food since you already have them. But I can offer you Ability Crystals or even Psychic-type Essence Crystals!"
She was willing to be quite generous. After all, Eevee had been a tremendous help!
Once she confirmed Eevee's evolution methods and published her findings, her reputation and status in the Pokémon research community would skyrocket. Her standing in the Sinnoh League would rise as well, and her family would benefit immensely.
Of course, as someone who deeply loved Pokémon, just the act of uncovering a new evolution secret was enough to fill her with joy and satisfaction!
"Hmm..." Eevee pretended to think for a moment before replying, "I don't want those things! Instead, I want information on how to train for Teleport, as well as human Psychic training methods and meditation techniques. Maybe they'll help me develop new Psychic-type abilities!"
Despite having an incredibly strong mind that granted him telepathy and abilities like Psychic, Eevee had yet to master Teleport.
He needed external help.
And there was no better opportunity than now!
Professor Carolina had far more resources than Cynthia. If Eevee had asked Cynthia, she would likely have ended up asking Carolina for help anyway.
"Oh?" Carolina was surprised by Eevee's request. "You want human Psychic training techniques and meditation methods? You really are unique!"
"It's not that strange," Eevee shook his head. "Psychic abilities likely originated from Psychic-type Pokémon, but humans are incredibly creative. There's nothing wrong with learning from them!"
"That's true!" Carolina nodded in agreement. This was indeed a very intelligent Pokémon.
"Alright, I'll grant your request! And as an extra reward, I'll give you a Psychic-type Ability Crystal. You'll likely need it when you're ready to break through to the Elite level! Work hard, little one! And take good care of Cynthia!"
Just as Eevee was distracted, Carolina suddenly reached out and patted his head.
Eevee froze on the spot...
Without a word, he backed away and hid behind Cynthia.
He would have preferred to stay on Cynthia's shoulder, but now that he had evolved, he was too big for that.
Regular Espeon stood around 90 cm tall, but he was over a meter! He was bigger than an average Espeon.
"Hahaha!" Carolina chuckled as she saw Eevee's exasperation. Finally, she had gotten her chance to pat his head!
She then turned to Cynthia. "Alright, Cynthia, I'll be heading back now. You and Eevee should continue your journey! Be careful!"
"I'll have the Psychic-type Ability Crystal, meditation techniques, training notes, and Teleport training method sent to you as soon as possible! Bye-bye!"
After saying her goodbyes, Carolina ruffled Cynthia's hair and quickly left.
Clearly, she couldn't wait to get back to her research.
"Grandma is so unfair! She didn't even stay for a meal! She always gets when she's working on research!" Cynthia pouted in frustration.
Even she could get annoyed by this kind of thing.
Eevee chuckled and shook his head. "She really is still just a ten-year-old kid at heart."
"Well then, how about I take you out to eat?" Eevee offered through telepathy.
"Hehe!" Cynthia beamed happily, crouching down and hugging Eevee's neck, rubbing her cheek against his fur. "Eevee, you're the best!"
Just then, a Pokéball on Cynthia's belt opened on its own, and Gible popped out, crying, "Gible! Gible!" as if accusing Cynthia of neglecting him!
"Huh?" Cynthia looked at Gible in confusion. "Eevee, what is he saying?"
Eevee smirked and translated, "Gible is saying that you've got a new favorite and have forgotten about your first partner!"
"Pfft! Hahaha! Gible, you're too cute! Are you jealous? Come here, let me hug you too!" Cynthia laughed, picking up Gible and cuddling him in her arms.
Gible happily squinted his eyes in satisfaction.
Looking at Gible's round body, Eevee couldn't help but think, "Man, his shape is just... something else."
Except for a few spiky bits, he was basically a ball.
Eevee felt grateful he hadn't been reborn as a Gible.
If he had, he might have lost all will to live!
Even if he evolved into Gabite or Garchomp, he still wouldn't think they looked great.
Sure, they were cool and powerful, but they weren't exactly good-looking.
"Sigh... Being too big is a hassle too. If only I could change my size at will!"
"Or even better, if I could freely switch between my Espeon form and my original Eevee form!"
"Wait..." Eevee's eyes suddenly widened.
Maybe that wasn't such a crazy idea after all...