John followed the senior downstairs.
"I'm Ben, a junior studying the Pokedex. Before you meet my mentor, I have a personal question for you, if that's okay?" Ben asked, his voice curious as they descended the stairs.
At Riverstone University, the first year was just a general introduction to the departments, and in the second year, students specialized in their specific fields.
"Did you design the Breeder program for Nosepass that's mentioned in your paper?" Ben asked, genuinely curious. He had studied Nosepass alongside Professor Scarlett for a long time but still couldn't understand why a freshman named John had written about the Breeder program.
John, too, was wondering why Professor Scarlett wanted him to join her research team. Now it seemed like it was because of his work on Nosepass's Breeder program.
But a Breeder program for Nosepass—was it really enough to get him directly into a research team?
"No, I just read about it in a book," John replied.
"I see." Ben nodded, his suspicions confirmed. Given John's age and the depth of his knowledge as a freshman, there was no way he could have developed such detailed research without some outside influence.
Soon, Ben led John to Building 7, to Room 7—the office.
"Professor, John is here," Ben announced as they reached the door. He quickly stepped aside and entered the adjacent office.
"Come in," came a voice from within.
John pushed open the door and stepped inside.
The office wasn't what he expected. There was a single desk, flanked by two large sofas. On one side, a Glaceon lay lounging, and on the other, a Flareon rested its head on the armrest. A female assistant was tidying up some papers on the coffee table. In the corner, a Roselia dozed off in a vase that was curiously empty of flowers.
It looked more like a private study than an office.
A young woman with silver hair sat on one of the sofas, her face youthful but unmistakably authoritative. She wore a researcher's white lab coat and had one hand resting gently on Flareon's fur while holding a book titled The Meaning of Pokemon to the World in the other hand.
Scarlett—a renowned researcher, the youngest professor at Riverstone University, and a Pokemon Breeder master.
"Sit down," Scarlett said without looking up from her book.
John, who had lived through many situations in his 18 years, wasn't intimidated by the formal atmosphere. He casually dropped into the seat opposite Professor Scarlett, causing Glaceon to shift with a yawn and flop onto the desk, once again dozing off.
"What do you need from me?" John asked.
"I have a few questions I'd like you to answer," Scarlett said, still not looking up from her book.
Here we go again, John thought, expecting Scarlett to ask the same thing as Ben. But her tone was more commanding than inquisitive, almost like an order.
"First question: How strong do you think the magnetic field needs to be for Nosepass to evolve into Probopass?"
John blinked. "What?"
"No, I do." John thought for a second before answering. "Based on what I've read, for a magnetic field to affect Nosepass, the strength needs to be between 10T and 10.5T."
"So precise?" Scarlett raised an eyebrow.
"Well, a field below 10T won't have any effect on Nosepass, and anything above 10.5T could damage it. For Nosepass to evolve, it needs to be in that range for an extended period. When it adapts to the field strength, it can evolve into Probopass," John explained, though he hadn't personally tested it.
"However," John continued, "I'd recommend using the natural magnetic fields found in nature. Probopass that evolves under those conditions are generally stronger than those evolving in artificially created magnetic fields, even if the field strength is the same."
Scarlett set the book down. This matched the results she had obtained in her own research. At first, she had believed that Nosepass's natural strength influenced the evolution, but now it seemed that the magnetic field itself was a key factor.
"We'll need to test that again," Scarlett mused.
"I'm not sure," Scarlett replied thoughtfully. "But this theory seems to be the most plausible explanation."
Then, Scarlett asked, "Do you think it's better for Nosepass to evolve using a Thunder Stone, or is it better to use a special magnetic field?"
John thought for a moment before answering. "It really depends on what you want from the Nosepass. If you evolve it with a Thunder Stone, it'll have stronger electric-type moves. But if you evolve it with a special magnetic field, its overall stats improve, and its ability to control electromagnetism is enhanced."
John continued, recalling something he had read in his notes from Roxanne. "With a Probopass evolved under a special magnetic field, there's even a training program that allows it to learn the move electromagnetic levitation, which frees it from its usual speed disadvantage."
Scarlett straightened up, clearly impressed. She then asked, "In your Breeder program for Nosepass, you mention using Babiri Berries. Why is that? Nosepass is a rock-type Pokemon, and Babiri Berries are normally used for steel-types."
"Really?" John raised an eyebrow. "I thought it made sense. Babiri Berries increase resistance to steel-type moves, which is pretty useful for Nosepass, since it's weak to steel-type attacks."
"Well, even Nosepass in the wild will eat Babiri Berries if they encounter them," Scarlett said, nodding. "That's because Nosepass are often stationary and use their magnetism to attract prey, which can bring them into contact with their natural enemy, Metang. Babiri Berries help them resist Metang's steel-type moves, making the berries even more appealing to them than regular food."
"Interesting..." John nodded, understanding now.
Scarlett smiled. "You've done your research. Fieldwork like that is crucial for the most accurate results."
"Thank you, Professor," John said.
Scarlett reached for a contract on the table and slid it across to John. "Sign this, and you'll officially be a member of my research team."
John looked at the contract but didn't sign it immediately. He furrowed his brow and looked up at Scarlett.
"Professor Scarlett, I have one question of my own."
"Why should I join your research team?"