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Chapter 135: Drilbur's Special Talent
🕑 Added 2025-08-13 14:43:39 +0000 UTCChapter 135: Drilbur's Special Talent
As the green and light-blue light enveloped the area, Basalt watched in amazement as tiny green shoots began to sprout from the once-barren sand. They were small, no bigger than a fingernail, but they covered the entire sandy expanse. He also noticed that the closer the shoots were to the Torterra, the more vigorously they grew.
The branches on Torterra's back continued to sway, and as if by magic, the sandy ground was transformed into a lush, green meadow in the blink of an eye.
"Grassy Terrain? That's it? And then what?" Basalt recognized the move Torterra had used, but he was confused. He had been expecting some incredible spectacle, but after all that buildup, all they did was turn sand into grass? It was just a simple demonstration of Grassy Terrain.
"What do you mean, 'that's it'?" Lucas retorted, pouting. "Sandy soil is incredibly barren, with very few nutrients. It's completely different from other terrains. That's why we needed the Rhyperior to till the ground first to release the nutrients, then the Milotic to nourish it with its life-giving water, and finally the Torterra to finish the job with Grassy Terrain."
"And even then," Lucas sighed, "the newborn grass is probably too fragile to withstand a sandstorm. It would wither and die quickly. Our 'Reclaiming the Desert' project has already failed over a hundred times."
Even though the grass had successfully grown inside the glass enclosure, Lucas's brow remained furrowed as he quietly waited for the experiment's final results.
Inside the enclosure, Torterra was panting heavily. Clearly, creating a terrain effect like Grassy Terrain had consumed a great deal of its energy. But despite its exhaustion, it hadn't forgotten its duty. It closed its eyes and carefully sensed the vitality of the small blades of grass beneath its feet. A few moments later, it opened its eyes, its expression downcast, and gave Professor Nina a slight shake of its head.
"Still not enough," Professor Nina said with a hint of disappointment, turning to Dr. Martin. "The root systems of these new sprouts are too weak, and they haven't accumulated enough life energy. They definitely won't survive a sandstorm."
"According to our research, a minimum Life Energy level of A9 is required for plants to take root in the desert and create a stable, green oasis. But the grass we've grown now, even with the Rhyperior's help, has only increased from A6 to A7."
Professor Nina crouched down, plucked a blade of grass, and examined it closely. "It seems the breakthrough still lies in boosting the Life Energy itself," she concluded, standing up. "The Rototiller move is, at best, a supplementary measure."
"My apologies, Professor Nina. It seems I wasn't much help," Dr. Martin said, he and his Rhyperior looking slightly embarrassed.
"Not at all. You did wonderfully," she replied, turning to pat the Rhyperior reassuringly before nodding at Dr. Martin. "Although the experiment wasn't a success, it at least eliminated one incorrect approach and pointed us in the right direction for future breakthroughs. So, thank you very much."
"You're too kind," Dr. Martin said, a bit formally. In the world of research, age didn't matter. While he was slightly older, Professor Nina's standing in the scientific community was clearly higher, especially since her field was Life Energy—a topic that sounded incredibly advanced compared to his own study of soil composition.
The two chatted for a while longer before recalling their Pokémon and exiting the research area. As the glass door slid open, a wave of life-filled air washed over Basalt. He felt as if he were standing in a primeval forest; the air was incredibly fresh.
"Is this Life Energy? Or Grass-type energy? It feels amazing," he thought. He felt like he could live a few extra years just by being in this kind of environment.
"Chaa~" Beside him, Drilbur also closed its eyes, sensing the energy.
"Hm?"
Just then, a sound of surprise pulled Basalt back to reality. He opened his eyes to see Professor Nina walking briskly towards them, her eyes fixed curiously on Drilbur.
After a moment, she turned to Dr. Martin, who had just come over. "This Drilbur," she whispered, "it seems to be able to sense Grass-type energy."
"It would appear so," Dr. Martin said, momentarily stunned before nodding thoughtfully. "It seems this Drilbur, like my Rhyperior, has a unique talent. If it can sense Grass-type energy, then with proper training, it could easily develop the move Rototiller to a very advanced level."
Dr. Martin mused on this. His own Rhyperior's talent was a major reason he had become an expert in his field. Otherwise, Professor Nina would have never sought him out for this experiment.
He stroked his chin and nodded, then finally looked up and noticed Basalt. His attention had been so focused on Drilbur that he hadn't seen the extra person standing outside the lab.
"Basalt? What are you doing here?" Dr. Martin asked in surprise, then it dawned on him. "This Drilbur... could it be the one from...?"
"Dr. Martin, long time no see," Basalt said with a sheepish grin. "Yes, this is the same Drilbur I received from you. He's my best partner now."
Jeez, for a second there I thought you didn't recognize me. Turns out you just didn't see me.
Dr. Martin examined Drilbur closely and nodded in satisfaction. "It looks like you've taken good care of it. You haven't let me down. However..." his eyes twinkled, "if I had known this Drilbur could sense Grass-type energy, I never would have given it to you. What a perfect research subject!" He looked as if he'd just sold a priceless treasure for pocket change. He felt like he'd lost out on a fortune.
Basalt could only offer another sheepish grin. He had no comeback for that.
"Professor!" Lucas greeted Professor Nina as she approached.
But her interest was clearly fixed on Drilbur. She waved a dismissive hand at Lucas and said to Basalt and Dr. Martin, "Not only that, but if this Drilbur were to learn Hidden Power, there's a ninety percent chance it would be Grass-type."
Dr. Martin chimed in, "Indeed! My Rhyperior's Hidden Power is Grass-type." Rototiller was a move that boosted Grass-types, so if the user could sense Grass-type energy itself, it was a natural fit.
"Hidden Power... Grass?" Basalt's eyes narrowed. Honestly, it was a pretty good option for Drilbur, giving it some much-needed coverage, even if its Special Attack was weak.
"Basalt, are you busy with your studies lately?" Dr. Martin asked, clearly still thinking about the Drilbur he'd let slip away. "If not, how about you let me borrow Drilbur on the weekends? I can teach it Rototiller, everything I know. In exchange, once it's learned the move, you have to let it assist me with my research."
Unfortunately for him, he was the one who had registered Drilbur under Basalt's name. It was too late to go back on it now.
"The Rototiller move... is it a Tutor Manual?" Basalt asked, pursing his lips.
"Of course! Your Uncle Martin here is something of an expert in the field of soil science, you know," Dr. Martin said, puffing out his chest with pride. "And this Rototiller manual incorporates my latest research findings. If Drilbur masters even a tenth of it, you could get early admission to any university in the country with a soil research program. You'd have your pick."
Basalt's breathing quickened slightly. It was clear that Dr. Martin's Rototiller manual was top-tier, at least in that specific skill. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't tempted.
But thinking about the upcoming Regional Tournament, he had to decline. My Drilbur is destined for greatness! It can't be reduced to a lab rat! That's just degrading!
"Basalt, are you sure you don't want to reconsider?" Dr. Martin was stunned. He hadn't expected to be rejected. Your pick of most universities in the country, and you're not satisfied? What kind of life are you living?
"I'm sorry, Dr. Martin," Basalt said with a simple smile. "Drilbur and I have to focus all our energy on the regionals right now. As for Rototiller, we'll have to think about it later."
Sorry, but with my skills as a trainer, I can already get my pick of any university. Your offer isn't that appealing to me.
"The regionals? You made it into the regionals?" Now it was Lucas's turn to be shocked.
"Well, I happen to be the captain of this year's Metro City team," Basalt said with a casual smile, as if it were nothing. He was a master of the humblebrag.
"Holy crap!" Lucas couldn't hold it in. He was dumbfounded. Basalt is the number one rookie in Metro City?
"Oh? Lucas, you know this young man?" Professor Nina interjected at just the right moment.
"Uh, yes, Professor. Basalt and I are both from Seaside County. We've battled before."
"I see." The professor nodded, then smiled at Basalt. "Actually... I'm also quite interested in your Drilbur. The regionals are being held in Centralis City, aren't they? If you have time, you should stop by my research institute. I can even measure your Drilbur's Life Energy value for you, free of charge."
"Life Energy value? What's that?" Basalt asked, clueless. If it's not related to getting stronger, I'm not interested.
Seeing his indifference, Dr. Martin couldn't help but tap him on the head, silently urging him to agree. "A Pokémon's Life Energy is closely related to its growth. It would be beneficial for you to have Drilbur's measured."
"Besides," he added, "Professor Nina's institute has all sorts of amazing things. She has a huge collection of rare Pokémon fossils. Heck, I want to go myself just to see them."
"Pokémon fossils?" The words were both familiar and strange to Basalt. As far as he knew, the technology to revive fossil Pokémon didn't exist in this world. But then, a thought struck him. Wasn't Professor Nina an expert in Life Energy? And she had a collection of Pokémon fossils...
"Professor Nina," Basalt's eyes widened. "Don't tell me one of your research projects is... reviving fossil Pokémon?"
