Chapter 529: Academic Paper Authorship

"."

The Crimson Armor Knight lowered its head, examining its own hands and the two golden armor pieces floating at its sides like arm guards.

From some unknown instinct, the Crimson Armor Knight felt that these two arm guards could be joined together.

Thinking this, it tried it out.

Under the control of psychic power emitted by its brain, which had become highly active after evolution, the two arm guards fitted together seamlessly, resembling a cannon! A dazzling red light ignited at the muzzle, and as scorching flames gathered, they formed a ball of fire that distorted the surrounding air.

Faintly, one could even see a mysterious blue glow shimmering on the surface of the fireball, where tongues of flame rolled and churned.

That was the materialization of spiritual energy known as "psychic power."

Only after subconsciously completing all this did the Crimson Armor Knight realize what it had done; somewhat flustered, it shifted the cannon's aim away from Satoshi, Luo Mu, and the others facing it, while simultaneously attempting to "withdraw" its move.

But before that could happen, Cangyan Cangyan Rengui, with a look of nostalgia in its eyes, raised its blade and signaled for the Crimson Armor Knight to unleash its attack upon it.

"Shiiroo—"

Cangyan Cangyan Rengui was no stranger to the Crimson Armor Knight; this was not out of curiosity, but rather because it intended to let the Crimson Armor Knight quickly familiarize itself with its new body while freshly evolved.

The effect would be best at this time.

The Crimson Armor Knight, who respected and admired Cangyan Cangyan Rengui, had no doubts and, completely unconcerned that its attack might injure Cangyan Cangyan Rengui, aimed directly at it and released the long-gathering assault.

After a clear cannon blast, the fireball instantly accelerated, carrying a wave of scorching heat as it surged toward Cangyan Cangyan Rengui.

With its "Flash Fire" ability and the gap in strength, Cangyan Cangyan Rengui could have directly tanked this move; after all, this was not the Crimson Armor Knight's signature move "Armor Cannon," but merely a "Flamethrower" released in a similar manner.

Yet Cangyan Cangyan Rengui still chose to draw its sword.

A faint hum sounded in the air, quickly transforming into the sharp whistle of a blade slicing through the atmosphere; a trail composed of dark purple flames left a clearly visible arc of light, instantly cleaving the Flamethrower in two.

Split in half, the unstable Flamethrower detonated mid-air, and amidst a gust of wind mixed with sparks, Cangyan Cangyan Rengui withdrew the blade it had held before itself without changing expression.

Every movement was fluid and decisive, possessing a harmonious grace akin to flowing clouds and running water.

Professor Oak, who had once been a quite formidable Trainer himself, could perceive the special nature of Cangyan Cangyan Rengui and sighed with emotion.

This calm and composed strength was precisely the goal his own grandson, who had already decided to become a researcher, had once pursued.

If those two boys were in Pallet Town, they would surely be eager to challenge Luo Mu and Cangyan Cangyan Rengui to a Pokémon Battle immediately.

With Satoshi's excited shouts of "So cool!" ringing in his ears, the Crimson Armor Knight did not mind that its attack had been easily slashed apart by Cangyan Cangyan Rengui; instead, it felt even greater admiration for Cangyan Cangyan Rengui.

Only after evolving did it realize how naive its original thought had been—that evolving would allow it to stand shoulder to shoulder with Cangyan Cangyan Rengui.

It still had a long way to go.

Tan Xiao Shi's successful evolution into the Crimson Armor Knight was certainly a joyous occasion, and Hanako's luxurious afternoon tea and snacks came in handy at just this moment.

Calling over the Ursaluna and Feng Su Gou from the laboratory, the several humans and Pokémon sat on the ground together, savoring the delicious snacks.

Along the way, Luo Mu did not hesitate to share the knowledge he possessed; after all, Professor Oak had channels to gather such information anyway, so why should he hide it?

He gave Satoshi a brief overview of the Crimson Armor Knight's characteristics and the battle styles he recommended.

Unlike Cangyan Cangyan Rengui, which was Fire and Ghost type, the Crimson Armor Knight was Fire and Psychic type.

The Crimson Armor Knight was also Satoshi's first Psychic-type Pokémon.

In fact, the Crimson Armor Knight's Psychic typing originated from the Ceremonial Armor on its body; after evolution, the armor was strengthened by Fire and Psychic energy, serving as the source of energy for the Crimson Armor Knight's Psychic-type moves and storing powerful spiritual energy within.

The Crimson Armor Knight excelled at energy attacks; much like releasing a Flamethrower, it unleashed moves through its "muzzle," which not only accelerated the projectile's flight speed but also delivered excellent power due to the high concentration of energy, making its "firepower" particularly outstanding.

The Crimson Armor Knight upheld the spirit of chivalry, with a creed of fighting honorably and squarely; although there were differences between individuals, Satoshi's Crimson Armor Knight was clearly of this type, choosing to challenge any opponent head-on.

In a certain sense, the Crimson Armor Knight's battle style fit Satoshi's own habits quite well.

However—

Recalling the Diamond and Pearl anime, where Torterra, relying on its agile movements, had become the initial "ace," only to become "cannon fodder" after evolution due to its body becoming heavy,

Luo Mu felt he still needed to emphasize the battle style suitable for the Crimson Armor Knight, first leaving an impression in Satoshi's mind.

As for which direction it would develop in later, that would entirely depend on Satoshi himself.

Thinking this, Luo Mu spoke aloud the battle style for the Crimson Armor Knight that he had once envisioned.

The Crimson Armor Knight's agility was inferior to Cangyan Cangyan Rengui's, even lagging behind a Magikarp, and it couldn't compare to a Dragonite either.

In Luo Mu's vision, the Crimson Armor Knight's attack method would absolutely be its own specialty: high-firepower attacks.

Since its agility was not high, they should simultaneously train the Crimson Armor Knight's sensory acuity and cultivate its battle awareness.

Just like Cangyan Cangyan Rengui, the armor on the Crimson Armor Knight had been considerably strengthened due to its Fire-type and Psychic-type energies, fully capable of using the armor to reinforce its defense, block attacks, and then deliver a fatal blow with high firepower—

Luo Mu could provide the general framework, but what to fill into that framework depended on Satoshi as the Trainer.

After listening, Satoshi, who had clearly taken it to heart, excitedly grabbed the Crimson Armor Knight, called over Charizard and Typhlosion, and made as if to run to the hilltop beside the laboratory's backyard.

During his free time, he would go find the Tyranitar mother settled there and ask her to train him.

As a late-blooming Pokémon that had firmly established itself on Mount Silver, the Tyranitar mother's strength went without saying; the fact that her Larvitar had been stolen was merely due to the rather despicable methods of the Pokémon Hunters.

Seeing this, Luo Mu had no intention of stopping them; waiting until Satoshi had gone far, he then followed Professor Oak and Kenji, bringing Feng Su Gou and the others toward the laboratory, while Hanako parted ways with the Oak Laboratory midway, holding her basket and happily heading home.

Luo Mu's main purpose in coming to Pallet Town, his request, was to leverage the hands of Professor Oak, an authority in the Pokémon research community, to publicly announce the evolution method of Ursaring, as well as the existence of Ursaluna and Feng Su Gou.

In this way, they would be recorded in the Pokédex, no longer classified as "extinct" Pokémon, but as "rare" Pokémon.

Hearing Hearing Nimo, Penny, and Geeta would also be able to bring along Ursaluna more conveniently.

Why didn't Luo Mu publish it himself?

First, he was too lazy to write a thesis; usually, when assigning homework to students, it was either practical combat, oral descriptions, or mass messages sent via mobile phone. He couldn't write one at all.

Second, and this was the most important point.

Not only was he unknown in the academic world, but he also had no experience participating in any research; rather than starting from scratch, it was better to ride on Professor Oak's coattails.

Third, Luo Mu himself had no intention of joining the academic world; he understood that he was not cut out for research.

Luo Mu honestly told Professor Oak Ji De Xiang Fa, hiding nothing.

Professor Oak chuckled, saying that Luo Mu was quite interesting and that he had indeed judged him correctly; he was not the type to seek fame and fortune through deceit.

Becoming more serious, Professor Oak mentioned.

Publishing a brand-new evolutionary form of Pokémon, a form said to be extinct, required an exceedingly long time, and the effort expended was equally immense.

Data collection could not be completed overnight; it involved much specialized knowledge, and although Little Xiao Jian provided assistance, Professor Oak still felt slightly overwhelmed.

Fortunately, unlike other research starting from scratch, Ursaluna and Arcanine stood right before them; with reference subjects available, many steps could be directly omitted compared to mere speculation and inference.

Since the research intensity barely remained within what he could sustain, Professor Oak ultimately abandoned the idea of calling his eldest grandson back to help.

For other aspects, he could use video communication to consult his former senior from Tamamushi University, now running a research institute in the Sinnoh region and an authority on Pokémon "evolution," Professor Rowan, for auxiliary reference.

Luo Mu stayed in Pallet Town for three days.

During these three days, he lodged directly at the Oak Laboratory.

Usually, if there was no need for him, he would not stay in the laboratory causing trouble for Professor Oak, but instead wander around the Oak Laboratory's backyard together with Ash.

Occasionally staying in the laboratory, watching Ursaluna and Arcanine cooperate with Professor Oak to record data, he also met Professor Rowan via that video communication device through the internet.

At first glance, Professor Rowan's first impression on people was almost entirely serious, dignified, old-fashioned, strict, and unapproachable.

This elderly man had gray-white hair groomed meticulously with hair gel, sideburns grown into the shape of a handlebar mustache, and his attire was equally rigid and formal, a standard suit with a waistcoat.

After actually interacting and communicating with him, Luo Mu discovered this elderly man was not as old-fashioned or unfeeling as rumors claimed.

Rather, it was Professor Rowan's own aura, combined with his preferred style of dress, that made people involuntarily become cautious upon seeing him for the first time.

Often, human "prejudice" is the most terrifying and subjective thing; once a label is stuck on someone in one's mind, no matter what the other party does, one subconsciously thinks in that direction.

Professor Rowan himself was actually quite easy to talk to; even when laypeople like Luo Mu asked unreliable questions, he would answer them with great patience.

Moreover, even more surprisingly, Professor Rowan himself had a strong sweet tooth, almost to the point where, once he started researching, he would subconsciously continuously replenish his sugar intake.

More than once, Luo Mu heard Professor Rowan's assistant on the video call requesting him to restrain his sugar consumption to avoid getting cavities later.

"These data should be about enough."

Professor Oak stopped his work, let out a long sigh of relief, and simultaneously announced to the Ursaluna and Arcanine, who looked as if they had received a pardon.

"Waaah, it's finally over—"

Little Xiao Jian, sporting a pair of panda eyes, collapsed on the ground.

Only heaven knew how many sketches he had drawn these past few days! Even though he loved this hobby, now only the two words "rest" remained in his mind.

"Everyone has worked hard."

On the screen, Professor Rowan, who was collaborating remotely, also softened his seemingly serious eyebrows and eyes.

Meanwhile, Luo Mu skillfully operated the Poké Ball transmission device inside the Oak Laboratory, transmitting the Poké Ball in his hand to the Pokémon Center in Saffron City, from where Nurse Joy in Saffron City would transmit it via other cities and regions' Nurse Joys until it reached the Pokémon Center in the Paldea region.

Currently, Poké Ball transmission technology still had limitations; transmission between adjacent regions posed no major problems.

But if transmitting from Kanto to Paldea, one could only choose this method.

The Poké Ball belonged to Arven, and the Pokémon inside was Arven's Ursaluna, the very Pokémon Luo Mu had borrowed to undergo these few days of data collection.

After all, Ursaluna was the evolutionary form of almost all Ursaring, while Ursaluna Bloodmoon was the special individual.

When they first heard this news, the two elderly men, Professor Oak and Professor Rowan, had eyes shining brightly and were quite excited.

While neatly organizing the data in his hands, seemingly having already deliberated thoroughly, Professor Oak opened his mouth and asked Luo Mu: "Regarding that matter, what have you decided?"

On the other end of the video call, Professor Rowan also looked at Luo Mu, seemingly waiting for his answer.

"That matter" was actually nothing major.

Because to publicly reveal the existence of Ursaluna and Arcanine and add them to the "Pokédex" database, corresponding academic papers were required for support.

Luo Mu had not only brought Ursaluna Bloodmoon, Arcanine, and Arven's Ursaluna.

In fact, there was currently another Ursaluna present in the Oak Laboratory.

That was an individual that had successfully evolved using the Peat Block brought by Luo Mu, directly providing decisive data.

With complete data fully available, as authoritative Pokémon Professors, once Professor Oak prepared the complete academic paper, they could proceed smoothly through approval and publish it on relevant academic websites and journals.

But problems arose in the wake of that.

So-called academic papers required author signatures.

Professor Oak did not lack this academic paper to consolidate his own authority; according to his intention, Luo Mu's name would be listed as the first author, he and Professor Rowan as second authors, and Little Xiao Jian would be listed as the third author.

The so-called first, second, and third authors were slightly complex to explain, but one sentence sufficed.

Contribution levels were sorted from high to low as first author, second author, third author, and so on up to corresponding authors; letting Luo Mu sign as the first author equated to the two professors handing over all the prestige generated by the paper to Luo Mu.

(End of Chapter)