Theo's breath suddenly hitched.
Devon Corporation! The Fossil Revival Project!
How could anyone not have heard of it?!
As one of the most influential technological giants not just in the Hoenn region but across the entire Pokémon world, Devon Corporation's achievements in the field of Pokémon research had always been globally renowned.
And the Fossil Revival Project they launched two years ago had stunned the entire academic community of the world.
This groundbreaking technology could take fossils of ancient Pokémon—creatures that had been extinct for tens of millions of years, buried deep underground and, through precise genetic reconstruction and advanced bioengineering, breathe life into them once more. Pokémon that had existed only as fossilized remains could now reappear in the modern world.
Ever since the creation of this Fossil Revival technology, Devon Corporation had enforced strict top-secret protocols of the highest degree.
In the entire Pokémon world, only Devon's core researchers and a handful of people who managed to obtain special authorization had the opportunity to come into contact with the heart of this project.
Aerodactyl, Kabutops, Omastar—these ancient Pokémon… many trainers were even willing to spend a fortune just to acquire a Pokémon fossil, solely so they could rely on Devon Corporation's technology to revive these slumbering, ancient beings.
Theo's heart pounded uncontrollably, a violent rhythm thundering in his chest. His eyes shimmered with disbelief as he stared fixedly at Steven, terrified that he might have misheard.
Seeing his reaction, the corner of Steven's lips curved even higher.
"As long as you can successfully pass my test," Steven said, "I will take you into my private fossil collection and you may choose any fossil you like."
His tone was steady and certain. Then he added,
"Also, in the past few years while exploring various caves and ruins around different regions I've been fortunate enough to uncover several different Pokémon fossils. They're also part of my private collection, and you'll be free to choose from them.
Once you've made your choice, I'll have Devon's top revival team personally assist you throughout the entire process. And once the revival is successful, that ancient Pokémon will officially belong to you."
BOOM!
The words exploded in Theo's mind like a bolt of heavenly thunder, leaving him momentarily dazed, as though a tremendous wave of joy had smashed into him, making his head spin.
A private fossil collection? Choose any fossil? And the revived Pokémon would belong to him?
This wasn't just a lucky break, this was like a divine feast falling straight from the heavens! No—far more valuable than any feast imaginable!
After all, Steven was the former Hoenn Champion and the heir to Devon Corporation. His private fossil collection would undoubtedly contain the finest of the finest…
And considering that Steven had personally excavated fossils across various regions over the years, some of them might even be fossils that had never appeared in the modern world before!
To be allowed to choose a fossil from such a collection—this was fortune of the highest order!
Theo took a deep breath, trying desperately to calm his wildly beating heart. His voice trembled uncontrollably as he asked,
"Champion Steven… is everything you said really true?"
"I've always kept my word," Steven replied with a slight raise of his brow, his tone firm. "But the premise is that you must pass my test."
"I accept!"
Theo answered almost instantly, without the slightest hesitation. His eyes shone with determination and anticipation.
"Please tell me—what is the test? I will give it everything I have!"
The Feebas floating in the fish tank on his chest though unable to understand the situation, was clearly infected by Theo's excitement. It no longer drifted lazily.
Instead, it circled around the tank, occasionally bumping its forehead against the glass, as though telling Theo, 'I'll work hard with you'—offering its clumsy but earnest encouragement.
Meanwhile, the viewers watching the livestream had already gone completely insane the moment they heard the words "Fossil Revival Project" and "ancient Pokémon."
The barrage of comments flooded the screen like a broken dam, covering even the video feed entirely:
"Holy crap! Holy crap! HOLY CRAP! Did he just say ancient Pokémon fossils? Am I hearing things?!"
"Champion Steven is way too generous! ANY fossil from his private collection?!"
"I'm so jealous I think my eyes are turning green! How godly is this streamer's luck? First a shiny Feebas, then randomly meeting Steven, and now a chance to get an ancient Pokémon?!"
"ANCIENT POKÉMON, PEOPLE! Those are the ones we only see in textbooks! Kabutops, Omastar, Lileep, Anorith, Aerodactyl, every single one of them is insane!"
"Doesn't matter which one he gets. Any ancient Pokémon would be unbelievable! I accept this test on behalf of the streamer! Even if it requires climbing blades or walking through fire, it's worth it!"
"Streamer you must go all out! This is a life-changing opportunity! We're all rooting for you!"
"Now I'm curious, what kind of test is Steven going to give? Don't tell me he's gonna make him fight an Aggron? (shivering)"
"It shouldn't be that hard. Steven said it's a small test. Maybe something related to Pokémon knowledge or basic battle skills?"
Speculation filled the barrage, everyone both excited by the enormous prize and curious about the mysterious test.
Steven seemed to sense the restless energy coming from the livestream chat. He briefly glanced at the hovering device, then looked back at Theo with a mysterious smile.
"My test is very simple, you will battle my Metagross. If you can injure it, you pass."
The moment the words left his mouth, the entire cave fell silent.
Theo's excited smile froze instantly. His pupils contracted sharply as though he could not believe what he had just heard.
Battle Metagross? And he had to injure it?
This was Steven's Metagross!
A Steel/Psychic-type final evolution Pokémon with exceptional physical and special defenses—practically at the top tier among Pokémon of its level.
Not to mention, it was the very Metagross that had accompanied the Champion through countless battles. Its power and battle experience were far beyond what normal wild Pokémon or ordinary trainers' Pokémon could compare to.
Was Steven treating him like he was Wallace or something? How was he supposed to fight that?!
Feebas only had Water Pulse and Icy Wind, neither had any type advantage.
Forget injuring Metagross, he probably couldn't even make it flinch!
Theo's heart felt as though an invisible hand had gripped it tightly. The fiery passion lit by the promise of ancient Pokémon instantly cooled, replaced by overwhelming pressure and helplessness.
It wasn't that he feared challenges but this task was so close to impossible that it filled him with a deep sense of powerlessness.
"Champion Steven…"
His voice was dry. He opened his mouth to speak but didn't even know what to say.
Feebas seemed to sense Theo's sudden discouragement. It stopped swimming circles, pressed its head gently against the glass, and tapped softly—
Donk, donk—as if trying to comfort him.
The livestream exploded again. After a brief moment of stunned silence, outrage and disbelief filled the barrage:
"??? Did I hear that right? Feebas vs. Metagross?? And he has to injure it??"
"Is Champion Steven joking? This isn't a test—this is an impossible mission!"
"The streamer must be stunned right now… I'd be stunned too! This is literally unbeatable!"
"Maybe Steven is testing his courage? Like, even if you know you'll lose, you still have to stand your ground?"
"I don't believe Steven would deliberately make things difficult for a newcomer… there must be a deeper meaning to this, right?"
Steven's expression didn't change as he watched Theo struggle emotionally. His smile remained, though his eyes sharpened slightly.
"What's wrong? Are you afraid to accept?"
"I accept.
Success or failure, I will face it. Being able to let my Feebas learn directly from your Metagross—this alone is already an honor."
Theo took a deep breath. Though still tense, his gaze had regained its firmness.
"Please… go easy on us, Champion Steven."
"Very well." Steven nodded calmly. "Don't worry. Metagross will control its strength. It won't harm your Feebas."
(End of Chapter)