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In terms of teaching methodology, Registeel proved to be just as straightforward and unforgiving as Regice in its approach to training.
Registeel's daily training regimen involved taking Metagross deep underground, where they would dive together into the earth's depths to withstand the crushing pressure of the ground. This intense pressure served to temper and strengthen Metagross's metallic cellular structure.
According to Registeel's own explanation, if Metagross truly wanted to achieve legendary-level defensive capabilities, it would need to develop the ability to withstand the extraordinary pressure found 100,000 meters beneath the earth's surface.
This ultimate goal seemed impossibly distant at the current stage of training.
Today's Metagross could only manage to dive slightly beyond 3,000 meters underground, which already represented its absolute physical limit.
When Roy first heard the figure of 100,000 meters mentioned, he had initially thought it sounded completely unreasonable and excessive.
However, after his recent conversation with Cole about the concept of 'advanced energy,' he had developed an entirely new perspective on the training methodology.
The 'steel' energy mastered by Registeel undoubtedly represented a form of high-level energy manipulation, Roy speculated thoughtfully.
Moreover, this particular 'steel' energy appeared remarkably pure, without any other energy types mixed into its composition.
This observation revealed that there were apparently two distinct pathways for optimizing basic energy into 'advanced energy' forms.
The first approach, exemplified by abilities like Typhlosion's Rage and the 'advanced technique' that Roy had envisioned for his team, involved integrating multiple different energy types into the foundational basic energy.
The second method involved studying and refining a single basic energy type to its absolute limits, much like the approach taken by the three legendary golems.
Regarding the specific 'optimization' method for steel-type energy, Registeel had already provided a clear demonstration of the answer.
The key technique was compression.
Through subjecting the body to tremendous pressure and continuous tempering, the steel energy became increasingly condensed and powerful.
Regice's body consisted of highly compressed ice crystals, and this extreme condensation was precisely what enabled it to control 'Never-Melt Ice' with such mastery.
Ninetales lacked Regice's natural 'frozen body' physiology, which made understanding and learning the Never-Melt Ice technique particularly challenging for it.
However, Ninetales possessed exceptional mental power as its specialty.
With this realization in mind, Roy offered a helpful suggestion to Ninetales: "Over the next few days, try focusing on learning the 'Role Play' move first. Then attempt to experience Regice's energy field through mimicking its frozen body ability using Role Play."
"Babble!" Ninetales exclaimed with excitement.
Ninetales had never considered that its mind could adapt and change in such a creative way, and it cast admiring glances toward Roy for his innovative thinking.
At that moment, Roy's aura senses detected two distinct aura signatures rising rapidly from deep within the ground.
The approach was swift and powerful.
Hum——!
The earth began to surge and suddenly burst open with tremendous force.
The imposing figures of Registeel and Metagross emerged into Roy's field of vision.
Registeel appeared unchanged from its usual state, but Metagross looked considerably worse for wear after the intense training session.
The relentless tempering under crushing underground pressure had left the metallic surface of Metagross's body uneven and distorted. Its normally smooth form had become warped from the extreme conditions.
Metagross's expression also appeared somewhat sluggish and exhausted. After spotting Roy, it offered a weak greeting without much energy, then silently retrieved a 'Max Revive' item and consumed it immediately.
Tremendous vital energy flowed into its body, and Metagross began healing rapidly as the powerful restoration item took effect.
"How many sessions did you complete today?" Roy stepped forward and asked with concern.
"Hmm. (Three times, the daily training is finished!)" Metagross responded, its mood noticeably lighter despite its exhaustion.
Three sessions of "underground pressure endurance training" per day represented the absolute limit of what its body could handle safely. Any additional sessions would prove counterproductive and potentially harmful.
With the intense training finally completed for the day, Metagross felt as joyful as a student beginning summer vacation, practically wanting to take flight on the spot.
"Excellent work! You're one step closer to being ready to challenge Ho-Oh!" Roy patted Metagross encouragingly, skillfully offering motivational words to boost his Pokemon's spirits. He simultaneously used his aura power to sense the physical changes that had occurred in Metagross's body.
After only two days of this specialized training regimen, the overall hardness and durability of Metagross's body had increased by approximately thirty percent compared to its previous condition.
The efficiency of this training method was truly remarkable and somewhat terrifying in its effectiveness.
The underground pressure tempering technique sounded deceptively simple and crude in concept.
However, in reality, ordinary Pokemon would be completely unable to utilize this training method due to several critical limitations.
First and foremost, any Pokemon that required breathing would be immediately excluded from this training. The underground environment was not only severely oxygen-depleted but also filled with various toxic gases. Only mechanical life forms that possessed immunity to poison status and didn't require oxygen could adapt to such harsh conditions.
Secondly, this method required a guide capable of safely transporting trainees thousands or even tens of thousands of meters underground and bringing them back to the surface without injury.
Only Registeel possessed the unique abilities necessary to accomplish this feat safely and effectively.
"Ninetales, please gather everyone together," Roy instructed with a smile.
"Everything is finally prepared, and we can officially begin the cultivation plan."
Roy smiled confidently, feeling the weight of Blastoise's Mega Stone in his pocket.
This precious stone represented the final piece of the puzzle he had been working to complete.
One hour later, Roy found himself at his residence within the Tree of Beginning - a modest hut constructed from logs.
Although the exterior appeared simple and rustic, the interior was furnished with high-end products shipped from the outside world. A generator provided reliable electrical power, and aside from the lack of internet connectivity, the dwelling lacked nothing in terms of comfort and functionality.
At this time, all of Roy's Pokemon had gathered at the entrance of the hut, with the notable exception of Lucario, who remained busy with important work deep inside the Tree of Beginning.
"What's going on?" Blastoise was the first to ask with curiosity.
"It's something very good," Roy replied with a smile, waving the two Mega Stones in his hand for everyone to see. "We finally have everything you need."
Blastoise and Metagross's eyes immediately lit up with excitement, and they made enthusiastic sounds of anticipation.
"Unfortunately, I only possess one Key Stone, so you won't be able to Mega Evolve simultaneously," Roy explained apologetically.
Roy then asked, "Which one of you would like to go first?"
Upon hearing this question, Blastoise and Metagross exchanged meaningful glances. Both Pokemon sensed the other's barely contained impatience and excitement, which made them both hesitant to speak up first out of politeness.
"You two are so considerate," Roy laughed warmly. "In that case, let's go according to the order you joined the team. Blastoise, you'll go first."
"Kaba (#^.^#)," Blastoise responded with an embarrassed but pleased expression.
Despite trying to appear modest, Blastoise moved forward quickly with both feet and positioned itself directly in front of Roy within moments.
"Here, take this," Roy said, handing the Mega Stone to Blastoise.
Blastoise immediately hung the precious stone around its neck like a treasured piece of jewelry, handling it with obvious reverence.
Seeing this careful behavior, Roy explained, "You don't need to treat it quite so preciously. This Mega Stone will actually disappear once you use it - it becomes integrated into your body to complement your missing genetic sequences. For future evolutions, you'll only need the Key Stone."
Blastoise touched its head, indicating that it understood the explanation perfectly well, but that life required meaningful rituals and ceremonies.
Roy gripped the Key Stone firmly and spoke in a low, focused voice: "Feel the power of the stone with your heart and create a resonance between us..."
Roy, who possessed previous Mega Evolution experience, activated the Key Stone with practiced ease and confidence.
Soon, Roy guided Blastoise's consciousness with the skill of an experienced trainer who had mastered these techniques.
Despite Roy's tendency to playfully call Blastoise foolish in casual moments, these words were never meant seriously. If he truly found Blastoise annoying, he would have taken steps to restrict or suppress its actions long ago.
In Roy's eyes, Blastoise had always been the most resilient and dependable member of his team - the one who needed the most attention and care.
Blastoise understood this dynamic perfectly well, of course.
There could be no questioning the profound bond that existed between trainer and Pokemon.
In an instant, both the Key Stone and Mega Stone began radiating brilliant, dazzling light simultaneously.
"Zheng——!!" The sound of transformation echoed through the air.
The Mega Stone gradually dissolved and merged completely into Blastoise's body, which became surrounded by the radiant light of evolution.
The evolutionary light gradually faded away.
The impressive form of Mega Blastoise appeared before Roy's amazed eyes.
The most dramatic change was in overall body size - Mega Blastoise had grown to exceed three meters in height.
Its limbs had also become significantly thicker than before, now packed with powerful, well-defined muscles.
After completing Mega Evolution, Blastoise had developed small shell-like structures resembling 'arm guards' on both arms, with each shell containing a small Hydro Pump launcher.
Simultaneously, the original two Hydro Pump launchers on its back had merged into a single, massive Hydro Pump cannon that emerged from the center of its shell. The muzzle diameter of this enormous cannon was actually larger than Mega Blastoise's entire head.
Mega Blastoise's eyes had turned a striking red color, and its jaw had developed sharp, pointed features that looked dangerous enough to cause serious injury.
Roy opened the information panel and confirmed his expectations - Blastoise's comprehensive evaluation had risen to EX level, surpassing its species' natural limitations.
Its attribute typing remained unchanged, still purely Water-type.
However, its ability had undergone a complete transformation, no longer possessing Torrent.
Instead, it now had "Mega Launcher."
Information about this new ability flowed into Roy's mind.
Pokemon with the 'Mega Launcher' ability received tremendous power boosts to all pulse-based and aura-based moves.
The degree of enhancement depended entirely on how well the ability had been developed and mastered.
Although this was Blastoise's first Mega Evolution, it demonstrated remarkably high compatibility with the 'Mega Launcher' ability.
The reason for this compatibility was quite obvious.
"The caliber of your Hydro Pump is absolutely massive..." Roy marveled at the sight.
Due to practicing the 'Totem Aura' technique, Blastoise's size had already grown significantly larger than others of its species. After Mega Evolution, the enormous Hydro Pump cannon mounted above its head far exceeded Roy's initial expectations.
For reference, the caliber of this massive Hydro Pump cannon was so large that, theoretically, an Electabuzz could be stuffed inside and launched as a projectile.
"Come on, let's test your current range capabilities," Roy suggested with excitement.
Blastoise nodded eagerly, equally anxious to test its newfound power and abilities.
It aimed its cannon muzzle toward the sky and immediately prepared to use the 'Water Pulse' move.
Water-type energy began gathering and concentrating at the cannon's muzzle.
In the next second, a sphere of water with extraordinarily high pressure began expanding rapidly at the cannon's opening.
"Boom--!" The terrifying high-pressure water sphere shot out toward the sky with tremendous force.
Within just a few seconds, the water projectile had completely disappeared from Roy's visual range.
Although he couldn't track it visually, Metagross certainly could continue monitoring its trajectory.
Roy turned to look at Metagross, whose eyes began glowing as it tracked the water sphere's movement using Psychic abilities. Simultaneously, its four brains worked rapidly to calculate the projectile's parabolic trajectory and determine the maximum distance achieved.
Ten seconds later, Metagross finally refocused its attention on the present.
"What was the range?" Roy asked with anticipation.
"Hmm!" Metagross announced a number with obvious amazement.
Fifty kilometers.
"This is..." Roy was genuinely taken aback by the impressive figure.
Although at such an extreme distance, Blastoise would face significant accuracy challenges that made practical combat applications somewhat questionable, the sheer potential was undeniable.
However, the upper limit had been clearly established, which opened up fascinating possibilities for future development.
If the 'accuracy' problem could be solved through training and refinement, enemies could theoretically be completely eliminated with overwhelming firepower before they could even approach within striking distance.
Roy recalled a phrase that military enthusiasts often used to describe the philosophy of fire superiority.
Justice exists within the caliber range, and truth lies within the firing distance.