As the illumination diminished, Gible's physique appeared more streamlined. While retaining its robust, steel-plated armor and formidable, tank-like build, a newfound agility was discernible.
[GENETIC OPTIMIZATION COMPLETE]
[SPEED IV: 0 → 31]
[SPEED STAT: 10 → 13]
[GP Remaining: 510]
Gible stood, testing the new configuration, taking a few experimental steps. The movement was noticeably quicker, more fluid.
'I feel lighter,' Gible said, wonder in the mental voice. 'Not actually lighter. Just like my body now knows how to move better. Like everything works smoother.'
"That's perfect," I said, pulling up the interface again. "Ready for round two?"
'Attack this time?'
"Attack this time."
I heard movement from across the train car and looked up to see Elara standing there, her tablet clutched to her chest, eyes wide as she stared at the residual silver light still shimmering around Gible.
"What—" she started, then seemed to catch herself, lowering her voice. "What was that light? I saw it from my seat. What's happening to Gible?"
I considered my response carefully.
Elara had proven trustworthy and shown genuine care for Pokémon, despite her initial mistakes with Gible. And she'd witnessed enough already that complete secrecy was pointless.
"I can see things," I said slowly. "Silver light around certain Pokémon, around Gible specifically. Under certain conditions, I can interact with that light. Trigger changes."
Elara's scientific mind was clearly racing. "Changes? You mean like the Prism Transformation?"
"Different. More... targeted. Smaller scale but more precise."
"Can you do it again?" The question came out almost desperate. "I need to observe. To document. Please, Samael, this could be groundbreaking research—"
"Would you like to watch?" I interrupted.
She froze. "What?"
"I'm about to do it again. A second optimization. If you want to watch, you can. But you can't interfere. No scanning equipment, no invasive measurements. Just observation."
Elara nodded so quickly I thought she might give herself whiplash. "Yes. Absolutely. I'll watch. I promise."
She moved closer, settling into the seat beside me, tablet ready but remaining in her lap. Her eyes were fixed on Gible with an intensity that bordered on religious fervor.
I pulled up the interface one more time.
[GENETIC OPTIMIZATION: ATTACK]
[Cost: 500 GP]
[Current IV: 0 → Target IV: 31]
[Warning: Process may cause temporary discomfort]
[Proceed?]
"Here we go," I said to Gible. "Second round. This one will make you hit harder."
'I'm ready.'
I selected [YES].
The silver light exploded outward again, even brighter than before. Gible's entire body became engulfed in that ethereal glow, and I heard Elara's sharp intake of breath beside me.
This transformation diverged from the previous speed optimization.
While the prior enhancement prioritized streamlining and efficiency, this particular modification focused on augmenting raw power.
I observed a densification of Gible's musculature, with fibers compacting and strengthening. Concurrently, the claws on all four limbs elongated marginally, sharpened, and acquired a polished, steel-like sheen.
The mandibular structure underwent reinforcement, resulting in a more pronounced dentition.
'Hurts more this time,' Gible's mental voice was strained. 'Muscles feel like they're being squeezed. Compressed. But I can handle it. I can—'
The illumination pulsed one final time before completely dissipating.
Gible remained, breathing heavily, its physique visibly more robust than it had been merely thirty seconds prior. The diminutive dragon experimentally flexed its claws, and I detected the distinct sound of steel scraping against the train car's metallic floor.
[GENETIC OPTIMIZATION COMPLETE]
[ATTACK IV: 0 → 31]
[ATTACK STAT: 14 → 16]
[GP Remaining: 10]
Beside me, Elara was furiously scribbling notes on her tablet, her fingers flying across the screen.
"The cellular restructuring is visible to the naked eye," she muttered, more to herself than to me. "Observable muscle density increase. Keratin modification in claws and teeth. This shouldn't be possible. Genetic changes of this magnitude should take generations, not seconds!"
She looked up at me, eyes blazing with questions. "How are you doing this? What's the mechanism? Is it tied to the Prism Transformation? Can other Pokémon undergo these targeted optimizations? What are the limits? Can you reverse it? Is there a theoretical maximum? What about—"
"Elara," I interrupted gently. "I can't answer all of those questions."
Her expression fell. "Can't? Or won't?"
"Both," I admitted. "Some of it I don't understand myself yet. Some of it I'm not ready to share. This is... complicated. And I need to understand it fully before I start explaining it to others."
"But you'll tell me eventually?" There was something almost pleading in her voice. "When you understand it better? When it's safe?"
I considered lying, deflecting. But Elara deserved better than that.
"Maybe," I said honestly. "In the future, when I know more, when I'm confident it won't cause problems... maybe I'll show you more. Explain more. But not yet."
Elara's shoulders visibly drooped, and I observed a clear expression of disappointment on her face. Subsequently, she performed an action I didn't expect.
Pouting.
Her lower lip jutted out in an expression that looked ridiculous on someone with her professional credentials.
"You're going to drive me crazy with curiosity, you know that?" she said, but there was a hint of amusement beneath the frustration. "Showing me the most scientifically significant phenomenon I've ever witnessed and then refusing to explain it. That's just cruel."
"I know," I said, allowing myself a small smile. "But I promise, when the time is right, I'll share what I can."
She sighed, accepting defeat, and stood. "Fine. I'll wait. But I'm holding you to that promise, Samael Oak."
"Fair enough."
Elara returned to her seat, immediately diving back into her notes, and I was left alone with Gible again.
I couldn't help but watch her leave. She was a beautiful woman, and I never had time for women in my past life.
Maybe things will be different this time.
I pulled up the status screen to review the changes:
POKÉMON: Gible
Level: 7
Type: Dragon/Steel
HP: 24
ATK: 16
DEF: 18
SP. ATK: 11
SP. DEF: 11
SPEED: 13
Moves: Tackle, Sand Attack, Scale Shot, Dragon Rage
Ability: Rough Skin
IVs:
HP: 0
ATK: 31
DEF: 31
SP. ATK: 0
SP. DEF: 0
SPEED: 31
Free EVs: 3
Current EXP: 110/180
[Current GP: 10]