Chapter 123: Test
From Xiu's perspective, Scyther's transformation was profound. If a human absorbed such quantities of metallic elements, heavy metal poisoning would be almost certain.
Yet Scyther seemed unaffected, invigorated even. Its energy levels remained high, its focus sharp. The only noticeable side effect was a slight lethargy during the immersion baths, which Xiu still suspected was more due to the comfortable warmth than any adverse reaction.
'Still, he thought, watching Scyther diligently practice evasion drills even after its 'bath', can't skip the theoretical lessons either.' Gotta push harder next time, make sure Scyther isn't falling behind mentally just because its body is changing.
This intense focus on Scyther and Abra, combined with his own studies and assistant duties, left little room for anything else. Professor Oak, too, seemed completely absorbed in analyzing the data from Scyther's initial absorption tests and Abra's neurological scans.
He spent most of his time sequestered in the second-floor lab, emerging only for meals or brief consultations. The atmosphere in the Institute felt charged with scientific intensity, a stark contrast to the leisurely pace of Pallet Town outside its walls.
Xiu found Professor Oak hunched over the main console again, seemingly lost in complex data streams scrolling across the screen.
"Professor?" Xiu prompted gently.
Oak started slightly, looking up from the screen, seemingly pulled from deep concentration. "Ah, Xiu." He rubbed his eyes tiredly. "Just reviewing the initial absorption profiles."
"Any conclusions?" Xiu asked hopefully.
Oak sighed. "Nothing definitive yet. The data is… complex, requiring further analysis, comparisons." He seemed unusually distracted, his attention elsewhere.
Xiu decided to use the opportunity to offer a break, and perhaps subtly steer the conversation. "Professor," he began, holding up a small tray, "I noticed you skipped lunch again. Thought you might need some fuel." On the tray sat a steaming mug emitting a fragrant, milky aroma, alongside a small plate of freshly baked, golden-brown biscuits.
Oak looked at the tray, then suspiciously at Xiu. "More… 'snacks'?" he asked warily, clearly remembering the Pokéblock cookie incident.
"Haha!" Xiu laughed genuinely this time. "No, Professor, this is warm Moomoo Milk mixed with a little Sitrus Berry juice for energy, and simple salted vanilla biscuits. Made with flour and everything!" He placed the tray on the desk beside the console.
"Hmph," Oak grunted noncommittally, but his eyes lingered on the steaming mug. He picked it up cautiously, took a tentative sip. His eyebrows rose slightly in pleasant surprise. "Hmm. Not bad. Milky, fruity… quite smooth." He then picked up a biscuit, examining it closely before taking a bite. "And the biscuit… it tastes good." He seemed genuinely appreciative. "Why don't you have some?" he asked, gesturing towards the remaining biscuits.
"Already ate downstairs, Professor," Xiu replied, watching Oak slowly relax as he enjoyed the simple afternoon tea. 'Success! Establishing common ground through food.'
They sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes while Oak finished his snack. "Haven't had a proper afternoon tea break like this in… decades, probably," Oak finally admitted, putting down the empty mug with a sigh of contentment.
"Glad you enjoyed it, Professor," Xiu replied politely. 'Perhaps now is a good time…' "Professor, about Scyther…"
"Ah yes, Scyther," Oak's focus snapped back instantly. "Good timing. The analysis of the initial fragments, combined with the first few days of immersion data… I think we're ready for the next phase. Physical testing."
Xiu felt a familiar knot of anxiety tighten. "Physical testing?"
"Need to quantify the changes," Oak explained, already pulling up new data files. "Hardness, impact resistance, cutting power… need concrete metrics." He stood up. "Time for Scyther to demonstrate its progress."
— — —
Back out in the designated training area. Professor Oak stood ready with his clipboard and various measuring devices. Xiu stood nearby, observing anxiously. In front of Scyther lay the array of testing materials used previously – wooden blocks, stones, metal ingots of varying densities.
"Alright, Scyther," Oak instructed calmly. "Start with the wood block. Use a standard Slash."
Scyther nodded, stepped forward, and delivered a clean, swift chop. The thick wooden block split neatly in two with a dull thud.
"Hmm, good," Oak noted, making an entry on his clipboard. "Next, the granite stone."
Xiu retrieved the wooden fragments and placed a fist-sized chunk of granite in its place. Scyther struck again. This time, the impact produced a sharp crack, sending small chips flying, leaving a noticeable gouge in the hard stone. The scythe blade itself remained undamaged.
"Impressive," Oak murmured, recording the result. "Significant increase in cutting force." He pointed towards the steel ingot. "Alright, the standard steel bar next."
Xiu swapped the materials. Scyther hesitated for only a fraction of a second, perhaps remembering the previous damage, then struck decisively. CLANG! The sound of chitin hitting steel rang out again. Xiu rushed forward to examine the blade – still pristine. The steel bar, however, now showed a deeper, cleaner cut than during the initial tests days ago.
They continued the process, escalating through progressively harder materials – tungsten carbide, specialized alloys Oak produced from his lab. Scyther met each challenge, its enhanced scythes biting deeper, resisting damage far better than before. Oak meticulously recorded every result, comparing it against Scyther's baseline performance from before the experiments began.
Finally, Oak nodded, seemingly satisfied with the attack power assessment. "Excellent progress," he declared, looking genuinely impressed. "The metallic integration has significantly enhanced its offensive capabilities." He then looked critically at Scyther's overall form, the way it moved. "However," he added, his tone shifting back to analytical, "the cost of that enhancement is also becoming apparent."
He directed Scyther through a series of agility drills – the same high-speed turns and maneuvers they had struggled with earlier. While Scyther's control over Agility had improved thanks to Xiu's targeted training, its overall speed was noticeably slower. The added weight from the integrated metals, perhaps combined with a subtle shift in its center of gravity or muscle response due to the ongoing transformation, was clearly impacting its raw velocity.
It felt… heavier. Less nimble. Awkward, even, in its own changing body.
"As expected," Oak murmured, noting the results. "Increased mass, altered biomechanics… significant drop in top-end speed and agility. At least," he amended, "a three-tier decrease based on standard League metrics. It's not just the weight; its body isn't accustomed to moving this new form efficiently yet."
He turned to Xiu. "This awkwardness, this inefficiency… it's normal during such a significant physiological transition. Targeted physical therapy, focused retraining on balance and movement, can help it adapt over time."
He paused, then asked pointedly, "Have you been conducting the corresponding metallic element trace analysis alongside the physical tests?" He was referring to monitoring the specific types and quantities of metals being absorbed and integrated into Scyther's system.
"No, Professor," Xiu admitted. "You only instructed me on the physical observation and performance testing. You said you were handling the detailed elemental analysis…"
"Ah, right," Oak seemed to recall. He tapped his chin thoughtfully. "We need that data now. To correlate the physical changes with the specific metallic concentrations." He looked suddenly energized again, the researcher taking over. "We need to do a full bio-scan immediately."
"Yes, Professor," Xiu agreed readily, though he felt a surge of apprehension. 'Another invasive scan?'
"Right then," Oak instructed, already heading back towards the lab. "Bring Scyther up. Prepare the deep tissue scanner."
Back in the second-floor lab, Scyther found itself positioned within yet another complex machine, this one designed for detailed internal biological analysis. Xiu watched nervously as Oak initiated the scan. Scyther, though clearly accustomed to the various tests by now, still shifted uncomfortably under the machine's probing energy fields.
'It seemed particularly annoyed,' Xiu noticed, when Oak administered a small oral tracer compound – something designed to highlight metabolic pathways – just before the scan began. "Something strange," Scyther projected faintly through Abra's relay later, clearly disliking the sensation.