[No way, how does he know so much?!]
"Of course there's a reason. You've heard of Psychic Gems, right? They're crystals that can boost the power of Psychic-type moves and are infused with potent Psychic energy. If you can get a Psychic Gem for this Ponyta of yours, I believe there's a pretty high chance it'll grow a mane! And not just any mane—this one won't be a flaming mane. It'll be something entirely different, and I promise, it'll surprise you!"
Lovy spoke confidently.
[A Psychic Gem? That's seriously rare!]
[She already had a government job straight out of university, and you think she can't get one?]
[Where did the streamer even learn all this stuff?]
The livestream chat, previously filled with doubt about Lovy, had quieted significantly.
Now, more people were curious about him.
How could someone who looked so young know so much?
In reality, Lovy was simply using the panel information only he could see, along with Pokémon knowledge from before his transmigration and what he'd learned after arriving in this world. His conclusions were pretty spot-on.
"Of course, I can't guarantee anything. Like I said earlier, there's a good chance, not a 100% certainty."
[Respect for being accurate!]
[Streamer bragged too hard, now trying to save face!]
"Alright! Streamer, thank you so much! If I weren't using an official account, I'd totally send you a bunch of gifts!"
Chen Xue nodded gratefully. Her eyes held a new layer of admiration as she looked at Lovy.
She had studied at a Pokémon university and now worked for the Pokémon Protection Bureau. Her love for Pokémon ran deep—especially for her own Ponyta, which she adored like family.
Now that Lovy had helped her solve this problem and even provided deeper insight, it was hard not to admire him!
[Official account can't send gifts, so she's going to do it privately?]
[I feel like there's a story brewing here…]
[User "Officer Tan · Pokémon Protection Bureau" has sent you 3 Poké Balls!]
"Thanks, Officer Tan! Uh, is this… really okay?"
Chen Xue had just said they weren't allowed to send gifts, but Officer Tan just went ahead and did it. Lovy was a bit stunned.
[Whoa! They actually sent something!]
[Wait a minute… official accounts can send gifts now?!]
"It's fine—completely fine," Officer Tan chuckled. "Don't worry, kid. The platform gives us a few free gifts each day—just three Poké Balls. Just a small token of appreciation. And to those in the chat, don't start stirring up drama!"
[Oh, they're free gifts… poor streamer, LOL]
[Joke's on you—he can still cash those in!]
"Alright, that's the end of our segment with the Bureau's officer. But I still have a few more questions for you. Everyone's still curious."
Officer Tan kept the pace moving and motioned for Chen Xue to leave the frame.
Lovy glanced at her, a bit reluctant. A beauty like that—fair skin, great looks—who wouldn't want her on camera longer?
Just while she was in frame, the livestream audience had already surged past 500!
"Go ahead, Officer Tan. Ask away."
"First: how did you determine this Ponyta was a Psychic-type mutation? Second: how did you know a Psychic Gem might help it grow a mane?"
Without a pause, Lovy replied:
"Actually, those two questions are connected."
Officer Tan nodded and waited patiently for the explanation.
"I read about this kind of mutated Ponyta in a book. If you look closely, its forehead is slightly raised—that's where a horn will eventually grow. And it will grow a beautiful mane—not a flaming one, but a sparkling, multicolored mane, almost like it belongs to a fairy."
"As for why this one hasn't grown its horn or mane yet—I believe it didn't get enough energy while growing. According to the book, these mutated Ponyta usually live in forests filled with life energy. Generations of being immersed in that energy led to their unique form. This one must have lacked such nourishment, so its development was stunted. That's why I suggested using a Psychic Gem to supplement its energy—there's a chance it'll grow the beautiful mane."
[Is that book even real?]
[No wonder! He nailed the hidden question!]
"What's the name of this book?"
"I think it was called... Galar Travelogue!"
"Galar? Never heard of that author. But I get it now—reading really does broaden the mind. Thanks, kid. I really learned a lot today. They say the true experts are among everyday people, and you—you're the expert when it comes to Pokémon appraisal!"
Lovy muttered in his heart: Of course you've never heard of them—Galar is a region, not a person.
Officer Tan gave him a thumbs-up.
"You're too kind, Officer. You've worked hard too. Your public education session earlier was really eye-opening."
Lovy responded with a grin.
[Okay, we get it—mutual praise all around!]
[The streamer really knows his stuff!]
With a few more polite exchanges, Officer Tan ended the call.
Watching him leave the stream, Lovy finally breathed a sigh of relief. He had handled the situation perfectly and capitalized on the boost in traffic!
"Alright, let's pick a lucky viewer for a free live call-in!"
Lovy sipped some water and resumed the live appraisal.
Today's a bit rushed, had other things going on—sorry for the shorter stream! Back tomorrow with new Pokémon to identify!
[User "Lippy" has requested a live call-in!]
[Call connected!]
"Lippy? Just hearing your name, I know you're a cheeky one!"
After successfully riding the traffic wave from the Protection Bureau, Lovy was in high spirits. His tone had become more relaxed.
Even though Officer Tan had taken away some of the viewers when he left, many still stayed.
"Hello, streamer."
The person didn't show their face—only the camera, which was pointed at a Pokémon.
"I wanted to connect with you to ask something."
Lovy focused his eyes. The Pokémon on camera had a green back and yellow belly, a red "Y"-shaped antenna on its head, and big black pupils ringed with pale yellow. Each body segment had yellow circular markings resembling eyes, giving it an eerie all-seeing look.
It was a Caterpie—a common Bug-type Pokémon.
Yep, just your everyday Caterpie. As odd as its name might sound, it was a staple in the Pokémon world.
Right now, the Caterpie was using its tiny legs to clutch a leaf and munch away happily.
Lovy glanced at its panel: [Fearful, Lonely, Increased Appetite].
"..."
Okay, okay… small, helpless, and pitiful—but still manages to eat well, huh?
[What's there to identify in a Caterpie… it's basically a walking snack!]
[Don't look down on it—Caterpie can evolve into Rayquaza!]
Lovy chuckled. The Rayquaza-from-Caterpie meme was a well-known joke in the Pokémon community.
Even though the official name of Rayquaza is (lit. "Sky-Splitter Throne"), fans often call it "("Sky-Splitter Seat"), as the latter rolls off the tongue better.
Lovy also preferred the second name—it just sounded more like a proper Pokémon name.
"Alright, tell me—what's your question?"
Lovy was curious. What issue could there possibly be with a Caterpie?
"Well… my little brother is about to start Pokémon Middle School. Our parents bought him a Charmander. I wanted a Pokémon too… and they gave me this Caterpie."
[Wait, what? Your family gave your brother a Charmander and you a Caterpie?!]
[That's like giving one kid a toy car and the other a Lamborghini!]
[There's a backstory here for sure!]
"Uh… I've heard of parents favoring sons over daughters, but not younger siblings over older ones. How many years apart are you?"
Lovy couldn't help but ask.
"I'm actually the older sibling—but I'm a girl. I used a voice changer so people wouldn't recognize me. I didn't dare ask big streamers. I was afraid of being exposed… My brother is one year younger than me."
[Whoa! So your mom gave birth again almost right away?!]
[This is straight-up favoritism!]
[You still don't have a Pokémon? You're older! That's so unfair...]
"I didn't go to middle school… my family couldn't afford it."
[Wow… so they had money for your brother but not for you?]
[Sounds harsh, but you were probably an 'accident'.]
Even Lovy started to empathize.
So even in a world full of Pokémon, there was still gender-based favoritism?
He wasn't trying to pick a fight—it was just baffling. Weren't they both children of the same parents? Why should one be treated worse just because of gender or some other unfair reason?
"Some of you in chat—if you know your comments are mean, just shut up. Nobody's forcing you to talk."
Lovy said, a little heated.