In the study of his cabin, Ace was engrossed in studying the training manuals.
After finishing all four manuals, Ace rubbed his temples.
The physical structures of normal Vulpix and Alolan Vulpix had many similarities, but also many differences.
The original Ice-type Vulpix, when evolving into Ninetales using an Ice Stone, gained the Fairy type in addition to its Ice typing.
The fundamental principle was to stimulate the brain using powerful ice and snow energy, thereby giving rise to the Fairy type.
"So, from the existing information, simply using a Fire Stone to evolve Vulpix would allow Vulpix to regain Psybeam."
Ace closed his eyes and murmured, "But that's not what I want."
Every evolution of a Pokémon was a leap in its own strength.
If this evolutionary energy was used to impact a meaningless Psychic sense, then even if Vulpix evolved into Ninetales, in terms of strength, it would definitely be at the bottom of Ace's team.
Therefore, the immediate priority was to perform a "craniotomy" on Vulpix, finding a way to deal with the degenerated Psychic sense, thereby allowing Vulpix to regain Psybeam.
"It probably won't be fixed in just one or two tries."
Ace placed the books he was holding back on the bookshelf, then pulled out a research paper on the brain development of Psychic-type Pokémon.
To ensure success, Ace had to thoroughly understand this material; otherwise, he would never easily perform surgery on Vulpix.
Of course, after undergoing surgery with Ace once, almost no Pokémon was willing to have surgery with Ace again.
This was a lesson learned through blood and tears by Blastoise, who had already experienced one surgery, making Blastoise absolutely unwilling to step into Ace's laboratory again.
In the blink of an eye, Ace had been studying Psychic-related books for a month.
During this time, Ace also had Crobat and his other Pokémon help catch a few Psyduck for experiments. As pure Water-type Pokémon, Psyduck could surprisingly use Psychic moves, which in this aspect, was quite similar to Vulpix.
So, within a month, Ace experimented twice. Although the first attempt failed, in the second attempt, the Psyduck didn't show signs of a degenerated Psychic sense; instead, it showed improvement.
Then, after a month, Vulpix was tied to the operating table by Ace.
As Vulpix trembled, looking at Ace, Ace, wearing a mask, said to Vulpix, "Don't worry, I have experience. Just think of it as falling asleep."
Vulpix was just about to say it didn't want the surgery, but Haunter's Hypnosis was released face-to-face, followed immediately by Victreebel injecting Sleep Powder into Vulpix to ensure Vulpix wouldn't wake up even if it was cut open.
"The surgery begins."
Ace quickly got to work. This time, compared to the previous surgery on Blastoise, there was a Lapras in the lab.
Its role was to freeze Vulpix's blood vessels, extending the surgery time for Ace as much as possible.
Soon, Ace easily cut open Vulpix's scalp with a scalpel, and Lapras immediately froze the blood vessels to prevent severe bleeding.
Next, Ace used a bone saw to cut open Vulpix's skull, exposing its brain.
"Just like the anatomical diagram. Proceed as planned."
Ace extended a hand towards Haunter, and Haunter immediately brought Ace a brain soaking in nutrient fluid.
This was the brain of the failed Psyduck. Ace wasn't just aiming to restore Vulpix's Psychic sense this time; he wanted to strengthen it!
"System, extract 2% of the Fire Stone's internal energy."
Not just that, Ace also wanted to utilize the power of the Fire Stone he had previously obtained.
Soon, with the system's help, 2% of the Fire Stone's power was extracted, and Ace, meanwhile, had cut off the cerebral cortex responsible for Psyduck's Psychic sense.
"Melt!"
The power of the Fire Stone directly melted this piece of cerebral cortex, turning it into a light pink liquid that floated in mid-air.
Then, Ace immediately injected this solution into Vulpix's brain.
Ace could guarantee that this was an absolutely insane idea of his.
Using the volatile power of Fire-type energy to melt the Psychic sense, and then having Vulpix absorb it in liquid form.
Theoretically, this was feasible.
If successful, Vulpix's Psychic sense would not only be reactivated, but with the power of the Fire Stone, Vulpix's fire power would be greatly enhanced without evolving!
But there were significant risks involved!
The power of fire was the most volatile. If the absorption failed, Vulpix's Psychic sense would be completely destroyed, and it would be utterly unable to learn any Psychic-type moves thereafter!
This was a huge gamble, but Ace had the ability to "undo" his moves, so even if the risk was great, Ace was willing to take the chance!
Watching the liquid gradually being absorbed by Vulpix's brain, Ace meticulously observed Vulpix's cerebral cortex. At the slightest deviation, he would immediately stitch up the wound and use the system's power to restore Vulpix.
At this point, he absolutely couldn't let the system heal Vulpix, otherwise all previous preparations would be in vain.
He had to ensure the absorption was complete before recalling it and starting Vulpix's recovery.
Time passed minute by minute, until the last bit of solution was absorbed by Vulpix's brain. Ace's eyes lit up, and he shouted, "Success!"
With that, he immediately covered Vulpix's skull back, reattaching the scalp, and then recalled it into its Poké Ball.
Five Quest Points were consumed, and Vulpix began its recovery. At this moment, Ace's heart finally settled.
After waiting for three minutes, Ace released Vulpix again, and Vulpix landed on the operating table.
Vulpix now looked no different from before, except that its originally brown eyes were now a vibrant, vivid red!
Pokémon: Vulpix
Gender: Female
Level: 24
Ability: Flash Fire
Nature: Hasty
Aptitude: Superior
Egg Moves: Psybeam
Moves: Ember, Tail Whip, Quick Attack, Confuse Ray... Confusion, Zen Headbutt.
Fold...
"Due to the Host's modification, Vulpix's type has changed from Fire-type to Fire/Psychic dual-type."
"Side Quest (Vulpix's Psychic Power) completed. Quest Rating: S. Quest Reward: 100 Gold, 50 Quest Points."
"Gift package has been stored for you, can be claimed at any time."
"Note: A maximum of 5 gift packages can be stored. If there are more than 5, all will be opened."
"Perfect!"
Ace looked at Vulpix's stats panel and couldn't help but exclaim in admiration. At the same time, reflecting on his experiences over the past month, it no longer felt so arduous.
Vulpix, meanwhile, examined its own body. It could feel an endless supply of power generating within it.
That sensation of slowly growing stronger instantly captivated Vulpix...