After the phone call, Fang Yuan was not stopped by the security guard and directly entered the factory.
At the same time, Father Fang also hurried over from the opposite side.
"Here."
Fang Yuan handed over his ID card.
"Haha, you're a lifesaver."
Taking the ID card, Father Fang laughed and said, "Just wait here for me."
After saying that, he turned around and left, leaving Fang Yuan and Eevee staring at each other.
What's this all about...
Thankfully, Father Fang wasn't gone for too long and quickly returned.
He wiped the sweat from his forehead and said to Fang Yuan and Eevee, "All set, I'll be off work soon. Just wait a little longer, and then we can go home together."
"Sure," Fang Yuan nodded.
Then Father Fang added, "Well, you could sit in my office for a while, there's air conditioning—it's cool. Or do you want me to give you a tour around here?"
"Hmm..." Fang Yuan thought for a moment and said, "No need to sit, just a casual look will do."
He was curious how this power plant cared for Electric Elves despite always hearing about it from his dad at home.
In the game, power plants were the favorite gathering places for Electric Elves.
Even, in some deserted power plants... there lived a legendary Pokemon.
The legendary bird of thunderclouds, Zapdos.
...
Father Fang began showing Fang Yuan around.
There weren't many types of Electric Elves here, just Thunderballs and Magnemites, and the electromechanical facilities had been modified to accommodate charging structures suitable for these Electric Elves—not quite what Fang Yuan had imagined.
As they were passing by a cylindrical generator, several Elf Balls, resembling Pokemon, suddenly jumped down from it.
The three Thunderballs followed Fang Yuan and Eevee closely as they approached, startling Fang Yuan greatly.
Thunderballs were generally considered harmful due to their unstable emotions and explosive nature when angry. Having watched plenty of cartoons, Fang Yuan had a bit of a phobia about these creatures, afraid that a Thunderball might accidentally explode.
However, Fang Yuan also understood that his worry was unnecessary.
"This is the Moisture Apparatus. It is this device that fills the power plant with energy-suppressing moisture. This energy not only stabilizes the mood of the Thunderballs but also suppresses their self-destruct moves," explained Father Fang.
"Impressive... The inventor of this device must be a genius," Fang Yuan commented, admiring the device that looked like an air conditioner.
Moisture was originally an attribute of Pokemon. Pokemon with this attribute can render an opponent's Self-Destruct or Explosion moves ineffective, through the creation of a special damp environment. The inspiration for the Moisture Apparatus came from this attribute. After improvements, the Moisture Apparatus didn't make Fang Yuan feel any dampness at all, yet it retained the effect of suppressing explosions—it was truly miraculous.
It was said that this Moisture Apparatus was now implemented in many domains and had become an important safeguard for personal safety in dangerous locations.
Fang Yuan thought... The genius who invented this apparatus must have made a fortune by now.
Beyond that, the Vileplume perfume pursued by the girls in his class was also a product of ingenious thinking.
The most widely known feature of Vileplume was its pollen, which gave off an odor that people found repugnant—a blend that smelled like a mix of old sneakers, garbage, rotting eggs, and the smoke secreted by skunks. It was very unpleasant.
When everyone was avoiding Vileplume at all costs, who would have thought that its extract would turn out to be a top-tier ingredient for perfume?
Or, for instance, the medicinal poison spores of Parasect.
Now, quite a few people have gotten their slice of the pie by banking on Pokemon and turned into winners in life. Fang Yuan would be lying if he said he wasn't envious.
"It's fortunate that Pokemon have only begun to be researched in the past few decades, and there are still many unknown benefits to be divvied up. I've realized that discovering new characteristics could indeed bring me a sum of money in the short term, but if I really want to earn a steady stream of more money, I have to focus on things that can bring practical value, just like this humidity device, as well as Vileplume perfume," he mused.
"It seems that if I want to publish new papers in the future, or even apply for patents, I'd better choose content that can be transformed into practical benefits..."
While Fang Yuan was lost in thought, he stood rooted to the spot, causing Father Fang to turn around and look at him with puzzlement.
This child... has he studied himself silly?
How can he be daydreaming at all times?
"Bwoo!"
Seeing this, Eevee patted Fang Yuan on the head with its tail, reminding him it was time to walk.
Luckily, Eevee hadn't started training its tail yet...
Fang Yuan snapped back to reality, and Father Fang led him around for a while longer. Fang Yuan's thoughts, however, were no longer on their surroundings. As it was getting late, they started to head back the way they came.
But just then, Fang Yuan exclaimed, "Eh?"
"What's with that Little Magnetic Monster?"
In a corner by some electromechanical equipment, a grey Pokemon resembling machinery leaned against the wall, watching them by itself.
"This..."
At the sight of the Little Magnetic Monster, Father Fang paused and sighed, then slowly walked over and crouched down.
He then gently picked the Little Magnetic Monster out of the corner and cradled it in his palm.
"This Little Magnetic Monster has been here for a long time. I heard from the older employees that it might have some defects in its body. Its left and right components can't emit electromagnetic waves to shield gravity, which is why this kid can't fly," Father Fang explained.
"Haven't you sought out an Elf Doctor?"
"These Pokemon have all been through a unified health check. It's the doctor who said it might be a congenital defect."
"The main thing is, there are too many Magnemite here, and if one has a problem, the higher-ups won't make a big fuss... If it can't recover before this batch of Pokemon is shipped away, it might just be released into the wild," he added.
The Little Magnetic Monster in Father Fang's hand showed a downcast expression. Because it couldn't hover in the air, it didn't fit in with its kind and couldn't blend into the group, often facing rejection and left to itself here.
"Unable to emit electromagnetic waves to shield gravity, huh..." Fang Yuan said, hearing about such a situation for the first time.
...
As they were leaving the power plant, Fang Yuan couldn't help but ask, "With such a large place as the power plant, it shouldn't be difficult to raise this one Little Magnetic Monster, right? If it can't fly, I imagine it would have a hard time surviving in the wild."
"Indeed, it wouldn't be difficult, but that's not a long-term solution. It simply can't blend in here."
"A few of the older employees in the power plant have also discussed its stay or leave. They came up with the idea of whether it's possible to apply to the higher-ups not to remove it from the plant's roster and to have an employee take it home to care for. Big deal, we all chip in a little money," Father Fang said.
"If that works out, it'd be great. If not, I can take care of it when the time comes. Magnemite doesn't eat much, and electricity is cheap. Ordinary care is something any family can afford," Fang Yuan reasoned.
Still soft-hearted, Father Fang had already made up his mind, as Fang Yuan could tell from the way he held the Little Magnetic Monster and the look in his eyes... It seemed that the paternal will was determined.
Fang Yuan nodded and said, "Okay, if our family is going to keep it, I don't mind. I don't think my mom would have a problem with it either."