The next day, the paper titled "Another Evolutionary Form of Slowpoke: Slowking" was published in the Pokémon Magazine, along with a video showing Julian's Slowpoke evolving into Slowking.
The video quickly spread across major portal sites and was re-shared by countless users.
Pokémon Magazine focuses on Pokémonology and covers various fields, such as Pokémon Medicine, Pokémon Research, and Pokémon Genetics.
Countless Pokémon Scholars aspire to have their work featured in its pages.
After Julian's aunt, Quinn, submitted the paper to the magazine, they tested the evolution theory with Slowpoke, using the Kings Rock provided by Quinn. When Slowpoke evolved into Slowking, it confirmed the theory, and the paper was published shortly after.
"Slowking looks goofy, but to it think it's so smart," someone commented.
"Who's got a Kings Rock? 20 million, no limit!" another exclaimed.
"As a Water-type Trainer, I need a Slowking!"
"A Psychic-type Trainer here, and I feel the same!"
"Professor Quinn's paper says Slowking's intelligence rivals that of top scientists. If I had a Slowking, would it look at me like I'm a fool?"
"Turns out those silly Slowking eyes are actually judging us," someone else joked.
The discovery of Slowking, another evolutionary form of Slowpoke, became the talk of the day. Half of the top trending topics were related to Slowking, especially since no new Pokémon evolutionary form had been discovered in years.
The video of Slowpoke evolving into Slowking had also garnered millions of views. Its seemingly clueless yet wise expression became a meme for many.
While some people read the lengthy paper, most watched the video instead, as only professionals would sift through a 100,000-word academic paper.
When some experts finally read the full paper, they saw the final signature: Quinn Walker and Julian Walker.
While Quinn's name wasn't a surprise—she's the youngest recipient of the prestigious Arceus Award—many were surprised to see Julian's name listed alongside hers as a co-author.
Quinn herself clarified on social media: "The new evolutionary form of Slowpoke, Slowking, was actually discovered by Julian, not me. I just did the data analysis and wrote the paper."
On Julian's end, he posted a photo of himself with Slowking, along with a video of Slowking preparing breakfast for him, captioned: "My Slowking is a real genius."
Will commented: "It's probably looking at you like you're an idiot."
Shen chimed in: "Slowking, taking care of a fool who is unable to take care of himself."
Luis added: "Brother Walker must've bagged many Kings Rock."
Hugo: "So smart—it could probably plan the perfect assassination plan."
Tina simply wrote: "My son is amazing!"
Meanwhile, Love, their Indeedee, added: "Get plenty of rest and eat on time."
Hmm – seems like something weird got in there.
Julian's phone buzzed non-stop as congratulations and jokes poured in, but he ignored most of it.
Instead, he stretched lazily and said, "Alright, time to register you officially."
Since Slowking hadn't existed in the outside world until now, there was no official record of it.
With the release of the paper and video, however, the Drakorian Trainer Association and various other national bodies had recognized Slowking as an official evolutionary form of Slowpoke.
"Slow~"
Slowking replied in its usual slow way, nodding. It then trotted upstairs, leaving Julian curious.
Moments later, Slowking returned, wearing a small schoolbag.
"When did you get a schoolbag?"
Julian asked, puzzled. It wasn't something he had bought. The bag was a perfect fit for Slowking, though.
Slowking pulled out its phone, showing Julian the bag on a e-commerce site. It was a custom-made order.
"Alright, let's go."
Julian patted Slowking on the head, returned Growlithe to its Poké Ball, and headed out, with him and Slowking gone, if this guy stayed at home, it will be a mess.
"Lucario, you're in charge while we're out," Julian called.
"Luca"
Lucario responded, nodding calmly from its meditation.
Metagross consciously followed behind Julian.
"Look Julian and his Slowking"
"Really?, Slowking is here?"
"It looks so cute"
"It looked at me, it really felt like he was looking at a fool"
As they walked through the academy, Slowking naturally drew attention. People whispered and snapped photos.
Slowking opened her backpack, Julian looked over curiously, and saw Slowking pulling out some small packets of walnuts and handing them to the nearest student passing by.
"For me?" one student asked in surprise.
"Slow~"
Slowking nodded.
Julian peeked into Slowking's bag—it was full of walnuts.
Slowking continued to distribute the walnuts and the students who got them happily accepted the walnuts, feeling oddly proud to have received the gifts from the world's first Slowking.
But just as they were about to snack on them, someone murmured, "Wait... aren't walnuts supposed to be brain food? Does Slowking think we're dumb?"
Everyone froze, holding their walnuts and exchanging glances with Slowking. The innocent-looking Slowking blinked back at them, oblivious.
'Walnuts might be good, but I don't want to eat them anymore.' Everyone had the same thought.
Julian, still holding his own packet of walnuts, didn't know whether to laugh or be embarrassed.
Should he eat the walnuts or not?
"Haha..ha"
"Hahaha.."
Don't know which heartless guy laughed first but laughter broke the awkward silence. Soon, the crowd joined in, and the tension evaporated in the lighthearted moment.
After registering Slowking, Julian returned home, knowing the next two weeks would be filled with military training. Classes wouldn't officially start until after the training was complete.
When he arrived at the villa, Luis and Walter were already waiting at the gate. They immediately focused on Slowking.
"Slowking looks so cool," Luis said, awestruck.
"Slow~"
Slowking responded, pulling out more walnuts and offering them to Luis and Walter.
Julian, was now truly suspicious of Slowking's walnut-giving tendencies.
Seeing Slowking handing him another pack of walnuts, Julian decisively refused.
Remembering the earlier encounter and the words spoken, the meaning of receiving walnuts from Slowking had become pretty obvious.
Since Julian didn't want them, Slowking handed the walnuts to Luis again.
"Thanks"
Luis proudly accepted two packets of walnuts and shot Walter a smug look.
'See, Slowking gave me two packs, while you got only one, it clearly likes me more.'
Slowking: It seems that only two packets are not enough.
Inviting them inside, Julian noticed Lucario had discreetly told Meltan to head back to its room to avoid being seen by the guests.
*****
Upto 30 chapters ahead on patreon :-
patreon.com/ReduxMagister