Chapter 6: Having High IQ

"Director, the intelligence of the little ones are higher than we thought!"

A group of researchers were busy collecting data as James observed, nodding with satisfaction at their findings.

Over the past few days, the team's interactions with the Pichus had revealed just how clever these cute little creatures were. Not only had they learned to go to a specific area for their sanitary needs, but they had also figured out how to signal hunger by patting their tiny bellies.

Most impressively, they'd already learned to control their electric abilities, ensuring they didn't accidentally shock anyone. Even when they did use Thunder Shock, usually in response to perceived threats, the discharge was mild, causing only a slight tingling sensation.

"The creatures Mr. Grave designed are extraordinary," one researcher said in awe. "It's no small feat to integrate something as complex as electricity into an organism. Gene mapping for that is intricate, and almost no one shares such advanced techniques."

Another young researcher chimed in, "It feels like Mr. Grave has really changed recently. He's focused, kind... Honestly, if I could, I'd love to be his girlfriend!"

"Hee hee, someone has a crush! Though I think the Director…"

Before she could finish, James stepped in quickly. "Alright, let's stay focused. I'm going to report to Mr. Grave. He mentioned he's applying for an evaluation review soon and wants everything to be ready for a one-time clearance."

As he walked toward Ethan's office, James felt a bit self-conscious. Working closely with Ethan had shifted his perception. Previously, he'd seen Ethan as a naive boss who lacked direction. Now, he saw a man dedicated to his work, respectful toward his team, calm under pressure, and friendly to everyone, even to the security guards. Over time, James found himself genuinely admiring his boss.

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Inside the Office

Ethan's time was divided between the lab and his office. Pokémon Biotechnology was down to around thirty or forty staff in the main office, with another seven or eight in the lab. Some employees were still considering leaving, and if the company didn't stabilize soon, it could worsen.

Ethan knew morale needed a boost, so filing the evaluation review was his top priority. Once approved, they could secure image copyrights, plan their publicity, and begin production.

"System," he murmured, summoning the system panel again. The triangular dice remained in cooldown.

"It's taking longer than I thought," he muttered. "Could it be a full month? I expected it to reset every two weeks."

Even if the cooldown was longer than expected, he figured the slower pace would work well with the breeding timelines required for each Pokémon.

His phone buzzed, pulling him from his thoughts.

"Hey, James. What's up?"

"Mr. Grave, the little Pichus have learned to control their Thunder Shock. They're remarkably smart and don't seem to discharge their electricity randomly anymore."

Ethan grinned. "That's fantastic news! I'll go ahead and submit the application to the evaluation agency."

James sounded slightly surprised. "Aren't you coming in to check yourself?"

"No need. I trust you all have it covered."

Ethan knew the Pichus' intelligence meant they didn't need constant supervision. And despite being cared for daily by James and the others, the little creatures seemed to gravitate the most toward him.

He suspected this was a result of the system, creating a unique bond between him and the Pichus.

"Ms. Wheeler," he called to his secretary.

Annie Wheeler entered, dressed neatly in her professional attire and round glasses. She had a charming presence and was both smart and organized. A solid choice if you asked anyone, though the old Ethan had mostly admired her from afar.

"Can you coordinate with someone to submit our evaluation application?" he asked. "Request an expedited submission and have them draw from the finance department for any extra fees."

"Understood, Mr. Grave. I'll take care of it right away," she replied.

With a graceful nod, Annie left to fulfill her task, and Ethan turned his attention back to his plans for the company's future.

...

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