14. So Awesome, Is This The Legendary Humanoid PokéMon?

Evan returned downstairs and noticed Sophia playing with a light-bodied Ralts in her arms.

Evan was momentarily stunned when he saw Ralts.

Clearly, Sophia was also surprised to have such a little Pokémon with her.

When Evan appeared in the hall, the first thing he noticed wasn't Sophia, but the Ralts nestled in her arms.

"Raaalts!" 

Ralts looked at Evan with wide eyes.

Such powerful Psychic energy.

Could this be the legendary Psychic-type Pokémon capable of transforming into a human form?

So amazing!

For a moment, Ralts gazed at Evan with eyes full of admiration.

Evan noticed Ralts' gaze and was taken aback.

This little one.

Sensing its admiration, Evan couldn't help but feel amused.

Sophia also noticed something unusual about Ralts.

Following its gaze, she turned and saw Evan.

The moment she saw him, she quickly stood up.

"Evan, are you finished?" she asked directly as she approached.

Evan was momentarily confused by her words.

Senior?

Hmm…

Is she from the same university as me?

Why don't I know her?

Though puzzled, Evan didn't dwell on it and focused on the task at hand.

"Yes, I'm done."

"Let's talk."

"These are my patent letters."

"And here's the detailed recipe."

"You can take a look."

With that, Evan handed her the information he had.

Sophia nodded, placed Ralts on the ground, and started reading the documents.

"Evan, let's chat over there," she said, heading back to where she had been seated earlier.

As Evan moved to follow her, he suddenly felt a tug on his trousers.

"Raaalts!"

The little Pokémon was tugging, begging to be picked up, looking utterly adorable.

(*^▽^*)

Evan picked up Ralts, and the little Pokémon nuzzled against him affectionately.

He couldn't help but feel delighted.

Sophia glanced back, momentarily stunned.

"Ralts?"

This little Pokémon is actually willing to cuddle with Evan?

That's surprising.

Even at home, when her parents tried to hold Ralts, it was always resistant.

But now?

What was she seeing?

Ralts happily nestled in Evan's arms, looking content.

Sophia was truly taken aback.

Evan gently stroked Ralts' antennae and then followed Sophia.

After they sat down, Sophia smiled and said, "Ralts seems to like you a lot."

Seeing Ralts clinging to Evan made her a bit envious.

It had never been this affectionate with her. Yet now, here it was, bonding with Evan so easily?

She couldn't help but feel a little jealous.

Evan's lips curled into a small smile.

"Maybe it's because I'm a Psychic."

"That's probably why it likes me so much."

Sophia was startled by his words and looked at him in surprise.

"Evan, you're a Psychic?"

"No wonder!"

Now it all made sense.

No wonder Ralts was so fond of Evan.

Psychics and Psychic-type Pokémon naturally have a special connection.

Satisfied with her reasoning, Sophia turned her attention back to the energy cube formulas Evan had handed over.

As a breeder herself, she understood these things well.

The formula was solid—after all, it had already been patented.

What intrigued her now were the ingredients used in the formulas.

As she examined the materials, Sophia was a bit surprised.

These ingredients are so common.

They're practically everywhere.

And yet, with them, you can create an intermediate energy cube formula?

Sophia's interest piqued.

After quickly skimming through the rest, she couldn't help but say:

"Evan," Sophia began seriously, "I want all of your patents."

"Let's talk about the price."

This formula was far too valuable for simple commercial use.

Hearing her words, Evan nodded.

"Good," he replied. "That's what I thought."

"The patents on those intermediate energy cube formulas can be licensed to you for free, but I want 70% of the net profit."

"Pure profit after removing costs and labor."

As soon as Evan finished speaking, Sophia was stunned. She put down the patent certificate she was holding, her expression turning speechless.

"That's impossible, Evan," she said, incredulous. "There's no such thing as a deal like that."

Seventy percent of net profit?

Sure, he said pure profit, but doesn't he have to share in the other risks too? How could this work?

"If we go by your plan, we can only give you 10%," Sophia countered. "Whether it's maintaining the site or the company's channels, all of that costs money."

...

"So, 70%," Evan repeated calmly. "Pure profit, as in after all those costs are gone."

Sophia frowned immediately, her disagreement clear.

"This won't work," she insisted. "There are risks that can't be factored out."

"Seventy percent includes all the risks," Evan reiterated. "Pure profit, you know? I'm talking about pure profit. Did you misunderstand something?"

"If there are any risks, we bear them together," he continued. "Even if I can't sell it, the amount I get will be much lower, right?"

...

She could see his point, but that still sounded unreasonable. Wouldn't that just turn their company into Evan's personal worker?

Sophia suddenly found herself at a loss for words.

"I'll make a call."

"Evan, it's a pity you're not a capitalist," she remarked with a hint of frustration as she took out her phone.

Hearing this, Evan laughed.

"If I were a capitalist, I wouldn't even give you 30%," he replied. "At most, I'd give 10%, and you'd still be taking all the risks."

Sophia shot him a sharp look, feeling a little numb.

"Thanks a lot," she muttered sarcastically before standing up to make her phone call.

Evan watched her with a grin.

He wasn't worried that she wouldn't agree. Thirty percent of net profit was already a generous offer, after all. In truth, the number in his mind had been 50/50 from the start. He understood that they would need Sophia's channels and brand.

But it seemed Sophia wasn't the best negotiator. A few comments from him, and she was already rattled.

Too young.

Evan turned his attention back to the Ralts in his arms.

"You're quite the little cutie," he said, rubbing its head gently. "You're making me want to raise one myself."

Hearing Evan's words, Ralts tilted its head.

"Raaalts?"

Raise one?

Uh-oh!

In its mind, images of its two sisters suddenly popped up.

"Raaalts!"

"Leave it to me!"

Evan didn't catch that response. If he had, he would've been confused—could Ralts be acting like a matchmaker? That would be something else entirely!