“Inheritance?”
From the literal meaning of the word, Wally immediately thought of the biology he’d studied in his previous life.
He wondered whether the two concepts were related.
But when he considered what he already knew and tried to apply it to this world, he couldn’t help feeling perplexed.
The plants and animals of his previous life could be explained through DNA.
But could science really explain the fantastical creatures of this world?
Onix, whose entire body was made of stone.
Magnemite, composed almost entirely of magnets.
Gastly, surrounded by a mass of smoke.
Could creatures like these really be explained that simply?
Wally voiced his doubts.
Even Joy found herself puzzled by the question.
“That’s precisely why we study it.”
Professor Birch smiled and gave them a vague answer.
“Then what would you say is your greatest achievement, Teacher?” Joy asked.
Both Master Aien and Master Ayaro had accomplished extraordinary things.
Yet, as Birch’s student, Joy actually didn’t know what her teacher’s own “specialty” was.
“Me?
Let me think.”
Professor Birch pondered for a moment.
“How about this?
If I can make a Pokémon learn three or four moves that it normally couldn’t learn, would you consider that an achievement?”
“Three or four moves?”
Not only Joy, but even Wally was confused.
Just moments ago, Birch had mentioned another Master Breeder, Master Ayaro, who had enabled a Snorlax with poor natural talent to learn nearly forty moves.
Yet Birch was also a Master Breeder.
Why would he describe his greatest achievement as merely teaching a Pokémon three or four moves?
“You’re wondering about that, aren’t you?”
Professor Birch smiled.
Both youngsters nodded.
“Then let me ask you this.
Take one of the most common Pokémon in the Hoenn Region, Taillow.
Can it learn Quick Attack?”
“Of course.”
Not only could Taillow learn it, but it could do so with ease.
As a species, Taillow could master Quick Attack without much difficulty.
“Then can it learn Steel Wing?”
“It can.”
Joy and Wally answered without hesitation.
Although Steel Wing wasn’t as easy for Taillow to learn as Quick Attack, it wasn’t particularly difficult either.
“Then what about Rain Dance?”
The moment those words left Birch’s mouth, both Joy and Wally froze.
Rain Dance.
No matter how they looked at it, that move seemed to have almost nothing to do with Taillow.
“Although it would be extremely difficult, Taillow still has a slight chance of learning Rain Dance.”
Professor Birch smiled.
“Then let me ask you this: can Taillow learn Mirror Move, Refresh, or even Thunderbolt?”
Once again, Professor Birch brought up examples neither of them had even heard of before.
“To be precise, if it relies solely on normal training, a Taillow could spend its entire life and still never learn moves such as Mirror Move or Refresh.”
Professor Birch’s expression became increasingly animated.
“But through inheritance, combined with a Breeder’s guidance and specialized training, nothing is impossible.
“That is my achievement—to allow Pokémon to inherit and learn moves that they would otherwise never be able to learn in their entire lives.”
Professor Birch burst into hearty laughter.
Whenever he spoke about this subject, he seemed particularly excited.
“Pokémon are truly miraculous creatures.
Different species can even reproduce with one another, and the combinations between different species can produce all kinds of phenomena that are difficult to imagine.
“My research into inheritance is based on these combinations between different Pokémon species.
“Don’t underestimate one or two unusual moves.
Starting from a different foundation can often stimulate a Pokémon’s deeper talents and uncover greater potential.
“It may even allow a Pokémon to break through the limitations of its species.”
“Then what about Thunderbolt?” Joy asked in astonishment.
Break through the limitations of its species?
Did that mean even a Taillow could eventually learn Thunderbolt?
If Taillow could learn Thunderbolt, it would completely overturn her understanding of the world.
Could inheritance really achieve something like that?
“Unfortunately, there has never been such a precedent.”
The old man shook his head, but a smile immediately returned to his face.
“But that’s exactly why it’s worth studying and exploring.”
His attitude completely changed Wally’s perception of Pokémon Breeding.
For the first time, he truly began to understand what this profession meant.
“Could my Beautifly inherit an Egg Move?”
Wally asked.
“Beautifly…”
Professor Birch thought for a moment before shaking his head.
“So far, we haven’t discovered any Egg Moves that Beautifly can acquire through inheritance—moves that it otherwise couldn’t learn.
Perhaps my own research still isn’t advanced enough.”
Wally nodded.
“I see.”
But he was still filled with anticipation.
Just because something hadn’t been discovered didn’t mean it didn’t exist.
After all, the unknown was the most fundamental source of curiosity—and obsession.
“Then what Egg Moves could my Chansey inherit?” Joy asked impatiently.
“Chansey?”
Professor Birch considered it.
“Aromatherapy, Gravity, Heal Bell, Mud Bomb, and quite a few others.”
“But your Chansey was specially prepared by your family for newcomers, so it’s impossible for it to possess any inherited moves.”
Joy gave a small “Mm” in response and didn’t seem particularly disappointed.
“Perhaps one day, you two will be the ones to discover Egg Moves that have never been seen before.”
The old man smiled.
Clearly, he had high hopes for both of them.
Professor Birch’s words stirred strange emotions in both youngsters.
What field would they ultimately pursue?
Would she, Joy, eventually follow the same path as everyone else in her family and become a Nurse Joy stationed at a Pokémon Center?
Would treating injured Pokémon for Trainers become her life’s work?
As for Wally, his thoughts were even more complicated.
When he had first chosen to become a Pokémon Breeder, he’d simply been attracted by the practical benefits the profession could provide.
But after hearing a Master Breeder explain the profession in such depth, Wally suddenly felt that Pokémon Breeding was something of a universal foundation.
There seemed to be almost nothing a Breeder couldn’t contribute to.
Breeders could help Pokémon grow healthier and stronger, train them in the use of their moves, and even groom them.
How was that fundamentally different from what a Coordinator did?
And if a Breeder could help a Pokémon learn dozens of moves, even an exceptional Trainer might not possess such an ability.
With access to so many moves, wouldn’t a Pokémon have far more options when it came to choosing tactics in battle?
Furthermore, raising a Pokémon capable of learning a move that it should theoretically never be able to learn sounded like an incredibly challenging endeavor in its own right.
The more Wally thought about it, the more he realized that being a Pokémon Breeder wasn’t simply about making nutritional supplements and taking care of Pokémon.
His original goal had merely been to use the identity of a Pokémon Breeder to secure a stable source of income.
But now he understood that the profession was far more profound.
Whether one wanted to become a Coordinator, a Trainer, or even a Pokémon researcher, none of these paths could truly be separated from the foundations provided by Pokémon Breeding.
Carrying the hopes of everyone at Verdanturf House, Wally had once sworn that he and Beautifly would reach the final stage of the Pokémon Contest.
Now that he thought about it, that goal wasn’t at odds with becoming a Pokémon Breeder at all.
In fact, becoming an excellent Breeder might make the road toward becoming a top Coordinator—or even reaching the ranks of the Elite Four or becoming a Champion—much easier.
“Thank you, Professor Birch.”
Wally’s eyes gradually brightened.
His understanding of Pokémon Breeding had deepened considerably, and with it came an even stronger sense of curiosity.