Among all of Xinhai's partners, Eevee and Krokorok had the highest initial aptitude, while Feebas had the worst.
Even though Feebas ate specially made Advanced Energy Cubes and was constantly nourished by the Mystic Water, its strength had clearly begun improving more slowly.
This made Xinhai realize that perhaps it was time for Feebas to evolve.
Previously, Xinhai had exchanged for a Prism Scale and a Premium Water Stone at Dewford Gym precisely for a time like this.
The only question now was—had Feebas's current Beauty reached 171?
If it had not, Feebas would be unable to evolve. Its confidence would surely suffer a severe blow, making evolution even harder in the future.
It's a pity there isn't an instrument for measuring Beauty. Otherwise, I could just test it and know the result.
Feeling somewhat troubled, Xinhai walked over to the water basin and crouched down.
Sensing his approach, Feebas immediately swam over. Its little head poked above the surface, its round eyes looking at him expectantly.
"Feebas," Xinhai called softly, reaching out to gently touch its cool scales.
Feebas affectionately rubbed against his fingertip, lightly flicking its tail and splashing a few droplets of water.
"Do you want to evolve?" Xinhai asked softly, though his voice carried earnestness.
Feebas froze for a moment, then its eyes instantly lit up!
It vigorously nodded its little head, its tail swishing even more happily as it made soft "puff puff" sounds.
Of course it wanted to evolve.
Although Xinhai treated it very well and had never treated it differently, whenever it saw Blaziken's heroic figure in battle, Gardevoir's elegant and mysterious bearing, or Eevee's nimble and versatile movements, an indescribable yearning would always rise in Feebas's heart.
It wanted to become stronger too.
It wanted to help Xinhai in battle too.
It