While combat raged on the training grounds, a very different but equally intense exchange was taking place in Albert's laboratory garden. The three intellectuals sat surrounded by humming equipment and blooming orchids, their discussion having reached a fever pitch following Albert's explanation of his latest theory.

"Absolutely astonishing!" Steven's eyes gleamed with academic fervor behind his designer glasses, nearly bouncing in his ergonomic chair. "The theoretical implications alone are revolutionary!" His hands moved in excited gestures as he processed the information. "And to think that Angelo operates at 50% potency - the applications for understanding power distribution in Aurons could reshape our entire field!"

"Actually," Blue interjected with practiced precision, "recent calculations suggest a mere 25% efficiency rate." His tone carried the weight of academic certainty. "Consider: if Angelo's physical capabilities are reduced by 50%, and the amplification factor from his aura is similarly halved, the compound effect results in approximately 25% operational capacity compared to a standard Auron."

Albert and Steven exchanged glances heavy with scientific skepticism. Steven's "May I?" followed by Albert's "By all means" caused Blue's face to twitch almost imperceptibly - a crack in his usually perfect composure.

Steven leaned forward with the enthusiasm of someone about to share a profound secret. "Let me explain how Auron energy really works," he began, his eyes bright with academic passion. "Imagine you're trying to fill water balloons for a fight - this analogy will help explain both Energy Draw Rate, EDR, and Energy Control Capacity, ECC."

He gestured to the holographic display, which shifted to show his improvised analogy. "ECC - is like the size of your water balloon. It determines the maximum amount of energy you can hold at once. While EDR - is like the speed of your faucet, how quickly you can fill that balloon."

"Now here's the critical part that most people misunderstand," Steven continued, warming to his subject. "Let's say we have two people in our water balloon fight. Person A has a huge water balloon - that's high ECC - but a tiny trickle of a faucet - that's low EDR. Person B has a smaller balloon but a powerful faucet that fills it almost instantly."

Blue watched intently as Steven manipulated the hologram to demonstrate. "In a fight, Person B will dominate. Why? Because they can quickly fill and throw multiple balloons while Person A is still trying to fill their first big balloon. In Auron terms, high EDR means you can quickly gather and use energy, which is far more valuable in combat than simply having a high capacity."

"Here lies your misconception," Steven continued, his eyes gleaming with academic passion. Even Angelo and Red paused their fight to listen in, "Every Auron automatically allocates a portion of their Energy Draw Rate to enhance their natural abilities. Think of it like a power grid distributing electricity to different systems in a city. A percentage of your total EDR is constantly being channeled into three key attributes: offensive power, defensive capability, and movement speed."

He manipulated the holographic display to show a diagram of energy flow. "The fascinating part is that this distribution isn't equal. Some Aurons naturally channel more energy into speed, while others might have a higher allocation to defense. It's part of what makes each Auron unique."

"More experienced Aurons," Steven added, his voice dropping as if sharing a trade secret, "can actually control this distribution. They can consciously reduce the percentage of EDR allocated to their enhancements. It's a risky technique - like diverting power from your shield generators to your weapons in a sci-fi spacecraft. You can charge attacks faster by reducing your defensive enhancement, but it leaves you vulnerable."

Blue's eyes widened with understanding. "So if an Auron has 10 EDR, and they normally allocate 30% to enhancements, they're working with 7 units for active abilities. But they could potentially lower that enhancement allocation to 20%, giving them 8 units for attacks at the cost of reduced natural enhancement?"

"Precisely," Steven nodded approvingly. "Though few Aurons ever discover this level of energy manipulation. Most operate on instinct, letting their bodies maintain a fixed enhancement distribution. But those who master this technique gain a significant tactical advantage, able to shift their power allocation based on the situation."

Blue's face showed dawning comprehension. "So when Angelo's test showed 12 Aur per second EDR..."

"Exactly," Steven nodded. "And since his energy is split, that 12 Aur actually manifests as 6 Aur of usable power. It's like having a water faucet where half the water evaporates before it can fill the balloon."

Red's mental voice cut through their shared consciousness like sandpaper on silk, dripping with smug satisfaction. "Well, well, well... looks like our resident genius isn't quite as brilliant as he thought. How's it feel to be schooled, Professor Blue?"

Blue's teeth ground together audibly, his pride visibly wounded. "Shut. Up." The words escaped through clenched teeth as the laboratory's ambient sounds seemed to mock his discomfort. The usual steady beeping of monitoring equipment felt like it was counting off the seconds of his humiliation.

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Relief washed over Angelo like a cool breeze, the weight of perceived weakness lifting from his shoulders. Understanding that his power limitations weren't as severe as Blue had feared ignited a spark of renewed determination in his chest.

"If EDR is the key," he began, excitement coloring his thoughts, "Blue, ask them how to increase EDR , then maybe we should focus our training on—" His strategic planning cut off abruptly as Red's crimson form blurred toward him, evolved aura blazing with manic intensity. "Red, wait! STOP—!"

In the laboratory, Blue pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to ignore the chaotic feedback bleeding through their shared consciousness. He turned to his colleagues, scholarly curiosity overriding his concern for Angelo's predicament.

"Might I inquire about EDR enhancement?" Blue's measured tone carried genuine eagerness beneath its usual calm. "What would a focused training regimen entail?"

Steven's eyes lit up with academic fervor, practically bouncing on his heels. "Brilliant question! Think of it like progressive overload in weight training," he explained, gesturing enthusiastically. "EDR development requires pushing just beyond your current limits in controlled bursts - like sets in the gym. Each day, you force yourself to draw energy slightly faster than your comfortable maximum. The energy connections adapt, just like muscle fibers!"

"The same principle applies to ECC," he continued, fully in his element. "You gather energy until you hit your capacity, then push to hold just a bit more. Maintain that edge of discomfort as long as possible. Consistent daily practice yields steady improvements in both metrics."

Blue's eyes widened with fascination. "The implications of energy connections responding like biological tissue..."

Their theoretical discussion faded into the background as chaos erupted on the training ground. Red had undergone a grotesque transformation - every severed limb replaced by constructs of pulsing crimson forged energy. His legs had become wolf-like appendages of crystallized power, while one arm ended in wickedly sharp energy talons. The other had morphed into a whirring buzzsaw of pure destructive force.

High-pitched, maniacal laughter echoed off the reinforced walls as Red crouched like a predator about to pounce. His evolved aura cast everything in a blood-red glow, making the scene look like something from a nightmare.

"Look at yourself!" Angelo shouted, barely evading another frenzied assault. "You're completely out of control!"

Red's only response was more deranged laughter as he unleashed a barrage of attacks that seemed to defy both physics and sanity. Each strike carried enough force to leave gouges in the reinforced ground, his movements becoming increasingly erratic and unpredictable.

Angelo's expression hardened as he realized this had gone too far. "Time to end this madness!" Forged energy coalesced around his arm, forming a gauntlet that hummed with barely contained power. As Red launched himself forward in another berserk charge, Angelo saw his opening.

With precise timing born from countless battles, Angelo shifted just enough to let Red's attack whistle past. In the same fluid motion, he drove his reinforced fist deep into Red's midsection. The impact sent shockwaves across the training ground as Red's physical form exploded into a cloud of crimson particles that streaked back into Angelo's body.

As his aura faded, Angelo felt Red's essence settle within him, radiating something that felt suspiciously like smug satisfaction. The chaos of their battle gave way to quiet determination as Angelo's mind raced with possibilities for their new training regime. The knowledge gained today would change everything - they just had to survive Red's enthusiasm long enough to implement it.

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The late afternoon sun painted long shadows through Albert's laboratory windows as the group prepared to depart. The day's revelations hung in the air like a tangible presence, each person touched by new understanding and possibility. Albert's weathered face carried an unusual intensity as he turned to address Angelo and Blue one final time.

"My boys," the old scientist's voice carried a weight that made both duplicates pause. "If I might make one last request..." His fingers absently traced the edge of a nearby workstation, betraying an uncharacteristic nervousness.

Angelo and Blue exchanged glances, their shared consciousness rippling with curiosity. "What is it, Albert?" Angelo asked, noting how the professor's usual casual demeanor had shifted to something more formal.

"The 'Components of Pure Energy Theory' has been my life's work for longer than I care to admit," Albert began, drawing himself up to his full height. His eyes blazed with scholarly determination - a look that somehow made Angelo feel like a child again, despite his recent evolution. "I believe it's finally ready for publication. With your blessing, of course."

"Oh!" Angelo shifted his weight, caught off guard by the request. His voice carried a hint of uncertainty as he considered potential ramifications he might be missing. "Yeah, sure... I don't mind..."

"Splendid!" Albert's enthusiasm burst forth like sunshine through clouds. "You'll be credited as a contributor, naturally. Your unique condition made this breakthrough possible."

Blue seemed to hesitate before speaking, his usual confidence tempered by politeness. "If I might be so bold..." he began, choosing his words carefully. "Given our shared contribution to your research, perhaps Red and I could also be acknowledged?"

Through their mental link, Red's dismissive voice cut through: "I literally don't care." But Blue maintained his composure, pointedly ignoring their more chaotic third's input.

Albert's face softened into genuine warmth, crow's feet crinkling at the corners of his eyes. "My dear boy, of course you'll be included! All three of you contributed equally to this discovery." Albert's weathered hand patted Blue's shoulder affectionately. "Forgive an old man's oversight - I should have made that clear from the start."

The rare smile that crossed Blue's usually stoic features made him look startlingly human.

Steven, who had been practically vibrating with contained excitement, finally burst forth: "Professor, please consider me at your disposal! My expertise in current energy theory could provide valuable insight as you prepare for publication!"

"I shall certainly keep that in mind," Albert replied diplomatically, though his eyes sparked with interest at the young scientist's enthusiasm.

As they exchanged final farewells, each carried away something beyond mere theoretical knowledge. They parted ways beneath the setting sun, each carrying new goals that would shape not just their futures, but potentially the entire field of Auron research. The day's revelations would echo far beyond Albert's laboratory walls, though none of them could yet guess just how far those ripples would spread.