"Alright, go back to your companions."
Aven gently placed the Petilil in his arms back on the ground.
Petilil's emotions were mixed. Leaving the warmth of that embrace actually filled it with a trace of reluctance.
"Wait a moment, I have something to announce."
Aven's voice suddenly rang out, causing Petilil to pause mid-step.
It turned around and saw Aven walking up beside it. He crouched down and gently placed a hand on its head.
'Is he going to pick the healing leaves from my head again…?' Petilil sighed inwardly. It seemed life would go back to how it used to be.
But the next moment, Aven's words completely stunned it.
"Don't worry, no one will ever pick your leaves again."
"Grow up freely, and under the sunlight, be reborn into what you were always meant to become."
Hearing Aven's gentle voice, Petilil's big round eyes widened in disbelief.
It never would've expected those words from the person it used to dislike so much. Its vision began to blur with emotion.
Perched nearby on a tree branch, Starly looked at Aven in surprise. Flapping its wings, it flew down to the ground, wanting to get a better look at this human's face.
"And you all, too."
Aven looked over at the Cherubi nearby and smiled.
As a Pokémon breeder, Aven naturally understood that the greatest value of a Cherubi wasn't in the fruit on its head.
Cherubi stores the nutrients it needs for evolution in its fruit. When the little fruit begins to shrivel, it signals that Cherubi is ready to evolve.
Once it evolves into Cherrim, its ability changes from Chlorophyll to Flower Gift.
The effect of Flower Gift is that, during sunny weather, it boosts the Attack and Special Defense of both itself and its allies.
This kind of support is immensely useful in battle. With Flower Gift, the power of melee Pokémon can increase by up to 30%!
And that's not even the best part—Cherrim is one of the Pokémon most attuned to the move Sunny Day.
With the right guidance, Cherrim can learn Sunny Day, one of the four major weather-altMikeg moves.
Sunny weather greatly boosts plant growth and development, which in turn increases the yield of Berries.
In Aven's view, this was the proper way to raise Cherubi!
He murmured to himself, recalling the benefits of Sunny Day in his mind, eyes lighting up with enthusiasm.
For many transmigrators, technology is the primary productive force.
But in this world, Pokémon are the primary productive force!
…
At the small house on the farm
The whole family was gathered around the dinner table.
"Uncle Mike, Aunt Erin, from now on, our farm will be selling potions instead."
Seeing the puzzled expressions on his uncle and aunt's faces, Aven smiled and began to explain.
"Sell potions?" Mike was taken aback. He hesitated and said, "But without Petilil's leaves, how can we make healing potions?"
"With Oran Berries, of course!" Aven said confidently.
From his memories, he recalled that there was a type of healing potion that could be made from Oran Berries.
While the recovery effect wasn't as strong as the typical potion made with Petilil's leaves, it was still comparable to what most Petilil leaves could achieve.
Hearing this, Uncle Mike's face grew more troubled.
He added, "If we have to hire a potion maker to do that, the cost will go up too much. It wouldn't be worth it."
What he didn't say was that potion makers held high status—he might not even be able to hire one.
"We won't need to hire one..."
Aven paused for effect, then smiled under their stunned gazes.
"Because I am a potion maker."
…
Castle District of Aspiration City
In the large central square stood a statue.
The figure was small, its body a stony gray, its face a calm blue, and a red gem embedded in its forehead.
This was Azelf, one of the Lake Trio, the Pokémon said to represent willpower.
It was said that Azelf granted people the will to act on their good intentions, which is why it was also known as the Spirit of Benevolence.
Aspiration City was a city of faith, one that believed in Azelf.
Only those with a kind heart could earn Azelf's recognition and be chosen as the city's lord.
Mira was the one chosen by Azelf in this generation. She was also known as the most compassionate lord.
At this moment, however, the atmosphere inside the lord's castle was heavy.
Inside the council chamber, nobles of Aspiration City sat around a large round table.
"I was just making a routine patrol of the Black Forest, driving out the wild beasts as usual,"
"But when I reached the Abyssal Cave, I saw mist rising inside it."
"In that mist, I saw a dark figure. I only glanced at it before I lost consciousness."
Baron Ruize recounted his experience, and the faces of the surrounding nobles darkened.
"It's only been five years since the last mist appeared in the Abyssal Cave. Why has it returned so soon?" one noble asked in a trembling voice.
The Abyssal Cave was the most mysterious place near Aspiration City.
Every time the mist appeared, all sorts of beast would emerge from it.
Covered by the fog, these magical beast would become savage and violent.
The nobles still remembered the beast tide that broke out in the Black Forest five years ago—none of them had forgotten.
"Prepare for battle,"
At that moment, Lady Mira finally spoke.
Her voice was firm and determined.
This was her land—she would never allow those monsters to trample it.
"Based on past experience, there's still time between when the mist appears and when the monsters begin to emerge."
"We have enough time to prepare. We'll also ready evacuation plans for the citizens, just like we did five years ago."
The nobles fell silent for a long moment before voicing their own plans and opinions.
They were nobles of Aspiration City too—they would not abandon it.
"Don't worry. Azelf will protect us."
Mira, seeing their concern, closed her eyes and whispered a prayer.
The other nobles followed her lead and lowered their heads in reverence.
This was a city under the protection of Azelf.
(End of Chapter)