July 21, clear skies.
The damp air after the rain was chased away by the rising sun. The hot, dry weather remained the main theme of July and August.
On the farm, twelve Corviknight, including Third Scar, stood in a neat formation before Lucas, their crimson eyes brimming with spirit and confidence.
Today was their graduation ceremony. Lucas had prepared thoroughly for it, spending a hefty sum on a batch of high-quality Metal Coats as graduation rewards for the Corviknight.
Right now, Pokémon with flexible limbs or vines—Oranguru, Dragonite, Serperior, and Mimikyu—were taking turns evenly applying the Metal Coat to the Corviknight's jet-black armor.
It had to be said: as a house bird, Corviknight not only had a superbly synergistic typing, but also looked incredibly cool.
No man could resist that heavy, pitch-black steel armor—a finish so smooth it reflected light, perhaps even capable of bouncing back certain beam-like moves. Just the thought made Lucas's brain light up again and again.
As a Steel-type Pokémon, the valiant aura of Corviknight was simply perfect.
The Metal Coat they were applying was a resource beneficial to Steel-type Pokémon, and also served as an evolution item for Onix and Scyther.
However, compared to the real, tangible stat-total increase when Onix evolves into Steelix, the Scyther-to-Scizor relationship felt more like a Digimon-style alternate evolution: the total base stats don't change, they're just redistributed, and Scyther's Flying type becomes Steel.
That kind of evolution always feels a bit odd.
But Corviknight, being the final evolution of Rookidee and Corvisquire, didn't need the Metal Coat for evolution—especially without Mega Evolution around.
Metal Coat is both an evolution item and a held item.
Applied to Steel-types, it increases the steel content in their bodies, boosting mass and hardness, and makes it easier for them to mobilize Steel-type energy—easier to absorb and grow stronger from it.
Lots of upsides; the only downside… is probably the cost.
Buying one Metal Coat costs far more than merely feeding and watering a Pokémon. So generally speaking, only pay-to-win types will buy them in bulk.
There's also an amusing phenomenon.
In the games, both Onix and Scyther evolve via trade while holding a Metal Coat.
In reality, considering Onix's size and the coverage needed when applying the coat, evolving Onix costs far more than evolving Scyther. And for Steelix, you can't cut corners on the hardness of its metal layer.
Lucas's use case was simply to apply the Metal Coat to make the Corviknight's steel feathers tougher, and for those with the Mirror Armor ability, enhance their reflectivity a bit.
Although there aren't many Charcadet, Armarouge, or Ceruledge sightings near Los Platos Town, beefing up the Corviknight physically would help with deliveries, and as a motivational perk for the flock, Lucas felt the expense was necessary.
Once the coating was finished, it was as if the Corviknight's bodies fully absorbed the Metal Coat. Their black armor gleamed with a chilling brilliance—no one would doubt its durability or razor-edged sharpness.
Looking at the gallant squad before him, Lucas patted Third Scar's rock-hard wingspan and beamed. "From today on, you're officially employed by the farm."
"Work hard, and there'll be plenty to eat, drink, and use!"
He wasn't selling dreams—he was making a sincere promise.
"Caa-haa—!!"
As if drawn in by the bright future in Lucas's words, Third Scar spread its wings excitedly, calling with a sharper, raspier cry than in its Corvisquire days.
Third Scar gently nuzzled Lucas's raised right hand with its head, gratitude shining in its eyes.
Still as sly as when it was a Corvisquire, the Corviknight knew their neighbor Talonflame in the same forest was quite envious of their treatment.
Even with Moltres, the boss, inspiring the Fletchinder leader to evolve, their tribe still hadn't produced a second Talonflame.
If Lucas hadn't provided so many jobs—and so much nutritious Berries and Moomoo Milk—who knew if their tribe could produce even one Corviknight by next year?
But now, a dozen Corviknight together were a dominant presence in the wild. Even if outmatched in strength, they wouldn't lose an ounce of momentum.
The other eleven Corviknight cried out together. The sound, like fingernails raking a classroom blackboard, had Lucas and even Serperior pulling pained faces.
Fortunately, now practically half-members of the farm, the Corviknight knew their limits. Their excitement faded quickly, and they took off for the forest where they lived, carrying several barrels of Moomoo Milk Lucas gifted them as wages.
Watching them depart, Lucas sighed. "So fast."
He hadn't expected July to be almost over in just a few days.
Oranguru nodded in agreement.
Not only was the Pokémon Marathon—key to opening up sales—about to begin, but Naranja Academy's term was near too. When it came, the young master would surely be busy again with both the academy and the farm.
As an excellent butler, it had to do its own duties well while easing the young master's burdens.
Serperior flicked the tip of its tail, uninterested in seasonal changes. If anything, winter made it irritable—cold weather and fewer chances for warm sunbathing.
Dragonite scratched its head, planning to fly back to Thunderlake to tell its mother, the Dragonite leader, that the graduation was formally complete—and maybe play a round of "Who Can Sleep Longest in the Sky" with Aunt Dragonair.
Mimikyu drifted over to Lucas, an un-menacing Shadow Claw slipping out from beneath the doll to climb smoothly onto his shoulder, perching there like Ash's Pikachu.
Lucas was puzzled. At some point, aside from his shadow, Mimikyu had taken a liking to that spot.
Sometimes it made room for Victini or Alcremie.
Mimikyu was light, no burden at all; and it certainly wasn't going to give him uneven shoulders.
If it liked it, Lucas didn't mind having a cute doll perched there.
Who says Mimikyu isn't as cute as Pikachu!?
…
In the afternoon, Lucas spread out several letters he'd collected from the mailbox outside the farm.
Arcanine and Luxray were napping at his feet. Honestly, if not for the air conditioner running, the two big fluffballs might have given him a heat rash from all that snuggling.
Though "having both cat and dog" sounded enviable from the outside, the glamour was for others; the bittersweet truth was something only Lucas knew.
Take the three big ones: Luxray, Arcanine, and Raging Bolt.
Their fur was nearly pure, and all three sported manes as symbols of grandeur.
In winter, their coats grew for warmth; in summer, they shed for cooling.
Every day, Lucas spent a lot of time with a brush, grooming them one by one, removing loose undercoat.
Slack off for a moment and they'd turn into walking dandelions. Even the Eldegoss, who produce cotton regularly before shedding, would be put to shame.
Compared to those three, Dachsbun and Vulpix shed relatively little.
Victini, being a Mythical Pokémon, didn't seem to shed much. As for Luxray—how could a bona fide Champion-level Pokémon still shed…? Well, shedding wasn't strictly correlated with strength.
Lucas understood one truth.
If you want to cuddle the fluff, you must accept the fluff.
After spreading out the letters, Lucas looked to the side at Oranguru.
Oranguru nodded slightly, deftly opening envelopes with telekinesis, recording their contents into a tablet, and opening a little Los Platos Town map app it had made to auto-generate a delivery route based on the info.
Yes—these letters were basically all from customers attracted in recent days by the flyers Lucas handed out around Los Platos Town.
After tasting the sample fresh Moomoo Milk, these residents praised the flavor and said they'd try ordering a few bottles first.
Name: Malda
Request: Three bottles of fresh Moomoo Milk every morning. Please deliver before 7 a.m.
Address: Apartment 112A, Ingest Street, next to Los Platos Town Integrated Farm Market.
Date: July 22
Name: Masayuki
Request: Two bottles of fresh Moomoo Milk every morning.
Address: 145 Renmin Road, Los Platos Town
Date: July 22
Name: Ailson
Request: Two bottles of fresh Moomoo Milk and one bottle of fresh goat milk every morning.
Address: 011 Renmin Road, Los Platos Town
Date: July 22
He'd attracted nine customers via flyers and samples. Most planned small trial orders. Some ordered goat milk from the Skiddo herd, in addition to Moomoo Milk.
As for pricing, the 550 League Coin price per bottle of fresh Moomoo Milk surprised residents pleasantly—they found it very reasonable for such freshness.
Skiddo goat milk didn't carry Moomoo Milk's fame. Lucas priced it at 450, which many passed on after hesitation. Only those who knew Skiddo milk's quality wasn't far behind Moomoo Milk chose to order.
Because this would be the first delivery, to avoid accidents and errors, Lucas and Oranguru meticulously recorded details and planned the route, ready to have the Corviknight memorize it the next morning.
As for whether the Corviknight could memorize routes—
Never mind that after Dragonite and the Dragonite leader's boot camp, they probably knew Los Platos Town better than Lucas did.
Even on their own merits, Corviknight are high-IQ among Pokémon; plus, crows are naturally crafty. Lucas wasn't worried at all.
He just needed to prepare well and complete the farm's first subscription delivery.
Once the route was planned, Oranguru stroked its chin and asked, "Young master, about that promotional discount plan you mentioned to attract customers—could you elaborate?"
Lucas sipped a floral tea brewed from dried pale-pink blossoms from Sawsbuck's spring antlers, savoring the refreshing fragrance, then nodded.
He set the cup down and explained.
"Promotions… basically mean we trim our margins a bit to build a base of regulars."
"For now, if someone subscribes for one month, three months, or half a year, we waive delivery fees—or throw in extra bottles of Moomoo Milk, goat milk, and various dairy products."
"Giving goat milk and dairy as freebies is also stealth marketing. Once people taste how good they are, they'll likely want to order them."
"As for profit being affected—at most we just earn a little less. Building word of mouth matters more."
"No need to launch these now. Rolling them out at the Pokémon Marathon will have maximal impact."
Listening closely, Oranguru's eyes flashed with surprise.
It hadn't expected the young master to think so comprehensively—or to propose such an innovative plan.
It saw him in a new light.
"I'll handle the promo posters. Shall I finalize them according to your plan?"
Fanning itself and speaking telepathically, Oranguru now looked every bit the sagacious strategist with victory in hand.
"I'll trouble you, then," Lucas nodded, appreciating his butler's reliability. Under the drowsy gazes of Luxray and Arcanine, he rose. "I'll get to the rest of my tasks."
There was Nurse Joy's private instruction to attend, and overseeing Dragonite's Extreme Speed training manual—no idle time lately.
"Leave it to me."
Oranguru stood as well, tidying the tea set with telekinesis and wiping the table spotless.