Three days have passed since the black Rayquaza suddenly descended, attacking Luxray and Dragonite and engaging in a fierce battle with Calyrex.
After teleporting Rayquaza to the other side of the planet with Teleport, Calyrex brought Lucas and the badly injured Pokémon back to the farm for further examination and treatment.
Fortunately, Luxray, the Dragonite leader, and the others had only superficial wounds. Even Dragonite, who took the brunt of Rayquaza's finishing move, recovered quickly under the combined care of Calyrex and Comfey—jumping around energetically again in less than half a day.
On the second day back at the farm, Lucas packed up three kinds of secret-recipe potions made by Shuckle Sister, combining three special seasonings with different medicinal herbs in containers crafted from Forretress shells. He then contacted a special international shipping channel, arranged by Alder in Unova, and sent the package overseas.
Alder truly spared no expense for his original partner.
The couriers who came for the package were all elite trainers. Through chatting with them, Lucas learned that they were all trainers from Unova who had received guidance from Alder and admired him deeply.
Once they had the package, the trainers would personally escort it, flying directly on a private plane arranged by Unova.
To ensure the package's safety, several Ditto, trained to transform into well-cushioned objects, acted as living shock absorbers.
Thanks to Penny's funding, the three potions—spicy, bitter, and salty—were designed to boost metabolism, immunity, and health, respectively.
With these three potions and the sour one Lucas sent earlier, Volcarona's current weakened state should drastically improve.
Some time had passed since Nemona, Arven, and Eri set off on their journey.
Now, only three students remained under Lucas's tutelage.
Of them, Penny was staying at the Los Platos Town Pokémon Center as a caretaker. Whenever Lucas went there to study medicine with Joy Rin, he'd bring Ceruledge and Moltres to help teach Flareon how to control its overwhelming fire-type power.
…
Naranja Academy.
Lucas glanced at Paul, who had Grotle and Fuecoco by his side, then at Shizuka, accompanied by Chansey and Porygon, hesitating before he spoke.
After a moment, he organized his words and said, "Paul, don't let your Grotle give up its advantage and approach the opponent proactively. Instead of always seeking tactical change, playing solidly is more suitable for you."
Paul paused as he applied medicine to Grotle's wounds, then nodded seriously. "I understand, Teacher."
From his attitude, it was clear he listened earnestly to Lucas.
One had to admit, Paul was an unexpectedly excellent student. Most of his negative traits from the anime were gone. Although he was still rather cold in social situations, he was outstandingly respectful and diligent.
Apart from Nemona and Eri, Paul was the student who caused Lucas the least worry.
Watching Paul sternly carry Fuecoco—who tried to secretly gnaw the acorn-like nut growing on Grotle's back—Lucas suppressed a laugh and turned to former Nurse Joy, Shizuka.
Sensing Lucas's gaze, Shizuka tensed, her expression guilty.
Although this teacher was younger than her, Shizuka felt as if she'd returned to her family-run nursing school days. The elderly Joy teacher in her memory had the same presence as Lucas.
Lucas asked, "How's your memorization of the type match-up chart?"
Shizuka stiffened even more. Chansey, who had already memorized everything, whispered, "Chansey, chansey," urging her on.
Seeing her guilty look, Lucas asked expressionlessly, "What type do Normal-type moves counter?"
"G-Ghost-type?" Shizuka answered uncertainly.
Chansey's face showed shock.
Lucas sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Do you think your answer makes sense?"
Shizuka fell silent.
Still hoping she'd remember, Lucas patiently explained, "Normal-type moves don't have an advantage over any Pokémon type. They are immune to Ghost and resisted by Steel and Rock.
In other words, Normal Pokémon are only weak to Fighting-type moves. Ghost-type moves cannot affect Normal Pokémon, but Normal Pokémon can hit Ghost-types through three methods:
Using moves like Foresight or Odor Sleuth makes Normal- or Fighting-type moves hit Ghost-types. Also, Pokémon with the Scrappy ability can hit Ghosts with Normal or Fighting moves."
He rattled off a long explanation.
While Lucas himself didn't find it overwhelming, Shizuka was dumbfounded, while Chansey and Paul looked thoughtful.
They had memorized the match-up chart, but never realized there were so many nuances.
More study was definitely needed.
Under Lucas's scrutinizing gaze, Shizuka could only defend herself with a bitter expression, "I can identify Pokémon types easily, but memorizing the complex match-up chart quickly is still hard."
As a former medical professional, Shizuka was no silent scapegoat; her words implied she was a mid-career changer, and it was hard to master everything at once.
Lucas understood, so he comforted her by patting her shoulder. "If you want to link tactics like I do, this knowledge is essential. Take your time, there's no rush."
Paul chimed in, "The type chart is basic knowledge. You must memorize it."
Shizuka nodded, resolving to return to her dorm after class and study as hard as she had for her medical license exam.
Seeing her attitude improve, Lucas gave one last reminder, "If you want Porygon to become a strong fighter with its own system in the future, you must memorize the chart. Only then can you make accurate decisions in battles that change in an instant.
Is it Download, Levitate, or Sharpen? Those choices depend on this knowledge."
After the theory, Lucas began practical training.
He first watched Paul and Shizuka have Fuecoco and Porygon peck at each other, then watched them use Grotle and Chansey in a drawn-out test.
Eventually, the match ended only because Grotle was too sleepy to continue the tug-of-war.
Before leaving, Lucas recommended a move to Paul—Leech Seed.
This Grass-type status move could help Grotle sustain itself without having to rely on Rest and lose its turn. As a move that drains the opponent to heal the user, Leech Seed was a crucial piece for Paul's eventual Torterra tank strategy.
In Lucas's plan, once Grotle mastered Leech Seed, it wouldn't be far from its final evolution.
As for Shizuka, Lucas decided it was better to teach the super-smart Chansey directly, then have Chansey teach Shizuka and Porygon some reliable Normal-type moves.
After class, Lucas didn't leave Naranja Academy immediately. Instead, he went to the Chairwoman's office to discuss with Geeta why, even though it should have been rainy all week, all the rainclouds over Paldea had vanished.
"You're saying the legendary Sky Dragon of Hoenn, worshipped as a totem by the Draconid people, had an encounter battle with you not long ago?"
Geeta crossed her legs, her expression momentarily calm—yeah, right.
Her face twisted, a crack appearing in her usually composed demeanor.
"The meteorological researchers are going crazy!
Imagine you're a staff member monitoring Paldea's climate on a giant screen, and you suddenly see all the rainclouds, thunderclouds, even the stratocumulus over Frost Mountain, and a forming typhoon over the southern sea—everything wiped off the map in seconds, like eraser marks. How would you feel?!"
Geeta had always had a composed air, but this was the first time she revealed her breaking point in front of Lucas. Clearly, the mountain of reports from this incident had exhausted her.
"But things returned to normal after Rayquaza left, didn't they?" Lucas offered some comfort.
The Rayquaza incident had indeed been sudden. Even now, Luxray and Dragonite were training extra hard because of it, so Lucas could empathize with Geeta's exasperation.
But just like with Rayquaza, Kyogre and Groudon from Hoenn could also cause extreme weather. Aside from prevention, there wasn't much anyone could do—these beings were like incarnations of natural disasters: unknown and unpredictable.
Geeta pressed her brow, sighing, "You're right. But the main reason Rayquaza left was thanks to your and Calyrex's efforts. Paldea will have to strengthen its defenses in the future."
Lucas nodded lightly, saying nothing.
After all, such issues were for Geeta, Paldea League's chairwoman and champion, to consider.
He was just a humble farmer; matters of state were best left to her.
Before Lucas left, Geeta remembered something and said, "By the way, the paperwork for your farm's expansion request is almost done. In a few days, the official documents will be sent to Los Platos Town's mayor, and then you'll be notified."
Lucas paused, his eyes lighting up. "That fast?"
Geeta nodded. "I had Larry follow up the whole way. The relevant departments are willing to give you face, so things moved quickly."
"How about the boundaries?" Lucas asked.
Geeta smiled. "Besides expanding the whole farm, the back mountain you wanted is included."
"That's great!" Lucas's face lit up.
Most of the farm was flatland, with the highest spot being the hill where Raging Bolt often trained its electric moves.
Beyond the hill was a small mountain Lucas called the back mountain.
Though not rich in resources yet, Lucas was confident he could develop it into a treasure-filled area!
Full of monkey head mushrooms, morels, bamboo fungi, black fungus, black truffles, matsutake, and all sorts of wild delicacies!
Even though each one needed a unique environment, Lucas was sure he could make the impossible possible with his Pokémon's help.
Geeta put down her crossed leg and stood up. "You haven't forgotten your promise, right?"
Lucas paused, then realized what she meant and nodded. "I'll take responsibility for the wild Pokémon living in the back mountain—either adopt and train them, or find them suitable new homes and trustworthy trainers."
"Good." With her last concern settled, Geeta walked to her desk and asked one final question.
"After the expansion, what's your plan for development?"
"Build a bigger villa first!" Lucas answered without hesitation.
…
Year 798 of the League, August 26th.
Lucas received a letter from distant Unova.
[To my respected friend Lucas:
The three potions have arrived safely. As you suggested, Volcarona took them one by one, along with proper nutrition and energy. Its condition has greatly improved.
Now it can leave the medical pod and even fly short distances again. The researchers at the medical institute were amazed—what a pity you couldn't see it! Haha!
I'm truly grateful, and I don't know how to express my thanks. If there's anything you need, just ask.
— Your most loyal friend, Alder]
After reading the whole message, Lucas raised an eyebrow.
Though it was an email, Alder's tone sounded like old-fashioned letter writing.
Lucas suspected Alder probably didn't write or send it himself.
After a moment's thought, Lucas simply replied by inviting Alder and Volcarona to visit the farm.
His reason was simple.
Now that Volcarona had taken the sour, bitter, spicy, and salty potions, only the sweet one remained.
Lucas just wanted to witness Volcarona spreading its fiery wings with the radiance of the sun.
…