Chapter 44:
[Congratulations to the host for raising Vulpix's happiness value from 50% to 88%. Rewards: ten bags of fertilizer, three magical candies, and a Soothing Bell (long-term use can improve the affinity between Pokémon and Trainers.)]
"Vul~pix!"
After licking up all the fresh milk in the bowl, Ice Vulpix let out a satisfied burp and looked at Hayashi Kaede with soft, sleepy eyes. But before he could even respond, her eyelids began to flutter.
As a newborn Pokémon, especially one affected by the light anesthetic effect of MooMoo Milk, she was already drifting off.
"Wait a sec, don't sleep just yet—I need to wash you first..." Hayashi Kaede started to say, but halfway through, he realized she'd already fallen sound asleep.
He let out a helpless sigh and carefully carried Ice Vulpix to the reservoir.
The reservoir, carefully managed by Milotic, was crystal-clear even after heavy rains.
"Milotic, use Ice Beam to freeze a patch for me."
Knowing how sensitive Ice Vulpix might be in her sleep, he had Milotic gently create a frozen surface with a small hole in the center. He placed the slumbering Pokémon into the ice-cold bath and had Milotic rinse her gently with clean water.
Thanks to the Ocean Crystal, Milotic had been growing stronger at an astonishing rate.
[Pokémon: Milotic]
[Gender: Female]
[Ability: Cute Charm]
[Aptitude: Gold]
[Level: 28–29]
[Moves: Water Gun, Water Pulse, Tackle, Disarming Voice, Aqua Ring, Twister, Dragon Tail, Recover, Ice Beam, Mystical Guardian, Brine, Hydro Pump...]
[Intimacy: 100 (It trusts you unconditionally)]
[Happiness: 80 (In a great mood!)]
Approaching Gym-level strength, Milotic had no trouble with the task.
When Ice Vulpix emerged from the rinse, her fur shimmered as water vapor condensed into a soft frost. Even in her sleep, she shook slightly, releasing a gentle mist. Her damp fur puffed up like cotton, light and silky to the touch.
"Huh? Did you already learn Snow Warning?"
Hayashi Kaede was genuinely amazed. Learning an Ability passively while still asleep?
Most Pokémon struggled to learn moves even while training—especially that Squirtle who used to flinch at every battle.
"Too cute~"
Cradling the dozing Ice Vulpix, he brought her inside. What he didn't see was the faintly jealous expression on the face of Snivy watching from behind.
Was it... being replaced?
Things had moved too quickly, and Hayashi Kaede hadn't prepared a proper room for Ice Vulpix. For now, he let her sleep on his bed.
Watching her snooze, he recalled how hungrily she had devoured the milk. As a newborn, she'd likely need more fresh milk during the weaning period.
Which gave him a new idea:
Raising a few Miltank.
Not only would it guarantee a steady supply of MooMoo Milk, but selling the milk at Kaede's Breeding House would also earn him happiness points from visiting trainers.
"Double win!"
He turned to Servine. "Hey, can you keep an eye on Vulpix for me? If she wakes up, play with her and keep her from crying. I'm heading to Magnolia Village to negotiate something."
The Servine looked puzzled. "Servine?"
"Yeah," Hayashi Kaede chuckled, "I mean you. Can you handle it?"
After a moment, Servine nodded solemnly.
"Great. I'll leave it to you."
And with that, Hayashi Kaede rushed out, leaving the Servine behind, watching Ice Vulpix thoughtfully.
Magnolia Village
Though it was called a village, Magnolia Village was significantly larger than Aogiri Town.
Thanks to the vast dairy farm it housed.
Now that he was no longer short on money, Hayashi Kaede splurged on a Didi ride straight to the village.
As soon as he arrived, he was greeted by vibrant green pastures. Rolling fields, manicured farmland—lush, fresh grass as far as the eye could see.
Compared to the thriving vegetation here, his own grass plots felt embarrassingly small.
"Let's just hope my grass is higher quality..."
"Young man, you don't look local. Here to challenge the Grass Gym?"
An old man approached with a cane, shuffling slowly.
Hayashi Kaede blinked. Oh, right—wasn't the owner of the dairy ranch also a city-level Gym Leader?
"Ah, no," he replied. "I run a plantation in Aogiri Town."
The old man interrupted, "Aogiri? Didn't that plantation go under? Wait a second... you're Hayashi's kid, aren't you? Carrying on your dad's legacy?"
Hayashi Kaede gave a sheepish smile.
His father might not have been famous, but he had traveled a lot. That habit earned him some... complicated acquaintances.
This old man, for example. He didn't even recognize him.
He braced himself for the classic line: "You've grown so big! I used to hold you as a baby!"
Thankfully, the old man just chuckled and said, "The dairy farm's about a kilometer up. The owner should be feeding the Miltank and collecting milk right about now."
"Thanks very much," Hayashi Kaede nodded politely and picked up the pace.
After a while, he spotted them: herds of Miltank lazily grazing in the field. The wooden gate in the distance marked the entrance.
Beyond the gate, a burly man was crouched next to a Miltank, milking with practiced efficiency. A line of others waited patiently.
Hayashi Kaede approached.
"Excuse me?"
The man didn't look up. "Gym battles start in the afternoon. If you want fresh milk, you have to pre-order in advance."
"No, I wanted to ask...does the ranch buy fresh forage grass?"
Hayashi Kaede did not bring up the idea of buying and selling right away, but instead tried to start the conversation indirectly by talking about selling pasture grass.
"Um?"
The man turned, squinting to get a better look. Then his expression shifted from confusion to surprise.
"Wait a sec... you're…"