Chapter 58:
Inside the Breeding House
Hayashi Kaede pushed open the window in his room, and moonlight poured in like water. The starry sky was as dazzling as a painting.
Nights in the town were peaceful, with only the occasional cry of a Pokémon breaking the silence.
Hayashi Kaede sat on his bed, pondering a question.
It was about the curse Darkrai had placed on Gardevoir.
A curse could be considered a form of Dark-type energy and, for Pokémon, a negative status condition.
The curse on Gardevoir was likely a side effect of the "nightmare" constitution.
Similar curses included the famous Ghost-type move Curse—"Destiny Bond."
Before fainting, it causes the opponent to share the same fate.
"Can Veridian Power remove this kind of condition?"
Hayashi Kaede murmured to himself, then shook his head.
Mild conditions were manageable. After healing the Pokémon, its strong constitution could allow it to recover on its own. But a curse inflicted by Darkrai? He wasn't so confident.
So, breaking free from this curse would have to rely on Gardevoir itself.
Thinking this, Hayashi Kaede felt a bit frustrated. If only he had given Gardevoir some Energy Cubes that enhanced resistance to negative status conditions.
That would have increased the chances of Gardevoir staying.
"Ah, well. Might as well check today's special rewards."
He sighed but didn't blame himself too much.
After all, what happened in the plantation was too sudden. It was normal not to think of it at the time.
[July 28th: Earnings – 255,600; Total: 1,004,000...]
[Ganlon Berry(x5), Total: 24
Salac Berry (x12), Total: 36
Intermediate Ganlon Berry (x3), Total: 7 ...]
It had become a habit. Every night, Hayashi Kaede would tally the day's special rewards before preparing the next day's Energy Cubes.
But today, after finishing the tally, he had a new idea.
Lately, because of Gardevoir, many professional Trainers had flocked to the town. Their Pokémon were quite strong.
While standard Stamina Energy Cubes could boost their Happiness, the increase was ultimately limited.
Moreover, eating the same type of Energy Cubes too often would lead to a temporary period of boredom, no matter how delicious they were.
So, expanding the variety and flavors of Energy Cubes was the next step.
For some Pokémon, nothing boosted Happiness more than improving their strength.
"Let's try a basic version of Defense Energy Cubes these next few days!"
With that thought, Hayashi Kaede went to the kitchen. From his storage balls, he took out the Tamato Berries Gardevoir had picked today and the MooMoo Milk squeezed from Miltank.
He also took out two Ganlon Berries.
They were similar to guavas.
On the market, even ordinary Ganlon Berries sold for several thousand each.
Today, he planned to use these two Ganlon Berries, along with Sitrus Berries, Tamato Berries, and MooMoo Milk, to make two flavors totaling 50 Defense Energy Cubes.
"How much should I charge per serving?"
Hayashi Kaede fell into thought.
These Energy Cubes couldn't be too cheap, but they also couldn't be too expensive. They needed to be affordable enough for Trainers of average means to occasionally splurge on them to train their Pokémon.
"Let's set one at 10,000 Pokedollar and the other at 20,000 Pokedollar !"
In the end, he priced them at ten and twenty times the cost of Stamina Energy Cubes.
The 10,000 Pokedollar version would be Tamato Berry flavor, and the 20,000 Pokedollar version would be MooMoo Milk flavor.
After setting the prices,
Hayashi Kaede got to work. He used a blender to extract Tamato Berry juice and prepared MooMoo Milk. Then he crushed the Lansat Berries and heated them...
About three hours later,
Red and white Energy Cubes lay before him.
[C-Grade Ganlon Energy Cube – Made with a small amount of Ganlon Berry, Tamato Berry, and Sitrus Berry. Although the process is somewhat crude, the technique is precise.
Effect: After consumption, it effectively restores a Pokémon's stamina while also increasing its Defense.]
[C+-Grade Ganlon Energy Cube – Made with a small amount of Lansat Berry, MooMoo Milk, and Sitrus Berry...
Effect: …]
The effects of the two Energy Cubes were similar, but the one with MooMoo Milk was slightly higher grade.
Rubbing his forehead, Hayashi Kaede checked the time. It was already 11 p.m.
He yawned.
Making so many Energy Cubes alone was indeed exhausting.
If more and more people came to buy Energy Cubes in the future, he wouldn't be able to handle it alone...
Should he hire another Breeder to help make Energy Cubes?
The thought crossed his mind, but he shook his head.
He didn't want his Energy Cube recipes to leak.
You never could tell with people—he didn't trust others easily.
Pokémon were different. Pokémon were simple.
"Right, Pokémon~!"
Hayashi Kaede's eyes lit up.
Humans might not work, but some Pokémon could help make Energy Cubes!
Compared to humans, most Pokémon just lacked dexterity.
But Psychic-type Pokémon could use psychic power instead of hands.
There was even a Psychic-type Pokémon capable of precise data control and mass-producing Energy Cubes!
A large, four-legged metallic figure appeared in his mind, the idea taking root and his thought revolve rapidly.
But then, Hayashi Kaede emotion deflated.
Metagross...
Where would he find a Metagross?...
Those things cost hundreds of millions to raise.
He thought earning six figures daily meant he was rich.
But looking again, the things he wanted were still too expensive.
He sighed.
Money always seemed to slip through his fingers....
"Servine~"
Servine, who hadn't slept yet, saw Hayashi Kaede finish his work and thoughtfully offered him a chilled glass of MooMoo Milk with its vines.
"Thanks, Servine."
Hayashi Kaede crouched down, patted its head, and drank the MooMoo Milk. Feeling a bit refreshed, he washed up and went to bed.
Alolan Vulpix was already asleep on the bed, a small bubble occasionally forming at its nose. It looked very peaceful.
Hayashi Kaede tiptoed into bed, habitually checked the system's Happiness notifications again, and looked slightly surprised.
"Strange, Bounsweet? Did someone specifically catch an Alolan Pokémon like this?"
He didn't dwell on it, just leaned against Alolan Vulpix and lay down, a content smile on his face.
No one could dislike having an Ice-type Pokémon by their side in summer~
Especially when sleeping.
Beside the treehouse, Servine pursed its lips and entered the treehouse.