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When Ash and the others saw Erika, she naturally saw them too. A hint of surprise appeared on her pretty face, and she parted her red lips with a smile, saying, "I didn't expect to see you again so soon, Ash."
"Miss Erika! I also didn't expect us to meet again so quickly! We must be connected by the Destiny Knot of fate; this is our love's…"
"Alright, alright, let me take a good look at the perfume, okay? Don't be crazy!" Misty pulled Brock's ear, directly dragging him away from in front of Erika.
Ash and Erika's mouths twitched, and then they simultaneously decided to ignore Brock.
"Cough, I also didn't expect to meet you here, Erika… Speaking of which, you mentioned you were a perfume shop owner, right?" Ash remembered Erika saying she was also a perfume shop owner when he challenged the Gym.
The barrier machine for the Gym challenge was also there to protect the surrounding flowers and plants, as they were raw materials for perfume.
"That's right, this is my perfume shop, and it's also the most famous and largest perfume shop in Celadon City," Erika said proudly, gesturing with her small hand.
She seemed prouder of her identity as a perfume shop owner than as a Gym Leader.
"The largest perfume shop… it must be very profitable," Ash said with a hint of envy.
He wasn't very interested in perfume, but he was very interested in money!
The money earned here was clearly a lot, which made this poor guy incredibly envious!
Not long after arriving in Celadon City, he had already spent most of the money he earned from the wild battles. Most of his purchases were for his Pokémon, such as higher-grade Pokémon food ingredients and some Pokémon nutrient solutions.
Basically, Ash didn't spend a single penny on himself, but even so, he still felt that money was completely insufficient; he simply had too many Pokémon waiting to be fed!
If it weren't for the fact that the Pokémon stored with Professor Oak didn't require any expenses from him, he would probably be bankrupt by now!
Even so, Ash's financial situation was not very good, which is why he felt envious when he saw Erika owning such a large perfume shop—it's good to be rich!
"Whether it's profitable or not, I haven't really paid much attention. I mainly make perfume out of interest. Isn't it a wonderful feeling to have girls covered in the fragrance I've created? As for money, it's just a number anyway. There are many things in the world that money can't buy, like the TM in your hand."
Erika said indifferently.
The amount of money didn't really matter to her. What kind of place was Celadon City? This was one of the most prosperous cities in Kanto. How could she still worry about money when running the largest and most famous perfume shop in the city?
But Ash was different. Hearing Erika's words, he actually wanted to say that maybe he should give Grassy Glide back to Erika and let her give him some money instead.
He had already taught Bulbasaur Grassy Glide. Although Bulbasaur had only initially mastered it, that was enough.
If other Pokémon wanted to learn it later, he was a human TM, and the moves he taught were more precise than those taught by TMs. So, once one Pokémon learned a move, TMs became meaningless to Ash.
However, this item was ultimately a gift from Erika, and it would be a bit too much to ask her for money in return. So, Ash still dismissed the idea.
"Are you here to buy perfume for the girl behind you?" Erika suddenly leaned close to Ash and whispered. A strong fragrance wafted to Ash's nose as she leaned forward.
Ash followed Erika's gaze to look behind him. There, Misty was picking through perfumes, occasionally sniffing their scents, a look of contentment on her fair face.
"I'm just accompanying Misty and Brock. I'm not interested in perfume. What do big men need perfume for?" Ash turned his head and said casually, completely oblivious to Erika's face, which had suddenly darkened.
"Hmmph~ You certainly have a way with words! If perfume could increase Pokémon training efficiency, speed up Pokémon's learning of moves, and make Pokémon level up faster, would you still say that?"
Hearing this, Ash's eyes widened, and a 'are you kidding me?' expression appeared on his face.
Is this perfume or a miracle elixir? Can mere perfume do so many things? Isn't this just for girls to spray on themselves to increase their satisfaction?
Seeing his reaction, Erika's expression recovered slightly, and a playful smile curved her lips: "I'm not lying to you. Some expensive perfumes do have these effects. It depends on the perfumer's technique, ingredients, and formula to determine the perfume's efficacy."
"A bottle of the perfumes I just mentioned, with those effects, costs five figures, and can only be used about five or six times, lasting about an hour each time. It's expensive, but the effects are real."
Erika said nonchalantly, playing with the nail polish on her delicate hand, but her words instantly silenced Ash's accelerating heartbeat.
Five figures for one bottle, and he didn't even know what number that five-figure amount started with, plus it could only be used five or six times—it was a money-burning machine!
But if the effects were truly good, the price was indeed fair. However, Ash simply didn't have the money to buy such a thing. He was already almost out of supplies just buying food for his Pokémon; where would he get extra money for this?
"Are you tempted? Still interested in perfume?" Erika whispered.
Ash gave a wry smile: "I was wrong, Erika. I am indeed interested in the perfume you mentioned, but being interested is useless. I don't have the money to buy it."
That price was something he, a Rookie Trainer, couldn't afford.
Ash's desire to make money grew stronger. Later, he would go into the group and ask the big shots if they had any ways to make money!
How can you be a Trainer without money?
"Hehe, if you're interested, I can give you a chance. I'll give you a formula. If you can mix a perfume yourself, I'll give you ten bottles of those Pokémon training incense I just mentioned."
Hearing this, Ash's heart pounded. Such a good deal?
"If I fail to mix it, I don't have to pay for the materials, right? I'm already out of money…" Ash said somewhat weakly.
This appearance was completely different from the assertiveness he showed in battle. Erika couldn't help but let out a giggle, covering her red lips with her small hand, and whispered: "Don't worry, you don't have to pay. Just do it with confidence, but you only have three chances. If you don't manage to mix it, don't waste my perfume materials!"
"Don't worry, even one try is enough! Mixing perfume should be about the precision of combining various ingredients, right? I'm best at that." Ash patted his chest confidently, as if the person who was afraid of failure just now wasn't him.
"What are you two talking about? It's so lively?" Misty, who was originally picking out perfumes, saw Ash and Erika chattering non-stop. Feeling a little uneasy, she came closer and asked nonchalantly.
Erika smiled and told Misty what they had just discussed, which was met with a strange look from Misty.
Ash had never had any contact with perfume. Even if he was given a formula, he probably wouldn't be able to mix anything, right? If perfume were that easy to make, then perfume shops would be everywhere.
Not to mention, this was the largest perfume shop in all of Celadon City, and the difficulty of making its perfumes was top-tier. Wasn't Ash just going to make a fool of himself?
However, thinking about the perfume that could boost Pokémon training efficiency, the temptation for Ash was simply too great. This guy was incredibly passionate about anything related to Pokémon.
It was only natural that he would want to give it a try.
"Can I try it too?" Misty asked somewhat weakly.
"Of course you can. Come on, I'll take you to the perfume making room." One sheep or many sheep, it didn't matter; they weren't short on one or two portions of perfume materials, so Erika readily agreed.
Brock, who was still staring blankly at the older sisters in the perfume shop, glanced at Ash and Misty as they followed Erika. He briefly snapped out of his daze, then hesitated for a moment, and went back to staring at the older sisters.
Don't let his drooling over the older sisters fool you; he had actually heard Erika and Ash's conversation. He had originally wanted to go and make perfume, as it would be a good opportunity to get closer to Miss Erika and build a relationship.
But after seeing Misty go too, Brock thought about it and decided to create an opportunity for his good brother to find a partner.
Only he could understand Brother Gang's painstaking efforts!
...Ash, Misty, and Pikachu followed Erika into the perfume shop's internal production room. Here, there were all sorts of instruments, and many perfume shop employees were busily making perfumes.
Erika led the two to a private room. The area outside was a bit noisy, and the perfume scents were heavily mixed. For the two who had never made perfume before, those smells would greatly affect their perfume making.
In a private room, there were no such concerns.
"Here, this is the formula, and the materials are over there. They all have names written on them, you can take what you need. If you have any ideas for making unique perfumes, you can also try." Erika first arranged the production process and formula for the two, then casually found a chair and sat down, quietly watching the two who were studying the formula.
Ash looked at the formula for a couple of seconds, then silently closed his eyes... [Newbie Ash: Big shots, in the many parallel worlds, is there an Ash who knows how to make perfume?]
A few seconds later.
[Champion Ash: I remember there is one. The name seems to be... @Wealthiest Ash]
[Newbie Ash: ???]
What kind of name is that? Why would an Ash who makes perfume have the title of 'Wealthiest'? Did he become the richest person by making perfume?
[Wealthiest Ash: Perfume making? Rookie, why are you suddenly interested in this? Don't you like battling?]
[Newbie Ash: It's like this...]
Ash recounted his encounter with Erika at the perfume shop and the effects of the perfume in the group, then stated his request.
[Newbie Ash: Big shot, do you have any special perfume formulas for Pokémon training?]
[Wealthiest Ash: Yes, yes, I have quite a few of those. Let me think... Here, take this. This is a general perfume formula. As for the raw materials, the Celadon City perfume shop you're in should have them too.]
Wealthiest Ash said, then released an image showing various materials, and detailed instructions on the order and quantity of ingredients to be added.
Images in the group could be generated by conceiving a picture in one's mind and then releasing it. This was how the various big shots in the group had previously taught Ash to identify Pokémon.
After looking at the materials and production method, Ash shifted his gaze to the bottom, where the perfume's name and effects were written.
Strange Rosemary : Can put Pokémon into a semi-hypnotic state. Before entering the hypnotic state, determine what you want to do. After entering, you will automatically continue the desired action, and due to the Rosemary, the body's state will be fully activated, achieving actions instinctively.
This Rosemary is suitable for training. Within one hour of using Rosemary, the Pokémon will continuously perform the actions required before entering the hypnotic state, which can make training twice as effective and will not affect mental state.
It is best used for physical training. As long as there are sufficient recovery conditions, Pokémon can undergo high-intensity training for more than twelve hours without feeling mentally exhausted.
After reading it, Ash was completely stunned. He just said it casually, and he didn't expect it to actually exist!
And why did this parallel world version of himself have the title 'Wealthiest'? Could making perfume really be related to that?
[Wealthiest Ash: Are you wondering why I have this name? Because in my world, I am dedicated to making money. I participate in all sorts of money-making ventures, including perfume sales. This stuff is quite profitable. The formula I gave you, if made, a bottle can sell for 38,000, but the cost is only 380.]
38,000... 380... Good heavens, a hundredfold profit! Was this stuff really that profitable?!
Instantly, a money-making idea formed in Ash's mind. Ash wrote down the perfume making method, then thanked Wealthiest Ash and exited back into the real world.
When Ash opened his eyes, Misty had already finished reading the formula in her hand and started making it. Although she was curious why Ash had closed his eyes and was deep in thought, remembering Ash's usual unpredictable actions, Misty ultimately didn't disturb him.
Perhaps Ash had gotten some inspiration from this perfume formula? It wouldn't be good to interrupt him.
After opening his eyes, Ash recalled the contents of the formula, then looked at the tabletop in the private room and the various materials in the cabinets beside it.
"It all came so easily; it really is all here!"