Carl snapped his fingers with satisfaction, neatly tucking away the two copies of the contract. By regulation, both parties needed to keep a copy of the trainer's contract, while another was to be filed at the Pokémon Center for record-keeping.
It was only then that Selena realized she had signed the contract without much thought. In a flurry, she leafed through the document, worried about any hidden clauses. Her eyes widened when she saw the penalty fee.
"Ten million? That's outrageous!" she exclaimed. To put it in perspective, an average household only spends around fifty thousand a year, and even choosing a starter Pokémon requires just a hundred currency units. This penalty could buy ten top-tier starter Pokémon.
Carl sipped his tea leisurely and said, "It's sensible. Look at the benefits I'm offering you—a fixed monthly salary of ten thousand. Ordinary workers don't earn that much, let alone a rookie trainer."
Selena couldn't help but argue, "It's precisely because the offer is too good that it feels suspicious!" She couldn't fathom why he would offer such generous terms.
In this world where Pokémon and technology coexist, the cost of living was astoundingly low; a bit of effort ensured no one went hungry. However, anything related to Pokémon commanded a high price.
For ordinary folks, ten thousand was an astronomical figure. Typically, apprentices had to pay to train at a gym, no matter how small. But here was Carl, not only waiving fees but offering a high salary? It was highly unusual!
"Could it be... he's trying to tie me down with a high salary?"
The more Selena thought about it, the more it seemed off. Her spine tingled with apprehension. The memory of a dream from the previous night, filled with ambiguities, flashed in her mind, making her want to flee.
Yet, the ink was already dry on the contract, and considering the compensation, the penalty was justified. It was too late for second thoughts now.
"Ah..."
She absentmindedly took a sip of tea, forcing herself to thoroughly read the contract terms. If she couldn't leave, she could only hope the contract wasn't too harsh.
Carl sat quietly across from her, his expression subtly amused.
"Hoo—"
Half an hour later, Selena exhaled a sigh of relief. The contract could have been read in five minutes, but she checked it five or six times. Surprisingly, apart from the penalty, all terms protected her rights, and the promised benefits were clearly outlined.
This made her even more puzzled. Why go through all this trouble just to keep her?
"Could it be... he likes me?"
She stole a glance at Carl's handsome profile, a sweet hint of teenage fantasy creeping into her thoughts.
If Carl knew what she was thinking, he'd undoubtedly be amused: "Girl, you're overthinking. It's your cooking skills I'm interested in. Though, your looks aren't a downside."
"Finished reading the contract? Let's head out," Carl said with a smile, seeing Selena lost in thought over the contract.
"Head out? Where to?" Selena asked, bewildered.
"We're going to get some supplies, pick up a few cookbooks, and maybe check out some specialized cookware."
"Huh? Why all this?"
"For you, of course. Your sandwiches are decent, but I prefer a more diverse menu. You need to learn how to make other dishes."
"Me, learn?"
"Yes, don't waste that culinary talent of yours."
Selena was momentarily speechless. This was so sudden.
Just because she was good at cooking meant she had to start immediately?
Anyone unaware might think she was being recruited as a chef.
Hold on—
She quickly flipped through the contract again and found several specific requirements in the apprenticeship section:
1. Keep gym information confidential.
2. Do not divulge training methods for Pokémon.
…
5. Responsible for preparing meals for the gym leader and Pokémon, including breakfast, afternoon tea, snacks, and supper.
6. Menu dictated by the gym leader's mood.
…
12. Improve culinary skills as per the gym leader's requests.
Ah! Now it clicked for Selena.
Most of the contract terms revolved around cooking. Linking Carl's change in demeanor before and after the sandwiches, she finally understood—this wasn't an apprenticeship contract, it was a chef's hiring agreement!
"Unbelievable..."
She couldn't help but laugh at herself.
All her previous worries were unnecessary.
But being valued for her cooking did feel good.
"Is my cooking really worth all this effort, Carl?" she asked, blinking her eyes in curiosity.
With the terms Carl offered, he could easily hire a professional, yet here she was, a novice trainer.
"Well, you've signed now, haven't you?" Carl replied, unconcerned. "Call it a whim of mine."
While others might not see Selena's potential, Carl knew better. With the right cultivation, her fame alone would be worthwhile. Moreover, with his World Tree system, money was no object. His aim was a leisurely life, enjoying the finer things. And Selena's cooking would do just that.
"There's nothing to fret over. I won't lose out on this deal," Carl said lazily.
Selena rubbed her cheeks, forcing a smile. Although the contract signing was haphazard, Carl's reasoning was sound, and the offer was generous. Besides, she couldn't back out now. She might as well see it as a year of new experiences.
"For the next year, please take care of me."
"Of course," Carl replied nonchalantly, pulling out his phone. "Don't be so formal, call me Carl or even Carl the Great, if you prefer."
"Then Carl it is."
"By the way, have you registered for PayPal?"
"PayPal?"
"It's a commonly used payment app here. It will make life much easier. Don't worry, your mother won't see your transactions."
Under Carl's guidance, Selena completed the PayPal registration and ID verification, unexpectedly receiving a $10,000 credit limit.
"Carl, what does this credit mean?"
"It's like a credit card; you can spend now and pay later."
Selena immediately felt a pang of regret. If she had known about this, she wouldn't have gone hungry the previous day; she could have lasted a month.
Carl, reading her thoughts, grinned mischievously, "Being hungry was a good thing. Otherwise, you wouldn't have met me and landed such a high-paying job."
"Thanks a lot!" Selena gritted her teeth. "Why don't you just let me break the contract then?"
"You're welcome!"
"Carl, has anyone told you that you're infuriating? It's such a waste of a handsome face."
"Is that a compliment? Thanks, but no salary increases."
Selena remained silent, cursing him inwardly: This annoying guy! If my bad mood affects my feeding routines, he'll have to take responsibility!
"Let's exchange contact info," Carl said, pulling out his phone.
After a few taps, Selena received a notification of a transaction.
Ten, hundred, thousand... two hundred thousand? She counted the zeros in disbelief and looked up, "Why so much?"
"One hundred and twenty thousand is your advance salary for the year, and the remaining eighty thousand is for groceries." Carl casually waved it off, "Use this for buying supplies. When it's gone, let me know."
"Aren't you afraid I'll run off with it?" Selena asked, her expression complex. This sum was equivalent to a year's income for an average family, and he entrusted it to her so easily?
"Would you?"
"Of course not!"
"Then it's settled." Carl turned to leave, "Come, let's acquaint you with the neighborhood."
"Alright." Warmth spread through Selena's heart.
Carl suddenly turned back, "Did you enjoy the tea Emboar made?"
"Huh?" Selena was caught off guard. "It was alright..."
"I thought so too," Carl said with a meaningful smile.
Selena stared at the teacup on the table, realization dawning on her—they had been using the same cup!
This was...
Boom! Her face flushed crimson, feeling like steam was about to burst from her head.
"You jerk! Give back my warm feelings!"
In the supermarket, Selena mechanically pushed the cart as Carl tossed items in, finding her dazed demeanor amusing.
Sharing a cup with a guy might mean little to a mature woman, akin to drinking from a slightly unclean glass. Some might even tease, saying things like, "No wonder the water tastes sweet, it's because you drank it."
But for a young girl like Selena, newly experiencing such emotions, her reaction was as if she'd suffered a huge loss.
"Fennekin~"
Fennekin sensed its trainer's low mood and nuzzled her gently.
"Don't worry, I'm fine."
Seeing Fennekin's concerned gaze, Selena forced a smile. She wasn't really that sensitive, it was just that so much had happened the past couple of days, and this small matter had triggered her emotions.
After wandering the supermarket, she felt more at peace. If she couldn't handle such trivial things, how would she ever perform on stage?
"Fennekin~"
Seeing that Selena seemed genuinely okay, Fennekin relaxed and pointed its tail at the cart.
"Fennekin? Fennekin?"
Selena blinked, "Are you asking to sit in the cart for a ride?"