Early the next morning, inside the Pokémon Center lobby.
Peter placed two Pokéblocks and a cup of Moomoo Milk in front of Buneary.
Instead of eating them herself, the little rabbit generously nudged them toward a timid figure sitting nearby.
It was a light-green Pokémon, shaped like a seed.
It had no arms—only two short, cone-shaped legs.
Three fresh green leaves sprouted from the top of its head, cradling a small yellow fruit at the center.
Its tiny eyes and wave-shaped mouth gave it an especially harmless, almost fragile appearance.
…
[Smoliv ♀ – Lv. 10 (Beginner)]
Ability: Early Bird (Sleep duration reduced by 50%)
Talent: 245 (Species max: 260)
Affection: 100
Learned Moves:
Sweet Scent, Absorb, Growth, Tackle, Razor Leaf, Strength Sap, Synthesis, Memento, Weather Ball
Description:
The most outstanding child of Arboliva, the ruler of Arboliva Forest.
In gratitude for Peter resolving the forest's crisis, it willingly chose to follow him to train and grow stronger—hoping one day to become a guardian of a forest, just like its mother.
…
Every time Peter looked at Smoliv's status panel, he couldn't help but smile.
Strength Sap.
A move that absorbed HP equal to the opponent's Attack stat and lowered their Attack by one stage.
This single move formed the tactical core of Arboliva's infamous stall strategy.
And Early Bird—once Smoliv evolved into Arboliva—would transform into Seed Sower, causing Grassy Terrain to activate automatically when hit.
Leftovers recovery.
Strength Sap's instant healing.
Leech Seed drain.
Grassy Terrain regeneration every turn.
As long as the opponent couldn't land a one-hit knockout, they'd be slowly drained dry—forced to watch their moves run out one by one.
And with over 120 base Special Attack, Arboliva wasn't just a wall—it could strike back hard when needed.
Peter hadn't traveled all the way from Sinnoh to Paldea for nothing.
He wanted to raise a Pokémon that could drive opponents insane.
"Breaking news from Horizons TV—
A massive fire broke out late last night at the Chris Chemical Plant near Artazon.
According to Officer Jenny's investigation, the factory was involved in severe labor exploitation and excessive illegal waste dumping.
All illicit gains have been confiscated, and the facility has been permanently shut down…"
As the morning news played, Peter recalled the events of the previous night and casually added two more Pokéblocks to Miltank's meal.
Gym-tier power was simply overwhelming for ordinary humans.
Without Miltank, there was no way Peter and Buneary alone could've reduced an entire chemical plant to ashes.
When Peter returned to the heart of Arboliva's Forest, Arboliva had already awakened from its slumber.
Having fully merged with the forest's pulse, it sensed everything Peter had done—and offered a mountain of Berries in gratitude.
With the pollution source eliminated, Arboliva could now purify the land through self-regeneration.
The crisis was resolved.
Peter even used the Blastoise Watering Can to create a small pond for the forest Pokémon.
And just as he was about to ask Arboliva to help him find a Smoliv to train—
This little one stepped forward on its own.
Even now, Peter vividly remembered that moment.
"Smoli… smoli?"
(Trainer… may I become your Pokémon?)
Its eyes were resolute—but its body trembled slightly, afraid of rejection.
To bolster its courage, it even released Sweet Scent.
One glance at the status panel and Peter felt happiness hit him like a truck.
Near-max talent.
Perfect inherited moves.
An ideal Ability.
He didn't hesitate—Luxury Ball thrown instantly.
Smoliv didn't resist at all.
Having witnessed Peter defend the forest with his own hands, it accepted him wholeheartedly—becoming his second Pokémon.
-----
After breakfast, Peter let Smoliv bask in the sunlight in the courtyard while assigning Buneary her regular weighted training.
Then he headed to the Berry blender in the Pokémon Center's corner.
Two Pokémon meant higher expenses.
Training plans, system simulations, Master Draws—everything cost money.
He needed to start selling Pokéblocks again.
Thankfully, Arboliva had given him plenty of Berries—enough to stockpile for Smoliv while selling the rest.
Peter smoothly tossed Oran Berries, Passho Berries, and others into the blender.
Moments later, evenly colored, crystal-clear Pokéblocks dropped from the output chute.
Add berries.
Blend.
Collect.
Again.
And again.
Gradually, Peter entered a strange rhythm.
His movements became fluid—precise—almost mechanical.
The more he blended, the faster he became.
Eventually, a single batch took less than 3 minutes.
He could instinctively detect impurities in the berries and remove them.
The proportions came naturally, as though engraved into muscle memory.
At noon, when Peter reached into his bag for more berries—
Nothing.
They were all gone.
"…Huh. I got way more efficient, didn't I?"
Scratching his head, Peter took out the final batch.
But this time, the cubes weren't pure white.
They were semi-transparent, jelly-like, softly shimmering with energy.
"…Wait. These are—"
Instinctively, Peter opened the system interface.
[Gorgeous · Beginner Pokéblock]
A high-purity Pokéblock with five times the effect of a normal one.
Pokémon under Level 20 who consume it will slightly increase their sensitivity to energy.
(This bonus applies only on first consumption.)
Peter grinned.
Didn't expect crafting to proc a rare drop.
"Ding-ling~"
The Soothe Bell chimed.
Buneary, drawn by instinct, dashed inside and hugged Peter's leg—black eyes shining with longing.
Peter chuckled.
"Whether you get to eat it depends on how hard you train~"
"Mi-choo!"
Motivated, Buneary bolted back outside, bells ringing as she resumed training.
Smiling, Peter walked to the Pokémon Center counter and laid out the Pokéblocks.
"Hello, Nurse Joy. Would the Pokémon Center be interested in purchasing these?"
"Hm?"
The pink-haired nurse examined them—her eyes lighting up.
"Excellent quality. How many are there?"
"Around a hundred of this type."
"…Only that many?" Joy frowned, clearly disappointed.
Peter rolled his eyes.
Of course—this was a global organization.
One hundred Pokéblocks could support a normal Trainer for an entire month.
"Well, I also have some stat-boosting ones—Attack, Speed, and the like. Fewer of those. About fifty of each."
Peter answered conservatively.
Joy's pink eyes sparkled.
"Really?! I'll take them—every single one!"