The small boost in reputation from the task reward for [I Really Didn't Want to Be a Content Creator] might have already begun showing its effects.
Besides the orders from Lila and Nami, Leon and Fumie had taken on four additional orders that morning alone.
Three of these were boarding requests that required teaching new moves to Pokémon, and one even requested full-service care until the Pokémon evolved.
These three orders were substantial contracts and represented an excellent opportunity to increase the Breeding Center's reputation.
"Well then, we'll be heading out first," Lila said after they finished lunch together. She took Nami with her and prepared to leave.
Fumie waved them off warmly. "Drive safely!"
After leaving the Breeding Center, Nami couldn't help but exclaim to Lila in the car, "He's handsome, he's a skilled Breeder, and he can cook? Is there anything he can't do?"
Back at the center, Lucario and the other Pokémon ran off to play after finishing their lunch.
Wayne had conducted a speed test for Lucario that morning. After consuming the Speed Enhancer (Potent Version), Lucario's speed had increased significantly—it was now even faster than before when using Extreme Speed.
Meanwhile, Metang had consumed the Metal Coat. Wayne estimated that once it had fully absorbed and digested the Metal Coat's energy, it would evolve into Metagross.
Wayne didn't see Lila and the others off. Instead, he was busy editing his second video and researching breeding plans for the new clients.
The first of the four orders had already been completed. It was a custom request to prepare food that would make a Butterfree appear more beautiful for tomorrow's Greenfall Contest.
For such specific requests, Wayne found it quite straightforward. After asking about the Butterfree's flavor preferences, he directly provided a serving of Oran Berry Pokéblocks designed to enhance beauty.
The client left satisfied, and Wayne received his first positive review from a stranger, updating the task progress to (6/100).
Now what remained were: the Feebas that needed to evolve, the Cubone that needed to learn Dig, and the Crobat that needed to learn Aerial Ace.
Leon was responsible for teaching the moves to Cubone and Crobat.
Wayne was taking charge of Feebas's evolution process.
Wayne titled his newly edited dual-angle instructional video: "Pokemon Trainer Employment Guide 02: Pokémon Grooming Basics."
"Here, we're using Glameow and Delcatty as examples, but many of these principles are universal and can be applied to other Pokémon species as well," Wayne explained in his narration interspersed throughout the video.
"If you find yourself unable to manage your Pokémon's grooming needs, it's recommended that you take them to a professional Breeding Center. Jubilife Breeding Center welcomes your visit!" He happily added this advertisement at the end.
As the video entered the review process, Wayne switched to his computer desktop and created a new folder labeled "Feebas Breeding Plan."
Feebas had two known evolution methods.
The first was to evolve through trade while holding a Prism Scale.
The second was to evolve naturally when its Beauty condition reached a certain threshold.
The Feebas's Trainer had specifically requested evolution through the Beauty method.
This could only be achieved by feeding it Prism Scale powder or specialized food that increased its Beauty condition—primarily Pokéblocks made from certain berries.
The breeding and evolution process of Feebas was about to become the subject of Wayne's third video.
After evolving, Feebas would transform into Milotic, which was said to be the most beautiful Pokémon in existence.
Wayne personally reserved judgment on that claim. He was certain that Gardevoir and Diancie would have something to say about it.
However, the Feebas that Wayne was tasked with raising had a significant problem—it was extremely insecure and fearful of people.
When Wayne had merely glanced at it that morning, Feebas had immediately darted away to hide among the rockery in the fish pond.
Wayne had already instructed Lucario and the other Pokémon not to disturb it for the time being, allowing Feebas time to adapt to its new environment.
Wayne was one hundred percent certain that Feebas had suffered psychological trauma, and this trauma most likely stemmed from mistreatment by humans.
Besides feeding it food to increase its Beauty condition, he would also need to help it regain its confidence.
Without addressing this emotional damage, Feebas would likely never evolve, no matter how beautiful it became.
Wayne would have to treat this Feebas like a priceless piece of porcelain, carefully and patiently nurturing it back to health.
While Wayne researched methods to restore Feebas's confidence, the afternoon recruitment interviews had already begun downstairs.
Knock knock—someone rapped on the office door.
"Please come in," Fumie called out.
"Hello, I'm Claire, and I'm here for the Breeder position interview."
Claire had neat, warm brown short hair styled practically. She wore a fitted trench coat over shorts—clearly prioritizing style over warmth despite the season.
When Claire introduced herself, Leon and Fumie immediately recognized who she was. Claire had submitted her resume beforehand, and they'd reviewed it carefully.
Fumie placed the printed resume to the side of her desk.
"Please introduce yourself briefly, and then explain why you left your previous Breeding Center."
They had already reviewed Claire's background thoroughly, but they were particularly interested in hearing her answer to the second question.
"Wayne—your son—and I were in the same cohort when we took the Intermediate Breeder certification exam. I passed with a combined score of 80 across both practical and written portions."
"As for why I left my previous position, the reason is straightforward: workplace violations, with many unregulated and even illegal practices taking place."
Claire proceeded to enumerate the wrongdoings of her former Breeding Center: dispensing medications indiscriminately, using inferior berries to cut costs, and forcibly breeding Pokémon regardless of their physical condition or readiness.
These were indeed serious illegal violations.
"I'm sure you both understand that Pokémon cannot breed continuously—they're living creatures, not breeding machines," Claire stated firmly.
"Normally, a healthy Pokémon should have at most two breeding cycles per year, and should only breed for five to six years maximum to ensure the health and quality of offspring. Exceeding these limits results in Pokémon that are either chronically ill or have very poor natural abilities."
Fumie nodded in agreement. "You're absolutely right."
Such exploitative practices existed because they could drastically reduce operational costs. While the Pokémon world was generally bright and hopeful, there were always people willing to take illegal risks for profit.
Claire then vividly recounted how she had secretly collected evidence against her former employer and filed an anonymous report with the authorities.
My goodness... she's in a job interview, openly telling us about anonymously reporting her previous employer, Fumie thought, truly at a loss for words.
She doesn't sound like she worked in breeding—it sounds more like intelligence work or undercover investigation, Leon mused, his thoughts wandering increasingly off-topic.
Most other Breeding Centers, upon hearing how principled and fierce Claire was, would absolutely refuse to hire her. After all, who could say when she might report them for violations?
This was clearly someone who kept a detailed record of grievances.
However, Leon and Fumie needed exactly this type of person: capable, genuinely caring toward Pokémon, and willing to stand up for what was right.
Wayne's grandfather had always emphasized one principle: "If you're going to work in this field, you cannot enable wrongdoing."
Wayne's family kept this lesson close to their hearts. It was also their founding principle for opening the Breeding Center in the first place.
Fumie stood up and sincerely extended her hand to Claire.
"Welcome to Jubilife Breeding Center. I hope we can work together to build an ideal place for Pokémon care."
Claire quickly reached out and shook Fumie's hand firmly.
"I believe we will. I researched your center thoroughly before submitting my application, and it's evident from your son's work as well that this is a place with integrity."
Leon proudly took credit, patting his chest. "That's because my son takes after me!"
Fumie shot him a look but chose not to respond to that particular comment.
Fumie and Claire then briefly discussed the Breeding Center's facilities and accommodation arrangements. Besides the main building where Wayne's family lived, there was also a staff dormitory located elsewhere on the grounds of the Breeding Center complex.
"I'll head back to pack my belongings, then return tomorrow to officially start work," Claire said, standing to leave.
After Claire departed, a tall, powerfully built man entered the office—accidentally bumping his head on the doorframe as he did so.
Leon unconsciously blurted out, "A human Machamp!"
Fumie rolled her eyes at her husband, already too exhausted to scold him.
"Ah, I'm sorry, but we're not hiring bodyguards or security personnel here," Leon said apologetically.
The muscular man—Alan—smiled slightly, his expression gentle despite his intimidating appearance.
"No, I'm actually here to apply for the Breeder position."