Shauntal of course remembered that peculiar doll:
"After the ancient statues, it's the second kind of item that can strengthen Psychic power control!"
"No, actually it doesn't enhance control. It just helps ease psychological barriers and strengthens mental energy."
Hikaru waved his hand.
"Many psychics, because they're born with strong powers, suffer prejudice and fear from others. This makes them become withdrawn in childhood. But the more withdrawn they are, the stronger their psychic power grows—sometimes even to the point of losing control."
"That's why I made that thing, to help ease psychic users' mental blocks. Among my psychic clients it's very popular."
"As for Calyrex, it's a Legendary Pokémon from the Galar region. Though its legend is now lost, it has the power to make plants sprout and heal the heart, making all things flourish. In farming, it's incredible!"
Skyla's Swanna chirped with a sawasawa, expressing that in the Dream World the vegetables cultivated by Calyrex were amazing—far tastier than those from Mistralton City!
"Eh? That sounds like something really amazing."
Skyla's excitement was sparked, while Shauntal thought Calyrex's story would make an excellent writing theme.
"Ever since Caitlin got that doll, she's basically kept it with her all the time. Even if it looks silly… she also told me it's a very powerful Pokémon."
"So then, Calyrex is in the Dream World too?"
Hikaru chuckled.
"A king who has lost his legend and his power—what else can he do but sleep? If nothing else, he has plenty of time for that."
Shauntal covered her mouth and laughed:
"It feels just like some peerless master retiring to the countryside to grow crops."
Then she turned to Renwu:
"So, Renwu, will you come with us by plane to Icirrus City?"
Renwu shook his head.
"No, I'll stay here at Twist Mountain for more training. Lord Hikaru still has work to do, and before I've collected all eight badges, we probably won't meet at the League. So after I challenge Regigigas, I'll walk from Lacunosa Town back to the League."
"The manuals I'll prepare. If you don't come to the League, then I'll come find you myself."
Renwu nodded toward Hikaru, then looked at Clay:
"And you, Clay?"
"I'll be digging here of course!" Clay slapped his hat brim.
"Don't mind me! There's still plenty of work in Twist Mountain!"
Shauntal interjected:
"No, no. Tonight we should at least return to Mistralton City. You're all tired, aren't you? Even Regigigas must need to rest."
Renwu and Clay exchanged a look.
Then they looked at Regigigas.
"Hmm. That does make sense. Let's come back tomorrow."
"Yeah. Eat well in Mistralton, then return."
Before they parted, Regigigas' signal lights flashed.
[If you encounter my other brothers, if they are willing, please help repair them as well.]
The message resounded. Hikaru nodded.
According to the games, Regigigas exists in many regions. Hmm… if they're all repaired, would the titans gather and cause something like the Rumbling?
That mischievous thought popped up, but Hikaru quickly laughed and shook it off.
On their way back from Twist Mountain to Mistralton, they passed Celestial Tower and saw Mr. Vardo painting nearby.
"You've returned."
The old painter's spirit was bright. After N and Team Plasma departed, he had lingered long in the tower, painting additional works—pieces of humans and Pokémon souls reunited.
With dreams restored, he overcame his inner turmoil and could once again create new art.
That night, under Celestial Tower's starry sky, the cosmos glimmered more dazzling than ever before.
He painted it all and named the work "Star of the Heart."
"The stars in the sky are like people's dreams, ever-flowing. Countless dreams become starlight—that is our hearts. Faded stars shine once more, all thanks to you."
"The work I finished in Celestial Tower, I'd like to gift it to you."
Vardo handed Hikaru his painting and sketchboard. Gratitude filled the old man's face.
"That man has left too, and found his own future. It's a perfect ending."
[Item: Painting "Burning Soul."]
[Description: A work by the elder artist Vardo, depicting the Traveler and the King's battle at Celestial Tower. Endless souls cheer for this battle, offering their burning spirits to radiant life!]
[Effect: Revives dispirited, withered souls with renewed vigor!]
[The Tree of Connection senses new willpower and grows steadily!]
[Reward: Recognition of Vardo!]
[Note: Recognition from world-traveling renowned artist Vardo. You awakened his dream, letting him create again. His work holds gratitude: +200% thanks, +100% affection, –80% differences.]
[Your art strongly stirs viewers' emotions, letting them immerse themselves, reducing differences in aesthetic taste. Anyone can appreciate your work and gain insight from it.]
[Unlocked professional knowledge: "Painter!"]
[Painting techniques and efficiency +100%! Can view your art's popularity rating in each region!]
[Your works' popularity in Unova: 69%. Many painters, musicians, critics, and the public see your art as impressive, fresh, and unique—an emerging star of the arts!]
[Learn and incorporate more artistic styles, and you may advance to "Phantom Artist."]
[Suggested study/exhibition sites: Icirrus City / Opelucid City / Nimbasa City.]
"69%..." Hikaru mused.
If it reached 100%, would he unlock the Ripple of Time? After all, Phantom Artist had a strong tie to it.
"Perfect—the three towns are exactly where I need to go. Icirrus with its volcanic ceramics, Opelucid with its dragon statues, and Nimbasa—no need to say, the largest industrial city of Unova, home to composite metals, plus the famous Pokéstar Studios."
"And of course… there's Roxie the bassist."
"Mr. Vardo, where do you plan to go next?"
"To the Dreamyard. That is the final resting place for those who cradle dreams."
Vardo smiled warmly. He glanced back at Celestial Tower.
"Goodbye, Munna."
The elder set out, starlight draped over his shoulders, walking into the distant dark—yet radiating bright light all the while.
Dream World
Back in Mistralton, everyone naturally rested. Except for the still-excited Shauntal, even Skyla soon fell asleep in exhaustion.
They stayed at Mistralton's freight terminal, which had guest rooms. Unlike Black/White 1, Mistralton's planes here carried not only cargo but also passengers at scheduled times.
After resting, Hikaru naturally entered the Dream World.
With the C-device, more Pokémon could enter this time!
"Rooaah!" Walking Wake, upon returning, wagged its tail, announcing its comeback to all the Dream Pokémon!
"Make the farm and junkyard great again!"
Near the sky island, more land had appeared—already looking like a small continent. It took a long time to run east to west. But the benefit was obvious:
More arable land! And more Pokémon had heard Calyrex's name and seen its power. By helping Calyrex with farm work, its strength steadily returned!
Now Calyrex was no longer Caly-lame, but Caly-strong!
『Calyrex has completed…』
A flood of notifications popped up, but Hikaru only skimmed them.
It seemed Calyrex had been a bit too diligent!
『Farmer LV5! Greatly improved proficiency and efficiency with farming tools and soil!』
『Calyrex mastered "Farming" and gained the move "Plow Field."』
『Calyrex obtained the class: Vegetable Master.』
『Crop value +20%, growth speed +50%, taste/quality +50%, major reduction in pests.』
『New Knowledge (You + Calyrex): Advanced Breeding Mutation — with Calyrex's power, plants can undergo special growth via grafting, producing new species.』
『New Knowledge (You + Calyrex): Double Collector — harvesting crops may yield double produce.』
"Oh! The varieties of Glorious Vegetables have grown so much!"
Hikaru saw the farmlands thriving with crops:
Cauliflower, cabbage, corn, melon, beet, coffee beans, garlic, bok choy, spinach, kale, pumpkin, giant leek, marsh herbs, gourmet mushrooms…
And most importantly—radishes!
Lots of silver-star, gold-star, and even Glorious Vegetables!
"To think you cultivated so many! Totally forgot your original work, huh."
Originally, Glorious Vegetables were meant as a stepping stone toward Glorious Flowers. But now Calyrex seemed fully absorbed in breeding new crops instead!
Glorious Flowers? Pfft—no longer important!
『My friend! Mmmhmhmhm! You've returned! Quick, try the new harvest from the soil!』
Calyrex sat beside a giant cauliflower, munching a radish with delight. Its little mouth chewed so quickly, and with vegetables all around it, from afar you couldn't even see it—its head looked like another crop.
"Perfectly camouflaged in the field. I thought the cauliflower was talking."
『How rude!』 Calyrex quipped, but didn't care. It just looked so cozy—like a bunny or fawn about to melt on the spot.
The gentle dream-breeze passed over the fields. Pokémon in the Dream World giggled, gathering the ripe vegetables.
With Calyrex's power and the timeless seasons of the Dream World, all crops grew freely without seasonal limits.
"Normally some are spring crops, some summer… but here they can all grow together."
『That is the benefit of the Dream Farm!』 Calyrex said proudly. Though Hikaru had suggested the farm, the actual farmer was Calyrex!
Oh—and Walking Wake too! But that guy was off in the real world now.
『Even if I left the Dream World, I've left behind excellent vegetable legacies. Life here will only improve! That is what I, as king, leave behind!』
Calyrex lifted its hand, and water energy flowed from its head like a sprinkler.
"What's that?"
『Life Dew! This wondrous water restores me and other Pokémon. Also great for farming!』
…So Calyrex was literally using its head as a watering can.
"Looks more like a big-headed fountain!" Hikaru couldn't resist.
Calyrex didn't mind—after all, the others had already roasted it plenty.
"Calyrex, with all these Glorious Vegetables, have you tried to condense a full Glorious Flower?"
『…I completely forgot.』
Calyrex's eyes went blank, then it waved dismissively:
『Not important now. Better to keep farming—this is gaining experience too.』
『Besides, creating a Glorious Flower consumes too much! Without more faith, I can't. The Pokémon's offerings are too limited.』
"Perfect!" Hikaru snapped his fingers.
"I've found a way for you to quickly build faith!"
"Do you know about selling vegetables?"
『I know about vegetable offerings.』 Calyrex chewed its radish. 『Back in Crown Tundra, the people offered radishes to me.』
Hikaru smiled wryly.
"So your kingdom had no agricultural economy? Or you just didn't care?"
"Anyway, cultivating Glorious Vegetables is good. With science, we can transfer them to the real world for re-cultivation or sale. I've found a powerful vegetable research base—they export produce worldwide."
"Remember Swanna, your faithful farmhand? She said in her trainer's hometown they cultivate many vegetables. I'm in that city right now, and this sales proposal was actually her suggestion."
"If we partner with them and make Glorious Vegetables a new brand, since ours have special effects—boosting vitality and spirit—they'll definitely be a hit!"
"My idea: put your image label on the boxes and produce. When these products are rapidly exported worldwide and accepted, your faith will skyrocket!"
"Calyrex-brand, guaranteed premium. You'll become the face of Glorious Vegetables—a world-class vegetable tycoon!"
Calyrex froze, half a radish sticking out of its mouth, cheeks puffed. Its big head filled with question marks.
But it got the gist!
『Oh! I see! It means others pay to buy our vegetables, then praise us!』
Hikaru: "Uh… yeah, basically. Our product is that good! Nowadays people care about health. Freshness, uniformity, blemishes, taste, texture—all affect price. And nutrition matters most. Not just humans—even Pokémon pick the best-looking berries in the wild."
Calyrex grew excited, waving its half-radish:
『I will rebuild my kingdom with these vegetables!』
『As long as my vegetables spread worldwide, people will praise them—and thus, praise me!』
『My friend, I fully understand! Let's do it!』
『And Swanna—what a loyal retainer! Next time she visits the Dream World, I'll bestow the greatest reward!』
『I shall gift her my treasured Glorious Giant Radish!』
Calyrex puffed proudly, confidence restored!
See? Glorious Flower—useless! Its only purpose was grafting Glorious Vegetables anyway!
『How many will you take? I'll select only the finest batch. We must shock the research base with Dream Farm's crops!』
"The first shipment must include radishes!" Hikaru proposed.
"After all, they were the first thing you cultivated."
Other regions aside, Paldea—land of eaters—would import vast amounts of premium vegetables. They even had official "culinary arts" courses. Biggest buyer might even be Naranja Academy's cafeteria!
Calyrex's eyes lit up like stars.
Radishes—its absolute favorite!
Glorious Flowers? Forget them! Later maybe.
"Alright everyone—gather round! Time to cook!"
Glorious Vegetables strengthened the body, so of course they'd be cooked into radiant dishes here.
The call for food drew Pokémon from everywhere, all crowding in!
(End of Chapter)
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