Several days had passed since the spar between Lucas and Dendra, yet the buzz around that battle at Naranja Academy remained high. Even the enrollment numbers for Dendra's Battle Tactics course had risen noticeably.
That left the newly appointed Dendra swamped with work, often spending entire days teaching at Naranja Academy—exhausting, to say the least.
Fortunately, Lucas had essentially been promoted into a leadership role. He no longer needed to teach large classes; he could focus on nurturing an elite cohort and scouting for talented students.
Thanks to Geeta's bold reforms, Naranja Academy's campus culture had been completely renewed.
Although most students had been drawn in by the power of Raging Bolt's drum, even hearing from Dendra that Lucas now focused on training a small number of battle-gifted students didn't dampen their enthusiasm. If anything, they worked even harder, hoping to become part of that chosen few.
Dendra didn't complain about the workload. On the contrary, she enjoyed every moment of teaching and interacting with her students.
After their battle, Lucas had also sought out Dendra in private to discuss directions she and her Kommo-o could try for future improvement.
And so, a new month arrived.
…
May 1st, Ranch District.
Stroking the deep-brown coat of a Sawsbuck, Lucas gently plucked the last blooming pale pink flower from its antlers and placed it into a nearby basket already lined with blossoms.
Wiping away the sweat beading on his forehead from the warming weather, Lucas exhaled and smiled. "All right, that's all the flowers cleaned off."
The two Sawsbuck nuzzled his now-free left hand one after another, chirped a goodbye, and headed off with two noticeably grown-up Skiddo.
They had a plan to train Grass-type moves together later.
Watching their retreating figures, the pasture grass whispering under the breeze and making a rustling sound, and a blissed-out Miltank munching in the distance, Lucas recalled the tender new leaf-buds he'd felt on the Sawsbuck's antlers while picking blossoms.
Sawsbuck are Pokémon whose physical traits change with the seasons: in spring their antlers bloom with pretty pale pink flowers; in summer they grow lush green leaves; in autumn the leaves redden; after the red leaves fall, winter leaves them with bare snow-white wooden antlers.
Both the climate and the Sawsbuck's changing bodies were saying the same thing—
Summer seemed to be quietly arriving.
On his way back, Lucas happened to run into three Eldegoss happily hopping toward the storage shed.
Now fully integrated into farm life, they were Lucas's right-hand helpers in the fields. Under their care, crops thrived and yielded bountiful harvests, supporting a varied menu for the ranch's Pokémon.
You could say that the leisurely, well-off life they now enjoyed came from the cooperation of the Eldegoss and the other Pokémon.
"Eldegoss~"
Seeing Lucas, the three Eldegoss got excited. Sadly, they had no hands to wave, so they could only greet him by bouncing.
Lucas waved back with a smile. "Heading off to rest?"
"Eldegoss~"
The Eldegoss nodded.
They'd just checked over the fields with Serperior, and some of the faster-maturing crops were ready to harvest. In a few days, they planned to invite other Pokémon on the farm with free hands to come enjoy the joy of reaping together.
For now, they were going to Comfey's infirmary to enjoy some aromatherapy and relax.
"Let's go together," Lucas suggested.
The Eldegoss gladly accepted, and they all headed back to the cottage.
Watching them enter the infirmary he had set aside for Comfey, Lucas realized the Eldegoss had actually booked aromatherapy appointments. They really knew how to live.
Chuckling softly, Lucas took a few proposals from Oranguru, who had been waiting nearby.
[Farmwide Flagstone Pathway Installation – Estimated cost: 200,000 League credits]
[Farm Lighting Plan & Electrical Wiring – Estimated cost: 250,000 League credits]
[Underground Ice Cellar Construction – Estimated cost: 180,000 League credits, several Ice-type Pokémon required]
[Power Generation and Storage System – Estimated cost: around 500,000 League credits]
After Lucas went through them one by one, Oranguru's telepathy sounded.
[Young master, these are the infrastructure projects I think should be completed as soon as possible before summer. The sooner the better.]
"You're right."
Lucas nodded thoughtfully, fully agreeing with Oranguru's suggestions.
Currently, the so-called roads on the farm were just compacted earth pressed by Swampert and Mudsdale. Whenever it rained, they turned to mud, and any Pokémon passing through inevitably got dirty.
After every rainy day, Lucas had to have Politoed and the Poliwhirl line spend ages washing the Pokémon.
Especially Arcanine—that husky-brained one. He never learned, rolling in the mud with Dachsbun until they were caked in it, then trying to bolt into the house.
Lucas had no idea how many times his blood pressure had spiked because of Arcanine.
And Luxray—just washing it nearly cost Lucas half his life.
Who knew why a Pokémon that counters Water-types hated getting wet so much? Thankfully Politoed and the Poliwhirl line could clean with Bubble Beam, saving Lucas from the ordeal.
In any case, flagstone pathways were among the most important infrastructure.
Oranguru suggested again:
[Young master, to save costs, I recommend laying the farm's electrical conduits before installing the stone paths. Otherwise, you'll have to tear up the pathways later to put wiring underground—wasting effort and money.]
Lucas found that logical. Planning existed for exactly this reason: there's a lot to learn in building the best farm from scratch in the right order.
As for his imagined eco-dome farm—never mind the finances; he had no idea whether Blueberry Academy would even share the necessary tech. For now, he could only shelve that idea.
Next, Lucas and Oranguru discussed the underground ice cellar and the power generation and storage facilities to go along with the wiring.
The farm now had two powerful Electric-types, Raging Bolt and Luxray, plus many Pokémon that could learn Electric attacks. If they commissioned equipment to convert Electric-type moves into electricity, they could power the entire farm.
They would need a reliable contractor for this. The storage capacity should be large, too; Lucas hadn't forgotten his agreement with Zapdos.
He absolutely wanted Zapdos to come discharge once and fill the batteries in one shot!
And Articuno—when the underground ice cellar was built, it could create the ice. That way, if Delibird returned from its travels, it would have a suitable environment to live in.
Of course, Lucas had a backup plan in case Articuno didn't return soon. After all, time flows differently for Legendary Pokémon—like the way elves and humans perceive time differently in fantasy worlds.
If Articuno never came back to the island, Lucas would go to Mt. Glaseado or another snowy mountain and kidna—er, bring back a few Ice-types.
Fluffy Alolan Vulpix or Ninetales, Glaceon, Frosmoth that spits icy silk, and so on.
Or, if he dared, he could seek out Regice, which makes Never-Melt Ice, or Glastrier, which breathes freezing mists.
Kyurem, who can freeze the world, would be overkill. Bring Kyurem back and the whole farm—and even Levincia—might end up buried in blizzards.
Or perhaps he could run into Iron Bundle in Paldea.
As their discussion drew to a close, Oranguru asked with some concern:
[Young master, about the funding…]
"Ah, the money? Don't worry about that."
Lucas thought Oranguru was worried about his savings and quickly tried to put it at ease.
"You know I was just promoted—my salary tripled: 24 a month. The farm's making money, and I have savings. Worst case, I'll take on some jobs and earn more."
"Build! We have to build hard! Since I've taken everyone in, I need to create an environment where everyone can live happily."
[…]
Oranguru fell silent for a moment. It had originally wanted to offer its own savings—what it had put away over years of Pokémon Butler Academy and odd jobs—for the farm that was both its workplace and home for the foreseeable future.
It wasn't much—only a few times the farm's current working capital—but it was Oranguru's heartfelt contribution.
Since the young master had so boldly taken this on, Oranguru decided to hold onto it for emergencies.
In the afternoon, Lucas rode Dragonite back to Naranja Academy.
After the promotion, he no longer had fixed teaching hours. His schedule adjusted based on his availability and the needs of the students he chose to train.
In his new office, Lucas received a slightly stiff, nervous girl.
He had just sparred a few rounds with Arcanine against Nemona, pointing out her shortcomings, and returned to his office to rest and read before heading back to the farm.
But then, Penny came by.
Penny still carried her beloved fluffy Eevee bag. After Lucas welcomed her in, she came straight out with it: she wanted to become stronger.
Lucas sat up, momentarily surprised. He tapped his right-hand fingers on the desk. "You're saying you want to train your Pokémon under me—you want to get stronger?"
Penny twisted her fingers together and nodded lightly. "Yes."
Lucas's tapping paused. Had the sun risen in the west today?
A student he had already marked as a target actually came to him on her own.
Still, procedure was procedure.
Lucas put down the book in his left hand, stood up, and looked at Penny. "May I see your Pokémon?"
The office was spacious enough to hold several Tauros, so Lucas wasn't worried about space.
Besides, her Pokémon tended to be small and cute…
Penny nodded nervously, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Come out, Sylveon."
With a sweet cry, an extremely cute Pokémon appeared.
Sylveon's body was mostly white, with pink on its head, ears, tail, and lower legs. A bow was on its left ear and around its neck, from which two ribbonlike feelers extended. The tips were a gradient of pink, deep blue, and light blue.
After leaving its ball, Sylveon looked around. Then the feelers from its bows looped around Penny's wrist—clearly a very affectionate bond.
Sylveon's light-blue eyes curiously regarded Lucas, while Penny, comforted by the feelers twined around her wrist, introduced it. "This is my first partner, Sylveon."
Lucas nodded with a small smile. "Judging by your bag, I had a hunch—you really like Eevee."
"I can tell you and Sylveon have a great relationship. Trainers who can evolve Eevee into Sylveon are very caring toward their Pokémon. That's excellent."
Penny's cheeks reddened, embarrassed by the praise.
Though he knew that in the future Penny would be strong enough to scare off the bullies who were already gone, Lucas still suggested:
"From how well this Sylveon is raised, your nurturing ability seems solid. As for battling, let's schedule a test later. How about it?"
Penny hesitated. "Ah… not now?"
Lucas glanced at her, didn't answer directly, and instead asked after a brief pause, "Don't you dislike being in the spotlight? What made you change your mind?"
Penny's social anxiety was severe. Lucas hadn't expected her to seek him out.
As if sensing Penny's resolve, Sylveon's feelers tightened gently, sharing its strength.
Penny clenched her fist slightly and said in a low voice, "…I want to train myself a little. I can't always rely on the teachers' help. Sometimes, you have to force yourself."
"Good answer." To Penny's surprise, Lucas gave a light round of applause, then picked up the book on his desk and smiled. "Chairwoman Geeta needs to see me in a bit, so I don't have time today."
"I understand…"
Penny started to lower her gaze, but then saw the title of the book in Lucas's hand.
Atlas of Ice-Type Pokémon Habitats.
Was he planning to capture some Ice-types?
Though she didn't say it, Penny did feel grateful to Lucas.
He had fired the opening shot in dealing with the bullies, and he had helped keep her secret so her family back in Galar wouldn't worry. Penny wanted to thank him.
She thought of her father and sister, who were exploring the Crown Tundra and researching legends.
As Galar's frigid region, the Crown Tundra housed many Ice-types and a rich ecology—likely enough to satisfy Lucas's needs.
If she got the chance to learn what he was looking for, she could ask her father and sister to help track those Ice-types.