Luna clasped her hands behind her back, smiling cheerfully: "Sieg, I heard the League Day Care recently received a new batch of special Pokémon from other regions. I was planning to pick a new partner!"
Luna's implication was clear, she wanted Sieg to accompany her to select a Pokémon.
Sieg naturally wouldn't refuse. Since arriving in this world, he'd almost only seen Pokémon from the Hoenn Region.
It would be a perfect opportunity to expand his knowledge while accompanying Luna.
The official League Day Care was located in the most prominent position on Fallarbor Town's shopping district, with constant foot traffic flowing in and out.
After all, the vast majority of people in this world didn't operate in gray areas and thus remained unaware of the existence of the black market.
For ordinary residents, there were only two ways to obtain Pokémon: First, capture them in the wild. Second, purchase them from the official League Day Care.
The League prohibited any other organizations or individuals from selling Pokémon.
After all, Pokémon were this world's lifeblood. The League needed to maintain tight control over all Pokémon-related industries.
Especially anything directly involving Pokémon themselves.
"Wow, so many people!"
Luna looked helplessly at the crowded throng, quite troubled.
Nearly everyone passing by either held a recently hatched Pokémon in their arms or carried an elegant Pokémon egg.
Others were adults bringing children to select Pokémon in advance as traveling companions.
"Moon, you should start thinking about what kind of Pokémon you want." Sieg smiled faintly.
"You make a good point... I've wanted a Chikorita for so long, it's sooo cute! Swablu would also be nice, but Dragon-types are too rare. I wonder if the Day Care has any?"
Luna seemed to suffer from decision paralysis, crouching on the ground in distress, counting on her fingers all the Pokémon she'd mentally imagined wanting.
Without exception, these Pokémon all possessed high aesthetic appeal and decent strength. It was clear she'd thought carefully and wasn't simply chasing appearances.
"Moon, you could consider building a weather-based team. Your Glaceon has the hidden ability Ice Body, which recovers HP in snowy weather. Jumpluff has the Chlorophyll ability, which greatly increases Speed in sunny weather."
Sieg offered some appropriate suggestions. While such mixed teams were indeed difficult to counter or exploit...
They were equally difficult to form into a cohesive system with a clear core strategy.
Sieg chatted casually with Luna like this, naturally using his capabilities to display his extensive knowledge.
As expected, Luna already gazed at him with star-filled eyes full of admiration.
"Sieg, you know so much! It's almost exactly like the team my parents planned for me!" Luna watched Sieg speak eloquently, a feeling of admiration quietly rising.
After all, her parents had said similar things, build teams based on abilities and type synergies.
Upon entering the Day Care, a staff member wearing glasses with a scholarly demeanor immediately approached.
"May I help you? Are you purchasing Pokémon or inquiring about information?" The staff member's tone was rather flat, even carrying a hint of weariness.
Today alone, he'd already served over twenty customers, yet hardly anyone actually purchased Pokémon. They either just browsed or came to mooch off the free educational sessions.
Many common people in the Pokémon world, when first becoming trainers, knew absolutely nothing about Pokémon. Even basic information like type matchups and Pokémon abilities remained poorly understood. (For reference, see Ash Ketchum (Satoshi) at the start of his journey in the anime.)
Ordinary people had few avenues for acquiring knowledge. Besides attending school with its steep tuition, they could only consult various rare books in daily life.
Therefore, the Day Care's public educational courses were extremely popular, after all, not every departing trainer could afford to purchase a Pokédex.
Even the most basic first-generation Pokédex cost over ten thousand Pokédollars.
"Um, I'd like to buy a Pokémon hatchling to raise. I heard your Day Care recently received a new batch of Pokémon. Do you have any Chikorita hatchlings or eggs?" Luna stood on tiptoes, asking hopefully.
One could tell the girl genuinely loved Chikorita.
The staff member's eyes instantly lit up upon hearing Luna's request. After hastily assessing both Sieg's and Luna's attire, he thought to himself: "Big customers!"
Luna's outfit naturally spoke for itself, designer brands from head to toe, the very picture of a wealthy young lady. While Sieg's attire was understated, the several eye-catching Luxury Balls hanging from his waist told a different story.
A single Luxury Ball cost over ten thousand Pokédollars, dozens of times more expensive than regular Pokéballs. Even trainers from well-off families typically only prepared one for their ace Pokémon.
"Dear customers, please come this way. This is the indoor breeding house for Grass-type Pokémon, all constructed by League quality inspection centers. You can be assured that all Pokémon from here won't have aggressive temperaments or maliciously attack trainers. Please feel free to choose."
The staff member spared no efforts introducing the Day Care Pokémon's various advantages.
Indeed, as he claimed, Pokémon born in League Day Cares were typically extremely docile. Even naturally fierce Pokémon, after the Day Care's special conditioning, wouldn't exhibit unprovoked aggression toward trainers.
From this perspective, it seemed extremely safe and reassuring.
However, everything had advantages and disadvantages. Pokémon raised in such environments often lacked a certain fighting spirit and typically weren't as fierce as their wild counterparts.
The group soon arrived at the Chikorita breeding room. The environment inside was beautiful, the entire space resembled a green jungle.
The air carried a certain fragrance, practically a universal ability among Grass-type Pokémon.
Four adorable Chikorita were currently playing together.
When they noticed people entering, two immediately hid in the corner flower beds, while two boldly approached, sniffing at Sieg and the others.
"Wow~ So cute!"
Upon seeing her dream Pokémon, Luna's feminine side immediately burst forth. This Johto region starter was far more popular among women than the other two.
However, Luna didn't forget her purpose. After requesting the Pokémon's information from the staff member, she carefully examined it.
"Hmm~ This one actually has the hidden ability Leaf Guard. But I remember Chikorita's final evolution, Meganium, can learn Aromatherapy and Safeguard, right? Wouldn't that make the ability redundant?"
"Oh! This one is also quite good, it actually has the egg move Grassy Terrain! This batch of Chikorita has excellent quality."
"And this one actually learned Grass Pledge and Synthesis on its own! Such high aptitude? Even better than my Jumpluff."
Luna seemed to suffer from decision paralysis again. All four Chikorita looked absolutely delightful, each with their own merits.