Fortunately, she gave it a try—and as soon as the green energy dissipated, the weeds immediately vanished.
Moreover, Snivy felt like her energy could extend even further, as if it could manipulate vegetation across a wider area.
She followed the energy's resonance, closed her eyes, and tried to assimilate the surrounding life force into the vibrant Grassy Terrain she had just created, infusing them with her own green energy.
The attempt didn't take long. Within five or six seconds, even the outer weeds had merged with her grassy field. Then, at Snivy's command, every weed within a thirty-meter radius was pulled cleanly from the earth.
"Snivy?"
Snivy opened her eyes and saw Hayashi Kaede's astonished expression.
"You learn really fast. I was just about to ask if you could assimilate the other plants into your Grassy Terrain, but you managed it even before I said anything."
"Snivy~"
Snivy lifted her chin with a smug, calm expression.
But the prompt that echoed in Hayashi Kaede's mind from the system revealed her true feelings.
"Perfect. That means we can finish clearing all the weeds in the Plantation much faster."
After offering some more praise, Hayashi Kaede turned his attention back to the system.
It had just rewarded him with some fertilizer and a Rare Candy.
With so many rewards piling up, Hayashi Kaede had started noticing a pattern.
First: increasing a Pokémon's happiness by more than ten points at once would trigger the system's reward mechanism.
Second: when he bonded with a new Pokémon for the first time, he always received a unique reward.
Like the Ground Sand from Sandshrew, the Life Fruit from Feebas, or the Special Scale Fruit from Snivy.
The more happiness points earned at once, the greater the reward.
The TM and Aptitude Energy Cubes he got from taming Feebas and Snivy were especially valuable.
The latter in particular—Aptitude Energy Cubes—could enhance a Pokémon's potential!
That was no small feat in the breeding world.
Normally, only legendary Pokémon had a chance to evolve their aptitude through external means.
The ingredients were expensive.
But compared to mythical beasts, anything you could buy with money was manageable.
And besides, the system provided rewards too.
Fruits like the Life Fruit and Special Scale Fruit were base ingredients used to make Aptitude Energy Cubes.
Each had a different purpose.
Energy cubes from Life Fruit significantly boosted physical strength.
While those made from Special Scale Fruit drastically enhanced special attack.
Watching Snivy work so diligently, a small smile formed on Hayashi Kaede's lips.
Being a bit tsundere was fine—as long as she did her work properly.
"Brother Kaede! Brother Kaede, are you here?!"
A lively voice called out from outside, followed by a hurried figure pushing open the Plantation's wooden fence.
Hayashi Kaede didn't even have to look. Only one person would barge in like that.
Takagi Megumi.
"What's up?"
He turned around helplessly, just as the girl in a white short-sleeved shirt and tied-up hair spotted him. Her eyes lit up immediately.
"I knew you'd be here!"
After she entered, her eyes swept the field and landed on Snivy, who was pulling weeds using energy manipulation. Her mouth fell open slightly as astonishment filled her expression.
"Snivy... what kind of move is that?"
"Grassy Terrain. What, didn't your teacher cover that at school?"
Hayashi Kaede shot her a look.
"Or were you just not paying attention?"
"Ah... maybe we haven't learned that part yet?"
Takagi Megumi pursed her lips. Her sun-reddened face turned even redder—almost like a tomato in full bloom.
In reality, she hadn't been listening in class at all.
"Ha..."
Hayashi Kaede chuckled mercilessly before asking, "So? What do you want?"
"Hehe... well, Brother Kaede, there's this super annoying boy in my class. He's always going against me, even during summer break. He keeps texting me every day! So I challenged him to a battle and told him if he loses, he has to stop messaging me!"
"But then he said he'd enter the Baby Cup that HappyMart is hosting, and that we should battle there instead!"
"But the problem is... his Pokémon is a Grass-type—Bulbasaur. And I'm worried my Squirtle won't be able to beat him..."
Hayashi Kaede raised an eyebrow. "So, you want Snivy to help you train your Squirtle?"
"Yes, yes!" Takagi Megumi nodded vigorously.
"Well..." he groaned. "What a childish challenge."
Maybe the boy actually liked her and just didn't know how to express it.
"He's so annoying, Brother Kaede!"
When Hayashi Kaede stayed silent, Takagi Megumi began shaking his arm. "Please help me~ Brother Kaede!"
"Yeah, yeah, okay..."
Hayashi Kaede sighed, pulling his hand free.
It's not like he minded.
After all, this might count as his first official training request as a Breeder.
Plus, he wanted to borrow Takagi-ojii-san's Sandshrew someday.
The only concern was whether Snivy would agree.
That Squirtle looked a bit... dull.
"Snivy?"
Snivy finished pulling the last weeds and came back over.
"Waaah, Snivy, you're amazing!" Takagi Megumi gushed as she saw the neatly cleared rows.
She had only ever seen such obedient and diligent Pokémon at her grandfather's side.
Snivy glanced at the girl with an unreadable expression. But when Hayashi Kaede bent down to brush a twig off her forehead, her lips curved slightly.
"Snivy~" (I've finished what I promised.)
"Yeah, great job."
Hayashi Kaede praised her again, then explained what Takagi Megumi had just asked.
"Snivy?" (That dumb turtle that flinched just from getting hit?)
As expected, Snivy frowned the moment she heard the plan.
"Don't worry," Hayashi Kaede gently rubbed her head. "I've got an idea. You just have to follow my lead."
...Maybe...
Squirtle could help water the Plantation?
After all, it was a Water-type Pokémon.