In the evening, Naoki sat at his desk, reflecting on the events of the day while pondering the rules of the Grass Trial.
So far, it seems that the Grass Trial not only helps Gogoat release excess energy but also aids trainers like Carter in their training.
If more trainers are drawn to this in the future, it means he'll need to prepare more energy-replenishing meals for them.
"Should I charge a small fee?" Naoki murmured to himself.
He felt this was feasible, considering it as compensation for the healing services provided by the ranch.
Additionally, the effects of the Grass Trial are quite good; perhaps more trainers will be attracted to it in the future.
To prevent random and unqualified participants, Naoki thought it might be necessary to restrict challengers' eligibility.
For example, only those who have collected a certain number of Gym Badges can participate.
But this all depends on how things develop later.
As for the rewards, he's already decided.
He was reluctant to give away items like the Water Stone and Big Root that Teddiursa found, so he decided to use cooked meals as substitutes.
Such as Grass Knots for Grass Type Pokemon, and creamy ice for Ice Type Pokemon—it all depends on the challenger's luck whether they can comprehend any moves.
Anyway, he can make these anytime, so giving them away doesn't bother him.
The next day, Carter indeed showed up.
Naoki was overseeing Gogoat taking care of the crops, and Carter, seeing this scene, felt curious and asked, "What's going on?"
Naoki explained, "The Grass Type Energy of Gogoat can greatly assist in the growth of crops."
Carter understood.
Seeing that it was about time, Naoki called a halt, then turned to look at Carter's Delibird, asking, "How does it feel?"
"It's great!" Carter exclaimed excitedly.
Naoki nodded and didn't say much else, leaving the three Gogoat to play with Delibird.
"I have to go attend to the ranch work, Gogoat knows what to do. You just battle with them, and Cyclizar will substitute for me in watching your battles," he said.
"Alright!" nodded Carter repeatedly.
Leaving the work to his deputy Cyclizar, Naoki took a final glance back at the busy ranch.
The Chicken Coop Manager Pawmo, Dragonite watering the fields, Miltank grazing, Combee collecting honey, and the playful Alcremie, Dolliv, Glaceon, and Nacli.
Everything at the ranch was running smoothly and in order.
Naoki withdrew his gaze and said to Koraidon beside him, "Let's go!"
"Aga-hiss!"
Today he planned to go to the seed store in Porto Marinada Town to buy a batch of berry seedlings.
Riding on Koraidon, Naoki sped all the way to Porto Marinada Town.
When he pushed open the seed store door, he saw the store owner Elo and his wife Mrs. Abby cheering for their daughter, Bell.
And standing in front of them was a fuzzy-tailed Skwovet.
"Have courage, Bell! You can do it!" Elo held his breath.
"Mom believes in you! Try touching it!" said Abby.
The purple-haired girl Bell clenched her fists and looked nervously at the Skwovet in front of her, seemingly wanting to pluck up the courage to touch it.
But when her hand reached a few centimeters from the Skwovet, she slumped down like a deflated balloon.
"I can't do it! I still can't do it!" Bell, frustrated, held her head and squatted down on the spot.
At that moment, Naoki and Koraidon, who walked in, caught their attention.
The family of three turned their heads, and Bell saw Koraidon, eyes widening, emitting a shrill scream, and fainted on the spot.
Koraidon: "..."
Naoki: "..."
No wonder she was squatting outside the ranch yesterday, muttering 'You can't see me, you can't see me.'
Elo and his wife hurried to support their daughter.
Mrs. Abby helped her into a room.
Elo was full of helplessness: "I am very sorry."
Naoki shook his head, looking at the room: "Is she alright?"
"She's fine, just fainted." Elo seemed already accustomed to this: "Bell has been very afraid of Pokemon since she accidentally wandered into a forest at four years old and was attacked by a rampaging Scyther. Since then, she's been terrified of Pokemon and doesn't dare leave the house."
As he spoke, Elo patted the little head of the Skwovet.
The Skwovet squeaked and ran away.
"Since Bell is very afraid of large and intimidating Pokemon, we thought maybe smaller Pokemon would be better received by her."
Elo helplessly shrugged: "But as you see, despite her efforts to overcome the psychological barrier for our sake, she just can't make the decision to conquer the fear within."
"Aga-hiss...," Koraidon drooped his head down.
Seeing this, Elo comforted, "Hey big guy, don't be sad. Bell isn't afraid of you specifically; she's scared of all large Pokemon."
Naoki: "..."
This reminded him of Lillie from the anime, but not quite the same.
At least Lillie wasn't socially anxious, and wasn't afraid to step outside, nor would she faint at the sight of Pokemon.
"Alright, let's not dwell on this." Elo shook his head, asking, "You're here to buy berry seedlings this time, right?"
Naoki nodded.
"Come with me!"
With Elo's guidance, he arrived at an area full of berry seedlings.
Elo introduced, "These are all newly arrived varieties of berry seedlings. Besides the common Oran Berry and Pecha Berry, we have Razz Berry, Mago Berry, Nanab Berry, Durin Berry, Nomel Berry, and Starf Berry. Each berry has a different flavor, which ones would you like to buy?"
Naoki pondered for a moment, counted the types of seedlings, and seeing there were only twelve, he said, "I'll take one of each."
He picked and matched until he barely managed to get twenty seedlings.
"Alright, do you need me to help deliver them to your ranch?" After paying, Elo packed the berry seedlings and asked.
Naoki shook his head, looking at Koraidon's back: "I'll take them back myself."
He asked Elo to tie the berry seedlings with rope, hanging them on both sides of Koraidon's body, then bid farewell to Elo, riding back to the ranch on Koraidon.
Carter and his Delibird were still battling with the Gogoat.
Naoki took a glance, then with Koraidon, carried the berry seedlings to the orchard area.
He called over Pawmo to bring the shovel and Psyduck Spray Bottle.
Pawmo was quick, cloaked in a little red cape, darting off like lightning, soon returning with the shovel and watering can.
Naoki transplanted each berry seedling into the soil, spacing each one two meters apart, arranged in four rows of five.
After planting, Naoki used the Psyduck Spray Bottle to water them, making the soil moist and soft, ideal for the growth of the berry seedlings.
With the sun high in the sky, Naoki looked at the vast expanse of berry seedlings in front of him, feeling a heart full of joy and anticipation.
"Alright!" he said to Pawmo, floating nearby, and Koraidon, "By autumn, these seedlings will turn into an orchard, bearing lots of delicious berries."
"Pawmot..." Pawmo's eyes sparkled, filled with the same anticipation.
Koraidon nodded his large head happily: "Aga-hiss!" It could affirm Naoki was telling the truth!