At Ron's words, Orthworm nuzzled his palm and let out a long, contented cry.
Viola opened her mouth—then closed it. To confirm her suspicion, she pulled out her Pokédex and scanned Combee.
Just as she'd thought:
Combee hadn't battled once under Ron's care. Its level was exactly the same as when she'd lent it out.
Yet every single stat had skyrocketed.
As a Gym Leader with years of experience, Viola had never seen anyone boost a Pokémon's capabilities so dramatically—without a single battle.
Her earlier worry—that Orthworm would be wasted on Ron's farm—was utterly unfounded.
Relief washed over her. She smiled, stood, and exchanged Poké Balls with Ron.
Facing him, she held Combee's ball and asked, "Will you challenge the Gym, Ron?"
Ron hesitated.
"You're an exceptional breeder," Viola said earnestly. "I'd bet you'll become a Pokémon Master someday. But even if your heart lies in farming—that's fine too. This kid will shine anywhere."
She stroked Orthworm's head and fed it an iron ore.
"But if I ever see it in the League… I'll be thrilled."
"Next time," Ron said after a moment. "In about half a month."
Time was tight. After retrieving Orthworm, he needed to visit the nearby seed market, buy Summer crops, return to till the fields, and install all Sprinklers before Summer 1.
Season transitions were peak farming hours—every minute counted. Missing even a day meant delayed harvests.
In half a month, the farm would stabilize—and he'd promised Abigail to bring her to Kalos for her adventure. He'd return then.
"Half a month…" Viola studied his eyes, gauging whether this was a polite brush-off or genuine intent. After a beat, she smiled, extended her hand, and said softly, "Alright. I'll wait. By then, your Pokémon will be strong—I'll give it my all."
Ron shook her hand and left Santalune Gym.
Inside, Viola watched Combee circle her joyfully, wondering what kind of training it had undergone under Ron's care.
"Eee-ee!" Combee chirped.
Her assistant approached, having just finished feeding the Bug-types. Neither spoke.
A shared understanding hung between them—until the assistant burst out laughing.
She slapped Viola's shoulder, mimicking her past self in an exaggerated tone:
"If he challenges the Gym~ Should I train Orthworm or not?"
"…Alright, that's enough," Viola said, cheeks flushing. "Say it again and I'll dock your pay."
The assistant stifled a grin. "You got lucky."
"Indeed."
---
Meanwhile, at Santalune's Seed Market…
Kalos was still in April—prime planting season. Farmers bustled through the market, many accompanied by Grass- or Bug-type Pokémon, carefully selecting seeds to start their year right.
Froakie perched on Ron's shoulder, taking in the scene.
Stalls displayed seeds alongside photos of mature plants. Most local farmers bought here, and since Santalune had few farms, vendors recognized regulars instantly.
Ron—a stranger—drew curious glances. Assuming he was just browsing (no new farms had opened nearby), vendors paid him little mind.
Flipping through seeds, Ron noticed key differences from Stardew Valley's:
Pierre's seeds were pricey but plump and 100% viable.
These seeds? The quality varied—he'd need to inspect carefully.
He picked up a tomato seed, rolling it between his fingers. "Do these have seasonal planting restrictions?"
The vendor looked up. "Depends—are you gardening for fun?"
Seeing Ron hesitate, the vendor stood to explain:
"Leafy greens grow year-round except winter—harvest monthly. Shade them in summer."
He pointed to corn and tomatoes. "Warm-season crops: plant spring/summer, harvest in six months."
"Cool-season crops—like lettuce—plant fall/winter or early spring. Harvest before summer heat."
Ron nodded, jotting notes in a small book.
He glanced around. "Where do farmers usually sell their produce?"
"Food companies buy bulk," the vendor said. "A few convenience stores stock some fresh, but mostly it's processed."
Thanks to Pokémon-powered logistics and backpacks that slowed spoilage, plus the tradition of ten-year-olds embarking on journeys, instant meals dominated the industry. Raw ingredients were turned into portable, ready-to-eat foods for travelers.
Ron absorbed this. He'd just delivered the final Fletchling batch to Cyllage City—earning 20,000G.
Since Pelican Town and Kalos used separate currencies, he needed income in both economies to fund his operations.
He selected 100 seeds of each type.
"You opening a farm in Santalune?" The vendor's stern face broke into a grin. He packed the seeds, then handed Ron a business card. "Here's Minccino Foods' contact in Lumiose City. Perfect for small farms like yours."
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