After a big harvest over the past week, Lucy had plenty of funds in hand.
Her notebook was full of new plans: optimizing the irrigation system, building a shallow-water resting area for the Lotad, and, most importantly, the circled item: “Pokémon Nutritional Food Research.”
In the early morning, Bulbasaur was already doing its morning exercises in the open space.
It was much sturdier than a month ago; the seed on its back was large and plump, and its Vine Whip created a slight whistling sound when swung.
Lucy hung several grass rings of different sizes near the Berry Forest to practice the precision of its Razor Leaf.
“Bulba!” (Watch me!) Bulbasaur’s eyes were focused.
Three Razor Leaf blades traced arcs, passing through the largest grass ring one after another, making a “whoosh” sound.
“Try passing through the small ring and hitting the red dot on the tree trunk twenty meters away.” Lucy pointed to the marker in the distance.
Bulbasaur closed its eyes and concentrated.
Sunlight spilled onto its leaves, and energy flowed and condensed.
A moment later, the leaves flew out.
Two leaves barely grazed the edge of the red dot, while one was a bit off.
“Bulba…” (So close!) It flicked its Vine Whip in frustration.
“That was already great.
Keep fine-tuning the energy when the leaves leave your body.” Lucy squatted down and patted its head.
Budew stayed beside the experimental field, watching Lucy write and draw on a Cheri Berry sapling with light gold veins on its leaves.
It couldn’t help but gently touch the tender branches of the sapling with its leaves, its bud trembling slightly: “Budew?” (This little sapling…
it seems to be growing especially well?)
Lucy put down the notebook in her hand and pointed to the jumping curves on the instrument screen, explaining in a gentle tone: “Yes.
Yesterday, based on botanical knowledge, I adjusted the soil moisture and light duration around it, and also used my own method to perceive its metabolic state and guided it a little.
Look at these data; the substances in its body that help Pokémon recover are synthesizing much faster than before.”
“Budew?” (Then will the fruit it bears later be even more amazing?) Budew tilted its bud, its eyes shining.
“Yes, it will.” Lucy nodded with a smile, reaching out to gently touch its leaves.
“These fruits will be able to help injured or exhausted Pokémon recover faster in the future.
That is the purpose of our research into healing-type Berries.”
At ten in the morning, Lucy prepared to go to the friendly shop in town.
“I’m going to buy a pokéblock manufacturing machine so I can make better snacks for you all in the future.” She wiped the sweat from Bulbasaur’s forehead.
“Loto!” (Leave it to us!) The Lotad held up their leaves in the water to promise.
Riding the spare bicycle given by Qing He, Lucy soon arrived at the shop.
She headed straight to the newly arrived equipment section.
A silver “Entry-level pokéblock Manufacturing Machine (Universal Type)” fit her needs perfectly—it was not large, the operation interface was clear, and it even came with a recipe manual and cleaning tools.
The price was not cheap, but Lucy paid readily.
She also bought raw materials for Berries like Cheri Berry and Oran Berry, mineral powder with high calcium content, as well as a few cans of Honey and special herbs, intending to make a recipe suitable for Grass-type Pokémon.
Returning to the farm in the afternoon, Bulbasaur and Budew circled around the machine.
“Budew?” (Is the block made by this delicious?) “Bulba!” (It must be better than dried Berries!)
Lucy first moved the machine to the renovated workshop and installed it.
The slight humming sound added a bit of life to the farm.
But she didn’t rush to make pokéblocks because she felt that the energy in Bulbasaur’s body was about to overflow.
The seed on its back was heavy, and it leaned back slightly when walking—this was the precursor to evolution.
In the afternoon, the training ground was chosen on the wide lawn.
“Today, we practice energy circulation and endurance.
Budew, use a trace amount of Stun Spore and Petal Dance to interfere and simulate a complex environment,” Lucy said.
“Budew!” (Understood!)
The training began.
Bulbasaur first absorbed sunlight for Synthesis, then ran back and forth quickly, using its Vine Whip to roll stones into a basket in the distance.
Budew would occasionally sprinkle some invisible Stun Spore or let out a petal to interfere, testing its concentration.
Bulbasaur was sweating profusely and panting, but its eyes remained bright.
The seed on its back shone brighter and brighter.
After completing the tenth weighted shuttle run, when it condensed its Razor Leaf, it suddenly erupted with a strong white light!
“Bulba—!!!” A cry of both shock and pain came from the light.
In the light, Bulbasaur’s bones extended, its muscles expanded, and the seed on its back sprouted branches and leaves, growing into a plant cluster with buds.
“Bulbasaur…” Budew grabbed Lucy’s pant leg nervously.
After more than ten seconds, the light converged.
Standing on the spot was an Ivysaur that was twice the size.
It stood tall, the plant cluster on its back swaying with the wind, its eyes steady and sharp, and its Vine Whip was longer and more powerful.
“Bulba?” (I’ve changed?) It looked down at its Vine Whip, then turned its head to touch the plant on its back, feeling a bit unaccustomed.
Lucy carefully checked its status: “Congratulations, Ivysaur.
How do you feel?”
“Bulba…” (A bit light and a bit heavy…) Ivysaur tried to walk a few steps and almost tripped itself, but soon adjusted and walked steadily.
It waved its Vine Whip, the force greatly increased, almost knocking over a nearby wooden stake.
“Adjust slowly, do simple stretches first.” Lucy guided it to practice coordination.
Budew came over and touched the plant on its back with its leaves: “Budew?” (Does it hurt?)
“Bulba~” (It doesn’t hurt, it’s ticklish~) Ivysaur gently scratched Budew’s bud with its Vine Whip, its movements more gentle and precise than before.
The Lotad gathered around, exclaiming “Loto, Loto,” looking at the larger Ivysaur from left to right.
By the time the adaptation practice ended at dusk, Ivysaur could already control its body skillfully, and the fine operation of the Vine Whip had also mostly recovered.
At dinner, Lucy decided to try the new machine.
She adjusted the proportions according to the recipe: adding more Cheri Berry to promote energy activity, adding a small amount of herbs to stabilize emotions, using calcium mineral powder to supplement trace elements, and finally adding a few drops of Honey.
The machine buzzed, and soon produced several light green pokéblocks with golden stars, emitting the fragrance of fruit and grass.
“Bulba?” (Is it done?) Ivysaur approached curiously.
Lucy distributed the blocks to them.
Ivysaur used its Vine Whip to roll one into its mouth, its eyes lighting up: “Bulba!” (Delicious!
My body feels warm!)
Budew nibbled it in small bites, its bud swaying slightly: “Budew~” (It’s sweet and so refreshing~)
“In the future, I will adjust the recipe according to your training volume and state,” Lucy said with a smile.
As night fell, Ivysaur lay on the newly laid large soft mat, with Budew leaning against it.
The plant cluster on Ivysaur’s back glowed with a faint fluorescence in the darkness, like little stars.
The farm was quiet and warm.