With twenty days left until the Harvest Festival, Lucy got busy on the farm with Bulbasaur and Budew.
Following Jonathan’s advice, she needed to prepare a complete display area: Growth records for the nanab berry seedlings, samples of the first harvested vegetables, and skill demonstrations by the two Pokemon.
“We’re building the display stand today,” Lucy said, pointing to the open space in front of the house and gently assigning tasks.
“Right here.
It needs to be both attractive and sturdy.”
“Bulba!” (Are we using this wood?) Bulbasaur tapped the pile of old lumber nearby with its Vine Whip—this was discarded training equipment from the Gym that Circe had sent over; the quality was excellent, and it could be used after being sanded down.
Lucy picked up a tape measure and began measuring.
A 3D structural diagram of the display stand automatically appeared in her mind; her spatial awareness was getting stronger and stronger.
“Budew, you sort the wooden strips by length.
Bulbasaur, you’re strong, help me carry over the main beams.”
“Budew!” (Okay!) Budew immediately used its leaves to carefully pick up the wooden strips, arranging them neatly by length.
It even used its leaves to rub off the burrs on the edges of the wood, being extremely meticulous.
“Bulba!” (Leave it to me!) Bulbasaur extended two Vine Whips and steadily coiled them around a wooden beam thicker than itself.
It dragged the beam to the designated spot, wobbling but determined, not stopping even as fine beads of sweat appeared on its forehead.
Lucy was responsible for the design and fastening, while the two Pokemon acted as her assistants.
Budew could always accurately hand over nails of just the right length, and if it noticed the wood was warped, it would give a “Budew!” to warn her.
Bulbasaur used its Vine Whip to wield a hammer and drive in nails with perfect precision, and it would also proactively help adjust the angle of the wooden beams.
“Bulba!” (It’s fastened!) Bulbasaur flicked its Vine Whip, looking proud.
By noon, the frame of the L-shaped two-tiered display stand had basically taken shape: the top layer for the nanab berry seedlings, the bottom layer for displaying vegetable samples, and the side reserved for a board to hang photos and descriptions.
“Let’s take a break.
We’ll sand and paint this afternoon,” Lucy said, wiping away her sweat.
Lunch was sandwiches with a Berries salad.
Bulbasaur and Budew ate with gusto and even volunteered to clean up the dishes afterward.
“Budew…” (I’d like to help with the painting this afternoon…) Budew suggested quietly.
“You’ll need to be careful with the paint,” Lucy said with a smile, nodding.
“You can help me by handing over the brushes and mixing the colors.”
In the afternoon, they started by sanding the wood.
Lucy used sandpaper to smooth out the burrs, Bulbasaur coiled a small piece of sandpaper to handle the corners, and Budew gently brushed its leaves over the surface, calling out a “Budew!” whenever it felt a rough spot.
“Bulba!” (There’s still a bit here!) Bulbasaur’s Vine Whip could sense subtle bumps, and it had learned how to inspect the work as well. Visit g.com for the full chapter.
After sanding, they began painting.
Lucy chose a natural, light green eco-friendly paint recommended by Circe; it was non-toxic and had a fruity scent.
She tried several times before mixing the ideal color.
“Budew…” (This color is pretty!) Budew touched the paint sample with its leaf, its flower bud trembling gently.
“Bulba!” (It’s just like our leaves!) Bulbasaur puffed out its back, looking proud.
Lucy was responsible for painting the large areas, Bulbasaur used a fine brush to handle the edges, and Budew acted as the “little supervisor,” constantly pointing out where the paint was too thin or where there were brush marks.
It even invented a little trick: using the tip of its leaf to dip into a bit of water and gently smooth out the brush marks, its movements both clever and earnest.
After the display stand was finished, the Lotad by the pond climbed ashore and lined up to watch: “Hah-bo!
Hah-bo!” (So beautiful!)
After dinner, Lucy took the Pokemon to see the nanab berry seedlings, which had already grown to the height of a palm.
She crouched down and hovered her hand over the seedlings to sense them: “The phosphorus fertilizer is slightly insufficient.
I’ll add some tomorrow.”
Budew gently touched the nanab berry leaves with its leaf: “Budew…” (You need to grow up big and strong…)
Curiously, the leaves of the nanab berry seedlings that were touched became even more unfurled, and their sense of happiness became more pronounced.
Lucy had Budew touch the seedlings next to them, and the effect was the same.
She let Bulbasaur try; the moment its Vine Whip made contact, that seedling immediately straightened up, its leaf color deepened, and its condition clearly improved.
“This is amazing!” Lucy’s eyes lit up.
“Bulbasaur subconsciously transferred a trace amount of energy to promote Growth.
This is the prototype of an advanced application of Synthesis.”
She had a new plan: “Starting tomorrow, I want you both to spend an hour every day using physical contact and skills to nourish the crops.
It will help them grow, and it will also reinforce your skills.”
“Bulba!” (Yay!) Bulbasaur waved its Vine Whip excitedly.
“Budew!” (I’m willing!) Budew nodded, its leaves swaying happily.
Back inside, Lucy reflected on the process of cultivating the seedlings today; her ability seemed to be able to stimulate a resonance between the Pokemon and the plants, forming a positive cycle.
The next morning, Circe arrived with Cherubi: “Wow!
The display stand is finished!
The color is so soothing!”
“Cheru!” (Beautiful!) Cherubi jumped onto the stand, the leaves on its head swaying happily.
“Put the Growth records in the album, use the specimen frames to display leaves and Berries, and sprinkle the Morning Dew Powder on the exhibits.
It can keep them in their best state for a whole day without affecting their Growth.”
“Thank your grandfather for me.” Lucy took the items, her tone gentle.
“Grandpa is waiting to see your display!” Circe winked.
“Have you decided on the skill demonstration?
Do you want Grovyle and Breloom to help you practice?”
“No need.
I want them to demonstrate practical farm skills.” Lucy took her to the cabbage field.
Bulbasaur was using its Vine Whip to coil around weeds, gently pulling them out, shaking off the dirt, and accurately tossing them into the compost bin, all in one smooth motion: “Bulba!” (This way of weeding won’t hurt the cabbages!)
“Wow!
That’s so practical!” Circe exclaimed.
In another plot, Budew was carefully releasing Stun Spore onto vegetables that had pest damage, with the pale yellow powder evenly coating the leaves: “Budew…” (No need to spray pesticides anymore…)
“That’s amazing!” Circe applauded.
“It’s much more meaningful than just showing off combat skills!”
Over the next few days, the farm’s rhythm became even more compact: mornings for tending to crops, late mornings for skill training, afternoons for preparing display materials, and evenings for organizing records.
Since combining training with farm work, the results were surprisingly good.
Bulbasaur’s control over its Vine Whip improved rapidly, Budew’s precision in releasing Stun Spore increased significantly, and the crops grew better and better.
The cabbages and radishes reached the stage where they could be harvested, and Lucy picked the best-looking ones to use as display samples.
The Lotad volunteered to help clear the weeds by the pond and even learned how to use small buckets to water the vegetables; although they didn’t water them evenly, they were extremely earnest: “Hah-bo!” (We can help too!)
“Be careful not to knock over the seedlings.” Lucy handed out small buckets to them, her tone patient.
Three days before the Harvest Festival, the display area was set up: on the light green stand, the left side featured photos and records of the nanab berry seedlings’ Growth, the right side displayed fresh vegetable samples and photos of dishes, and the center prominently featured a board for Bulbasaur and Budew with the title “Farm Assistants.”
Lucy stood in front of the display area with the two Pokemon beside her, while the Lotad by the pond also looked over.
“This is the result of our collective effort.
Regardless of whether we win an award or not, it’s already a great success.”
“Bulba!” (We’ll do our best!) Bulbasaur puffed out its chest.
“Budew!” (Yes!) Budew nodded.
“Hah-bo Hah-bo!” (Do your best!) The Lotad responded in unison.