Terastallization.
As Paldea’s unique Pokémon phenomenon, it stood alongside Mega Evolution, Z-Moves, and Dynamax as one of the Pokémon world’s four signature battle mechanics.
Its effects were nothing short of extraordinary.
It could temporarily change a Pokémon’s type.
A Dragon-type could become a Fairy-type.
A Fire-type could become a Water-type.
Anything was possible.
Not only would the Pokémon’s type change, but moves matching its new type would also receive the Same-Type Attack Bonus (STAB), dramatically increasing its combat effectiveness.
Based on the current point in Paldea’s timeline, Michael knew that Professors Turo and Sada had already developed the Terastal phenomenon.
However, because there was still no reliable source of raw materials, it had yet to be commercialized on a large scale.
Even the battle between him and Geeta hadn’t involved Terastallization.
Geeta undoubtedly possessed a Tera Orb.
Michael, on the other hand, certainly did not.
And the chunk of Tera Orb Ore, protected inside a shell of Terastal crystals formed by the underground Terastal energy unique to the Paldea region was worth an astonishing amount of money.
Enough money to pull Michael, who was practically living on the poverty line, back into a comfortable middle-class life.
‘Sell it to Geeta!’ The thought flashed through Michael’s mind in an instant.
But the Special Hint System suddenly seemed to lose its mind, text rapidly popping up across his vision.
[I know you’re thinking about selling it.
DON’T.
YOU.
DARE!] [With this, your Pokémon can become much stronger!
Why would you sell it?] [Waaah…
Please don’t sell it, okay?
I promise I’ll be able to help you while you’re building your farm!] [This is the biggest request of my entire life!] “…” Michael was speechless.
‘What an unbelievably humble system.’ It was acting as though he were bullying it.
“Keeping it isn’t impossible,” Michael said.
“But whenever I need a hint, you’d better show up immediately.
Deal?” [Deal!
No problem!] Seeing the text practically radiating happiness, Michael sighed.
He decided to accept the existence of this Special Trainer System.
It looked rather silly and didn’t seem particularly scheming.
Having someone, or rather, something, to chat with whenever he got bored wasn’t so bad.
After he and Swampert finished carrying every piece of furniture and miscellaneous item that needed sunlight outside, Michael smiled and bumped fists with Swampert.
“Thanks for the help.
Tonight we’ll make a big feast.
Go ahead and get some rest in your Poké Ball.” Swampert nodded.
It reached out and touched its own Poké Ball among the six hanging from Michael’s belt before transforming into a beam of red light and returning inside.
Stretching lazily, Michael let his gaze sweep across the ground.
Besides the furniture that needed airing out, all of the sealed cardboard boxes had now been opened as well, their contents scattered quietly across the yard.
He had already gone through everything inside.
Aside from a few old photographs of the elderly couple, there was almost nothing of practical use.
Later, he planned to organize those keepsakes and place them at the couple’s graves.
He had also found several unlabeled bags of plant seeds.
They were probably flower seeds of some kind.
Unfortunately, they were no longer viable.
The elderly couple likely hadn’t stored them properly when they bought them.
Besides, so many years had passed that even proper preservation might not have been enough.
His only real unexpected windfall was this piece of Tera Orb Ore in his hand.
Thinking of that, Michael idly turned the ore over in his fingers.
After hesitating for a while, he finally took out his phone and dialed a number.
Beep…
Beep…
The call was answered almost immediately.
“How unusual.
What made you suddenly think of calling me today, Champion Michael?” The voice on the other end belonged to none other than Paldea’s Top Champion and League Chairwoman, Geeta.
“I’ve already retired,” Michael corrected helplessly.
“Just call me Michael.” After spending some time developing as a Trainer in Paldea, Michael had naturally attracted Geeta’s attention.
Once they got acquainted, they gradually became fairly familiar with one another, so speaking to her wasn’t nearly as nerve-racking for him as it was for most people.
On the other end of the line, Geeta gave a slight shake of her head.
From that tiny exchange alone, she could tell that even after half a month, Michael still had no intention of changing his mind about retiring.
Silently sighing, she calmly asked, “So, what can I do for you?” Michael explained, “I found a piece of Tera Orb Ore.
I’d like to ask if you could help deliver it to the two professors so they can turn it into a usable Tera Orb.” Hearing that, Geeta’s expression immediately turned serious.
‘Tera Orb Ore…’ That was an incredibly rare material.
More importantly, rather than selling it to her for money, Michael wanted to have it crafted into an actual Tera Orb.
That meant he hadn’t completely abandoned the path of a Pokémon Trainer.
‘There’s still hope!’ A plan instantly formed in Geeta’s mind.
After clearing her throat twice, she smiled.
“Introducing you to the professors is a simple matter.
However…
Michael, do you know how expensive it is to manufacture a Tera Orb?” Michael froze.
‘Wait…
aren’t Tera Orbs eventually standard equipment even rookie Trainers receive?
How expensive could they be?’ Then it hit him.
Right now, Tera Orbs had only recently been developed.
It was still far too early for production costs to be optimized or for mass manufacturing.
Just like countless cutting-edge technologies back on Earth.
Many advanced inventions had already been created, but because of material shortages and production costs, they remained confined to laboratories instead of becoming widely available.
Tera Orbs were in exactly that stage.
‘…Crap.
I acted too hastily.’ Holding a hand over his chest, Michael cautiously asked, “If I provide the raw material myself…
how much would it cost to make one?” Smiling, Geeta replied, “Selling the land you just bought should be enough to cover it.” “Hiss…” Michael sucked in a sharp breath.
‘To hell with making a Tera Orb!’ Even if he sold himself, he wasn’t selling that land.
He was about to give up on the idea altogether when Geeta suddenly continued, “That said…
the problem isn’t impossible to solve.” Michael stopped in his tracks.
His ears practically perked up.
“I’ll cover the entire manufacturing cost but I have one condition.” “A condition?” “In exchange, I’d like you to become a Battle Studies instructor at Naranja Academy in Mesagoza.” “Our current battle instructor recently took an extended leave of absence.
As the academy’s chairwoman, I’ve been worrying about finding a replacement.
You’ve arrived at just the right time.” One could even say, he had delivered himself right to her doorstep.
After Geeta finished speaking, Michael fell into deep thought while holding his phone.
‘She wants me to become a teacher?
Isn’t she worried I’ll end up leading Paldea’s future generation astray?
Besides…
my dream was never to become a teacher.’ Before Michael could refuse, Geeta seemed to have seen straight through his thoughts and presented an offer he simply couldn’t turn down.
“You’ll only teach two battle classes a week, so it won’t take up much of your time.” “Besides, Mesagoza is very close to Cabo Poco.
Flying back and forth on your Dragonite won’t take long at all.” “And most importantly, I’ll personally pay the full cost of manufacturing your Tera Orb.” “As for your salary, you’ll be paid the same as any full-time instructor.
Are you satisfied with that proposal?” Michael realized he had been completely wrapped around Geeta’s finger.
Every single condition she offered struck exactly where he was weakest.
Short working hours.
A steady salary to help support his household.
A free Tera Orb.
And none of it interfered with his dream of becoming a farmer.
Did he have any reason to refuse?
No.
None whatsoever.
Michael made his decision on the spot.
“Chairwoman, when do I start?”