Compared to the real Pokémon world, this world was no different, except for the addition of the Donghuang Region.
Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Kalos, Alola, Galar, Paldea—every Pokémon region Shane knew from his past life existed here.
Furthermore, the four major systems—Mega Evolution, Dynamax, Z-Moves, and the Terastal Phenomenon—had been fully developed, and the evolutionary forms of the vast majority of Pokémon had been discovered.
Of course, there were still a very few that hadn’t been completely figured out yet, such as Alcremie.
Shane’s dream of coasting by as a researcher was crushed when he was three years old, so he had to rely on his innate advantages to become an Intermediate Breeder instead.
As for his graduation defense, it was nothing to him.
The panel consisted of his undergraduate and graduate professors, making it an absolute breeze.
…
The curtains in the defense classroom were half-open, allowing the sunlight to cast a golden rim on Professor Doran’s slightly graying temples.
He pushed up his glasses, scrolling through the final draft of Shane’s thesis.
“The data supporting your nurturing plan is very solid, especially the methods targeting Whimsicott’s Prankster ability…”
Before he could finish, an explosion from the distant Battle Department rattled the window frames.
Accustomed to this, both of them paused simultaneously.
“Thank you, Professor.”
Shane gently pressed Whimsicott back onto his shoulder as it tried to peek toward the source of the noise.
The little guy clung to his collar, looking around curiously.
Professor Doran suddenly tapped the edge of the thesis.
“Opportunities like the seminar definitely won’t come just once.
You need to keep working hard and strive to be promoted to an Advanced Breeder as soon as possible.”
“I know, Professor.”
This mentor, who always preached that a Breeder’s hands were their most precious asset, still had traces of berry mash for baby Pokémon lodged under his fingernails.
He had likely just rushed over from the breeding base.
Whimsicott hopped onto the desk, and the tense line of Professor Doran’s shoulders visibly relaxed.
“Long time no see, Whimsicott.”
He fished a bag of pink Pokéblocks out of his briefcase—Fairy-type Pokéblocks, perfect quality.
“It’s a new recipe.
Want to try how it tastes?”
“Whimsi!”
Shane unwrapped one and fed it to Whimsicott, who immediately curled into a happy little ball.
On the way back, the setting sun stretched their shadows long across the ground.
Shane lifted Whimsicott over his head, watching its warm, golden-tinted fluff spread out like feathers in the evening breeze.
Undergraduate studies finished, graduate life, here he comes!
May 27, Alliance Calendar Year 2036.
The morning light washed over the wooden signboard of the Forest Song Cafe.
Shane pushed open the glass door while Whimsicott stood on its tiptoes to brush a thin layer of dust off the windowsill.
This was the cafe’s first day reopening after being closed for a month.
Many years ago, Grandma Hazel had sold their old house and specifically bought this little shop in the suburbs of Modu, just to give Shane a place to stay during his studies.
Now, it had become his permanent residence.
“Whimsi?” Whimsicott tugged gently at Shane’s shirt corner, pointing at the empty seats.
“Don’t worry, customers will come.” Shane rubbed the fluffy cotton on top of the little guy’s head.
Because Pokémon handled a massive amount of labor, the human population in the Donghuang Region was only a tenth of what it had been in his past life.
Housing prices were less than a fraction of a percent of what they used to be, but the materials needed to nurture Pokémon were astonishingly expensive.
For four years, Shane had followed his grandmother’s advice and buried himself in his studies, pouring all his energy into raising Whimsicott.
He rarely visited the cafe except during holidays or long breaks.
Seven coffee cups were lined up along the bar counter.
The sweet aroma of Lum Berries mingled with the crisp scent of Nanab Berries in the air.
Whimsicott slumped over the rim of a cup, its ears drooping listlessly.
“Last cup?” Shane swirled the freshly brewed Kelpsy Berry latte.
“Whimsi!”
Whimsicott suddenly flipped over, playing dead with all four paws in the air, its belly rising and falling slightly with a burp.
Shane chuckled, using his fingertips to gently massage its bulging tummy in circles.
“My fault for being too impatient.”
Whimsicott weakly patted his wrist with its tiny hands.
Shane had wanted to test if different coffees yielded different effects.
Just as he expected, the seven cups produced seven distinct results.
However, the effects of the coffee could only be seen through inspection after consumption, which was why he had made several cups for Whimsicott to try.
Outside the window, the parasol trees filtered the sunlight into dappled patches that danced across Whimsicott’s fluff as it breathed.
Shane pressed his cheek against the warm fluff, his recipe book lying open quietly to the side.
The door chime jingled, and Whimsicott, still sprawled on the counter, perked up its ears.
Shane looked up, expecting a customer, but was surprised to see a familiar face.
Kade stood at the door, a battle backpack slung over his shoulder.
“How did you find this place?” Shane asked in surprise, casually gathering the seven half-empty test cups into a tray.
“The famous Modu University celebrity who skipped the graduation dinner.
I had to specifically ask Professor Doran to dig up the address.” Kade grinned, his backpack strap slipping down to the crook of his elbow.
“Is this the shop Grandma Hazel left behind?”
He looked around the wood-toned little shop, his gaze suddenly locking onto the menu board.
The first half was perfectly normal—espresso, Americano, pour-over, latte, cappuccino, macchiato, and the like, with prices slightly lower than other cafes.
But the latter half was a bit off.
Why were there coffees with berries added to them?
And they were absurdly expensive!
“An Oran Berry Latte for 3,600?!” His finger nearly poked a hole through the wooden board.
“This is highway robbery, Shane!
A regular latte is only 36!
No way, I’m reporting this place as a scam!”
Shane tapped his slender finger against the small gold-foiled text at the very bottom of the menu: ‘Intermediate Breeder’s Special Blend.’
“Coffee crafted by a Breeder is naturally different.
It’ll definitely give you your money’s worth.
Want to let your Charizard have a taste?
For a first try, I recommend the Oran Berry Latte.
Two cups, and I’ll even round down the change for you, for the sake of our friendship.”
As an old acquaintance, it would be a disservice to their bond not to fleece him a little.
Skip the regular coffee entirely!
Kade looked skeptical.
“Pokémon can drink coffee too?”
Shane shrugged and started prepping the ingredients.
“Don’t you trust me as a Breeder?
It’s true that some coffees aren’t suitable for Pokémon, and I’m well aware of that.
That’s why I carefully adjust the dosage so it’s perfectly suited for your Charizard.”
“Fine!” Kade gritted his teeth and slapped his card on the counter.
“If it doesn’t work, I’m having Charizard torch your espresso machine!”
“That will be seven thousand Alliance Dollars, thank you very much.”
Shane cleared away all the cups Whimsicott had drunk from.
The little guy had only taken a single sip from each of the seven cups.
It was too bitter; Whimsicott really despised bitter flavors.
Seeing Shane cleaning up, Kade wasn’t in a rush.
He poked at Whimsicott, who was still lying on the counter.
Whimsicott furrowed its brow and released Stun Spore.
The Stun Spore took effect, and Kade was instantly paralyzed.
Stifling a laugh, Shane handed over a Lum Berry.
“The Lum Berry is extra.
Twenty dollars.”
“You’re charging me for this too?!” Kade complained, his speech slurred as he chewed the berry.
Whimsicott immediately curled up into a wronged little cotton ball, while Shane unhurriedly tied on his apron.
“I haven’t even charged you for Whimsicott’s emotional distress yet.”
Hearing this, Whimsicott immediately went back to playing dead, leaving Kade staring in dumbfounded disbelief.
He truly lived up to his reputation as the most notorious penny-pincher across both the Battle and Breeding Departments of Modu University.
He calculated every single cent down to the bone.
Kade wasn’t actually mad.
Although Shane was overly sensitive about money, it was his only flaw.
His looks, physique, personality, and talent were all top-tier.
The only thing he fell slightly short in was battling.
As his good bro, he was more than willing to buy this cup of coffee!