Lucas quickly prepared lunch in the kitchen—a simple bowl of vegetable and egg fried rice.
The taste was nothing special, but it was fast and filling.
As he ate, Ralts, Bulbasaur, and Pidgeotto sat across the table, quietly munching on their Pokéblocks.
While chewing his food, Lucas was deep in thought.
Ralts’ Electric-type move had surprised and delighted him, but it also made him realize something important.
He knew far too little about his own Pokémon.
How many hidden abilities did Ralts still possess?
What was Bulbasaur’s true strength?
Did Pidgeotto have talents beyond its incredible speed?
Then there were the eleven newborn Mareep.
He knew almost nothing about their health, abilities, or potential.
He needed a proper Pokémon analyzer.
Previously, he had hesitated between the 100,000 League Currency Basic Model and the 1,000,000 League Currency Comprehensive Model.
Now, however, things were different.
He had eleven Mareep to raise and three main Pokémon to train.
A complete analysis system was no longer a luxury—it had become a necessity.
One million…
His current savings were roughly 1.3 million League Currency.
If he spent one million on the analyzer, he would only have a little over 300,000 left.
His chopsticks paused.
Three hundred thousand had once seemed like a fortune.
Now…
With an entire orchard to manage and more than a dozen Pokémon to care for, it was barely enough as an emergency fund.
But if he didn’t buy the analyzer…
He would continue caring for his Pokémon based only on guesswork.
If something went wrong without him noticing…
The consequences could be far worse than simply running low on money.
Lucas gritted his teeth.
I’ll buy it.
Just as he was about to put down his chopsticks and open the System Store, his Pokédex suddenly rang.
The caller ID displayed:
Petalburg City Pokémon Center
Lucas immediately answered.
“Lucas?”
It was Nurse Joy.
Her tone was more formal than usual, probably because she was currently on duty.
“Someone came to see the house you listed for sale.”
“It’s a married couple.”
“They’re very interested and would like to meet you in person.”
Lucas blinked in surprise.
He hadn’t expected someone to contact him so soon.
The house was located on the outskirts of Petalburg City.
The location wasn’t ideal, and it wasn’t particularly spacious.
Finding a serious buyer this quickly was surprisingly fortunate.
“They’re waiting here at the Pokémon Center,” Nurse Joy continued.
“If it’s convenient, could you come this afternoon?”
Lucas glanced at the clock.
It was just after 12:30 p.m.
The trip into the city would take about an hour.
He should arrive around two o’clock.
“No problem.”
“I’ll leave now.”
“I should be there by two.”
“Alright.”
“I’ll let them know.”
After hanging up, Lucas quickly finished the rest of his lunch.
He tossed the dishes into the sink before heading upstairs to change.
He chose his neatest outfit:
A cream-colored short-sleeved shirt.
Dark blue cargo pants.
A pair of sandals.
It wasn’t fancy, but it was clean and presentable.
He gently placed Ralts on his shoulder.
Then he checked all eleven Poké Balls containing the newborn Mareep to make sure each one was stable.
Bulbasaur watched him from the doorway, blinking curiously.
Lucas crouched and gently patted its head.
“I’m leaving the farm to you.”
“Keep an eye on the orchard.”
“If wild birds come to steal the fruit, chase them away.”
“If you and Pidgeotto can’t handle them…”
“Wait until I get back.”
Bulbasaur gave a confident cry.
Pidgeotto flew onto the highest branch nearby, watching Lucas leave with sharp amber eyes.
An hour later…
Lucas arrived at the Petalburg City Pokémon Center.
The lobby looked as busy as always.
Trainers came and went with their Pokémon.
Nurse Joy was finishing treatment on an injured Rattata.
After returning the Pokémon to its grateful Trainer, she walked over to Lucas.
“They’re waiting over there.”
She pointed toward the lounge.
“They’ve been here for quite a while.”
Lucas looked over.
A middle-aged couple sat quietly on a sofa.
The husband remained seated while the wife stood beside the window, gazing out at the street.
The man wore a dark gray shirt.
His neatly combed hair and composed expression suggested someone accustomed to business.
The woman wore a light blue linen blouse and elegant pearl earrings.
Nothing about them was flashy.
Yet it was obvious they were comfortably wealthy.
As Lucas approached, the man immediately stood and extended his hand.
“You must be Lucas.”
“That’s right.”
Lucas shook his hand.
“My surname is Chen.”
“This is my wife.”
The man politely introduced them without mentioning their full names.
“We saw your listing.”
“We also visited the house.”
“We liked it very much.”
Mrs.
Chen smiled warmly and nodded.
There were faint lines at the corners of her eyes, giving her a gentle and kind appearance.
Lucas invited them to sit.
Ralts quietly rested on his lap throughout the conversation.
Mrs.
Chen glanced at the little Pokémon with obvious affection but didn’t comment.
“You intend to live there yourselves?” Lucas asked.
Mr.
Chen nodded.
“Yes.”
“My wife recently retired.”
“We’re looking for somewhere peaceful.”
“Your house may be a little remote…”
“But that’s exactly what we’re looking for.”
“She prefers quiet places.”
Lucas simply nodded.
Their reasons for buying the house weren’t really his concern.
Mr.
Chen got straight to the point.
“Let’s discuss the price.”
Lucas waited silently.
“We’ve inspected the property.”
“It’s a two-bedroom house with one living room.”
“The location isn’t ideal…”
“But it’s been well maintained.”
“It won’t require any major repairs.”
“Our offer is…”
“One million League Currency.”
He spoke confidently.
It was clear he had already decided on that amount.
Lucas quickly estimated the property’s value.
The market price was probably between 900,000 and 1.1 million.
One million was fair.
Neither side would be taking advantage of the other.
Lucas smiled.
“I accept.”
Mr.
Chen looked mildly surprised.
He clearly hadn’t expected Lucas to agree so quickly.
Mrs.
Chen smiled with quiet admiration.
“No negotiation?”
Mr.
Chen asked.
Lucas shook his head.
“One million is already a fair price.”
Mr.
Chen studied him for a moment before smiling more openly.
“Very well.”
“Then we have a deal.”
“When would you like to complete the paperwork?”
“I’m available anytime.”
The remaining procedures went smoothly.
Nurse Joy contacted the League’s Property Registration Department.
All the necessary paperwork could be completed directly through the Pokémon Center’s terminal.
Lucas and Mr.
Chen submitted their identification cards.
Both completed the required signatures and fingerprint verification.
The entire process took less than ten minutes.
Soon afterward…
One million League Currency was transferred into Lucas’s account.
His balance increased from 1.3 million to 2.3 million League Currency.
The financial burden weighing on his mind instantly disappeared.
Now he could finally afford the analyzer without worrying about running out of money.
As Lucas prepared to leave the Pokémon Center, Mrs.
Chen called after him.
“Lucas.”
Her voice carried the warmth of someone speaking to a younger generation.
“We heard about your parents.”
“It couldn’t have been easy for you.”
Lucas simply smiled.
She continued softly,
“You don’t need to worry about the house.”
“We’ll take good care of it.”
For a moment…
Lucas felt something stir deep inside him.
That house held seventeen years of memories belonging to the original Lucas.
Although he had already decided to let go…
Hearing someone promise to cherish it still touched his heart.
“Thank you.”
He bowed slightly.
Before leaving, Lucas remembered one final task.
He asked Nurse Joy to perform complete health examinations on all eleven newborn Mareep.
Nurse Joy happily agreed.
One by one, she released them from their Poké Balls.
She carefully checked each Mareep’s body temperature, heartbeat, breathing, skin condition, and limb movement.
The little Mareep blinked their large innocent eyes while being gently examined.
Some let out soft, confused bleats.
Ralts stood beside the examination table.
Every time one became nervous, it gently rubbed against the little sheep as if saying,
“Don’t worry.”
“Everything’s alright.”
When the final examination was complete, Nurse Joy smiled.
“They’re all perfectly healthy.”
“Their weight, temperature, and every other health indicator are completely normal.”
“You’ve taken excellent care of them.”
Lucas finally relaxed.
Although he’d been confident in his own care…
Hearing confirmation from a professional was incredibly reassuring.
“Oh, one more thing.”
Nurse Joy continued while putting away her equipment.
“I’ve officially registered all eleven Mareep with the League.”
“They’re now recognized as your domesticated Pokémon.”
“They’ll be eligible for League medical services and other benefits.”
“Thank you, Nurse Joy.”
Lucas carefully returned each Mareep to its Poké Ball.
By the time everything was finished…
The sun was beginning to set.
The streets of Petalburg City glowed beneath a warm orange sky.
Lucas took out his Pokédex.
“Hello, Mr.
Wang?”
“It’s Lucas.”
“Are you available?”
“I’d like a ride back to the farm.”
Fortunately, the driver happened to be in the city and agreed to pick him up within twenty minutes.
Lucas liked Mr.
Wang.
He drove safely, spoke little, and always charged fair prices.
Since Lucas would likely be making frequent trips into the city from now on…
Having a reliable driver would be convenient.
Inside the car…
Ralts quickly fell asleep on Lucas’s lap.
It had spent the entire afternoon comforting the frightened Mareep during their examinations.
It looked even more exhausted than Lucas himself.
Looking down at the tiny Pokémon peacefully sleeping, Lucas couldn’t help smiling.
Night had fully fallen by the time they arrived back at the farm.
Lucas paid the fare before stepping out of the car.
He inhaled the cool mountain air deeply.
Bulbasaur and Pidgeotto immediately came to greet him.
Lucas entered the farmhouse, switched on the lights, and released the eleven Mareep into the fenced pasture prepared for them.
After ensuring every Pokémon had settled down comfortably…
He finally took a shower and changed into fresh clothes.
Then he sat alone at the wooden table on the first floor.
Ralts slept peacefully beside his pillow.
Bulbasaur rested by the doorway.
Outside…
Pidgeotto perched atop the persimmon tree.
The farm was silent except for the gentle mountain breeze rustling through the leaves.
Lucas opened the System Store.
This time…
He didn’t hesitate.
Without comparing prices or features…
He selected the All-Purpose Pokémon Comprehensive Analyzer, priced at 1,000,000 League Currency.
His finger rested briefly above the confirmation button.
Then…
He pressed it.
Nothing happened.
No brilliant light.
No dramatic visual effects.
No giant machine suddenly appeared in the living room.
Instead…
A system notification appeared.
[All-Purpose Pokémon Comprehensive Analyzer purchased successfully.]
[This device is a virtual integrated module.
All functions have been incorporated directly into the system interface.
No physical installation is required.]
Lucas blinked in surprise.
He immediately searched through the system interface.
Sure enough…
A brand-new icon had appeared beside the main menu.
It displayed a Pokémon footprint with a simple label beneath it:
Analyzer
Lucas tapped the icon.
The interface expanded.
It wasn’t just a simple table of statistics.
Instead…
A professionally designed multi-layer information panel appeared before him.
At the top was a complete list of every Pokémon he had registered.
Each one had its own individual profile, ready to be examined in detail.