Not Being a Trainer This Time

Chapter 232: Chapter 174: Professor Sada and Arven (4k)

She initially thought Naoki was just an ordinary farmer, simply lucky enough to encounter an injured Koraidon.

Then he saved Koraidon, and out of gratitude, Koraidon stayed on the farm.

But now it seems... the young man before her is anything but ordinary.

She doesn’t believe that an ordinary farm owner could raise such a large group of rare Dragonite, Dratini, and Dragonair.

Moreover, the Pokémon living on this farm all seem to be bred to perfection.

Robust Gogoat, Pawmo with sleek fur, the sturdy and hefty Naclstack...

The seemingly ordinary Pokémon should only be the Cyclizar, Butterfree, Miltank, Combee, Dolliv, and Alcremie, right?

But upon reflection, these Pokémon are often used for farm production in the Paldea Region; they aren’t battle Pokémon, so such a situation is normal.

As Professor Sada grilled meat for Arven, she said, ”Taking care of so many Pokémon must be hard, right?”

Naoki smiled, glanced back at the Pokémon retrieving sandwiches from the picnic basket: ”It’s not too hard because they’re all very well-behaved.”

After a pause, Naoki began to talk about what Professor Sada was most curious about.

”Especially Koraidon, it’s not only very powerful but also helps me a lot in daily life, taking me to town, assisting in plowing fields, sowing seeds, helping me train Dragonite and Cyclizar...”

”Its personality is also quite endearing. It will get jealous of other Pokémon, and sometimes it forgets its own weight and tries to climb onto the bed, which results in the bed being broken by its weight.”

”To be honest, since meeting Koraidon, I’ve already replaced two beds.”

Naoki recalled the events of recent times as he recounted them.

Professor Sada listened with great interest, even Arven standing by was captivated.

After all, the Koraidon that Naoki spoke of was very different from the one he had seen before.

Professor Sada nodded: ”This is quite normal. Because of their dominant and domineering nature, Koraidons have a very strong possessive instinct. It’s normal for them to be jealous. Once you establish a bond with it, it becomes very dependable.”

Naoki nodded with a light smile: ”Indeed!”

Professor Sada’s face also showed a slight smile as she handed the grilled meat to Arven.

Naoki saw Arven’s tense little face relax as he began to enjoy the long-missed family affection.

”Seeing you like this, I can rest assured,” said Professor Sada. ”This at least proves that ancient Pokémon can survive in this era.”

Naoki: ”...”

He suddenly felt that Professor Sada seemed a bit obsessed.

After a moment’s hesitation, Naoki curiously asked, ”Professor, have you and Professor Turo always worked at the Paldea Giant Pit?”

Professor Sada nodded: ”Yes, there’s much worth studying there. The Terastal phenomenon familiar to Trainers outside was discovered by Turo and me from the depths of the Paldea Giant Pit.”

”What’s it like there?” Naoki asked.

He had only seen it in the game; if placed in reality, the interior of the Paldea Giant Pit should be quite stunning, right?

Seeing his curiosity, Professor Sada smiled slightly: ”The environment there is very special, with complex and diverse terrains—lush green grasslands, steep slopes, waterfalls formed by rivers, lakes, deep caves—almost every terrain you can see elsewhere is there.”

”...In short, it’s a place full of mystery and profoundly magnificent.”

Naoki sighed in admiration: ”I’d love to see it!”

Professor Sada smiled: ”There may be a chance, but not now.”

The Paldea Giant Pit is full of various mysteries and unknowns. It was only 79 years ago that humans established an observation station in the Paldea Giant Pit, and its mysteries began to be unveiled.

But the terrain there is too complex and precipitous, and there are very dangerous Paradox Pokémon inhabiting it.

Thus, the Paldea League has regulations that only allow researchers to enter the Paldea Giant Pit. Traveling Trainers and Academy students are completely prohibited from entering during off-campus activities.

Hearing this, Naoki was not surprised.

Thinking of the plot events to happen in the future, he couldn’t help but cautiously inquire:

”In such an environment, doing research must be very dangerous, right?”

Professor Sada: ”Those dangerous Pokémon usually don’t come near the research facility. On the road, there’s an observation station. That’s a safe route to reach the research facility. As long as you pay a bit of attention, you won’t encounter too much danger.”

Naoki intentionally said: ”What about conducting research? The research institute must be full of all kinds of machines. In the movies, those research institutes often explode, causing the researchers inside to die.”

”That’s just in movies.” Professor Sada couldn’t help but laugh.

Naoki: ”...”

In his heart, he thought, you and Turo were killed in that explosion at the observation station, leaving Arven an orphan.

”It’s safer to be cautious.” Naoki said, ”Actually, I have a good method.”

Professor Sada raised her eyebrow: ”Oh?”

Naoki seriously said, ”That is, every research institute should keep a Pokémon with the Damp ability. With them, you might be able to prevent explosions.”

”Damp ability?” Seeing Naoki’s serious look, Professor Sada was a bit surprised, but politely nodded: ”Thank you for the advice. I’ll pay attention when I return.”

That was where he chose to end his warning.

Seeing this, Naoki didn’t continue further and shifted the focus to Arven.

”Arven must be turning ten soon, right?”

Speaking of her son, a tender look appeared on Professor Sada’s otherwise energetic face: ”Yes, he just had his ninth birthday, and this time next year, he’ll be ten.”

Witnessing this scene, Naoki couldn’t help but think:

No matter what happens in the future, or judge Professor Sada’s dream of having ancient and modern Pokémon live together, she seems to truly love her son at this moment, right?

”Does Arven live with you at the research facility?” Naoki asked again.

Professor Sada shook her head, looking a bit guilty: ”No, the work at the research facility is quite busy. Most of the time, Arven stays near Cabo Poco Town. When he turns ten next year, we’ll send him to the Paldea Academy.”

In the afternoon, Professor Sada left with Arven.

Naoki stood with Koraidon and Cyclizar in front of the farm, watching them leave.

Watching the young Arven, Naoki seemed to see a giant gear appear above his head.

At this moment, the gears of destiny began to turn slowly, and Arven would embark on a future of his own.

”It could... be changed, right?” Naoki murmured to himself.

Seeing Naoki standing there in a daze, Koraidon tilted its head and looked over: ”Ah gah-sis?”

At this moment, he hadn’t eaten the Translation Nuts, so he couldn’t understand Koraidon’s words, but based on its tone and expression, he could roughly guess its meaning.

It was probably asking: ”What are you thinking about?”

After organizing his thoughts, Naoki replied: ”I’m thinking about what their future will be like.”

Future?

Koraidon glanced at the two far away, then silently said: ”Ah gah-sis...”

”Forget it, I won’t think about it anymore!” Naoki couldn’t figure it out and chose to stop pondering. Anyway, it couldn’t be worse than the game’s plot.

He laughed and patted Koraidon’s head, saying: ”Let’s head back and tidy up. Zack should be coming to collect the goods later. Once we make some money, we’ll go find Keri tomorrow to build a big house, so we don’t have to squeeze into this small cabin anymore!”

Naoki turned and walked back to the farm, looking at the little wooden cabin.

Previously, he hadn’t thought it through enough. Now it seemed that if he planned to build a Pokémon Tavern, this wooden cabin might not need to be demolished.

The big house could be built elsewhere. This cabin, with some renovations, could become a small tavern.

Just move out the furniture, install a wooden bar countertop, and lay out a few small tables for Pokémon. The tavern could officially start operating.

But the problem is, would there really be Pokémon customers coming to the tavern to ’drink’?

Even with Mew and Teddiursa helping spread the word outside, those areas and the Paldea Region are separated by a vast open sea.

It’s manageable for Pokémon that can fly or swim, but for those that can’t fly and have no means to cross the sea, it’s problematic.

”Let’s consider it later!”

After a brief reflection, Naoki made a decision in his heart—

If a Pokémon customer visits the tavern in the next period, he will officially start the business.

If not, then he’ll abandon this plan and convert the cabin into a barn for storing grain.