Terastallize, Swampert!

Caller: Dr. Jacq.

"Huh?"

Luo Mu let out a soft sound. Why is Dr. Jacq calling at this time? Has the Terastal Orb been processed already?

Luo Mu's long, slender fingers, with their well-defined knuckles, quickly tapped the screen to answer the call. A faint crackle came from the phone's receiver. Luo Mu sighed, "Speaking of which, I really need to get a new phone."

He remembered when he first transmigrated to this world, he deeply understood the principle that backwardness leads to defeat. He had spent most of his savings to buy this phone from a second-hand market.

It was also because of this phone that he met his Luxray.

"What's wrong with the phone?"

A slightly amused female voice came from the phone's receiver. The owner of the voice was none other than Dr. Jacq.

Luo Mu, who was about to get lost in memories, was jolted awake by Dr. Jacq's voice. He blinked, quickly adjusted his demeanor, and replied, "The phone is a bit old. I'm planning to find an opportunity to get a new one."

"I see." On the other end of the line, Dr. Jacq spun her rocking chair with her long legs and got straight to the point. "The Terastal Orb has been made."

"Oh?" Luo Mu's eyes began to shine. This was truly great news. He immediately asked, "Do I need to come to the Lighthouse Research Institute to pick it up?"

"No, a little delivery person volunteered to help~" Dr. Jacq's tone gradually softened, with a hint of deep-seated pride hidden within.

"...Pepper's coming?" Luo Mu's expression froze, and his tone was hesitant. But Dr. Jacq's default confirmed his suspicion, leaving him speechless. He said helplessly, "He's just a ten-year-old kid, Doctor. Are you really comfortable letting him travel through the wilds of South Province Area 1 to Pingdie Town?"

"Why wouldn't I be? That child is already ten years old. In other regions, children that age receive their starter Pokémon, become Trainers, and embark on a journey full of dreams and adventures." Dr. Jacq knew what Luo Mu was worried about and explained, "Master Dogue is accompanying Pepper. With his strength, it's more than enough to get through South Province Area 1, which is meant for novice Trainers."

"You're right, Dr. Jacq."

Luo Mu admitted that he had been persuaded by Dr. Jacq.

Indeed, because he was already seventeen when he transmigrated, he had subconsciously forgotten one of the most outrageous settings of the Pokémon world.

In this world, children who turn ten can receive their starter Pokémon and officially become new Trainers, setting out on adventures.

Both Pepper and Nemo, whom he had rescued not long ago, had reached this age of "independence."

"Anyway, it's been a while since Pepper set off. He should be arriving at Pingdie Town soon. He doesn't know where your farm is, so I'll have to trouble you to pick him up at the entrance of the town~"

"Okay, I understand." Luo Mu nodded slightly. As he replied to Dr. Jacq, his gaze shifted to the side, where Swampert was walking towards him.

Dr. Jacq seemed to remember something and suddenly said, "Oh, right. If you have any questions after receiving the Terastal Orb, try to ask me within these few days."

"After the Orange Academy opens, my husband and I will be returning to the Great Crater of Paldea for research. We probably won't have time to deal with these matters then."

Luo Mu was silent for a moment and asked, "You're both going into the Great Crater for research? What about Pepper?"

Dr. Jacq's expression turned strange as she replied, "Orange Academy is a boarding school. To help Pepper integrate into the environment, he'll be staying at the school even when we're home. Don't let his appearance fool you; that child is quite independent. He seems to have even started taking an interest in cooking recently."

"So, I'll have to trouble you, Teacher Luo Mu, to look after Pepper during this time~"

"...Alright." Luo Mu sighed and replied.

Dr. Jacq chatted with Luo Mu for a few more minutes before voluntarily hanging up. Luo Mu looked at Swampert, who had arrived by his side, and apologized, "Let's go. We still need to go to town to pick someone up."

Swampert nodded, its steps as steady and heavy as the earth, following Luo Mu's pace.

South Province Area 1, Lighthouse Research Institute.

Seeing his wife hang up the phone, Friede, dressed in futuristic attire, said to her, "It seems we'll need to prepare a special gift to thank this teacher once our research progresses."

Dr. Jacq stroked the beast-fang necklace on her chest and nodded. "Ever since I heard rumors of bullying among the students at Orange Academy, I've been worried about Pepper. That child has no ulterior motives and might silently endure mistreatment from bullies. Besides Chairman Poppy, we don't have anyone familiar at Orange Academy."

"Clavell intends to join Orange Academy, but distant water can't quench near thirst."

"Perhaps it's a wild intuition. I felt that this new teacher was someone trustworthy, so I shamelessly asked him for this favor."

Friede took out the Book of Ruin he carried with him, stroking its cover as if lost in thought. "Shameless, you said it well. To achieve our dreams and aspirations, once we enter the Great Crater, we probably won't have much time to spend with Pepper throughout the year, and we don't know how many years this will continue."

"On one hand, it's a dream I've longed for since I was young; on the other hand, it's the responsibility of being a parent. Reality is truly cruel."

Dr. Jacq stood up, patted Friede's shoulder, and said solemnly, "But Teacher Luo Mu's question also hits the core of the issue: we're going into the Great Crater for research, but what about Pepper?"

"Will that child be sad? Will he be lonely? Shamefully, I never considered these things before."

Friede embraced Dr. Jacq and said softly, "Let's work together to find a balance between dreams and responsibilities."

"Okay."

"Wow~ Is this Uncle's farm?" Pepper's eyes were full of curiosity, taking in the surrounding scenery.

You almost called me 'Uncle,' didn't you?

Luo Mu forced a smile and said, "As you can see, most of it is still wasteland. There's a long way to go before it can be transformed into a proper farm."

Pepper nodded thoughtfully, then crouched down and took a black crystalline sphere that looked like a Poké Ball from the backpack of Master Dogue, who seemed a bit hesitant to move with Swampert around. He handed it to Luo Mu with both hands.

"Brother Luo Mu, this is the Terastal Orb Mom asked me to give you."

Luo Mu took the Terastal Orb. The first sensation upon holding it was its coolness and smoothness, as if it were naturally formed without a single flaw.

The black crystal shell of the Terastal Orb made it hard to imagine the dazzling brilliance it could unleash when used.

After examining it closely, Luo Mu couldn't help but marvel at the technology required to create such a beautiful item.

Pepper tugged at his sleeve and asked, "Brother Luo Mu, do you know how to use it?"

Luo Mu hesitated and nodded. He still remembered the specific usage method; he just wasn't sure if it would work.

Immediately, he looked at Swampert beside him. Swampert also turned its gaze towards him at that moment.

Their tacit understanding made them instantly understand each other's intentions. Luo Mu's lips curved upwards, feeling a long-lost warmth in his chest, and he shouted, "Terastallize, Swampert!"