Making Money Was Nothing to Be Ashamed Of

Terastallization.

A special phenomenon unique to Pokémon in the Paldea region, it stood on equal footing with the three other "special systems" unique to the Pokémon world: Mega Evolution, Z-Moves, and Gigantamax.

Its effects were downright incredible. It could temporarily change a Pokémon's type.

It could turn a Dragon type into a Fairy type, or a Fire type into a Water type.

Along with changing its type, a Pokémon would also gain the same-type attack bonus on moves of its new type, greatly boosting its combat capabilities.

As far as Luo Mu knew, in the current timeline of the Paldea region, Terastallization had already been discovered by Dr. Futaba and Dr. Jacq, a married couple.

But because there was no reliable way to obtain large quantities of the raw materials, Terastallization hadn't yet become widespread. Neither he nor Chief Champion Poppy had used it in their battle.

As Chief Champion, Poppy definitely had a Terastal Orb, but Luo Mu certainly didn't.

And the Raw Terastal Orb, carefully encased and protected by a shell of Terastal Crystal formed from Terastal Energy seeping up from beneath the Paldea region, was extremely valuable.

Valuable enough to lift Luo Mu, who was currently scraping by near the poverty line, back into a comfortable life.

Sell it to Poppy!

The idea flashed through Luo Mu's mind in an instant.

But the Special Hint System went haywire, words popping up in front of his eyes one after another.

[I know you want to sell it, but no! You! Can't! Sell it!]

[Your Pokémon could get a lot stronger with it. Why sell it?]

[Waaah, please don't sell it, okay? I promise I can help you when you build your farm!]

[This is the most important request of my life!]

"..."

Luo Mu was at a loss for words. What a groveling system. It was acting like he was bullying it.

"I might be willing to keep it, but you have to be there whenever I need a hint. Deal?"

[Deal! No problem!]

Seeing the words appear in a font that practically radiated happiness, Luo Mu sighed and accepted the Special Hint System into his heart.

It seemed kind of silly and probably wasn't scheming anything. Having someone to chat with and stave off boredom wasn't such a bad thing.

After moving all the furniture and belongings that needed some sun outside with Swampert, Luo Mu bumped his fist against Swampert's right palm and smiled. "Thanks for all your hard work. We'll make a big dinner tonight. Head back to your Poké Ball and get some rest."

Swampert nodded, then touched the Poké Ball at Luo Mu's waist that belonged to him, one of the six there. He turned into a red beam of light and slipped inside.

Luo Mu stretched and glanced over the ground.

Aside from the furniture that needed to be left in the sun, he'd also opened the sealed cardboard boxes. Their contents lay scattered across the floor.

He'd already gone through everything inside. Apart from a few photographs of the elderly couple, there was almost nothing he could use.

Luo Mu planned to tidy everything up later and take it to the couple's graves.

He'd also found a few bags of unlabeled plant seeds, probably for flowers or other plants.

Unfortunately, they were no longer any good. The elderly couple probably hadn't taken steps to preserve them when they bought them.

And so much time had passed that even if they had been preserved, there was no guarantee they'd have lasted until now.

The only real surprise was the Raw Terastal Orb in his hand.

Thinking of this, Luo Mu turned the Raw Terastal Orb over in his hands. After a moment's hesitation, he took out his phone and made a call.

Beep. Beep. The call was answered almost immediately.

"Well, this is unexpected. What made you think to call me today, Champion Luo Mu?"

The voice on the other end belonged to Poppy, the Chief Champion and chair of the Paldea League.

"I've retired, you know. You can just call me by my name, Chairperson."

Luo Mu corrected Poppy's way of addressing him with a helpless smile. After spending some time building his life in the Paldea region, he'd naturally caught Poppy's attention.

Once they'd met, they'd gotten to know each other pretty well. Unlike other people, Luo Mu didn't feel nervous talking to her.

Poppy gave a slight shake of her head on the other end of the line. That little test had shown her that even after half a month, Luo Mu still had no intention of reconsidering his earlier decision.

She sighed silently, then asked without a change in expression, "So, what can I do for you?"

Luo Mu answered slowly, "I found a Raw Terastal Orb. I was hoping you could put me in touch with the two doctors so they could turn it into a usable Terastal Orb."

At that, Poppy's expression grew serious.

A Raw Terastal Orb was an exceptionally rare item.

And Luo Mu wasn't asking to sell it to her for money. He wanted it made into a Terastal Orb he could actually use.

That meant there was still a chance he hadn't given up on the path of a Trainer entirely!

A plan immediately took shape in Poppy's mind. She cleared her throat, then smiled warmly. "Making the introduction is no trouble. But, Luo Mu, do you know how expensive it is to make a Terastal Orb?"

Luo Mu was stunned. Weren't Terastal Orbs the kind of thing even rookie Trainers could get in the future? How expensive could they be? Wait...

In an instant, Luo Mu remembered that Terastal Orbs had only recently been developed in the time he was living in. It would be a long time before costs came down and production could be scaled up. It was just like the world he'd come from.

A lot of high-performance, cutting-edge technology had already been developed, but limitations in materials, cost, and other factors meant it was stuck in the lab, unable to support a large-scale industry.

Terastal Orbs were in the same situation.

Oh no. I jumped the gun!

Luo Mu touched his chest, hesitating as he asked, "Would you mind telling me how much it would cost to make a Terastal Orb if I provide the raw material?"

Poppy smiled. "You could probably cover it by selling the land you just bought."

"Yikes."

Luo Mu sucked in a sharp breath. Then what was the point of making one?! He couldn't sell the land, even if he sold himself!

He didn't need the thing right away, so Luo Mu was about to give up on having a Terastal Orb made when Poppy suddenly spoke up. "But that doesn't mean there's no way around it."

Luo Mu froze, then perked up his ears without even thinking.

"I'll cover the cost of making it, but I have one condition."

"A condition?"

"In exchange, you'll go to Naranja Academy in Mesagoza City and work as a Battle Teacher."

"The Battle Teacher recently took an extended leave, and as the academy's Chairperson, I've been worrying about finding a replacement. You're just what I need."

You could even say he'd practically offered himself up.

When Poppy finished speaking, Luo Mu fell silent, phone in hand.

She wanted him to be a teacher?

Wasn't she worried he'd ruin the future flowers of the Paldea region?

Besides, his dream wasn't to become a teacher!

Before Luo Mu could refuse, Poppy seemed to have read his mind and proposed an offer he couldn't possibly turn down.

"There are only two battle classes a week, so it won't take up much of your time. And Mesagoza City is very close to Pingdie Town. It won't take long to travel back and forth on your Dragonite."

"Most importantly, I'll cover the entire cost of making your Terastal Orb. And your salary as a Battle Teacher will be the same as that of a regular faculty member. How does that sound?"

Luo Mu realized Poppy had him completely wrapped around her little finger. Every one of her proposals hit exactly what he wanted.

Short hours, a salary to help cover household expenses, a Terastal Orb made for free, and no interference with his dream of running a farm.

Did he have any reason to refuse?

None at all!

Luo Mu made up his mind on the spot. "Chairperson, when do I start?"