Miracle Called Evolution

Seeing how strangely the Hoppip were acting, Whimsicott was beside itself with worry. It could only pace back and forth to ease the unease in its heart.

They had been playing just fine a moment ago. The two Hoppip had been imitating Swampert and Ceruledge's training, using Leafage to knock each other's moves aside. It had been a different kind of fun from their usual games.

But then the playing Hoppip suddenly stopped moving. Their whole bodies curled up where they stood, as if something inside them had changed.

The other Pokémon nearby gathered around, but none of them had any idea what was happening to the Hoppip.

With no other choice, Whimsicott could only place its hopes in Luo Mu, who was taking a nap, and ask Growlithe to wake him.

Luo Mu crouched down and examined the Hoppip first. He found no external injuries, then checked their condition based on his experience. The result was completely at odds with how they seemed to be feeling.

The Hoppip were perfectly healthy, with no external or internal injuries.

So the reason they had ended up like this was worth looking into.

Just as Luo Mu was falling into confusion, a prompt from the system suddenly appeared.

[The two Hoppip look to be in great pain, but in reality, they are about to complete their evolution]

"Evolution?"

Luo Mu froze. Before he could do anything, a new change suddenly swept over the Hoppip.

A dazzling white light slowly enveloped both Hoppip, like a coating over their bodies.

"This is... Evolution Light!"

Luo Mu's eyes widened as he cried out. He had considered all sorts of possibilities, but evolution had never crossed his mind.

Judging by the system's prompt, perhaps the Hoppip had seemed so unwell because the energy released during evolution was too powerful for their small bodies to handle. They had curled up on the ground to adjust to the power of evolution.

Wrapped in the sacred Evolution Light, the two Hoppip slowly began to change. Their small bodies grew a little larger, and in the gleaming white light, a ball even bigger than their bodies gradually sprouted from each of their heads.

Whimsicott stared blankly, momentarily thinking its eyes were playing tricks on it. Its worry quickly gave way to a surge of joy.

Its two little friends had finally evolved!

Now that I've evolved ahead of them, I won't have to babysit anymore! (Struck through.)

A moment later, the Evolution Light faded, and the two Hoppip looked completely different.

Their bright flowers had become mature green leaves, and yellow capes swayed gently in the breeze behind them. The cotton on their heads, studded with seeds, was especially eye-catching.

[Congratulations! Hoppip evolved into Whimsicott!]

The system chimed in like an excited announcer, displaying text in the style of a game dialogue box.

The newly evolved Whimsicott curiously tested out their fresh bodies. Once they had gotten used to them, the two approached Luo Mu. They had an air of maturity now, and no longer seemed as innocent as they had when they were Hoppip.

"Whim-whim~~"

The two Whimsicott expressed their gratitude to Luo Mu. If he hadn't provided them with a carefree environment to grow up in and a steady supply of food, they wouldn't have evolved so soon.

Luo Mu shook his head. It was nothing worth thanking him for. Then he smiled and said, "Congratulations on evolving, Whimsicott!"

The other Pokémon gathered around the two Whimsicott again, offering their congratulations one after another.

Luo Mu noticed a faint trace of envy in the eyes of both Politoed Leader and his underlings, as well as Growlithe, who was running around excitedly.

They probably wanted to evolve too.

There would be no problem arranging things for the Polliwag. For their species, reaching the right level was usually enough to trigger their first evolution.

Growlithe was another matter. It hadn't even been born for a week yet, so Luo Mu would have to wait until he had laid a proper foundation for it before letting it evolve.

When the time was right, he would find a good-quality Fire Stone to give Growlithe more support and better energy during its evolution.

The evolution of the two Hoppip brought fresh vitality to the farm. The addition of two new workers would not only lighten Whimsicott's workload, but also meant Luo Mu could consider expanding the Farming Area and planting more crops.

That evening, Luo Mu called Swampert over to carry five baskets of fresh fruit and vegetables to the entrance of the ranch. At the same time, he dialed a number.

A short while later, a small van set out from Pingdie Town and arrived at the farm's entrance.

A honk sounded, apparently to get Luo Mu's attention. Then a furry head poked out of the van, looking at Luo Mu and Swampert.

Calling it a head seemed inaccurate. Apart from its nose and limbs, the Pokémon's entire body was a sphere covered in pale yellow fur.

It had a very conspicuous pig's snout, and the veins bulging on its forehead made it look furious. A hand like a boxing glove reached out through the open window as the Pokémon stared back at Luo Mu.

Infernape: (▼へ▼メ)

Luo Mu: "(Д*)"

Wait, why was an Infernape driving? Where was the person he'd called?

Just as Luo Mu was reeling in confusion, the van's cargo door opened, and a burly man with a full beard stuck his head out, yawning.

The man squinted and looked around. He saw only battered, old fences and a farm without even a signboard. His drowsiness vanished at once, and his eyes lit up. "So this is that farm that's been abandoned for ages! I can't believe someone really bought it!"

"Wow, these really are old relics! I bet even a Caterpie could knock this fence down!"

The man jumped out of the van and, as if they were old friends, crouched in front of a section of fence to inspect it closely, muttering to himself.

Infernape gave him a disdainful look, expertly switched off the van, opened the door, and jumped down. It strode over behind the man, its right hand glowing with Brick Break, and slammed it down hard on his head.

"Ow!"

Luo Mu and the man both sucked in a sharp breath.

Clutching his head, the man sprang to his feet. He tried to complain, but Infernape grabbed him by the ear and dragged him over to Luo Mu. Using the strength of a Fighting-type Pokémon, Infernape kept the man in check as they both bowed to Luo Mu.

It seemed to be apologizing for the man's rudeness.

Luo Mu felt a little awkward. Had their roles somehow been reversed?

A moment later, the man's gaze fell on the crops in the baskets beside Luo Mu. His eyes widened slightly as he praised them. "Oh! That Peter kid really wasn't lying to me. This batch of crops looks great!"