An invitation

"Sweetheart, you're just too cute!"

Su Bai hugged Togepi and showered it with kisses. Togepi clearly wasn't afraid of him, happily waving its little arms and legs.

Toge, toge~

"Su Bai, that's my Togepi."

Wang Dalin felt a little awkward. Even he had never kissed Togepi like that.

Seeing Wang Dalin's aggrieved expression, Su Bai handed Togepi straight back to him.

"Here, take it back! Look at you, being so stingy!"

"I'm not being stingy. It's just..."

"All right, all right, no need to explain."

Su Bai waved a hand and picked up his own Pikachu.

You have Togepi, and I have Pikachu.

"How about this, though? I really like this Togepi. Even though I don't live on campus, I can help you raise it."

"Really?"

Wang Dalin grew excited at Su Bai's offer. Everyone could see how strong Su Bai's Pikachu was. If Su Bai helped him raise Togepi, wouldn't its potential be limitless?

Su Bai touched the Z-Ring hidden in his sleeve and nodded with a smile.

The little one had given him so much luck on their very first meeting. He would have to treat Togepi extra well from now on.

Su Bai wasn't particularly superstitious, but Pokémon really were such wondrous creatures. If you truly treated one well and made it like you, perhaps it really would share its luck with you.

Besides, Togepi was simply adorable.

After dinner, Su Bai took Pikachu and Growlithe home.

Once he arrived, he received a call from Cynthia.

"Hello?"

"Grandma told me you went to her lecture, and that you were quite active during it."

Cynthia's voice was soft and sweet over the phone. She had just finished an exhibition battle and was now lounging lazily on her bed, her blond hair spilling loosely across it.

Only talking to Su Bai and eating the ice cream beside her could get her lips moving.

"After hearing what I said, Grandma decided to check you out today. She was very pleased."

"I could tell. Our grandma treats me really well."

This time, Cynthia didn't deliberately correct his choice of words. She merely murmured that he was shameless.

Naturally, Su Bai didn't mind being called shameless.

Cynthia told Su Bai that he was now the first assistant at the Dragon Nation branch of Professor Carolina's research institute. That position alone would secure him direct admission to Celadon University's archaeology department after he graduated in the Dragon Nation.

If Su Bai didn't like archaeology, he could transfer departments based on his abilities once he entered Celadon University. She believed that wouldn't be difficult for him.

"Do you like my surprise?"

"I do. I like anything you give me."

"You flatterer!"

"I'll make some premium Pokéblocks and have Grandma bring them back to you tomorrow."

"Okay!"

Cynthia agreed almost without thinking. Garchomp and the others loved Su Bai's Pokéblocks, and Cynthia herself had secretly tried a bite that day.

They were sweet, tart, and juicy, tastier than the ones Cynthia made herself.

Still, Cynthia immediately added another reminder.

"Make sure you get some rest. Don't wear yourself out."

"Don't worry."

"You haven't sent me any of your bills lately."

"I really don't have many expenses here, and you've already bought presents for Pikachu and Growlithe."

Su Bai had the System Shop, and he usually lived alone. Aside from indulging his appetite a little, he really didn't spend much on himself.

As for Pikachu and Growlithe, their training resources did cost some money.

But Cynthia had already provided everything Pikachu and Arcanine needed.

The supplements for all six stats, protein powder, and all kinds of nutritional supplements matched what Cynthia gave her own Pokémon. Su Bai could make the Pokéblocks himself.

So, although Pikachu and Growlithe had been receiving champion-level care all along, Su Bai really hadn't spent much money.

Cynthia lay on her stomach, pouting as she kicked her fair little feet against the bed in frustration.

She keenly felt everything Su Bai did for her. Those premium Pokéblocks in particular had to be the result of countless days and nights of study, along with vast quantities of ingredients spent on practice.

Although the two of them had that kind of relationship, was it really right for her to keep accepting everything he gave without giving anything in return?

Ever since Cynthia had been crowned Champion, her appearance fee for even a casual exhibition match started at a million.

It made the young rich woman's already comfortable life even better.

Yet Cynthia found herself at a loss about what to do. She knew a relationship required effort from both sides, and Grandma had always told her the same thing, but she really had no experience.

Dating is such a hassle. I'd rather have a Pokémon battle.

"Why don't you come visit Sinnoh? I'll show you around."

"Sure. I'll come over when I'm on break."

This time, Su Bai didn't turn down Cynthia's invitation.

He could sense the emotion in her voice.

They chatted a little longer before ending the call. Cynthia ate her last bite of ice cream, recalled the taste of the Ice Cream Cake Su Bai had made for her, then hugged her pillow and rolled across the bed with a sweet smile.

Meanwhile, Su Bai switched on the Berry blender to make Pokéblocks.

After working through the night, Su Bai had made several hundred premium Pokéblocks. Most were made from Sitrus Berries to restore stamina, along with status-curing Pokéblocks made from Pecha Berries, Rawst Berries, Cheri Berries, Chople Berries, and Chesto Berries.

After packing them up, Su Bai fed Pikachu, Growlithe, and Gengar, then headed straight back to school to find Professor Carolina.

"Grandma, could you please take this to Cynthia for me?"

"You made these?"

Seeing the large jar of premium Pokéblocks, Professor Carolina immediately took one out and tasted it. Her eyes lit up.

"You're this good?"

"Yes. I really enjoy raising Pokémon. Cynthia's Garchomp and the others all love them."

Professor Carolina nodded and put the Pokéblocks away, looking pleased.

Then Professor Carolina said that once she returned, she would find an opportunity to introduce Su Bai to Professor Rowan of Sandgem Town.

Although Professor Carolina was also extremely knowledgeable, everyone had their own specialty. When it came to raising Pokémon, Professor Rowan could certainly offer Su Bai far more guidance and help than she could.

Seeing how much thought Su Bai put into Cynthia, Professor Carolina soon reached the stage where she liked him more and more with every look.

"When you meet Professor Rowan, make sure you learn from him. And be sweet and attentive. He's in charge of distributing the Sinnoh Region's starter Pokémon, you know."

Professor Carolina left it at that, but Su Bai understood her thoughtful intentions perfectly.

The Dragon Nation was vast and rich in resources. There was hardly a species of Pokémon that couldn't be found there. Even Pokémon from the distant Unova and Kalos Region could be seen within its borders.

Starter Pokémon alone were truly hard to come across. Anyone who wanted one had to reserve it in advance at an officially run Pokémon Day Care, and the price was extremely high.

"Thank you, Grandma."

"All right, go back to class."