Arc 9Summer Camp and Alchemy

Tong Hua expanded Fairy Tale Ranch’s business, unlocked Alchemy, and developed his craft while attending summer safety camp with Riolu and Grovyle. He helped Hattrem seek a way to break her curse, cleared a hidden ruin, and ended up inside the Old Schoolhouse as a powerful Aura surged around him.

  • Tong Hua transformed the Wooden Cabin into Happy Dessert House, expanded the ranch’s farm and lake, and began making wine with Jessica’s help.
  • Tong Hua unlocked Alchemist, crafted a Leather Grimoire, and began producing potions and other alchemical items with help from his Pokémon.
  • Jessica took Tong Hua, Riolu, and Grovyle to summer safety camp, where Hattrem secretly tried to reach Tong Hua’s bag and Steenee’s group confronted her.
  • Hattrem revealed that a curse had transformed her from a human witch into a Pokémon, and Tong Hua agreed to study Alchemy to help her.
  • Tong Hua joined Huangyao, Lümei, and Mu Mu in the camp’s survival challenges, then led his group through a hidden desert maze and found a Shiny Stone at ancient ruins.
  • Tong Hua and Hattrem brewed a D-quality Recovery Potion and discussed gathering ingredients for a Fantasia Potion that might change Hattrem’s form.
  • Tong Hua joined Mu Mu and Hattrem for the test of courage in the Old Schoolhouse, where Mu Mu vanished and a bell-like cry accompanied a powerful surge of Aura.
Chapters 202–226 Vol. 3 Read

Ch. 202End-of-volume summary

Fairy Tale Ranch's facilities and Pokémon were reviewed, including the workers who supplied Happy Dessert House and the exploration teams connected to the Ranch. Riolu remained with the Pokémon Exploration Team after resolving the Planet's Paralysis crisis, while Lucario's travel team continued exploring and doing good deeds.

  • Tong Hua renovated the Wooden Cabin into Happy Dessert House, where Minccino, Delibird, Purrloin, and the Alcremie worked.
  • Grotle, Orthworm, Dolliv, Celebi, and Vespiquen's family tended the Farmland and Orchard, while the Pasture supplied milk, rock salt, and eggs.
  • The Bibarel family expanded the Pond into an artificial lake, improved their home, and stocked the water with fish.
  • Purrloin hunted fish at the Pond and was responsible for food disappearing from the Pond, Dessert Shop, and Farmland.
  • Riolu stayed with Celebi and Grovyle after the Dark Dialga and Planet's Paralysis crisis was resolved, and Celebi sometimes brought the group to Fairy Tale Ranch.
  • Lucario led Dusknoir and the Seven Sableye on a journey from the Almia Region, doing good deeds and sending postcards back to Fairy Tale Ranch.

Ch. 203Summer was here

Tong Hua settled into his new house with his Pokémon and began turning the Wooden Cabin into a storefront for the Happy Dessert House. As he considered trying new Professions, a familiar visitor arrived on a Galarian Rapidash.

  • Tong Hua woke in his new house, greeted his Pokémon, and prepared breakfast with Steenee and Dolliv.
  • Over breakfast, Tong Hua considered creating a Children's Day special for the Happy Dessert House.
  • Tong Hua and the Pokémon went to the Wooden Cabin, where he began preparing it as the dessert shop's new storefront.
  • Grotle started working in the field behind the cabin while Tong Hua checked his Profession Panel and considered leveling other Professions.
  • A spirited cowgirl with blond hair and blue eyes arrived outside the cabin on a Galarian Rapidash, calling out to Tong Hua.

Ch. 204Jessica, the little-boy heartbreaker

Tong Hua welcomed Jessica to Happy Dessert House, where she helped arrange the shop and taste-test his treats. After a shy village boy visited and fell for Jessica, she suggested Tong Hua try making wine, and he decided to expand the Ranch’s business.

  • Jessica visited Tong Hua’s newly transformed Dessert Shop and gave him measuring cups and cookie cutters as a housewarming gift.
  • Jessica helped plan the shop layout and agreed to taste-test Tong Hua’s Children’s Day treats while explaining that the Village Chief was hosting a village event.
  • A shy boy arrived with his Solosis, and Tong Hua recognized him from the Spring Festival cooking showdown.
  • The boy ate Tong Hua’s cookies and blushed when Jessica served him, then left with a bag of treats after she smiled and said goodbye.
  • Jessica suggested that summer was a good time to try making wine, and Tong Hua decided to give winemaking a try to expand the Ranch’s business.

Ch. 205A first try at brewing

Jessica helped Tong Hua prepare to begin brewing at his new house, using her own barrels and checking the cellar equipment. After their water-quality test, Tong Hua received an unexpected alchemy achievement notification.

  • Tong Hua told Jessica he had not yet tried brewing, and she offered to teach him and bring special tools.
  • Jessica returned with several cleaned wooden brewing barrels from her collection, and Tong Hua decided to store them in the new house cellar.
  • Tong Hua summoned Orthworm to carry the barrels while he and Jessica went to inspect the cellar, where they found temperature, ventilation, and humidity controls.
  • Jessica checked the barrels’ seals and guided Tong Hua through making distilled water to test their condition and the water quality.
  • After the test succeeded, Tong Hua saw a notification that one alchemy achievement had succeeded, with progress at 1/3.

Ch. 206An Unexpected Success

Tong Hua discovered that using alchemy tools made boiling water count toward unlocking the Alchemist profession, then learned to brew mead and fruit wine with Jessica. After preparing several fermenting barrels, the hungry group left the cellar to share a meal at Tong Hua’s new home.

  • Tong Hua learned that distilled water made with alchemy glassware counted toward his Alchemy achievement, bringing his progress to two of three successes.
  • Jessica suggested making mead and fruit wine, and Tong Hua asked Orthworm to bring Sweet Honey and Berries.
  • With Jessica’s guidance, Tong Hua mixed honey water, added activated yeast, and sealed a barrel with an airlock to begin fermenting mead.
  • Tong Hua and Jessica prepared several barrels of fruit wine, and Jessica explained how to monitor, rack, and age the brews.
  • After they realized they had missed lunch, Tong Hua invited Jessica and the Pokémon to eat at his new home.

Ch. 207Alchemist's Introduction

Tong Hua unlocked the Alchemist profession after completing Alchemy three times and explored its skills, quests, and crafting recipes. Intrigued by the possibility of making equipment for Pokémon, he began planning how to obtain grimoire materials, then realized he had burned the dessert he had been making.

  • Tong Hua completed his third distillation and unlocked the Alchemist profession, absorbing its basic knowledge and nearly stumbling from the strain.
  • Tong Hua examined his Alchemist panel and reviewed level 1 Levequests, noticing requests for potions, materials, Maple Wands, and Leather Grimoires.
  • Tong Hua investigated the grimoire recipe and reasoned that Pokémon moves might substitute for elemental shards, while he still needed tanned leather, copper sand, and beast blood.
  • Tong Hua discovered that the Recipe Pokédex recorded only items he had personally crafted, then decided the Alchemist profession made exploration more interesting.
  • Tong Hua smelled burning, realized his dessert was scorched, and rushed to save the pot as the Pokémon cried out warnings.

Ch. 208Nothing for It but Overtime

Tong Hua worked late to keep up with Happy Dessert House’s demand while preserving the quality of his desserts, then planned to begin studying Alchemy. The next morning, he bought Alchemy equipment and materials in Chicory Village and learned where he could gather more ore sand.

  • Tong Hua rejected using [Tricks of the Trade] to mass-produce D-grade desserts and decided to work overtime instead.
  • Tong Hua prepared desserts after the shop closed and returned home at midnight, where Minccino, Purrloin, and the two Celebi had waited for him.
  • Tong Hua planned to buy Alchemy supplies and visit Grandpa Yang at Sunshine Ranch for the blood of a hundred beasts.
  • Tong Hua bought a crucible, Alchemy equipment, leather, and ore sand from the owner of Charcoal House, insisting on paying normal prices.
  • The owner of Charcoal House gave Tong Hua some materials and fuel, told him where to find ore sand, and planned to deliver the goods to Fairy Tale Ranch.

Ch. 209Plant Growth Agent Type 1

Tong Hua gathered beast blood from Grandpa Yang and prepared his new Alchemy workspace at the Ranch. He successfully brewed Plant Growth Agent Type 1, which slightly accelerated plant growth and improved plant and soil health.

  • Tong Hua visited Sunshine Ranch, and Grandpa Yang gave him serum from Miltank and Tauros for his Leather Grimoire.
  • The Charcoal House's owner delivered Tong Hua's Crucible, and Tong Hua set up his Alchemy workspace in the kitchen.
  • Tong Hua chose to practice Alchemy by making Plant Growth Agent Type 1, substituting dried shiitake mushrooms for screaming mushrooms.
  • Pink Celebi and Little Green brought Bibarel to use Water Gun and fill the Crucible with water.
  • Tong Hua brewed and bottled the plant growth agent, which slightly accelerated plant growth, strengthened resistance to pests and diseases, and restored a trace of soil fertility.

Ch. 210Alchemy That Was Mine Alone

Tong Hua successfully made an E-rank Type 1 Plant Growth Agent and tested it on crops, then began gathering materials for a Leather Grimoire. With Ampharos and Bibarel summoned to help, he switched to Alchemist and prepared to attempt a more advanced creation.

  • Tong Hua made a Type 1 Plant Growth Agent, raised his Alchemist profession to level 5, and unlocked Processing.
  • Tong Hua used the potion on crops, which grew rapidly, but attempts to apply it to Steenee and Dolliv had no effect and tasted unpleasant.
  • Tong Hua gathered maple logs and grass thread and asked the Celebi to bring Ampharos and Bibarel to help make a Leather Grimoire.
  • Tong Hua explained that he needed Ampharos to use moves such as Discharge, picked up his Distiller, and switched to Alchemist to begin the advanced crafting attempt.

Ch. 211E-grade grimoire

Tong Hua crafted a Leather Grimoire using alchemy, materials from other professions, and help from his Pokémon. The finished E-grade grimoire could slightly increase intelligence and record and release moves, though its capacity was limited.

  • Tong Hua began making Copper Enchanting Ink by refining copper ore sand, using Ampharos's electricity to catalyze it, and blending in Miltank serum.
  • Tong Hua used alchemy to shape maple logs into book covers and pages, then wove grass stems into thread while Dolliv watched and tried to copy him.
  • Tong Hua wrapped the covers in leather and, with the Celebi's help, stitched the pages together using grass thread.
  • Bibarel and Ampharos created water and lightning shards, which Tong Hua infused into the book before writing a magical rune with the Copper Enchanting Ink.
  • Tong Hua completed an E-grade Leather Grimoire that slightly increased intelligence and could record and release moves, but had a low capacity limit.

Ch. 212I'm a Humanoid Smeargle

Tong Hua tested his newly crafted Leather Grimoire and discovered it could absorb and reproduce Pokémon moves, then reached level 7 in Alchemy. The next morning, Jessica arrived to take him to an important event for three days and two nights.

  • Tong Hua used the Leather Grimoire to absorb Minccino’s Swift and send the recorded move back at him.
  • Steenee, Dolliv, Delibird, and Alcremie demonstrated that the Grimoire could record status moves, Present’s contents, and sensory details.
  • Tong Hua tested copied melee moves and concluded the E-Class Grimoire had exceeded his expectations.
  • Tong Hua reached level 7 after crafting the Grimoire and decided to keep practicing Alchemy.
  • Jessica arrived early with travel bags and told Tong Hua he had to leave with her for an important event lasting three days and two nights.

Ch. 213Stay safe in summer

Tong Hua learned that he had to attend a three-day summer safety camp and set off with Jessica, Riolu, and Grovyle. As the ranch Pokémon stayed behind to run the dessert shop, Steenee came up with a mischievous idea.

  • Jessica told Tong Hua about the required summer safety camp for minors and offered to take him there on Rapidash.
  • Tong Hua invited Riolu and Grovyle to join him, partly to spend more time with them after they learned they could not evolve.
  • Tong Hua told the disappointed ranch Pokémon that he was taking Riolu and Grovyle and promised the others a future beach trip.
  • Tong Hua and the two Pokémon packed their gear, while the Alcremie cheered at being allowed to make desserts during his absence.
  • Jessica carried Tong Hua, Riolu, and Grovyle away on Rapidash, and Steenee came up with a mischievous idea as the ranch watched them go.

Ch. 214Pokémon Ranger School

Tong Hua arrived at the Pokémon Ranger School with Riolu and Grovyle to attend a three-day summer safety event, while Jessica left after introducing herself as his older sister. At Fairy Tale Ranch, Pink Celebi, Steenee, Dolliv, and Purrloin set off to secretly follow him, as Green Celebi stayed behind to watch the ranch.

  • Huangyao eagerly welcomed arriving children at the school gates to earn credits and secure his summer vacation with Lümei.
  • Tong Hua arrived on a Galarian Rapidash with Jessica, then greeted Huangyao and followed him into the school.
  • Jessica introduced herself as Tong Hua's older sister and rode away on Rapidash.
  • As Tong Hua entered the teaching building, Riolu sensed an intense gaze nearby, but it disappeared before he could locate its source.
  • Pink Celebi agreed to accompany Steenee, Dolliv, and Purrloin to the school, while Green Celebi stayed at the ranch with Minccino and Delibird.

Ch. 215Hattrem

Tong Hua settled into the Pokémon Ranger School dormitory, where he befriended the other children and shared homemade snacks. Meanwhile, Hattrem sensed magic coming from his shoulder bag and secretly watched him, intent on approaching him as the summer camp’s opening ceremony neared.

  • Huangyao showed Tong Hua to the boys’ dormitory, where the meddling auntie warned him to stay out of the girls’ dormitory.
  • Tong Hua settled into a six-person room, shared homemade Pokémon snacks with the children, and watched Grovyle help move their luggage.
  • Several girls came looking for Tong Hua, Riolu, and Grovyle, but the meddling auntie caught them entering the boys’ dormitory.
  • Hattrem wandered through the school and sensed magic coming from Tong Hua’s shoulder bag.
  • Hattrem hid near the cafeteria and planned to get close to Tong Hua, while Tong Hua and Riolu briefly sensed someone watching them.
  • Tong Hua dismissed the strange feeling as breakfast ended and the summer camp’s opening ceremony approached.

Ch. 216I'm a Troublesome Little Witch

Tong Hua attended the Pokémon Ranger School’s opening ceremony while Hattrem repeatedly tried to approach his shoulder bag, which held the Leather Grimoire. After Celebi and Tong Hua’s other Pokémon stopped her attempts, Tong Hua left with Huangyao and Lümei for the first activity.

  • Tong Hua ate breakfast with Riolu and Grovyle, while Hattrem sneaked into the cafeteria and failed to reach his shoulder bag when he left.
  • At Blue Sky Plaza, Hattrem noticed Steenee, Dolliv, and Purrloin watching Tong Hua and realized they were his Pokémon.
  • Hattrem and Steenee briefly confronted each other, but stopped when Principal Ramo began the opening address.
  • As Principal Ramo spoke, Hattrem tried to probe Tong Hua’s bag with Confusion, but Celebi blocked her and warned Steenee to watch her.
  • After the ceremony ended, Tong Hua followed Huangyao and Lümei toward the first activity with Riolu and Grovyle beside him.

Ch. 217A showdown between girls

Hattrem tried to sneak into Tong Hua’s classroom but was confronted by Steenee on the playground, where their clash drew in the other Pokémon. Hattrem ended up surrounded by Pink Celebi, Steenee, Dolliv, and Purrloin.

  • Hattrem emerged from the bushes after the plaza cleared and headed toward the classroom with a new scheme in mind.
  • Tong Hua settled into Class A with Riolu and Grovyle, while Pink Celebi and the others watched them through the classroom window.
  • Ms. Anli began the students’ introductions as Steenee, Dolliv, and Purrloin played on the playground.
  • Hattrem crept toward the classroom building, but Steenee blocked her path and confronted her over their earlier encounter.
  • Hattrem attacked Steenee with Disarming Voice and Dazzling Gleam, prompting Dolliv and Purrloin to intervene.
  • Purrloin dodged in with Night Slash, and Hattrem landed inside an encirclement formed by Pink Celebi, Steenee, Dolliv, and Purrloin.

Ch. 218The little witch and the cake

Hattrem told Pink Celebi and the Fairy Tale Exploration Team that she had once been human and needed a mage’s help to break the curse that turned her into a Pokémon. Meanwhile, Tong Hua was reprimanded for brewing Potions in class, then agreed to help in the cafeteria, where he planned to serve cakes from the Happy Dessert House.

  • Hattrem explained that she had been a human witch, that her identity had been discovered, and that a curse had transformed her into a Pokémon.
  • Pink Celebi used Time Reversal to confirm Hattrem’s story and learned that Hattrem’s original way to break the curse depended on the frightened child who had discovered her.
  • Hattrem identified Tong Hua as the mage she was seeking, and Steenee and the others agreed to take her to him.
  • Teacher Anli confiscated Tong Hua’s Alchemy equipment during class, scolded him, and told him to earn back credits through school activities.
  • Teacher Anli returned Tong Hua’s equipment and offered him cafeteria work, which Tong Hua accepted so he could serve Happy Dessert House cakes.

Ch. 219Overcooked

Tong Hua promised to find a way to lift Hattrem’s curse and then went to the cafeteria to earn school credits by helping in the kitchen. His cooking skills amazed the head chef, who eagerly watched Tong Hua make Berry muffins.

  • Hattrem asked Tong Hua to lift her curse, and he agreed to study Alchemy and prepare for the difficult task.
  • Tong Hua let Steenee, Dolliv, and Purrloin stay with him until the afternoon despite school rules.
  • Tong Hua entered the cafeteria kitchen alone to earn credits and impressed the head chef with his rapid knife work.
  • Tong Hua used [Tricks of the Trade] to produce egg fried rice without cooking it over a stove, astonishing the head chef.
  • Tong Hua made Berry muffins by hand at remarkable speed, and the head chef praised their taste and fatigue-relieving effect.

Ch. 220For the credits

Tong Hua won over the students and his Pokémon with a meal, then learned about the Practical Training Hall’s wilderness challenges. He arranged for the Pokémon to team up with students for the afternoon missions before they returned to the Ranch.

  • Tong Hua served his Pokémon a meal, and Hattrem eagerly devoured his curry rice.
  • Huangyao, Lümei, and Mu Mu joined Tong Hua’s table, where he shared food and promised to ask whether the school could buy supplies from his Dessert Shop.
  • A cafeteria announcement called students to a basic wilderness survival class at the Practical Training Hall that afternoon, and Huangyao and Lümei explained its challenges and credit rewards.
  • Tong Hua learned that students could use up to two partner Pokémon for missions and suggested Steenee, Dolliv, Hattrem, and Purrloin join their teams.
  • Tong Hua paired Steenee and Dolliv with Lümei, Hattrem with Huangyao, and Purrloin with Mu Mu for the Practical Training Hall challenges.

Ch. 221King of the Grind

Tong Hua and Mu Mu accepted a mysterious mission directing them to an oasis deep in the Desert Area, while Huangyao and Lümei earned credits with their Pokémon in the forest and plains. Tong Hua’s group set out across the scorching artificial desert, determined to reach the oasis quickly.

  • Tong Hua admired the Practical Training Hall and planned future improvements for Fairy Tale Ranch, including adding Pokémon and growing watermelons.
  • Tong Hua and Mu Mu chose a mission with hidden details and received a card instructing them to reach the oasis deep in the Desert Area.
  • Hattrem defeated a charging Scyther with a powerful self-created punch while helping Huangyao in the forest.
  • Lümei coordinated Steenee and Dolliv to confuse and capture Mareep, earning credits in the plains.
  • Tong Hua and Mu Mu entered the hot Desert Area, shared chilled barley tea, and Tong Hua fanned the overheated Purrloin as they hurried toward the oasis.

Ch. 222Underground ruins

Tong Hua and Mu Mu searched the desert for the mission’s hidden oasis, while the Pokémon at Fairy Tale Ranch prepared birthday gifts for Tong Hua. Tong Hua found an underground oasis and ancient ruins, and led the others inside to discover the mission’s real objective.

  • Tong Hua and Mu Mu reached the desert’s deepest point, where they found only a vast stretch of quicksand.
  • Tong Hua used his Gardener skill to detect a path beneath the quicksand, then entered it with Riolu; Grovyle, Purrloin, and Mu Mu followed.
  • Tong Hua and his companions emerged in a glowing underground oasis filled with ancient trees and spring water.
  • Tong Hua led Mu Mu and the Pokémon through the oasis to ancient stone ruins, which he identified as the likely focus of the mission.
  • At Fairy Tale Ranch, Minccino, Alcremie, Celebi, and the other Pokémon began preparing a birthday cake and surprise gifts for Tong Hua.
  • Vespiquen sent three male Combee to recruit more members and expand the colony so they could make Sweet Honey for Tong Hua’s birthday.

Ch. 223Adventure and rewards

Tong Hua led Mu Mu and their Pokémon through a hidden underground maze and found the Shiny Stone reward. Their escape left Jia Busi stunned, while other students continued to get lost in the labyrinth.

  • In the control room, Jia Busi bragged that students would not clear his underground maze, while Qing An monitored their progress.
  • Tong Hua focused on his Environmental Detection map and led Riolu, Grovyle, Mu Mu, and the others through the maze without triggering traps.
  • The group reached the ruins' central altar, where Tong Hua and Riolu found a Shiny Stone beside a mural of Volcarona.
  • Tong Hua spotted a hidden door behind the altar and declared the mission complete.
  • Jia Busi was shocked that Tong Hua's group cleared the maze on their first attempt, but cheered himself up when more students entered and became lost.

Ch. 224The first step toward maturity

Tong Hua spent the evening studying alchemy with Hattrem, who showed him how to heat a potion with precise Mystical Fire. At Fairy Tale Ranch, Steenee, Dolliv, and Purrloin returned to help the Pokémon make a cake after their attempts had failed.

  • Steenee, Dolliv, and Purrloin reluctantly left Tong Hua, while Hattrem stayed with him to help him study alchemy.
  • Tong Hua asked Riolu and Grovyle to take the bored children in the dormitory out to play, then set up his alchemy equipment with Hattrem.
  • Tong Hua struggled to brew a healing potion without an open flame, and Hattrem used Mystical Fire to heat the test tube with precise control.
  • Tong Hua recognized that exploring what he did not know was an alchemist's first step toward maturity.
  • At Fairy Tale Ranch, Minccino, Delibird, the three Milcery, and Green Celebi failed to bake a cake, so Steenee, Dolliv, and Purrloin joined them to help.

Ch. 225What Are You Doing Up at Night?

The Pokémon prepared a cake as a surprise for Tong Hua’s upcoming birthday while Tong Hua successfully brewed a D-quality Recovery Potion and planned to develop a potion that could turn Hattrem human again. After repeated interruptions at the dormitory, Tong Hua opened the door to find Lümei and Huangyao.

  • Steenee coordinated the Pokémon as they baked and decorated their first cake from scratch for Tong Hua’s birthday.
  • Tong Hua and Hattrem used Celebi’s Life Dew, Moomoo Milk, and Fairy-type shard crystals to brew a D-quality Recovery Potion.
  • Tong Hua discussed alchemy with Hattrem and proposed gathering ingredients to make a Fantasia Potion that could change her race, gender, and appearance.
  • Tong Hua hid Hattrem when Riolu and Grovyle returned with the children, then waited until after midnight to resume brewing.
  • After hearing another knock, Tong Hua sensed who was outside, opened the door, and found Lümei and Huangyao.

Ch. 226Test of courage

Tong Hua joined a school test of courage and explored the supposedly repaired Old Schoolhouse with Hattrem and the frightened Mu Mu. When Mu Mu vanished inside, Tong Hua sensed a huge surge of Aura as the building suddenly became bright as day.

  • Tong Hua agreed to join the test of courage, where students had to retrieve an object hidden in the Old Schoolhouse.
  • Tong Hua and Hattrem set out with Mu Mu, who admitted he had joined because he wanted to make friends despite being afraid of the dark.
  • Hattrem greeted several wild Duskull and Drifloon, and the Ghost-type Pokémon followed the group toward the Old Schoolhouse.
  • Tong Hua, Hattrem, and Mu Mu entered the decaying building, which seemed far more neglected than the students had been told.
  • Tong Hua realized Mu Mu had disappeared, then heard a bell-like cry and sensed a powerful surge of Aura as the Old Schoolhouse became bright as day.
Arc 9 of 12