Pokémon Chronicles: The New Beginning

"Alright, now go back to your friends."

Natsume gently placed Petilil on the ground.

Petilil felt a mix of emotions; leaving the warm embrace made it feel a touch reluctant.

"Wait a moment; I have an announcement to make."

At that moment, Natsume's voice suddenly rang out, causing Petilil to pause in its steps.

It turned around to find Natsume crouching beside it, placing a hand on its head.

Is he going to pick the healing leaves from my head again...? Petilil sighed inwardly, feeling like it was about to return to that old life once more.

But in the next moment, Natsume's words made it freeze in surprise.

"Don't worry; no one will come to pick your leaves anymore."

"Grow up without fear, and find new life in the sunlight, becoming the version of yourself that you aspire to be."

Hearing Natsume's gentle voice, Petilil's round eyes widened in disbelief.

It never expected that this annoying guy would say such things, causing its eyes to become a bit misty.

Nearby, Starly perched on a branch looked at Natsume with surprise, flapping its wings and flying down to the ground to get a better look at this human's face.

"Of course, there's you too," Natsume said, smiling at the Cherubi beside him.

As a Pokémon Breeder, he knew that Cherubi's greatest value was not in the fruit it bore.

Cherubi stores the nutrients needed for evolution in its fruit. When the small fruit gradually shrivels, it's a sign that Cherubi is about to evolve.

Once Cherubi evolves into Cherrim, its ability will change from Chlorophyll to Flower Gift.

The effect of the Flower Gift ability is that during sunny weather, both its own and its companions' attack and special defense will increase.

This is a significant enhancement for Pokémon; with the boost from Flower Gift, a close-combat Pokémon's combat power can increase by thirty percent!

Of course, that isn't even the most important part...

Cherrim is recognized as one of the Pokémon with the highest affinity for the Sunny Day move.

With specific guidance, Cherrim can learn one of the four major weather moves: Sunny Day.

Sunny Day can greatly enhance plant growth, significantly increasing the yield of fruit trees.

To him, this is the correct breeding method for Cherubi!

Natsume murmured to himself, recalling the effects of Sunny Day, and his eyes began to shine with enthusiasm.

For many time travelers, technology is the primary productive force, but here, Pokémon are the true primary productive force!

...

In the small villa on the farm.

The family sat around the dining table.

"Uncle Darby, Aunt Eileen, from now on, we will be selling potions instead of farming."

Noticing the confusion on his uncle and aunt's faces, Natsume smiled and explained.

"Selling potions?" Uncle Darby blinked, hesitating. "Without Petilil's leaves, how will we make healing potions?"

"Of course, we'll make them using Oran Berries!" Natsume said confidently.

In his memory, there was a type of healing potion made from Oran Berries.

Although its recovery ability wasn't as pronounced as that of other healing potions, it was on par with the recovery effects of ordinary Petilil leaves.

Hearing his nephew's words, Uncle Darby's expression darkened. He continued, "If we entrust a pharmacist to make potions, the cost will be even higher, and it wouldn't be worth it."

He didn't mention that those pharmacists held a high status, and he might not even be able to afford them.

"We don't need to hire a pharmacist..." Natsume paused for a moment, then, seeing their astonished expressions, added with a smile, "Because I am a pharmacist!"

...

In the castle district of Hope City.

In the large square stood a statue.

The statue was not very large, its body gray, while its face was blue, with a ruby embedded in its forehead.

This was Azelf, one of the lake guardians, representing the god of will in legends!

Azelf gives people the willpower to commit to doing good deeds, which is why it is sometimes called the benevolent deity.

This was a city that worshipped Azelf; only those with a kind heart could gain Azelf's recognition and become the lord of Hope City.

Mira was the one recognized by Azelf in this generation; she was also known as the kindest lord.

At that moment, the atmosphere in the lord's castle was somewhat heavy.

In the council chamber, the noblemen of Hope City gathered around a large round table.

"I was just on a routine patrol of the Dark Forest, driving off the invading Warcraft."

"But when I patrolled near the Abyss Cave, I unexpectedly saw the mist filling the cave."

"In that mist, I saw a dark figure, but I just caught a glimpse before I fell into a coma."

Baron Reiser recounted how he had fallen unconscious, which caused the faces of the noblemen to darken significantly.

"It's only been five years since the mist last appeared in the Abyss Cave; why has it returned so quickly?" a nobleman asked, his voice trembling.

The Abyss Cave was the most mysterious location near Hope City. Whenever the mist appeared, all sorts of Warcraft would emerge from the cave.

These Warcraft would transform into ferocious monsters under the mist's cover; the beast tide that had occurred in the Dark Forest five years ago was still fresh in the memories of these noblemen!

"Prepare for battle..."

At that moment, Mira, seated at the head of the table, suddenly spoke.

Her voice carried a sense of determination; this was her territory, and she would not allow those monsters to trample across her land!

"Based on previous experience, we still have time from when the mist starts until the monsters appear."

"This time is enough for us to prepare for battle. Additionally, we will be ready to relocate the residents, just like we did five years ago."

After a moment of silence, the noblemen began voicing their opinions. They were the noblemen of Hope City, and they could not abandon this place!

"Don't worry; Azelf will protect us."

Mira noticed the noblemen's worries and closed her eyes to offer a silent prayer.

Upon seeing this, the noblemen also bowed their heads. This was a city sheltered by Azelf!