In truth, when Ash used a virtual TM copied directly from a Pokémon via the Ascension Trainer System, the success rate was 100%. But to avoid drawing suspicion from certain nosy parties, he deliberately played it down.
Speedy Pidgeotto: "Alright~"
Soon after, customer messages from usernames like "Wacky Growlithe," "Goofy Slowpoke," "Slick Ekans," and "Sharp-Needle Beedrill" started flooding in.
Because Ash had promoted his store non-stop for two weeks during the Pokémon Summer Camp, his shop had already become a household name across the entire Kanto region.
Even before the store officially opened, it had amassed over 100,000 followers. Sure, that number was small compared to the tens of millions living in Kanto…
But if those followers were all trainers, then the scale was absolutely mind-blowing.
Now that the shop was live, the number of incoming messages from customers asking about move training was overwhelming.
Ash could barely keep up with replying to messages.
But truth be told… he loved it.
After all, every one of those messages meant money.
—
Realizing he couldn't handle the workload alone, Ash quickly created two fan community groups on the region's two most popular platforms—"PokéPlus" and "TrainerNet."
He named both groups:
[Ash's Move Mastery Room – Official Fan Chat]
Then, in each group, he posted a pinned message explaining:
"As long as your Pokémon can learn the move naturally by leveling up or through a TM, my shop can help it master that move!"
After posting this notice, Ash added the group ID numbers to the main announcement section of his online store.
As expected, the moment the announcement went live, both of Ash's platform accounts exploded with group join notifications.
Within five minutes, the number of fans joining the groups had surged past 1,000.
Thankfully, Ash had set the groups to auto-accept without admin approval. Otherwise, with how busy he already was replying to customers, reviewing every group request would've driven him mad.
Still, even with automation, Ash was sweating bullets from the sheer activity.
Delia, watching her son work so hard, felt a complicated mix of pride and heartache.
So, to ease his burden, Delia picked up her phone and joined both fan groups herself.
She changed her nickname to "Ash's Mom", and began proactively helping fans with the basic questions.
Ash, grateful beyond words, immediately promoted her to admin in both groups.
And just like that, Delia officially became the #2 support rep for "Ash's Move Mastery Room."
As for the #1 rep—of course, that was Ash himself.
The store owner, CEO, and customer service rep—all in one.
Truly a one-man army… with family support.
—
Fortunately, after Ash posted a detailed flowchart:
"If your Pokémon can learn a move by leveling up or via TM, we can teach it."
→ Order on the shop
→ Use the Pokémon Center's transfer machine
→ Wait 2–3 days (5 max)
→ Pokémon returns, move mastered
…many customers who had swarmed the store's live chat earlier shifted their questions to the fan groups instead.
Still, being Opening Day, there were a lot of inquiries. Ash had his hands full.
But thanks to Delia's help—and a limit he placed on how many orders he'd accept per week—things stayed manageable.
Normally, Ash planned to take 5 orders a week.
But for Opening Day, he raised the cap to 20 orders.
Once the cap was hit, all shop listings would automatically switch to pre-sale mode—visible, but not purchasable.
Just like after he posted the opening announcement yesterday.
—
After replying to customers for over 20 minutes, the order tracker at the top of the store changed from:
(0/20) → (20/20)
Fully booked.
Once that limit was reached, the number of direct messages started to slow down. Customers who still had questions began flocking to the fan groups instead.
Ash finally caught his breath.
He now turned his full attention to the Poké Ball Transfer Machine sitting on his desk, awaiting incoming Pokémon.
"Bzzzt…"
A faint electronic hum rang out as the portable transfer device activated.
From the receiver slot—designed like a coffee machine's cup platform—emerged a familiar red-and-white Poké Ball.
Ash glanced at the transfer machine's tiny screen and saw a pixel-art icon of a Pidgeotto.
"That must be the first order—the one who wanted to learn Air Slash, right?" Ash murmured to himself.
Click!
Without hesitation, he pressed the button in the center of the Poké Ball and tossed it into the room.
"Pidgeeoo!"
A strong gust of wind swirled as the ball opened.
Before him stood a majestic bird Pokémon, over a meter tall, with a flowing pink crest on its head and red-yellow tail feathers. Compared to a common Pidgey, it radiated power and nobility.
"Hey there, Pidgeotto. I'm Ash," he greeted gently. "Your trainer probably told you already—you'll be staying with me for 2–3 days while I help you master Air Slash."
As Pidgeotto looked around curiously, Ash activated both Aura Perception and Viridian Blessing: Natural Affinity to calm it.
"Pidgeeoo~"
Hearing his words, the bird nodded obediently.
Ash's presence exuded a calming, trustworthy energy. Even in a strange new place, Pidgeotto showed no signs of fear—in fact, it already seemed fond of him.
—
Ash reached out and stroked the soft pink crest behind Pidgeotto's head.
"System, show me this Pidgeotto's stats."
[Pidgeotto]
Level: LV.25
Type: Normal / Flying
Nature: Calm
Ability: Keen Eye
Potential: Red (Elite Tier)
Skills (Copyable):
[Mastered]: Tackle, Sand Attack, Hurricane, Quick Attack, Wing Attack, Agility, Aerial Ace
[Skilled]: Mirror Move, Roost, Whirlwind
…
"Whoa!! Level 25 and Red potential?" Ash's eyes sparkled with excitement.
This Pidgeotto had clearly been trained with care. Not only did it know all the standard moves for its level, but it had also pre-learned Agility and Aerial Ace, which usually required TMs or special training.
A proud smile rose on Ash's lips.
But instead of jumping straight to opening the system and teaching Air Slash, Ash whispered internally:
"System, copy all of this Pidgeotto's skills for me."
Let the real work begin.
--------------
T/N:
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