Early Morning. Hiyori Town Farm.
"Well, since everything's settled, Clefable and I really should be going~"
Seeing the Miltank calves already nuzzling the grass and exploring their new home with bright eyes, Akane's last worry melted away. She glanced at the Pidgey-shaped wall clock and offered a smile that was equal parts cheerful and regretful.
Though part of her longed to stay and explore the rustic charm of the farm a little longer, the time lost to her navigational misadventures had eaten into her schedule. The leave she'd secured from the Pokémon League for this personal errand was nearly up.
"Of course. You're always welcome to visit," Wade replied, standing to walk her to the door. He understood the unspoken pressure. To compete in the regional conferences, Trainers needed eight Gym Badges, each a testament to a hard-won battle. While some Gyms had… unconventional standards (he'd heard tales of dance-offs and instant forfeits), the earnest cowgirl before him undoubtedly represented the traditional, honorable spirit of the challenge.
"Oh! Right!"
Just as she reached the crossroads marking the farm's boundary, Akane skidded to a halt. As if struck by a sudden, vital thought, she spun on her heel and came thumping back down the path in her canvas shoes, a whirlwind of pink hair and motion.
The morning sun backlit her, rendering the thin white fabric of her shirt nearly translucent for a heart-stopping moment, outlining soft, rolling curves that made maintaining eye contact a heroic effort.
"Onii-chan Wade!" she blurted out, slightly breathless from the sprint. Perhaps it was the exertion, or the daring intimacy of the address, but a charming blush immediately stained her fair cheeks, spreading down to the delicate skin peeking from her collar. "Next time I visit… you have to tell me your training secret!"
"..."
Wade looked down at the enthusiastic young woman who was now practically leaning into his personal space, her eyes shining with determined curiosity. A wry thought crossed his mind.
Young lady, that particular 'training method' is a path of no return—
"I'll be in your care from now on!" she finished with a quick, polite bow before turning and dashing off again, Clefable waddling hurriedly behind her with a resigned "Pi!"
After seeing off his unexpected visitor, Wade led the herd of curious Miltank to the sprawling eastern grasslands. Their wide, liquid eyes took in the endless sea of green, and a chorus of soft, delighted "Moo~"s rippled through the group. For these gentle creatures, this was paradise—room to roam, sweet grass to graze, and open sky to lounge under.
Wade's gaze drifted to the dilapidated wooden shed his grandfather had built, now clearly inadequate for two dozen growing calves. A new shed is a priority, he noted mentally. Then cabin repairs… The list of projects was growing, but so was his resolve. The gift of the Miltank was more than just livestock; it was an investment in the farm's future by his grandfather's old friend. He would make this venture thrive, not just for himself, but to honor that kindness.
"But first, the fields await!" He turned, a new energy in his step. "Gardevoir! Lopunny! Time to plant!"
"Gar~!" / "Chu-ru-lu!"
Unseen by any of them, from within a thicket of tall grass at the meadow's edge, a pair of large, curious eyes watched the black-haired youth's departing figure.
"Ma…ster?" a small, uncertain voice whispered into the breeze.
[Farm Upgrade Quest II Issued]
The land is cleared and ready. The seeds are in hand. Now, breathe life into the soil. Begin true cultivation.
Reward: Heal Herb x50, Repel Herb x30.
Standing at the edge of the freshly tilled earth, Wade felt a surge of purpose. By his estimate, reaching Farm Level 2 would require completing about five such quests. Each one was a step forward.
"Gar~" Gardevoir tugged his sleeve gently, her expression one of eager anticipation. She could already envision neat rows of sprouts pushing through the dark soil.
Feeling her excitement, Wade smiled and placed a hand on her head. "Then let's not waste another moment. The planting begins now!"
"Chu-ru!"
With no heavy machinery at his disposal, Wade opted for the traditional furrow method: creating neat trenches, sowing seeds by hand, and covering them with care. While he lacked a plow horse or Tauros, he had something even better.
He turned to his powerful, fluffy-eared helper, her form brimming with latent energy. "Lopunny? You're up. Let's turn this plan into a harvest."
However, before utilizing the Pokémon's strength, he first had to determine the position and direction for making furrows and ridges.
"From here… to there…"
Wade stepped on the previously loosened soil, roughly calculating in his mind.
The ridges and row spacing needed to correspond, which would help with drainage and improve soil structure.
After more than ten minutes of thought and on-site measurement, Wade picked up some stones from the side of the path, placed them on the ground as markers, and determined the row spacing and ridge width.
Next, he only needed to direct Lopunny to start from the marked starting point, using Dig and Plow moves to dig open the soil, forming the furrows he desired.
"I'll leave it to you, Lopunny."
"Remember, after using the move, evenly distribute the excavated soil on both sides, and then use your tail to compact the soil on top and sides of the ridge!"
"Lopunny~"
Upon hearing Wade's words, Lopunny nodded confidently, then burrowed into the ground.
However, the next second, her previously confident self realized that she had thought too simply.
Both ensuring the even distribution of excavated soil and the stability of subsequent soil compaction presented a huge challenge for her.
Either the excavated soil would be uneven, with more on the left and less on the right, or when compacting the soil, her tail would apply uneven force, causing the ridges to collapse.
Wade stood not far away, watching the chaotic scene of furrowing and ridging, and nodded with satisfaction.
This was not only a necessary step for planting crops but also an excellent opportunity to train Lopunny.
"Lopunny~"
However, soon, after a period of repetitive work, the intelligent Lopunny mastered the method and began to work with ease.
She first used Dig to excavate the soil underground one by one, then, with her body, evenly moved the excavated soil to both sides.
Immediately after, she used her tail to press down evenly and forcefully on the soil that had been piled up in front.
In the blink of an eye, a section of the ridge was perfectly formed.
"Lopunny~"
Lopunny let out a joyful Growl.
She felt that she had become a little stronger.
[Ding—Your Lopunny learned Iron Tail]
[Iron Tail: Attacks the opponent by slamming them with a hard tail. It may also lower the opponent's Defense.]
"Well done! Lopunny."
To think she learned a new move just by digging a furrow, what an unexpected surprise!
"Lopunny~"
Lopunny narrowed her eyes, enjoying her Trainer's ear-rubbing service.
And looking at the field with its well-dug furrows and high ridges, Wade, delighted, also called out to Gardevoir nearby to begin sowing the seeds.
"Gardevoir~"
Under the manipulation of psychic power, plump, large seeds flew into each of the soil pits that Lopunny had dug in advance.
Next, all that was needed was careful tending, and then they could simply await the harvest!
Wade stood in front of the field, looking at their final results with satisfaction.
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