Ethan thoughtfully helped Emily load the boxes of energy cubes into the trunk of her car, then watched as she climbed into the driver's seat.
"Goodbye, Ethan! I'll message you if I have any questions about raising Squirtle," Emily called out.
She placed the innocent-looking Squirtle on the passenger seat and carefully fastened his seatbelt. Then she stuck her head out the window and waved cheerfully.
"Goodbye! Come back anytime — and remember to tell your friends about us!" Ethan replied with a smile.
"Don't worry!" Emily made a playful face at him, then drove off in her luxury car.
As the sleek vehicle disappeared down the street, Ethan pulled a Poké Ball from his pocket. He had hesitated about giving one to Emily today, but after thinking it over, he decided against it. The technology behind Poké Balls was far too bizarre for this world.
Although the system had assured him that people's resistance and suspicion toward Pokémon and related items had been greatly reduced, he still felt it was too soon to introduce them.
There was only one customer so far — Emily — and only one Pokémon had been sold. There was no rush to reveal Poké Balls just yet.
"Finally made a sale," Ethan sighed, stretching his arms as he walked back into the store.
It really wasn't easy. Business at the pet store had been slow the past two days. Few people even stepped inside, and when they saw no cats or dogs, most left without a second thought.
The only person willing to give it a try had drawn a Larvitar. But the moment he saw the little rock Pokémon and heard the price, he turned around and left without looking back. He even cheerfully called Ethan a "nutjob" on his way out.
"Neuropathy…" Ethan muttered, shaking his head.
That guy was definitely going to regret it later. Missing out on a Larvitar like that — what terrible luck.
Even Ethan had been shocked when the man drew Larvitar on his very first try.
"System, settle the novice mission," Ethan said as he sat down inside the store. He took a sip of tea and communicated with the system in his mind.
This was the "Father of Pokémon" system — the very thing that had made him the manager of this special pet shop.
"Novice mission — First Pokémon sold — completed. Reward is being settled."
"Reward: One unlimited lottery draw. Would you like to begin?"
A mechanical voice echoed in Ethan's mind.
"Start!" Ethan answered without hesitation, his heart racing with excitement.
Even though he had just sold Squirtle to Emily, he didn't actually own any Pokémon himself yet.
And now his very first one was about to arrive — through an unlimited draw, no less.
This meant he might pull a legendary Pokémon!
Ho-Oh, Lugia, Rayquaza, Kyurem… the possibilities made his blood surge.
"The draw begins."
The mechanical voice remained steady as a translucent virtual roulette wheel appeared in front of Ethan.
The wheel spun rapidly, shadows blurring past one after another, until it finally slowed and stopped.
The image gradually became clear. Ethan's eyes lit up.
"Congratulations, Host. You have drawn Diancie."
"Haha — looks like my luck is really good today!"
A bright smile spread across Ethan's face as he received Diancie's Poké Ball from the system reward.
Diancie — the legendary princess of the Diamond Domain. She was officially classified as a Mythical Pokémon, just as rare and precious as Mew or Celebi.
"Come out, Diancie!"
He tossed the Poké Ball into the air. In a flash of white light, a beautiful and radiant Pokémon appeared before him.
A large pink diamond adorned the top of her head like a crown, formed by four octahedral diamonds and two long, elegant ones. She wore a flowing white dress, and her lower body shimmered with diamond-like crystals.
Her ruby-like eyes sparkled with curiosity. Two small ears framed her face, and a golden ring resembling a necklace hung around her neck, centered with a sparkling octahedral diamond.
Elegant, dignified, and breathtakingly beautiful.
Diancie tilted her head and looked at Ethan with gentle curiosity.
"Hello, Diancie. I'm Ethan. From now on, we're family. Please take care of me," Ethan said softly, leaning forward with a warm, friendly smile.
"Please take care of me as well, Ethan."
Diancie's ruby eyes twinkled. She placed her hands neatly in front of her and gave an elegant little curtsy. A clear, melodious female voice sounded directly in Ethan's mind.
It was Diancie's telepathy — a beautiful, heart-to-heart form of communication that transcended language.
"Your voice is so lovely," Ethan said with an even bigger smile. He reached behind the counter and took out a box of energy cubes. "Here, try these."
"Thank you, Ethan. Diancie loves it."
Diancie delicately picked up one energy cube and tasted it. Her telepathic voice carried a sweet, satisfied tone.
Every movement she made was graceful, like a well-bred noble lady. There was a gentle, pleasing aura about her that made people feel instantly comfortable.
Compared to the lively, food-obsessed Squirtle that Emily had taken home, the two presented completely different pictures.
*So cute…*