"This is the share of the healing potions I promised you."

  Mr. Berlitz handed a pouch filled with gold coins to Samuel. "Here, ten gold coins."

  Ten gold coins... Samuel was momentarily stunned. Over the past few days, he had used the entire orchard’s supply of Oran Berries to craft healing potions, delivering a total of twenty vials to Mr. Berlitz.

  Each vial sold for five silver coins, totaling one hundred silver coins—or ten gold coins. According to their agreement, Samuel’s cut was two gold coins.

  Earning two gold coins in just a few days… He couldn’t help but marvel at the sheer profitability of the apothecary trade.

  The temptation nearly made Samuel abandon all restraint and dive headfirst into this new world’s economy.

  However, in the end, rationality won out over his greed for money. He still wasn’t certain how advanced potion-making was in this world. If he accidentally revealed too much knowledge beyond this world's current understanding, it wouldn’t just be the apothecaries of Ambition City taking notice.

  "You probably need these coins to improve your life."

  "Think of it as an advance from me. You can pay me back slowly."

  Seeing Samuel’s surprise, Mr. Berlitz waved his hand dismissively and pressed the pouch into his grasp.

  Mr. Berlitz really is a good man… Samuel felt a pang of guilt, wondering if he should have held back fewer healing potions for himself.

  "Work hard, and I won’t shortchange you."

  "Also, the orchard’s supply of Oran Berries can’t keep up with your production. I’ll look into purchasing more from other farms."

  Samuel nodded. The orchard’s Oran Berries were indeed running low.

  His recent high potion output was only possible because the farm had stockpiled supplies. Moving forward, the daily yield would be much more limited.

  If Mr. Berlitz could acquire more Oran Berries, Samuel could produce even more healing potions—potentially earning a gold coin per day.

  As for Mr. Berlitz, factoring in the cost of acquiring more berries and the risk of potion-brewing failures, his profits would likely remain on par with Samuel’s.

  Of course, that was only on the surface. Using more advanced techniques, Samuel could craft these basic healing potions with a near-perfect success rate.

  So in reality, his earnings should be nearly three times what they appeared to be—about three gold coins a day, give or take.

  Regardless, Samuel intended to use these low-tier healing potions for his Petilil, helping it train its Toxic attack.

  Toxic potions… Samuel’s mind wandered. He wondered if Mr. Berlitz could procure other kinds of berries, such as Pecha Berries or Sac Berries.

  After some thought, he decided against asking. If he brought it up, a sharp businessman like Berlitz would certainly pick up on something.

  Finally, with ten gold coins in hand, Samuel left Berlitz Farm and returned to his small cabin.

  In the clearing outside the cabin, Petilil was diligently training its stamina, thanks to Samuel’s habit of putting Pokémon through police-style conditioning.

  Even if Petilil wasn’t naturally gifted in endurance, basic physical training was still essential.

  "Petil!"

  Seeing Samuel return, Petilil happily ran over.

  Still training after all this time? What a hardworking little one… Samuel patted Petilil’s tiny head, offering words of praise.

  Then, he pulled a vial of healing potion from his backpack and handed it to Petilil.

  These potions contained vital energy and were excellent nutritional supplements for a Pokémon like Petilil.

  Petilil took the potion with a puzzled expression. Normally, after physical training, it would restore energy using Absorb.

  "Petilil, I need to head into the city today."

  "Why don’t you go py in the orchard with Cherubi and Starly?"

  Samuel crouched down to speak to Petilil.

  "Petil?" Petilil’s eyes widened, looking at him with reluctance.

  Even though they hadn’t been together for long, Petilil already felt inseparable from its Trainer.

  "Don’t worry. I’ll be back soon."

  "And when I return, we can officially begin training your Toxic attack."

  Hearing that Samuel was going to the city to gather ingredients for Toxic, Petilil calmed down, its eyes saying, "Then hurry back."

  "I will. As soon as I finish my business, I’ll return immediately." Samuel nodded in reassurance, then reminded, "Remember our promise—don’t use any moves while I’m gone."

  After a bit more conversation, Samuel took Petilil to the berry orchard. With one st reluctant gnce from his Pokémon, he headed out of the farm.

  ...

  On the stone path leading from the farm to the city…

  Samuel carried a backpack containing ten gold coins and his remaining healing potions.

  Spies from different factions must be watching from the shadows by now… Standing on the path, he scanned the dense trees lining the road.

  Now that word had spread about his skills as an apothecary from the slums, every major power would be investigating him—including Ambition City’s authorities.

  As the lord of Ambition City, the ruling faction wouldn’t ignore the sudden appearance of a mysterious apothecary within their domain. Even if they weren’t openly hostile, they would certainly test him.

  As long as multiple factions were watching him, their mutual distrust would keep them in check. None would dare make a move prematurely.

  "Hiding is a smart move, but in this game… we’re in the same business, after all."

  Samuel chuckled inwardly and waved to his Luxray before heading toward Ambition City.

  Whoooosh—

  Suddenly, a strong wind swept through the area, making Samuel pause alertly.

  Looking ahead, he saw the treetops swaying under the gust. A few common birds startled and took flight, disappearing into the depths of the forest. It seemed like nothing more than an ordinary breeze.

  Samuel dismissed the thought and continued walking. Before long, he arrived near the city gates of Ambition.

  However, just as he was about to enter, he was stopped by a sheriff.

  Discreetly, he gnced at the checkpoint and noticed several carriages being detained as well. The officers were conducting thorough inspections.

  In the past, Ambition City’s entrance rarely had rge-scale inspections like this. Even merchants’ goods were being rummaged through.

  "Officer, has something happened in the city?" Samuel asked curiously, raising his hands in compliance as the sheriff searched him.

  The sheriff didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he opened Samuel’s backpack. When he saw the ten gold coins and a stash of healing potions, his gaze suddenly sharpened.

  -----

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