As the sun set, Ethan stood in the freshly tilled plots of land.
One plot had been sown with plants specifically for making Potions, while the other was filled with seeds he’d bought from the town’s seed shop: Tamato Berries, bird’s eye chillies, turnips, and a few other vegetables.
On his way back, Ethan had also purchased a fish tank.
As a gesture of appreciation for Sandslash’s hard work, Ethan made another batch of Tamato Noodles that evening.
Sandslash was absolutely overjoyed. Its small eyes kept darting toward the untouched land in the plantation, its eager gaze practically shouting, All of this is mine too—just let me know when it’s time!
“Here, have a treat.”
Before Sandslash left, Ethan took out a Rare Candy.
“Sand?”
Sandslash tilted its head in confusion, carefully taking the candy with its paws.
“It’s delicious,” Ethan said with a smile.
Sandslash sniffed the candy curiously, then popped it into its mouth without hesitation.
The moment it swallowed, it felt as though the day’s exhaustion had melted away, leaving it refreshed and brimming with energy.
With its usual simple-minded cheerfulness, Sandslash didn’t think much of it. It bowed twice toward Ethan in gratitude before waddling off.
Only Ethan, through the Insight Eye, could see the difference.
Sandslash’s energy level, which had been 11–12, had now risen to 13–14. A two-level increase in an instant!
“Snivy…”
Beside him, Snivy let out a soft, plaintive sound.
By now, it had figured something out: any food made or offered by this human was bound to be top-tier.
“Alright, you’ve worked hard too, clearing the weeds from two plots of land today,” Ethan said, crouching down with a knowing smile as he looked at Snivy.
But Ethan’s smile made Snivy feel strangely embarrassed.
After accepting the Rare Candy, it seemed to come to a decision. Lowering its head slightly, it scooted closer to Ethan, its posture suggesting...
Was it inviting him to pat its head?
“Haha…”
Ethan couldn’t help but laugh softly. As he handed over the candy, he also placed his hand gently on Snivy’s head.
The smooth texture was reminiscent of jelly—soft yet sleek, with a slight coolness beneath his fingertips.
In short, the feeling was...
Incredible.
Having reached a point where Snivy would willingly let him pat its head, Ethan decided not to tease it further. Instead, he took out a Poké Ball and placed it earnestly on the ground in front of Snivy.
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“Snivy?”
Snivy had just popped the Rare Candy into its mouth and hadn’t even begun to chew when it spotted the large Poké Ball in front of it.
Its chewing froze mid-motion, and it went completely still, its entire body stiffening in surprise.
Ethan looked at it seriously and asked, “Will you become my Pokémon?”
After spending the day together, Ethan had grown quite fond of this Snivy.
“Snivy~?” (This is… so sudden…)
Snivy turned its head awkwardly, feeling a little overwhelmed.
It had a good impression of Ethan, and when it heard his question, it instinctively wanted to agree.
But… wasn’t it a bit too soon after just one day?
Ethan smiled. “When fate brings us together, how can it be sudden? Besides, I’m sincerely asking you to become my Pokémon.”
Snivy swallowed the Rare Candy in its mouth and stared at the Poké Ball in front of it.
After a moment of hesitation, it finally turned back, extending its vine to touch the Poké Ball.
“Snivy~!” (Since you’re being so serious… fine, I’ll agree…)
With a flash of red light, Snivy’s form disappeared into the Poké Ball.
“Ah, what a proud yet adorable little one,” Ethan said with a shake of his head.
Without hesitation, he released Snivy back out from the Poké Ball.
【Pokémon: Snivy】
【Gender: Female】
【Ability: Contrary】
【Potential: Red Grade】
【Individual Values: HP (23), Attack (21), Special Attack (25), Defence (25), Special Defence (24), Speed (31)】
【Level: 14–19】
【Moves: Leaf Blade, Grass Mixer, Glare, Vine Whip, Leech Seed】
【Description: It feels like it might have met a decent human.】
【Affection: 60 (It thinks you’re alright.)】
【Happiness: 60 (Happy but tinged with a hint of hesitation.)】
“Snivy~?”
“Come on, I’ll introduce you to a new friend,” Ethan said with a smile as he pulled out Feebas’s Poké Ball.
After a full day of work, he realised he still hadn’t had the chance to let Feebas out.
“Snivy.”
Seeing that Ethan was the same as always—calm and unhurried—Snivy felt an inexplicable sense of relief. Taking small, careful steps, it followed him.
When they arrived at the reservoir, the water had settled and become crystal clear after a day.
With a gentle tap, Ethan released Feebas from its Poké Ball.
Having been inside for half a day, Feebas immediately swam out, its dull eyes lighting up with a hint of joy upon seeing Ethan again.
Ethan scooped it up from the water and brought it closer to Snivy, who observed it curiously.
As he examined Feebas’s rough, pitted scales, Ethan fell into thought.
The system’s reward—a Perfect-Grade Prism Scale—was unquestionably of top quality.
However, Feebas’s scales were a bit dirty and uneven at the moment.
If it was going to evolve, Ethan wanted to ensure it was in its best possible condition beforehand. That way, its evolution would result in the highest quality outcome.
Taking out the fish tank he’d purchased earlier, Ethan filled it with clean water and carefully placed Feebas inside.
Ethan called out to Snivy, motioning for it and Feebas to follow him back into the house.
Feebas was easy to accommodate—it could simply stay on the table in its fish tank.
As for Snivy, that wasn’t much of an issue either.
Ethan’s mother had once carved a wooden house for her Scyther, and though it was a bit old and weathered now, it was still perfectly suitable for Snivy.
“Snivy?”
Snivy tilted its head curiously, eyeing the wooden house that was clearly far larger than its current size. It then turned to Ethan for an explanation.
“This was built with the thought that you’d evolve into a Serperior someday,” Ethan said with a completely straight face. “You’ll need the extra space when your body gets bigger.”
Of course, that wasn’t entirely true, but it sounded convincing enough.
However, Ethan’s thoughts shifted as he recalled something.
According to the Insight Eye, Snivy was already at least Level 14.
If it evolved at Level 16, then it wasn’t far off at all, was it?
Once it’s fully absorbed the energy from the Rare Candy, I’ll give it another one. That should be enough.
“Snivy…”
Snivy shot Ethan a sidelong glance, as if to say, Do you think I’m as gullible as a Magikarp?
The wooden house clearly wasn’t new—it had obviously been around for a while. And now he was claiming it was made specifically for her?
Still, the house was spacious, and the interior had been freshly cleaned. It gave off a cosy and inviting feeling.
She liked it.
If she had to prove it?
【Congratulations! Snivy’s Happiness has increased from 60% to 75%. Rewards: Golden Fertiliser x8, Rare Candy x3, Grassy Terrain TM.】
That was as clear as it could get.
Snivy genuinely liked its new home.
