There are two types of Pokéblock making machines on the market. One is the type in front of Eichi, a Pokéblock maker that produces small quantities and takes more time. The other is a large-scale Pokéblock production line.
The first type is for students like Eichi who are learning to make Pokéblocks, and it also serves another purpose: researching new Pokéblock recipes. The second type is for commercial products sold by corporations and factories. They simply input a fixed program into the computer, and the machine automatically produces Pokéblocks, with an output of several tons at a time.
However, there is a reason why they are required to master the speed and quality of manual production. This is because once one reaches the level of a Senior Breeder, their daily work involves researching new Pokéblock recipes. Sometimes, they also accept invitations to customize the most suitable Pokéblocks for the Pokémon of great families or large corporations.
The Pokéblocks on the market can only be said to be suitable for the majority of Pokémon; their effects are merely average. Wealthy people are different. To ensure their Pokémon become even stronger in the future, they hire people to customize Pokéblocks. These custom Pokéblocks are not only of higher quality than those on the market, but their effects are also several levels stronger.
A Senior Breeder will first test the specific condition of a Pokémon and then adjust the proportion of ingredients in the Pokéblock based on each individual Pokémon. For example, Professor Kant is a Senior Breeder. He specializes in several types of Pokéblocks, including Bug, Fire, and Water types.
One day, he developed a Pokéblock perfectly suited for Fire types. He was then invited to make Pokéblocks for a family's Fire-type Pokémon. Professor Kant tested that Pokémon's constitution and learned that it was not just a Fire type, but also a Flying type. Consequently, Professor Kant adjusted the ingredient proportions for this specific situation. The final product was the most suitable Pokéblock for that specific Pokémon.
As Eichi was thinking about this, his communicator suddenly rang.
Beep, beep, beep.
Eichi answered the communicator. "Hello, Professor Kant. Is something the matter?"
"Don't ask yet, just get to my office quickly," Professor Kant said, before hanging up the phone.
Hearing Professor Kant's voice, Eichi thought he sounded quite hurried. Did something happen? Eichi quickly stood up and tidied up Machine Number 10. Once everything was packed, he put his things into his backpack, turned off the machine, and locked the door. He then ran toward Professor Kant's office. Upon arrival, he knocked on the door.
Knock, knock.
"Come in."
Eichi opened the door. Inside the office, Professor Kant was sitting in his chair. On the desk sat a machine about the size of an air conditioner. It looked somewhat similar to a Pokéblock maker but was a full size smaller than Machine Number 10. However, Professor Kant did not look rushed at all.
As Eichi entered, Professor Kant called out, "Eichi, come over and take a look at this."
Eichi walked over and examined it closely. This item was indeed very similar to Machine Number 10, just different in a few places.
"This is the latest Pokéblock making machine released by the League," Professor Kant said, pointing at the machine on the desk. "I bought it specifically for you. It's yours now."
"Professor, you're just giving me such an expensive item?" Eichi said, startled. "No, Teacher, I can't accept this."
Eichi immediately refused upon hearing that Professor Kant wanted to give him such a valuable gift. He knew exactly how expensive a Pokéblock maker was. A machine like Number 10 had a market price of around 1.5 million p. This one was slightly smaller but still wasn't cheap; it was worth at least 1 million p.
"Don't refuse yet, listen to me," Professor Kant said, seeing Eichi's rejection. "Didn't I take you to participate in the Beginner Breeder assessment earlier?"
"I know that, but what does it have to do with this machine?" Eichi asked, puzzled.
"While we were in the lobby, I went to find a few old friends," Professor Kant continued. "One of them is the principal of that academy. He has two students with exceptional talent, so he bet me whose student would achieve a higher final rank. Our wager was two Pokéblock recipes. You know the final result; you took first place, and I won the bet. The Pokéblock recipes that fellow lost to me are worth tens of millions. You won them for me, so don't feel that a machine worth a million or so is too precious."
After hearing Kant's explanation, Eichi accepted his words. He no longer stood on ceremony. "Then I won't be polite anymore. I accept this machine. Thank you, Professor Kant."
Professor Kant waved his hand. "No need for thanks. Now you won't have to run all the way to the Pokéblock Making Room; you can make them in your dormitory yourself."
Eichi nodded and placed the machine into his backpack. Fortunately, many of the items in his bag had been left at the dorm, so the entire Pokéblock maker fit inside. Afterward, Eichi chatted with Professor Kant about some technical issues regarding Pokéblock production before taking his leave.
Upon returning to the dormitory, Eichi impatiently took out Machine Number 11. It came with an instruction manual. Eichi looked through it, and it detailed the functions and effects of every part of Machine Number 11.
Eichi wasn't in a hurry. He spent fifteen minutes slowly reading before clearing out a storage room and cleaning it. He then placed Machine Number 11 on a large table inside.
At that moment, one of the Poké Balls on his waist began to shake. Eichi realized he hadn't let Beedrill, Scizor, Heracross, and Wimpod eat dinner yet. He released the four of them and prepared their dinner while ordering takeout for himself.
After dinner, Eichi cleared the table. The four Pokémon went to rest while Eichi went to test Machine Number 11. He turned on the switch. Since it was the first use, he first ran clean water through the machine and checked for any issues according to the manual. Once everything was in order, he began making Pokéblocks.
Five minutes later, two perfect quality Pokéblocks were fresh out of the machine. Although they were only Beginner Pokéblocks, it was still good. This proved that this machine was similar to Machine Number 10—no, in some aspects, it was even more powerful.