Ordinary seed shops, whether in variety or quantity, were no longer enough to satisfy Silas's needs. As usual, he made his way to the department store in the city center. Just as he was about to step inside, something caught the corner of his eye—a promotional poster displayed nearby. He stopped in his tracks and looked over curiously.
It was an advertisement for an upcoming Baby Cup tournament to be held in Shalour City, a competition specially prepared for Trainers. Below it was a detailed introduction to the participation requirements and rules.
Baby Cup Tournament
Participation Requirements: Trainers must bring one unevolved Pokémon.
Rules: One-versus-one single battle. Trainers may not switch Pokémon midway.
Tournament Rewards:
Champion: 10,000 League Coins worth of shopping vouchers
Runner-up and Third Place: 1,000 League Coins worth of shopping vouchers
Participants who advance: One commemorative Poké Ball and a 100 League Coins voucher
The rules were simple, and the rewards were generous. Memorizing the address listed at the bottom, Silas headed to the front desk and registered the Noibat and the others for the competition. It was the perfect opportunity to test the results of their recent training.
"Sir, please come to participate in the competition tomorrow morning at ten o'clock. If you're late, it will be considered an automatic forfeit."
"Understood."
After putting away the three number tags, Silas thanked the staff member and turned to leave, taking the elevator up to the floor that sold agricultural equipment. Following the signs along the corridors, he quickly found the fertilizer section, where various kinds of fertilizers were stacked neatly by category, piled up like small hills—so many that it was dizzying to look at.
After explaining his needs to a nearby sales associate, the other party enthusiastically selected several suitable fertilizers for him.
"If you're planning to let the fields rest, it's best to use this Long-Lasting Fertilizer and Sticky Fertilizer, with a bit of Moist Fertilizer added in," the associate explained.
Long-Lasting Fertilizer could extend the time berries remained viable in the soil, Sticky Fertilizer increased the growth speed of seedlings, and Moist Fertilizer helped keep the soil damp and well-hydrated. All three could improve soil fertility, unlike Rapid-Growth Fertilizer or Abundant Harvest Fertilizer, which actually consumed fertility instead.
Silas nodded repeatedly, feeling that what the associate said made a lot of sense.
"Then how much is one bag of each of these three?"
"They're not expensive—200 League Coins per bag. If you need a lot, sir, we also offer home delivery."
The associate smiled broadly; this was all sales performance, after all.
"Then I'll take ten bags of each for now. Please deliver them together to the coastal ranch on Route 12. I'll be waiting by the roadside."
Thirty bags of fertilizer altogether came to 6,000 League Coins—there would definitely be some left over. But that was fine; Silas could always reclaim more farmland. Based on using two bags of each fertilizer per plot, he could open up at most two more fields and still use everything up without wasting a single bit.
After paying and leaving the address, Silas watched as the associate called over a Diggersby Pokémon to help move the goods. Silas headed back first, calling out the three Mudsdale brothers at the ranch—he'd need them to transport the fertilizer back trip by trip later.
After waiting by the roadside for a while, a small truck drove up. Silas signed the delivery slip, and together they loaded the fertilizer onto Mudsdale's back. It took two trips to bring all thirty bags back to the ranch.
By the time Silas returned, he realized that it was already mealtime without him noticing. Just as he pushed the door open, Minccino and Morpeko were already sitting on his feet, their bellies rumbling loudly.
He squatted down and gathered them into his arms, reaching out to rub Minccino's flattened little belly.
"There are still some snacks left in the fridge from yesterday. Do you want them?"
"Min!"
Minccino shook its head—it wouldn't taste good after sitting for so long.
Silas flicked Minccino lightly on the forehead. "Isn't it because you wanted to save them for the evening, but ended up falling asleep early?"
Clinging to Silas's finger, Minccino chuckled and affectionately rubbed its face against his cheek. Morpeko blinked and took out the leftover electrically roasted coffee beans it hadn't finished. That was all it had left.
"Alright, alright, I'll go cook right now," Silas said, scratching their little bellies and giving them a quick affectionate nuzzle before setting the two cuties down. "Help me call Meowth and the others too. It's so hot today—they shouldn't keep working. And tell the Mareep flock to come inside and enjoy the air conditioning as well."
"Min~"
"Morpe~"
The two little ones answered in unison and dashed out of the house. Meowth and the others were good in every way—just a little too hardworking, to the point that Silas worried they might get heatstroke. Such good Meowth.
After eating a relatively light lunch together with the Pokémon, they all hid under the air conditioning and watched TV. One of the regular Meowth approached Silas and handed him a yarn ball it had played with so much that it had gone all fuzzy.
"Wait a bit, I'll fix it for you."
Smiling, Silas patted it gently, then completely unraveled the yarn ball and rewrapped it neatly. With a strong toss toward Meowth, he heard a happy "meow!" as the Meowth hugged its yarn ball and rolled around on the floor, its face full of enjoyment from start to finish.
No more wandering, and even time to play every day—this was the life Meowth and the others had always dreamed of. They grew more and more fond of Silas, their mindset changing from merely living day to day. They wanted to stay here forever, to accompany Silas and the other Pokémon and run the ranch well together. In Meowth's heart, the ranch had already become their second home—meow!
In the afternoon, when the sun was no longer so scorching, Silas first helped Meowth and the others put on straw hats, then called over Mudsdale and led them to the three reclaimed fields.
"Meowth, you can just stand on Mudsdale's back and sprinkle the fertilizer evenly over the fields."
"Meow!" ×3
(Understood, Silas. Leave it to us.)
The three Meowth were full of enthusiasm; after Silas demonstrated once, they immediately learned how to do it.
"Mudsdale, later just walk forward slowly, back and forth along the ridges."
"Mud~"
Mudsdale responded softly, indicating it understood. Mudsdale stepped into the fields and strolled along the ridges, while the Meowth on its back stretched out their paws and scattered the three kinds of fertilizer over the farmland. Silas observed for a while and, seeing that Meowth were doing everything properly, felt reassured.
He then left to call over the other two Mudsdale. He reclaimed two more fields nearby, bringing the total number of farmland plots on the ranch to five—ensuring that all thirty bags of fertilizer would be used without waste.
The entire afternoon was spent on this single task. Each time Meowth finished spreading fertilizer over one field, Silas would command Mudsdale to use the move Rototiller once, turning the fertilizer evenly into the soil. Only then could the soil fully absorb all the nutrients, ensuring that the crops would grow big and healthy during the next planting.
After several hours, until it was time for Noibat trio to become active and a golden sunset appeared on the horizon, they finally finished the work. Silas sent Meowth gang and Mudsdale brothers to the river to wash themselves, then waved up at the Noibat who were chasing and playing in the sky overhead.
The Noibat landed in front of him and asked curiously, "Noi~"
(What do you need us for, Silas?)
He patted them gently—somehow, they seemed to have grown a bit bigger again, and even their weight had increased.
"I signed you guys up for the Baby Cup Tournament that's being held tomorrow. It's a good chance to test your strength. Do you want to participate?"
"Noi~"
Hearing that it was a battle, the Noibat didn't hesitate at all. All three agreed immediately, declaring that they would participate and that they would definitely help Silas win the championship.
(End of Chapter)