Naoki didn't get an immediate response when he posted on the forum. After all, the I in this world was still in its infancy, and mobile phones hadn't advao support online browsi. For now, anyone wanting to surf forums has to do so on a puter.

  Naoki wasn't worried. He had plenty of chores to keep him occupied while periodically cheg the forum on his puter.

  The weather erfect, with the sun shining brightly. Taking advantage of the warmth, Naoki brought out all the quilts from his bed, the clothes from his closet, and the Pokémon's plush s. He hung them on the clotheslio dry in the sunlight.

  Nearby, Eevee and Alcremie were chasing each other around the base of the clothesline, weaviween Naoki's feet as they pyed.

  Butterfree perched on the clothes, watg Naoki curiously. "Free?"

  "I'm airing out the quilts," Naoki expined with a chuckle. "When they're dried in the sun, they feel softer and smell like sunshi'll be more fortable to sleep uhem tonight."

  "Fwee~" Butterfree fpped its wings approvingly.

  Naoki turned his attention to the pyful duo underfoot. "Alright, Alcremie, take Eevee and py somewhere else. If you keep running around here, I might actally step on you again."

  "Miee!" Alcremie responded fidently as if to say, You'd ep on us, Naoki!

  Still, Naoki sighed aly scooped up the two mischievous Pokémon. "You little troublemakers…" he said, poking their foreheads lightly before walking them over to a nearby Garganacl.

  The sturdy Pokémon scratched its head in fusion but extes hands to hold the duo, giving Naoki a break from their antics.

  After hanging the quilts, Naoki went to the underground wio che his test batch of fruit wine. Just as he was iing a barrel of peach wine, Indeedee appeared with news: the Pokémon Tavern had sold out of fruit wine.

  Wasting no time, Naoki moved a freshly brewed barrel of peach wio the tavern, ensuring it was well-stocked before returning to the living room for a short break.

  Sitting down with a cup of bck tea prepared by Indeedee, Naoki looked at the Sinistea and Polteageist floatily nearby. The peaceful se filled him with a sense of aplishment.

  "This," he thought with a satisfied sigh, "is what life should be."

  He drained his tea and curled up on the sofa to watch TV with Calyrex. The hours slipped by, and before long, dusk settled over the ranch. Wisps of smoke curled up from the kit ey, where Indeedee reparing dinner using the fmes of a Slugma.

  Naoki g the clock. It was 5:20 p.m. Zack would be arriving soon to pick up the day's harvest.

  Heading to the ste area, Naoki began preparing the goods: fresh Moomoo Milk, rock salt from Garganacl, creamy goat milk, over twenty barrels of fruit wine, and a cart loaded with plump pumpkins. By the time Zack's truck arrived, everything was ready.

  Zack hopped out of his truck, his usual cheerful grin lighting up his face. Together, they loaded the goods onto the truck.

  "Looks like anreat harvest!" Zack said, admiring the fresh produd goods.

  "Yes," Naoki replied with a nod.

  Thanks to the Grass-type energy the Pokémon infused into the fields, crops grew faster ahier than anything Naoki had ever seehe best fertilizers from his previous life couldn't pare.

  Ohe truck was loaded, Zack wiped the sweat from his brow with a towel slung around his neck. He handed Naoki the payment for the goods.

  "Here's today's money," Zack said with a grin.

  Hundreds of thousands of Poke Dolrs were deposited into Naoki's at, but he barely reacted—he was already used to such rge sums.

  With the ranch's facilities fully developed—the wool shed, apple orchard, and delivery truck all ated for—Naoki had little need for money. For now, he po save it for any ued expenses iure.

  "Oh, wait!" Naoki suddenly remembered the s he needed fimmighoul's evolution. That's going to cost a fortune.

  After seeing Zack off, Naoki hurried to the sed floor and sat down in front of his puter. He refreshed the forum page, and sure enough, several replies had appeared under his post:

  "Gold King: Buying a rge number of Gimmighoul's s at a high price. Serious sellers only!"

  Treasure Hunter: No leads here.

  Gardevoir Master: What's the Master pnning?

  A Explorer: How high is your price? And how many do you need?

  Naoki's eyes skimmed through the replies before stopping on the one from "A Explorer."

  Typing quickly, he replied, "The price is iable. I'll pay han market value, and I'll take as many as you have."

  Naoki didn't receive an immediate response.

  He wasn't in a rush, though. After cheg, he got up, but just as he stood, a private message from "A Explorer" popped up.

  [A Explorer]: Oh, you're so fident! you really handle hundreds of them?

  Hundreds? Naoki's heart skipped a beat. If this person truly had that many s, Gimmighoul's evolution would take a signifit step forward!

  Fighting back his excitement, Naoki typed quickly.

  [Gold King]: Of course I ha. The real question is, do you actually have that many?

  [A Explorer]: I never lie! I'm well-known iomb exploration unity.

  [Gold King]: Funny, I haven't heard of you. When we trade? Just he time and pce.

  Naoki waited for a response, but it didn't e immediately. After a long pause, the reply finally appeared.

  [A Explorer]: Where are you located?

  [Gold King]: Paldea region, Kosaji Town.

  [A Explorer]: Kosaji Town... I'm in Mesagoza and 't leave for now. If you're serious, you'll have to e to Mesagoza yourself.

  Naoki leaned ba his chair, slightly startled. Mesagoza...

  It was the rgest city in the Paldea region and home to the prestigious Naranja Academy.

  He reached for a map of the Paldea region, spreading it across his desk. "Mesagoza is right in the ter," Naoki murmured, trag the route with his finger. "If Dragonite flies at full speed, we get there in under an hour."

  It was a short enough trip. He decided he would handle all his ranch duties early tomorrow m and leave right after. If everythi smoothly, he could return before noon.

  [Gold King]: Sure, I'll have time tomorrow.

  The other party replied almost immediately.

  [A Explreat. Bring enough money. Let's meet at the Wele Café at 11:00 a.m.

  [Gold King]: Deal.

  Naoki thought the versation was over, but another message appeared.

  [A Explold King? Have you also read the exploration notes?

  Naoki's eyebrows shot up in surprise. The exploration notes... This person knew more than he'd expected.

  He replied cautiously.

  [Gold King]: Yes.

  There was no immediate response, so Naoki shut down the puter a downstairs to eat.

  The m, after pleting his ranch chores, Naoki informed the Pokémon about his trip. He had po ride Dragonite, but Koraidon approached him, looking uncharacteristically gy.

  Naoki tilted his head with a pyful smile. "You don't want to stay at the ranch this time?"

  He remembered how Koraidon had sulked during the bug-catg test after being made to take a bath. Back then, it had ht refused to apany him.

  Koraidon hung its head, looking adorably apologetic. "Raao…" (Take me with you)

  Naoki chuckled and patted its head. "Alright, alright. Let's go together." He leaned in and kissed Koraidon's forehead. "Happy now?"

  Koraidon's eyes sparkled with joy. "Raao!"

  Climbing onto Koraidon's baaoki turo the Pokémon gathered around him. "I'm heading to Mesagoza and should be back by around 1:00 p.m."

  Finally, he addressed Indeedee. "I'll leave everyone's lun your hands today."

  Indeedee nodded slightly. "Aiyee!"

  "Alright, let's go!"

  As Naoki gently patted Koraidon's neck, the Pokémon took off gracefully into the sky. Below, the Pokémon at the ranch gathered, cheering him on as he departed.

  By 10:30 a.m., Naoki and Koraidon arrived in Mesagoza. As they nded on a bustling street, a sudden realization struaoki.

  Oh no, I fot to ask what the other person looks like!

  Away from the puter, there was no way to tact "A Explorer." Even if they were to cross paths, he had no idea how them.

  Should I hold up a sign? he thought, feeling his cheeks flush with embarrassment. Still, having e this far, there was n back. Determined, he approached an older man wearing an Academy uniform.

  The man appeared to be in his fifties, his gray hair a stark trast to the student attire he wore, which, on him, looked rather peculiar.

  "Excuse me," Naoki said politely. " you tell me where the Wele Café is?"

  The man smiled warmly aured ahead. "Of course! Just ght down this road, and when you reach the interse, turn right. The Wele Café will be on that street."

  As the man spoke, his gaze shifted to Koraidon, his eyes lighting up with wonder. "Oh my, what a fasating Pokémon! Are you a trainer? How about a battle?"

  Naoki blinked, caught off guard. "Oh, uh, no—sorry! I'm in a bit of a hurry to meet someone."

  The man looked a little disappointed but quickly perked up. "Then at least tell me the name of this Pokémon!"

  Naoki nodded with a small smile. "It's called Koraidon."

  The maed the houghtfully before beaming. "Thank you!"

  ...

  As Naoki tinued dowreets of Mesagoza, he mused to himself. "Naranja Academy really doesn't have an age limit for admission…"

  The sight of an elderly man attending csses was both amusing and inspiring, a true testament to the saying: You're oo old to learn.

  Following the man's dires, Naoki soon spotted the Wele Café tucked away on a cozy street er. He walked in with Koraidon close behind.

  The café was lively with chatter as students from Naranja Academy filled most of the tables, sipping drinks and enjoying their meals. When Koraidon stepped is unusual appearance drew curious stares from the patrons.

  Naoki found ay seat in the er aled down. His eyes frequently darted toward the entrance, sing eaew arrival for someone who might be "A Explorer."

  Minutes passed, and no one seemed to match the description—or ck thereof. Just as Naoki sidered finding a nearby puter to check the forum, a sudden wave of voices caught his attention.

  "Hey, Professor Raifort, are you here for lunch too?"

  "Good afternoon, Professor Raifort!"

  Naoki goward the otion. A woman with striking purple hair, warm brown skin, and distinctive yellow-framed gsses had entered. She wore a blue top and carried herself with a gentle air. Smiling warmly, she greeted each of the students who addressed her.

  Her gaze swept across the café before finally nding on Naoki and Koraidon. After a brief pause, she began making her way toward them.

  Stopping at his table, she smiled and asked, "Yold King,' right? It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Raifort, and I'm currently a history teacher at Naranja Academy."

  Naoki: "…"

  He noticed Raifort's gaze linger on Koraidon for a moment, her eyes widening in surprise.

  "Hello, Raifort, I'm Naoki," he said, introdug himself at st.

  Raifort smiled warmly befesturing toward a private booth. "Let's talk there."

  Naoki nodded, following her with Koraidon at his side. As they walked, fragments of information about Raifort surfaced in his mind.

  Raifort, a history teacher at Naranja Academy, was known for her insatiable curiosity about historical legends. In the game's storyline, she iigated the four Treasures of Ruin—a relics imbued with dark powers. She entrusted pyers with the task of log and capturing the Pokémoo these relics, which had once wreaked havoc across Paldea:

  Ting-Lu, -Pao,Wo-, and Chi-Yu.

  Before her academic career, Raifort had allegedly engaged in dubious activities, including expl a ruins under questionable circumstances—essentially, tomb raiding and dealing in artifacts.

  So, those s Raifort mentioned on the forum… were they her spoils from tomb raiding? Naoki thought, his expression flicted. I really should've seen this ing.

  Still grappling with the revetion, Naoki followed Raifort into the private booth, took a seat, and asked curiously, "How did ynize me?"

  Raifort rolled her eyes pyfully and replied, "It wasn't difficult. I know this café very well. Most of the patrons are my students. You stood out like a sore thumb."

  Naoki: "…"

  Raifort's gaze shifted to Koraidon, and her eyes sparkled with fasation. "Naoki, is this your Pokémon? It's so untamed, so primal! It exudes the same wild beauty as a legends and mysteries. It makes one want to delve deeper."

  "…Yes," Naoki firmed with a faint smile. "Its name is Koraidon. So, did y the s?"

  Relutly shiftitention from Koraidon, Raifort reached int. She unzipped it, revealing a shimmering pile of s. The bag ractically overflowing.

  Naoki's jaw dropped. "That many?!"

  Raifort smiled proudly. "Of course."

  Naoki blinked, still in disbelief. "Did you… get all of these from tombs?"

  What he really wao ask was how someoh a background in tomb raiding could transition into teag history at a prestigious academy. The sheer audacity of it left him speechless.

  Raifort shook her head, her smile unwavering. "Tomb raiding? Oh, no, no. It was all necessary for historical research."