Chapter 3: Making Money Isn't Shameful
Terastallization.
As a special phenomenon unique to the Paldea region that occurs on Pokemon, its status is equivalent to Mega Evolution, Z-Move, and Dynamax, the three major “special systems” unique to the Pokémon world.
Its effect is incredibly powerful, capable of temporarily changing a Pokemon's type.
Even changing from Dragon-type to Fairy-type, or from Fire-type to Water-type, is possible.
Along with changing types, it also receives a Same-Type Attack Bonus for moves of the changed type, which can greatly enhance a Pokemon's combat ability.
According to Luo Mu, the current timeline in the Paldea region is such that although Terastallization has already been researched by the married couple, Dr. Fu Tu and Dr. Olin, it has not yet been widely promoted due to the lack of large-scale acquisition channels for raw materials. Terastallization was not used in his battle with Chief Champion Ye Ci.
Ye Ci, as the Chief Champion, definitely has a tera orb, but Luo Mu certainly does not.
And the value of this tera orb ore, properly encased and protected by the terastal crystal shell formed by the Terastal energy emanating from underground in the Paldea region, is extremely high.
So high that it could bring Luo Mu, who is currently struggling on the poverty line, back to a comfortable life.
Sell it to Ye Ci!
In a flash, this thought quickly surfaced in Luo Mu's mind.
However, the special prompt system seemed to go crazy, constantly displaying text in his eyes.
【I know you want to sell it, no! You! Can't! Sell! It!】
【With it, your Pokemon's strength can improve a lot, why would you sell it?】
【Boo hoo hoo, please don't sell it, okay? I promise I can help you when you build your farm!】
【This is my lifelong request!】
“…”
Luo Mu was a little speechless; what a humble system, it made it seem like he was bullying someone.
“It’s not impossible for me to keep it, but you have to be on call whenever I need a hint, okay?”
【Okay, no problem!】
Seeing the text, which clearly showed its happy mood, appear, Luo Mu sighed and accepted this special prompt system in his heart.
This guy seems silly and probably has no ulterior motives. Having a chat partner to relieve boredom isn't a bad idea.
After he and Swampert moved all the furniture and items that needed sunning outside, Luo Mu extended his hand and fist-bumped Swampert's right palm, then smiled, “You’ve worked hard. Tonight, we’ll make a big meal. Go back to your Poké Ball and rest for now.”
Swampert nodded, touching its own Poké Ball among the six on Luo Mu's waist, transforming into a red light and disappearing into it.
Luo Mu stretched, his gaze sweeping across the ground.
Besides the furniture that needed sun exposure, the sealed cardboard boxes had also been opened by him, and their contents lay quietly scattered on the ground.
He had already rummaged through everything inside, and apart from some photos of the old couple, there was almost nothing useful.
Luo Mu planned to organize these things later and place them at the old couple's grave.
In addition, he also found a few bags of unlabeled plant seeds, probably some flower seeds.
Unfortunately, these seeds were no longer usable; the old couple probably didn't preserve them when they bought them.
And a long time had passed; even if they were preserved, they might not have lasted until now.
The only unexpected gain was this tera orb ore in his hand, right?
Thinking of this, Luo Mu toyed with the tera orb ore in his hand, hesitated for a moment, and then took out his phone to make a call.
Beep… beep, the call was quickly connected.
“How unusual, what makes you suddenly call me today, Champion Luo Mu?”
The voice on the other end of the phone belonged to Ye Ci, the Chief Champion and Chairman of the Paldea League.
“I’ve already retired, Chairman. Just call me by my name.”
Luo Mu helplessly corrected Ye Ci's address because after he had developed in the Paldea region for some time, he naturally caught Ye Ci's attention.
After they met, they gradually became quite familiar, and Luo Mu didn't feel as nervous talking to her as other people did.
Ye Ci on the other end of the phone shook her head slightly. Through this small test, she could tell that even half a month later, Luo Mu still had no intention of going back on his previous decision.
Silently sighing, Ye Ci said without changing her expression, “Then what do you need me for this time?”
Luo Mu slowly said, “I found a piece of tera orb ore and would like to ask you, Chairman, to help me give it to the two doctors to be crafted into a usable tera orb.”
Upon hearing this, Ye Ci's expression suddenly became serious.
tera orb ore, this is a very rare item…
Moreover, Luo Mu's request was not to sell it for money but to have it crafted into a usable tera orb.
This means he hasn't completely given up the path of a Trainer—there's hope!
A plan instantly formed in Ye Ci's mind. Ye Ci lightly coughed twice, her face full of smiles: “Connecting you is just a small matter, but… Luo Mu, do you know how expensive it is to craft a tera orb?”
Luo Mu was stunned. Isn't the tera orb a tool that even new Trainers will be able to get in the future? How expensive could it be? Hiss… no, that's not right.
In an instant, Luo Mu suddenly remembered that at this time, the tera orb had only recently been developed, and it was still a long way from cost reduction and mass production through technology. Just like before his transmigration.
Many high-performance black technologies had already been realized, but due to reasons like materials and costs, they could only remain in laboratories and could not be widely deployed in industrial chains.
The tera orb is also in this situation now.
Oh no, he seemed to have been too hasty!
Luo Mu touched his chest and hesitantly asked, “Is it convenient to ask how much it would cost to craft a tera orb if I provide the raw material?”
Ye Ci smiled, “Selling the land you just bought would probably be enough?”
“Hiss…”
Luo Mu gasped, then what's the point of crafting it?! Even if he sold himself, he couldn't sell this piece of land!
Thinking that he wasn't in a hurry to use this item, Luo Mu was about to give up on making the tera orb when Ye Ci suddenly said, “But this problem isn't unsolvable…”
Luo Mu's movements paused, and he involuntarily perked up his ears to listen.
“I’ll cover the crafting fee, but I have one condition.”
“Condition?”
“In exchange, you need to serve as a Battle Teacher at Orange Academy in Mesagoza.”
“Recently, our Battle Teacher took a long leave, and as the Chairman of the Academy, I’m troubled by the choice of a replacement teacher. You’ve come at just the right time.”
One could even say he delivered himself to her doorstep.
After Ye Ci finished speaking, Luo Mu, holding his phone, fell into deep thought.
Let him be a teacher?
Isn't Ye Ci afraid that the future flowers of the Paldea region would be led astray by him?
And his dream wasn't to be a teacher!
Before Luo Mu could refuse, Ye Ci, as if she had completely seen through his thoughts, proposed an offer he simply couldn't refuse.
“There are only two battle classes per week, so it won’t take up too much of your time, and Mesagoza is very close to Pingdie Town. Traveling back and forth on your Dragonite won’t take much time.”
“Most importantly, I will cover all the costs of crafting your tera orb, and your salary as a Battle Teacher will be the same as that of a regular faculty teacher. Are you satisfied with this proposal?”
Luo Mu found that he seemed to be completely at Ye Ci's mercy, every one of her proposals hitting exactly what he wanted.
Short working hours, a salary to supplement household expenses, free manufacturing of the tera orb, and it wouldn't affect his dream of being a farm owner.
Did he have any reason to refuse?
No!
Luo Mu immediately made his decision: “Chairman, when do I start work?”