Master Craftsman of the Pokémon World

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June 14th.

Weather: Overcast, Light Rain.

After several days of sunny and cloudy weather, the rain finally arrived today.

The rainfall was just right—no need to water the crops today.

Recently, many goods had been sold, making funds plentiful!

Yesterday afternoon, Hikaru went into the village and brought back an anvil for the forge. At the same time, he ordered a batch of Combee Honey online.

This was an essential ingredient for crafting Rare Candies, though the most important component, Micle Berries, was still unavailable. The honey was merely an early preparation.

Hikaru was in a good mood as he stepped outside, umbrella in hand, and headed toward the herb and crop fields.

Near the edge of the field, close to the herbs, familiar leaves appeared once again.

However, this time, the leaves were damaged, with two of them even broken. Petilil had buried herself in the soil but had not entered the fields.

She only stayed near the edge, seemingly believing that by doing so, she wouldn't be driven away. Beside her, there was a white berry.

"It's obvious—you lost again."

This time, she had been beaten even worse than before. Hikaru walked over and gently pulled at her, causing Petilil to let out a soft "Lili" of displeasure. But upon realizing that it was the house's owner, she struggled to lift her head from the soil.

As expected, the wounds he had previously treated had not only reopened but worsened. Such severe injuries were rare in the Pokémon world.

Some of her wounds seemed different from the rest—likely inflicted by Bug-type Pokémon while she was weakened.

"Lili~"

Petilil glanced at Hikaru, then at the nearby Revival Herb, before pushing the white berry toward him.

"It's not ready yet. It's only been two or three days," Hikaru replied helplessly.

Petilil nodded slightly and stopped moving.

She didn't even have the strength to hop around anymore.

Hikaru picked up the white berry.

[Rare Material: White Apricorn]

[Description: A white apricorn with no fragrance. These only appear in fertile soil.]

[Knowledge Acquired: +1]

[Flourishing Land: Crops, herbs, and trees you plant will increase vitality in the surrounding area, allowing the soil to recover faster.]

"Did you lose your habitat?" Hikaru asked. "I've heard that forest battles are intense. But you didn't come from deep within Ilex Forest, did you?"

Petilil slightly lifted her head.

"Lili~ Lili."

At that moment, Honedge floated out. As Hikaru's loyal translator, it conveyed Petilil's words.

She lived on the outskirts of the forest, not deep within. She was merely using the soil here to recover and would leave soon, ensuring no harm came to the herb field.

"Lili, Lili."

If necessary, she was willing to exchange her leaves for potions and herbs. But… how did Hikaru know she had lost her home?

"I know a bit about your kind," Hikaru said. "You're a communal Pokémon species, often led by a Tsareena."

Hearing the translation, Hikaru felt slightly awkward, as if he were some villain exposing a secret.

Petilil's personality was certainly unique—she didn't want to trouble others and insisted on trading her leaves for medicine.

Stubborn nature… truly fascinating.

"Lili~"

Petilil weakly responded.

Honedge translated:

"She abandoned her leader."

Hikaru frowned in confusion.

"You weren't abandoned by your Tsareena—you abandoned her?"

Petilil soon confirmed his question.

During the conversation, Hikaru took out some medicine, berries, and a Revive. After eating and applying the medicine, Petilil's condition improved.

She explained that neither her leader nor her companions were willing to fight for their home. So, she left them and tried to reclaim it on her own.

In the wild, weaker Pokémon would always lose their homes to stronger ones. But if she became strong enough, she could take it back herself.

Many Grass-type Pokémon avoided conflict, but some had distinct personalities and traits. Among them were the rebels of their kind.

For some reason, Hikaru thought of Ash's Sceptile.

Back when it was still a Treecko, it had been a rebellious member of its group.

For Pokémon, the path to strength was simple—battle, gain experience, evolve, or learn new moves.

However, Petilil's evolution wasn't tied to battle experience alone. She needed a Sun Stone to evolve.

"Battle, lose, get injured, heal, and fight again."

"Has the likelihood of victory increased? How many battles have you fought since losing your home?"

Petilil wasn't sure anymore—at least a dozen.

This meant that even before Hikaru moved here, she had been battling other Pokémon. She had likely been fighting since winter and the harsh spring season.

"Losing a home in winter or spring… because warm, nutrient-rich soil is ideal for living. The Pokémon that took your home—were they Grass-types too? But they must have had another secondary type."

"Do you need help?"

Petilil stared at Hikaru for a long time. She didn't shake her head or nod. Instead, she let out a loud cry:

"Lili! Lili!"

Her voice was no longer soft but filled with frustration and anger.

If she reclaimed her home with someone else's help, her former companions wouldn't reflect on their cowardice.

They would just say that she had relied on outside aid. And once that aid disappeared, their home would be taken again—returning to square one.

So, she had to do it herself. She had to evolve!

She didn't need temporary help—she needed true strength.

She was willing to pay any price for it. Though she only had the leaves on her head to trade, she offered them all.

Hikaru was touched. Most weak Pokémon either sought a Trainer or coexisted with stronger Pokémon for security. Trainers helped them grow, and stronger Pokémon offered mutual benefits.

But this Petilil rejected external support, believing even a Trainer was an unreliable factor.

Hikaru's thoughts were complicated, but Honedge was deeply moved. It floated over and tried to comfort Petilil with its blue ribbon.

"Yo!"

"Long ago, I saw knights with your spirit!"

"Sharpening your strength and overcoming powerful foes is the path to self-improvement!"

"I support you!"

Honedge enthusiastically declared that it wanted to train Petilil.

"Yo~!"

"I was once a knight's sword! And I even have dragon-slaying achievements!"

"Back in ancient times, I would have been recorded in history and sung about!"

Hikaru bluntly shattered its delusions.

"That was just a Gible—not a Garchomp. Even if you claim to be a dragon slayer, defeating a baby dragon doesn't prove much, does it?"

Honedge retorted, "A baby dragon is still a dragon! And I was just a baby sword!"

It patted its sheath and made a bold promise to Petilil:

"Yo!" (⊙)/~!

"I am strong. This person is strong. With our training and tools, you'll be unstoppable!"

Hikaru smiled.

"If you want to become stronger, come work with me. Training while working will help you grow."

"Don't worry—weak Pokémon can become strong. All it takes is clever move combinations and an unbreakable will."

"Then it's settled."

Hikaru took out a Poké Ball.

"A Trainer in Johto once said—'Strong Pokémon. Weak Pokémon. Those are just the selfish perceptions of people.'"

"You will become strong."

Petilil stared at the Poké Ball.

Without hesitation, she tapped it.

The red light engulfed her. The Poké Ball barely shook before clicking shut.

"I caught a Petilil!"

(End of Chapter)

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