Chapter 19

"None for sale!"

"Our current main business is the breeding house..."

Takumi rejected the tempting offer from Hu Tao, the head of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. No matter how many Mora they offered, he wasn't going to sell it. Otherwise, what would happen to his cherished time for salted fish entertainment?

Unless, of course, the lottery could bring him some black technology for craftsmanship and an assembly line could be built.

But seeing Xiangling and Hu Tao still full of energy, Takumi suddenly had a headache.

Darn it, it feels like I'm babysitting!

How do you let energetic girls burn off their excess energy?

Suddenly, Takumi thought of another store upgrade module that he hadn't had the chance to activate yet.

The other door: "The Arena!"

"What a genius idea."

"This wave, I'll turn our Pokémon's restless energy into internal competition!"

Having made up his mind, Takumi chuckled to himself and stood up.

Under Hu Tao and Xiangling's confused stares, he walked to the wall next to the counter, right next to the threshold of the training room, and tapped it lightly.

Hu Tao and Xiangling were dumbfounded.

They saw another door appear in the store, leading to an unknown space!

Takumi turned around and smiled at them, speaking slowly:

"Although this place might be a little advanced for you two beginner trainers..."

"It's still good for you to get acquainted early."

"It will help you understand the true significance of capturing, raising, and training Pokémon."

"Why do trainers embark on a journey with their Pokémon?"

"Why do they challenge gym after gym?"

"Why become the champion, why become the Pokémon Master?"

"What does it mean to prove oneself as a Pokémon Master?"

Hu Tao and Xiangling exchanged glances, hearing the depth and weight behind Takumi's words.

"So, what's behind this door?"

Although they had just started learning about Pokémon, they were sure that these creatures weren't simply cute pets with high intelligence.

After all, Teyvat was a world of fantasy and adventure.

The Pokémon's incredible attributes, moves, and skills were evident even to someone like Qianyan Army Captain Hong Yi. He could already see the boundless potential in these creatures, let alone people like Hu Tao and Xiangling, who were blessed with Visions.

If raised properly, they would become valuable allies and a powerful force.

This was what Hu Tao and Xiangling thought—otherwise, they wouldn't have spent so much Mora on adopting a Pokémon and training it.

But based on Takumi's words, it seemed they were still underestimating the significance of having a contracted Pokémon.

They were still undervaluing what it meant to be bonded with a Pokémon.

"Significance... prove what?"

Seeing the confusion deepening in their eyes, Takumi sighed.

The emergence of Pokémon would be a monumental shift for all of Teyvat.

He had no doubt that Pokémon would become popular in the future. Soon enough, the release of wild Pokémon into secret realms would lead to an explosion of interest across the continent...

Therefore, allowing Pokémon to integrate into Teyvat's daily life was one of Takumi's primary goals in running this breeding shop.

But Takumi wanted more than just that.

He wanted people to form strong bonds with Pokémon.

Friends, partners, family!

The most intuitive way to express this bond was through battle—fighting together, overcoming setbacks, and refusing to give up.

Fight?

Fight!

Thinking this, Takumi sighed inwardly.

Sure enough, what he looked forward to most was the deep bond between humans and Pokémon.

Don't abandon!

Don't give up!

Takumi turned around first and disappeared through the door.

Xiangling and Hu Tao followed after.

"Whoa—"

It was like stepping out of the player tunnel at a massive stadium.

The world before them was a magnificent arena.

The audience in the stands cheered enthusiastically, and the host introduced the contestants in a melodious voice.

Takumi stood on the stage as confetti rained down. He turned to Xiangling and Hu Tao, who were still shocked and confused, and smiled slightly:

"This is our store's 'Arena.'"

"Don't be nervous."

"Aside from you and me, everyone here is a dummy—a projection, if you will..."

"If you don't like the simulated competitive environment, I can also remove it and replace it with an internal competition without an audience."

The grand stage, packed with thousands of people, was intimidating. Xiangling and Hu Tao could feel their palms sweating.

This environment shocked them greatly, but they still heard Takumi's voice, loud and clear amid the deafening cheers.

And they were even more excited by what they heard.

Wait, did you say that everyone in the audience is a dummy?

Are they all just a realistic atmosphere created by a projection?

Wow, this must be something only the gods can accomplish!

What a huge spectacle!

Takumi stepped into the referee's seat and activated the built-in recording function that came with the arena module.

The first Pokémon battle on the continent of Teyvat...

This would be very valuable footage.

He would record it, edit it, and put it on the advertising screen that was to be installed soon.

Surely, it would be yet another wave of impressive advertising!