Chapter 16 Money Burning Careers

Hu Yang examined Budew's information, embarking on the task of formulating a training plan for his new Pokémon companion.

"Budew, Species Strength 280, and it already knows the moves Stun Spore, Absorb, and Seed Bomb," Hu Yang reflected, recalling the data. "That's decent, certainly more capable than a Magikarp."

Speaking of Species Strength...

In this world, Pokémon's Species Strength came in various forms, influencing their Life Level cap and inter-species disparities. Nevertheless, Species Strength didn't directly shape the outcome of battles, instead, a trainer's skill in nurturing and commanding their Pokémon held the key.

Numerous examples, whether from games or his current reality, supported this notion. Normal Pokémon maintained unchanging Species Strength, yet exceptions existed. Mega Evolution, for instance, temporarily altered a Pokémon's Species Strength, but it wasn't a permanent transformation. Additionally, some Pokémon experienced changes in their Species Strength due to unique circumstances.

Hu Yang's recollections led him to the giant Dragonite near Bill's Lighthouse and the Ultra-Ancient Pokémon like Gengar, Alakazam, and Jigglypuff in the Kanto Region. He pondered whether they had transcended their original Species Strength limits, but they currently resided in the Kanto Region, well beyond his reach.

Returning his focus to the present, Hu Yang acknowledged that while this beginning might be considered decent for normal trainers, it was already a perfect start for him. Even if offered a Quasi-Legendary Larvitar, he couldn't afford it. Raising a Larvitar demanded more resources than nurturing Budew, as Larvitar's diet consisted of rocks to evolve into Tyranitar. Ordinary stones wouldn't suffice, rare mineral-rich rocks were necessary for its healthy growth.

While Budew could theoretically thrive on Synthesis and water, Hu Yang had no intention of settling for that. His approach was to provide Budew with the best possible resources to ensure it became an exceptional Budew.

Hu Yang was now keen on discovering Grass Type Pokémon's preferred food. He sat at his desk by the window, engrossed in reading books on nutrition borrowed from the library. Meanwhile, Budew luxuriated on the sunlit windowsill, its flower buds swaying contentedly in the warm sunlight.

The day's temperature was perfect, and even Cramorant refrained from any outdoor commotion. Much like Budew, it stood entranced by the sun's radiance.

The room was steeped in tranquility.

Eureka! Hu Yang exclaimed inwardly. He had found the answer in the central section of the book, which detailed monthly nutrition recipes for Grass Type Pokémon growth:

Recipe 1: Two Berries + three Big Roots or a Tiny Mushroom + four Berries (Medium quality, costing around 200 to 500 Alliance Coins)

Recipe 2: Three Berries + two Big Roots + one Balm Mushroom (High quality, priced at about 1,000 Alliance Coins)

Recipe 3: One Brilliant Golden Fruit + two Big Roots + one Balm Mushroom (Perfect quality, typically costing over 2,000 Alliance Coins)

Recipe 4: Three Thorn Berries + three Big Roots + Bubble Rock + Yaojinguo

The prices took Hu Yang aback, especially when he saw that the normal quality food required for Larvitar amounted to 3,000 Alliance Coins per month. He realized the extent of the financial burden that came with being a trainer, making it challenging for ordinary individuals to afford such nourishment for their Pokémon. This widened the gap between common trainers and the nobility.

In this moment of reflection, Hu Yang couldn't help but feel regretful. Why hadn't he incorporated an Alliance Coin modification feature into his modifier? Thankfully, the book provided nutritional recipes, outlining the monthly dietary requirements for Pokémon. Ingredients like Yaojinguo were rich in energy and required a month for Pokémon to fully digest, discouraging daily consumption due to potential energy waste. Therefore, purchasing such ingredients once a month sufficed.

However, the expenses were still considerable. Maintaining a Pokémon each month would cost a minimum of 2,000 Alliance Coins, or 12,000 for six. This figure was beyond Hu Yang's imagination, especially when he looked at the money he had just received. It was evident that he needed to embrace frugality once again.

As Hu Yang gazed at the relaxed Budew on the balcony, he silently prayed that it would live up to his investment.

Determined to provide the best, Hu Yang allocated 3,000 yuan as Budew's growth fund, reserving 1,000 yuan for his daily expenses and saving the remainder.

Taking advantage of the absence of classes for the day, Hu Yang embarked on a journey to the department store in the heart of Petalburg City with Cramorant and Budew.

The department store in this world offered an extensive range of products, from Pokémon evolution stones to clothing accessories. As it turned out, they had everything one could imagine.

With ample time on his hands, Hu Yang opted for the escalator instead of the elevator, ascending floor by floor through the sightseeing areas.

Perhaps the reason for the prevalence of trainers exploring beyond their hometowns was evident here—the best-selling item in the department store was a portable tent.

"Seems pretty high-tech," Hu Yang mused, examining the lightweight and compact tent that took up minimal space. He recalled the frequent sight of trainers effortlessly setting up tents in the wild in anime.

It was a bit of a shame that he had once believed these trainers possessed backpacks similar to Doraemon's four-dimensional pockets.

The goods meant for regular customers vanished once he reached the sixth floor, giving way to items designed specifically for trainers. These items included Poké Balls, wound-healing sprays, and various Pokémon Items, each with unique uses. However, the prices were far from affordable for Hu Yang at the moment.