Chapter 80

The research institute is a small piece of land that Takumi recently established on a high slope adjacent to the ecological zone. He marked it off two days ago at the beginning of the ecological zone's development.

After going uphill, the terrain levels into a platform with a wide view. You can overlook Mount Aozang and the mist-shrouded Qingyunding. It also offers a view of the lower ecological area.

Thus, after enclosing the land, Takumi discussed various measures for the Liyue Pokémon Alliance with Ningguang and requested her help to find a construction team to build the main building of the research institute as soon as possible.

In prosperous Liyue, as long as the Mora is provided, construction efficiency is remarkably high.

Takumi brought the unconscious Lurantis here.

One main duplex building has already been constructed, though the construction team hasn't entirely withdrawn yet. They are still building some functional buildings on the periphery according to Takumi's blueprints.

Takumi's vision for the research institute is akin to Professor Oak's research center in Pallet Town. The base must at least have facilities for researching, breeding, and caring for trainer Pokémon.

The focus of the research is still on the "Localization of Pokémon in Teyvat." In other words, Takumi wants to observe if Pokémon habits will change due to the new geographical environment after the establishment of the ecological zone.

There are also numerous areas for breeding! One of the commissions Takumi received is to breed as many Growlithe as possible for Ningguang. Ningguang wants to form a Pokémon force similar to the "Officer Jenny Corps." The standard equipment for the elite personnel will be Growlithe.

As for the function of caring for the trainers' Pokémon, it can be compared to foster care in a pet shop. Trainers with too many Pokémon or those who are too busy to train them can send them to the research institute for care.

However, these services are not yet publicly available.

Therefore, the first Pokémon fostered and housed in the institute is none other than the wild Champion Lurantis brought back by Takumi.

The three-story theme building, based on Takumi's design, was constructed with a welcoming reception area on the first floor. For now, there is just a gorgeous long wooden table, and the nearby seating area is also fully equipped.

Takumi brought Lurantis to the medical room on the first floor. He took out various healing medicines from his bag. Before applying the medicine, he used warm water, towels, and alcohol to carefully treat Lurantis's wounds.

The spray wound medicine worked quickly, and some bleeding wounds soon scabbed over.

"Unfortunately," Takumi sighed, "there is only one healing machine in Nurse Joy's store, and I cannot replicate it for the institute, which is independent of the store system."

Takumi didn't want to put Lurantis into a Poké Ball, or he would have just used the healing machine to restore Lurantis to full health instantly.

However, as a Champion-level Grass-type Pokémon, Lurantis has an incredible recovery ability. Using Photosynthesis, it can restore its energy naturally. This explains why Lurantis has continued to challenge Breloom despite being injured multiple times.

Looking at the now-stable Lurantis lying on the treatment table, Takumi took a picture with his Pokédex and sent it to the group chat.

"Beidou, Yoimiya, Kazuha, Xingqiu, and Chongyun, Lurantis has been rescued and will wake up soon. You're welcome to come to the institute to see it."

The group chat was still buzzing about Lurantis.

People in the chat were jokingly calling Takumi a firefighter who even rushed to rescue Pokémon.

Xiangling: Hey, Manager Takumi, we're coming!

Hu Tao: I'm coming too! I need to see the top beauty in our group!

Takumi: (Photo attached)

Keqing: Takumi, is the research institute open already? With the construction speed in Liyue, I thought it would take at least a month or two before everything was ready!

Takumi: Thanks to Ningguang's and Yuheng's full support and cooperation. I am very satisfied with Liyue's efficiency.

Ningguang: Now that it's ready... what about the thing I mentioned last time?

Takumi: You can bring the Beldum here.

Ningguang: Okay!!

Takumi closed the group chat interface, but at that moment, Lurantis's body on the treatment table trembled. It slowly opened its pale red eyes.

"Ruru—!"

Lurantis quickly leapt up, letting out an angry cry. It was graceful and sharp. The forelimbs, though resembling the flowing sleeves of a kimono, were thin and sharp like scythe blades.

With a sharp swish, Lurantis swung its flower-like scythe, slicing through where Takumi's waist appeared to be...

However...

Lurantis blinked, confused as the shadow of "Takumi" shattered. It seemed to lose its target.

"Hey, already angry upon waking up?"

Takumi spoke calmly from the doorway of the medical room, hands in his pockets. He showed no fear of a Level 60 Champion Pokémon.

"Think back to what happened before you fell unconscious," he said. "I was the one who rescued you."

Takumi released his Aura power. Although it isn't like the Viridian power that guarantees high favor from Pokémon, Aura can convey emotions, ideals, and kindness clearly.

Lurantis tilted its head, lowering its scythe-like forelimbs.

"Come on, you must be hungry. Let's eat."

Takumi opened a box of high-quality energy cubes, pouring them into the feeding dish. These cubes were green, with a light, bitter taste—just right for Lurantis.

He placed the dish down and looked at the Pokédex's detailed data.

"It even has personality, taste, and detailed breeding methods." Takumi sighed. "If we brought this system to the Pokémon world, we'd be unbeatable in the breeding and contest competitions."

Lurantis turned its head arrogantly. But when Takumi waved and half-closed the door, the aroma of fruit filled the room.

Lurantis swallowed, hesitating.

With curiosity, it tried the energy cube for the first time, chewing on one gracefully.

Suddenly, Lurantis's pale red eyes lit up with delight.

"Wow!"

Inside the quiet, semi-enclosed medical room, Lurantis transformed from an elegant warrior to a hungry, ravenous Pokémon.

In the corridor outside, Takumi used his psychic and Aura powers to observe, the corners of his lips curving into a smile.

"No one can resist good food."

"Not even Pokémon."