Chapter 26

Takumi blinked at Ningguang.

"Sister, are you worried that the babies in my store's warehouse will run out of stock and we won't be able to keep up with the demand?"

Ningguang was taken aback by him calling her "Sister."

Sister? His words were as sweet as honey—so familiar and close!

As a woman as charming and affluent as Ningguang, she was no stranger to the attention of many suitors. However, she always maintained a polite and respectful distance from them, her smile always reserved.

But now, being called "Sister" by Takumi stirred a different feeling within her, making her smile in a way she hadn't expected.

Her eyes then swept over to Cresselia, who was elegantly floating nearby.

Well, being addressed this way by a young store manager who had a contract with a legendary Pokémon, and one with such "unremarkable" looks, gave Ningguang no reason to feel awkward. She nodded, unexpectedly pleased and a bit proud.

Takumi didn't dwell on it. To him, it was just a title. What was the harm in calling Liyue's wealthiest woman "Sister"? This business deal was worth a billion Mora. Who would have thought he'd achieve his sales target for the day in just one morning—and even exceed it tenfold!

Sweet words were just a small favor in comparison.

"Sister, there's no need to worry!" Takumi said with a grin. "In the world of Pokémon, breeding houses are mid- to high-level establishments. The eggs and Pokémon they sell are carefully selected for good potential."

"On the contrary, Sister, you should start making preparations. When a large number of wild Pokémon appear, and ordinary people start capturing them to become trainers, do you think the Liyue region will be able to maintain its current peace amid the chaos and tide of this new era?"

Takumi's words gave Ningguang pause, sparking a moment of serious reflection. With a solemn expression, she left the shop and returned to the Jade Chamber.

"Ningguang..."

Keqing, the Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing, had obviously been waiting for her in the Jade Chamber for some time.

Keqing frowned. "There was quite a commotion in Liyue Harbor just now. Everyone is talking about how Tianquan Star spent one billion Mora on a peculiar pet?"

Ningguang smiled slightly, took out the white commemorative Poké Ball, and released Beldum.

Beldum looked around, then floated over to its new trainer, making a soft, low sound as if pleading.

Hungry~~

Guu...

Ningguang signaled a secretary to feed the Beldum with MooMoo Milk.

"Do you see it?" she asked.

Keqing nodded, her gaze fixed on the way the Beldum hovered in the air.

She then took a closer look at the commemorative Poké Ball in Ningguang's hand, her eyes wide with amazement. She couldn't comprehend the technology behind this small device.

Could this be a mystical treasure?

Otherwise, how could a living creature be contained within such a small sphere? And when the baby Pokémon emerged, it was enveloped in a light that seemed beyond ordinary means. Only the adept art of Liyue's Adepti might explain it.

After a moment, Keqing returned her attention to the creature itself.

"Your pet contains a mysterious power—one that's different from elemental energy."

"It seems to have a deep connection to earth and metal?"

Ningguang rarely saw Keqing so puzzled and intrigued, and a delighted smile formed on her face.

"My godbrother said that Beldum is made of magnetic materials and levitates through magnetic repulsion."

Godbrother?

Goodness.

She goes out for a visit and returns with a godbrother.

With Ningguang's business acumen and her usual distance from the opposite sex, that "store manager" must certainly be a worthwhile investment.

Maybe even enough to pique the interest of this extraordinary Tianquan Star.

"Keqing, though my godbrother assured me that his breeding house has a steady supply of Pokémon, I'd advise you to go there soon to secure high-potential Pokémon before others snatch them up."

My godbrother...

Keqing had heard it enough times. She sensed Ningguang was flaunting her newfound bond with the store manager, and she didn't want to hear it a third time. She turned to leave.

"I'll go immediately."

…

"Ah, this feels good. Targeting high-end customers really pays off."

After bidding farewell to Hu Tao and Xiangling, Takumi lay heavily on the sofa. It was nearly lunchtime.

Cresselia had taken over the cooking.

She picked up a recipe book and read it while moving about the kitchen, as the store was stocked with plenty of ingredients.

It wasn't too surprising that a Pokémon would be doing household chores. Ash's mom had a Mr. Mime that practically raised him.

But a Pokémon like Cresselia willingly cooking meals with such enthusiasm was another level altogether.

Not even Champions like Steven and Cynthia had this kind of special treatment!

「Task: "Achieve 100 million in Sales" (Completed).」

The task notification popped up in Takumi's store manager's log.

And with that, he received the second "Store Manager Ten-Draw" reward!

Takumi, sprawled on the sofa, held the still-sleeping Jirachi in his arms, gently rubbing its soft cheeks as he whispered:

"Jirachi, let your master borrow your wish-granting power!"

"I don't need much—just give me a two-for-one jackpot with two golden legendary Pokémon!"

After that, he pressed the button for the lottery draw.

Whoosh... ten beams of light descended from the sky.

Takumi held his breath.

As he looked closely, two of the beams glowed a dazzling gold. He slapped his thigh and shouted:

"Yes! This is awesome!"

"A jackpot again!"