Chapter 5: The Dream of Success
Warm sunlight spilled through the glass panes of the Pokémon Emporium, washing every surface in a soft, golden glow. Dust motes danced lazily in the air as the morning breeze carried the scent of polished wood and fresh berries from the nearby stall. The shop was alive—filled with laughter, chatter, and the clinking of Pokéballs against the glass counters. Children pressed their faces against the displays, eyes wide with wonder. Adventurers examined shelves of rare items, while merchants murmured among themselves, impressed by the Emporium's craftsmanship.
Behind the counter stood **Nathan Morningstar**, beaming with pride, his hands resting confidently on the smooth wooden surface. His voice rang brightly across the bustling room.
"Welcome, welcome! Today's special—buy one Pokéball, get the second half off! Don't miss your chance!"
Beside him, **Muramasa**, his Honedge partner, hovered gracefully, letting out a soft metallic hum that resonated like a song of triumph. **Masamune**, the Aegislash, stood near the entrance, its polished shield gleaming as it politely guided customers. The Emporium thrummed with life; even the air itself seemed to hum with the sound of success.
A small boy rushed to the counter, clutching a Pokéball with trembling hands. "Mister, can I really have this Eevee?"
Nathan leaned down, a warm smile curving his lips. "Of course! She'll make a perfect partner. Take good care of her, alright?"
The boy nodded eagerly, his eyes shining with excitement before darting out the door with his new companion.
As the laughter faded into the distance, Nathan exhaled deeply, the corners of his mouth lifting in satisfaction. "This is it. My shop is thriving. All the hard work finally paid off!"
He glanced around—the shelves were half-empty, the register kept pinging with each sale, and the line stretched all the way to the entrance. His heart swelled with pride as he threw his arms wide open.
"Muramasa, Masamune… looks like we're going global!"
The two sword Pokémon chimed in harmony, their metallic resonance echoing through the room. Nathan closed his eyes, a wide grin spreading across his face as he basked in the moment.
*Yeah… this is perfect.*
---
**Bzzz. Bzzz. Bzzz.**
A faint vibration stirred him from his bliss. Nathan blinked, the edges of his dream melting away as his forehead smacked against the counter with a dull *thunk.*
"Wha—what the…" He jerked upright, rubbing the sore spot on his head. The once lively Emporium was silent. The air was still. No chatter, no customers, no laughter—only the quiet hum of the ceiling light.
"Oh, come on…" His face fell in disbelief. "Don't tell me…"
He glanced around the empty shop. The counters were spotless, untouched; the shelves, fully stocked.
"It was all… a dream!?"
Letting out a defeated groan, Nathan slumped over the counter. "That felt so real… and so good, too."
Reality hit harder than any battle could. It had been six hours since he officially opened the Emporium that morning. A handful of curious locals had peeked inside, their eyes widening at the sight of Pokémon… only to frown and leave after glancing at the listed prices on the Pokédex terminal.
"I knew business would be tough," Nathan muttered, dragging a hand down his face, "but this kind of hardship? This is ridiculous."
A faint hum answered him. Muramasa floated closer, placing a chilled can of pineapple juice beside his arm. Nathan blinked, then chuckled softly, the corner of his mouth twitching upward.
"Heh… thanks, buddy. At least someone still believes in me."
Taking a sip, he leaned back on his stool and stared around the quiet store. "Well, if we don't have customers, we might as well see what kind of fancy tech we've got here. We were too tired yesterday to really look around, right, Muramasa? Masamune?"
Both blade Pokémon hummed in unison—a silent agreement.
Nathan stood and began wandering the aisles, his **Appraisal Skill** activating with a faint shimmer as he inspected each device.
---
**[ Pokémon Healing Machine ]**
Restores a Pokémon's health and stamina instantly.
**[ Pokémon Storage Terminal ]**
Allows safe transfer and storage of captured Pokémon between registered trainers.
**[ Potion Dispenser ]**
Dispense healing and status-curing potions
**[ Pokémon Food Dispenser ]**
Provides dietary-specific meals tailored to each Pokémon type.
**[ Pokéball Dispenser ]**
Dispense different types of Pokéballs
---
Nathan nodded, genuinely impressed. "This place is more advanced than I thought. It's like a mini Pokémon Center and Lab combined."
Then, something metallic caught his eye—a sleek silver machine standing in the corner, its body etched with glowing blue veins. Beside it sat a strange Pokéball resting inside a glass case, radiating with faint green light.
Curiosity flared. "Now what's this beauty?"
His **Appraisal Skill** triggered again, displaying a holographic readout before his eyes.
---
**[ Pokéball Design & Repair Machine ]**
Used to redesign or repair Pokéballs. While core functions remain unchanged, users can add elemental engravings or attach special accessories.
**[ Anemo Ball ]**
A Pokéball infused with the Blessing of Anemo. Pokémon captured with it gain two wind-based abilities in addition to their natural move sets.
Existing attack and defense skills are enhanced by Anemo's grace.
---
Nathan's jaw dropped. "What?! That's insane! A Pokéball that *buffs* Pokémon?" He ran a hand through his hair, pacing in excitement. "If Mondstadt's Adventurers' Guild catches wind of this, they'll line up at my door! This could change everything!"
His eyes gleamed with renewed hope as he turned toward the counter. "This might be it—the breakthrough I needed—"
**Ding!**
The soft sound of the sliding door at the front interrupted his thoughts. The alarm chimed gently, echoing through the quiet air.
Nathan froze.
Someone had entered.
He straightened, turning toward the entrance—and his breath caught in his throat as his gaze met the figure standing in the doorway.