But if the effect is really good, the price is indeed fair. It's just that Ash simply has no money to buy such things; he's almost out of funds just buying food for his Pokemon, let alone having extra money for this.
"Tempted? Still interested in perfume?" Erika said softly.
Ash smiled wryly, "I was wrong, Erika. I'm indeed interested in the perfume you mentioned, but being interested is useless. I don't have the money to buy it."
That kind of price is simply not something a newbie trainer can afford.
Ash's desire to earn money grew stronger, and later he planned to ask in the group to see if any of the big shots had money-making ideas!
How can one be a Trainer without money?
"Hehe, if you're interested, I can give you an opportunity. I'll give you a formula, and if you can concoct a bottle of perfume yourself, I'll gift you ten bottles of those training perfumes I mentioned just now for your Pokemon."
Upon hearing this, Ash's heart skipped a beat. Is there really such a good deal?
"If I fail to concoct it, I won't have to compensate for the materials, will I? I'm already broke..." Ash said a bit meekly.
His current demeanor was a complete contrast to the assertiveness he showed in battles. Seeing this, Erika couldn't help but chuckle softly, covering her red lips with her small hand, "Don't worry, you won't need to compensate. You just focus on doing your best. But you only have three chances, so if you can't concoct it, don't waste my perfume ingredients, okay!"
"Don't worry, I can do it in one go! Making perfume is all about the precision of ingredient fusion, right? I'm very skilled at that." Ash confidently pounded his chest, as if he wasn't the one afraid of failure just moments ago.
"What are you guys talking about, so lively?" Misty, who was choosing perfume, saw Ash and Erika chatting non-stop. Feeling a bit uneasy, she casually asked as she approached them.
Erika smiled and relayed what they had been discussing to Misty, which was met with a strange look from her.
But Ash has never dealt with perfume before. Even if you tell him the formula, he probably won't be able to make anything, right? If making perfume were that easy, perfume shops would be everywhere.
Let alone this is the largest perfume shop in all of Celadon City, and the difficulty of making perfume here is the creme de la creme. Isn't Ash just setting himself up for embarrassment?
However, considering how tempting the training perfume for Pokemon is to Ash, his passion for anything Pokemon-related is undeniable.
It's only natural that he would want to give it a try.
"Can I also give it a try?" Misty asked somewhat weakly.
"Of course you can. Come on, I'll take you to the perfume-making room to have a look." Erika readily agreed, thinking that it didn't matter whether it was one batch of ingredients or a few.
Brock, who had been staring off into space at the perfume shop's salesgirls, glanced at Ash and Misty following Erika away. He snapped back to reality briefly, and after hesitating for a moment, he went back to gazing dreamily at the salesgirls.
Even though he appeared to be drooling over the salesgirls, in reality, he had heard the conversation between Erika and Ash. The idea of making perfume had tempted him too, as it was a good chance to get closer to Erika and bond with her.
But seeing Misty go along, Brock thought for a moment and decided to create some space for his good buddy to possibly get a date.
Only Brock himself could understand his good intentions!
...
Ash, Misty, and Pikachu followed Erika to the inner production room of the perfume shop, where there were various instruments and many employees busy making perfumes.
Erika led the two to a separate room. The area outside was a bit noisy, and the mixed scent of perfumes was quite intense, which could heavily affect the two who had never made perfumes before.
In the private room, they didn't have to worry about that.
"Here, this is the formula. The materials are over there, and the names are labeled, so you can help yourselves. If you have any ideas for making a different type of perfume, you can give it a try too." Erika first arranged the production process formula for the two, then casually found a chair to sit on, quietly watching them as they studied the formula.
Ash glanced at the formula, then silently closed his eyes.
...
[Newbie Ash: Hey big shots, in the myriad parallel worlds, is there any version of me that can make perfume?]
Seconds later.
[Champion Ash: I think there is, and the name seems to be... @Tycoon Ash]
[Newbie Ash: ???]
What kind of name is that? Why would a version of me who makes perfume bear the title "Tycoon"? Could it be that he became a tycoon by making perfume?
[Tycoon Ash: Perfume making? Rookie, why are you suddenly interested in this? Aren't you fond of battling?]
[Newbie Ash: It's like this...]
Ash recounted his encounter with Erika at the perfume shop, the effects of the perfume, and stated his request in the chat.
[Newbie Ash: Big shot, do you have any special perfume formulas suitable for Pokemon training?]
[Tycoon Ash: Yes, yes, I have plenty of those. Let me think... Here, have this. It's a universal perfume formula. The core ingredients should be available at the Celadon perfume shop where you are.]
As Tycoon Ash said this, he released an image, which detailed various ingredients, the specific order in which to add them, the quantities, etc.
In the group chat, images can be conjured directly from one's mind and shared. The way other big shots in the group taught Ash to recognize Pokemon was through this method.
After reviewing the materials and the method, Ash shifted his gaze to the bottom of the image, where the name and effects of the perfume were written.
Odd Incense: Allows Pokemon to enter a semi-trance state. Before entering the trance, confirm what they wish to do; once in the trance, they will automatically continue the desired activity, and due to the incense, their physical condition will be fully activated, achieving an instinct-driven focus.
This incense is suitable for training. Within one hour of using it, Pokemon will continue activities intended before entering the trance, making training more efficient without affecting their mental state.
It is particularly recommended for physical training. Given adequate recovery conditions, a Pokemon can engage in over twelve hours of intense training without feeling mentally fatigued.
Upon reading this, Ash was dumbfounded. He asked casually, and it turned out there actually was such a thing!
And why does the version of me in this parallel world go by "Tycoon"? Can making perfume really be related to that?
[Tycoon Ash: Are you curious why I have this name? Because in my world, I'm dedicated to making money. I participate in any money-making project, including the perfume business, which is pretty lucrative. The formula I provided you, for example, a bottle made could sell for 38,000, while the cost is only 380.]
38,000... 380...
Wow, that's a hundred-fold profit! Is this really that lucrative?!
Instantly, a money-making idea formed in Ash's head. He memorized the perfume-making method, thanked Tycoon Ash, and returned to the real world.
When Ash opened his eyes, Misty had already finished reading her formula and started the process. She was curious why Ash had closed his eyes and seemed deep in thought, but remembering Ash's unpredictable actions in the past, she decided not to disturb him.
Maybe Ash found some inspiration in the perfume formula? Interrupting could ruin it.
After opening his eyes, Ash recalled the contents of the formula, then looked around the room at the table and the materials in the nearby cupboard.
"Got it effortlessly, everything is actually here!"