[Farm Upgrade Quest II Complete: Plant three acres of Fortune Grain and Rolling Beans]
[Reward: Heal Grass ×50, Antidote Herb ×30]
Once Noah diverted water from the riverside into the furrows, clear runoff seeped through the soil, and the system chimed to confirm the task.
In the Pokémon world, Fortune Grain typically matures in about ninety days, while Rolling Beans take closer to sixty. With Quick Grow fertilizer, both cycles can be cut nearly in half.
Farming here was simpler and more bountiful than in Noah's previous life. Watching his partners water the seeds with care, he kept planning. Aside from fertilizer, certain moves could speed growth. Sunny Day and Rain Dance could set perfect weather. Grassy Terrain helped plants draw in energy faster. In Paldea, even Dachsbun was said to perfume the air so that wheat for hundreds of meters thrived.
Maybe I should recruit a partner who knows Grassy Terrain, he thought.
"Trainer, over here."
The soft, teasing call drifted from the field. Noah looked up just in time to catch a splash full on.
Gardevoir, already in her feminine form, cupped water from the diverted stream with a bright smile.
Noah took one look at her playful bow and the way the chiffon clung and understood exactly what she was after.
So we are doing a water fight today.
He was not the herbivore type. Laughing, he splashed back and the two of them played like children, sending glittering arcs of water through the sunlight. He drew Lopunny in as well with a light flick of water.
"Eek. Trainer, I did not do anything."
Flustered and soaked, the bunny girl squeaked and tried to shield herself, cheeks pink as she scurried for a towel.
"Do not catch a chill. Go clean up," Noah said when they returned to the cabin. He had long since grown used to the contrast between her shy heart and that glamorous transformed look. The slightest teasing made her freeze up like a startled fawn.
"Trainer, and me," Gardevoir murmured, hair dripping as she sat with a pleased little smile. The water fight had only whetted her appetite for attention.
A low horn sounded outside the farm.
"Hold that thought and wait for me," Noah said, tapping her forehead with a grin. "I will help you dry off later."
"Mm."
She squeezed his hand, eyes bright, and let him go.
Noah opened the door. A deep blue cargo truck patterned with dozens of Wingull was rumbling down the lane toward the yard. In the cab, a broad shouldered driver with forearms like steel climbed out as the brakes hissed. A stone faced Machamp sat in the passenger seat, its scar laced muscles telling their own story.
"You must be the new owner here," the driver called with a friendly wave. "Name's Gus Miller, Harborview Procurement. The mayor in Daybreak Town filled me in on your situation. I handle farm buy orders across the region. Looking forward to working together."
"Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Miller," Noah replied. The timing was perfect. He had planned to ask in town about buyers, and here one had arrived on his doorstep.
"Cha."
Machamp gave a surprised rumble. Gus followed its gaze and noticed the neatly laid out fields and irrigation. He let out an approving whistle.
"Did not expect to see this much reclaimed so fast. Bright future here. Got anything for sale today"
Noah stepped inside and returned with several dark, glassy stones.
"Hard Stones," Gus said at once, lifting one to the light. They did not gleam like pure gold, but Trainers prized them for sharpening a Pokémon's control of Rock type energy. Some bought them to use in battle. Others collected unusual shapes for display. There was even a rumor that the Hoenn Champion had filled a whole room at Devon with rare stones.
"How much could these fetch," Noah asked.
"For standard grade like this, market is about five thousand League credits each," Gus said after a quick look. "Tell you what. First time partners and all, I will take them at sixty five hundred each."
That was better than Noah had hoped for. They shook on it, and he sold on the spot.