"Now, here's the final adoption agreement."
Once Pete finished reading the manual, Aven placed a document on the table.
It was titled Pokémon Breeding House Adoption Agreement.
Pete picked it up and read through it, his eyes soon drawn to one particular clause.
If the adopter abused, abandoned, or otherwise harmed the Pokémon, the breeding house retained the right to reclaim the Pokémon.
If the Pokémon chose to reject its adopter, the breeding house had the right to reclaim it for a certain cost.
There were several clauses like this—essentially, ownership of the Pokémon wasn't absolute.
To keep a Pokémon permanently, one must continue to earn its trust and approval. Losing that trust meant losing the Pokémon.
Gloom peeked at the document curiously.
As Aven read each clause aloud, Gloom's eyes widened slightly—and then slowly welled with emotion.
It was an unfamiliar but comforting feeling—like the entire breeding house stood behind it.
Like a wanderer who had finally found a home—a place it could always return to.
"I will definitely treat Gloom well!"
Pete took a deep breath and solemnly declared.
Without hesitation, he picked up the pen and signed the document.
"Agreement complete."
Aven nodded in satisfaction. "You two must get along well from now on."
Pete and Gloom glanced at each other, then both nodded very seriously. In that instant, they suddenly felt like their relationship had undergone a subtle elevation.
"Alright, the ceremony is over."
"Also, congratulations on becoming a member of the Fruitvale Village Patrol Team."
"You can go find Peter now to register. He'll teach you what to do."
Aven handed a document to Pete, along with a Trainer's Handbook and a Basic Training Manual for Gloom.
"I can join the patrol team right now?" Pete widened his eyes slightly. "I don't need to take a test?"
"Didn't I just test you?" Aven shrugged.
"No helping it, you're the first trainer to be acknowledged by Gloom. You deserve a reward."
Pete was stunned for a moment. As he recalled everything that had just happened, he nodded with gratitude, promising to become a good patrol team member!
After Pete left, Aven immediately called Fessen over.
"Lord Aven, you're letting him join the patrol team just like that?" Fessen opened his mouth, feeling that Aven's decision was a bit hasty.
"Don't worry. I trust my judgment."
Aven smiled and patted the scribe on the shoulder, continuing, "You should think of a way to help publicize Pete."
"Focus on the fact that he's the first outsider recognized by a magical beast, that this beast came from the abandoned orchard's magical beast tribe, and that he's also the first patrol team member..."
As he listened to Aven's explanation, Fessen carefully jotted everything down. The more he wrote, the more his eyes lit up. He silently praised Aven's plan—it was brilliant.
They had been racking their brains over how to ease the tensions between villagers and the recovering magical beasts. This move resolved everything at once!
"Also, keep an eye on things. Have the patrol team monitor those magical beasts more closely."
"Soon, a flood of villagers will be heading toward the abandoned orchard. While this could help build mutual understanding, it will also inevitably disturb the magical beasts."
"I've already instructed them not to attack humans first, but I can't guarantee they'll always comply—and we also have to prevent villagers from overreacting…"
Fessen took detailed notes again. Then the two discussed some details, after which the scribe hurried off to prepare.
…
That day, another explosive piece of news spread through Fruitvale Village.
Pete—a villager from Eastgate Village—had been recognized by a magical beast and officially became a patrol team member within just half a day! Once word got out, everyone in the village was filled with envy and jealousy. Soon after, those who knew Pete started asking for more information.
Pete hadn't expected the news to spread so fast, but seeing the villagers' reactions, he felt a sense of satisfaction.
"Pete… he actually pulled it off!" Enel was dumbfounded when he heard the news.
He had just been thinking that Pete was being reckless and regretted not stopping him. But now? A massive slap in the face.
"Pete was right. I guess that place really isn't dangerous."
"And the magical beasts there are different from the Glooms inside Fruitvale Village—they seem to acknowledge people faster!"
Enel immediately made up his mind, did some quick preparations, and rushed out of the village.
But as soon as he stepped out, he froze. He saw a crowd of villagers running in the same direction as him—toward the abandoned orchard, where the magical beasts Aven had brought back from the frontlines now lived.
"Everyone figured it out too?" Enel suddenly felt a wave of regret—for not following Pete back then.
When he arrived at the edge of the orchard with the crowd, they were suddenly blocked by a Torterra.
Torterra was just as confused. What were these humans doing, charging in so aggressively? Were they planning to fight?
Thankfully, Peter arrived with the patrol team just in time.
He was also a bit overwhelmed, having just learned of the situation and unsure how to handle it.
"Torterra, they just want to be friends with you."
"Aven said it too, right? Try to communicate with humans, maybe even become partners."
Torterra recognized Peter as someone who had been on the front lines. After hearing his explanation, it finally understood.
"Torr~"
Torterra nodded, indicating that the villagers could enter—but they must not harm the magical beasts living there.
Peter couldn't understand Torterra's words, but from its gestures and tone, he got the message.
He immediately turned to the villagers behind him and said, "You may enter, but be careful."
"These magical beasts won't attack you without cause, but if you hurt or provoke them, we can't guarantee your safety."
"If any of you get injured or killed, that's your own responsibility. No one will be held accountable for it."
Hearing this, the villagers calmed down a little, realizing that they were still dealing with magical beasts.
If these beasts went berserk, the villagers would be like lambs to the slaughter—completely helpless. That thought sobered many of them up.
They had been blinded by envy after hearing about Pete.
After all, patrol team members enjoyed high status and great pay—enough to make anyone jealous.
After the warning, Peter sent his team to escort the magical beasts into the meadow to maintain order, then allowed the villagers to enter.
Some chose to take their chances and go in. Others backed off.
But most of the villagers decided to wait and observe, trying to figure out how to gain a magical beast's recognition. They didn't believe it would be that easy.
…
At the farm, Aven also heard about the events at the abandoned orchard.
He realized he had underestimated the villagers' desire to become patrol team members.
But thinking about it again, the comparison made sense—patrol team members were essentially public servants. No wonder they were so eager.
Even in his past life, it wasn't easy to get a Trainer license.
In contrast, just earning a magical beast's approval? That seemed far too simple—a real opportunity to change one's fate.
"Aven, Aven!"
While Aven was pondering how to handle the situation, he heard Uncle Mike calling him.
"Uncle Mike, what's wrong?" Aven asked, curious.
Judging by Mike's farmer outfit, did something happen in the orchard?
"A lot of people suddenly came to the farm asking to buy Pokémon food."
"You know we've never sold Pokémon food before, so I came to ask you what to do."
Uncle Mike scratched his head. He had no idea why so many villagers would suddenly want to buy Pokémon food—he was confused.
Pokémon food… Aven immediately understood the reason.
The villagers were probably trying to use food to win over the magical beasts and earn their trust. Honestly, not a bad idea.
Back in his previous life, offering Pokémon food when trying to catch a Pokémon could really boost your success rate.
"If the villagers want Pokémon food, we can sell it."
"But it can't be through the farm—it must go through the Pokémon Breeding House."
Aven's mind turned quickly. He saw this as the perfect opportunity to promote the Breeding House to everyone.
He went to the temporary Breeding House outside the orchard and took out the price list. "Uncle Mike, this is the price list. Go hand it out."
"If anyone wants Pokémon food, just record their names. Also, let Aunt Erin know to start preparing it."
Uncle Mike took the list and glanced at the prices.
After a quick calculation, his eyes widened.
The main ingredient for the food was vine from Vine Monsters, which could regenerate rapidly. They could be harvested daily and mixed with berries. His wife could make plenty in a single day.
Wow—if villagers really used Pokémon food to raise magical beasts, this price was quite steep! Mike clicked his tongue in awe but also felt a rising excitement.
Just selling Pokémon food could make the farm a fortune—who'd even need to grow berry trees anymore?
"If they want to become patrol team members, they'll have to pay the price," Aven muttered with a small smile as Mike walked off.
He was starting to feel excited. Pokémon food was just the beginning—winning a Pokémon's favor.
If they actually wanted to raise powerful Pokémon, they'd have to invest even more.
Truly, being a Trainer was an expensive profession, no matter the era.
The only question now was: when this initial wave of excitement passed, how many people would stick with it?
Those who did would no doubt be the best seeds for future Trainers.
(End of Chapter)