"Bibarel, congratulations on your successful evolution."
By the riverside, Aven gently stroked Bibarel's fur. "Also… congratulations on learning Rototiller."
Bibarel's successful learning of Rototiller meant Aven's plan had worked.
He believed that in the future, during the evolutionary process of more Bidoofs, there would definitely be an increasing number of Bibarel capable of learning the move Rototiller.
"Bii Bii Bii~"
Bibarel nodded happily at Aven, then turned to look at the farmland it had just reclaimed. A satisfied smile appeared on its face.
In the days to come, Bibarel planned to keep reclaiming this land, making it more and more fertile.
At the same time, Aven also promised Bibarel that he would plant crops over all the land it reclaimed, allowing this soil to nurture new hope.
"Bii Bii Bii!"
Bibarel's eyes showed anticipation.
Nearby, the other Bibarels and Bidoofs were also very excited, circling the newly evolved Bibarel to celebrate.
"Bii…"
The Bibarel leader sat quietly on the ground, but its eyes suddenly revealed a complicated expression.
It lowered its head slightly, and an image of Marina City suddenly appeared in its mind — the place where it had been born and raised.
The most unforgettable thing about Marina City was its barren land. The companions living in the wild often went hungry because there wasn't enough food.
If, back then, one of the Bibarel had been able to learn Rototiller, that land surely could have been made fertile as well…
"Bibarel, for now, just focus on getting used to your new ability."
"Next, I will find some civilians skilled at farming to help you with cultivating the land."
"It's already autumn now — if we hurry, we should still make it in time for the autumn sowing, so that before winter arrives, we can have a harvest."
Aven's gaze also turned toward the distant farmland. The Safari Zone covered a very large area; most of the land was now planted with grass, but there were still many places left undeveloped.
Now, he planned to plant crops on all those undeveloped lands to prepare enough food for the coming winter, ensuring that the Pokémon could live through it peacefully.
Crops like wheat could be eaten directly by many animals and Pokémon. Bibarel's habits were similar to those of mice; as omnivores, wheat was also one of their staple foods.
"Lord Aven, sorry to keep you waiting."
At that moment, Matthew came hurrying over with the rangers, bowing respectfully when he saw Aven.
"It's fine — I've just finished up here as well."
Aven told the rangers to rise, then pointed to Bibarel. "This is the Bibarel I have raised. It has already learned the move Rototiller."
"In the coming days, go and find some civilians who know how to farm to help cultivate the land in the Safari Zone. I'll make you a planning map shortly."
Matthew immediately accepted the order. Then he glanced in surprise at the Bibarel in front of him. He knew all too well how usefull the move Rototiller was.
The Nidoking Valley berry orchard was developed rapidly thanks to Rhydon's Rototiller move. The berry seedlings there were growing exceptionally well, and they would be ready to bear fruit next year.
He had not expected that this Bibarel could also learn such a rare move. His eyes toward Aven showed deep respect — Lord Aven truly was the strongest… trainer he had ever met!
"Then I'll leave this matter in your hands."
"Over the next few days, try to communicate more with Bibarel."
"In the future, during the reclamation of the Black Forest, Bibarel's strength will be extremely important."
After giving further instructions to Bibarel and the rangers, Aven left the riverbank with his Pokémon. He still had an even more important task to complete.
"Nido, nido, nido~"
When he returned to the Pokémon Breeding House, he was greeted by Nidoran♂ and Nidoran♀ running toward him happily.
The two little ones ran very fast, and from their physique, it was obvious they had grown much stronger.
These past days, the two had been in Nidoking Valley, receiving guidance from their father, and had likely only recently returned to the Breeding House with the rangers.
Now that they were seeing Aven again, both were extremely excited, jumping around him and clinging to his legs affectionately.
"Welcome home, little ones."
Aven sat on the ground, gathering the two in his arms to stroke them.
After a brief check, he could tell that both had indeed inherited some knowledge and techniques from the Nidoking leader.
Although Aven's training methods as a Pokémon Breeder were top-tier, a Nidoking capable of surviving and growing strong in the wild to a quasi-king level naturally had its own valuable experience.
In the coming days, Aven would also provide targeted training for these two Pokémon, allowing their strength to increase once more.
"Nido nido~"
The two Nidoran responded together, looking forward to the training that awaited them.
"Lil lil, lil lil~" "Ralts~"
Behind Aven, Petilil and Ralts also came over to greet the little ones.
As for Luxio, who had been taking care of them recently, it did not follow along. It was probably off challenging the Bibarel group at the moment.
Casting a glance at the Pokémon playing in the courtyard, Aven quickly made his way into the Breeding House. When he came back out, he had changed into a simple set of linen shirt and trousers.
"Rhydon, next is making Poké Balls. You haven't forgotten the feeling from last time, have you?"
Hearing Aven's words, Rhydon pounded its chest, assuring him that it could definitely make Poké Balls again.
Seeing that Aven and Rhydon were about to start forging Poké Balls again, the surrounding Pokémon all gathered around. They were excited at the thought of having a Poké Ball of their own.
Just like Mothim, they would then be able to be recalled into the ball anytime, staying close to their trainer at all times.
Aven led the group into the forge inside the Breeding House — a place he had built specifically for the secret crafting of Poké Balls.
This item had epoch-making significance, so the production method had to be kept absolutely secret. This was also the cornerstone of the trainer system he intended to establish.
"Rhy!"
Once inside, Rhydon skillfully began lighting the fire.
It quickly gathered some wood and tossed it into the bowl-shaped furnace, then struck with Fire Punch. The surging flames engulfed the wood, burning it down into charcoal.
In an instant, the temperature inside the furnace rose, and Rhydon, seeing this, moved to the forging table to prepare — clearly already very familiar with the process.
"Has your Fire Punch grown this strong already?"
Watching this, Aven was a little surprised. Through constant training, Rhydon's mastery of Fire Punch had indeed reached a very high level!
Perhaps the next step would be to let it learn some other Fire-type moves… Aven mused to himself. He could sense that Rhydon's Fire-type potential was also quite good.
Rock and Ground were its natural types, and Aven had already trained those to a high degree. It was time to diversify its move set to broaden its offensive reach.
A truly powerful Pokémon generally mastered moves of multiple types, helping to avoid being overly restrained by a single type disadvantage.
"Rhy!"
Before long, Rhydon finished preparations.
Aven then took out a White Apricorn and began working with Rhydon to make the Apricorn Ball.
Dong, dong, dong, dong, dong~
Compared to last time, Rhydon was now much more skilled at forging.
Aven quickly placed the White Apricorn into the forge. The first step in making a Poké Ball was high-temperature smelting, and this still had to be handled by him.
However, Rhydon had now begun learning the smelting step as well. After mastering Fire Punch, its ability to sense temperature had improved greatly, letting it monitor the furnace heat with precision.
As the White Apricorn was continuously heated at high temperature, the special energy inside began to activate, and streams of energy flowed within it.
The Pokémon nearby could clearly feel this energy. Among them, Mothim — having already been inside a Poké Ball — was the most sensitive, recognizing it as the same energy that had surrounded it within the ball.
"Rhydon, now!"
At Aven's signal, Rhydon's flame-wreathed hand darted into the furnace, pulling the Apricorn out.
The cooperation between the two during this stage was very smooth. Having already succeeded once before, Rhydon knew exactly what to do next.
It quickly placed the Apricorn on the anvil, raised its fist, flames blazing, and struck without hesitation.
Rhydon's gaze was focused entirely on the Apricorn, watching as it subtly changed shape under its blows. The surface glimmered and dimmed alternately, shifting unpredictably.
"Good job, Rhydon!"
Aven's eyes were also locked onto the Apricorn.
From the moment Rhydon swung its fist, he knew it had not forgotten how to forge Poké Balls.
In fact, thanks to all the forging practice lately, plus techniques it had learned from the blacksmith, its forging speed had greatly improved.
Before long, Aven saw the special patterns he knew so well appear on the Apricorn's surface.
After the high-temperature smelting, careful hammering would create a special capsule-like structure inside the Apricorn.
Now, under Rhydon's strikes, the White Apricorn was gradually forming that capsule-like inner structure.
Dong, dong, dong~
The sound of hammering filled the forge.
"Rhydon, now's the moment!"
At Aven's words, Rhydon instantly understood and plunged the glowing-red Apricorn into the water.
Zzzzzz~
A hissing sound erupted as white steam billowed up from the basin.
When Rhydon lifted the Apricorn out again, what appeared was a White Apricorn covered in intricate, special patterns.
"Excellent work, Rhydon!"
Aven hadn't expected things to go so smoothly — the first White Apricorn had been forged successfully!
(End of Chapter)