Chapter 14: Tera Transform, Swampert!

"Hm?"

Luo Mu let out a soft sound of surprise; was Professor Sada calling at this hour because the Tera Orb had finished processing?

Luo Mu's long, slender fingers, with their distinct knuckles, swiftly tapped the answer button on the screen; a few faint static noises came from the phone's receiver, and Luo Mu sighed, "Speaking of which, it's time to replace this phone."

Thinking back to when he first transmigrated to this world, knowing full well that falling behind meant getting beaten, he had chosen to spend most of his savings to scour this phone from the second-hand market.

It was precisely because of this phone that he and his Luxray had met.......

"What's wrong with the phone?"

A woman's voice, carrying a slight hint of amusement, came through the receiver; the owner of the voice was none other than Professor Sada.

Luo Mu, who was about to sink into memories, was startled awake by Sada's voice; he blinked, quickly adjusted his state, and replied, "The phone is a bit old; I'm planning to find an opportunity to get a new one."

"I see." On the other end of the line, Sada used her long legs to spin her rocking chair in a circle and cut straight to the point: "The Tera Orb is ready."

"Oh?" Luo Mu's eyes began to shine; this was truly good news, and he immediately asked aloud, "Do I need to come to the Lighthouse Lab to pick it up?"

"No, a little delivery volunteer has eagerly stepped forward to help~" Sada's tone gradually softened, hiding a trace of deep pride.

"........ Arven is coming?" Luo Mu's expression froze, his tone somewhat hesitant, but Sada's tacit confirmation left him speechless, and he helplessly said, "He's just a ten-year-old child; Professor, are you really at ease letting him cross the wilderness of South Province Area One to reach Cortondo?"

"Why wouldn't I be at ease? That child has already turned ten; in other regions, children his age receive their starter Pokémon, become Trainers, and embark on journeys filled with dreams and adventure." Sada knew what Luo Mu was worried about and explained, "Mabosstiff is accompanying Arven; with its strength, crossing South Province Area One, which is geared toward novice Trainers, is more than enough."

"What Professor Sada said....... is correct."

Luo Mu admitted that he had been persuaded by Sada.

Indeed, because he was already seventeen when he transmigrated here, he had subconsciously forgotten one of the most outrageous settings of the Pokémon world.

In this world, children who have reached the age of ten can receive a starter Pokémon, officially become a novice Trainer, and go out to adventure.

Both Arven and Nemona, whom he had rescued not long ago, had reached this age of "independence."

"In any case, it's been a while since Arven set out, so he should be arriving in Cortondo soon. He doesn't know where your farm is, so I'll have to trouble you to meet him at the town entrance~"

"Alright, I understand." Luo Mu nodded slightly; while answering Professor Sada, his gaze shifted to the distance, where Swampert was walking toward him.

As if remembering something, Sada suddenly said, "By the way, after you get the Tera Orb, if you have any questions, try to ask me within these few days."

"Around the time after Naranja Academy starts, my husband and I will be returning to the Great Crater of Paldea to conduct research; at that time, I'm afraid we won't have the leisure to handle such matters."

Luo Mu fell silent for a moment, then asked, "If both of you are entering the Great Crater for research, what about Arven?"

Sada replied with a strange expression, "Naranja Academy is a boarding school; to help Arven integrate into the environment, we would have him live on campus even if we were home. Don't let his appearance fool you; that child is actually quite independent, and recently he seems to have developed an interest in cooking."

"So, during this period, we'll have to trouble Teacher Luo Mu to look after Arven~"

"........ Fine." Luo Mu sighed and replied.

Sada chatted with Luo Mu for a few more sentences before actively hanging up; Luo Mu looked at Swampert, who had already arrived by his side, and said apologetically, "Let's go; we still have to go into town to pick someone up."

Swampert nodded, his steps as steady and heavy as the earth as he fell in behind Luo Mu.

South Province Area One, Lighthouse Lab.

Seeing his wife hang up the phone, Sada, dressed in futuristic attire, said to her, "It seems that once our research makes progress, we'll need to prepare a special gift to thank this teacher....... "

Sada touched the beast-tooth necklace on her chest and nodded, "Ever since I heard rumors of bullying among students at Naranja Academy, I've been worried about Arven. That child has no scheming nature; faced with bullies, he would likely choose to suffer in silence. Besides Director Clavell, we don't have any acquaintances at Naranja Academy."

"Although Clavell plans to join the faculty at Naranja Academy, distant water cannot quench immediate thirst."

"Perhaps it was a wild instinct....... I felt that this new teacher was someone worthy of trust, so I somewhat shamelessly entrusted him with this matter."

Sada took out the Violet Book he carried with him, stroking the cover as he stared into space, "Shameless, huh........ You are quite right. To realize the dreams and long-cherished wishes of us two, once we enter the Great Crater, we probably won't have much time to accompany Arven all year round, and who knows how many years such days will last."

"On one side is the dream we've longed for since youth, on the other is the responsibility of being parents; reality is truly cruel....... "

Sada stood up, patted Sada's shoulder, and said in a deep voice, "But Teacher Luo Mu's question struck straight at the core of the issue: if we enter the Great Crater for research, what about Arven?"

"Will that child be sad? Will he be lonely? Shamefully, I have never considered these things before."

Sada embraced Sada and said softly, "Let us work hard together, striving to find a balance point between dreams and responsibility."

"Alright......... "

"Wow~ Is this Uncle....... Brother's farm?" Arven's eyes were full of curiosity, unable to take in all the surrounding scenery.

You were just about to call me Uncle, weren't you?

Luo Mu smiled without reaching his eyes and said, "As you can see, most of the place is still wasteland; there is a long road ahead before it can be transformed into a qualified farm."

Arven nodded thoughtfully, squatted down, and took a black crystalline sphere shaped like a Poké Ball out of the backpack on Mabosstiff, who seemed somewhat hesitant in its movements due to Swampert's presence, and handed it to Luo Mu with both hands.

"Brother Luo Mu, this is the Tera Orb my mom asked me to bring you."

Luo Mu took the Tera Orb; the first sensation upon touching it was cold and smooth, as flawless and natural as if carved by heaven itself.

The black crystal shell of the Tera Orb made it hard to imagine just how brilliant a light it could emit when used.

After examining it closely, Luo Mu couldn't help but marvel at what kind of technology could create such a beautiful item.

Arven tugged at his sleeve and asked, "Do you know how to use it, Brother Luo Mu?"

Luo Mu nodded hesitantly; he still remembered the specific usage method; it just remained to be seen whether it would have an effect.

Immediately after, he looked at Swampert beside him, and at that moment, Swampert also turned its gaze toward him.

Tacit understanding allowed both sides to instantly grasp each other's intent; Luo Mu's lips curled upward, feeling a long-forgotten heat rising in his chest, and he shouted, "Tera Transform, Swampert!"