Chapter 244: Blueberry Academy: That Was a Chaotic Night, Young Master

"?"

Watching Hassel lean down to meet his gaze, Luo Mu's eyelid twitched involuntarily.

Knowing the answer yet asking anyway, Luo Mu said, "Why are you asking me this question?"

The corner of Hassel's mouth lifted slightly in a ingratiating smile: "As you know, ever since cutting ties with my family, I've been solely responsible for funding my Dragon-type Pokémon, not to mention that my main professions of painting and vocal music are also quite costly."

"I saw a recruitment flyer printed by Chairwoman Geeta at the League Headquarters and thought I might be qualified for the responsibilities of an art or music teacher, so I planned to apply and wanted to ask you about the salary and benefits at Naranja Academy."

Luo Mu: "."

A dignified Dragon-type Elite Four member, the heir to a Dragon Tamer family, planning to take on a part-time teaching job just for that meager wage; truly, moral standards are declining day by day.

What, am I one of those too?

Then never mind!

"I'm not clear on the situation for art or music teachers, but as a Battle Instructor, my compensation is two classes per week, a probationary salary of fifty thousand League Dollars for the first month, followed by eighty thousand League Dollars per month after becoming permanent, four months of long vacation annually, and reportedly there are also quarterly bonuses."

After a moment of contemplation, Luo Mu briefly outlined his own compensation package to Hassel.

He had expected this older young master to look down on such paltry sums, but instead, Hassel's eyes lit up; he immediately picked up his phone and tapped away frantically before decisively pressing the send button.

"What did you just do...?"

Luo Mu suddenly had an ominous premonition; do people make decisions so rashly these days?

With an expression of complete composure, Hassel said, "I just sent my resume to the Chairwoman to apply for the art teacher position; with my abilities, I will definitely be selected."

"I know what you're about to say; just as you didn't want to rush around accepting missions to earn money and thus opened a farm to take the position of Battle Instructor, if I were to accept missions, the old folks would surely discover it, then they would hound me to return home to inherit the family business, causing my missions to come to naught."

"They find it difficult to interfere in matters within Naranja Academy; this way I can pursue the artistic creation I love while also earning a salary to subsidize household expenses; this is a win-win."

Hassel's argument was sound and well-reasoned; even Luo Mu was shocked by this earth-shattering wisdom, even beginning to suspect whether this person became an Elite Four member only because he felt his family members were incapable of forcibly breaking into the League Headquarters to drag him back...

Just as he was about to say something, a moving melody rang out; Luo Mu had heard it not long ago, so he raised an eyebrow: "The theme song from 'Kalos Holiday'?"

"You know it too?" Hassel picked up his ringing phone, saw the name displayed on the screen, and whether surprised by the identity of the caller or that Luo Mu watched movies, he remarked, "The theme song 'Unforgettable' paired with a film that can be called a work of art; I like it very much, never expecting that a battle maniac like you would know about such things."

"Given the momentum you displayed when you defeated several of us back at the League, I thought you had no interests outside of battling."

"I'm retired now; is it really that hard to understand cultivating one's sentiments?" Luo Mu said with a helpless expression, pointing at Hassel's phone to remind him, "Aren't you going to answer the call?"

"I'll take it right away; the Chairwoman's call is something I must answer."

Saying this, Hassel made no attempt to avoid Luo Mu's presence and directly answered the call, Geeta's voice ringing out from the speaker.

"Hassel, according to the materials, you applied to be the academy's art teacher?"

"The Chairwoman is still working at this hour; truly diligent."

"No, I am currently preparing for a meeting regarding the academy incident; Brother Brother Qingmu is helping me with the review work."

The moment Geeta's words fell, both Luo Mu and Hassel wore expressions that were hard to describe.

Exactly how many positions is Brother Brother Qingmu holding simultaneously?

Glancing at Luo Mu, Hassel whispered, "Your decision not to take on a position was the correct one."

Luo Mu nodded heavily: "I deeply share that sentiment."

Geeta's slightly puzzled voice rang out: "From the sound of it, you are with Luo Mu right now?"

The two of them: "."

Insightfulness comparable to a monster!

Before Hassel could react, Geeta spoke as if she had confirmed her speculation: "Knowing your nature, you probably went to him to confirm the job content and compensation, correct? It doesn't matter; as long as you can guarantee that your Elite Four duties are not neglected, there is no problem with you becoming an art teacher."

"By the way, please pass a message to Luo Mu for me—soon I have a new commission for him; he will need to lead some people to the Unova region, and there will be a travel allowance."

"The meeting is about to start, so I'll hang up now; Hassel, we can discuss your specific start time later."

After Geeta hung up, the two fell silent for a moment.

Luo Mu remarked sarcastically, "You were seen through completely."

Hassel nodded in agreement: "A terrifying woman."

The Oranguru waiting nearby silently added a schedule item to his tablet regarding a potential trip to the Unova region, pondering that he would need to look up information on the Unova region over the next few days to prepare in advance.

Luo Mu also forked a piece of cake and sent it into his mouth; while savoring it, he began to ponder what Geeta wanted him to do in the Unova region.

A night raid on Team Plasma, kidnapping the King of Team Plasma, N?

Sneaking the Light Stone and Dark Stone away from Dragonspiral Tower or the Sword of the Earth?

Or going to attend Elesa's fashion show?

Luo Mu's contemplative expression did not escape Hassel; similarly lifting the hot tea just refilled by the Oranguru to take a sip, he waved the knife and fork in his left hand and smiled: "The Chairwoman asking you to go to the Unova region most likely means she wants you to visit Opelucid Academy or Blueberry Academy."

"Blueberry Academy?"

Luo Mu frowned slightly; he had an impression of Opelucid Academy, which was the school founded by Drayden, the Unova region's Dragon-type Gym Leader.

What the hell is Blueberry Academy? Why does it sound like it has some subtle connection to Naranja/Grape Academy?

Could it be some new facility added in the Black and White remakes or involving the legendary Kyurem that he wasn't aware of?

"You don't know?" Hassel looked at Luo Mu in surprise and explained directly: "Blueberry Academy is a newly established school in the Unova region, considered a sister school to Naranja Academy; reportedly, most of that academy's facilities are built on the sea, with Pokémon battles as the primary teaching curriculum."

"It's said they adopted a new technology there, artificially creating environments suitable for Pokémon habitation; I think it's called an Ecological Dome...?"

"Even I am very interested in that Ecological Dome; if only that technology could be used to create suitable environments for my Dragon Legion—"

Blueberry Academy, offshore architecture, Ecological Dome.

Aside from the offshore architecture possibly having some connection to Sea Mauville in Hoenn, he truly had never heard of the rest.

It seems this must be new game content he was unaware of.

"Regarding the reason the Chairwoman would have you go to Blueberry Academy, I have also guessed a bit."

"Naranja Academy is currently in a precarious period; it needs to send some positive signals to the outside world to prevent the tree from falling and the monkeys from scattering; the commission for you to lead people to Opelucid or Blueberry Academy should also be part of the Chairwoman's plan."

Although Hassel was an artist, having grown up in an ancient Dragon Tamer family, his political sense was far more keen than Luo Mu's; in just a few words, he helped Luo Mu analyze Geeta's intentions.

Luo Mu nodded slightly and said gratefully, "Thank you for your analysis."

"It's nothing; you already explained to me the benefits offered to teachers at Grandma Ju Zi Academy, so this is merely a reciprocal gesture."

As if remembering something, Basswood gently placed the large satchel he always carried onto the table.

A very vivid Gible was painted on the satchel; Luo Mu guessed Basswood had probably drawn it himself, and seeing the bag look inexplicably bulging, he asked puzzledly, "What's inside?"

Luo Mu had always assumed the satchel contained Basswood's art supplies, or perhaps even some musical instruments.

But judging by Basswood's expression, something seemed amiss.

Basswood chuckled, directly opening the satchel to show Luo Mu: "Ta-da! Local specialties I brought for you!"

Two Pokémon Eggs lying quietly in incubators came into view.

One egg featured green and brownish-gray stripes, adorned with yellow dots.

The other egg displayed red and green stripes, without any extra dots or patterns.

Luo Mu: "?"

Speechless; since when did local specialties consist of two Pokémon Eggs?

Seeming slightly embarrassed by Luo Mu's speechless expression, Basswood wore a complex look and smiled bitterly: "It was a chaotic night; this humble one made a mistake."

Having spoken, Basswood raised his eyes to check Luo Mu's reaction.

Luo Mu tapped his plate with knife and fork, extending his left hand as if inviting a performance to continue: "Keep fabricating; I'm listening."

Realizing he wouldn't see the reaction he hoped for, Basswood straightened his face, cleared his throat a few times, and said in a deep voice: "Ahem... no more jokes; these two Pokémon Eggs were born within the Dragon Legion I free-range in my backyard."

"Since my capabilities are limited, I wish to find reliable new owners for them."

"So, I was chosen by you?" Luo Mu raised an eyebrow, his gaze falling on the Pokémon Eggs, "You should know that most Dragon-type Pokémon are not only heavy eaters but also contribute almost nothing to a farm, right?"

"Between which two Dragon-type Pokémon were these two eggs born?"

Basswood shook his head honestly: "This humble one does not know."

Luo Mu's voice rose slightly: "You don't know?"

"This humble one practices mixed breeding; not only Dragon-type Pokémon, but various other types associated with Dragon-types are kept together. As you know, many Dragon-type Pokémon are unwilling to raise their own offspring, so these two eggs simply have no Pokémon claiming them."

"Judging by the color of the eggs, they should have some connection to the Grass type; this humble one thought they would suit your farm perfectly, so I brought them along."

Basswood looked aggrieved; Dragon-type Pokémon are naturally energetic, so occasional accidents resulting in fleeting romances are not strange, and coupled with his mixed breeding method, it was naturally impossible to tell whose seed produced which egg.

Luo Mu helplessly pressed his forehead and asked, "Doesn't your Dragon Tamer family teach you how to identify Pokémon Eggs?"

Basswood replied righteously: "This humble one skipped class when that was being taught."

Seeing Basswood's utterly unreliable appearance, Luo Mu could only silently pray in his heart: "System, give me a hint about the Pokémon inside these eggs, please."

【Here it comes, here it comes! Dearest Host, the egg on your left contains a Grass/Flying-type Pokémon, while the egg on your right contains a Grass/Dragon-type Pokémon!】

Ever since Swampert mastered Mega Evolution, and perhaps because his own strength had been steadily improving, the System's attitude had become increasingly obsequious, answering almost every question.

It had to be said that this fellow was quite useful; very quickly, Luo Mu narrowed down the possible targets.

A dual Grass and Flying type, yet related to Dragons—most likely the Pokémon whose name contains 'Dragon' yet isn't a Dragon, and though not a Dragon can learn Dragon Dance—Tropius.

As for the Grass and Dragon-type Pokémon, Luo Mu first ruled out Alolan Exeggutor and Mega Sceptile.

One of these is a final form, and the other is a post-Mega Evolution form; since the System hinted at the attributes of the Pokémon inside the egg, they could basically be excluded.

Therefore, there was only one answer left.

A Pokémon first appearing in the Galar region, possessing three evolutionary forms, clearly a Bug yet having the Dragon type—Applin.

If these were the two Pokémon, accepting them would be fine.

Tropius's main value for raising should lie in its byproducts.

This Pokémon can grow sweet and delicious fruits on its neck that are very popular among the elderly and children; it bears fruit twice a year, with each cycle lasting half a year, meaning that as long as nutrition is sufficient, it can essentially bear fruit indefinitely.

Applin is even more impressive; it possesses the Ability called 'Ripen,' which, if utilized reasonably, might accelerate the ripening speed of Berries.

If the Applin inside the egg indeed has the Ripen Ability, Luo Mu felt it was entirely worth raising.

Both Pokémon were surprisingly suitable for the farm; after pondering for a moment, Luo Mu looked at Basswood and asked, "Do you really intend to give me the Applin and Tropius Eggs?"

"Applin, Tropius?"

Several question marks popped up above Basswood's head; how did Luo Mu know the species of the Pokémon inside the eggs?

But fortunately, both Pokémon were Grass-types, so they should be useful to him.

Thinking thus, Basswood temporarily set aside these trivial details and said with a beaming smile: "Correct? This humble one's intuition was indeed right; they are very suitable for your farm."

"This humble one is already under great pressure from raising so many Dragon-type Pokémon; if you could accept these two eggs, it would be best."

"I believe you will take good care of them."

Luo Mu fell silent for a moment, then nodded solemnly: "I understand. Oranguru—"

"Yare yare yuta~"

The Oranguru nearby stepped forward, waving the fan in its hand; its psychic power spread out like waves, precisely locking onto the incubators on the table containing the two Pokémon Eggs and causing them to float up slowly.

Oranguru's movements were very gentle; after receiving Luo Mu's instruction, it carried the two Pokémon Eggs toward the third floor.

Basswood raised an eyebrow; as an Elite Four member, he could see that this Oranguru possessed not only the intelligence of a butler Pokémon but also unexpectedly excellent combat strength.

That wave of psychic power just now was no simple feat; in his memory, only Ryme's Pokémon could achieve such a degree.

Noticing Basswood's curious gaze following Oranguru and mistaking it for worry about the eggs' destination, Luo Mu explained: "I had Oranguru take the eggs to the third floor; since they are Grass-type Pokémon, exposing them to sunlight during the egg stage will make the babies healthier."

Basswood nodded and did not deny it: "I see; now that the eggs have been handed over to you, this humble one shall take my leave."

Luo Mu nodded and was about to rise to see Basswood off when he suddenly remembered the items in his warehouse and proposed: "By the way, before you leave, take some things with you; I happen to have some new Combee honey and some crops that you can take back for your Pokémon to eat."

Hearing this, Basswood's eyes immediately lit up: "Please, by all means, prepare some for this humble one!"

Added a slight private setting here; otherwise, the canon setting of Tropius bearing fruit only twice a year wouldn't allow for cost recovery () Let's just assume that sufficient nutrition enables continuous fruit production.

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(End of Chapter)