Chapter 3: Making Money Isn't Shameful

Terastallization.

As a special phenomenon unique to Pokémon in the Paldea region, its status is equivalent to Mega Evolution, Z-Moves, and Dynamax—the three major "special systems" unique to the Pokémon world.

Its effect is incredibly overpowered, capable of temporarily changing a Pokémon's type.

Even changing from Dragon to Fairy, or from Fire to Water, is possible.

While changing types, it also grants the Same-Type Attack Bonus for moves of the new type, significantly boosting the Pokémon's combat capabilities.

In the current timeline of the Paldea region where Luo Mu resides, as far as he knows, although Terastallization has already been researched by the married couple, Professors Sada and Turo.

Due to limitations in acquiring large quantities of raw materials, Terastallization has not yet been widely promoted. Neither he nor Geeta, the Top Champion, used Terastallization during their battle.

As the Top Champion, Geeta definitely possesses a Tera Orb, but Luo Mu indeed does not have one.

This shell of Tera Crystal, formed by Tera energy seeping underground in the Paldea region, which properly wraps and protects the raw Tera Orb ore, holds extremely high value.

High enough to lift Luo Mu, who is currently struggling on the brink of extreme poverty, back to a moderately prosperous life.

Sell it to Geeta!

In a flash of thought, this idea rapidly surfaced in Luo Mu's mind.

However, the Special Hint System went crazy, constantly popping up text before his eyes.

【I know you want to sell it, NO! ALLOWED! TO! SELL!】

【With it, your Pokémon's strength can improve significantly, so why sell it?】

【Boohoo, please don't sell it, okay? I promise I can help you when you build the farm!】

【This is my request for a lifetime!】

"........."

Luo Mu was somewhat speechless; what a humble system, making it seem like he was bullying someone.

"It's not impossible for me to keep it, but you must be available whenever I need a hint, okay?"

【No problem at all!】

Seeing the text appear, which clearly reflected its happy mood, Luo Mu sighed and accepted this Special Hint System in his heart.

This fellow looks silly and probably has no scheming; having a chat companion to relieve boredom isn't a bad idea.

After moving all the furniture and items that needed sun exposure outside with Swampert, Luo Mu bumped fists with Swampert's right palm and smiled: "You've worked hard; tonight we'll make a big meal, so go back into your Poké Ball and rest first."

Swampert nodded, touched the one of the six Poké Balls at Luo Mu's waist that belonged to him, and turned into a red light, retreating inside.

Luo Mu stretched, his gaze sweeping across the ground.

Besides the furniture needing sun exposure, those sealed cardboard boxes had also been opened by him, their contents scattered quietly on the ground.

He had already rummaged through everything inside; apart from some photos of that elderly couple, there was almost nothing useful.

Luo Mu planned to tidy these things up later and place them before the elderly couple's grave.

In addition, he found several bags of plant seeds without labels, probably some flower or grass seeds.

Unfortunately, these seeds were no longer usable; the elderly couple likely hadn't performed any preservation treatment when they bought them.

Moreover, much time had passed; even if they had been preserved, they might not necessarily have lasted until now.

The only thing that could be considered an unexpected harvest was this raw Tera Orb ore in his hand, right?

Thinking of this, Luo Mu toyed with the raw Tera Orb ore in his hand, hesitated for a moment, then took out his phone and dialed a number.

Beep... beep, the call was connected very quickly.

"How rare, why did you suddenly think to call me today, Champion Luo Mu?"

The voice coming from the other end of the phone was none other than Geeta, the Top Champion and President of the Paldea League.

"I've already retired, President, just call me by my name."

Luo Mu helplessly corrected Geeta's address, because after he had developed in the Paldea region for a while, he naturally caught Geeta's attention.

After getting to know each other, through back-and-forth interactions they became quite familiar, so Luo Mu didn't feel as nervous talking to her as others did.

On the other end of the phone, Geeta shook her head slightly; through this small probe, she could see that even though half a month had passed, Luo Mu still had no intention of regretting his previous decision.

Silently sighing, Geeta said without changing expression: "So, do you have something you need from me this time?"

Luo Mu said slowly: "I found a piece of raw Tera Orb ore and want to request that you, President, help me deliver it to the two professors to be crafted into a usable Tera Orb."

Hearing this, Geeta's expression instantly became serious.

Raw Tera Orb ore, this is an extremely rare item...

Moreover, Luo Mu's request was not to sell it to her for money, but to craft it into a usable Tera Orb.

This meant he at least hadn't completely given up on the path of a Trainer... There's hope!

A strategy instantly appeared in Geeta's mind. Geeta cleared her throat twice, her face filled with a smile: "Acting as an intermediary is a small matter, but... Luo Mu, do you know how expensive the crafting cost of a Tera Orb is?"

Luo Mu was stunned; isn't the Tera Orb an item that even new Trainers can get in the future? How valuable could it be? Hiss... wait, no.

In an instant, Luo Mu suddenly remembered that in this timeline he currently occupies, the Tera Orb was only recently developed; it is still far from the time when costs can be compressed and technology invested for mass production. Just like before he transmigrated.

Many high-performance black technologies have already been realized, but due to restrictions like materials and costs, they can only remain in laboratories and cannot be rolled out across the industry on a large scale.

The Tera Orb is currently in this same situation.

Oh no, he seems to have been rash!

Luo Mu touched his cautious heart and asked hesitantly: "May I ask, if I provide the raw materials, how much money is needed to craft a Tera Orb?"

Geeta smiled: "If you sell the land you just bought, you might barely scrape together enough?"

"Hiss..."

Luo Mu gasped in cold air; forget crafting this then! Even if he sold himself, he couldn't sell this land!

Thinking that he didn't need to use this thing urgently, Luo Mu was just about to give up on making the Tera Orb when Geeta suddenly spoke: "But this problem isn't unsolvable..."

Luo Mu's movements stalled, and he involuntarily pricked up his ears to listen.

"I will cover this crafting cost for you, but... I have a condition."

"Con... conditions?"

"In exchange, you need to serve as a Battle Instructor at Grandma Ju Zi's Academy in Mesagoza."

"Recently, because our Battle Instructor took an extended leave, I, as the academy's chairperson, have been worrying about finding a replacement; your arrival is quite timely."

It could even be said that he had delivered himself right to her door.

After Geeta finished speaking, Luo Mu, holding his phone, fell into deep thought.

Make him become a teacher?

Was Geeta not afraid that the future flowers of the Paldea region would be led astray by his teaching?

Moreover... becoming a teacher was not his dream!

Before Luo Mu could even refuse, Geeta, as if she had completely seen through his thoughts, proposed an offer he found utterly impossible to reject.

"There are only two Battle classes per week, which won't take up too much of your time; furthermore, Mesagoza is very close to Poco Path, so flying back and forth on your Dragonite won't take much time at all."

"Most importantly, I will bear the entire cost of crafting your Tera Orb for you, and your salary as a Battle Instructor will be the same as that of a full-time faculty member; are you satisfied with this proposal?"

Luo Mu realized he seemed to be completely played in the palm of Geeta's hand; every one of her proposals hit exactly what he desired.

Short working hours, a salary to subsidize household expenses, getting the Tera Orb crafting fee for free, and it wouldn't affect his dream of becoming a farm owner either.

Did he have any reason to refuse?

No!

Luo Mu immediately made his decision: "Chairperson, when do I start work?"