Chapter 3: Making Money Isn

Terastallization.

As a unique phenomenon specific to the Paldea region that occurs in Pokémon, it holds the same status as the three other signature systems of the Pokémon world: Mega Evolution, Z-Moves, and Gigantamaxing.

Its effect is incredibly powerful, temporarily changing a Pokémon’s type.

It can even shift a Dragon-type to a Fairy-type, or a Fire-type to a Water-type.

While changing its type, it also grants the same-type attack bonus for moves of the new type, significantly boosting the Pokémon’s battle capability.

In the timeline of Paldea where Luo Mu currently resides, as far as he knows, Terastallization has already been developed by Dr. Futo and Dr. Aulin, the married couple.

But due to the lack of large-scale access to raw materials, Terastallization has not yet been widely adopted. He himself did not use it in his battle with Chief Champion Yaci.

Yaci, as Chief Champion, certainly possesses a Terastallization Crystal, but Luo Mu definitely does not.

The outer shell of this Terastallization Crystal, formed by scattered Terastallization energy underground in Paldea and properly enclosing the raw Terastallization Crystal ore, is of extremely high value.

So high that it could lift Luo Mu, who is barely scraping by in poverty, back to middle-class stability.

Sell it to Yaci!

In a flash, the idea flashed through Luo Mu’s mind.

Yet the Special Prompt System was flashing text in his vision like it had gone mad.

【I know you want to sell it—NO! DO NOT SELL IT!】

【With it, your Pokémon’s strength can improve even more—why sell it?】

【Waaah, please don’t sell it, I promise I’ll help you with your farm!】

【This is my lifetime request!】

“.........”

Luo Mu was speechless—what a pitiful system, making him feel like he was bullying someone.

“I don’t mind keeping it, but you have to respond instantly whenever I need a prompt, okay?”

【No problem!】

Seeing the text clearly conveying its joy, Luo Mu sighed and internally accepted the Special Prompt System.

This thing seems dumb and harmless—having a chat partner to pass the time isn’t bad.

After moving all the furniture and items needing sunlight outside with Gyarados, Luo Mu fist-bumped Gyarados’s right palm and smiled: “Thanks for your hard work—tonight we’re having a big feast. Go rest in your Poké Ball.”

Gyarados nodded, touched the Poké Ball among the six on Luo Mu’s belt that belonged to it, and vanished in a red flash.

Luo Mu stretched, his gaze sweeping the ground.

Aside from the furniture needing sun exposure, the sealed cardboard boxes had also been opened, their contents scattered quietly across the floor.

He had gone through everything inside—aside from a few photos of the elderly couple, there was almost nothing useful.

Luo Mu planned to tidy these items later and take them to the elderly couple’s grave.

Besides that, he found several bags of unlabeled plant seeds—probably flower or herb seeds.

Unfortunately, these seeds were no longer viable; the elderly couple likely didn’t store them properly when they bought them.

And so much time had passed—even if they had been stored, they wouldn’t have lasted this long.

The only unexpected gain was this raw Terastallization Crystal ore in his hand.

Thinking of this, Luo Mu toyed with the raw Terastallization Crystal ore, hesitated a moment, then pulled out his phone and dialed a number.

Duh……. duh, the call was quickly answered.

“How unusual—you suddenly remembered to call me, Champion Luo Mu?”

The voice on the other end was none other than Yaci, Chief Champion and President of the Paldea League.

“I’ve retired already—President, just call me by my name.”

Luo Mu sighed, correcting Yaci’s title; after spending some time in Paldea, he had naturally caught her attention.

After getting to know each other, they grew familiar, and Luo Mu spoke to her without the usual tension he felt with others.

On the other end, Yaci gave a slight shake of her head—this small test revealed that even after half a month, Luo Mu had not changed his mind.

She sighed silently, then said without expression: “So what brings you to me today?”

Luo Mu said slowly: “I found a raw Terastallization Crystal ore. I’d like to ask you to help me deliver it to the two doctors to be crafted into a usable Terastallization Crystal.”

Upon hearing this, Yaci’s expression turned serious.

Raw Terastallization Crystal ore—this is an extremely rare material...

And more importantly, Luo Mu wasn’t asking to sell it to her for money—he wanted it crafted into a usable Terastallization Crystal.

That meant he hadn’t completely abandoned the path of a Trainer... this could work!

A strategy instantly formed in Yaci’s mind. She cleared her throat twice, her face bright with a smile: “Arranging a connection is a small matter, but... Luo Mu, do you know how expensive it is to craft a Terastallization Crystal?”

Luo Mu was stunned—wasn’t the Terastallization Crystal supposed to be a standard item for new Trainers? How expensive could it be? Wait... no.

In an instant, Luo Mu remembered: in this timeline, Terastallization had only just been developed, far from the stage of cost reduction and mass production—just like before his transmigration.

Many high-performance black technologies had already been realized, but due to material and cost constraints, they remained confined to labs, unable to scale into industry.

The Terastallization Crystal was in the same situation.

Damn, he’d been too hasty!

Luo Mu patted his chest nervously and asked hesitantly: “Could you tell me—how much would it cost to craft a Terastallization Crystal, if I provide the raw material?”

Yaci smiled: “You’d probably need to sell the land you just bought to afford it.”

“Sssss...”

Luo Mu sucked in a sharp breath—no way was he crafting this thing! He’d rather sell himself than sell that land!

Realizing he didn’t urgently need it, Luo Mu was about to give up on crafting the Terastallization Crystal when Yaci suddenly spoke: “But this problem isn’t unsolvable...”

Luo Mu froze, instinctively leaning in to listen.

“I’ll cover the crafting cost—but... I have a condition.”

“C...condition?”

“In exchange, you must become a Battle Instructor at the Orange Academy in Table City.”

“Recently, our Battle Instructor took a long leave, and as the academy’s chairperson, I’ve been struggling to find a replacement—you’ve come at the perfect time.”

You might as well have walked right into my arms.

After Yaci finished speaking, Luo Mu, phone in hand, fell into thought.

Become a teacher?

Didn’t Yaci worry the future of Paldea would be ruined by him?

And... his dream wasn’t to be a teacher!

Before Luo Mu could refuse, Yaci, as if reading his mind, presented a proposal he simply couldn’t reject.

“You’ll only teach two Battle classes per week—it won’t take much of your time. And Table City is very close to Flat Plate Town; your Dragonite can make the round trip in no time.”

“Most importantly, I’ll cover the full cost of crafting your Terastallization Crystal, and your salary as a Battle Instructor will be the same as a regular faculty member. Are you satisfied with this proposal?”

Luo Mu realized he’d been completely manipulated by Yaci—every proposal hit his sweet spot.

Short working hours, a salary to supplement his household, free Terastallization Crystal crafting, and no interference with his dream of becoming a farmer.

Did he have any reason to refuse?

None!

Luo Mu immediately decided: “Chairperson, when do I start?”