Chapter 4: But I'm a 007

Even Cynia, on the other end of the phone, could faintly sense the urgency in Luo Mu's words.

It seemed... he was already feeling a crisis of lacking money.

Cynia wore a meaningful smile and said slowly, "There's no need to be too anxious; Profound Sky Academy is currently on break and won't resume until spring, a month from now."

"This period is perfect for you to complete the initial construction there, bringing you one step closer to your dream."

"As for the Tera Orb... I recall the Lighthouse Research Station, established by the two Professors in South Area One, is very close to Cortondo. I will handle the fees and the commission; surely, handing over such a precious item personally to them would be more reassuring?"

【Host, why do I feel this woman has other ulterior motives?】

Luo Mu's smile froze for an instant as he clumsily replied in his mind, "Do you take me for a fool? The tricks I've seen outnumber the hosts you've contracted. I can roughly guess Director Cynia's intentions... but one thing at a time; I'm jumping into this pit willingly!"

"Do you understand the value of an iron rice bowl teaching job with only two classes a week and a decent salary!"

"This is the ultimate dream for us 996 corporate slaves, aside from just lying flat at home!"

Although Luo Mu had never been to Profound Sky Academy and didn't know the exact teacher's salary, it should at least cover his future utility bills...

Plus, he could get the Tera Orb crafting fees for free; how could he possibly give up such benefits!?

【But I'm a 007...】

Luo Mu: "..."

For a moment, he didn't know how to continue the conversation.

Although he was chatting idly with the System in his mind, Luo Mu hadn't forgotten the main business.

Using the reliable approach of a responsible adult, he confirmed the specific start date, salary, benefits, and other trivial details with Cynia. Luo Mu waited contentedly for Cynia to hang up first, and the next moment, he nearly cheered aloud.

Awesome!

Not only was the utility bill problem solved, but there was even surplus left over!

Cynia promised that even during his probation period, Luo Mu would receive a monthly salary of 50,000.

With little work involved, he was thoroughly satisfied.

Though it might seem inconsistent with his status as a Champion-level Trainer, tasks and jobs requiring that identity were increasingly troublesome...

Likely due to the liberation of productivity, prices for most items across the various Leagues were very uniform.

Pokémon-related items were slightly more expensive; for instance, the Poké Balls, Great Balls, and Ultra Balls categorized in the game before his transmigration required an extra zero in Luo Mu's world.

They were pricier, but not to the point where ordinary people couldn't afford them.

Thanks to Cortondo being a small town, land prices weren't outrageous; the plot Luo Mu purchased, bordering wild mountains, rivers, and forests, cost him only two million of his savings.

But if exchanged for major cities like Lumiose City or Levincia, the price would be anyone's guess...

Weighing the Tera Shard in his hand, Luo Mu pondered the farm's future layout and specific operations while asking aloud, "By the way, do you have any functions like a System Space or Storage Space?"

This raw ore was too valuable; before he arranged matters here and headed to the research station in South Area One...

Carrying it on his person risked losing it, while leaving it at home risked theft.

【Sorry... I don't have those functions.】

Strangely, Luo Mu detected a hint of grievance in the text.

Sighing, Luo Mu didn't know how to comfort it; he could only lightly scratch the back of his head and begin rummaging through the cardboard box.

"I remember... there was a usable small bag in here somewhere."

Murmuring to himself as he searched the box, Luo Mu's eyes brightened slightly upon spotting a small men's crossbody bag woven from canvas.

This was likely a crossbody bag the old lady had made for her husband; Luo Mu felt no discomfort about using belongings of the deceased, as he was a staunch warrior of materialism.

Placing the Tera Shard into the small bag and adjusting the strap to ensure it stayed against his chest, Luo Mu felt slightly more at ease.

"Hmm... now I can go purchase some daily necessities."

Night fell.

The dark sky was filled with countless stars, and the bright moonlight gently illuminated the night.

Suddenly, a fierce wind swept across the tranquil and peaceful night sky; a blurry orange object descended from above, accompanied by the slightly troubled voice of a young man carried on the wind.

"Slower, slower! Your dinner for tonight is in here!"

Luo Mu helplessly pushed open the dilapidated gate of his future farm, followed by a Luxray carrying a load of goods on its back.

"Boo-wu~"

A slightly simple-minded call echoed leisurely; a Pokémon with a round body, a delicate small dragon horn atop its head, two antennae resembling dragon whiskers, and small, cute wings relative to its size, innocently rubbed its head, looking guilty.

Dragonite knew it might have been a bit too excited today...

But tonight there was a feast to enjoy, and since it hadn't been let out for fresh air in quite some time, it had flown just a tiny bit faster, that was all.

Pressing his forehead, Luo Mu saw at a glance that Dragonite had completely missed the point, thinking he was blaming it for flying too fast and wildly.

In reality, he was simply afraid Dragonite might accidentally drop those bottles and jars it was carrying.

If the most important seasonings for the barbecue were missing, Cang Yan Ren Gui would get angry.

How had the once so spiritual Dratini, after completing its long final evolution, turned out with such a personality?

However, facing Dragonite's pleading expression for a hug, which seemed like acting spoiled, and recalling its appearance when it first hatched from the Egg, all of Luo Mu's words ultimately turned into a sigh as he gently embraced it for a moment.

Given how cute Fatgo was, he would forgive it this time.

"Alright, now let's get to the main business." Luo Mu walked over to Luxray and took the various large and small bags from its back.

These were bedding and household items needed for sleeping tonight, while the items on Dragonite's back were tonight's ingredients and miscellaneous seasonings.

Smiling, Luo Mu said, "I'll go back and tidy up first; tomorrow morning I still need to visit Professor Sada and Professor Turo at the research station in South Area One."

"Luxray, you and Dragonite go behind the house to find Cang Yan Ren Gui and just hand the things over to him."

"Meow-ao~"

"Boo-wu~"

Dragonite and Luxray responded skillfully with a cry, then immediately strode with cheerful steps toward where Cang Yan Ren Gui was located.

It had been quite a while since they last ate skewers personally made by Cang Yan Ren Gui!

Just imagining it made saliva drip from the corners of his mouth.

Skewers sprinkled with spices and seasonings, steaming with rising heat, their fat fully rendered... Slurp!