Chapter Fifty-Four: Joey Jing: The Old Man Just Dropped Gold Coins?!

“Wild battles truly have their own significance,” Bamboo Winters mused. Contemplating the opponent trainer's battle strategy was far too troublesome, not to mention having to devise countermeasures based on his own lineup. It was always more convenient to deal with the trainer directly. Take this—my Heavy Ball attack!

While Bamboo Winters was deep in thought, the Chansey beside him had already completed its chanting, filling the bottle with fresh life droplets. He opened his phone and compared the colors of the sample images he'd saved. As expected of the Dean’s Pokémon—the proficiency and quality of this life droplet were unparalleled. At least, his Lapras couldn’t match it, nor should it be expected to. After all, why compare his side profession to someone else's main expertise?

Joey Jing stood up. “I’ll take this for testing right now. Come to the Dean’s office this afternoon.”

“No problem.” His personal lab couldn’t compare with the upgraded versions, but it was more than capable of detecting effects. Reverse-engineering the materials, however, was out of the question. The unique research data resided in Bamboo Winters’ incense burner; without it, reverse-engineering the materials would be nearly impossible.

Moreover, Bamboo Winters trusted the Dean—or more precisely, trusted the name “Joey.” Reverse-engineering the production process? Far less cost-effective than simply rewarding one’s own student handsomely. Who needs “a bright future” when brilliance already shines!

“Lapras, what kind of conditions should we ask for, then?” Bamboo Winters walked through the grove with hands in his pockets, Lapras at his side.

“I’ve been craving those berries for ages. Once the results are in, I want a batch right away to taste.”

“Of course. When have I ever shortchanged you? We’ll split them fifty-fifty.” If he said “eat as much as you want,” Bamboo Winters worried he might put too much pressure on Lapras—overeating could spell disaster. At least in this regard, his abyss-like stomach gave him full confidence.

Having taken leave, Bamboo Winters spent the morning playing joyfully with Lapras in the lake. The only casualty was likely his meal card balance. Judging by his food expenses alone, he felt he could already afford the wages of several employees.

Inspired by morning thoughts on move usage, Bamboo Winters experimented with Lapras. A simple combo: Water Gun and Ice Beam. It failed, unsurprisingly. Whether he hid Ice Beam’s energy inside Water Gun or wrapped it around the outside, the result was always an icicle. This differed from moves in the boxing category; Water Gun and Ice Beam were both projectile types, their power and duration controlled by the Pokémon themselves.

“Forget it. Let’s just focus on mastering the techniques we developed in Elm Town.” Bamboo Winters said, “To achieve dual-type attacks, the energy of each move must be fully contained and leak nothing.”

Is this move illegal? Nonsense—it’s the fruit of diligent training! Terastallization is already here. With the power of the Terastal Jewel, you can change your Pokémon’s battle type. Don’t talk about dragons becoming fairy or ice types after Terastallization. Even Groudon can fly—what’s impossible anymore?

Though, in reality, it might be difficult—who knows if a single Terastal Jewel’s power would suffice.

Essentially, Terastallization and Dynamax are similar—like Ultraman who can only fight on Earth for three minutes. Attribute-changing battle modes have already appeared; if the developers are out of ideas, next version should let Pokémon unleash dual-type attacks simultaneously. Then add something familiar—a meteor from the sky or a mysterious cosmic virus to explain the source of this power. I’ve even figured out how the DLC should go!

In the afternoon, Bamboo Winters knocked and, hearing Joey Jing’s reply, opened the door. The spacious Dean’s office was filled with several people, his potion bottle passing from hand to hand among the elders.

“Winters, you’re here. Have a seat,” Joey Jing said with a smile. “Let me introduce you—these are the academy’s top research talents.”

“Get acquainted. Who knows what the future holds, right?”

Well, Dean, your expectations for me are truly high.

Bamboo Winters nodded, “Are the test results out? I didn’t lie to you, Dean.”

“You didn’t, you didn’t. You’re a rare genius, truly.” With so many people present, Joey Jing avoided mentioning memory restoration, merely describing Bamboo Winters’ achievement as genius.

The elders all nodded in agreement. Genius—Bamboo Winters could definitely bear the praise; indeed, back in their day, each had received such accolades.

“So, Dean, how much is this technology worth?”

Joey Jing shook her head. “I don’t recommend selling the technology. The patent can serve as your family heirloom.”

And for Bamboo Winters personally, as something of a suspected immortal relic, this technology could accompany him through continuous iterations.

“No, I only want an advance payment. I’ve been wanting high-grade goods for a long time now,” Bamboo Winters counted on his fingers. “Better attribute resources, more nutritious berries—like those golden Mulberry Berries.”

“The rest is uncertain, but berries I can allocate to you now.” Joey Jing waved generously. “The academy has a berry orchard, and the lowest nutritional value is ten-year-old berries. I’ll give you a quota of one hundred ten-year berries—collect them yourself.”

“When we clarify the technical outline and announce it, you’ll have access to plenty of high-quality berries—more than enough.”

Bamboo Winters’ eyes brightened as he took a jade-green card from Chansey. High-nutrition berries, here I come!

Joey Jing clapped her hands. “Alright, everyone go prepare. Once my discussion with my star student is done, all remaining data will be handed over to you.”

Your star student?

The researchers couldn’t help but laugh—coming from a Dean who’s always threatening to quit, that’s rich.

As the researchers left, Joey Jing looked up at Bamboo Winters. “Alright, take your advance payment—the berries are yours. One hundred is a sizeable quota, so use it well.”

“Years are just a measurement unit—the process lets Pokémon call upon nature’s power to accelerate, but the cost is steep.”

Bamboo Winters asked, “Can’t technology achieve this yet?”

“Not that I’ve heard of, but with you, who knows.” Joey Jing smiled. “I still don’t know whether you’ve recovered your memories or are truly gifted in this field.”

From ancient times, civilization has progressed—from magical devices to Poké Balls, from simple medicinal brews to healing sprays. Each era has its treasures, their value and wisdom often beyond the grasp of future generations.

Those super-ancient exceptions that transcend all descendants are another matter—not the norm.

Bamboo Winters nodded. “I’ve always wanted this, but I haven’t found any similar purchase options on Rocket Group’s internal network.”

Joey Jing was taken aback. “Rocket Group? You have connections with them? Giovanni is certainly a formidable young man.”

“Yes, when I was short on funds, I sold them a few technologies—though I’m more familiar with Marzish.”

Setting aside the psychic kid whose intentions were unclear, Bamboo Winters really was closer to Marzish.

Joey Jing: ?

“What?!” She was stunned. “You sold them technology?”

“Safer, higher-capacity battery units, and also the bait modules,” Bamboo Winters spread his hands. “I don’t remember which attribute bait modules I sold—it’s not important.”

...

A loss! A huge loss! Joey Jing’s heart ached—why hadn’t she recruited Bamboo Winters into Joey Academy sooner! Not just this potion technology—even the battery unit, which seemed unrelated to the academy, was valuable!

Even if the academy’s finances couldn’t match Rocket Group’s, Bamboo Winters wouldn’t have suffered. And her own performance!

Bamboo Winters asked, “You look heartbroken?”

Joey Jing composed herself. “Of course I am—because I’ve heard about that bait module.”

“Let me put it this way, Winters: once the potion technology is announced, at this year’s regional academy dean’s conference, I could stand with a foot on the table while reading my report—no one would dare say a word.”

What a bandit’s attitude—someone might think you’re rallying your crew for tonight’s heist.

Bamboo Winters shook his head, “Alright, report on the table, should I hand you the research data now?”

“No rush, no rush. You’re one of us—what’s there to fear?” Joey Jing said offhandedly. “Winters, you still only have Lapras as your partner, right?”

Bamboo Winters perked up, “So you’re assigning me a study partner?”

If all went well, a study partner could become a true companion.

“No, the Chanseys we breed are all focused on healing abilities,” Joey Jing explained. “You’re not the type to stay quietly in one place—you wouldn’t suit our Chanseys.”

Bamboo Winters: ?

Such a flimsy excuse—it felt like meeting peculiar parents during an arranged marriage.

“But that’s just one way of putting it. As Dean, of course I care about my students,” Joey Jing smiled. “Winters, are you ready to welcome your second partner?”

Bamboo Winters nodded without hesitation, his Beiming Ball at his waist shaking restlessly.

A new partner! Now the title “Dragon Big Sister” wouldn’t just be for show!

“With your contribution, you’re absolutely eligible to participate in that project.” Joey Jing produced a stack of documents. “Your partner may come from a distant region.”

“Are you ready?”