Chapter Fifty-Seven: Fighting for a Better Tomorrow (and Better Meals)

“All right, now that the trivial matters are settled, we can finally focus on our wallets.”
Zhusuiehan said, “If it’s just the two of us eating, would all sweet ones be enough?”
Lapras considered for a moment. Just as she was about to nod, she became serious and softly reminded Zhusuiehan.
“You mean, we should prepare a portion for Milcery too?”
Zhusuiehan propped his chin thoughtfully. “That’s true. It’s only a day, and before it gets delivered to me, it’s unlikely there’ll be a second chance to get any berries.”
Back with the principal, negotiations were still happening atop a desk—though more likely, the principal was just showing off. The potion project would take some time to roll out, so it was necessary to factor in Milcery’s share from the start.
Lapras also pondered. Though she dearly wanted to indulge in more of those sweet, high-grade treats, the unseen little companion also mattered a lot.
“Milcery’s tastes are indeed hard to pin down.”
There were many variants of Alcremie, each with a set flavor, but Milcery was just pure, sweet cream.
However, there was something interesting: whether it was Milcery or Alcremie, both were somewhat similar to Togepi.
If you treat Togepi well, it’ll gladly share its luck with you.
If you’re kind to Milcery and Alcremie, the cream they produce becomes more and more delicious. Apparently, they’ll even give berries coated in cream to favored trainers and Pokémon.
“How about this: we take seventy sweet ones, and for the remaining thirty, pick a variety of flavors?”
Lapras nodded. “Mmm!”
No need for the spicy or bitter ones—Milcery probably wouldn’t enjoy those.
At least the sour ones can be used for tangy desserts, but those bitter, spicy, or astringent flavors—no matter what dessert they’re in, Lapras wouldn’t touch them even under threat.
“Good point. Let’s go.”
With a satisfied smile, Zhusuiehan followed the simple directions on the card, arriving at the precious berry grove.
“So it’s on the back mountain after all.”
The mountainside held many divided sections, clearly marked out for both humans and Pokémon to see, greatly reducing the risk of seniors’ graduation projects falling to ruin.
Upon reaching the grove, Zhusuiehan’s lips twitched.
He saw the school bus driver from before.
“So old already, and still working multiple jobs like a young man. Uncle, are you really that hard up?”
“Or perhaps, the pay for forest-keeping is higher—and much more relaxing.”
The driver glanced at Zhusuiehan. “Let me see your pass. You need to swipe in to enter, and when you leave, your berry count will be checked.”
“A hundred? You’ve barely been here and already made such an achievement?”
The uncle grinned. “Go on in. Whether you pick them yourself or get your Pokémon to help, either way is fine.”
“Oh, and once a berry falls from the tree—even if you don’t want it—it counts toward your quota. So go easy.”
Zhusuiehan nodded his thanks, then glanced at the nearby Bisharp, arms folded and leaning silently against a tree.
Of course, one could understand that air of brooding.
The blade bore many irremovable battle scars, yet the edge was still sharp, glinting harshly in the light.
A master—one who, from the uncle’s earlier stories, had been honed in wild battles.
He inhaled—
Stepping into the berry grove, both Zhusuiehan and Lapras drew in a deep breath, then, finding no desire to exhale, simply held it in.
Attention: breathing is now set to manual mode.
It couldn’t be helped—the mingled fragrance of berries in the air was overwhelmingly rich, intoxicating.

To exaggerate, the air itself was so thick with nourishing essence that one might truly feel full on breathing alone.
Honestly, as he breathed, Zhusuiehan felt for the first time that his body before this had been in a state of rust.
“Now I finally understand how valuable these old berries are.”
Beaming with excitement, Zhusuiehan declared, “Let’s go! The sweet berries are calling us!”
“Mmm!”
Onward!
A hundred berries sounds like a lot, but to two highly enthusiastic contestants, it was nowhere near enough.
“Mmm!”
Lapras stared at Zhusuiehan, determination blazing in her eyes as she triggered Terastallization right there in Johto, a fire of resolve burning bright.
We must do our best—let’s aim for meals of these high-grade berries every day!
The recent advice from Nurse Joy—“don’t push yourself too hard, trainers”—was already forgotten by Lapras.
She was ready to work even harder alongside her trainer!
Zhusuiehan placed his hand on Lapras’s forehead. At that moment, they both felt a deeper emotional bond.
For the league, for the tribe!
For better meals!
That was the true meaning of life!
After sweeping up their quota, Zhusuiehan wasn’t in a hurry to leave with Lapras, but instead ventured deeper, hoping to broaden his horizons.
And so, the two of them stumbled upon a tree laden with golden Razz Berries, radiating an incredibly enticing luster and aroma. Zhusuiehan could barely restrain himself from reaching out.
“Damn, so Unova is already so closely linked with the other leagues?”
Zhusuiehan was frustrated—if the updates weren’t rolling out so quickly, he’d have been tempted to devise some new research, maybe even raise a Zorua or two.
People might mistake Zorua for some mythical or pseudo-legendary, but their species trait is genuinely formidable.
As long as the moves used aren’t too outlandish, it’s hard for most people to see through the disguise.
Unlike Ditto, whose transformation is always betrayed by those small, beady eyes.
Even just a Zorua could easily pick up a thing or two with some training!
He couldn’t help it—he wanted to become a lawless outlaw right then and there!
“Mmm.”
Fortunately, Lapras sensed where Zhusuiehan’s thoughts were heading, nudging his shoulder and glancing over at Bisharp, who was already sitting by a fire.
Zhusuiehan glanced over and noticed another Pokémon beside Bisharp.
Question: Does a scorpion-like Pokémon count as a bug, and would a flamethrower be super effective?
It works on Skorupi, but not on Drapion.
Drapion, with its poison-dark configuration, is a fake bug through and through—its deceptive setup could rival even Charizard’s.
“Bisharp, Drapion—of course. Any talk of ‘villain team’ Pokémon is just fluff.”
As long as you like it, any Pokémon can be your partner—other people’s opinions are pure nonsense.
Zhusuiehan glanced at Drapion, also bearing scars but still looking energetic.
It wasn’t that he wanted to test the quality of its Sticky Barb, but rather that he was curious about the uncle’s team—what was his third Pokémon?
Besides, he was quite interested in Poison-types.
Antidotes in the Pokémon world seemed almost universal. No matter the poison, as long as a Pokémon was afflicted, a simple antidote or Pecha Berry would suffice.
But from a chemical perspective, that didn’t quite add up.

You didn’t even need to distinguish between bee venom or snake venom—animal and plant toxins seemed to be one and the same in the Pokémon world.
Unless the base, the “attribute energy” coding of poisons was fundamentally identical, making it possible to cure all with the same antidote, just adjusting the dosage.
More realistically, it was a matter of the basic “logic language” underlying toxin composition.
To put it more fantastically, perhaps the “law runes” forming all poisons were the same.
Thus, antidotes could address the root directly for the best effect.
“All done?”
The uncle glanced over. “I’ll do the count for you. If you’re cold, go warm up by the fire.”
“No need. I think I understand why you take night shifts here, uncle.”
Zhusuiehan grinned. “The natural environment is wonderful—a perfect place for Pokémon to retire.”
“Exactly. This is one of the treasures of Joy Academy.”
The uncle said, “If you ever want to specialize, perhaps you could come back as a senior berry farmer.”
Zhusuiehan was perplexed. “Wouldn’t your team need special skills? Not everyone’s Pokémon can channel natural energy or help berries grow.”
“No need. The academy’s far too big to exploit student labor.”
The uncle answered calmly, “Professional berry farmers are on staff, and with bonuses and pay, they make more than I do in a year.”
“As for students, all you need to do is study hard and not mess with these treasures.”
All right then—so anyone can be on the payroll.
Any Pokémon that could learn “Plow Field” could probably be recruited.
Zhusuiehan and Lapras slipped away. By the time they returned, the campus was ablaze with light, the students’ favorite nighttime hours had arrived.
Apart from the lack of evening self-study, the schedule at Joy Academy was pretty much like high school—packed full.
Back in the dorm, Zhusuiehan couldn’t wait to take out a Mango Berry—a fruit whose sweetness was directly proportional to its curvature.
The one in his hand was fully curled, and if not for its vivid, glossy color, it could easily be mistaken for some fossil shell.
“But that’s also proof of how good it tastes.”
Zhusuiehan placed the Mango Berry on the cutting board, carefully sliced it in half.
One half was snapped up by Lapras; the other, Zhusuiehan popped into his mouth to savor.
Trainer and Pokémon both wore expressions of melting bliss.
Delicious—truly extraordinary!
The sweetness was nothing like the sickly, artificial taste that made one gag, but a natural fragrance that was utterly addictive without being cloying.
With every chew, the sweetness and juice surged from the pulp, flooding the mouth like a tidal wave.
Even after swallowing the last bit, both of them unconsciously chewed on the lingering sweetness in the air, as if even the very air was thick with flavor, as substantial as a steak.
“I want to go raid the back mountain again.”
“Mmm.”
This time, Lapras didn’t object—she nodded in wholehearted agreement.
Tasting just one berry was only because of the limited supply.
But even this single fruit had utterly conquered them both.