Chapter Sixty: A Canvas Painted in Sound

“No, boss, it’s simply that I refuse to accept it,” Nazzi said. “That man is strange—like one of those infuriating riddles whose solution you can never reach, no matter what approach you try.”

“That’s normal. Many people feel the same way about Bishas,” Sakaki replied. “He could easily rely on his own ability to rise to prominence, but instead he chases legends, and always by methods that are hard to watch.”

He spun the Poké Ball in his hand. “The white-haired monkey you mentioned won’t be content with mediocrity; I have a feeling we’ll be dealing with him much more in the future.”

“Perfect. The press conference at Johto Joy Academy is your responsibility this time—try to secure a big contract for me.” Sakaki continued, “Word from the League is that the Potion Bottle Project will be led jointly by the League and Joy, with open invitations for investment. I want you to handle this personally.”

With the League spearheading the venture, the gym leader title isn’t needed—everyone going to the conference will be representing business interests.

“Silph, Devon—all the usual faces from the marketplace will be there.”

The main product of the Potion Bottle Project is somewhat technological, but only just. Its real value lies in its integration into basic healthcare, unrestricted by regional environments—meaning the profits are potentially enormous.

Following this logic, Joy and the League are already developing the second-generation bottle, a special version that can store healing waves.

“In any case, you can seek out that young man named Zhu Suihan once you arrive, but keep your focus on work—understood?”

Nazzi nodded, recognizing this as Sakaki’s way of looking after his subordinates. Normally, such matters would be assigned to someone unaffected by personal feelings, to avoid negative impact on the group’s development.

...

“So, the press conference and investment negotiations are happening simultaneously, and at the academy?” Zhu Suihan cradled the incense burner in his hands. “Are these the kinds of negotiations where even the price down to the last cent is a trivial matter?”

“Yes. The family says the faster the Potion Bottle spreads, the better—so it’s not a bad idea to mobilize some commercial energy,” Joy Jing replied. “Don’t worry, you’ll get your share—I'll make sure of it.”

“By the way, are you attending the press conference?”

“No, I’d rather go to class.”

Morning classes had ended, and Zhu Suihan had been summoned by Joy Jing’s phone call.

The morning’s battle class was among classmates, and since future trainees will face wild battles rather than standard matchups, the assessment was based on free-form fighting.

For Zhu Suihan, this was a slaughter; he took care of the Chansey, while Lapras handled the opposing trainer. It could have been reversed, but he had to leave some dignity for his classmates—real combat seemed a bit much.

After PE, Zhu Suihan received his second “do whatever you like” immunity card from the teachers.

There was no other way—putting a creature of his level into routine training was a brutal shock to the other students, both physically and mentally.

“By the way, Principal, could I get another permit? I feel those berries are useful for me, and crops grown nearby would be even better.”

He and Lapras had tried making Snow Maiden pastries, using ten-year berries for a rich, full-bodied jam. Still, the final product was disappointing—even with the best ingredients available, the berries made a huge difference.

The main issue was the quality of glutinous rice flour; milk and butter were top-tier, courtesy of Miltank.

“In principle, it’s inconvenient to include such conditions in the negotiations, but rest assured, the League and the family will supply you,” Joy Jing said, smiling mysteriously. “Just wait a bit longer—the final quantity will definitely satisfy you.”

Zhu Suihan: ?

Understood—the principal doesn’t intend to tap into her own vault, but is likely digging into someone else’s reserves. The target is probably those elders she mentioned when she “tricked them into making her principal” at the start of the semester.

---

His phone vibrated. Zhu Suihan glanced at the screen and saw an unfamiliar number.

“Principal, the League staff should be delivering my Pokémon egg. If there’s nothing else, I’ll head out.”

“Go ahead, and get some rest.”

“Hello?”

“Hello, Trainer Zhu Suihan. I’m a League courier, currently near the administration building. Should I deliver it to your dormitory door?”

“No need—just bring it to the entrance of the administration building. I’m already here.”

“Alright, goodbye.”

Heading downstairs and looking toward the entrance, Zhu Suihan spotted a small delivery truck parked steadily. Out stepped a young man in uniform—just the age of someone fresh out of university.

“Pokémon egg—please confirm and sign.”

The courier handed him a metal case the size of a suitcase. Zhu Suihan opened it and found it mostly filled with fixed incubator devices.

Oh, right, in the corner was a guidebook entitled “Basics of Milcery Breeding,” along with a tourism brochure for Galar, showcasing the steampunk city of Motostoke on the cover—very grand.

Beside it, a massive Copperajah, further highlighting the region’s unique flavor.

Zhu Suihan: ?

Galar is basically under the control of the Macro Cosmos Group now; this tourism guide feels a bit intentional. President Rose, you never fail to impress.

This opportunistic advertising is as sharp as the ancient tycoons’ knack for making money.

That Milcery breeding guide likely comes with similar tips for other trainers choosing Galar Pokémon—all for the sake of that tourism booklet.

The trainers eligible for this event are either rising stars or wealthy like Wataru; promoting another League is entirely acceptable.

“You really nailed the vinegar-and-dumpling combo,” Zhu Suihan remarked as he signed, then carefully lifted the incubator. The Milcery egg lay quietly on its soft cushion.

He glanced at the incubator’s digital screen; based on the monitoring of the life waves, the Milcery inside would hatch in about three days.

“Three days—perfect.”

That was enough time for Zhu Suihan to concoct some nutrient solution. As for photography, a simple stand and phone would suffice.

The Rocket Group’s technology is reliable.

Zhu Suihan considered his future image and suddenly laughed.

Even if I have to cradle the incense burner in one hand and clutch the incubator in the other, I, Zhu Suihan, will be invincible in this world!

Indeed, as long as I run fast enough, no enemy can touch me—that’s another form of invincibility!

“Lapras, let me see!”

Lapras rushed out again, impatiently pressing its head close to the incubator, humming a melodious tune.

From now on, I, Lapras, will be your big sis!

Nice to meet you, Milcery!

“Looking forward to your birth, little one.”

Cradling the incubator, Zhu Suihan sat atop Lapras, gazing at the sky, feeling the faint rhythm that brought a deep sense of peace.

Even Lapras, who usually liked to speed and push Zhu Suihan’s limits, was subdued.

Lapras glided quietly toward the dormitory zone—no ripple disturbed the water, as if Lapras were levitating just above the surface on psychic energy.

---

This wasn’t psychic power, but a way to let the egg inside hear the sounds of the outside world.

You could call it prenatal education.

Nearby, other Pokémon leaped from the water; energetic little creatures raced across the surface, breaking waves.

A line of Bibarel paddled past Lapras, each gripping a wooden stick in its mouth, wiggling their tails and little paws as they swam.

Swanna, teaching Duckletts the art of flight with its elegant dance, loosed a different cry each time—sometimes praise, sometimes instruction.

“Gyarados!”

In the distance, the roar of a Gyarados soaring in the sky could be heard—probably provoking the flock of Pidgeot and other flying Pokémon, though who knows what’s wrong with it.

The sounds painted a vibrant picture.

“Lapras, look after our little sister at home—I need to make nutrient solution.”

“Lapras!”

Lapras deftly switched on the television with its head, then stood guard behind the incubator like a suited security guard—protection was the order of the day.

“Fairy-type resources—does Rocket Group really have such a broad business?”

With the power of money, the Rocket Group had sent a Dragonite to assist Zhu Suihan again.

Some resources could be used directly; others needed to be brought to the lab tomorrow to extract the fairy energy.

“Wait, I could try extracting it myself.”

He just needed a technical upgrade for his incense burner, likely requiring another batch of materials.

But that was fine—the profits from the Potion Bottle tech would cover the costs, no need to beg for funds from Ma Zhishi anymore.

“Exchange for a portable energy extractor plan that can be applied to the incense burner.”

[Research points met—transmitting now]

He pressed his forehead, adjusting to the sensation. With experience gained last time and the high-quality berries consumed in recent days, Zhu Suihan’s resistance had improved.

“As expected.”

Besides being a big energy consumer himself, it seemed his incense burner would soon become just as voracious.

No matter how much Lapras ate, it probably only ranked third in the household’s appetite.

The incense burner had successfully claimed second place—soon it would be like that perennial runner-up, Green.

“Though I can still charge it directly, the consumption might exceed expectations.”

Zhu Suihan pondered the issue; as long as he could keep it fully charged, a brief trip into the wild would be no problem.

But unforeseen events had to be considered—for example, finding an electric Pokémon with ample power to solve supply issues.

Electivire seemed to have potential.

To exaggerate, Milcery would be a future supplier of gourmet ingredients, Zhu Suihan and Lapras would be the top and second gluttons.

Oh right, they could barely be called head chef and sous chef.

“I wonder what personality my little Milcery will have.”

Skillfully removing pits and skins from the berries, Zhu Suihan couldn’t help but smile.

“Surely it won’t be a glutton too.”

“After it evolves, perhaps it’ll be the first to eat its way into a Gigantamax Alcremie in regular form?”