In the dim living room, Piers poured a steaming cup of coffee and placed it on the table. He glanced around the empty room and casually sat on the nearby sofa.
"Has Marnie already gone out to train? She's really dedicated."
That child had more talent and worked harder than he did. She had unknowingly become very popular in Spikemuth.
When she matured enough, it would be time for him to step down. Only vibrant life could lead the decaying town towards a new beginning.
"I can't think of anything. I might as well read today's newspaper." Piers looked at the ceiling, sighed, and picked up his coffee, heading to the dining table.
On the table were slices of toasted bread and fried eggs, with today's newspaper placed beside them.
"I told you, you don't have to make breakfast for me."
Piers shook his head, though he couldn't hide the faint smile on his face. He pulled out a chair, picked up a piece of toast with one hand, and unfolded the newspaper with the other.
"The same old news as always. Well, it is Spikemuth's local newspaper."
His eyes scanned downwards, stopping at a black-and-white photo.
"This person looks familiar. Let me see... Sunset Forest Ranger Summer catches Pokémon hunter. Oh, it's that kid."
Piers remembered. He was the one who asked questions after the concert. So, he was the ranger of Sunset Forest. But does such a remote forest really need a ranger?
"Summer, huh? He seems pretty optimistic, not someone who'd be ostracized."
Piers thought for a moment. If he saw him again, he might give him some fan benefits.
"But there really are fools who become Pokémon hunters. Hmm, previously convicted of theft and currently an escapee. Only twenty years? That's too lenient."
He finished the last sip of his coffee and cleared his plate of food. After tidying up the dishes, Piers sat back on the living room sofa, looking seriously at the blank sheet of paper on the table.
"Alright, time to start composing for today. I have some inspiration now."
[Bring Pokémon hunters to justice, expand the forest area.]
[Acquired Ranger Skill: Robust Physique, Effect: Your strength is greater than that of ordinary people.]
Back in his forest cabin, Summer finally understood the meaning of the message as he lay in bed.
He had captured Blank in the middle of the night. Thanks to his new skill, he easily carried the guy to the police station, startling the on-duty officer.
Upon hearing it was a Pokémon hunter, the officer immediately perked up, searching Blank's information on the computer. To his shock, the foaming man was an escaped convict, a crime serious enough to warrant his arrest.
After throwing Blank into the temporary jail, the officer and Summer went to the clearing where Morpeko were captured to gather evidence. They worked through the night, confirming Blank's poaching activities.
Blank woke up once during this time. The officer intended to interrogate him but was stunned when Blank fainted again at the sight of Summer, despite his friendly appearance.
For capturing a Pokémon hunter, the Spikemuth police awarded Summer 20,000 League Points, nearly half a month's salary.
"Expanding the forest, huh? Let's see."
Summer brought up the topographic map of Sunset Forest and noticed a new clearing in the northeast, an area that wasn't there before.
"Wouldn't expanding the forest cause an external anomaly?"
[No, the total area of Sunset Forest won't increase. The expansion occurs through internal distortion.]
"Ah, distortion?"
Spatial distortion involved some level of space manipulation. But quickly growing and optimizing trees was already quite extraordinary. He decided not to worry about it for now.
Having dealt with the Pokémon hunter, Summer now just wanted to sleep. He glanced at Grookey, already asleep beside him, and closed his eyes. When he opened them again, it was noon.
After a simple lunch with Grookey, Summer decided to check out the newly added area. According to the topographic map, it should be barren.
The clearing was surrounded by green oak and black pine trees, exposing a large patch of bare earth, giving an eerie feeling.
"Amazing, but is it really as stated?"
Summer walked to the edge of Sunset Forest. The moment he stepped out, the trees behind him reverted, matching his memory of the forest's outline exactly.
"So that's what 'distortion' means. Did you see that, Grookey?"
Grookey rubbed its eyes, looking incredulous. Was it an illusion? Did the trees really move?
"It seems we're seeing the same thing. Don't worry, it's actually good for the forest."
Summer patted Grookey's head. The appearance of a Pokémon hunter made him realize that the forest couldn't remain peaceful forever. That guy wasn't very strong, but he still managed to capture the Morpeko.
The reason was their lack of aggression or self-defense awareness. But it didn't matter, he had the Forest Contract skill.
The next key was to improve the overall strength of the forest's Pokémon. Training every Pokémon in the forest was unrealistic, but Corvisquire's appearance gave him an idea.
He only needed to train the leaders of each group, who could then influence their members, thereby enhancing the overall strength.
"Alright, let's plant Gracidea flowers in this clearing."
Loved by Grass-type Pokémon, Gracidea flowers could attract them to settle here. Increasing the variety of Pokémon would also improve the forest's self-defense.
Summer and Grookey returned to the clearing and began planting the Gracidea flowers seeds. Once done, he looked at the barren clearing and pondered. Would Rapid Growth only work on a single blade of grass?
This time, the ranger assistant didn't respond. Frustrated, he extended his hand and shouted:
"Rapid Growth!"
His hand emitted a faint green light as new green sprouts broke through the soil, growing to about five centimeters before stopping.
According to Summer's knowledge, Gracidea flowers could grow up to 30 centimeters. It didn't look mature yet.
"Looks like a day's energy only grows it to this extent."
Summer wasn't worried. He had plenty of time. He'd spend the next few days cultivating the Gracidea flowers field.
Though just seedlings, Grookey on his shoulder showed a content expression, clearly enjoying it.
Summer closed his eyes and felt it too, the gentle sunlight of spring warming his entire body.
Now he understood why Grass-type Pokémon loved Gracidea flowers—it emitted a sun-like aura, their favorite.
(End of Chapter)