In the warm breeze, Mayor Thomas stepped up to the judging platform, holding a microphone. His face beamed with a welcoming smile as he addressed the townspeople and nearby ranchers gathered below the stage.
His kind voice echoed through the microphone, reaching everyone's ears:
"I'm very glad that you all have taken the time to participate in this year's Spring Sheep and Cattle Competition."
"We are also grateful to the ranchers and farmers who provide us with such excellent milk, vegetables, and Pokémon. Your hard work in breeding these outstanding cattle and sheep Pokémon is deeply appreciated."
"Now, I officially declare the 21st Spring Cattle and Sheep Competition open!"
"First, please welcome our distinguished guest, the renowned senior breeder, Mr. Eric! Mr. Eric will be serving as the judge for this competition!"
A wave of warm cheers erupted from the audience as a middle-aged man, around thirty years old, with glasses, casual attire, and a gentle expression, walked onto the stage.
Seeing him, a murmur of excitement spread through the crowd.
"It's Mr. Eric!"
"He's a very famous breeder! They say all the Pokémon he raises are top-notch."
"I didn't expect the town would invite someone of his caliber to judge this time."
A breeder's profession is somewhat similar to, but distinct from, that of a trainer. While trainers focus on training Pokémon for battle and commanding them in combat, breeders are dedicated to the care and nurturing of Pokémon. They use meticulous care and professional breeding techniques to help Pokémon grow strong and healthy, often resulting in shiny fur and robust physiques.
Becoming a trainer has no specific requirements, but to become a skilled breeder, one must not only have a deep love for Pokémon but also master extensive knowledge in areas such as "Nutrition," "Herbology," "Pharmaceuticals," and "Basic Chemistry."
The excitement wasn't limited to the townspeople; even the ranchers were abuzz with discussion.
Naoki, curious, cast a glance at the man. Since arriving in this world, he had met many trainers, but this was his first time encountering a breeder.
'I wonder how a Gogoat raised by a breeder differs from the ones I've raised,' Naoki thought, glancing down at his three Gogoat. Then, he shifted his gaze to the Wooloo being led by the rancher next to him.
'Hmm. I can't see any difference.'
Naoki realized that understanding such subtle distinctions required the eye of a professional breeder.
Eric stepped up to the stage, gave a brief introduction of himself, and then handed the microphone back to Mayor Thomas.
The two nodded to each other, and Mayor Thomas officially announced, "Now, the competition begins! First, please welcome Mr. Ren from Red Rock Ranch!"
Soon, Naoki saw a young man step onto the stage, leading a Miltank. Eric walked forward, his demeanor shifting to one of intense focus as he began to carefully observe the condition of the Miltank, making his professional assessment through touch and observation.
"Hmm, a very sturdy Miltank," Eric remarked, his tone thoughtful. "It looks like it's been well cared for!"
He continued, "It's in good spirits and seems very content. You can tell it's been given excellent care."
As he spoke, Eric gently squeezed one of the Miltank's teats, and a stream of fresh milk flowed out. He caught the milk in a cup he had prepared in advance, first smelling it, then taking a small sip, savoring the taste.
"Hmm... The aroma is rich, with a wonderfully mellow taste. It seems the grass at Red Rock Ranch is of very high quality—this is excellent!"
Mayor Thomas, standing nearby, asked, "So, how would Mr. Eric rate this Miltank?"
Without hesitation, Eric declared, "96 points!"
The audience reacted with a collective gasp, followed by murmurs of surprise and admiration.
"96 points! If I remember correctly, last year's champion also scored 96 points, didn't they?"
"Yes, it seems Red Rock Ranch has a strong chance of winning the championship!"
"But don't forget, Light Green Ranch is also competing this year. I wonder how they'll score."
With a pleased expression, the rancher from Red Rock Ranch led his Miltank off the stage, clearly satisfied with the high score.
Next, another rancher walked up, this time with a Wooloo. Eric observed the Wooloo carefully, running his hands through its wool, and then provided his evaluation.
"The wool is very smooth and fluffy, and feels incredibly soft—perfect for making clothing. However, the wool is a bit messy, which affects the overall appearance. I'll have to give it 93 points."
The rancher, visibly disappointed, stepped down from the stage, his Wooloo following closely behind.
As the competition continued, several more ranchers brought their Pokémon forward for assessment. However, because they weren't professional breeders, the Pokémon they had cared for exhibited various minor flaws, leading to lower scores.
Eric's scores mostly hovered between 87 and 91 as he evaluated the various entries. That was until a green-haired girl confidently stepped onto the stage, leading a Flaaffy, the evolved form of Mareep.
"Light Green Ranch—this must be last year's champion!" Naoki thought as he watched the girl. He immediately recognized her as his main rival in the competition.
In just a year, the Mareep had evolved into a Flaaffy, and from the way it moved, it was clear that it had been exceptionally well cared for. Naoki couldn't help but feel the pressure, but he also felt a surge of determination.
As soon as Eric laid eyes on the Flaaffy, his expression brightened. The Flaaffy was lively and cheerful, even giving Eric a happy smile and waving its little arms enthusiastically.
"Wow! It looks like this Flaaffy is in great spirits!" Eric began his assessment with visible excitement.
"The wool is soft and smooth, the body is healthy and energetic—this Flaaffy has been exceptionally well taken care of!"
He then added, "Let's test your control over electricity. Don't be nervous; just give me a small dose of electricity—let's say a ten-volt shock."
The Flaaffy obediently released a controlled stream of electricity. Eric touched it with his palm, feeling the energy with a keen sense of appreciation.
"My goodness, its control over energy is superb! When it evolves into Ampharos, it's going to be incredibly powerful!"
He smiled widely. "Not bad at all, I give it 97 points!"
The audience buzzed with excitement. A score of 97—the highest in the competition so far. If nothing unexpected happened, Light Green Ranch was likely to take the championship.
The green-haired girl beamed with happiness, giving her Flaaffy a loving pat on the head before leading it off the stage.
The competition was heating up.
Mayor Thomas took the microphone, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "What an exciting competition! Light Green Ranch has earned a high score of 97 points, even better than last year's performance."
He continued, "So, will Light Green Ranch win the championship this year? Up next, let's welcome our final contestant—Naoki Ranch!"
Naoki blinked, a bit taken aback. 'Wow, they really saved me for last', he thought, taking a deep breath.
Turning to his Gogoat, Naoki said, "This is it, let's go!"
The Gogoat seemed to sense the intensity of the moment. Their eyes burned with determination, their wild energy almost palpable.
"Baa..."
Mayor Thomas introduced him, "I believe many of you have heard of Naoki Ranch. The magical goat milk sold exclusively at the market is produced by the Gogoat of Naoki Ranch!"
The crowd murmured with interest as Naoki made his way to the stage.
Mayor Thomas nodded to Naoki, stepping aside to let Eric take over.
Eric adjusted his glasses, carefully observing the condition of Naoki's Gogoat. He reached out to touch one, his eyes widening in surprise.
"Incredible!" he exclaimed. "The smoothness of their fur, their sturdy bodies, and those eyes—full of fighting spirit. These Gogoat are even more impressive than Pokémon raised by professional breeders!"
After completing his external inspection, Eric looked at Naoki. "Now, let's see some Grass-type energy."
At Eric's command, the Gogoat didn't hesitate.
"Mehhh..."
A surge of powerful Grass-type energy burst from their bodies, rapidly spreading across the entire celebration square. In just a few seconds, the area was enveloped in a vibrant, shimmering green field, as if thousands of tiny blades of grass, each emitting a faint glow, were swaying gently in the breeze.
The audience was stunned into silence, their eyes wide with amazement at the sight.
Even the mysterious Pokémon watching from the tree was startled, accidentally dropping the fruit it had been holding with a quiet "Mew?"