In the end, all her emotions condensed into one simple sentence—
"Thank you."
Holding the book tightly in her arms, Ash gave the old man a deep, sincere bow.
She didn't understand why he had chosen to help her, but she accepted his kindness wholeheartedly.
Because for someone like her, the information he had shared felt nothing short of a miracle.
Ash's biggest challenge right now was the limitations imposed by her underage status, which made her finding work frustratingly difficult.
Even when she managed to get temporary jobs like helping vendors at the market with heavy lifting, the pay was barely enough to improve her meals for a few days.
Saving money for something substantial—like preparing for the certification exams in the future—was completely out of the question.
But now, everything had changed with the information the old man had shared.
She suddenly had the chance to earn a significant amount of extra income.
Spirit Fruits on Gaia were nothing like the common berries Ash remembered from Pokémon, which could be found in abundance and even cultivated.
Here, fruits capable of providing Spirit Beasts with the spiritual energy needed for evolution were akin to treasures straight out of a fantasy novel.
These resources couldn't be cultivated artificially, and rare Spirit Fruits with unique properties were so valuable that even those with money often couldn't buy them.
And this was perfect timing.
It was the first semester of senior year, and many students had reached the legal age to form contracts with Spirit Beasts.
With the Spirit Beast Practical Exams approaching soon, the demand for any kind of Spirit Fruit would skyrocket, resulting in a massive price surge.
If Ash could seize this opportunity, she might finally be able to accumulate enough funds to pursue her goals.
And maybe—just maybe—she could even dare to dream of contracting her very own Spirit Beast someday.
Her entire life could transform.
By the time she left the library, her steps were noticeably lighter, carrying a rare sense of hope and purpose.
Of course, she wouldn't forget the old man's help today.
There's a saying that profound gratitude needs no flowery words; instead, it's better to repay such kindness with actions in the future.
...
"Do you think she'll go, old friend?"
After Ash left, the Solvale Town Library returned to its usual, serene stillness.
The old librarian sat behind the main service desk, gazing at the half-open door with a look of reminiscence flickering in his clouded eyes.
"That little girl, when she talked about Spirit Beasts, she had an expression exactly like that little boy Alexei used to have."
"I think she has a good heart… If she really manages to bring back the Ripple Fruits from Azure Bay Mountain all on her own, maybe this quiet little Solvale Town will one day produce an extraordinary person."
As he spoke, the old man chuckled softly to himself.
With his laughter, a glimmer of light rippled across the surface of the aged wooden bookshelves.