Takashi focused his gaze and realized it was none other than the Fire Puzzle Master (manual laughter), Amber.
Speaking of Amber, she was considered one of the starters in the world of Genshin Impact. Her personality seemed hasty and careless, but during missions, she became a completely different person.
When it came to exploration and solving puzzles, her bow and arrows made it convenient to light fires from a distance, earning her the title of "Master."
In her free time, she was just an active, sporty girl who loved running around Mondstadt. After all, how else could she become the running champion?
Amber placed her hand above her eyes and looked around. The shelves were filled with many red spheres, the shopkeeper was a handsome young man, and there was even a beautiful deer-like creature on the sofa, watching TV?
"Welcome, little one (nickname)," Takashi greeted Amber politely.
"Hmm, I heard from the Knights that you sell monsters here?" Amber crossed her arms and flashed a dazzling smile, her teeth so white they could reflect light.
"They aren't called monsters. They are called Pokémon," Takashi corrected her.
"What's the difference?" Amber leaned against the counter with her hands behind her head, speaking nonchalantly.
"Of course there's a difference. Monsters don't have intelligence, but Pokémon do," Takashi explained, taking a Pokédex from the shelf and handing it to her. "Here, draw your destined Pokémon."
Amber took the Pokédex and gave Takashi a mischievous look. "A destined Pokémon? Are you some great astrologer too?"
"Sorry, we don't do fortune-telling here," Takashi replied, knowing she was alluding to Mona, the unreliable astrologer who often struggled to afford her next meal.
"I should've gone to her for a reading beforehand," Amber said, tapping her head.
"If you treat her to a simple salad, she'd be happy to help you."
"Forget it," Amber shook her head. "She's gone to Liyue recently. Apparently, the Fontaine Times wants to pay her for some articles."
Takashi smiled silently. This "little one" before him was quite the privileged official's daughter with plenty of savings.
"Go on, draw your destined Pokémon," Takashi encouraged her.
Amber smiled and pressed the draw button. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—countless dark shadows flashed across the screen.
Amber's eyes widened in amazement. She had originally thought Mona's astrolabe was strange enough, but this so-called Pokédex was just as bizarre.
The screen gradually slowed down and paused on the silhouette of a horse-like figure, reminiscent of Liyue's papercutting art.
The dark shadow flickered and transformed into an adorable... Ponyta!
"Wow, it's such a cute little thing," Takashi praised, arms crossed.
Amber was stunned at first, then her eyes sparkled. She had already seen Klee's Lotad and Lisa's Tynamo. Both Pokémon seemed far more interesting than the pet cats and dogs kept in Mondstadt.
Although some people in Mondstadt owned horses, from the color, shape, and eyes shown in the Pokédex, Ponyta was clearly different from ordinary horses.
"Shopkeeper, can I take a look at it?"
"Of course." Takashi walked to the cabinet and took out Ponyta's Pokéball. "Come out, Ponyta."
"Neighhhh!"
With an excited whinny, Ponyta emerged from the Pokéball.
Its eyes were bright and clear, with an orange flame mane that blazed from its head to its tail. There were also faint flames burning between its legs and belly. It stood only about a meter tall, half a head shorter than Amber.
Amber clenched her small fists nervously, and Takashi could see the reflection of Ponyta's flames in her beautiful eyes. The blazing fire seemed to reflect her excitement.
She had always loved sports—whether it was windy or rainy, she enjoyed running. She dreamed of seeing the edge of the sky, of reaching faraway places.
But she knew that was only possible in old fairytales.
The world and the sky were endless.
As a former devoted Genshin Impact player, Takashi naturally knew each "wife's" hobbies and interests well. Appealing to them was the key.
"Miss Amber, despite this Ponyta being young, its speed is first-rate, even faster than the horses in Mondstadt. And when it evolves into Rapidash, it's one of the athletic champions in the Pokémon world, capable of running up to 240 kilometers per hour."
"Neighhhh!"
Hearing Takashi's praise, Ponyta raised its front hooves, lifted its head, and neighed proudly.
Amber swallowed nervously. To be honest, this Ponyta was really to her liking.
But as she looked at the flames burning on Ponyta's back, even two meters away, she could feel the intense heat. She worried she might not be able to handle such a cute creature.
"Shopkeeper, can I ask a question?" Amber raised her index finger, her face slightly flushed.
"Of course."
"If I get close to it, will its flames burn me?"
Takashi smiled and walked over to Ponyta, gently stroking its flaming mane. "When people it trusts get close to Ponyta, its flames won't burn them. A pure-hearted, kind, lively girl like Miss Amber? Ponyta would only like you; it would never hurt you."
Amber blushed and scratched her head. "Shopkeeper, you're flattering me."
Actually, even if Ponyta didn't trust Amber at first, she wouldn't need to worry. After all, Amber possessed a Vision of the Pyro element, so naturally, she wouldn't fear the flames while riding... ahem, going off-topic.
Takashi patted Ponyta's mane. "If you don't believe me, you can come forward and give it a try."
Amber hesitated but slowly walked up to Ponyta, taking one step at a time. She watched the flames on its back and those bright eyes, still feeling a bit afraid.
She closed her eyes and reached out cautiously. If it burned her, she could still pull back in time.
"Neighhhh!"
Ponyta neighed softly, as if encouraging her.
Hearing this, Amber opened her eyes halfway, touching Ponyta's head. It was warm and fuzzy, not hot at all.
"Neighhhh..."
Ponyta didn't resist; instead, it squinted its eyes, leaning affectionately into Amber's hand.
Amber's heart overflowed with joy. "So cute. It's even softer than Baron Bunny."
Seeing that Ponyta wasn't as resistant to her as she had imagined and was, in fact, as docile as a pet cat, Amber's face lit up with a smile.
Takashi watched silently, enjoying the touching scene. Whether it was Pokémon or trainers, the bond formed from their first meeting was always worth cherishing.
"It seems Ponyta likes Miss Amber as well."
Amber struggled to wrap her arms around Ponyta's neck and laughed as she asked Takashi, "Shopkeeper, I'd like to take it with me. How much Mora will it cost?"