Seeing that Jean was somewhat moved, Takashi added fuel to the fire, saying casually, "Since you left, Charmander has been having trouble eating and sleeping."
Jean frowned slightly. She thought, This is just a marketing trick by a merchant—I must resist! She couldn't let herself be swayed so easily.
Xerneas, understanding Takashi's intention, used telekinesis to take Charmander's Poké Ball from the shelf and place it in Takashi's hand.
Takashi pressed the button, and Charmander emerged from the ball.
"Char… Charm!"
Charmander cried energetically, showing no signs of being a sulking child refusing food.
Jean looked at the little creature, gently stroking its head. "Hello, Charmander."
"Char… Charm!"
Charmander naturally snuggled closer to Jean, hugging her pants with its small claws and rubbing its cheeks against her leg.
Seeing the adorable creature looking at her with such longing, even more endearing than Klee, Jean's heart couldn't help but soften.
No matter how rational she was, at this moment, her defenses crumbled.
Takashi handed her a Pokédex. "Jean, why don't you get to know Charmander a bit better?"
Jean had already learned some things about Charmander when buying Klee's Oshawott. She was aware of its qualities but initially hesitated to bring it home due to the costs.
Now, with more savings, it was a different matter.
She glanced at Takashi, hesitant to take the Pokédex. "Is it really necessary? I already know a bit about this little one."
But Takashi didn't want her just to review the basic information; he wanted her to see something else—Charmander's personality.
"Timid?" Jean's eyes widened as she read the words on the Pokédex, looking at Takashi in disbelief.
She had thought Takashi was making it all up when he said Charmander wasn't eating well or sleeping well. But according to the Pokédex, it really was true.
This Charmander was timid, and judging by the way it rushed over to her earlier, as if seeing a long-lost family member, it seemed that there was some truth in Takashi's words.
Takashi folded his arms, speaking earnestly. "Jean, this timid personality is actually the best personality for Charmander."
"Pokémon have personalities too?" Jean asked, but then recalled Klee's Oshawott, whose playful and mischievous nature matched Klee perfectly.
"Yes, just like humans, Pokémon have different personalities based on their growth environment, and sometimes genetics plays a part. Charmander here was born timid, but this makes it an ideal personality for its growth."
What? Being timid is actually an advantage? Jean wondered if this Charmander was the kind that would freeze up in a crisis.
"Pokémon have inherent abilities like attack, defense, special attack, special defense, and speed. A Pokémon's personality can influence two of these abilities. For example, Charmander's timid nature will slightly reduce its physical attack but increase its speed."
Jean was quiet for a moment before asking, "But what about the reduced attack power?"
"It only affects general physical attacks. Its fire-type moves, which are special attacks, remain unaffected. Training Charmander for high speed and high special attack will make it very effective."
Jean smiled slightly in understanding. She had initially thought this Charmander was a coward, but now she realized it was all about different abilities and attributes—speed and power.
Quick, decisive action, striking first, gaining the upper hand—that aligned with her own way of handling things.
"Several people in the Knights of Favonius already have Pokémon, and they're getting along quite well. The sooner you get one, the sooner you can bond with it, and together, you'll make greater contributions to Mondstadt. Plus, Charmander here is one of the starter Pokémon, available at an affordable price of two million Mora—this opportunity won't come again!"
Jean took a deep breath, finally making up her mind. "All right. Give me a week. I'll bring the money within that time, but tonight, I'll be taking this little one with me. I can't bear the thought of it having another sleepless night."
"Deal," Takashi nodded. He had fourteen days to meet his quota, and only one day had passed—he still had time.
Xerneas brought out some advanced Pokéblocks and a trainer manual from the shelf, handing them to Takashi.
"Here are two sets of advanced Pokéblocks and a Pokédex. Hmm, as for the manual… do you need it? Klee doesn't seem to pay it much attention," Takashi said, hesitating.
Jean quickly took everything from him. "I'm not giving you any discounts!"
Takashi chuckled, handing Charmander over. "Here, it's yours now. Please take good care of it."
"Char… Charm!"
Charmander let out an adorable cry.
Jean's heart melted. As a responsible acting Grand Master, she was always willing to help the residents of Mondstadt, let alone care for such a cute creature.
"Don't worry. Big sister will take good care of you," Jean said, cradling Charmander in her arms, stroking it gently.
Seeing Charmander bonding well with its trainer, Takashi smiled contentedly. "By the way, there's something important I need to remind you about raising Charmander. The flame on its tail represents its life force. If the flame goes out, Charmander's life ends."
"We just started, and you're already talking about farewells?" Jean frowned, pointing at Takashi accusingly.
Takashi raised his hands in surrender. "Slip of the tongue, slip of the tongue! What I meant is—keeping an eye on the flame's size will tell you about Charmander's health. This is what makes a great trainer—staying attuned to their Pokémon's condition."
Jean observed Charmander's short tail with its small, flickering flame, warm to the touch.
"Charmander's tail flame has burned since it was born. When it's happy, the flame flickers. When it's angry or seriously injured, the flame burns intensely. But remember—never let it burn out of control, as it consumes Charmander's life force rapidly."
Hearing this, Jean nuzzled her cheek against Charmander's head, realizing just how much care raising Charmander required.
Maybe Lisa was right—sometimes it was better to step away from paperwork and enjoy some leisurely moments.
With Charmander around, life would surely be brighter.
After finishing his talk about Charmander, Takashi decided to inquire about the two treasure hoarders that had been captured.
Barbara had mentioned that she did not want the details of Gilliana's past to be made public to the Knights of Favonius.
Jean stroked Charmander, saying seriously, "We'll interrogate the two treasure hoarders first. After that, they'll be locked away to reflect on their actions."
Interrogation? Oh, that probably means Rosaria, the "White Cryo Slime"!
Takashi nodded slightly, not pressing further. After all, he wasn't part of the Knights, and it wasn't his place to meddle in their affairs.
And so, Jean left the Pokémon shop with her new Charmander.
Takashi yawned. After running around all day, he was tired. He decided to put up the "closed" sign.
Just then, there was the sound of hurried hoofbeats outside—Amber and Barbara appeared at the door.