"Swipe your card~"
Hannah didn't flinch at the 250,000-dollar price tag and continued to look at Charmander with a smile.
To her, the price was quite reasonable, especially since this was a dragon capable of Eruption!
Yes, Hannah already envisioned Charmander as a future dragon...
After all, the boss said that Charmander, when fully grown, resembles a Western dragon.
"Why is it more expensive than my Squirtle?"
After Hannah finished swiping her card, Lily asked Alex curiously.
She didn't understand how Alex determined the pricing.
"There are several factors that affect Pokémon pricing. Given equal individual talents, the price varies based on the Pokémon's strength and rarity," Alex explained as he packed energy cubes for Hannah and the others.
"In terms of rarity and potential, Miss Lily, your Squirtle is comparable to Charmander, but Charmander will have two Mega Evolutions, which increases its price compared to Squirtle."
"And, to be honest, since the store is newly opened, we're currently offering discounted prices on all Pokémon sold to you three."
Alex placed the energy cubes into bags and handed them to Hannah and Ethan.
"These energy cubes provide nutrient-dense food that helps Pokémon grow faster."
"These two boxes are complimentary with your Pokémon purchase."
Alex smiled at them.
"The boss is really considerate. By the way, boss, can I buy the Pokémon Pokédex like Lily has?"
Hannah glanced at the energy cubes with interest and asked Alex.
That Pokémon Pokédex seemed very useful.
"Of course, the Pokémon Pokédex is five hundred each. Mr. Ethan, would you like one?"
Alex replied with a smile.
"I'll take one too, and give me ten boxes of energy cubes." Ethan nodded.
When he opened a box earlier, he noticed that Vulpix seemed to enjoy the energy cubes very much.
"Certainly."
Alex handed each of them a Pokémon Pokédex and gave Ethan ten boxes of energy cubes.
"Now that I've finished shopping, boss, I have a lot of questions for you."
Hannah said, watching as Charmander happily nibbled on an energy cube with its little paws, and addressed Alex.
"There are no other customers at the moment, so I have plenty of time. What would you like to know?"
Alex smiled, understanding that the three of them must have many questions.
"For instance, what are Attributes, Abilities, and unique skills?"
After thinking it over, Hannah decided to start with the basics.
"Is this something Miss Lily and Mr. Ethan are also curious about?" Alex glanced at Lily and Ethan.
They both nodded.
"Pokémon is my name for these magical creatures. Some live on land, some in the sea, some in the Gobi, and others in the desert."
"Pokémon have a variety of attributes, which you can think of as the elements they control, allowing them to use powers and skills corresponding to those attributes."
"Fire, Electric, Water, Ground, Rock, and more."
"This is just a general overview. In fact, they can also learn moves of other attributes in the future."
Alex's voice was warm and clear as he explained to the three of them.
These were the first three Trainers in this world!
Well, it's a shame, Ethan isn't a bad guy.
"Ah, this..."
Ethan was amazed—a pet that can use elemental powers?
Wow, isn't that like those creatures in fantasy anime?
This is incredible!
"This... doesn't seem like a typical pet, does it?"
Lily was also taken aback by Alex's explanation. This was practically supernatural.
And can such beings really be considered pets?
"It depends on your definition of a pet, doesn't it?"
Alex replied, noncommittal, and posed a rhetorical question to Lily.
"Pets are partners and companions to humans, and Pokémon are the same, but they are more special than traditionally understood pets."
"Yes, indeed... quite extraordinary..."
Lily looked down at her Squirtle, which was chasing its tail in circles...
"What about Abilities?"
Hannah listened intently and asked Alex eagerly.
"Abilities are the traits that vary between individual Pokémon, and each Pokémon's Ability might be different."
"For example, your Charmander has the Ability Solar Power, which is extremely rare among Charmander."
"Solar Power increases Charmander's special attack during Sunny Day but decreases its stamina slightly each round."
"However, in the Charmander group, the common Ability is Blaze, which greatly increases the power of Fire-type moves when health is low."
Alex explained to Hannah.
"So my Charmander is quite special!"
Hannah's eyes lit up with excitement, proud of her little red-skinned lizard!
"Emmm..."
Lily blinked. Her Squirtle had the Torrent Ability, which seemed similar to Charmander's Blaze, but Charmander's was for Fire-type moves, while Squirtle's was for Water-type.
"But these Abilities and Attributes seem like..."
Ethan frowned. Although it sounded fantastical, he could accept it.
But in this case, whether it's Attributes, unique skills, or Abilities, it seems like... they're all geared towards combat?
Just like his Vulpix, whose Ability is Flash Fire, which means, according to the Pokédex, "when hit by a Fire-type move, it takes no damage but boosts attack."
Isn't this Ability meant for battle?
"You're not wrong, and in the future, I'll introduce a new concept."
Alex's lips curled into a slight smile, and he spoke slowly to the three of them.
"Pokémon competition!"