Master Craftsman of the Pokémon World

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Hikaru placed the prepared package into the delivery box while Charizard held a few cards, seemingly cross-checking the shipment details.

Hikaru offered Charizard a berry, but the latter waved its claws and let out a deep growl.

"Roar," Charizard gestured with its claws, acting as if it didn't recognize Hikaru—but that wasn't actually its intent.

"Yo~" Honedge floated over just in time to translate.

Charizard explained that it couldn't eat food given by others during work hours. If it got sick, it could delay deliveries, or worse, lead to lost packages. Moreover, it had already eaten its work meal before setting out and carried emergency Pokémon food in its storage box.

While letting out a low growl, Charizard reached into its box and pulled out something that looked like a steamed bun.

It was an Anger Bun, a specialty from Cianwood Town and a well-known snack throughout Johto! Even Charizard, flying in from Blackthorn City, carried some in case it encountered unexpected situations or status conditions along the way.

"Hmm, makes sense. It's true that one shouldn't eat food from just anyone," Hikaru murmured, momentarily dazed as he realized that Pokémon with actual jobs were quite different from wild Pokémon.

Their awareness of food safety was truly impressive.

I was just a customer. I overstepped.

"Roar~"

With that, Charizard flapped its wings, not lingering for further conversation. Dedicated to its job, it soared into the sky with the package, gradually becoming a speck in the distance.

As the wind stirred the grass, something seemed to fall from the sky, landing on Hikaru's head.

It was a strikingly white leaf.

"Huh?" Hikaru reached up and plucked the leaf from his hair.

[Rare Material: White Herb]

[Description: A white herb leaf that retains a pleasant fragrance. This herb can occasionally be found in grassy fields, forests, or carried by Flying-type Pokémon from faraway places.]

[Effect: When held by a Pokémon, it restores lowered stats once.]

[Knowledge Acquired: +1]

[Leaf Wanderer: Occasionally finds herb leaves from wind-swept foliage with a 5% chance.]

White Herbs could indeed be found in nature, but their specific growing locations were unpredictable. Finding a full herb plant was pure luck. However, flower shops in different regions often cultivated them, much like Gracidea flowers.

Pokémon commonly associated with herbs were Tangrowth, as people often discovered herbs entangled in its vines. The vines themselves also had properties similar to certain herbs—though the connection seemed purely coincidental!

Beep beep—

The computer chimed.

Another wild customer request had appeared. The drop rate really was high.

With that thought, Hikaru returned to his house.

Opening his inbox, he found a message with an intriguing subject line.

"I have foreseen that you possess Light Clay."

"To be honest, I've heard that this clay can enhance Psychic-type moves, but it is rare and mostly found underground in Sinnoh. It cannot be obtained in Kanto or Johto. If you have any, I would like to buy it."

Foreseen?

A Psychic?

"The sender's ID is Xatu?"

This ID was completely unfamiliar. There was nothing to glean from it, but since they were a potential customer—especially one who had foreseen his possession of Light Clay—it was an opportunity to sell.

Initially, Hikaru had planned to fire the Light Clay into ceramics, but he hadn't had the time. Now, someone was offering to buy it directly.

Beep beep—

A second email arrived.

"I have foreseen that you were planning to fire the Light Clay into a unique ceramic. I am also very interested in this ceramic. Please make it, and I will pay double."

"Huh?"

Hikaru was taken aback.

This person was impressive. Weren't Psychics usually limited to reading minds or foreseeing events only when close by?

To prevent another unexpected email, Hikaru quickly added the sender as a contact and initiated a conversation.

"You should already know what Light Clay does, right? When a Pokémon holding it uses Light Screen or Reflect, the effects last longer."

"The price for Light Clay is 50,000 Pokédollars. If you want me to fire it into ceramics, the price will naturally go up—probably around 100,000. With your offer to pay double, that would be 200,000. Are you sure you still want it?"

Hikaru initially considered charging only 20,000 but realized that Light Clay was rare in this region. That price would be too low.

Xatu:

"No problem. Money is of no importance to us Psychics. Besides, I am also a world-traveling magician and quite well-known in the magic community. You need not worry about my funds."

"And to answer your earlier question—why can a Psychic read minds from such a distance? Heh, I didn't read your mind. I merely foresaw the future and knew exactly what you would say at this moment."

"I also rely on my Pokémon's power. My partner is Xatu."

"My Xatu uses Future Sight to locate rare and mysterious items. Everything it finds possesses extraordinary abilities!"

A Future Sight user?

In Pokémon battles, Future Sight was a delayed-damage move. But outside of battle, the ability truly allowed glimpses into the future.

By predicting the near future with precision, one could act accordingly—that was the essence of Future Sight. Xatu, in particular, could peer into both a person's future and past.

Xatu:

"You seem quite interested in Psychic abilities."

The message was accompanied by a curious emoji, followed by another intriguing note:

"If you want to know whether you have latent Psychic abilities, or if you're interested in training them to pursue greater power, I can offer some advice."

"Here's a simple training method: Nighttime is the best period to enhance Psychic abilities. Focus all your attention on a single tree in front of you, concentrating fully on it. This will strengthen your focus, improving your battle awareness. Even if you don't awaken Psychic powers, your mental fortitude will grow!"

"Of course, I have other training methods—but those are secrets. If people knew my training techniques, they would understand my strengths!"

At first, conversing with a Psychic felt fascinating. Now, it was a bit unsettling.

No matter what Hikaru did or said, his future would be foreseen.

"Could you stop predicting my future?" Hikaru sighed. "As a craftsman, I don't want my work process to be laid bare to others."

Xatu:

"Apologies, I forgot about that. Please proceed with the ceramic firing. Once you're done, just message me—I'll always be available."

After that, the Psychic remained silent.

Hikaru immediately retrieved the stored Light Clay.

Indeed, it was rare in Johto, with most of it originating in Sinnoh.

The forge's doors swung open, the cleared furnace reignited, and the external ventilation was adjusted.

There was no anvil—Hikaru would need to get one. More forging and pottery tools would also be necessary. Maybe he could place an online order and have Blackthorn City's delivery service handle it? The village might also have some spare anvil and tools.

A traditional ceramic firing method called Nanban-yaki used charcoal furnaces, similar in size to small coal stoves. In primitive settings where high-quality kilns weren't available, pottery was fired using simple fuel piles directly on the ground. However, this method often resulted in lower-quality finishes.

Fortunately, Hikaru had a proper forge.

He quickly completed the raw material processing, clay shaping, and glazing stages, employing unique ceramic crafting techniques. The glazing step, in particular, was troublesome.

Once everything was set, it was time to fire the clay. The process took hours.

Honedge peeked in at one point but quickly retreated after feeling the heat—Steel-types were weak to Fire!

"You definitely can't do this job, or it'd turn into a sword-forging contest," Hikaru chuckled.

Soon, the firing was complete.

[Crafted Item: Light Ceramic (Vessel)]

[Description: A ceramic vessel fired from rare Light Clay, using a unique technique.]

[Effects: Pokémon holding it extend the duration of Light Screen and Reflect. Rock and Ground-type Pokémon especially love this ceramic, as Light Clay slightly enhances their energy.]

[Unique Effect: Psychic-type Pokémon that stay near the Light Ceramic for long periods will see their Psychic moves strengthened.]

Xatu:

"I'm currently training in Cianwood. Since I can foresee you, it means my Psychic power can also reach you through the internet."

"I'll have Xatu use Teleport to pick up the item. Your craftsmanship will be put to great use!"

What does "put to great use" mean?

"It means I will challenge strong Pokémon Trainers. Apologies—this is my final Future Sight. Allow me to properly introduce myself."

"I am Itsuki, a former traveling magician and a member of Johto's Elite Four. It's a pleasure to meet you!" (For the ones that don't know, Itsuki is Will)

With a transaction notification, Hikaru saw 200,000 Pokédollars credited to his account.

Whoosh—

A strange psychic ripple spread, and Hikaru turned in time to see the ceramic vessel "shatter" before vanishing in an instant.

Teleporting to pick up goods from this far away? This Psychic power is…

Hikaru was stunned.

Wait, doesn't this mean the truly impressive one is Xatu?!

"Psychic-types really are convenient… Maybe I should make an ocarina next?"

(End of Chapter)

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