Chapter 47 – A Surge in Power

As trainers, everyone there understood perfectly well—

The rarity of that Trapinch egg was on a completely different level compared to the Pokémon you might stumble across in a forest.

The boy hugged the egg tightly, grinning from ear to ear as he turned to leave.

“Wait!” Kawaki called out. “You still haven’t received your mystery prize!”

“Mystery prize?”

That instantly grabbed the attention of all the trainers who hadn’t left yet.

Could it be… an even rarer Pokémon?

“Boss! What’s the mystery prize?!” someone shouted impatiently.

Kawaki chuckled. “It’s a full month of free room and board at Bewear’s Inn! So, what do you think? Pretty mysterious, huh?”

Everyone: “...”

Yeah, they’d pass. Most of them were traveling trainers—if they stayed here for a whole month, their Gym Challenge progress would fall way behind.

So, one by one, the crowd dispersed.

As the sun sank beneath the horizon and twilight set in, the day’s tournament finally came to a close.

It was getting late. Time to head home.

Once the competition ended, even the trainers staying at the inn packed up and left. The entire Daycare was now quiet—only Kawaki and his little family remained.

In the kitchen, the Chef Clefairy duo were busy preparing dinner for everyone.

Tonight’s menu: freshly made sandwiches and a blend of sweet berry juice.

The two Clefairy chefs had fallen in love with cooking, especially the feeling of seeing happy smiles on the faces of those who enjoyed their food.

The other Clefairy gathered on the living room sofa, circling a small round table as they watched TV together.

On the screen played a Pokémon-only cartoon—no humans, just Pokémon characters—and the Clefairy absolutely adored it.

Kawaki had set out snacks and candies on the table, and the Clefairy munched happily while watching their show.

Pure bliss.

The Janitor Clefairy had decided to slack off tonight, joining the group in front of the TV. Which meant Bewear had to pick up the broom again, sweeping the floors dirtied by customers during the day.

Behind the counter, Kawaki sat down, running his hand through Growlithe’s fur.

Soft and fluffy… but beneath that gentle coat, he could already feel solid, well-toned muscle.

In just one day, thanks to the learning device, Growlithe had undergone a stunning transformation.

It no longer looked like a newborn pup less than a month old—it looked more like a seasoned fighter, powerful and battle-hardened.

Kawaki opened Growlithe’s updated stats.

[Pokémon: Growlithe]

[Gender: Male]

[Ability: Intimidate]

[Moves: Tackle, Sleep Powder, Baby-Doll Eyes, Swords Dance, Leer, Ember, Morning Sun, Howl, Flame Wheel, Bite, Fire Fang, Helping Hand, Agility, Take Down, Flame Burst]

[Status: Healthy

[[Mood: Happy]

…

Sure enough, it had learned several new moves.

Both of Growlithe’s parents had been Elite Four–tier Pokémon, so its intelligence and natural talent far surpassed that of an average Pokémon.

Seeing it pick up so many moves didn’t surprise Kawaki much.

He glanced at Growlithe’s sturdy body, sleek coat, and those bright, determined eyes.

“Looks like the learning device doesn’t just help you learn moves,” he murmured, “it even enhances your physical traits.”

“Arf!”

Growlithe noticed Kawaki spacing out and wagged its tail, nudging his hand with its head.

When Kawaki looked down, Growlithe sat obediently in place, tongue out, tail wagging, panting happily like a big baby.

Kawaki sighed.

Strong body, sure—but still the heart of a pup.

He patted Growlithe on the head. “Alright, go play.”

At that, Chimecho—who’d been watching—floated over jealously, giving him a hopeful look.

She wanted head pats too.

Kawaki: “...”

He reached out and patted her as well. Only then did Chimecho look satisfied.

---

Later that night, just as Kawaki was about to go to bed, he suddenly remembered something—

The twenty Moon Stones Steven had given him! He still hadn’t handed them over to the Clefairy.

Getting up, he took the stones from his bag and headed to the backyard, where the Clefairy spaceship was parked.

Inside, the Clefairy were already cuddled up together, resting.

Under the faint moonlight, Kawaki knocked gently on the hatch.

A moment later, soft voices came from within. One Clefairy poked its head out… then another, and another, until four of them were peeking curiously at him.

“Clefairy?”

“These are for you,” Kawaki said, placing the twenty Moon Stones before them.

The Clefairy’s eyes widened with joy.

“Clefairy!”

They hopped down excitedly, hugging the stones and carrying them into the ship’s energy chamber.

Kawaki sighed softly.

Over the past few days, he’d really grown fond of these little Clefairy.

But they weren’t actually his Pokémon. They were employees—helpers under contract.

And one day, they’d leave.

When their spaceship finally had enough energy to return to space, they’d head back to the stars.

That thought left Kawaki feeling unexpectedly heavy.

Should he ask them to stay?

Or… should he try to officially catch them, make them part of his team?

He didn’t know.

They hadn’t been together long, and he couldn’t guess what choice the Clefairy would make.

After a moment of thought, he decided to wait and see—spend more time with them.

Maybe one day, they’d grow attached enough to stay in the Daycare willingly.

Receiving so many Moon Stones at once made the Clefairy overjoyed.

Each of their heads lit up with a tiny glowing sun, symbols of pure happiness.

Then, hand in hand, they looked up at Kawaki, and under the moonlight, began to dance in circles around him.

“Clefairy Clefairy Clefairy~!”

Kawaki blinked in surprise. “Hey, what are you all doing?”

“Clefairy~!”

“Clefairy~!”

To the Clefairy, Kawaki was nothing short of divine.

Their god had always been the moon—the celestial mother who watched over them, who they danced for every full moon in celebration and gratitude.

But ever since arriving on this planet, they’d been through so much. They’d faced danger, fear, and near disaster.

Kawaki had saved them from a raging Dragon-type Pokémon, given them shelter, treated them to delicious cream cakes, and even helped them find the stones needed to power their ship.

The moon was sacred to them…

But now, so was Kawaki.