Chapter 13
: Lewis's Gift
"Mom and Dad had to leave for a while, Mayor. Hmm, is this Young Gilas? Can I touch it?"
Maru, who had just finished her shift and hadn't had time to change out of her nurse's uniform, pushed up her round-framed glasses. She stared curiously at the baby Gilas at Xia Ming's feet, but politely refrained from touching it.
Xia Ming knows Maru, but Maru doesn't know Xia Ming. The reason is simple: as the daughter of Robin and Demetrius, Maru was sent to study at a science and technology university in another city when she was young. She is a true scientific genius and also has some medical skills from the Nurse Joy family. She could easily be considered an amateur Pokémon doctor.
She returned to Stardew Valley in the last two years and is currently researching a mysterious subject while also doing a part-time internship at a local hospital.
However, her brother Sebastian was acquainted with Xia Ming and was her childhood friend who often played online games together.
"I see... It seems we'll have to postpone the custom furniture order, Xia."
Lewis expressed his understanding, saying that the bosses in the small town all have some businesses or positions outside, and it is normal for them to have to go to other places sometimes due to emergencies.
As far as Lewis knew, Robin was a technical advisor for a large furniture company, and Demetrius had been a core researcher at a Pokémon research company.
"It's alright, I'll come find Aunt Robin myself when the time comes, Grandpa Lewis."
There's nothing we can do if someone has something come up unexpectedly, Xia Ming said, while asking Maru:
"By the way, Maru, is Sebastian home?"
"Ah~ I remember now, you must be the person Sebastian often mentions, right? I've heard many patients at the clinic mention you too, saying that you haven't been back to town for a long time, just like me, and that you're the grandson of a farmer in the town."
Upon hearing Xia Ming mention Sebastian, Maru immediately recalled relevant information about him. He returned to the town during graduation season, accompanied by Lewis, a town resident he hadn't met yet, and who also knew his brother. So, it was highly likely that it was him.
Xia Ming was somewhat surprised by this. He didn't expect Maru to recognize him based on these details alone. She truly deserves to be called a top student.
He readily admitted it:
"Yes, that's me. I used to hear Aunt Robin talk about her smart and clever daughter. She skipped grades to middle school when others were in elementary school, and graduated from Pokémon Academy at the age of twelve to pursue higher education."
"Hmm~ You have a nice way of speaking. I'll take that as a compliment. But it's a pity that Sebastian went to visit Sam. You probably don't know him. His family only moved back here in recent years."
"Sam? I understand. When Sebastian returns, please tell him that I'm back and that I'll come to see him when I have time, or he can come to the farm to find me."
Xia Ming nodded to indicate that he understood. Like Maru, he knew Sam, but Sam did not know him.
After their chat, Xia Ming crouched down and patted Larvitar's head:
"Young Gilas, can she touch you?"
"Yoji~"
Young Gilas nodded gently, then took two steps forward and reached out his little hand to Maru.
Maru, having gotten her wish, couldn't wait to squat down and rub her slightly rough cheeks vigorously with her small hands:
"What an adorable child!"
Bang!
The Ultra Ball at Maru's waist was slowly opened, a flash of red light appeared, and a huge Metagross appeared beside Maru.
"Mei to~"
It extended its claw and gently lifted Maru's arm, then used its other claw to push Young Gilas away. The powerful force and Young Gilas's own weight even left two shallow marks on the ground.
After doing all that, it happily rubbed Maru's hand against its head before contentedly returning to its yellow and black Ultra Ball.
"Seriously... I'm sorry, Larvitar, but this kid is always so jealous. Even Magneton and Skarmory can't stand her."
Maru awkwardly scratched her head. Every time she tried to pet another Pokémon, Metagross would interrupt her before she'd had her fill, its actions clearly saying:
You can just touch it a little to experience it, Trainer. No more touching is allowed!
"Haha, it seems Metagross and Maru are quite close. But you actually got your starter Pokémon so early?"
"I'm a genius, okay! And the Metagross family is a great help to researchers in scientific research. This is something my master specifically taught me to train. To be precise, my starter Pokémon is Skarmory."
"I see. Goodbye, Maru."
"See you next time, and Young Gilas too. I'll bring you a gift next time you come."
"Young Yoshi!"
…………
After saying goodbye to Maru, Xia Ming took Young Gilas and followed Lewis to Lewis's home.
Although he is the town mayor, Lewis's house does not appear luxurious; it is quite small compared to the few large villas in town.
Before even stepping into the house, Xia Ming saw a giant dragon-headed ground squirrel lazily lying on the grass in the front yard, basking in the sun. Its height of two and a half meters undoubtedly made it the overlord of its species!
This is Lewis's ace Pokémon, and Xia Ming can even clearly see the dazzling gem on his chest that is almost inlaid.
Dragon Head Groundhog Mega Stone!
This means that this Excadrill is at least an "Ace" Pokémon, and only an "Ace" Pokémon can form an unbreakable bond with its trainer and maintain its sanity and power under the immense burden of Mega Evolution.
"Gurgle~ Gurgle~"
Slightly opening its eyes, Excadrill reached out to greet its trainer and Xia Ming, then slowly stood up and approached the two of them, crouching down to tap Larvitar's head with its paw.
There's no way around it, it's not that it doesn't have hands, it's just that Young Gilas's height isn't even as long as its claws!
"Let me find it... Ah, here it is! Whew~"
Upon entering the house, Lewis rummaged through the room and pulled out an old iron box from a box piled with "miscellaneous items".
He blew off the dust, and with a nostalgic look in his eyes, he opened it, revealing a stack of old photos pressed down by several creation crystals.
They were hexagonal, golden-yellow crystals, each with distinct sides, only the size of a thumb, radiating an everlasting "light".
But Xia Ming's attention wasn't on it. He leaned forward, his eyes curiously examining the photo buried beneath the crystal:
Two young men, one with an Excadrill behind him and the other with a Sandslash behind him, followed by a group of large Pokémon partners.
This is a group photo, with a pure gold trophy placed at the very front. Inside the trophy are lifelike sculptures of three sacred birds, each holding a dazzling pearl.
"Crunch~ Crunch!"