While Dai Yui was maintaining order and Cynthia was happily hosting a signing event, Austin excused himself to the restroom.
Account Followers: (108,765 / 100,000)
Million Views: (5 / 5)
Both objectives for the third phase had already been completed, and the follower count was still climbing.
Austin guessed it was because the videos featuring him and Cynthia had gone viral.
These were the results generated by the six videos he had uploaded so far.
Rewards:
Pokémon Item Lottery Ticket ×3
Specialty Dish: Sakana no Nitsuke (A-Rank)
Skill: Ancient Language (Intermediate)
Ancient Language (Intermediate)?
I don't even study ancient history.
Forget it. I'll just treat it as useful preparation for uncovering the history of Dialga, Palkia, and the Lake Guardians in the future.
Sakana no Nitsuke (A-Rank): A traditional slow-simmered fish dish prepared with a carefully balanced blend of soy sauce, ginger, and sweet seasonings. The cooking process preserves the fish's natural nutrients while allowing the flavors to fully penetrate every bite. The result is a tender, nourishing meal that is both comforting and highly digestible.
Effect: Increases a Pokémon's natural recovery rate and stamina regeneration for 12 hours after consumption.
Daily Production Limit: (0 / 1)
Note: Please improve your cooking skills before attempting again. Do not waste food.
The fourth phase of [I Really Didn't Want to Be a PokéStreamer] had been issued.
Account Followers: (109,123 / 500,000)
Million Views: (5 / 15)
Task Rewards:
Pokémon Item Lottery Ticket ×3
Random Advanced Skill ×1
Random Specialty Dish ×1
As far as follower count was concerned, this clearly wasn't a task that could be completed anytime soon.
Another rapidly increasing number on the task panel quickly caught Austin's attention.
The second phase of the main quest, [Advancing the Breeding House], required customers and Pokémon to genuinely believe that the Breeding Center was the best Breeding House in Jubilife City.
Task Progress: (454 / 1,000)
Austin distinctly remembered that the number had still been below three digits yesterday. This mission had been stuck for quite some time, advancing at a painfully slow pace.
Part of the reason was the price war initiated by Crown Coronet Breeding House, which had indeed reduced customer traffic.
The other reason was that earning sincere recognition from customers was much harder than simply attracting them.
Austin thought back to everything that had happened today and the now overcrowded cafeteria, which left him with only one answer.
Cynthia.
After thinking about it, that seemed to be the only explanation.
The video of him giving Cynthia's Garchomp a salt-sand therapy treatment had exploded in popularity.
People like Ethan, Red, Wallace, and others had enthusiastically joined the discussion, further boosting its visibility.
That, combined with Austin's own popularity, made the traffic generated enormous.
What Austin hadn't expected was that this mission could actually be completed in such a way. Originally, he had assumed it would require months of gradual effort.
But after thinking about it more carefully, it made sense. If a breeder had already earned recognition from multiple Champions, then why wouldn't customers consider him the best breeder in Jubilife City?
The afternoon signing event proceeded smoothly under Dai Yui's supervision.
Shion said with admiration,
"Dai Yui, I never knew you had this kind of talent."
Dai Yui planted his hands on his hips and puffed out his chest proudly.
"What are you talking about? This is nothing! Is there any talent that Dai Yui doesn't possess?"
Dai was basking in the excited claps of Shion before the teenager drained him of all his smugness with a comment.
"Mhmm. You are good, but Big bro Austin is better."
Mizuki laughed before adjusting her glasses.
"I think it's also because Ms. Cynthia's fans are generally very well-behaved."
Dai Yui immediately looked dissatisfied.
"Jealousy. That's definitely jealousy."
Mizuki: "..."
Cynthia nodded with a smile.
"Mr. Dai Yui, thank you very much."
Thanks to his management, the entire afternoon signing event remained orderly and efficient.
Not only was Dai Yui skilled at organizing people, but his large physique also served as a powerful deterrent. He looked capable of spinning troublemakers around like tops, so very few people dared to challenge him.
Anyone thinking about causing trouble had to first consider whether they could survive a confrontation with him.
Austin had never expected to recruit such an SSR-level employee simply by participating in a Breeder assessment.
Although Mizuki wasn't as versatile as Dai Yui, she surpassed him in breeding knowledge and teaching ability.
She had a natural talent for mentoring newcomers.
Shion, Daniella, and several others had all been trained by her.
In a way, this was another stroke of good luck for Austin.
The Senior Breeder assessment would take place the day after tomorrow. He wondered if he would be lucky enough to recruit more talented people.
Cynthia's signing event had already proven remarkably effective, which led to an unexpected side effect. A portion of Cynthia's fans gradually became new customers of the Black Crest Jubilife Breeding House.
Amanda Black, with her sharp business sense, suggested, "Should we start offering membership cards?"
Uncle Hanson nodded. "We could also create an online booking system. That would reduce a lot of the workload. I have a customer who develops programs. I'll contact him."
Leon gave a thumbs up. "Good suggestion."
Cynthia also added, "I happen to have a friend at a beauty salon in Jubilife City. Her membership system is quite good. I can introduce her if you want."
Cynthia often went there for her beauty treatment.
Amanda Black nodded. "Please introduce her. I'll get in touch."
Earlier that morning, Uncle Hanson had already made a decision to close the downtown store and relocate fully to the Breeding House.
He could design anywhere, so rebuilding was not a problem. A small facility upgrade was enough.
Even if he took fewer external design commissions, he could still handle grooming work for Pokémon.
For the sake of his remaining hair, he decided to reduce his workload.
He did not want to hold any more vigils for his hair.
Living together as a family worked better.
Eating Austin Black's cooking made it even better.
If his father also came over, that would be perfect.
Even if the old man complained his ear off, the cooking was worth it.
Life felt steady.
Austin Black and Hanson Black occasionally drifted into the same thought at the same time.
. . .
Two days later.
Cynthia's vacation came to an end.
"I have to return. The Emerald League opening match is between Lance and me. Milotic will stay here for now. I'll need her back on the 9th."
The match was scheduled for February 10th as the opening battle of the Emerald League.
Tickets had already sold out within a short time.
"Milotic, don't worry. Go and crush Lance."
Cynthia smiled slightly. "Alright."
She had originally planned to invite Austin to attend the venue, but considering his current workload, she gave up on the idea.
The opening match would be held on Lily of the Valley Island, the site of the Lily of the Valley Conference. It was too far from Jubilife City.
Jubilife City is building its own home stadium. I'll invite him when it's ready. Cynthia thought with certainty.
"Good luck in the Emerald League. I'll be rooting for you."
That was Leon.
"Please rest assured, Uncle Leon."
Amanda waved. "Come visit again when you have time."
Cynthia nodded with a smile. "I will."
Garchomp, Lucario, and the others also said their farewells to Ryu and the rest.
"Lucario."
(Train well.)
"Cario!"
(Got it, senior!)
After saying their goodbyes, Cynthia texted Rolanda before putting on her sunglasses and riding Garchomp into the sky.
Cynthia: "Roro, the Feebas issue still hasn't been solved, but I've left Milotic here. You don't need to worry."
Rolanda: "Got it. Good luck with the match. I'll be cheering for you."
Cynthia: "Definitely. Watch your Big Sis kick ass."
. . .
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