Pokemon Paldea [205-207] (Patreon)

Chapter 205: The Sage of the Forest

"A Meowth who grew up wandering learned human language for the sake of love. At first glance, it seems absurd. Yet, when it sits alone on a tree gazing at the moon at the end of the story, I can feel its loneliness. Perhaps it was this loneliness and pursuit of love that enabled it to achieve such an unprecedented feat."

"That said, I can somewhat understand how Meowzie the Meowth felt. If I ever met a talking Meowth, I'd probably find it a bit creepy too."

Meowstic looked complicated. The inspirational story of Meowth was indeed moving, but if it actually met a talking Meowth, its first reaction would probably be the same—

…

Meowth, currently plotting to catch Pikachu on the Indigo Plateau: "Achoo, nya!"

…

Lucas: So, even Meowstic, a fellow feline Pokémon, comes to the same conclusion as Meowzie in the anime? As a human, I find Meowth inspiring, but Meowstic finds it... unsettling.

Though Meowstic also used human language to communicate, it was merely tracing out words with psychic power. When it actually spoke, it still meowed in its Pokémon tongue.

Makes sense. If a human crawled on the ground mimicking a Meowth and meowed, that'd be pretty odd too.

Suddenly feeling a bit sorry for Meowth, Lucas tried to change the subject. He glanced around and noticed a small group of Pokémon gathering by the manor's outer wall.

Most were Electric-type Pokémon, fitting for this city known for its electricity.

They were lining up to receive food from a white-haired orangutan Pokémon.

This white-haired orangutan wore a purple cape-like fur and wielded a fan tied with purple fur. Each wave of the fan sent out psychic energy, distributing prepared food to the patiently waiting Electric Pokémon.

Lucas recognized this Pokémon: Oranguru from Alola.

Why was Oranguru feeding the Electric-types? These Pokémon all looked somewhat dirty, clearly wild or abandoned and likely not students of the Pokémon Butler Academy.

Oranguru is considered quite wise among Psychic-types. It typically lives in forests and is gentle to most Pokémon except its own kind. It even seeks out herbs to treat injured Pokémon in the woods.

With its image, it's like a hermit sage of the forest.

Maybe that's why it's feeding the Electric-types?

Before Lucas could ask, Meowstic seemed to sense his thoughts and traced out the words: "Those are wild or abandoned Electric-type Pokémon."

"As for that Oranguru feeding them, well... it's actually one of the graduates you're about to meet. But it's a bit special."

"It's one of the very few students who, for various reasons, have stayed at the Academy for years. Every year, the teachers and principal rack their brains over its employment. Even before I enrolled, Oranguru had already repeated who knows how many years."

Lucas fell silent. The Pokémon Butler Academy had repeat students?

But seeing Meowstic also seemed unsure about Oranguru's past, Lucas dropped the subject. He changed the topic: "You said some of those Electric-types were abandoned?"

"Yes, for example, that Luxio at the end of the line." Meowstic looked at the determined-eyed Luxio quietly waiting its turn.

"Luxio?"

Lucas followed Meowstic's gaze. When he spotted the Luxio, his expression turned nostalgic.

His first Pokémon partner had also been a Luxio.

"Do you know what's on the other side of the wall?"

Meowstic's words floated before Lucas.

He shook his head, so Meowstic continued.

"On the other side is an Electric-type Pokémon vocational school—a human school. That Luxio was abandoned by a student there when it was still a Shinx."

"I see."

Lucas frowned slightly. Maybe because Luxio and Luxray are of the same species, he felt empathetic towards its situation.

Just like Ceruledge and Grafaiai, being abandoned is never a good experience.

As Lucas reflected, Oranguru handed the last portion of food to Luxio and, in the face of Luxio's grateful cry, smiled and gently patted its head before heading toward a distant building.

Luxio watched Oranguru's back for a while before carrying its food over the wall and running toward the Electric-type Pokémon school.

Oranguru's actions reminded Meowstic of the time. "It's about time. Most graduates should be waiting in the hall ahead. We need to hurry."

Lucas quickly turned his attention back and nodded. "Alright."

At the end of the stone path stood a grand hall. A gold-trimmed red carpet ran from the entrance up the steps outside. Walking on it gave Lucas the feeling of attending a banquet.

Near the entrance, two giant pillars stood on either side, intricately carved—a graduation project from a past class, Meowstic explained.

The walls on either side had murals Lucas couldn't understand but looked sophisticated. Vines and flowers adorned the upper areas, adding a dreamlike touch to the graduates' job-hunting journey.

Meowstic led Lucas to two people who seemed to have waited a long time. One was a man in his fifties or sixties, dressed in a proper suit, his most striking feature being his shiny bald head.

The other, a somewhat younger woman in professional attire, looked like a secretary or assistant.

The man smiled. "Hello, Mr. Lucas. I'm Otto, headmaster of the Pokémon Butler Academy. This is my secretary, Marusill."

"Hello."

Lucas responded automatically, mind still reeling that Meowstic's words were true. The principal really was bald—he thought Meowstic had been exaggerating.

"Thank you for the tour, Meowstic. You may rest now," Otto said, then turned to Lucas. "Please follow me. Now you may choose any graduate butler Pokémon you like."

Chapter 206: Selection

The hall was grand and bright, with a high ceiling and magnificent crystal chandeliers. Arched glass windows lined both sides, letting sunlight bathe the space in a soft glow.

It was clear the Academy took the graduates' employment very seriously.

After all, if chosen, the Pokémon would likely stay with that family for life.

In the center was a semi-circular stage—probably for the graduates' talent shows. Otto had led Lucas to a prepared seat facing the stage.

Lucas noticed only his and Otto's seats had fruit and drinks. Marusill, the assistant, stood quietly behind Otto.

"Am I the only one choosing today?"

Lucas asked curiously.

Otto nodded. "We only invite one approved guest at a time to avoid competition, so the process doesn't look like buying and selling Pokémon. This also allows you to select the butler Pokémon best suited to your needs."

"Meowstic probably mentioned: all the Pokémon you'll see today are actively seeking employment. They may have their own conditions, but since it's a mutual choice, you only need to decide if you can accept their terms."

Lucas nodded in understanding.

He appreciated the Academy's approach. As a legitimate institution, they avoided any impression of illegal Pokémon trade.

As Geeta had explained, the Pokémon he would meet here would be more like employees than captured Pokémon—it was a relationship of employer and worker.

The Academy didn't charge fees. The generous salaries Geeta mentioned were monthly wages paid to the butler Pokémon. Lucas didn't have to worry; Geeta handled all payments. He just needed to pick his favorite butler.

After a few minutes, the Academy's graduates started to appear on stage.

They came out one by one. The first butler Pokémon surprised Lucas.

A Sirfetch'd as a butler?

Seeing Sirfetch'd on stage—calm, sharp-eyed, with a bow tie—Lucas was intrigued.

Marusill handed over Sirfetch'd's profile. "Graduate No. 1, Sirfetch'd. It excelled at the Academy, especially with food preparation. Using its leek sword, it can slice ingredients with incredible precision."

As she spoke, Sirfetch'd produced a table its own height and... a bowl of tofu? Then, wielding its leek sword, Sirfetch'd performed a dazzling display of slicing, finally presenting a bowl of fine tofu threads to Lucas.

Lucas: "!!!"

Tofu noodles?!

This Sirfetch'd's knife skills were incredible.

If not for having Ceruledge, whose own skills were improving, Lucas might have chosen Sirfetch'd.

The grades on Sirfetch'd's profile—straight As—were dazzling.

After Sirfetch'd, the next butler was a graceful Gardevoir.

Gardevoir's grades were slightly lower, but its specialty was different.

Like the two Tsareena before, Gardevoir excelled at massage and could use a soothing psychic pulse to relax humans.

Gardevoir's demonstration left Lucas feeling completely refreshed.

It felt as if all his fatigue had been washed away—very comfortable.

After Gardevoir left, Lucas felt his skin had become more radiant, just like after the massages given by Suzie in the original anime.

Next, Lucas interviewed Boltund, Hatterene, Blissey, Audino, Machamp, and Lucario—all with remarkable skills and professionalism.

Throughout, Lucas enjoyed the talents and attention of these eager candidates and chatting with each.

There were quite a few butlers who caught his eye.

Then, the next candidate appeared.

Seeing Otto's delighted expression, Otto leaned in and whispered, "Here's the last graduate. It's a bit special, but its butler skills are the best among all nine you've seen."

"Even better than Sirfetch'd?"

Lucas raised an eyebrow—he'd already guessed who it was.

Oranguru stepped onto the stage—slow but steady. Marusill handed Lucas its profile.

A quick glance, and Lucas was amazed.

This résumé matched even the most experienced human butlers.

Every subject was graded S, above Sirfetch'd's As, and its skills spanned cooking, bartending, carpentry—an entire page of talents.

Was this a max-level butler?

Chapter 207: Why Did This Become a Pokémon Battle?

Sensing Lucas's amazement, Otto signaled desperately to Oranguru on stage.

Don't just stand there—promote yourself!

Otto then explained Oranguru's strengths: not only was it skilled in all things butler-related, but it was also very powerful. Its psychic strength could lift heavy objects or precisely control towels for cleaning.

The perfect butler for home or travel.

Otto's enthusiastic sales pitch confirmed Meowstic's story—Oranguru really had been repeating for years, otherwise the principal wouldn't be so desperate.

But if Oranguru's résumé was so impressive, why had it stayed so long? There seemed to be no personality issue, as Lucas had seen it feeding wild Electric Pokémon. Was this kindness limited to Pokémon, and did it dislike humans?

Lucas doubted it. If Oranguru disliked humans, it would have hidden away in a forest, not stayed at a human-facing butler academy for years.

He watched Oranguru, who unlike the earlier candidates, simply stood quietly, not rushing to show off.

Perhaps the answer lay with Oranguru itself.

Lucas sensed Oranguru observing him.

As soon as their eyes met, a calm, wise male voice echoed in Lucas's mind: "Hello, Mr. Lucas."

Telepathy?

Lucas recalled that Oranguru could indeed use telepathy.

He tried replying aloud: "Nice to meet you, Oranguru. How did you know my name?"

Otto and Marusill looked stunned—not because of the telepathy, but because Oranguru usually never spoke to the guests, always cold and distant.

Normally, it seemed to avoid being chosen.

Oranguru answered seriously: "We reviewed the information about your place before coming here. Only those willing to work at your farm came today."

"After all, the rules state our choice is mutual, right?"

Oranguru's voice was calm and logical, making Lucas feel like he was speaking with a wise elder.

Lucas nodded, "You're right. The choice is mutual—it's your right."

"Thank you for understanding." Oranguru placed its fan over its chest, eyes full of wisdom. "What do you think of me? I assure you, nothing in my profile is fabricated."

Lucas answered honestly, "You're excellent—the best I've seen so far."

"Your farm operates entirely with Pokémon, and it's in a quiet, rural area. I like peaceful places."

"To be honest, I'm very interested in working at your farm."

Oranguru's approach was quite different from the others; it was confident and clear about its wishes, and Lucas felt it had every right to be.

At least, Lucas was willing to communicate with it. Its steadiness, wisdom, and independence fit his ideal of a butler.

He asked, "So, do you want to take on the job at my farm?"

Otto kept glancing back and forth between them, as if realizing that the Academy's decade-long repeat student was finally getting employed. Otto was moved to tears, and Marusill discreetly wiped her eyes.

She'd watched Otto worry himself bald over Oranguru's employment.

However, Oranguru's next words sobered Otto and Marusill.

Oranguru said, "I'd love to say yes... but I have one more condition."

Otto blurted out, "Oranguru! Isn't that enough? Why are you so insistent on your requirements after all these years?"

Oranguru looked at Otto, bowed slightly, and said apologetically, "Principal, I know you're concerned about my employment. Call me stubborn or old-fashioned, but this is the one thing I cannot compromise on."

"You... sigh!"

Otto's raised hand dropped in resignation.

Lucas's expression barely changed. He said, "Oranguru, speak your mind."

Oranguru nodded gratefully. So far, Lucas had left a great impression. Telepathy continued: "Perhaps I've wasted years here because I ask for too much."

"Since entering the Pokémon Butler Academy, I've dreamed that my future workplace would be one where humans and Pokémon coexist as equals, free of discrimination, where Pokémon aren't just tools for battle, and everyone does their part happily together."

"Based on the information, your farm matches my ideal."

"But there's one last hurdle: to ensure peace and stability, there must be strength to face unexpected threats."

"In short, Mr. Lucas, please send out a Pokémon to battle with me. As long as you demonstrate enough strength to protect your territory, I'll serve you wholeheartedly."

Oranguru's explanation made everything clear.

Maybe some found Oranguru picky or ungrateful, but Lucas saw it as a sign that Oranguru took its lifelong workplace seriously and wanted to choose carefully.

It's just that no one had met its standards before.

Thinking this, Lucas smiled. "A battle? That's unexpected, but I accept. I do know a thing or two about Pokémon battles."

Seeing Lucas agree, Oranguru was grateful. "Thank you for your understanding, Mr. Lucas."

As Otto fell into despair again, Marusill came over and quietly reminded Lucas, "Mr. Lucas, Oranguru might follow the butler's path, but it's a very strong battler."

"A few years ago, even a visiting Gym Leader lost to Oranguru. You understand?"

"A Gym Leader?"

Lucas was stunned and looked at Oranguru, who met his gaze calmly.

To be honest, Oranguru looked more like a sage than a fighter.

But if it could defeat a Gym Leader's Pokémon, it must be powerful—certainly stronger than his current Arcanine.

Looks like it's time for Swampert and the others to take the stage.