[Pokémon: Eevee]
Gender: Male
Ability: Adaptability
Moves: Tackle, Tail Whip, Growl, Covet, Sand Attack
Status: Listless
Mood: ☁️
Joy: -50
Friendship: 1 (You are strangers in this world)
Description: If I can't evolve into a beautiful Sylveon, I'm doomed! — Eevee.
Carver glanced at the Eevee perched on Ariel's shoulder and immediately noticed the little black raincloud hovering over its head.
Rain poured from the cloud—this Eevee was in a very bad mood.
At the same time, Eevee's status information appeared in Carver's view.
Compared to two days ago, its Joy had dropped further—from -20 to -50.
No doubt, this was because it still hadn't learned a Fairy-type move and therefore couldn't evolve into Sylveon.
-50…
Carver narrowed his eyes. If he could help this Eevee evolve into Sylveon, its Joy would likely skyrocket—maybe to an astonishing level.
And with that Joy boost… What kind of reward would he get?
While Ariel was visibly thrilled at her perceived "profit," Carver's feelings were more complicated.
Ariel thought she'd gotten a great deal, but in truth, he was the one benefitting.
5,000 Pokécoins and a rare mystery reward—in exchange for virtually no cost to him.
"If you want Eevee to learn Baby-Doll Eyes, you'll need to leave him here at the daycare. It'll take about half a day. During that time, you can explore the area or rest here—we also provide food and lodging," Carver explained.
For him, teaching a move was just a matter of thought. But to avoid suspicion, he decided to have Bewear handle the task.
"Guu~!"
Carver had already briefed Bewear on the procedure. Upon receiving the task, Bewear cheerfully accepted it.
Ariel handed over Eevee and gave him a spirited pep talk.
"You can do it, Eevee! I'll be waiting here for you!"
"Vee!" Eevee was determined. He'd seize this opportunity and give his all to learn Baby-Doll Eyes!
After watching Eevee and Bewear head into the backyard, the remaining three guests noticed a small chalkboard behind the counter.
It listed food and lodging prices:
The Bewear Inn
2,000 Pokécoins / Night
Current Menu – The Bewear Café:
Ramen: 800 Pokécoins/bowl
Rice Porridge: 300/bowl
Berry Juice: 100/cup
Sandwich: 500/serving
Pokémon Snacks: 500/serving
Since the lesson only took half a day, staying overnight wasn't necessary. They ordered a few berry juices and sat on the sofa in the main hall to rest and chat.
Carver personally brought them their drinks. With no other Pokémon helpers and no funds to hire staff, he had to do everything himself.
As he watched them chatting, Carver suddenly felt something was missing.
A TV.
He should install a TV in the lobby to play news or Trainer-related channels, so guests could watch while they waited.
But then again—Trainers didn't really need TV.
After chatting a bit longer, the three ran outside to battle Pokémon on the roadside.
Only the boy named Koh stayed behind. Seeing Carver deep in thought behind the counter, he asked:
"Boss, how do you know so much about Eevee's evolution and its conditions?"
Carver blinked in surprise, puzzled. "You didn't know?"
That didn't add up—Sylveon already existed in this world. The evolution methods should've been discovered by now.
"I do, but the specifics are unclear. You said Eevee's evolution depends on closeness?" Koh's face was full of curiosity.
Sylveon, Espeon, and Umbreon had long existed in this world—even wild ones.
But the exact evolution conditions still hadn't been thoroughly documented.
If that were true, then it made sense!
Scholars had been using Eevee with whom they had no emotional connection, hence the unpredictable evolution results.
Carver: "…"
Something was off.
Very off.
According to what he knew, it was Alliance Year 206.
Carver fell silent. He'd assumed this stuff was already common knowledge.
Koh waited eagerly for a response—but instead, Carver suddenly asked:
"Who's the current Hoenn League Champion?"
Koh answered with a name Carver had never heard before.
Not Steven…
"Have you heard of Steven?" Carver asked again.
Koh shook his head, completely confused.
Carver was stunned.
At this point in time, Steven hadn't even become a Trainer yet?
Or maybe he had just started his journey?
No wonder… no wonder Koh had reacted that way.
Damn—it was a spoiler!
Carver quickly recovered and replied, "My parents found this info in the notes of an old scholar. They ran this daycare long ago. I've just returned to reopen it."
Just returned? From another region?
That explained why the boss didn't know who Hoenn's current Champion was.
As for the notebook…
Koh didn't doubt it. This world had all kinds of talented eccentrics.
From ancient Aura Guardians to modern-day professors who lived off the grid. Dr. Solance in Fallarbor Town, for example—he spent all his time at Meteor Falls digging up fossils.
In short: a weirdo.
"I see! Got it!" Koh said.
Carver smiled and said nothing more.
He headed out to the backyard to check on Bewear's lesson with Eevee.
Bewear stood in front of Eevee, its eyes glowing with a faint pink light.
Eevee watched closely. A moment later, the glow faded and Bewear motioned for him to try.
"Vee!"
Little Eevee nodded, sat down earnestly, and gave it his all.
Then...
He went cross-eyed.
Carver: "…"
"Guu…?" Bewear was stunned.
Baby-Doll Eyes failed. Eevee drooped in disappointment.
"Vee…"
Carver now understood why this Eevee couldn't learn the move.
"No rush. Take your time. I promise—you'll get it before sunset," Carver reassured him.
"Vee?" Eevee wasn't very confident. He'd tried so many times and still couldn't do it...
Now he was starting to question everything.
His Joy value began to plummet.