In Larvitar's case, it had once eaten an entire mountain. What Larvitar truly needed wasn't the rock itself, but the nutrients contained within the soil.
So in reality, although Larvitar's nutritional demand was extremely high, it could be satisfied as long as it was supplied with enough energy cubes.
Aron was similar.
Aron also needed nutrients to grow, but on top of that, it required a massive amount of iron minerals to maintain and strengthen its steel body.
Of course, Steel-type energy cubes could substitute for iron minerals—but if used this way, the required quantity would be enormous.
In other words, Aron's upkeep was no less than Larvitar's—if anything, it was even higher.
"Eating isn't the problem, Boss," Lucas said after a moment of silence, rubbing his temples. "What I really want to know is… what's Aron's temperament like?"
Being a foodie wasn't an issue. Eating more meant growing stronger, and that was a good thing.
But if this Aron was as energetic and destructive as Larvitar…
Then his office really wouldn't survive.
"A Pokémon's temperament depends on the individual," Ren replied thoughtfully, glancing at Aron. "As for this one… it seems pretty quiet?"
The little Pokémon had been standing there calmly ever since it came out.
Then—
Under Ren's stunned gaze, Aron's four short legs suddenly kicked off the ground. Its small body burst forward at a speed completely mismatched with its appearance, charging straight toward the Pokémon treatment machine.
Lucas and Miya froze.
"Don't hit that! Manaphy, stop it!"
Ren's face changed instantly as he shouted.
Aron might be small, but most of its body was steel—and its power was clearly stated in the Pokédex.
A full-force charge from Aron could knock over a heavy dump truck. If it rammed the treatment machine like that, there was no way it would survive.
"Mana!"
Manaphy jolted awake midair, her eyes flashing deep blue.
Psychic!
Aron's body, which had been sprinting forward, was lifted straight into the air and frozen in place, unable to move.
"Th-this…"
Lucas was completely dumbfounded.
This was what the boss called quiet?
"It's probably hungry…"
Ren let out a breath of relief. He quickly took a box of Steel-type energy cubes from behind the counter and gestured for Manaphy to release Aron.
The moment Aron landed, it lowered its head and pounced on the energy cubes, crunching loudly without pause.
"See?" Ren said with a smile. "It was just hungry. As long as you feed it regularly, Aron is usually very well-behaved."
He looked back at Lucas, speaking more seriously.
"Putting that aside, Aron really is an excellent Pokémon—especially this one with the Heavy Metal ability."
"Heavy Metal?" Lucas repeated, focusing.
Ren nodded.
"The Heavy Metal ability is extremely rare in the Aron line. Once it fully evolves into Aggron, it'll absolutely become your main force."
Aggron was already among the heaviest Pokémon.
With Heavy Metal doubling its weight again, its mass would reach a terrifying level.
Under that kind of weight, both its physical impact and momentum-based attacks would be devastating.
Especially Heavy Slam—a Steel-type move whose power depended on the weight difference between the two sides.
It was practically tailor-made for a Heavy Metal Aggron.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that if a Heavy Metal Aggron landed a clean charge on a fragile Pokémon, the opponent would be crushed on the spot.
"I understand," Lucas said after taking a deep breath. "Boss, how much for Aron?"
At this point, whether the office survived or not didn't matter anymore.
Strength came first.
"About 320,000," Ren replied after a brief calculation.
Aggron was already a high-tier Pokémon. With the Heavy Metal ability on top of that, the price naturally went up.
Miya's eyelids twitched when she heard the number.
That was expensive.
But when she thought of Lucas's Larvitar…
She fell silent.
"Alright. I'll pay."
Lucas took out his bank card without hesitation.
Expensive meant potential—and potential meant value.
"Much appreciated," Ren said with a satisfied smile as he swiped the card.
A great start to the day.
A very good start.
"Alright," Ren continued, turning to Miya and handing her the Pokédex. "Miss, it's your turn."
Miya accepted it nervously, glancing at Lucas, who had crouched down to gently tease Aron.
"Relax," Lucas said with a chuckle. "This isn't the office."
Miya pressed her lips together, nodded, and followed what Lucas had done earlier—tapping Confirm.
She was fascinated by these intelligent, magical creatures… but still couldn't help feeling a little tense.
The black silhouette spun, slowed, and finally froze—light flashing across the screen.
"…Why does this look like ice cream?"
Miya stared blankly at the image.
Ren leaned over, raised an eyebrow, and laughed.
"If that really is ice cream, then congratulations—you won't need an air conditioner in summer anymore."
After all, Ice-type Pokémon existed.
Saving on electricity bills wasn't a bad perk at all.