As he spoke, Icarus placed one secret manual after another on the table.
"So many!" Airi exclaimed, staring at the seven manuals laid out before her.
"That's right. These two belonged to that escaped criminal from before. The Pure Origin Manual is a cultivation method for true qi. It doesn't boost attributes, but it makes breaking through bottlenecks easier.
Geodude, you should be close to sensing qi, right? When you do, we can practice this together.
Airi, I'm not sure if a Martial Artist's method will help your Water-type energy, but you can try it too."
Since the other five manuals were already familiar to them, Icarus focused on introducing the remaining two.
"Got it!"
"Okay!" Both nodded.
"Next is the Groundforce Fist. It slightly improves physical fitness. We probably won't use it much in battle, but it's still worth practicing for self-defense.
Then there's the Swift-step Technique. This one is important—we need to focus on it. It can significantly increase our speed."
"Understood."
"No problem." Again, they agreed without hesitation.
"I'll scan all seven manuals later and upload them to your accounts. Just make sure to encrypt them.
We're a team. I trust you both, so we'll just share everything directly—no need to be overly cautious."
Icarus spoke as if it were nothing, but his tone carried weight.
"Icarus-ge, don't worry. Even if I were beaten to death, I wouldn't tell anyone," Airi said immediately, touched by his trust.
"Icarus-ge, me too!" Geodude quickly added.
They weren't beginners anymore—they understood how valuable these manuals were. The fact that Icarus was willing to share everything made them feel deeply loyal.
"Alright, next are the miscellaneous items—energy crystals, breeding notes, Potions, and so on. We'll divide them based on value."
On the surface, Icarus looked generous. But internally, he was quite satisfied. The management tactics he'd seen in his previous life were working well.
Of course, he also knew this was partly because the two were still simple and sincere—not because his methods were flawless.
"Icarus-ge, no need to divide strictly. Take what you need first. Houndour can use those Fire-type energy crystals," Geodude suggested.
"Alright. We'll take what we need. The breeding notes can be scanned and shared. The rest we'll sell and split the money."
Airi nodded in agreement.
"Works for me."
Icarus didn't hesitate. He took two mid-to-low-grade Fire-type energy crystals and one low-grade Normal-type crystal, along with some Super Potions and Repels.
After he finished, Airi and Geodude took a few common items and left the rest.
"Alright, let's head out. We'll sell what we don't need.
Geodude, take the Pokémon meat to the butcher.
Airi, come with me—we'll buy supplies.
We'll meet at the bank entrance."
About half an hour later, the three regrouped.
"Icarus-ge, here's the money from the meat," Geodude said, handing it over.
"It's a little over 230,000. Let's round it to 240,000. I took extra earlier, so no need to argue."
Icarus casually added some of his own money to even it out.
"Split 4-3-3. You each get 72,000."
Before they could object, he completed the transfers.
"Ding~ Your account has received 72,000 yuan…"
"Icarus-ge, I don't need it…" Geodude tried to return the money.
"Hey, I already took extra crystals worth around 200,000. And your Geodude is close to evolving—you'll need money soon."
"That's right," Airi added. "If we're being strict, I gained seven manuals for free. I should be paying you instead."
Geodude panicked, thinking they misunderstood him.
"No, no—I didn't mean that, I just—"
"Haha, alright, stop teasing him," Icarus laughed. "We're a team—like family. What can be shared, we share. Just accept it."
Both Airi and Geodude nodded, visibly moved.
After transferring contribution points at the Pokémon Center, their total gains reached:
360 contribution points
About 270,000 (for Icarus)
But the real value lay in the secret manuals.
That evening, they finalized their plan:
Mornings & nights: training
Afternoons: team missions
Working together, they could complete 3–4 missions in half a day—far more efficient than working alone.
Airi needed time to train her Poliwag's Ice-type moves.
Geodude was close to evolving.
And Icarus wanted to fully absorb the manuals before taking on harder missions.
"Alright, that's the plan."
"Icarus-ge, we're heading back," Airi and Geodude said before leaving.
After they left, Icarus organized everything.
"Houndour, eat first. Then train.
Weepinbell, Pidgeotto—stick to your routine.
Lights out at 10:30."
"Woof!" Houndour happily rushed to its food.
"Moo~" Weepinbell moved to the yard, continuing its Acid training—trying to compress and fire it faster, like Bullet Seed.
"Beep beep!" Pidgeotto perched on a tree, working on turning Peck into Fury Attack.
Meanwhile, Icarus reviewed the Houndoom breeding manual.
Knock knock knock.
Around 10 PM, someone knocked on the door.
"Who is it?" Icarus asked cautiously, gripping a kitchen knife.
"Tanji-kun… it's me, Luna."
He checked through the peephole before opening the door.
"Luna? Why are you here so late?"
"Um… can I come in first?"
She was wrapped in a robe, clearly nervous.
After confirming everything was normal, Icarus let her in.
The Pokémon approached cautiously but relaxed after recognizing her.
"Hello… we met this afternoon," Luna said shyly.
After sending the Pokémon to bed, Icarus sat across from her.
"Alright. You came this late—you must have something to say."
Luna hesitated, then spoke with tears in her eyes:
"Icarus… you already know what happened to my family…
My father died… and my fiancé… he died too…
In my family… I've been completely pushed aside…"
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