A month later.
The second batch of a hundred Bloodthorn members had already received their Pokémon Eggs the week prior.
Unlike the first group—who grabbed eggs with recognizable patterns like Growlithe's or left the choice to fate—this batch was noticeably more patient and deliberate. They scrutinized each egg, often passing over several before finally choosing the one that felt right.
It seemed the Pokémon hatched by the first batch had left quite the psychological mark. The second group was clearly determined not to suffer the same fate as their predecessors.
Surprisingly, many from this group still ended up with Growlithe eggs. It led Arthur to half-jokingly suspect that the Bloodthorn had some sort of karmic bond with Growlithe.
Not all of the hundred recruits this time were true Bloodthorn. Though all wore the same adventurer disguises, a few carried themselves with a certain grace and refinement—evidence of noble upbringing. Arthur guessed they were likely undercover high-ranking nobles from Rosaria's faction. Yet, seeing them cradle their chosen eggs with genuine care instead of entitlement brought him a sense of relief.
Still, not a single one of those disguised nobles ended up with a Growlithe Egg—not even encountering one. It was as if fate had quietly intervened, guiding them away so that only the Bloodthorn were destined to claim the Growlithe eggs.
At one point, Arthur joked to Rosaria that anyone in the Bloodthorn who received a Growlithe Egg should be granted the honorary title of Officer Jenny!
Rosaria had stared at him blankly, thoroughly lost.
He tried to explain, then gave up halfway, leaving her even more bewildered.
Alas, Arthur thought, this is the true sorrow of rebirth, time travel, or transmigration—no one to share Earth's memes or inside jokes with...
Originally, the plan was to create a true Safari Zone—hatching a thousand Pokémon within the dome and raising them as semi-wild Pokémon, forming the first generation of life inside. Afterward, the second batch of Rosaria's group would enter the zone, not to pick Pokémon Eggs like the first group, but to befriend and capture Pokémon like a true Pokémon Trainer.
However, plans rarely survive contact with reality.
Arthur had yet to finalize the population balance for the Pokémon. He knew it would be difficult, but it turned out to be even more complex than he'd anticipated.
For starters, it wasn't as simple as assigning high or low quantities to specific species. He couldn't just say "one Caterpie for every Pidgey" and be done with it.
Of course, he didn't intend for Pokémon like Pidgey to prey on Caterpie outright—not with the vast resources and plentiful food available inside Rastor's Safari Zone. But nature had its own way of asserting itself. Even if the first generation lived in relative peace, conflict was inevitable. Eventually, predation and competition would arise.
Still, Arthur hoped to at least postpone that outcome until the third generation—when the ecosystem had a chance to stabilize through natural breeding and adaptation.
Beyond just the numbers, there were also the habitats to consider.
Rastor's Safari Zone was primarily forested, which meant Pokémon with strong forest affinities were the natural choice. If he'd prioritized only them, the Zone would already be teeming with life. But that felt unfair to other species that thrived in different environments—deserts, wetlands, caves, and more.
Ideally, he wanted to include every Gen 1 Pokémon he'd already created in the initial batch of a thousand eggs—leaving none out, except for the Ghost-types, whose identities were still a bit too sensitive to reveal.
That's why everything had stalled.
Balance couldn't be achieved through numbers alone. He needed to walk the land himself, observe it with his own eyes, and decide which areas suited which species. Only then could the Safari Zone become more than a plan—it could become a living, breathing world.
He had also used magic circles to blast open caves and expand lakes and rivers, creating more space for Pokémon that preferred those kinds of environments.
In addition, he deployed magic circles to simulate artificial biomes—snowy tundras, deserts, volcanic zones, and more—so that every type of Pokémon could have a habitat suited to their nature.
Still, forest terrain continued to dominate most of Rastor's Safari Zone. That was something he couldn't—and wouldn't—change. Altering the forest too drastically might destabilize the entire ecosystem before he had the chance to properly manage it.
It was already challenging enough to squeeze such contrasting environments into a limited space. Technically, the area wasn't small, but trying to cram in too much would only strain the zone's structure.
At present, the Safari Zone resembled a miniature world—a patchwork of diverse environments, carefully partitioned by magic circles to prevent them from interfering with one another.
It felt a little surreal whenever he crossed between zones. Stepping out of the snowy area and into the forest, for example, was like walking out of an air-conditioned mall into the blistering heat of summer. The contrast in temperature was that stark.
Porygon had also hatched by this point and had taken up residence inside the magic circle's Virtual World.
Arthur didn't really know what that world was like from the inside, but Porygon always emerged happily to greet him, which he took as a good sign.
Thinking it over, it made sense. In this world, Pokémon could use mana as a form of nourishment. And for Porygon, living inside the Virtual World was likely akin to swimming in a vast ocean of pure mana—addictive, comforting, and perfectly suited to its nature.
Its level had risen quickly, but it completely lacked any combat instincts, a consequence of its pampered and isolated upbringing.
Inside the Virtual World, Porygon was like a clone of Arceus.
Outside of it, though, it was just a slightly stronger Magikarp of the same level.
With Porygon's help, the Safari Dome—already upgraded by Virelyra—became even more complete. Now, low to mid-grade resources could effortlessly sustain its high operating costs for a long time.
From this point on, any Pokémon inside the dome or external threats could only dream of damaging the environment within. The moment the Safari Dome detected danger, it would react immediately—neutralizing threats or providing elemental resistance in time to safeguard both the forest and its inhabitants.
Though everything seemed perfect, Arthur worried Porygon might become a salted fish—bored and stagnant inside. So, he asked if Porygon wanted to battle other Pokémon, but it politely declined.
This made Arthur wonder just how comfortable life must be inside the magic circle's Virtual World—or rather, the Magic Grid.
For convenience, he decided to call that space the Magic Grid. He'd originally thought of naming it Magic Net, but since it wasn't really a true internet, he abandoned the idea.
Now, the only remaining task was to find the perfect balance for the thousand Pokémon soon to inhabit the zone.
As for the Miltank farm, the twenty Miltank and two Tauros had already hatched and were being cared for by Hector and Anna. So far, there were no problems—they were growing quickly, much like the Scyther and Lapras.
But Arthur wasn't in a rush to level them up. Instead, he aimed to provide the Miltank with the best possible living conditions. Whether it was food, space, or play areas, he was determined to meet their needs so well that he sometimes felt guilty—his treatment of the Miltank was far better than that of Pikachu and Misdreavus.
Driven by that guilt, he dropped much of his research work and spent more time than usual playing with and pampering his Pokémon.
It backfired.
Misdreavus became convinced Arthur was possessed and tried to exorcise the ghost from his body with Psychic and Ghost-type moves, while Pikachu kept using Volt Switch on him, desperately trying to "switch out" the ghost.
Buddy Pikachu… what if there really is a ghost possessing me, and you actually manage to Volt Switch it out? Wouldn't that mean your body gets stuck inside mine? Arthur shivered at the horror-movie-worthy thought and quickly stopped their "exorcism."
Obviously, he was just scaring himself. Without his—or the nonexistent ghost's—consent, the Volt Switch would never actually work.
Still, the idea intrigued him.
What would it feel like to get Volt Switch-ed?
He asked Pikachu to use Volt Switch on him again, just to test the effect.
The result? He was scared to death!
Getting Volt Switch-ed was an uncanny experience—like watching his own body dissolve into crackling electricity, his vision blurring, until suddenly he found himself standing where Pikachu had been moments before.
If I get Volt Switch-ed often, would it help increase my Lightning elemental affinity? he wondered. It seemed worth a try, and it was also the perfect way to train Pikachu's Volt Switch.
Volt Switch was definitely one of Pikachu's best Electric-type moves, and Arthur had no plans to replace it. Investing in it early to improve its effectiveness in the future seemed like a smart move.
So, it quickly became routine for Pikachu to Volt Switch on him every day.
Back to the topic of the Miltank Farm, Arthur had begun assessing candidates for the caretaker positions—supervised personally by Hector and Anna—to select the best people for the job.
Surprisingly, many villagers expressed interest.
Since most villagers already managed their own farms or businesses, it was odd that at least half were eager to apply.
But the reason was obvious: they believed that becoming caretakers of the Miltank and Tauros would increase their chances of getting their first Pokémon early. That's why so many wanted the job.
Even traveling merchants who came solely for trade had submitted applications. It spoke volumes about how much they valued these creatures known as Pokémon.
Even if they didn't receive a Pokémon Egg, gaining firsthand experience caring for Miltank and Tauros would still be a huge advantage.
These merchants truly had foresight—Pokémon were the future!
Unfortunately for them, Arthur had no intention of handing out any Pokémon Eggs just yet, except for the future Nurse Joy, who would receive the Happiny Egg.
He hadn't forgotten his plan. One of the key goals in hiring caretakers was to find the perfect candidate for Nurse Joy.
Of course, screening all the applicants took time and patience.
In the end, they selected ten caretakers, all villagers of Rastor. Each would be responsible for two Miltank. As for the Tauros, all caretakers would share the workload since controlling Tauros was no easy task—even with power to wield magic.
Sorry, merchants from afar, but Arthur wasn't ready to share anything Pokémon-related with outsiders yet. They didn't dare spread the word either; increasing competition wasn't in their interest.
Fortunately, the Goddess of Luck smiled upon him—just one week was enough to find his Nurse Joy.
She was Aunt May's daughter: Anna!
Aunt May was the village baker—and yes, this was another person named Anna.
Anna was a bright and warm-hearted eighteen-year-old with chestnut-brown hair often tied in a loose braid, and hazel eyes that sparkled with quiet kindness. Her skin had a soft, sun-kissed glow from countless mornings spent in her mother's bakery.
Normally, she wore simple skirts and a flour-dusted apron, but today, since she was working at the Miltank Farm, she had on a light cotton tunic tucked into sturdy brown trousers, her sleeves rolled up, and her boots splattered with mud.
Though modest in appearance, there was something deeply soothing about her presence—an unspoken calm that made people naturally relax around her.
Physically, she didn't give off any of the usual "Nurse Joy" vibe, and Arthur had no intention of forcing her to dress like one either. What mattered most was that her personality fit the role perfectly—and that's what he appreciated above all.
Even more importantly, they had just discovered her hidden ability.
The two Miltank under her care had begun producing high-quality Moomoo Milk—with actual healing properties!
That kind of result wasn't supposed to happen until Miltank reached at least level 35. And yet, under Anna's care, it had occurred at below level 10.
Granted, the healing effect was minor—barely stronger than the weakest potion—but the fact that the milk could heal at all was astonishing.
To confirm it wasn't just coincidence, Arthur asked Hector to have Anna try caring for other Miltank. The results were just as promising—all of them produced Moomoo Milk with weak healing effects when under Anna's care.
"Anna Joy, do you know how this is happening?" Arthur asked, watching her gently rub the Miltanks' heads, a contented, sunny smile on her face.
"Mil~!" both Miltank cried in unison, their voices full of happiness and comfort.
"Anna Joy?" she tilted her head in confusion.
"You know, since my mom is also named Anna, I thought I'd add 'Joy' to your name," Arthur said with a smile. "Of course, if you don't like it, I'll stop."
She thought for a moment, then smiled and nodded. "I like it very much. Thank you. I'll call myself Anna Joy from now on."
You agreed just like that? Arthur thought, but held his tongue.
After a brief pause, she added with a thoughtful frown, "But as for the Moomoo Milk... I really have no idea why it's happening. I've never spent much time with animals or monsters before. Most of my life has been in the bakery—kneading dough, baking, selling bread. If not for this opportunity, I probably never would've discovered I had this ability..." She smiled softly, almost helplessly.
Anna Joy was like Arthur—her talent for magic was lacking. She had given up on her dream of becoming a Mage and instead decided to help Aunt May, her mother, with the bakery.
But Aunt May knew her daughter's heart. She had seen the quiet longing in her eyes whenever someone mentioned magic or monsters. So when the notice went up for Miltank Farm caretakers, she immediately encouraged Anna to apply.
At first, Anna Joy refused—insisting she was fine staying to help at the bakery—but that spark of longing hadn't gone unnoticed.
After much gentle persuasion, she finally agreed...
Who would have thought she had a natural gift for being a Monster Tamer?
Anna Joy couldn't help feeling a bittersweet mix of emotions. If she'd discovered her talent earlier, maybe she could've chased her dream sooner. But if she had left Rastor back then… she would have missed the chance to become a Pokémon Trainer.
Mage, Monster Tamer, or Pokémon Trainer?
To her, the choice was obvious.
There was no way she'd pick anything other than Pokémon Trainer!
Arthur then gave Anna Joy time to familiarize herself with Pokémon.
Even the two Tauros—famously difficult to handle—were completely subdued by her. They became docile and obedient, as if calmed by an invisible aura.
Her natural charm was astonishing.
During this period, Arthur also brought in various animals for her to care for, curious to see if her mysterious ability extended beyond Pokémon.
The results? A chicken laid a golden egg! A sheep shed golden wool! And a cow's milk even had the miraculous effect of slowly regenerating bone!
Seriously, what even is this? Is she the protagonist from Harvest Moon where simply picking up a chicken each day somehow transforms it into a magical golden-egg layer? Neither Arthur nor Anna Joy herself had any idea how she pulled it off—but he was more than happy to have such a rare talent nearby.
After numerous tests, he came to a conclusion: Anna Joy's hidden ability increased the quality of animal products. As long as she cared for the animals—and they shared a bond—the quality of their produce would significantly improve.
The Miltank were no exception. Their Moomoo Milk had been "upgraded" under her care, gaining healing properties far earlier than expected. Arthur eventually decided to name her ability Nurturer's Touch.
Throughout this time, he observed her via magical security cameras while she worked with the Miltank and Tauros. Her gentle demeanor, attentiveness, and natural bond with the creatures left no doubt in his mind—she was the perfect candidate for the role of Nurse Joy.
So, he proposed the idea.
When she heard the offer—along with the promise that she could bring the two Miltank who had already bonded closely with her, receive an additional Pokémon Egg, work at the future Pokémon Center, and dedicate herself to healing and caring for Pokémon—Anna Joy accepted immediately.
With that, Arthur had finally found his first Nurse Joy in Ocasia.
Of course, Arthur hadn't forgotten Village Chief Joey. Before handing Anna Joy her Happiny Egg, he quickly gifted the chief a Rattata Egg—making him the first among the Rastor villagers, aside from Arthur's own family, to become a Pokémon Trainer.