The day after Steven left, the guest's Swampert and Quagsire finally produced an egg.
It was discovered by a Clefairy caretaker early that morning, while returning through the grass after feeding them.
"Clefairy!"
Two Clefairy carried the egg and handed it to Kawaki, who was in the middle of breakfast.
"They laid one?"
Kawaki was a bit surprised. He took the egg, and as he focused on it, information surfaced in his mind.
\[Species: Mudkip Egg — A Water-type Pokémon egg that will hatch into a Mudkip.]
\[Condition: Healthy]
\[Father: Quagsire (Elite level)]
\[Mother: Swampert (Elite level)]
\[Incubation Progress: 1/30]
Mudkip?
The Water-type starter of the Hoenn region!
Still, there was business to attend to.
Kawaki concentrated, and another line of text appeared:
\[Prenatal training available. You may teach moves to the unborn Pokémon that it cannot learn through normal growth.]
\[Current number of teachable moves: 1. The number depends on the Pokémon's talent, energy affinity, and comprehension ability. The higher these attributes, the more moves can be taught.]
\[Currently available moves for prenatal training: Baby-Doll Eyes, Tackle, Sleep Powder, Swords Dance, Protect, Toxic, Odor Sleuth.]
\[Proceed with prenatal training?]
\[Note: Prenatal moves cannot be passed down genetically.]
"The parents are only elite level... So this Pokémon's talent is limited—it can only learn one move through prenatal training?" Kawaki mused.
He glanced at Growlithe lying nearby.
Growlithe's parents were both Champion-level. Its innate talent was high, so it could learn five nonstandard moves via prenatal training.
But this Mudkip had less potential, so only one move could be taught.
As a Water-type starter, its final evolution Swampert possessed formidable strength.
If it could use Swords Dance, this Pokémon's power would rise to terrifying levels.
Torrent + Swords Dance + Waterfall...
A same-tier opponent might not even survive the hit.
Thinking this far, Kawaki realized: Pokémon eggs like this—unofficial, customized—must not be mass-produced. Otherwise, it would destabilize the balance of battles in this world.
Imagine Hydro Pump Gardevoir, Dragon Dance Krookodile…
Skill Swap + Slaking...
Might even attract attention from certain powerful figures.
After much thought, Kawaki decided to revise his strategy:
First, only teach harmless or non-disruptive moves.
Second, decide whether to train based on the guest's character, morality, and love for Pokémon.
Either way, his daycare had multiple streams of income. Even without this service, it wouldn't impact his livelihood.
Kawaki didn't ask for much—just enough to live happily with his Pokémon.
As for this Mudkip egg, he'd go through with it—he'd already promised the guest.
Prenatal training initiated!
Chosen move: Swords Dance!
As a blue glow flashed across the Mudkip egg, the world's first Mudkip with Swords Dance was born!
Several days later—
A blonde girl returned to the daycare to check on her egg.
"Excuse me, has my Pokémon laid an egg?" she asked.
Seeing the guest, Kawaki rose from behind the counter and went to the incubation room, bringing out the Mudkip egg.
"Congratulations. Swampert and Quagsire have produced a Mudkip egg," Kawaki said.
"Wow, that's great!" The girl received it with joy, then asked, "Will it be able to learn Swords Dance?"
It already has, Kawaki thought, but he only shook his head and said, "We'll know for sure after it hatches. But I've done my best—I believe your Mudkip will gain something special."
It would still be about a month until the egg hatched, and even longer before it matured. This illegal Swords Dance Mudkip wouldn't show its full strength for at least a month.
"Thank you so much!" The girl beamed with gratitude.
Kawaki smiled and asked, "Now that the egg's been laid, do you still want to leave Swampert and Quagsire here?"
"No need!" the girl replied cheerfully. "Everyone's missed them while they were away, so I plan to take them with me and continue our journey!"
"Then I wish you all a safe and exciting adventure," Kawaki said.
With the daycare service concluded, the blonde girl took her Swampert and Quagsire, paid for their stay, and left.
One week of food and care cost 3,000 PokéDollars per day, and with the breeding fee added, Kawaki earned a total of 30,000 PokéDollars from this guest.
For the daycare, this was a solid income.
With the recent sales of unhatched Pokémon eggs, the daycare had built up some savings.
Looking at the spacious building, Kawaki quietly planned his next upgrades.
"A news-broadcasting TV needs to be installed... and a PC system for remote Poké Ball transfers... plus a machine to make Pokéblocks."
It was also time to upgrade the Pokémon meals.
Until now, they'd only had berries from the orchard and standard Pokémon food from the town—enough to fill bellies, but not exactly tasty.
To raise Pokémon well—to keep their coats, energy, and condition at peak levels—Pokéblocks with rich nutrients were essential.
So the next step was to get all this equipment installed.
Kawaki decided to close early today and take a trip to Fallarbor Town.
In fact, he rarely went there.
First, it was a long trip, and riding Bewear as a taxi wasn't exactly comfortable. Second, he always worried about the Pokémon back at the daycare.
If he and Bewear were away and Pokémon hunters or thieves broke into the backyard, it would be disastrous.
After all, to poachers, Clefairy were extremely rare and valuable Pokémon.
Because of that, Kawaki always stocked up on food when he went to town. And now, thanks to Oddish tending the herb garden, vegetables were growing well—aside from meat and a few items, the daycare could mostly support itself.
"Hmm, looks like the security system also needs an upgrade."
All things considered, there was still a lot left to do.
Might as well use this chance to head into Fallarbor Town and get all the essential equipment ready!