After a series of tests and evaluations, Zack finally offered a high price of 600 Poké Dolrs for the Moo Moo Milk. Naoki felt quite satisfied as he took the staoney Zack handed over.

  With the goods collected, Zack drove the truck away from the ranch.

  Naoki looked at the su and the darkening sky in the distaretg to ease his muscles.

  'It's getting te,' he thought, 'time to prepare dinner for everyone!'

  As the sky darkehe weary birds returo their s, and the ranch, bathed in the soft glow of the su, exuded a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere.

  After leaving Naoki Ranch, Max hurried toward the town. Tonight, he po rest at the Pokémoer.

  Ohere, he used the videophoo tact his teacher a on his day's enters.

  As the video call ected, a young woman with gsses, dark skin, and long purple hair appeared on the s. This rofessor Raifort, a history teacher at Naranja Academy, responsible fuiding this year's freshmen.

  "Good evening, Professor Raifort!" Max greeted her with a wide smile.

  Professor Raifort adjusted her gsses and looked at the young man on the s, notig the Fuecod Fletg perched on his shoulders.

  "It seems you've successfully taken your first steps as a trainer. gratutions, Max."

  Max scratched the back of his head, feeling a bit embarrassed, and then reted the story of how he chased and tamed the Fletg earlier that day.

  As he finished, he hesitated before asking, "Um... Professor Raifort, have you ever seen a glowing Skiddo?"

  Raifort raised an eyebrow. "A glowing Skiddo?"

  Max nodded, tinuing, "I met a very mysterious person today who helped me tame the Fletg. He's a rancher who raises many..." He paused, searg for the right words, "a lot of unusual Pokémon."

  Now Raifort was intrigued. "Oh?"

  Max expined, "A Skiddo that glows green, a Dragohat uses rain to water crops, and a Pokémon I've never seen before—not even in the Pokédex."

  He carefully reted everything that happened on the ranch.

  At first, Raifort seemed a bit unimpressed. "Some Pokémon do emit light when they evolve, which means their trainer has raised them to their peak."

  "And while Dragonite is rare, it's not unheard of to use oo help water crops."

  But when Max described the Pokémon he'd never seen before, Raifort's i piqued. "A Pokémon that resembles a motorcycle lizard, with a red body and a strong build. Are you sure you saw it clearly?"

  Max quickly responded, "I promise I wasn't seeing things!"

  Raifort's curiosity deepened. "Oh, it sounds like you've entered something very intriguing!"

  The description reminded her of an a Pokémon, possibly a Koraidon, recorded in old exploration notes, known for its immense power.

  However, Raifort was uain. After a moment of thought, she said, "I suddenly remembered something. Let's pause our versation here for today—I o look up some information."

  Max nodded eagerly. "Oh, okay!"

  Raifort set aside her current resear the Four Treasures of Ruin and stood up, preparing to head to the academy's library to iigate further.

  There, in the academy's library, was a rge colle of a books, including the Book of Vermilion, written by the a explorer. Raifort knew she would o sult this tome to find the answers she sought.

  ...

  "Mr. Naoki, there's a letter for you!"

  It was early m, and Naoki was in the Pokémon House, instrug Miltank on how to use the automatic milking mae. Suddenly, he heard the familiar voice of the postman, Ivan [Alven], calling from outside.

  Naoki paused his work with Miltank and walked out of the Pokémon House to meet Ivan, who handed him a letter.

  Ivan's face was bright with a sunny smile. "This one's from Mayor Thomas."

  "Mayor Thomas?" Naoki repeated, curiosity piqued as he opehe envelope.

  The letter read:

  To Naoki,

  How are you doing tely? Is everything going well on the ranch? I heard from Zack that you've started raising Miltank, which is quite a surprise! Yrandfather would be so proud to know how hard you're w to keep the ranch thriving.

  By the way, I'm sure your ranch has a fair number of cattle and sheep type Pokémht?

  In a few days, the town will be hosting the Spring Cattle and Sheep Judging petition. All the nearby ranches will participate, bringing the cattle and sheep-type Pokémon they've raised to be judged. The town's Pokémon breeders will serve as judges, assessing the Pokémon's fur, health, and overall well-being to determihe best cared-for Pokémon.

  The torepared a mysterious gift for the ranch that takes first pce!

  If you're ready to participate, please e to the town's celebration square at 9 a.m. on February 24th. I look forward to seeing you there.

  —Mayor Thomas

  "Spring Cattle and Sheep Judging petition?" Naoki murmured, a spark of i lighting up in his eyes.

  Ivan, who had been standing by, seemed to know about the event. He leaned in with a grin. "Mr. Naoki, are you going to participate? Eh? The Skiddo have evolved!"

  "Yes, they evolved just a few days ago," Naoki replied with a smile. "Have you ever participated in these petitions?"

  Ivan nodded enthusiastically. "Of course! Nearly everyone in town takes part. Last year, the winner was the Mareep from Light Green Pasture. I've heard this year's petition will be even tougher! So, will you be participating?"

  Naoki gnced over at his three zy Gogoat, recalling the incredible se of their evolution just days before. He coughed lightly and said, "Most likely!"

  "Great! I'll be rooting for you, and I'm sure the rest of the town will too!" Ivan said, fshing a bright smile.

  After delivering the letter, Ivan turo leave, but Naoki stopped him with a question. "I'm still getting familiar with the area, and besides the cattle and sheep petition, are there any other festivals in town?"

  "Festivals, there are so many!" Ivan replied, his excitement clear.

  "The Spring Horse Race at the end of March is a big one. Everyone rides their own horse Pokémon—like Rapidash, Zebstrika, and Mudsdale—to pete in the race. Trainers passing through town are wele to join too!"

  "There are also fireworks shows and fishing petitions in the summer, harvest days and food festivals in the fall, and Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve celebrations in the wihey're all lively festivals where the people and Pokémon in town gather to celebrate together."

  Naoki listened with i, imagining the vibrant unity life that each festival would bring