1. Ash's Story (Part 10: Galar)

Chapter 41: Ground Beneath Us

The morning after Stow-on-Side felt heavier than the sand-colored sky. The mural had broken, Bede had been escorted away, and Sonia's words about two wolf-like Pokémon still pressed against my thoughts. Galar had given us a legend hidden under paint and stone, but the academy message blinking on my Rotom Phone reminded me that our school year had not paused for mystery.

Alice leaned beside me at the Hammerlocke Academy job board, reading the glowing listings through the dust-streaked window. "Ground-type practical today," she said, brushing sand from her sleeve. "The weather report says Sandstorm across the work area. That feels intentional."

Pikachu stood on my shoulder with his tail angled low against the gritty wind, "The ground is speaking louder than the sky today."

I touched his head gently. "Then we listen before we step."

Jane arrived with a tablet hugged against her chest and a scarf wrapped high under her chin. She looked cheerful despite the sand tapping against the glass like tiny pebbles. "Good. You're early. Ground-type jobs are easy to underestimate until someone learns a building does not care how confident the builder is."

Gloria hurried in behind her, Raboot keeping pace at her side. The sight made me smile because that part of our travel record was already settled. Raboot had grown into his legs, his balance sharper than the Scorbunny bounce he once used everywhere, and he watched the storm like he wanted to kick it back.

Elena entered more carefully, carrying Feebas's portable tank against her hip while Indeedee steadied the straps. Feebas was already part of her team, and seeing Elena adjust the tank with patient hands made it clear she had been practicing that responsibility. Helen followed with Appletun beside her, the sweet apple scent around him fighting the dry air.

Flora came last, her Roserade shielding her face with one bouquet while Lilligant kept close. "If this sand gets into my hair, I am blaming the curriculum."

Jane smiled. "You can blame the curriculum after you pick one job. The board has eight Ground-type requests today, but academy rules still say one accepted practical per group."

The board brightened as Jane swiped across it. Mach Motors wanted four solid, steady Ground-type Pokémon to help build car foundations. Macro Cosmos Rail asked for five Pokémon immune to electricity to help set power lines. Rondo Floral needed five Ground types to prepare fertilizer because the dirt dictated how well plants grew.

Jane continued down the list. Steelix Railcars wanted seven Ground-type helpers for railcar assembly. Timburr Builders needed eight to level land for construction. MCR Freight requested nine well-grounded Pokémon to lug big luggage. Galar Minerals asked for ten Pokémon familiar with underground ore.

Then the last request opened wider than the others. Macro Cosmos Construction wanted a proper survey of land condition before beginning construction, with space for thirty Pokémon. The listing showed cracked soil, shifting dunes, and measuring flags half-buried by blowing sand.

Alice narrowed her eyes at the image. "That one is not just heavy work. That is safety work."

Jane nodded. "Exactly. The Sandstorm makes it harder, but it also reveals where loose soil moves. If we can survey it today, the construction team avoids building on ground that only looks stable."

I looked at Silicobra curled near my boot and Galarian Stunfisk resting flat like a patterned trap beside the board. "We choose Macro Cosmos Construction."

Silicobra lifted his head, grains already sliding along his scales, "Let the loose earth show where it cannot hold weight."

"That is the idea," I said. "We will not force the ground to pretend."