Digital Pokemon - 61 - 70

Digital Pokemon - 61

--+--

Chapter 61: The Kimono Girls

--+--

The legends of Ecruteak City began 700 years ago with the construction of the Bell Tower and the Brass Tower, and came to an abrupt end 150 years ago with the Great Fire.

Sera remembered this history vividly. She had made a special trip from Azalea Town to Ecruteak City specifically to see the towers that bore the weight of the city's legends with her own eyes.

But Sera never intended to get involved in the legend itself.

Even though she wanted to be a Trainer, she believed in taking things one step at a time. She wasn't some protagonist like Ash, who could banter with Legendary Pokémon as if they were old friends.

Wait—was the Electronic Pokemon Raising System forcing a quest on her?

Ah, never mind then.

"The Ecruteak Festival, huh..."

Sera re-examined the quest details.

The reason the Rainbow Pokémon and the Sea Pokémon had grown disillusioned with humanity was that the relationship between humans and Pokémon had soured 150 years ago. It was a dark period rarely mentioned in official texts, though Sera had read plenty of analytical discussions about it online.

One hundred and fifty years ago was roughly when the profession of "Pokémon Trainer" first emerged, and humans truly began using Poké Balls to capture Pokémon in earnest.

Back then, everyone was still fumbling in the dark, trying to figure out how to coexist with Pokémon. Consequently, fierce conflicts were a daily occurrence.

And it wasn't just human-versus-Pokémon.

Humans fought humans, and Pokémon fought Pokémon. Countless heartbreaking incidents from that era were still recorded in textbooks today, serving as cautionary tales for the youth.

Ho-Oh and Lugia—two Legendary Pokémon once revered by humanity as deities—left Ecruteak City during that very time.

The burning of the Brass Tower was merely the surface-level catalyst; the real reason was that they could no longer trust humans. Unless a new opportunity arose to restore that lost trust, they would certainly never appear in the public eye again.

"...So, I'm supposed to be that opportunity?"

Sera had a sudden realization, which only made her want to roll her eyes.

"They're not even trying to hide the railroading anymore, are they?!"

Previously, the System had only been putting on a show within the simulator, claiming that Pokémon were "sensing her aura."

But right now, Ho-Oh and Lugia weren't even in the simulator, yet Sera had received a quest pointing directly at her. And, as luck would have it, there was no way for her to refuse.

--+--

[Task Objective 1: Assist the Ecruteak Dance Theater. Depending on the performance rating, you may obtain the Silver Feather.]

[Task Objective 2: Challenge the Ecruteak Gym. Depending on the battle result, you may obtain the Rainbow Feather.]

[Base Quest Reward: Effort Value +10, Raising Points +50]

--+--

Setting aside the two tasks that clearly wouldn't be easy, the base reward alone offered 10 whole Effort Values.

Sera currently had a reserve of 13 Effort Values. It sounded like a lot, but when it came to actual usage, it was barely enough to scratch the surface.

"I’ll be receiving the Terastal crystals from Blue later this week," the girl started calculating.

"Once I have them, I’ll need to start crafting the Cornerstone Mask for Ogerpon. Although I have the Teal Mask as a reference, I’ve never made a prop like this before."

"It’s highly unlikely I’ll be able to get more Terastal crystals in the short term. To ensure the Cornerstone Mask is crafted successfully, I need to raise both my psychic abilities and my Aura proficiency."

If she could secure another 10 Effort Values, Sera could set aside an emergency fund and then try to further refine her psychic and Aura skills.

Complaints aside, the System’s suddenly triggered quest was like charcoal in the snow—a timely gift that hit exactly what Sera desperately needed.

Well, might as well give it a try.

The trigger for the quest had been Ogerpon’s interest in the Ecruteak Dance Theater’s recruitment poster, and the first objective was to assist them with their performance.

Though the task seemed daunting, Sera had always possessed a healthy mindset regarding these things.

After all, this was just like a "gacha" game. The low-probability characters were just there to bait money, but if you went in with a plan to hit the ten-pull pity count, the developers couldn't steal a cent from your pocket.

Getting those Effort Values is the real victory!

With her resolve set, Sera tugged on Ogerpon’s hand.

"Let's go check out that theater."

"Pon?"

"That poster? It’s actually looking for performers."

Her tone was filled with temptation.

"Let’s go try out for it. Maybe we can join the show."

"Pon-pon?!"

Ogerpon had been watching quite a few movies and dramas lately. Hearing Sera’s words, she couldn't help but imagine herself standing on the stage.

Although Ogerpon instinctively shook her head in shyness, she didn't let go of Sera's hand.

"Then let's get going."

Seeing right through Ogerpon’s heart, Sera pretended she was the one dragging her along, walking toward the Ecruteak Dance Theater.

--+--

(T/N: I am using in-game names for the Kimono Girls, since they have two names for some reason…)

Ecruteak Dance Theater.

The girls in kimono were huddled together, holding a meeting.

Miki, the eldest, set down the documents in her hand, looking disappointed.

"...There isn't a single person here suitable for the role of the shrine maiden."

She had looked through a dozen resumes, and not one met her expectations.

Naoko, the fourth sister, hesitated for a moment upon hearing the eldest sister's judgment.

"If it really comes to that... do you need us to step in?"

"Absolutely not," Zuki, the third sister, frowned.

"We need to prepare for the official festival performance. We have to maintain our stamina for that day; it’s best if we don't go out at all. We must ensure the most important show goes off without a hitch."

"...But the shrine maiden's role is important too," Naoko puffed out her cheeks, remembering the demands they had received recently.

"It’s all the Mayor's fault. He kept talking about how Silph Co. sponsored so much money and how we need to promote traditional culture, so he pushed for us to move the historical performances earlier this year."

According to tradition, the Ecruteak Dance Theater was only responsible for depicting the history of the Bell Tower and Brass Tower through dance. But this year, the higher-ups had set the bar much higher.

As exchanges between regions became more frequent, regional leagues with historical ties were naturally eager to maintain those relationships.

A significant portion of modern Johto culture was inherited from ancient immigrants from the Sinnoh region, and the most important part of this heritage was the Kimono Girls' dance, which commemorated Legendary Pokémon.

Historical records stated that humans had long built special structures to worship Legendary Pokémon, and the towers in Ecruteak were a continuation of that tradition.

Ecruteak City defined itself through its history, and this year, the Dance Theater was simply being asked to do more. But as the pressure trickled down, the girls were left staring at each other.

They were only five people, and all five were already busy with the complex roles required for the history of the towers.

Additional parts could only be filled by temporary actors, but none of the applicants had been satisfactory.

Just then, the three of them heard a polite greeting from the entrance.

"Excuse me, I heard you were looking for apprentice performers?"

--+--

Digital Pokemon - 62

--+--

Chapter 62: The Girl’s Ethereal Aura

--+--

Sera stepped into the Ecruteak Dance Theater. No sooner had she crossed the threshold than three pairs of eyes locked onto her, catching the girl slightly off guard.

"Hello..."

Naoko instinctively stepped up to greet her on behalf of her sisters, her gaze fixed on the girl who had just entered.

At first, she had only noticed that the voice drifting into her ears was clear and soft. But as she took a proper look at Sera, Naoko was surprised to find that this girl possessed a uniquely indescribable charm.

The white-haired girl had delicate, refined features, like finely carved porcelain. Her appearance was so graceful it almost seemed fragile, as if a strong breeze might carry her away.

Yet, upon closer inspection, Naoko sensed an unyielding tenacity beneath that exterior. The eyes meeting hers were currently gleaming with a brilliant, vibrant light.

"..."

The fourth sister’s face flushed slightly, and she instinctively looked away.

Compared to Naoko, the eldest sister, Miki, was clearly much more composed. Although she was equally taken aback by the visitor’s striking looks and aura, Miki managed to keep her cool.

"Hello. Are you here for the job opening?"

"Yes, I am."

Naoko, having regained her composure, finally noticed that the girl was accompanied by a Pokémon she had never seen before.

This equally adorable creature was blinking its starry eyes, peering right back at her.

"I’m very interested in the trainee performer position here at the Ecruteak Dance Theater."

Miki cast a casual glance at the Pokémon by the girl's side. "May I ask your name?"

"Sera."

Sera answered candidly, her tone brimming with confidence.

Miki noted the name down. She had a very good first impression of Sera, though it wasn’t just because of the girl’s pleasant voice or beautiful face.

While those were certainly important, the stack of applications on Miki’s desk was filled with girls who could easily be called beautiful.

But to Miki, they all lacked a certain critical quality.

The white-haired girl leading Ogerpon gave Miki a feeling that she was cut from an entirely different cloth than the rest.

"Sera, is it?" Miki flashed a sweet smile. "I’ll just call you by your name, and you can call me Miki."

As she spoke, Miki gestured to the two beside her. "This is my third sister, Zuki, and this is my fourth sister, Naoko. There are actually five of us, though we aren't counting the youngest one today; only three of us are here right now."

"Nice to meet you."

Sera nodded, looking at the girls in their kimonos with genuine curiosity. The Kimono Girls of the Ecruteak Dance Theater were famous throughout the Johto region; compared to them, Sera felt like a complete nobody.

"Just to confirm, you want to be a trainee performer for the Ecruteak Dance Theater, right?" Miki added a word of caution. "Since this position is only temporary for the Ecruteak Festival, it will likely be dissolved once the festival concludes."

Many girls who applied were initially aiming to become permanent fixtures at the theater, and once they heard it might end after the festival, they usually lost interest.

"That's fine," Sera replied, unbothered. "Please, don’t worry about that. I only stopped by because I wanted to better experience the atmosphere of the festival anyway."

Hearing this, Miki actually felt a bit of regret.

What an unpolished gem. Even without being dressed up, and without knowing her specific talents, that unique aura alone would make her a massive draw, even if she just stood there as a display piece.

"Do I need to perform any talents or anything?" Seeing Miki just staring at her, Sera asked, feeling slightly helpless. "If I’m going to be a performer, I should probably participate in the show, right?"

"Well, not neces—" Miki started to dismiss the idea, but as she saw the girl frown, an idea struck her. "Can you try to give me a look as if you were a god looking down upon a mortal?"

A strange request.

Sera wasn't sure what kind of performance would require such a look, and having no stage experience, she found it a bit awkward.

However, she suddenly recalled a scene she had witnessed in the simulator not long ago.

The Winged King—Koraidon—standing before Slither Wing, its beastly eyes filled with genuine, heartfelt disdain.

"...Would this work?"

The white-haired girl struck a pose.

In that instant, Miki’s pupils constricted, and goosebumps rose across her skin.

This is... the look of a hunter watching its prey!

Although there was a subtle difference, Miki genuinely felt the non-human aura radiating from the girl.

"Whoa! That’s incredible!"

It was far beyond anything Miki had expected. Their family were performers by tradition, and they often had professors from art schools bringing students to learn from them.

The average student Miki had seen could never pull off a performance as outstanding as this; it was as if she had truly looked at someone that way before!

"You're hired!"

" ...Is that really enough?"

"It’s more than enough!" Miki nodded seriously.

The trainee performer position—the one representing the ancient shrine maiden of Sinnoh—didn't actually require much acting skill.

If they had needed a highly skilled actress, they would have plastered posters all over the art academies.

It was precisely because they only needed someone with the right look and a slightly special aura that Miki had hoped to find someone local who understood Ecruteak’s culture.

Sera’s performance had completely exceeded her expectations, which was why Miki was so exceptionally satisfied.

"Please, you must join our Ecruteak Dance Theater!" The girl in the kimono grabbed Sera’s hand and shook it vigorously.

"I wanted to join anyway... but are you sure you don’t need me to do anything else?"

"Not at all. Just come by tomorrow or the day after for rehearsals, and we’ll explain the requirements then."

This response actually left Sera feeling a bit uneasy. Although she hadn't held high expectations for the task's completion, Miki’s attitude—acting as if simply showing up was enough—left her doubting.

Can I really achieve a high completion rate performing like this?

Filled with quiet concern, the girl exchanged contact information with the Kimono Girls.

Soon after, Miki and the others were called away for a rehearsal, and since they said her costume would need to be custom-made and she didn't need to stay, Sera had no choice but to leave the theater.

"Honestly..." Standing outside the building, Sera shook her head helplessly. "I still don’t even know what their program is supposed to be."

"Pon..."

Ogerpon, having watched the entire interaction, felt the same way. It had seen Sera get accepted, but in the end, she wasn't told a single thing about what she was supposed to do.

Performing is truly terrifying. The fact that actors could work under these conditions—movies and TV dramas were just too profound.

Ogerpon, which had initially wanted to join in on the performance with Sera, was now overcome with apprehension.

"Forget it, let’s just leave it for now."

Sera shook off the worry and turned her gaze toward the other side of the street.

"Next, let’s go pay a visit to the Ecruteak Gym."

--+--

Digital Pokemon - 63

--+--

Chapter 63: Flutter Mane’s Piercing Gaze

--+--

Sera did not find Morty at the Ecruteak Gym.

With the festival in full swing, Morty, as the Gym Leader, was often required to make public appearances—in a way, it was his own little vacation.

As it turned out, the Gym trainers informed Sera that if she wanted to challenge the leader, she would have to wait until the final few days of the festival when his schedule would finally open up.

Sera calculated that if she could manage to craft the Cornerstone Mask by then, the timing would be perfect.

The second task, challenging the Ecruteak Gym, also required a certain level of completion. As Sera understood it, this meant she needed to push the Gym Leader to unleash more of his true strength.

While Ogerpon was already quite formidable for a novice trainer’s partner, she still needed more growth before she could take on a Gym challenge with just a single Pokémon.

The Cornerstone Mask was the second of the four masks—Teal, Wellspring, Hearthflame, and Cornerstone. According to the legends of Kitakami, if the "Ogre" wore this Cornerstone Mask, she would possess the power to crush solid rock.

"Beyond the mask itself, Ogerpon needs to truly feel the emotion within it."

Sera had analyzed the Cornerstone Mask not long ago. The emotion it symbolized was joy.

Unlike the Teal Mask, which represented supreme bliss—a state of profound happiness—joy was something simpler, pure and unadulterated by any unnecessary factors.

Had Ogerpon truly experienced that kind of emotion yet? The line between bliss and joy was subtle indeed.

Sera wasn't entirely sure of the nuances in Ogerpon’s heart, especially since the little one had always worn a carefree, bright smile ever since coming into her care.

Regardless, helping Ogerpon find more happiness was something Sera intended to do anyway.

With one task just beginning and the other requiring a wait, it was time to get back to basics and simply enjoy the festival.

"Ogerpon, want to try this?"

"Pon-pon!"

The streets were packed with a constant stream of pedestrians, and the vibrant, festive atmosphere was everywhere. A young girl wandering with her Pokémon drew countless admiring gazes.

Sera handed a piece of cotton candy to Ogerpon and couldn't help but smile at the sight of the little Ogre trying to figure out how to take a bite.

A reporter nearby, camera in hand, had a sudden burst of inspiration and snapped a photo.

Click.

--+--

Area Zero, Depths.

Slither Wing had recovered from the exhaustion of overexertion. Feeling brimming with energy, it was itching to find a target to burn off all that restlessness.

"Puni!"

Slither Wing reared up and flexed its power, drawing a look of disdain from Flutter Mane nearby.

Flutter Mane was still haunted by the events of the past few days. Just thinking about how terrified it had been, while Slither Wing remained completely oblivious and carefree, made Flutter Mane’s blood boil.

"Ha-bu."

—Where on earth do you get all that energy? Can’t you just rest for a second?

"Puni!"

In response, Slither Wing dropped back down, planting its front feet on the grass. The ground trembled for a fleeting moment.

[Slither Wing’s Earthquake failed.]

"Ha-bu?!"

The sudden tremor startled Flutter Mane again. It looked left and right, paranoid, until it shifted its gaze back to Slither Wing and realized what had happened.

The tremor hadn't come from Great Tusk down below; it was Slither Wing releasing its own power.

...Wait, that wasn't right.

Flutter Mane drifted over to Slither Wing and circled it, inspecting it from head to toe.

"Ha-bu?"

—How did you master that ability?

Flutter Mane had found it strange when Slither Wing suddenly mastered First Impression.

It knew that when they first gained consciousness, they had stumbled upon the fact that they possessed significant hidden power.

But after gradually adapting to those abilities, Flutter Mane hadn't felt any growth in a long time. The more it thought about it, the more bizarre Slither Wing’s performance seemed.

Facing the interrogation, Slither Wing’s answer was disarmingly honest.

"Puni-puni!"

—Don't know! After I got an inspiration, something fell from the sky and I just learned it!

"Ha-bu!"

—Do you take me for a fool?!

Frustrated, Flutter Mane reached out its hair, ready to poke at Slither Wing, when suddenly, an object dropped right in front of its eyes.

A pink-and-purple disc-shaped object fell before Flutter Mane and vanished the moment it made contact. As the disc disappeared, Flutter Mane felt a surge of new knowledge flood its brain.

"Ha-bu?!"

Flutter Mane panicked, but Slither Wing just nodded.

"Puni-puni."

—That’s exactly how it is. Things fall from the sky, and you learn new moves.

Although it didn't know exactly what the move was, Slither Wing had experienced this twice before and was already used to the process.

Hearing the explanation, Flutter Mane slowly calmed down, its thoughts racing as it analyzed the new information in its mind.

[Psyshock: A Psychic-type move. It solidifies mysterious mental waves to attack the opponent, dealing damage.]

"Ha-bu..."

Flutter Mane pondered for a moment, then looked toward a nearby tree. Its pupils contracted, and the red jewel on its neck emitted an eerie glow. A beam of light surged from before Flutter Mane and slammed into the tree.

Bang!

The tree shuddered under the impact, shedding a flurry of leaves.

[Flutter Mane’s Psyshock failed.]

Checking its new knowledge, Flutter Mane realized its focus hadn't been sharp enough, and it hadn't fully unleashed the move's potential. Even so, Flutter Mane was deeply shaken.

"Ha-bu???"

—What on earth is all this???

How could this be possible? How could things just fall from the sky out of thin air, and how could they allow it and Slither Wing to learn new moves?

Thinking back to the berries Slither Wing had given it, which had also appeared out of nowhere, Flutter Mane felt a genuine sense of dread.

It was terrifying.

Even when Koraidon had been chasing them, Flutter Mane hadn't felt this creeped out. Powerful foes were one thing—this was an inexplicable phenomenon that defied all reason.

"Ha... Ha-bu..."

—You... are you really just going to accept this?!

"Puni?"

Slither Wing tilted its head, unable to understand why Flutter Mane was shivering. To Slither Wing, there was no reason to be afraid. It could judge the situation quite clearly.

Everything so far—the berries that appeared, the inspirations that prompted it to train or ambush other Pokémon—these sudden, inexplicable impulses were all for its benefit.

As long as it followed the "instructions," it gained strength and didn't have to struggle to survive in Area Zero like it used to.

Since that was the case, why wouldn't it accept them?

Slither Wing’s simple, straightforward logic left Flutter Mane stunned.

"Ha-bu..."

—You... Fine.

Flutter Mane shook its head, deciding to bury these thoughts deep down. It had known for a long time that Slither Wing wasn't exactly the sharpest tool in the shed.

Good things were good, yes, but this mystery had to be solved.

Flutter Mane made up its mind—it would find the truth for itself!

--+--

Digital Pokemon - 64

--+--

Chapter 64: Sera and the Shrine Maiden Outfit

--+--

[You have delivered the TM Psyshock to Flutter Mane!]

Sera watched the screen as Flutter Mane began practicing the move, offering a slight nod.

She no longer bought into the system’s nonsense; after all, if she could receive missions in reality, then the two Pokémon in the simulator were likely real entities as well.

Sera could already feed Berries to Flutter Mane, so using a TM was only logical.

She hadn't done it before simply because TMs were prohibitively expensive, and she feared investing resources into Flutter Mane only for it to leave the team.

Now that Flutter Mane had officially joined the squad as a teammate to Slither Wing, that concern had vanished.

Area Zero was far too dangerous. While strengthening Flutter Mane wouldn't directly yield Effort Value gains, the stronger it became, the more securely Slither Wing could operate.

--+--

[The Path of Legends]

[Titan Pokémon are a unique variety native to the Paldea region. Originally ordinary Pokémon, they became abnormally large after consuming the legendary Herba Mystica of Paldea. To master this power in the future, let us first make Slither Wing stronger!]

[Task Objective: Defeat 10 Paradox Pokémon in Area Zero (Level 55 or higher). Current progress: 0/10]

[Task Reward: Effort Value x3, Raising Point x20]

--+--

—Now this is a proper task.

Sera felt a sense of relief upon seeing the system’s training mission. Clearly, falling to the bottom floor of Area Zero earlier wasn't part of the normal game flow!

Taking it slow, letting Slither Wing grow bit by bit until it became one of these so-called Titans—that was the kind of training Sera had in mind.

That said...

"This 'Titan' stuff... it sounds a lot like the Totem Pokémon over in Alola..."

In her memory, Totem Pokémon were far more powerful than their peers due to a special aura covering their bodies.

While the lore didn't explain it in detail, that aura was likely tied to the Legendary Pokémon of the Alola region.

If that was the case, was the legendary Herba Mystica also connected to Legendary Pokémon?

Sera recalled the Paradise Protection Protocol dragons she had seen earlier; they didn't seem to possess such mystical abilities. The two Koraidon possessed raw strength that was truly terrifying, but it wasn't exactly magical.

"...Sure enough, there must be other Legendary Pokémon out there."

Sera was certain of it. It was a tradition in every generation of Pokémon; aside from the two customary box mascots, there had to be a third, superior deity.

Beyond Koraidon, Paldea should rightfully have two more Legendary Pokémon—though which ones, Sera couldn't say. Information on the internet was limited and often unreliable.

Unless she went to the Paldea region to investigate herself, her current theories would remain nothing more than guesses.

[Slither Wing has encountered Scream Tail!]

On the screen, the team ran into a familiar face: Scream Tail.

—Forget about the Legendaries for now.

Sera refocused her attention on the screen. She had worked hard to get Slither Wing out of the abyss; she didn't want to go back there.

Recklessly chasing legends would only derail her progress. It was better to focus on Slither Wing and let it grind levels normally.

Squeak!

[Slither Wing used First Impression...]

Ten Paradox Pokémon—it didn't sound like many, but hunting them down was proving to be quite a chore. After searching for a while, Sera had only found one Scream Tail.

In the process, they were constantly harassed by other Pokémon.

The vastness of Area Zero was home to a diverse array of species, but including Slither Wing and Flutter Mane, the total number of Paradox Pokémon Sera had actually seen hadn't even reached ten.

Aside from the Paradox species, the common Pokémon that existed in the outside world remained the majority. After fending off a few more ambushes, Sera realized she couldn't let Slither Wing and Flutter Mane wander too far.

Considering they were living in a real environment, a stable shelter was essential. After careful observation, she noticed they had chosen a massive crystalline tree as their base of operations.

—That’ll do.

Sera set up a protocol for the two to continue learning new moves, wrapped up her session for the day, and prepared to head out.

--+--

Ecruteak City, Ecruteak Dance Theater.

When Sera stepped inside, the Kimono Girls were already gathered. Having exchanged contact information with the sisters previously, she saw them huddled around a table, discussing a garment laid out before them.

—That was the outfit Sera was about to wear for the performance.

"Sera, you’re here!"

Miki spotted her and stood up, clapping her hands. "Our last two members have arrived today as well, so let's all get acquainted."

"This is my second sister, Kuni, and this is my fifth sister, Sayo."

"Nice to meet you." Sera bowed slightly to the two girls.

With all five Kimono sisters assembled, the room was thick with the scent of cosmetic powder and flowers.

The mature elder sisters, the slightly timid fourth sister, and the curious youngest one—they were all there.

"Sera, this is your shrine maiden outfit. No time to lose—go put it on and see if it fits!"

Miki, the eldest, naturally took the lead, ushering the girl forward with enthusiasm. Sera nodded.

She didn't know what she’d be doing once she was dressed, but the Kimono Girls were the professionals here, and she was just the intern helping out.

With a clear understanding of her place, Sera took the clothes and headed to the dressing room.

A few moments later.

"Whoa—"

Gasps echoed through the room. Miki and Sayo circled the girl, inspecting the outfit in detail, while Kuni and Zuki stood a bit further back, nodding in approval.

"It’s a perfect fit!"

The girl, clad in a white kosode and red hakama, stood with her snow-white hair cascading down her back, swaying in the breeze drifting in from outside. The garment was elaborate and heavy, yet it sat on Sera with such grace, as if it had been custom-tailored for her.

She simply stood there, quiet and still, yet the Kimono Girls couldn't help but be reminded of ancient myths and legends.

"Wait! Take this, too!"

Miki thought for a moment and ran back into the room, returning with a plain white folding fan. "Hold the fan in your left hand, partially covering your face, and try that look you gave us yesterday!"

As Miki spoke, the anticipation in the room grew, especially from Kuni and Sayo, who hadn't seen yesterday’s performance.

Is it really worth all this hype...?

Under the gaze of the sisters, Sera felt a rare moment of awkwardness. Even Ogerpon was standing in the corner of the room, watching the scene intently.

With a sigh, Sera struck the pose.

"WHOA!!!"

A passerby outside the Ecruteak Dance Theater was so startled by the sudden shout from inside that they nearly jumped out of their skin.

--+--

Digital Pokemon - 65

--+--

Chapter 65: The Ogre's Majesty

--+--

Sera sat before the vanity mirror, quietly allowing the girls to surround her. They bustled about, clutching an array of cosmetics and debating how best to style her.

What a hassle...

With nothing to do, Sera simply stared at her reflection, watching as the Kimono Girls’ skillful hands transformed her, making her appear increasingly beautiful and radiant.

She sighed inwardly. She was lucky she was only here for a temporary job; if she had to deal with this every single day, she really wouldn’t be able to handle it.

--+--

—Let’s re-examine what the girls were saying earlier.

According to the gossip among the Kimono Girls, this year's Ecruteak Festival was set to be far grander than previous years.

It wasn't just about expanding the performances at the Ecruteak Dance Theater; other landmarks throughout the city were also hosting events. The street stalls and merchants popping up everywhere were just a snapshot of the festival's massive scale.

Naturally, there was a reason for such a lively celebration.

The sponsors—led by the Silph Co.—had chosen to increase their investment, and the Mayor of Ecruteak City was placing special emphasis on it.

The reason was simple.

This year’s Ecruteak Festival wasn’t just for the Johto region; a major figure from the Sinnoh region would be attending.

Since ancient times, Johto and Sinnoh have shared deep ties. In fact, some of the culture currently present in Johto originated from Sinnoh ancestors who migrated there long ago.

Compared to the neighboring Kanto region, Johto was always more rural.

Those traditions—partially sourced from Sinnoh but adapted through history into local customs—had become increasingly important to Johto, serving as a key element of their cultural identity.

Thus, when the Johto League sent out invitations for the Ecruteak Festival, the person who accepted was none other than the premier figure of the Sinnoh region.

The Sinnoh Champion, Cynthia.

Sera’s impression of Cynthia was profound. Even among the nearly ten Champions in the original series, Cynthia’s status was undeniably top-tier.

This Sinnoh Champion wasn't just incredibly strong; she was striking, possessed a straightforward personality, and carried the charisma of a true veteran. She was an idol to countless Trainers.

If the news of Cynthia coming to Ecruteak City were to be announced, the already bustling city would likely become even more packed.

“Alright, we’re finished!”

As Sera’s thoughts wandered, the Kimono Girls finally completed her look.

Ogerpon, who had been watching quietly from the side, now had sparkling eyes, as if she were beholding a rare treasure.

“Pon~!”

Sera found it amusing to see the little ogre raise her hands, looking as if she were too shy to touch her.

I haven’t even changed that much...

The girl reached out to pet Ogerpon’s head, unaware that she was the only one who felt that way.

To anyone else, the girl before them looked like a completely different person.

Sera wasn't the type to show off her personality; she usually tried to minimize her presence while walking down the street. If it weren't for Ogerpon by her side, she rarely attracted much attention.

But now, with such meticulous styling, Sera had unleashed her full charm. If she were to walk outside, her magnetism alone would likely make Pokémon stop in their tracks just to stay near her.

“Pon~”

Ogerpon buried her face in Sera’s embrace, looking completely charmed.

Naoko, the fourth sister among the Kimono Girls, secretly gazed at Sera’s profile, while the third sister, Zuki, was more direct, offering honest praise.

“How cute... though, both of you are.”

The girl in the white and red shrine maiden outfit, accompanied by the Pokémon at her side.

“—That settles it!”

Miki’s tone was filled with certainty.

“Neither the Mayor nor Gym Leader Morty will be able to find a single fault with our performance at the Ecruteak Dance Theater!”

“But I still don’t know what I’m actually supposed to do,” Sera reminded them.

She felt like she was the one under the most pressure here; the Kimono Girls were already celebrating just because they had dressed her in a shrine maiden outfit.

“Don’t worry, don’t worry, your job is really simple.”

Miki patted Sera’s shoulder affectionately. It was remarkably easy for girls to become close; after just one day of spending time together, she already considered Sera one of their own.

“Let me explain in detail what you need to do on the day of the Ecruteak Festival.”

Sera continued to hold Ogerpon while listening to Miki.

On the day of the festival, as the human representative worshipping the two legendary Pokémon, she would wear the shrine maiden attire, follow the procession from the Bell Tower to the Burned Tower to pay her respects, return to the city center to witness the opening remarks by the Mayor and Gym Leader Morty, and finally return to the Bell Tower.

“...Is it really just that simple?”

“It sounds simple, but it’s actually quite troublesome to execute properly.”

Miki grumbled, and her sisters chimed in with agreement.

The role of the shrine maiden didn't involve much heavy lifting, but to ensure the tourists watching the ceremony could truly feel the significance of the role, the maiden herself needed to radiate the appropriate charm.

Put simply: even if she was just a "pretty vase," she had to be a particularly magnificent one.

“Of course, you’ll need to learn a few simple movements.”

In Miki’s eyes, even if Sera were a complete klutz and couldn't perform the dances perfectly, just standing there would be enough.

But Sera had finally heard something she could actually contribute to. To improve the quality of the performance, she was prepared to give it her all.

Replicating a few movements should be fine, Sera thought for a moment before making a suggestion.

“Since I am a shrine maiden worshipping legendary Pokémon, can I bring Ogerpon with me?”

“Poni?”

Ogerpon was startled in Sera’s arms.

Hearing Sera’s request, Miki’s gaze shifted to Ogerpon.

“Is her name Ogerpon? Let me think...”

Miki didn’t recognize this specific Pokémon, but she wasn’t familiar with every single Pokémon in existence, so she didn't think much of it.

She simply surveyed the creature, making the little ogre feel a bit nervous.

“...I feel like she’s cute enough, but perhaps a bit lacking in presence?”

After a moment of hesitation, Miki explained, “The role of the shrine maiden is meant to be quite special. We need to make sure others feel that there’s something unique about her, and bringing along such a cute Pokémon might be a little...”

“In that case, Ogerpon is actually perfect,” Sera said, a smile appearing on her face.

She had promised to enjoy the festival with Ogerpon. If she were to go on stage alone, wouldn’t Ogerpon be left out?

“Ogerpon, put on your mask.”

“Pon-ao!”

Ogerpon held up her Teal Mask high and placed it on her face.

In an instant, the cute Ogerpon transformed into an ogre with a slightly terrifying aura.

“Whoa!”

The Kimono Girls gasped in surprise.

Although it was a bit frightening at first glance, they had seen her switch forms before and knew the adorable face beneath the mask.

And that feeling of terror could be interpreted in another way: it could be seen as majesty.

Especially standing beside Sera, who was dressed as a shrine maiden.

“—No problem at all!”

Miki gave the final verdict.

“That’s how you two should go on stage!”

--+--

Digital Pokemon - 66

--+--

Chapter 66: The Cornerstone Mask

--+--

Time slipped away in the blink of an eye. On the eve of the festival, Sera received a courier package.

"That's right, that's the Terastal crystal you asked for."

Blue's voice on the other end of the line was as breezy and direct as ever.

"It took quite a bit of effort on my part. Those folks in Paldea are stingy; I had to pull some strings in my grandfather's name just to get a few pieces. Use them sparingly—if you break them and need to request more, it’ll take at least a month."

"Thank you so much."

"Don't worry about the thanks. Just show me what Ogerpon looks like once she’s wearing the new mask."

Even without a video connection, Sera could easily imagine the brown-haired young man smirking, his expression as picky as always.

"Then I’ll wait for you to come back, Blue."

The young girl smiled.

"By then, the mask will definitely be finished, and you’ll be able to release the news about the new Pokémon."

"Alright, it's a deal."

Though Blue was currently in Kitakami and certainly understood the legends behind the masks, he still placed his full trust in Sera.

As the call ended, a wave of emotion washed over the girl.

"...I owe him one."

Blue had truly delivered on his promise. Before her sat the securely wrapped package containing the specialty Terastal crystals from the Paldea region.

Sera could feel the energy fluctuations emanating from them through her aura vision.

While they were subtly different from the crystal on the Teal Mask, it was precisely those differences that gave Sera a clearer understanding of the mask's true significance.

She opened the box and placed the glistening, gem-like crystals on the table to examine them alongside Ogerpon.

The conclusions reached through aura vision were largely subjective, making them difficult to present as academic proof. However, these hunches were more than enough for Sera to understand how to craft the Cornerstone Mask.

"I knew it."

Sera held a Terastal crystal up to the light, scrutinizing it carefully.

"Even though they are all Terastal crystals, does the emotion represented by the mask change the energy emitted when the crystal is activated?"

Perhaps only in a world governed by the idealism of Pokémon could such magical phenomena exist.

The bliss of the Teal Mask, the joy of the Cornerstone Mask—simply by changing the pattern carved into the mask, the reflection in Ogerpon’s heart would shift, resulting in a completely different power being unleashed.

"...In the end, what matters is Ogerpon, not the mask itself."

After setting the crystal down, Sera reaffirmed her earlier hypothesis. The four exquisite masks created by ancient artisans contained magical power specifically for Ogerpon.

Now, with the modern Paldea region having unearthed Terastal crystals, they remained rare, but they were hardly the impossible treasures they were in ancient times.

With that realization, Sera felt much more at ease.

After all, she was just an Apricorn ball artisan, and attempting to craft a mask like this was a first for her.

If the masks required some lost, ancient technique, she might have agonized over the decision for a long time.

Once she was certain the mask itself wasn't the sole key, Sera pulled her suitcase from the corner and took out the carefully wrapped timber. When it came to high-quality wood, one had to mention the Ilex Forest bordering Azalea Town.

Sera had lived in Azalea Town for three years and had heard countless times about the superior quality of the timber from that forest.

So, the moment she realized she needed materials, she contacted her master through Maizie.

Sera didn't truly know how to grade timber quality, but Kurt’s connections were far deeper than her own. As soon as she mentioned she wanted to try crafting specialty masks from other regions, the old craftsman had immediately shipped a box of wood her way.

I really can’t thank my master enough.

As her fingertips brushed the wood, feeling its vibrant, raw energy, the girl felt deeply moved.

If she had gone out to find the materials herself, she would have wasted so much time, and the materials she found might not even have been as good as what her master had sent.

"Poni..."

Ogerpon understood perfectly well that the wood and the Terastal crystals on the table would soon become the masks it knew so well. The little Ogre, who hadn't touched the other masks in such a long time, was incredibly nervous.

She leaned against Sera, occasionally glancing at the materials before quickly looking away, unable to bear a long look.

Sera couldn't find the right words to comfort Ogerpon; after all, she had felt the exact same way when she was crafting Friend Balls. But regardless, once the mask was made, every problem would be solved.

Time to get to work.

Crafting a mask, when it came down to it, was just shaping the wood and decorating it with the right colors.

If she were starting from scratch without any experience, she knew she would lack inspiration and need to adjust things frequently. But those three masks from Kitakami had been displayed countless times; even today, one could find multi-angled photos of them all over the internet.

Sera’s task now was to recreate the images from her memory with her own hands.

She stared intently at the materials. Her telekinesis, strong enough to manipulate dozens of kilograms of weight, froze them in place, rendering them unmoving regardless of any external force.

Then, she picked up her carving knife. Following the image in her mind, she slowly felt her way through the process, adjusting her posture. As the number of cuts increased, so did her confidence.

Little by little, the shape of the mask emerged. Because she already knew exactly what it was supposed to look like, Sera’s movements were steady and precise, shaving away all the excess wood.

Handling the crystal wasn't difficult, either. During the process of crafting Poké Balls, even tough materials like Tumblestone would yield to her specially crafted blades.

As she worked on the Paldean Terastal crystals, she felt their properties were somewhat similar to that of tumblestone.

These crystals... I wonder if they could be used to craft Poké Balls?

Sera tucked the thought away for later, focusing entirely on the materials.

After inlaying the crystal and painting the corresponding areas, the Cornerstone Mask was complete. Sera examined the finished product, confident that it was almost identical to the one in her memory.

"Pon... Pon-i?!"

Ogerpon reached out to take the mask Sera handed her, still unable to believe it.

The mask she cherished so much had truly been recreated... No, wait! Because it was Sera, she would always do what she promised!

"Want to try it on?"

Hearing Sera’s question, Ogerpon didn't hesitate for a second, placing the brand-new mask directly onto her face.

At that instant, Sera felt a tremor of energy surge through her palms.

[Ding—]

[Ogerpon has equipped the Cornerstone Mask, triggering the power of Rock! Form change initialized!]

In reality, a brilliant, dazzling light erupted from Ogerpon’s body. After the gem-like, glowing stream of light faded, Ogerpon’s appearance had shifted subtly.

"Pon-io!"

Ogerpon cheered. She was simply overcome with excitement, with no sign of discomfort.

Only then did Sera finally feel certain.

The Cornerstone Mask was complete!

--+--

Digital Pokemon - 67

--+--

Chapter 67: Secrets Within the Young Girl's Heart

--+--

The Cornerstone Mask. She had actually managed to craft it so easily.

Sera reached out, her fingers tracing over Ogerpon’s body again and again, until the little oni felt so comforted that she grew soft and pliant in her arms. Only then did Sera sink into deep contemplation.

Once Ogerpon donned the Cornerstone Mask, her appearance shifted; her original grassy-green coat was dyed a stone-gray.

Aside from that, Ogerpon didn’t show many other changes while in her non-combat form. However, within Sera’s Aura sight, the energy surging through Ogerpon’s body was starkly different from before.

Sera’s thoughts drifted back to the recent anomaly in the Electronic Pokemon Raising System.

Ever since Ogerpon’s raising slot had frozen, the system would occasionally send out notifications whenever Ogerpon’s condition changed.

Now that Ogerpon had reclaimed the Cornerstone Mask, Sera pulled up the system interface and looked at the slot once more.

Although the slot still couldn't be selected, Sera noticed that Ogerpon’s data had changed.

--+--

[Ogerpon]

[Level: 18]

[Type: Grass, Rock]

[Tera Type: Rock]

[Ability: Sturdy]

[Moves: Ivy Cudgel (Rock), Vine Whip, Horn Leech, Quick Attack, Double Kick…]

--+--

"...So, it really did add the Rock type?"

The four masks of the Kitakami legends each represented different types.

The Cornerstone Mask’s attribute was Rock; legend said that wearing it granted Ogerpon the power to crush boulders, which was likely why Ivy Cudgel had shifted from a Grass-type move to a Rock-type one.

100 power, 100 accuracy, and a Rock-type move with an increased critical-hit ratio...

Sera fell silent. Though she wasn't a hardcore competitive player, as she looked over these stats, she couldn't help but search her memory—she realized she couldn't think of a single Rock-type move that could truly rival it.

So, Ogerpon really is just a legendary Pokemon that the developers released as a cash grab, the girl muttered to herself.

But because Ogerpon was her own Pokemon, she only complained inwardly for a moment. Sera quickly chose to accept it, then began pondering the subsequent effects of Ogerpon wearing the mask.

Appearance changes, the addition of the Rock type, a shift in ability, and her signature move changing attributes... these were all secondary.

Sera still remembered the final quest she received when raising Ogerpon, where the system stated that Ogerpon couldn't level up because she had lost her masks.

—Yet, Ogerpon’s level bar now clearly read "Level 18."

The mask Sera had crafted, whether in effectiveness or appearance—aside from lacking that sense of historical weight—was almost entirely identical to the antique that had remained in Kitakami.

But Sera was a pragmatist; as long as the item worked, that was enough. Besides, didn't Ogerpon look happy wearing it?

If that were the case...

"If I can make the Cornerstone Mask, couldn't I easily craft the other two as well?"

Sera looked back at the remaining materials on her desk, feeling a surge of eagerness.

If you want to do it, just do it.

Although she was mindful that materials were limited and that the masks might sustain damage later—meaning she had to save at least two sets of repair materials—she had more than enough to forge another one.

Without further hesitation, Sera decided on the Hearthflame Mask.

She had deeper thoughts in mind.

The system had bugged out originally because the Hearthflame Mask was damaged.

If she could successfully restore it, perhaps the system would finish its maintenance, and Sera could once again enjoy the convenience of the system shop.

While her mind was busy with daydreams, her hands never stopped. Practice makes perfect; this time, crafting the Hearthflame Mask was effortless, and she finished it in no time.

The crimson mask, symbolizing the flame, allowed Ogerpon to command the power of fire.

"Let’s try this one!" Sera looked at Ogerpon, filled with anticipation.

Ogerpon took off the Cornerstone Mask and took the Hearthflame Mask, but when she put it on, no changes occurred to her body.

[Ding—]

[Ogerpon has donned the Hearthflame Mask, but the mask has yet to emit its radiance. Form change failed!]

The system prompt poured a bucket of cold water on the girl’s enthusiasm.

As I thought, I was being too optimistic.

Sera regained her composure and began to rethink the cause and effect. To make Ogerpon use the masks, she had to let Ogerpon experience the emotions they represented.

The bliss of the grass, the joy of the stone.

The anger of the hearth, the sorrow of the well.

Currently, Ogerpon had fully grasped the emotions of the first two masks, using them as naturally as her own limbs.

But logically, even if Ogerpon had experienced the emotions of anger or sorrow in the past, she couldn't unleash the power of the newly crafted Hearthflame Mask.

Sera arrived at a new hypothesis.

According to the system’s original quest trajectory, she was meant to lead Ogerpon to defeat the three Loyal Three, reclaiming the masks that originally belonged to her in the process.

This journey was intended to make Ogerpon recall her past; once all the masks were reclaimed, Ogerpon would have experienced all the emotions, allowing her to master them all at once.

However, somewhere along the line, something had gone wrong.

Ogerpon had unleashed unprecedented power right from the start, even shattering the Hearthflame Mask held by Munkidori, which triggered the bug in the raising process.

—Could it be because I raised Ogerpon to be too strong?

The girl mused, feeling as though she had found the answer.

Using game progression as an analogy, the system’s original intent was to guide Sera into slowly awakening the anger and sorrow in Ogerpon’s heart, and finally, the joy and happiness.

But Sera had abandoned that path from the beginning. Because she pampered Ogerpon so much and cared for her so meticulously, Ogerpon had grasped the emotion of bliss to the absolute limit.

That was why Ogerpon had been able to unleash such unprecedented power using only the Teal Mask.

No wonder the system banned the game mode...

Sera felt a tinge of embarrassment, but immediately squared her shoulders.

What did the system’s incompetence have to do with her? She was just raising Ogerpon to the best of her ability within the system's framework. Could she really be blamed for raising her too well?

If the Hearthflame Mask couldn't be used, so be it.

Sera packed the crimson mask away carefully, placing it in her suitcase with the rest of the materials.

"Anyway, Ogerpon has leveled up now and gained a new mask. I’ll be much more confident when I challenge the Ecruteak Gym."

"Poni-ao!"

Ogerpon raised her arms behind Sera, striking a strong pose.

Reflecting on why the Hearthflame Mask didn't work was effectively summarizing the gains and losses in her journey of raising Ogerpon.

Sera knew clearly that her own over-indulgence was likely the root cause of why the raising slot was currently unusable. But regardless, her meeting with Ogerpon had blossomed from this very dynamic, and the present result was the best possible outcome.

So, Sera would never regret it. She would find a way to let Ogerpon experience the remaining two emotions through a gentler process.

As for the system's original game script? She would just keep that as a secret in her own heart.

--+--

Digital Pokemon - 68

--+--

Chapter 68: The Ecruteak Festival

--+--

The day of the festival arrived.

The sky was still draped in darkness when Sera rolled out of bed, dragging a groggy Ogerpon, who was still rubbing sleep from her eyes, toward the Bell Tower.

By the time they reached the grounds, the Kimono Girls were there to greet her, immediately ushering her off to change into her costume and prepare.

It wasn't even five in the morning, yet everyone was already bustling with preparations.

Sera was the last to arrive; in fact, many had spent the night at local inns near the Bell Tower just so they could get an early start.

The tourists were just as eager. As Sera stepped out of the makeshift dressing room behind the Bell Tower, clad in her miko robes, the spectators who caught a glimpse of her began whispering to one another, their faces alight with anticipation.

"...Is everyone aware that the festival program has changed this year?"

Sera quietly asked Naoko, who was standing nearby.

She had been far too busy lately; aside from her necessary studies and rehearsals, she hadn't paid much attention to outside news.

"Yes," Naoko replied in a hushed tone, answering Sera’s question.

"Word is, the Sinnoh Champion is already waiting in the city center. Since that's the best vantage point, she'll be watching the ceremony alongside the local dignitaries. Plenty of tourists have gathered there, too."

As for the Bell Tower, the starting point of the procession, it was usually off-limits to anyone but monks.

Since the first floor was rarely opened to the public, tourists were swarming the area. Even though the sky remained dark, Sera could feel the weight of countless gazes fixed upon her.

Stay calm, keep a level head, she told herself.

Sera took a deep, steadying breath, trying to push down her nerves.

—It’s not like being stared at is going to hurt.

Sera felt like a completely different person these days; even her acquaintances likely wouldn't recognize her, so there was really no need to be tense.

Nearby, a news crew responsible for the live broadcast turned their camera toward the miko, the reporter narrating into her microphone.

"It looks like the Ecruteak Festival ceremony is about to begin. I've heard the flow is quite different from previous years—not only have they introduced a new miko role representing the ancient Sinnoh people, but the miko will also offer prayers to the two legendary deities of Ecruteak as a signal, hoping to make the gods aware of humanity’s heartfelt wishes."

"That’s a very romantic concept," her female co-host chimed in.

"Look, everyone! Although she looks a bit unfamiliar, the miko is absolutely stunning and carries a unique grace. Even the Pokemon trailing beside her looks as if it's been meticulously dressed for the occasion!"

The reporter didn't actually recognize what species of Pokemon Ogerpon was, but to maintain her professionalism on air, she used the most tactful phrasing possible.

Ogerpon faintly sensed the discussion about her and turned toward the camera.

Her ornate mask, shimmering with crystalline light, was perfectly captured by the lens, drawing another exclamation of wonder from the reporter.

"What an exquisite mask! The gems on it look so opulent—I can't imagine how much of the Ecruteak Dance Theater's budget went into these props."

"This year's festival is sponsored by Silph Co., and speaking of budgets, we have to mention Silph's famous products..."

As the reporters broke into a live advertisement, the stream’s comment section became a sea of snarky remarks.

{Is Silph still fumbling with their Poke Balls? Devon has already launched several new types next door.}

{Aren't Quick Balls way better than standard ones?}

{She’s so cute, I love her!}

{That look in her eyes is so fierce... if I beg, do you think she’d step on me?}

{Keep it together, man.}

{Step on me, please!}

It seemed that the internet’s chaotic energy was universal, regardless of the world.

While some were busy acting out, others naturally disdained such behavior. Amidst the critiques of products and the unhinged comments, a small group kept their focus entirely on Ogerpon.

{This Pokemon... I feel like I’ve never seen it before.}

{LOL, I bet the reporter didn't even recognize the Pokemon.}

{Did you guys recognize it?}

{I’m not a Trainer, so what’s the big deal?}

{I’m a Trainer, and I don't know what it is either.}

{It’s not even in the Pokedex. Isn't this dress-up a bit excessive?}

Clearly, it would take some time for the people in the stream to realize that the Pokemon Sera was so nonchalantly leading around was a species not yet documented.

On the other side of the region in Azalea Town, Kurt sat in front of his television early as usual, watching the morning program.

"..."

"Oh! That’s Sera!"

Maizie pointed at the miko on the screen, identifying her without hesitation.

The old craftsman’s hand, holding his tea, trembled slightly.

—What on earth?

How did my apprentice end up becoming a miko in Ecruteak City without me noticing?

If it weren't for the fact that Sera had contacted him just recently to ask about wood, Kurt would have been in a state of absolute shock.

Even so, the old man remained suspicious as he continued watching the show, his mind completely oblivious to the Pokemon standing at Sera’s side.

For Kurt, he didn't care much for Pokemon; now, if it had been his old friend Professor Oak, that would have been a different story.

As the Goldenrod Radio broadcast aired, the Ecruteak Festival appeared on televisions and computer screens across Johto and Kanto. Some viewers paid it no mind, while others simply hadn't noticed the live footage from Sera's location yet.

But as word spread, more and more people began to pay attention—a fact Sera remained blissfully unaware of.

Guided by the head monk’s call, she stood up, with Naoko trailing just behind her at the front of the procession.

Although the Kimono Girls had their own program to manage today, Sera's performance had been so exceptional that those who initially didn't want to exert energy on the miko parade changed their minds, specifically tasking their fourth sister, Naoko, to stay by Sera’s side.

"It’s time to go," Naoko whispered.

"..."

Sera gave an almost imperceptible nod.

From this moment on, her role had shifted; she needed to keep her persona in mind at every second.

The sky had begun to pale.

Beneath the Bell Tower, the Bellchime Trail was carpeted in fallen red maple leaves. The sound of tourists was deafening, and the staff responsible for managing the site were sweating profusely.

The miko accepted a kagura suzu from a girl in a kimono nearby. She gave it a light shake, and the chime carried remarkably far, silencing the surrounding chatter for a brief moment.

Clack.

The Pokemon in the turquoise ogre mask took a step forward, the sound of her wooden footwear meeting the stone stairs.

That single step served as a signal, and the procession began to move slowly forward.

Sera didn't really understand what the festival was, nor did she truly grasp the meaning of being a miko.

After all, she was an outsider, not someone raised in Ecruteak City, and she hadn't been shaped by the local culture.

However, at that very moment—whether it was the tourists at the scene or the netizens watching the miko move forward through the live broadcast...

Everyone watching the miko, with her cold, indifferent expression and her steady, forward-facing gaze, felt a profound, otherworldly atmosphere take hold.

"...And so, the Ecruteak Festival begins."

The reporter remembered her mission, offering a summary into her microphone.

"This is the ceremony of prayer, seeking to forge a bond with the gods."

--+--

Digital Pokemon - 69

--+--

Chapter 69: Cynthia’s Invitation

--+--

An autumn morning, the wind biting and cold.

With every few steps Sera took, she would shake the sacred kagura suzu in her hand, drawing whispers from the crowd gathered around her.

Legend has it that in ancient times, the people of Ecruteak City held festivals to celebrate the harvest, having the Kimono Girls perform dances to honor the two legendary deities.

Today was different from the past.

The Rainbow Pokémon and the Diving Pokémon had long since departed Ecruteak City.

Even though the festival continued, the locals were simply praying to the deities for a peaceful and prosperous year ahead.

Legends are, after all, just legends. Not everyone believes these mythical Pokémon truly exist.

As Sera walked, she felt the gaze of the onlookers upon her. Her ears caught bits of conversation; most people were just reminiscing about the festival itself, rarely mentioning the two gods.

—That’s just how it is, I suppose.

Sera gained a deeper insight into this.

Perhaps the reason the Electronic Pokemon Raising System gave her this mission was nowhere near as complicated as she had imagined.

Legendary Pokémon certainly do exist, but at this moment, no one was more convinced of that fact than Sera.

As long as you believe strongly enough, Pokémon will respond. That is likely the simplest, most unadorned truth in this world.

That was why Sera had received the mission—to walk down the main street in her shrine maiden attire, under the spotlight of the world.

Though she was lost in thought, Sera’s actions were purely mechanical, just a way to kill time.

"...How much further do we have to go?"

The shrine maiden’s calm face looked straight ahead as her lips parted slightly, speaking in a low, gentle whisper.

"We’re almost at the Burned Tower," Naoko replied.

We’re not even halfway there yet...

The day had fully brightened. They had been walking for two or three hours, and they hadn't even finished half their route.

Thinking about how she would eventually have to return to the city center to listen to the bigwigs give speeches, and then finally head back to the Bell Tower to conclude the ceremony, Sera nodded slightly, feeling a wave of despair.

This walk was honestly just too boring.

"Pon-oh~"

Only the Ogerpon at her side gave Sera a sense of comfort.

Wearing the Teal Mask, the little demon drew many eyes, most of them filled with admiration.

Ogerpon had never experienced being treated with such respect. In its memory, putting on the mask usually resulted in panic, but today was completely different.

"Pon-pon-oh~"

Ogerpon’s walk became increasingly swaggering, drawing ripples of laughter from those around them.

—Oh, well.

Sera stopped overthinking, her heart returning to a state of calm.

Since Ogerpon was having this much fun, the journey wasn't entirely in vain.

With her mind blank, Sera followed the flow of the crowd. She performed a brief, perfunctory offering at the base of the Burned Tower before changing course to head back to the city center.

Being a "flower vase" had its perks. Sera only needed to be responsible for attracting tourists' gazes, while everything else was handled by those around her.

Plus, she had Naoko by her side to make sure nothing went wrong.

By the time they reached the city center, Sera finally saw the Sinnoh Champion, Cynthia, in the flesh.

On a temporarily constructed wooden stage, Cynthia stood alongside the Mayor of Ecruteak City and Morty, the Ecruteak Gym Leader, watching the festival procession approach.

"The atmosphere of the Ecruteak Festival is truly quite wonderful."

The tall, elegantly dressed Sinnoh Champion watched the leading shrine maiden, her eyes filled with interest.

"It is truly one of the most famous festivals in the world. Just being able to attend this Ecruteak Festival makes me feel like the trip was worth it."

"Hahaha, you are far too kind, Ms. Cynthia."

Despite his words, the Mayor’s expression made it clear he was delighted.

"Doesn't the Kitakami region near Sinnoh have its own world-renowned Mask Festival?"

"Kitakami’s Mossui Town is, after all, just a small town."

Cynthia smiled, showing no interest in continuing that topic.

While she was the Sinnoh Champion, Cynthia was also a mythology scholar. She placed equal weight on both identities and was therefore exceptionally meticulous about history.

The Mask Festival in Mossui Town originated from local folklore.

Even though Kitakami organized those legends for publicity and turned them into a vital pillar of their tourism industry, to Cynthia, those legends were entertaining, but lacked sufficient credibility.

Recently, the Kitakami Center had claimed that the three legendary Loyal Three had been resurrected, and Cynthia had been keeping an eye on it. She had seen the trio through videos and photos.

In her heart, Cynthia was a bit disappointed.

Those three Pokémon looked remarkably ordinary, to say nothing of possessing powers that matched their legends; they were indistinguishable from any other common Pokémon.

Were the heroes who legend says repelled the demon really just beings like that?

As she sighed, Cynthia couldn't help but worry about the future of the Kitakami region.

As the Champion of the Sinnoh League, she felt a responsibility to keep an eye on the development of the regions neighboring her own.

The three Pokémon appearing in Kitakami now were just too ordinary. In Cynthia’s view, while Kitakami seemed unusually lively at the moment, it wouldn't take long for the public to lose interest.

If you call something a "legend," it naturally must display powers worthy of a legend.

Once the mystery was peeled away and the public lost interest, Kitakami would lose the very reason that drew tourists there in the first place.

—What will happen to that remote, rural area then?

Cynthia felt uneasy, which was why she didn't want to talk about it with others.

In contrast, the situation in Ecruteak City was much more in line with Cynthia’s ideals.

Here, people took pride in their history. They regretted the departure of their gods in the past, yet they looked toward the future, using the festival simply to memorialize those deities.

One hundred and fifty years had passed since the departure of the Rainbow Pokémon and the Diving Pokémon in Ecruteak legend.

Perhaps no one held onto the hope of the gods returning anymore, but the people of Ecruteak would still carry on the tradition of the festival for a long time to come.

"So, Ms. Cynthia, is there anything else you’d like to say about our Ecruteak Festival?"

Cynthia snapped back to reality as the host held the microphone toward her.

"We have an old saying in the Sinnoh region."

Cynthia took the microphone gracefully and looked out at the crowd.

"All life encounters other life, and from that, something is born. I’ve witnessed many such moments at the Ecruteak Festival today. In my eyes, everyone is shining brilliantly. I hope that for the rest of the festival, everyone can enjoy it to the fullest!"

"Oh—!"

The Champion of Sinnoh’s graceful words drew a round of applause and cheers from the crowd.

Cynthia handed the mic back and looked toward the shrine maiden who was quietly sitting in the crowd, eyes closed and head bowed in meditation, along with her Pokémon.

"..."

Cynthia noticed that the Pokémon had sensed her gaze and looked up at her, causing her smile to broaden.

"A mysterious Pokémon, indeed..."

The Sinnoh Champion whispered to herself, feeling even more satisfied with the surprise the Ecruteak Festival had brought her.

--+--

"Sera, the speeches are over."

Taking advantage of the time the bigwigs were speaking, Sera had cleared her daily tasks in the simulator.

Just as she finished, Naoko whispered a reminder. The girl instinctively pulled her arms in and looked up.

"It's over? Then should we head back?"

"Yeah, the rest of the way we can be a bit more relaxed~"

It wasn't just Sera who was exhausted from the morning's walk. Naoko stretched as she stood up, blushing and looking shy when she noticed Sera watching her.

"Come to think of it, Naoko, you still have to prepare for the evening performance with your sisters, right?"

Sera followed the crowd, chatting with Naoko as they walked.

"I heard the performance is very demanding. Are you really okay after walking with me all morning?"

Naoko realized that Sera hadn't taken her previous actions to heart. While she felt a sense of relief, she also felt a strange, inexplicable touch of regret.

"Don't worry," the girl said in a soft, delicate voice, but when speaking about her profession, she sounded remarkably convincing.

"This amount of exercise is nothing. Besides, even if I stayed at the Ecruteak Dance Theater, my sisters would still have to deal with fans and media interviews. Everyone is very busy, so walking with you all morning actually feels like a break for me."

...Does this count as a break?

Sera felt physically and mentally exhausted, yet Naoko not only spoke lightly, she looked completely fine.

If the system didn't give her the Silver Feather after all this, Sera was going to go on a hunt for a "customer service complaint" button.

"Pon-oh~!"

Beside them, Ogerpon, having heard Naoko talk about the evening performance, showed interest, hopping about as it tried to grab Sera's attention.

"Yes, yes... let's go watch it together tonight."

Sera, an indoor-type at heart, tried to squeeze out the last bit of her energy to pat Ogerpon listlessly.

She no longer cared about keeping up a poised "shrine maiden" air; the parade was over, and everyone around them was chatting and laughing.

Naoko couldn't help but feel a bit envious seeing the close bond between Sera and Ogerpon.

"If you're coming to watch the performance, Sera, I’ll get you an inside ticket."

"Is that okay?"

"I mean... the tickets for tonight probably sold out ages ago..."

The performances at the Ecruteak Dance Theater were already famous, and with the festival bonus, the seats had been snapped up long ago.

Sera realized this a beat too late and had no reason to refuse.

"Then I’ll gladly accept."

The girl smiled as she took two tickets—one large, one small—from Naoko. Seeing Sera accept them, Naoko seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

"My sisters usually give their tickets to friends, but I don't really know many people. My tickets from previous performances were always given away through fan raffles."

"Then since I’m taking your ticket, I’m your friend now, aren't I?"

Seeing the flush creep back onto Naoko’s cheeks after she spoke, Sera couldn't help but marvel at how shy this girl was.

Even though she was a performer, her personality was incredibly soft-spoken. It was a good thing she had her sisters to look after her, or she’d likely be taken advantage of sooner or later.

But perhaps it was precisely because of that personality that Naoko didn't have many friends.

Even though the five sisters of the Ecruteak Dance Theater were famous, living under the halo of her three older sisters and her younger sister, the pressure on Naoko couldn't have been small.

Sera felt quite fond of these girls; they had been willing to entrust the shrine maiden role to her, were very accommodating throughout the process, and had even spared Naoko to help her today.

If Sera managed to get the Silver Feather after completing the final mission, these kimono-clad girls deserved at least half the credit.

One good turn deserves another; Sera felt she needed to return the favor.

"Tonight, it will be my turn to watch your performance, Naoko."

"I'll be right there in the audience watching you closely, so you better give me a spectacular show."

The girl, who hadn't yet changed out of her shrine maiden clothes, gathered her sleeves, causing the kagura suzu to chime. As she spoke, Naoko felt her heart skip a beat.

"...Mmhmm!"

Regaining her composure, the girl nodded firmly.

After chatting all the way back to the Bell Tower, Sera went to the changing room to put on her own clothes, carefully tucking away the shrine maiden outfit.

According to Miki, this outfit was custom-made specifically for this year's special festival and wouldn't be used again, meaning she could just keep it.

Sera wasn't sure what she would do with a shrine maiden outfit, but the thought of leaving behind clothes she had worn felt a bit strange, so she didn't refuse and kept it.

Now, there's still some time before tonight... how should I spend it?

Beneath the Bell Tower, after temporarily saying goodbye to Naoko, Sera felt a bit lost.

"You look a little troubled, don't you?"

A woman's voice reached her ears. Sera turned and saw an unexpected figure.

"You are..."

"Hi~"

The blonde woman, who had also changed her clothes, stood a short distance away, greeting Sera with a smile.

"We just met a moment ago. Although I don't know your name yet, you should recognize me, right?"

"...Yes, Ms. Cynthia."

The Champion of the Sinnoh League was standing right in front of her.

The sudden meeting caught Sera off guard, but she quickly collected herself.

"I’m Sera."

After bowing slightly to introduce herself, Sera looked back at Cynthia.

"Is there something you need, Ms. Cynthia?"

"If you're asking if I have some urgent matter, then no, not really."

Cynthia crossed her arms, resting her chin on her right hand as she looked Sera up and down.

"However, everyone else in Ecruteak City told me to enjoy the festival on my own, but didn't arrange for anyone to accompany me. I’ve been thinking, and it’s gotten a bit boring, so I came looking for you."

"...?"

Sera tilted her head, and Ogerpon mirrored her, expressing the same confusion.

"Haha, just kidding. Actually, I just feel like you’re quite interesting."

Cynthia finally explained with a smile.

"I heard from others that you aren't a local of Ecruteak either; you’re just acting as a shrine maiden to enjoy the festival."

"Since neither of us has a companion, why don't we team up?"

It sounded reasonable enough.

But Sera noticed that Cynthia’s gaze kept drifting toward Ogerpon. It seemed she had indeed noticed that Ogerpon was an undocumented, mysterious Pokémon and was therefore intrigued.

"Well..."

The girl mused for a moment.

"Don't worry, I’m an adult. How about this: I’ll take you around the festival, and I’ll cover all the expenses for the rest of the day?"

Sera was just thinking that since she had always admired the Sinnoh Champion from her gaming days, there was no reason to refuse.

She just hadn't expected Cynthia to be so enthusiastic—and to offer to pay for everything.

Though it was all small change anyway; as a Poké Ball artisan, Sera had never really worried about money.

"Then, I’ll be in your care for the rest of the day, Ms. Cynthia."

"Great, let’s go!"

Cynthia, full of interest, took the first step forward.

--+--

Digital Pokemon - 70

--+--

Chapter 70: Conversation, Friendship, and Resolve

--+--

"Hmm... I wonder which one I should pick?"

Sera never expected that the first stop Cynthia would take her to after inviting her to the festival would be a clothing store. Faced with the vast variety of garments, she fell into a state of deep distress.

Come to think of it, Cynthia really did struggle with making choices...

The girl sighed inwardly, recalling this particular trait of the Champion.

"This one it is!"

Though she had deliberated for a long time, Cynthia hadn't forgotten about Sera, making her final selection in less time than usual.

By the time she stepped out of the changing room, she discovered that Sera had already finished her own shopping.

"That outfit looks wonderful on you. You look like a perfect pair with your Pokemon standing right there." Cynthia teased with a smile.

The young girl, now dressed in a verdant green yukata, stood beside Ogerpon. From a distance, if one were to glance casually from behind, they looked just like sisters.

"How much is it? Let me cover it for you."

"That’s really not necessary."

Sera stopped Cynthia as she reached for her wallet.

"I'm not short on money, and it would feel a bit strange to have you paying for my things, Cynthia."

"Oh?"

Cynthia drew out the sound, her expression thoughtful. "It seems I had a bit of a misunderstanding."

As the two walked along the narrow path, Cynthia took the opportunity to clarify. "I honestly thought you were a rookie trainer working hard at a part-time job, trying to earn a little extra during the festival."

After all, except for trainers who wandered the world, few people would be bored enough to take on completely unfamiliar odd jobs. Cynthia had heard some rumors before seeking Sera out, which led to the misconception.

"Actually, I’m an Apricorn Ball craftsman, currently out on a journey to hone my skills..." Sera explained instinctively, but then, remembering a thought she’d had recently, she corrected herself.

"However, I am truly working toward becoming a trainer now. I’m planning to take Ogerpon to challenge the Ecruteak Gym in a few days."

"A ball craftsman?"

Cynthia’s footsteps paused for a fleeting moment before she continued walking as if nothing had happened.

Sera had assumed that once she revealed her identity, Cynthia would ask more questions, but to her surprise, the Champion simply quickened her pace and headed toward a nearby stall.

"Three cotton candies, please."

"Coming right up!"

"I could have bought my own..."

"We agreed that I was treating you today, remember?"

Cynthia stopped Sera with a gentle firmness. With a bright smile, she handed one stick of cotton candy to the girl and another to Ogerpon.

"Money and status don't matter. The most important thing today is enjoying the festival, wouldn't you agree?"

Sera pondered this for a moment.

"Well... then, thank you?"

"You're very welcome."

Cynthia smiled again and turned her gaze toward other stalls, leaving Sera to follow in her wake.

Just as Cynthia had stated at the beginning, she had invited Sera—a fellow outsider—simply because she wanted to fully enjoy the festival. The two of them were still new acquaintances.

Logically speaking, Sera, who lived independently, didn't need special care, and after hearing about her background, Cynthia surely understood that.

Yet, Cynthia still insisted on looking after her. Was it because she had issued the invitation?

Perhaps that’s part of it, the girl mused, but that’s likely not the most important factor.

"Sera, come take a look! This attraction looks quite interesting!"

Not far away, Cynthia beckoned to her while adjusting her yukata.

When Cynthia heard Sera's background earlier, she had shown genuine interest, yet she never brought it up again.

The reason for this had nothing to do with the fact that she was a Champion or that Sera was a craftsman; in this moment, they were simply two visitors at a festival.

"Well..."

Sera smiled helplessly. She found it impossible to simply ignore Cynthia’s status as a Champion, but it was precisely because of that—and the realization that she didn't need to be overly formal at every waking moment—that she finally let her guard down.

With that realization, she walked toward Cynthia.

--+--

As Cynthia had implied from the start, she kept dropping subtle hints for Sera to forget about anything other than the present moment.

Once her mindset shifted, Sera stopped focusing so much on Cynthia's title.

Interesting sights were everywhere: the food, the performances, the games...

After strolling for a while, a floral accessory adorned Sera’s hair, and Ogerpon held a variety of treats in its hands.

"Whew... although I've been to many, the festival here in Ecruteak City is truly unique," Cynthia remarked, looking refreshed. "Combined with its deep connection to myth and history, this experience has been well worth the trip."

Finding a bench on the side of the street, Cynthia invited Sera to sit. "Let’s rest for a moment."

"Yeah."

"Pon~"

Sera and Ogerpon sat down, while Cynthia stood beside them, leaning against the back of the bench and gazing out at the festival lights in the distance.

The atmosphere grew quiet. Ogerpon was still blissfully enjoying its snacks, while Sera contemplated how to break the silence.

"Sera, do you feel like you're enjoying the festival?" Cynthia asked suddenly.

Sera looked up, noticing that Cynthia’s eyes had been on her the whole time.

"Hmm... I suppose I am?"

The girl wasn't entirely certain, but at her answer, Cynthia’s face lit up with a smile.

"Then you are definitely enjoying it." Cynthia said with conviction. "After all, look at how happily you're smiling while watching your Pokemon."

...Is that so?

Sera turned her head to see Ogerpon with a smear of syrup on its cheek, its star-shaped eyes blinking as it looked at her.

"Pon?"

"..."

The girl silently pulled a tissue from her pocket, wiped the corner of Ogerpon’s mouth, and tossed the used wooden skewer into a nearby trash bin.

After doing so, she met Cynthia’s gaze again and realized, to her surprise, that she was indeed smiling.

"Just watching it brings a sense of calm to my heart," Cynthia said, gazing quietly at Ogerpon's innocent expression. She sighed softly, "It's truly marvelous..."

"Because Ogerpon is cute."

"Yes, it really is." Cynthia agreed. "All life encounters other lives and brings something into existence. What I see in this moment is very special, and it fills me with genuine warmth."

Sera remembered those words; Cynthia had said them during her speech earlier. In the games, this was Cynthia’s personal motto, one she cherished deeply. But the game and reality were two different things.

It was precisely because Sera knew this that she had been so nervous when she first met the Champion.

"Actually, at first, I thought you had come here specifically for Ogerpon."

Cynthia was the Sinnoh League Champion and a renowned mythologist.

In reality, her research into myth and history was undoubtedly far more profound than the brief glimpses provided in books, and the Kitakami region—Ogerpon's home—was close enough to Sinnoh that it might well be within her sphere of knowledge.

Perhaps she had noticed some unique traits about Ogerpon and sought her out for that reason.

"Is that what you thought?" Cynthia looked slightly surprised, but then she offered a gentle, warm smile.

"That phrase... I want to say it again."

All life encounters other lives and brings something into existence.

As the woman who lived by those words, Cynthia looked at the young girl with tender eyes.

"My encounter with you will also bring something unique into existence, won't it?"

As she spoke, Cynthia reached into her pocket and pulled out her smartphone. She unlocked the screen and held it out to Sera. "Come on, scan this."

Sera checked the screen several times—it was a contact exchange code for the League network.

She silently took out her phone to scan the information, and once they had swapped contacts, Cynthia put her phone away with a satisfied look.

"Good! Now that we are official friends, let's introduce ourselves properly."

Cynthia stood in front of Sera, looking elegant and effortless even in her yukata. "I am the Sinnoh League Champion, Cynthia."

A moment later, Sera scrambled to her feet. "I am... an Apricorn Ball craftsman... no, a rookie trainer, Sera."

"Then, Sera, as your senior on the path of a trainer, let me give you one piece of advice."

When Cynthia became serious, her presence changed completely. The Champion's words carried an unmistakable weight, sinking deep into the girl's mind.

"If you truly want to be a trainer, the first thing you need to do is have more confidence in yourself."

"—That is my advice to you."

"We will meet again. For now, keep at it!"

--+--

Until the moment Cynthia left, Sera remained lost in thought, ruminating on those final words.

Do I really look like I lack confidence...?

Sera had always been good at listening to advice. Once Cynthia pointed it out, the reason became clear as day.

Unlike her professional work as a craftsman, Sera genuinely lacked deep-seated confidence when it came to being a trainer. After all, even in her past life, she had never been a top-tier competitive player.

After crossing over, she realized that the training methods in this world were far more complex and detail-oriented than anything she had known before.

Real battles were incredibly intricate; seeing footage of top-level trainers had made her feel, at first, that she wasn't even fit to stand on the battlefield.

Those three years of hesitation hadn't come without a cost. Even now, Sera didn't possess the kind of confidence that would dazzle those around her.

"...So that's how it is."

Having found the root of the issue, Sera murmured to herself, then cast her gaze toward Ogerpon.

The situation was vastly different from before. She possessed psychic abilities that normal trainers didn't have, and her partner Pokemon was the legendary Ogerpon. Even the bond between them was something she was certain wouldn't lose to anyone else.

And yet, despite all that, when she introduced herself to Cynthia, she had still led with her identity as a craftsman.

An Apricorn Ball craftsman who could forge special balls. She had always taken pride in this identity, as it was the trade she relied on for her livelihood, and it had brought her considerable wealth.

But it was exactly this identity that had become a shackle preventing her from moving forward.

Being a craftsman was great, and she aspired to continue on that path until she could be the master craftsman her mentor would be proud of. But did she really need to lead every introduction with it?

Cynthia had seen through this internal conflict and had pointed it out.

Sera felt a momentary flush of shame, but then her mood slowly settled. What is there to be ashamed of?

The girl looked her achievements squarely in the face. She took pride in her craft because her accomplishments were truly impressive. That was a fact. But she now had higher aspirations.

If she were to be a craftsman, she would become the greatest in history.

If she were to be a trainer, she would climb to the very peak, standing at a height that countless others would look up to.

Cynthia’s advice was spot on. To stand at the summit, one must possess a level of confidence to match.

"...The first thing I need to do is introduce myself as a trainer first."

"Pon?"

Ogerpon tilted its head, looking at her.

In just a short span of time, it felt a subtle shift in Sera’s aura. She had always been gentle, like a warm presence wrapping around it, but now, a faint, sharpened edge radiated from the girl.

It was a nuance so subtle that even someone who knew her well might miss it, but Ogerpon had noticed it instantly.

"Pon..."

What exactly happened...?

As Ogerpon pondered, it heard Sera’s voice.

"Ogerpon, it looks like there are trainers having a performance battle at the festival over there."

The white-haired girl had a smile on her face. Ogerpon looked in the direction she was pointing and saw two trainers commanding their Pokemon in a mock battle.

"Pon-ao!"

Ogerpon jumped off the bench, eager to join in. It didn't have a clear answer to what had changed, but hearing Sera, it felt that this shift was likely due to what they were about to do.

If there was a battle to be fought, Ogerpon was full of resolve—it would definitely support Sera!

"—Then, let’s go join in on the fun."

--+--

Her reflection had finally helped Sera find the missing piece. She had always thought about being a trainer, but she had never fully committed to the resolve required for it, which was what allowed Cynthia to see through the cracks and point out her lack of confidence.

If she wanted to be a trainer, she had to act like one. Daily training, battles with other trainers... she had to seize every opportunity to participate.

The girl stepped onto the battlefield, leading her partner Pokemon—a creature no one else recognized—and smiled at the Furret its opponent had sent out.

"—Ogerpon, use Ivy Cudgel!"

"Pon!"

--+--

Digital Pokemon Paid Batch 3/3 -> Moving onto Overhaul Rebirth Chapters.

--+--

Here's the relevant illustrations the original author commissioned to this point.