Chapter Seventeen: Guidance

The middle-aged man wasn’t surprised at all. Smiling, he said, “You’re the one who’s Ralts’s trainer, so we can’t help you. Every spirit maiden is an individual; my methods might not work for you.”

Tang Yi nodded, a little disappointed, but he understood the reasoning.

“Most psychic-type moves rely on fluctuations of mental power. When a spirit maiden pours intense personal emotions into something, her mental waves reach their peak, and then, by channeling this energy in a particular way, she can learn all sorts of psychic moves.”

He paused, as if giving Tang Yi a moment to let it sink in, then continued, “The reason I said you’re wasting Ralts’s talent is because your training is too forced. It’s just like those so-called training courses—using psychic moves for the sake of using them, concentrating for the sake of concentrating. But you already have the method: whatever way you used to nurture Ralts’s abundant mental strength, use the same approach to guide her in unleashing moves.”

“I could sense earlier that you don’t seem too confident in yourself, or in your Ralts. That annoys me, you know, especially when you have such an adorable spirit maiden. Young man, have a little more faith in yourself!”

Tang Yi frowned, listening intently to every word.

After a long while, he suddenly understood. “It’s still a little muddled, but I think I have a clue. I want to go back and sort my thoughts, maybe experiment a bit.”

He paused, then said seriously to the middle-aged man, “You’re right. I should trust my Ralts. In my heart, she could never lose to any other spirit maiden. Thank you, sir. Even if you look kind of shady, what you said makes a lot of sense.”

Ralts rolled her eyes at her trainer. Was that really a thank you?

Realizing his slip, Tang Yi hurried to explain, “Sorry, I accidentally said what I was thinking. Uh, I didn’t mean it that way. I meant you might look a little shady, but you’re a good man on the inside.”

The man sighed, hand to his forehead. “Alright, I accept your thanks. But before I lose all fondness for you, maybe just stop explaining.”

Tang Yi closed his mouth, abashed.

Beside him, Eevee maiden was already doubled over with laughter.

“Sorry about that,” little Ralts apologized on her trainer’s behalf, looking helplessly at the poised Butterfree maiden before her.

Butterfree smiled softly, reaching out to gently stroke the red horn atop Ralts’s head. She was a clever spirit maiden, knowing just how to ease the anxiety strangers might bring to Ralts.

Eevee pointed at Tang Yi and laughed, “No, no, you’re actually right—this guy is totally a shady old man now! You’d never guess it, but back in the day, he was—ow! Ninetales! Did you have to hit me?”

Ninetales swished her orange tails. “You always talk too much!”

Watching the spirit maidens bicker, Tang Yi felt a mix of confusion and envy. That much was clear: these spirit maidens got along well with their trainers.

“I think it’s time for us to go,” Tang Yi said.

“Take care,” the man replied without a hint of reluctance.

Neither side offered introductions; both treated the encounter as a chance meeting during a walk. After all, Tang Yi and the man seemed at least a generation apart.

It wasn’t until Tang Yi had gone that Butterfree fluttered back to the man’s side, a gentle smile tinged with curiosity. “It’s been years since I saw you take the initiative to guide anyone, especially someone so young.”

Ninetales seemed to remember something and chuckled. “Didn’t Lance himself visit you a couple of years ago? You didn’t talk this much even then.”

Eevee curled her lip dismissively. “Maybe that trainer just seemed as unreliable—and as shady—as you!”

Smack!

Ow!

Ninetales’s tail came down again.

The man’s smile faded, growing thoughtful. “I do appreciate that young man, but not for the reason Eevee suggests. Didn’t you notice?”

“Notice what?” the spirit maidens asked in unison.

“The way that trainer looks at Ralts—he truly sees her as a human maiden. He wants to enjoy the leisure of life with her, to experience all the world’s beauty together.”

The spirit maidens fell silent.

“I’ve traveled many places over the years and met all kinds of trainers. There are many who live in harmony with their spirit maidens, but it’s not the same. It’s like keeping a pet—you can treat it well, but it’s hard to see it as your own kind. Many people, consciously or not, reject the idea, physically or psychologically.”

“Ralts is a spirit maiden very sensitive to emotions, but it’s clear she trusts her trainer almost without reservation. The way they get along is incredibly rare. Even between Lance and his Dragonite maiden, I’ve never seen such pure emotion.”

“These days, more and more trainers are becoming restless and impatient. Meeting such an unusual trainer today was a rare surprise. Honestly, in him I saw much of my younger self. It’s a pity I’m old now, but he’s still young, so I couldn’t help sharing a few words—hoping it might help him a little in the future.”

Eevee finally found something to tease. “So after all that, you were just bragging about yourself! You want us to believe you really treat us as fellow humans and want us to be moved. Isn’t that right?”

The man resumed his former relaxed air, laughing heartily. “Eevee knows me too well! Honestly, it’s just that the sun is nice today, and I’m in a good mood, so I thought I’d do a good deed. Anyway, I doubt I’ll ever see that trainer again. Let’s get going.”

...

Tang Yi didn’t completely believe the man’s words. After all, it was just a chance encounter—who knew if he was making things up? Still, it had inspired him.

He didn’t rush home. For Ralts, who hadn’t fully mastered her psychic control, training outdoors was still best—less chance of breaking things at home.

He found a patch of grass near his apartment complex and sat down, basking in the gentle sunlight. Taking Ralts’s hands, he asked, “Have you read any good novels lately?”

Ralts hesitated, then shook her head. “I just browse online, but none are as good as yours. I wanted to write my own, but it still feels hard.”

As expected.

The stories Tang Yi told were things this world had never seen. He smiled. “Should I tell you another story?”

“No!” The girl jumped in fright, wearing the wary look of someone who’d been burned once before.

Ha!

Tang Yi couldn’t help but laugh.

Ralts understood Tang Yi well by now; that expression meant he was teasing her again.

Before she could get angry, Tang Yi said, “Then how about you tell me a story this time?”

“Eh?” The girl was stunned for a long moment, unable to keep up with his train of thought.