Chapter Twenty-Six: Ralts’s Persistence

The Squirtle, bound by psychic power, was suspended in midair, unable to move.

“Ralts, now’s our chance—end the match!” Tang Yi knew that dragging things out into a battle of attrition would only put them at a disadvantage.

Ralts, understanding perfectly, had already begun to act. While maintaining her psychic hold, she slowly moved toward the edge of the arena. Because she needed to concentrate all her mental strength to suppress Squirtle’s movements, her steps were slow and deliberate.

Qin Donghai’s expression finally shifted; he realized what Ralts was attempting.

“Break free! Water Gun, quickly—use Water Gun!” he commanded.

Trapped within the psychic grasp, Squirtle struggled desperately, gathering her water-type energy with effort—and she succeeded. A jet of water shot forth.

Ralts couldn’t dodge. If she tried to evade, even for an instant, she would have to relax her psychic hold, and with Squirtle’s strength, that would be enough for her to break free.

We can’t afford to let this drag on. We have to end this now!

Neutralize the Water Gun directly with psychic power!

Ralts, I trust your mental strength is enough!

Countless thoughts flashed through Tang Yi’s mind in an instant, and with them, he continuously conveyed his trust to Ralts. Thoughts are always faster than words.

As if sensing Tang Yi’s confidence, Ralts suppressed her urge to dodge. Facing the incoming Water Gun, she raised her left hand—the one previously injured by another Water Gun attack. The pain from the wound made her movements stiff, and she bit her lip hard, maintaining the psychic control while unleashing another wave of psychic energy.

A blue glow collided with the Water Gun, deflecting the jet to the side once more.

What impressive reserves of psychic power!

Even the referee couldn’t help but look at Ralts in astonishment.

Every struggle from Squirtle put increasing strain on Ralts’ mind. The sustained psychic suppression was powerful, but not without limits.

Qin Donghai understood this as well—the more Ralts exhausted herself, the weaker her hold would become.

Yet, no matter how hard the Squirtle girl fought, the blue psychic aura never dimmed in the slightest. Ralts’ movements toward the edge of the arena remained slow and resolute. She was nearly there.

Qin Donghai finally lost his composure. “Damn it! Squirtle! What are you doing? Don’t you realize how important this selection match is to me? Can’t you see that damn Ralts is at the end of her rope? She can’t possibly have that much psychic stamina!”

“I’ve always taken care of you, haven’t I? Given you the best food and drink?”

“Ralts’ psychic power is already waning! What are you waiting for? Try a little harder and you’ll break free!”

In contrast to Qin Donghai, who was now hopping mad and cursing at the edge of the field, Tang Yi remained calm. He simply watched Ralts’ moving silhouette in silence, never uttering a word.

He felt that any words of encouragement would only distract Ralts at such a critical moment.

Besides, Tang Yi believed that if he judged correctly, his current state of mind would surely reach Ralts, who was persevering on the field.

It had to.

Hang in there, Ralts!

The mere dozen seconds felt as long as a century, but at last, Ralts guided the Squirtle girl to the boundary of the arena.

Ralts finally released her psychic hold.

In that fleeting instant, Squirtle might have had a chance to launch one last counterattack. Yet, catching a glimpse of the furious Qin Donghai not far away, a look of hurt and grievance flashed in the girl’s eyes. In the end, she made no resistance, letting herself fall.

Thud!

Squirtle hit the ground outside the arena.

The referee’s whistle sounded at almost the same moment.

“Match over! Squirtle is out of bounds. According to tournament rules, contestant 145, Ralts, is the winner!”

As the whistle blew, Tang Yi didn’t waste a second on celebration. He dashed onto the field and caught Ralts in his arms just before her staggering body could collapse.

Although Ralts’ rich inner world gave her a higher spiritual ceiling, she was still a young girl who had not yet passed through the rapid growth phase. The continuous use of psychic power had utterly drained her.

The green hair on her forehead was soaked with sweat and clumped together. Tang Yi gently smoothed it away, revealing Ralts’ large, red eyes.

“Did… did we win?” the girl asked, her voice weak and uncertain. She had been so focused on maintaining her psychic hold that she hadn’t even heard the referee’s announcement.

“Yes, we won—a beautiful victory. My Ralts, you were wonderful!” Tang Yi’s smile was tinged with concern.

“The medics are coming. Hand Ralts over to them—it’ll be alright,” the referee said gently, offering Tang Yi comfort. Then, glancing at Qin Donghai who was berating Squirtle, he added, “Your Squirtle is injured too. Wait for her to be treated before you leave.”

“Treat her for what? Hurry up and come home with me—stop embarrassing me here!” Qin Donghai yelled at the girl, showing no concern for the numerous red marks Squirtle bore from her struggle against the psychic grip.

The referee frowned. “As a referee, I have no right to interfere in your private affairs as trainers. But I remind you that everything that happened during today’s match will be submitted as a report and video to the education department for review.”

Qin Donghai froze, silenced at once.

Soon, doctors and a Chansey arrived to carry Ralts and the Squirtle girl to the specially prepared treatment room nearby.

Trainers were not allowed inside and could only wait outside.

Tang Yi and Qin Donghai sat across from each other in the waiting corridor, staring in silence. Tang Yi was entirely focused on Ralts’ condition and had no intention of making conversation. Qin Donghai’s outburst and treatment of Squirtle had also left Tang Yi feeling uneasy.

Fuming with anger, Qin Donghai had no desire to speak either.

Half an hour later, the door to the treatment room finally opened.

Ralts and the Squirtle girl emerged one after the other, followed by a woman in her thirties wearing a white coat. “Rest assured, both of your Pokémon are fine,” she told the trainers.

She then turned to Tang Yi and handed him a small bottle of pale liquid. “This is a psychic tonic made with Flatland Berries. It will help restore your Pokémon’s mental energy. In about ten minutes, let Ralts drink it.”

Tang Yi grew anxious. “Ralts is really okay?”

“She’s fine. Her mental resilience is strong, so she’ll need a bit longer to recover, but twenty minutes at most and she’ll be back to normal,” the doctor reassured him.

Only then did Tang Yi finally relax.