Chapter Four: The Birth of Ralts

Tang Yi’s home was already fully prepared for the imminent arrival of its newest member. In a small room set aside for this purpose stood an incubator purchased online, keeping warm an egg acquired from the Breeding Center, which was nearly ready to hatch, though it would still take a few more days.

The Breeding Center actually offered a direct hatching service, but did not recommend trainers use it. According to years of research by biologists, a spirit maiden born at home would develop a far stronger bond and sense of belonging with her trainer.

After finishing all the arrangements, Tang Yi gazed expectantly at the egg nestled within the incubator. The egg of a Ralts was about the size of a young child, though not very heavy. The Breeding Center had thoughtfully provided every new trainer with a guide for raising a spirit maiden in her early days, filled with basic instructions.

Over the next two days, Tang Yi spent his time carefully reading the manual’s precautions while observing the egg for any signs of change. He could feel the faint vibrations from within becoming noticeably stronger. He estimated the hatching would happen quite soon.

As expected, on the fourth day, while sitting beside the incubator as usual, Tang Yi noticed a new crack had formed on the egg’s surface, as if something inside was knocking with determined force.

It was finally time.

Tang Yi’s excitement almost made his heart leap into his throat. According to the manual, at this moment, one must not interfere; the spirit maiden had to break free of the eggshell on her own.

The process was agonizingly slow—so much so that Tang Yi was tempted several times to lend a helping hand. Over an hour later, as the cracks multiplied and a clear shattering sound rang out, a delicate, snow-white little hand broke through the shell.

With the shell completely shattered, a young girl, who appeared to be about five or six, finally entered the world.

Her skin was as flawless and translucent as fine jade, and her light green hair fell to just above her eyes. From the center of her head, two flat, red horns protruded—one larger, pointing forward, and one smaller, at the back. These distinctive horns were the defining mark of a Ralts.

What Tang Yi found somewhat amusing was that, prior to hatching, he had thought about buying some small dresses for the girl, only to be inexplicably scolded by his parents. Now, he realized it had been unnecessary.

The newly hatched Ralts maiden wore a pure white garment resembling a long dress, but this was not clothing; rather, it was a natural extension of her body, grown from energy—a kind of innate skin.

According to biologists, the mysterious energy storm two centuries ago had fundamentally altered the structure of spirits, yet preserved their essential nature. This nature was manifested in the lingering mysterious energy within the spirit maidens.

A newly hatched Ralts appeared to be a five or six year-old girl with red horns, but Tang Yi, having studied the guide, knew that a spirit maiden’s growth cycle was entirely different from a human’s. Upon birth, they possessed the abilities of a five-year-old child, but would then enter a rapid growth phase, maturing to the equivalent of a sixteen to eighteen-year-old girl within several months to half a year. This was called the Rapid Growth Period.

Afterwards, their growth would slow dramatically, to about one-tenth the pace of a human’s. This was known as the Stable Growth Period.

“Ralu, Ralu!” The little Ralts gazed at Tang Yi, calling out in a soft, tender voice.

Before formal training, spirit maidens could only make these instinctive, spirit-like sounds. Still inexperienced, Tang Yi scratched his head, not quite sure what she was trying to say.

“Ralu, Ralu!” There was a hint of urgency in her gentle voice.

Was she calling for me?

Tang Yi hesitated, then carefully reached out to take her smooth, delicate hand, asking softly, “Are you calling for me?”

The little Ralts grasped Tang Yi’s large hand with both of her own, then slowly raised it to rest upon the red horn on her forehead.

Tang Yi fell silent, feeling a warmth that was slightly sticky—probably the residue of egg fluid from her recent birth.

Her green fringe was long and covered her eyes, so Tang Yi couldn’t help but gently brush her hair aside, revealing a pair of bright eyes as luminous as rubies.

They gazed at each other in silence for a while.

How adorable she was!

How could his Ralts maiden possibly be this cute?

Tang Yi had to fight the urge to shout aloud, lest he startle the little one.

Just as the thought crossed his mind, the Ralts’s cheeks suddenly flushed crimson. Her small body struggled a bit, pulling away from Tang Yi’s hand as if overcome by shyness.

Er…

Tang Yi scratched his head, suddenly recalling the encyclopedia entry mentioning that Ralts could keenly sense the emotions of people and spirits through the red horns on their heads.

Those two red horns were not merely decorative; they were the source of Ralts’s psychic abilities, and would one day be the key to Gardevoir’s Mega Evolution.

So, had she sensed his emotions and been frightened?

Tang Yi could only laugh at himself. In all honesty, his feelings for the adorable Ralts were pure affection—nothing untoward.

In fact, in earlier times, the existence of charming spirit maidens had tempted some perverse trainers to entertain inappropriate thoughts. In response, countries around the world had enacted comprehensive criminal laws: anyone caught crossing the line would face a minimum sentence of death. Over time, no one dared challenge the authority of the law.

“I’ll go prepare something for you to eat. Be good and stay here, all right?”

Forcing himself to look away from Ralts, Tang Yi reminded himself that there was much to do for a newborn spirit maiden. It was a workday, and with his parents out, these responsibilities fell to him.

He quickly fetched the high-nutrition formula he’d purchased days ago, specially designed for newborn spirit maidens—rich in nutrients and energy, and not cheap, either.

During the Rapid Growth Period, a spirit maiden’s nutrition must be carefully ensured; otherwise, developmental issues could arise, with lifelong consequences.

He quickly prepared the fragrant formula, tasting it himself to make sure the temperature was right. The flavor was a bit astringent—apparently spirit maidens’ palates differed from humans’.

The little Ralts, having exhausted herself breaking free of her shell, was genuinely hungry. She took the bottle and drank eagerly, the rich scent of milk filling the air and leaving her visibly content.

After cleaning up the broken eggshells, Tang Yi took a towel soaked in warm water and gently wiped her hair and her white gown-like skin, removing the sticky traces of egg fluid.

According to the manual, newborn spirit maidens should not be bathed directly; only this method of cleaning was permitted.