Chapter Fifty-Three: The Clumsy Method of Learning Hypnosis

Ralts’ first stage of evolution is Kirlia, but to truly complete the process requires a significant investment of time and effort in nurturing.

“How’s your Hypnosis training coming along?” Tang Yi asked teasingly, having refrained from asking at the hospital earlier so as not to embarrass anyone.

“Sister Drowzee talked to me about it today!” Ralts tilted her head slightly, the green hair on her forehead parting just a little. Bathed in brilliant sunlight, her ruby eyes sparkled; she was clearly in high spirits today.

“Ah.” Tang Yi was a little surprised by this answer.

Thinking back, today’s hypnosis session lasted about a quarter of an hour, a few minutes longer than last time. Still, he doubted much could be learned in such a short span.

Ralts didn’t hide anything: “Sister Drowzee said that the essence of Hypnosis is actually changing the frequency at which psychic power is released. She told me to focus on mastering Telekinesis first, to build a solid foundation before trying to learn Hypnosis.”

“Drowzee’s advice is quite sound.” Tang Yi took the Hypnosis skill book from Ralts and flipped through a few pages. The hardest part of learning Hypnosis lay precisely in altering those frequencies.

This skill book, which he’d bought not long ago, devoted most of its content to teaching how to change one’s psychic frequency, with detailed explanations of what psychic frequencies are, among other things.

But in practice, it was easier said than done. As Tang Yi perused the book, he could easily imagine Ralts getting a headache from all this advanced theory.

Of course, the theory in the book was correct—these days, with so many publishers competing, they had to make their content look sophisticated to attract trainers to buy their skill manuals.

It was certainly possible to learn Hypnosis following the book’s method, but it would likely require a professional coach for proper guidance.

No wonder Ralts had taken the initiative to seek advice from Drowzee.

Tang Yi couldn’t help but smile—Drowzee clearly had a deep understanding of Hypnosis, and, knowing Ralts had a natural aversion to formal training courses, had suggested a more direct, albeit clumsy, approach.

Telekinesis, as the entry-level move for the psychic type, was the simplest use of psychic power. Indeed, many advanced psychic skills, like Psybeam and Psychic, were all built upon the foundation of Telekinesis.

Drowzee’s simple method was just that: practice Telekinesis repeatedly, until it was so second nature that it felt as effortless as moving one’s own body.

Once that level of proficiency was reached, learning Hypnosis would suddenly become extremely easy.

“That said, reaching the level of mastery Drowzee spoke of with Telekinesis isn’t easy either,” Tang Yi mused, pausing for a moment before joking lightly, “Actually, if you want to try out a class at a training center, I could cover the registration fee for you.”

After all, the systematic instruction of a training center was probably more reliable than makeshift methods. Most young Pokémon girls learned their skills that way nowadays.

Of course, Tang Yi was just asking out of concern—Ralts had been unusually proactive lately, and he didn’t want her to change her mind over something as trivial as a registration fee.

Ralts hesitated. “I don’t want to go. I think I’d be unhappy there. But if you want…”

“It’s fine, we won’t go,” Tang Yi interrupted before she finished. He only needed to know how she felt; nothing else mattered.

If Ralts didn’t want to go, then they simply wouldn’t. That was enough.

Tang Yi understood—Ralts was a textbook case of once bitten, twice shy.

It all stemmed from that time, not long after she was born, when he brought her to a training center. The lobby had been filled with trainers and young Pokémon girls.

Ralts had a unique sensitivity to emotions. She must have sensed the unhappiness of the other girls there, which likely left a deep scar on her young heart.

From then on, even as she grew older and more mature, and even as she grew more dedicated to learning new skills and competing, she was instinctively averse to training centers.

Back home, Tang Yi did some research online.

The “clumsy method” Drowzee proposed had actually been quite common decades ago, when there weren’t so many skill books or systematic theories. Back then, people raised their Pokémon girls through experience and intuition.

Ralts, standing on tiptoe, pressed close to Tang Yi, peering at the computer screen, clearly invested since this concerned her own progress.

Tang Yi glanced at her from time to time, unable to focus—Ralts looked even cuter up close. Could it be because she was growing up?

Ralts, noticing that Tang Yi’s hand on the mouse wasn’t scrolling down, grew impatient. “Why don’t you just give me the computer? I’ll look it up myself.”

Hmph! I’m way more skilled with a computer than you, you lazy trainer!

Tang Yi couldn’t help but laugh. Give it back to her? Had Ralts really come to think of his computer as her personal property?

Well, in practice, that seemed to be the case…

“I’ll keep searching.” Having finally secured his computer time, Tang Yi wasn’t about to let go so easily. Seeing Ralts getting anxious, he tried to reassure her, “Don’t worry, I’m only looking up ways to improve your Telekinesis proficiency—I won’t go through your browsing history.”

The atmosphere froze at once.

Ralts silently moved away from Tang Yi, seating herself primly on the edge of the bed not far away. Her ruby eyes stared at him, silently declaring: I’m angry with you!

Tang Yi smacked his forehead, realizing he’d let something slip—Ralts clearly didn’t want to mention her browsing history.

Even though she knew he knew, and he knew she knew, the fun of it was in the unspoken. If you say it outright, it ruins everything. It might even sever the fragile bond Tang Yi had worked so hard to forge for truly open communication with Ralts.

People often talk themselves into trouble—this was a perfect example.

Tang Yi hurried to change the subject, trying to smooth things over. “Actually, you’re not starting from scratch with Telekinesis. Remember when I had you practice drawing with Telekinesis? In theory, it’s the same as what Drowzee suggested. By the way—have you been using Telekinesis to draw lately?”