Chapter Eighty-Two: Which Is More Important, Me or Money?

Tang Yi once again took out the skill book, flipping through it briefly. In fact, he had already read it several times before; some key points were marked and underlined in red. But unlike with Teleport, Barrier Doll's Hypnosis couldn't be demonstrated directly for its actual effect—he could only practice the motions in the air repeatedly.

The skill book described Hypnosis as using psychic power to induce a suggestion of sleepiness in the enemy’s mind, thereby lulling them into slumber. The crucial aspect lay in guiding the mental waves that lead the opponent to sleep. Compared to Teleport, it was actually a bit easier; with Ralts' current level of psychic power, she only needed to direct it correctly.

Just as before, Tang Yi had Barrier Doll slow down each step as if in slow motion, breaking down the process, then compared each part to the skill book and analyzed it together with Ralts.

Li Rongjie watched idly from the side. “Hypnosis may be easier than Teleport in theory, but in actual battle, it’s much harder to pull off.”

She had wanted to add that it was impossible to learn it so quickly, but having been proven wrong earlier, her tone was much softer this time.

Twenty minutes later, after thoroughly analyzing every step, Ralts began her official attempt.

Her gaze focused slightly, and an invisible wave of psychic energy spread out rapidly—but nothing happened. Since she was casting into the air, there was no way to know if Hypnosis had worked or not.

Tang Yi rubbed his hands, glancing at Li Rongjie with some embarrassment.

Li Rongjie understood immediately. She’d been bored watching for a while and said, “Let her use Hypnosis on Barrier Doll. It’s fine.” After all, it wasn’t an offensive move.

Trying again, this time with the difficulty set low, Barrier Doll stood still as a sparring partner, making no attempt to dodge.

Hypnosis!

The psychic wave spread out once more. A few seconds later, Barrier Doll’s expression grew dazed, and she soon slumped to the ground, fast asleep.

Success!

Tang Yi let out a long breath. It seemed Butterfree was right; as long as you mastered basic control of psychic power, these two fundamental skills really were simple.

Li Rongjie took out a Wake-Up Spray and gave Barrier Doll a couple of spritzes. The girl stretched and woke up promptly.

“All right, this time I’ll ask you both to try a bit of dodging,” Tang Yi decided, gradually increasing the difficulty.

Li Rongjie considered and added, “Should we also add some mental resistance?”

“That’s fine too.”

This sparring session was turning out much easier than she’d expected, and Li Rongjie felt she ought to do more to earn her share.

She discussed it briefly with Barrier Doll, then they began again.

Barrier Doll started running around the training field at random. As expected, Hypnosis’s accuracy dropped sharply. The range of the hypnotic wave wasn’t large; against a moving target, landing the skill was highly unreliable. And even if it hit, if the opponent was strong-willed and mentally resisted sleep, it would be hard to take effect immediately.

Coach Li Yaowen had been right—learning a skill and mastering its use were two entirely different things.

Still, Tang Yi was content; it was better to discover these problems now than during next week’s tournament.

...

Afterward, Ralts alternated between using Teleport and Hypnosis. Since both were non-offensive moves, there was no worry about injury, and Barrier Doll handled the practice with ease.

Half an hour passed quickly.

Li Rongjie was still not satisfied. She urged Tang Yi to buy a few more hours and praised Ralts as the most gifted spirit girl she had ever coached.

It wasn’t entirely empty flattery: learning two techniques in two hours was unheard of. Of course, Butterfree’s special teaching method was also something few people had ever witnessed.

Tang Yi declined. It wasn’t out of concern for his wallet, but out of concern for Ralts’ mental stamina.

That was enough for today. Even though Ralts was now enthusiastic about training on her own, Tang Yi valued balance and wouldn’t let her overexert her psychic power.

Tang Yi didn’t fuss about the money, but Ralts did. “We spent too much today.”

Two hours of practice with a sparring partner had cost nearly eight or nine hundred yuan. Tang Yi had generously offered to cover the whole amount.

But Ralts wouldn’t allow it. The girl was principled: since the expense was for her, she insisted on paying half, which meant her little savings shrank even further.

On the way home, Ralts clenched her small fists and encouraged herself, “I have to do my best in next week’s tournament! If I take first place in the group, I’ll have lots and lots of money again!”

Tang Yi asked, “How much is the first prize? I don’t think they’ve announced it yet, right?”

“I checked. In previous years, it was at least twenty to thirty thousand. This year definitely won’t be less.” Ralts replied sharply, feeling it was outrageous that he didn’t care about something so important.

So she’d already looked it up. Tang Yi could only sigh—Ralts truly was growing more obsessed with money.

Her increasingly obvious little miser’s expression made Tang Yi finally ask something that had puzzled him for days, “Let me ask you: if you could only pick one, me or money, which would you choose?”

“How much money?”

“Uh, say a hundred thousand?”

“Wow, that much!” Ralts’ eyes lit up, but then she pouted, “Where would you get that much money? Are you hiding money from me?”

Impossible—she’d searched when Tang Yi wasn’t home during school.

“It’s just a hypothetical,” Tang Yi said, having no idea what odd notions were going through Ralts’ mind.

“Then of course I’d choose you.” Ralts didn’t hesitate much.

Tang Yi breathed a sigh of relief, but couldn’t help pressing further, “What if it was a million?”

“Another hypothetical?”

“Yeah.”

Ralts pursed her lips, looking a bit troubled. This guy is so annoying, making me choose this and that, as if picking money meant I’d really get it. Fine, I’ll humor you.

A reserved smile appeared at the corners of her mouth. “I suppose I’d still choose you.”

Thank goodness, Tang Yi thought, feeling genuinely happy with the answer. He smiled contentedly, “So I’m still more important than money, right?”

“Mm-hm.”

“How important?”

“Let me think…”

Tang Yi was surprised—did she really need to think about this?

He’d expected a standard answer, something like “You’re unique and irreplaceable.” Wasn’t that how these questions usually went?

“About this much,” Ralts said, afraid Tang Yi wouldn’t get the idea, spreading her thumb and index finger apart, adjusting the distance back and forth with great seriousness, finally settling on about ten centimeters.

Tang Yi’s face froze. Serves him right for asking—he just had to bring it up.

So, he was only more important than money by ten centimeters?

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