Chapter Ninety-Three: Adu's Extraordinary Journey

After retrieving the Dratini with the Poké Ball, Du stood silent for a moment before speaking.

“Your technique is a bit unreasonable.”

Zhu Suihan, holding the little Milcery as it hopped back, cupped the elastic creature in her hands, gently kneading its soft belly and showering it with praise.

A victory calls for celebration; any shortcomings can be discussed later behind closed doors.

Well done, little Milcery!

“Milk!”

Hearing Du’s question, Zhu Suihan seemed genuinely puzzled.

“What’s unreasonable about it? I only used Milcery’s basic moves.”

“It’s not about whether the move is legitimate. Whose Tackle is a ranged attack imbued with Fairy energy?” Du was perplexed. “Even a Sylveon with the Pixilate ability has to make physical contact to deal Fairy-type damage.”

Pixilate—a hidden ability of Sylveon—turns Normal-type moves into Fairy-type and increases their power.

“Oh, you mean that.” Zhu Suihan placed Milcery on her head. “Let me ask you something basic: what’s the definition of Tackle?”

Du replied, “You strike your opponent with your whole body. Some Pokémon with horns or beaks can use the momentum to deal more damage.”

Zhu Suihan asked, “And what is Milcery’s body made of?”

Du was momentarily speechless, only answering after a long pause. “Cream.”

Zhu Suihan pressed further, “Milcery is a Fairy-type, so isn’t it reasonable that her body naturally contains Fairy energy?”

“All this proves is that my Milcery is excellent at developing her own abilities, forging a unique style by making optimal use of her strengths.” Zhu Suihan smiled. “So, would you say that still counts as Tackle?”

Du was silent for a moment. “…Yes.”

This wasn’t sophistry. By the most basic definition, Milcery was using her body to strike the opponent, delivering the expected damage.

Zhu Suihan wasn’t wrong—Milcery’s development of her abilities could indeed be called a unique system.

No wonder she belonged to a trainer with such peculiar quirks.

Well-trained, Du quickly discarded the thought. There was no point complaining about being outmatched.

That “Allure” combo was impressive too; suppressive and charming effects together might well achieve more than usual.

In future battles, he’d have to be more cautious against opponents with such creative minds.

“Come on, let’s get your Dratini treated. Our academy may lack some things, but we have more than enough doctors,” Zhu Suihan said. “If you trust me, I can treat your Dratini as well.”

“I’d appreciate that.” Du took out the Poké Ball. “When you have time, perhaps we could have a proper battle—no holds barred.”

“Don’t get your hopes up; in a free-for-all, you wouldn’t be my match.” Zhu Suihan accepted the Poké Ball. “Though I don’t have many counters for speedy Pokémon like Dragonite, I’m absolutely confident I could handle you.”

“Ordinary Pokémon moves don’t work on me.”

Du: ?

“That’s your extraordinary power?”

“Sort of, but not exactly, since I don’t feel anything special.” Zhu Suihan shook her head. “I’ve spoken with a powerful psychic and can confirm I don’t possess supernatural abilities, but neither do I envy them.”

“Immunity to damage—just that alone is enviable.” Du sighed. “I possess two types of extraordinary power. The elders in my clan say that’s quite rare.”

How ordinary.

Zhu Suihan decided to be frank. “I can sense a power in you that enhances Dragon-type Pokémon, but I don’t know about the other one.”

“You can sense it?” Du was surprised. “Then your power must be more than just immunity. It might be some unprecedented ability you’ve yet to fully develop.”

Exactly—if only her strange aura would mature, she wouldn’t have needed all those century-old berries from your family.

No money!

Du didn’t know what the white-haired girl was thinking and explained his abilities straightforwardly.

“What you sensed is accurate. The other power is known in Kanto legends as the Viridian Aura.”

“I once trained in that forest, dealing with poachers and averting disasters before they could escalate.”

“In scientific terms, I established a deep connection with the Viridian Forest and was acknowledged by its consciousness.”

Forest consciousness as a scientific concept? Well, perhaps it makes sense.

If the Pokémon world had a Gaia consciousness, the three from Hoenn would be its spokespeople.

Zhu Suihan led Du to her still-leased laboratory, placing the Dratini on the examination table.

“Hmm, considerable depletion of elemental energy, some residual Fairy-type energy, plus a few external wounds—nothing serious.” Zhu Suihan tapped Dratini’s head with her fingertip.

“Be good, you’ll be fine in a moment. Once you’re healed, you’ll get a treat.”

“Niiru.”

Dratini shot her a glare, clearly still brooding over its defeat.

But as a patient, it obediently stretched out on the table.

“Lapras, Life Dew.”

“Wuu~”

Life Dew enveloped half of Dratini’s body. Zhu Suihan glanced at the scan results, then donned special sterile gloves lined with steel plates—material used in laboratories to remove impurities.

“Just what the doctor ordered.” Zhu Suihan said, “This might hurt a bit, but open your mouth when I tell you.”

The machine had already marked the locations of residual Fairy energy; such details were easy to memorize at a glance.

Starting from the tail, she massaged along Dratini’s muscles to expel the Fairy energy—a process akin to promoting circulation in traditional massage.

“Niiru!”

Midway through, Dratini cried out, making Du and Dragonite anxious.

But as the technique and pressure deepened, Dratini’s expression softened, relaxing with a comfortable shiver, its little tail swaying.

“Niiru~”

“Final step—now, open your mouth and breathe into this device when I say so.”

It resembled a breathalyzer, but functioned much like an energy extractor, differing only in capacity.

Du was astonished—not by Zhu Suihan’s massage skill, but by Dratini’s condition, which he could perceive clearly through his Dragon Mastery.

With massage and detoxification, Dratini’s state seemed activated; its foundational life force kept rising.

If tackling a five-badge gym challenge alone had been tough before, now Dratini could at least handle two opponents, and with some reserves, possibly more.

How did she do it? Was it the mysterious power she herself didn’t fully understand?

“Dratini, breathe.”

“Niiru!”

Dratini exhaled forcefully, sending a ball of pink light into the device, which Zhu Suihan then transferred to the energy processor nearby—excellent material for fertilizer.

“All done. Treatment complete,” Zhu Suihan said. “You should have some special energy cubes for Dratini; give him two.”

Du walked over silently, resting his hand on Dratini’s head, sensing the change.

This wasn’t some dark-age forbidden technique—rather, it was as if Dratini’s potential had been unlocked.

Like a diligent student who, after calming down in an exam, performed to their true ability, even surpassing themselves a bit.

The only drawback was that his supply of energy cubes wouldn’t last long.

He’d have to ask his clan elders if they’d brought any Dragonite-series cubes.

“Your ability is quite unique.”

Du didn’t say more. Since Zhu Suihan’s power had no precedent, he worried anything he said might influence her own understanding.

He himself hadn’t fully mastered his Dragon Mastery or Viridian Aura; giving advice without real expertise would only harm her.

“It’s all right. At least my affinity with Pokémon is high.” Zhu Suihan stroked Lapras’s head. “Now that we’re done, let’s go. I wonder if the dean’s finished negotiating.”

“They’ll probably be a while longer.”

Zhu Suihan nodded. “By the way, are you always this forthright? You revealed your whole extraordinary power system the first time we met.”

Du considered. “No, my elders told me it’s fine to talk about these things. In their eyes, even if I don’t tell you now, you’d find out eventually.”

“So your Dragon Clan elders have a lot of confidence in me.” Zhu Suihan offered friendly advice, “Still, you shouldn’t reveal your abilities so easily—they’re your trump cards in battle.”

“My trump cards have always been my Pokémon.” Dratini leapt onto Du’s shoulder. “My extraordinary powers exist to enhance them, not as ultimate weapons.”

“But you’re right; some in my clan think I’m too straightforward, that I should be more tactful.”

Too straightforward—like that one who, in a certain timeline, wanted to destroy humanity and restore natural order.

“Don’t worry, that can be learned.” Zhu Suihan patted Du’s shoulder. “I suggest you deal with more villains in the future. That way, you’ll pick up a talent for cunning naturally.”

Yes, that was true.

Du cast a subtle glance at Zhu Suihan, agreeing with her logic.

The more you interact with schemers, even if you don’t master their tricks, you’ll at least learn vigilance and avoid disaster in critical moments.

For instance, when facing this scientist whose battle methods defied all convention.