Chapter 131: Obtained with Ease
The fluctuations of psychic energy and the power of Viridian were remarkably similar; at their core, they were born from the same font of mystic energy. It was this similarity that allowed them to sense one another.
After his brief display of power, Naru removed the baseball cap, a shy smile touching his lips.
"Forgive the theatrics," he said. "We Psychics aren't exactly popular in this city. Most of these mundanes have minds as thick as their muscles."
Giovanni gave a dismissive wave of his hand. To solidify Naru's trust, he adopted a look of shared hardship. "It is the same everywhere. The mundane fear what they can't comprehend. I learned long ago never to reveal my abilities, lest I be cast out."
Naru was momentarily stunned, then his expression softened with empathy. He reached out and patted Giovanni's shoulder. "You've had it rough, then."
Giovanni's brow furrowed for a fraction of a second at the unwelcome familiarity before smoothing over. "It is fine. I am used to it."
Naru's smile returned, and he gestured for Giovanni to follow him deeper into the building. "Come. Welcome to my Psychic headquarters."
Though he called it a headquarters, the dilapidated space was clearly occupied by him alone. He was the only Psychic here. This was why he had been so overjoyed to find Giovanni, why he had gone out of his way to intervene.
Sensing Giovanni's unspoken observation, Naru hastily explained, "I know it's just me for now, but this place will one day be filled with our kind. I'm going to build an organization that belongs to us—to Psychics."
Giovanni offered no discouragement. Instead, he fanned the flames. "That is a worthy dream. I believe you can do it."
"Really?" Naru's spirits soared, as if Giovanni's simple words had bestowed upon him some immense validation.
Giovanni nodded, then gestured to a worn-out sofa.
Naru snapped back to reality. "Forgive me, I'm getting ahead of myself. Please, sit. Can I get you something to drink?"
Giovanni sat without ceremony. "No, thank you."
Naru sat beside him, his energy still buzzing. "Don't be so formal. We are kin, you and I— a family. Oh, I never asked your name."
"Giovanni," he replied coolly. "From Viridian City."
Naru's eyes flicked to the Poké Balls on Giovanni's belt. "So you're a Trainer, then? What kind of Psychic Pokémon do you have?"
Giovanni shook his head. "You understand the difficulty. Only a Psychic can reliably capture a Psychic-type. I have never dared to risk the exposure."
The explanation was logical. Naru's faint, lingering suspicions evaporated. "Of course. That was inconsiderate of me to ask."
Giovanni rested a hand on one of his Poké Balls. "However, I do have a Persian. It has learned to utilize a few psychic techniques."
"An excellent method of concealment," Naru said enthusiastically. "Brilliant. The mundanes would never suspect the truth."
Giovanni glanced around the sparse, decaying room. "Are you here alone? Where are your parents?"
A shadow passed over Naru's face, but his composure remained firm. He had clearly made peace with his past. "You know how it is. They aren't easily accepted, these gifts of ours. After my abilities manifested, my parents began to treat me like a monster… You can guess the rest."
He looked up, his expression hardening with resolve. "If I have children one day, they will undoubtedly be Psychics. I will protect them. I will foster their power." He looked at Giovanni expectantly. "What about you?"
Giovanni shook his head, his voice devoid of emotion. "I am different. I have been an orphan for as long as I can remember."
Naru, assuming Giovanni's story was one of abandonment like his own, clapped him on the shoulder again. "We are cut from the same cloth, you and I."
"There is too much prejudice in this world," Giovanni said, his gaze distant as he stared up at the cracked and water-stained ceiling.
"You speak the truth," Naru agreed fervently. "So, what are your plans? For the future?"
Giovanni met his gaze, his eyes glinting with carefully constructed sincerity. "If it were possible… I believe the first step is to acquire influence. Become a Gym Leader. Only then can one truly shape the world."
He paused, letting the idea sink in before adding the final hook. "Or better yet, a position of even greater authority. An Elite. A Champion."
"We think alike!" Naru almost shouted, his gaze toward Giovanni growing even more fervent.
Giovanni tapped his fingers on his knee, feigning a sudden, interesting thought. "And if we could gather more of our kind… establish an academy to train those whose powers have not yet developed… That would be a true sanctuary— a place for all our kin to gather."
The words struck Naru like a thunderbolt. He began to mutter, "Academy… an academy for Psychics!"
Seeing that the boy was completely engrossed, Giovanni delivered the final, subtle push. "It is merely an idea. Do not take it too seriously."
Naru waved his hand dismissively, his eyes now shining with absolute trust. "No, no! The idea is perfect. I was thinking too small." He looked at Giovanni with reverence. "Your vision… it will be the salvation of our kind."
Giovanni stroked his chin, his eyes narrowing slightly. "However, to build an academy, one needs a curriculum— a foundation of knowledge."
Naru slapped his own forehead. "Of course! I've been keeping notes on my own training, my discoveries. They could be the start! Wait here!"
He leaped up and ran into another room, rummaging frantically. He returned moments later with a worn notebook, which he handed to Giovanni without a hint of hesitation.
"Here. You can look it over. See if there is anything that needs to be added."
Giovanni took the notebook, his expression unreadable. He hadn't expected to get what he wanted so easily; it was almost too smooth.
Urged on by Naru, Giovanni began to flip through the pages. The later sections on specialized techniques were of minor interest; he only skimmed them for inspiration. His true focus was on the foundational principles, the methods for enhancing one's raw, inherent psychic energy. Though Naru was an outcast, he had spent far longer exploring his abilities than Giovanni had.
He would have insights— and there it was.
A passage describing a state of meditative focus: Empty the mind, feel the energy of the world gather, and guide its flow into the body to increase one's own internal reservoir.
Giovanni felt a flash of recognition. This is Calm Mind.
"Calm Mind?" Naru's eyes lit up, having heard Giovanni's soft murmur. "What is that? How does it work? Can we try it?"
Giovanni glanced at him, a predator sealing a deal. He had what he wanted, and a small offering in return would cement this new, valuable alliance.
It would be a mutually beneficial cooperation