Chapter 126: The Highest Talent in History
At the Pokémon Hospital—the Pokémon Center of this era—stood the only "normal-sized" Pokémon in Azalea Town: Nurse Joy's Chansey.
"You've just caught a little cold," Joy said, gently scratching Sprigatito's chin. In just a few minutes, the little cat was purring contentedly in her arms.
The hospital was small, almost like a roadside clinic, staffed only by Joy and her Chansey. But though the sparrow is small, it has all its vital organs. Treating a simple cold was easy.
"Grovyle, you're next. Let me check your body. You aren't very old, are you?" Joy asked, putting Sprigatito in Chansey's arms and leading Ryu to the treatment room.
'Impressive,' Ryu thought. Even he couldn't tell that he was physically young, but Joy had seen it with a single glance.
"The sunlight hasn't been good these two days, which is unfavorable for a Pokémon who needs to use Photosynthesis to recover," Joy explained as she prepared an injection. "If you want to recover quickly, you'll need a shot."
"Meow!" Seeing the syringe, Sprigatito immediately jumped from Chansey's grasp and into Ryu's arms, trying to burrow deeper in fear.
"Be good and get the shot," Ryu said, pressing her onto the table. "It's your fault for not drying yourself properly yesterday."
"Meow (Oh, the heavens)," Sprigatito despaired.
Joy, however, was unfazed. She gently stroked the little cat's head with one hand while quickly and accurately administering the shot with the other. A moment later, Chansey used Heal Pulse, and the tiny needle mark disappeared.
"Meow?" Sprigatito was stunned. She hadn't even felt any pain. "Meow!" she chirped, strutting proudly in front of Ryu.
"What's there to be proud of?" he said, flicking her forehead.
"And you, Grovyle, come over here," Joy instructed, pulling him onto a machine. Various data points immediately appeared on a screen.
"They already have this kind of technology in this era?" Ryu wondered.
"Hmm, you..." Joy's hesitant voice made his heart skip a beat. 'Could it be that I have some illness?'
"You're... unusually healthy."
"Phew... You scared me," Ryu breathed a sigh of relief.
"Strange," Joy frowned, looking at the data. "The life activity in your body is more than five times higher than the standard. That means while other Grovyle might live for five hundred years, you could live for two thousand five hundred."
She got up and began examining him, pinching here and there. "Your bones are very tough. Your muscle density is higher. And these leaves... their vibrant color must make them more conducive to absorbing sunlight." She took out a small notebook and began recording her findings.
"Meowth!" Sprigatito hissed, angry at Joy for touching Ryu, but he silenced her with a look.
Joy recorded all the data, then pulled out a thick, personal Pokédex and began comparing. "No wonder the Joy family's status is so unshakable," Ryu thought. "Turns out every one of them is a Pokémon Professor."
"This is incredible!" Joy suddenly stood up in surprise. "Grovyle, your talent is the strongest among the Grovyle population in recorded history!" She walked up and touched his skin again, her eyes now sparkling as if she had discovered a rare treasure.
"That strong?" Ryu looked down at himself.
"Do you know about legendary Pokémon?" Joy asked. He nodded. "In our family records, there is data on a legendary Pokémon named Latias. Based on this comparison..." she paused, her eyes shining with excitement, "The future you, evolved into a Sceptile, has talent that could even surpass hers."
"Is that so? That's not bad," Ryu replied with a slight smile.
"Sceptile!" Joy suddenly grabbed his hands. "Are you willing to become a Pokémon of our Joy family? We will give you the world's top resources, customize the most perfect training plan for you, and make you the most dazzling Pokémon in this world!"
He could feel her sincere anticipation, but unfortunately, he had to refuse.
"Why?! With your physique, you could have a nearly infinite lifespan!"
"Lifespan? Forget it," he shook his head. "I'm not interested in living for thousands of years. It's enough to just live this one life wonderfully."
He had already fought for two lifetimes. In this life, he just wanted to rest, to be lazy, and to do the things he wanted to do. With his talent, he would eventually reach the pinnacle of this world anyway. There was no need to go through rigorous training again. Just thinking about it was tiring.
[Inorin Note:
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