"Ah?"
Hayashi Kaede's expression twisted in confusion.
What the hell? He'd searched everywhere and couldn't find it—and now he's being told it's in his own plantation?
"Yes, yes, go see for yourself—it's picked all the ripe berries in the plantation!"
Hearing Rotom's somewhat anxious voice, Hayashi Kaede didn't even bother opening the door. He grabbed Pidgeotto's claws and said, "Let's go!"
"Pidgeotto!"
The Pidgeotto let out a sharp cry, its tone laced with anger.
Its trainer had assigned it to watch over the plantation's plants, and now it was hearing that everything had been picked?
Thinking of this, Pidgeotto's eyes burned with indignation. With several powerful flaps of its wings, it soared toward the plantation.
Even from more than ten meters up, Hayashi Kaede could tell something was wrong.
The plantation, once lush with vegetables and berries, was now bare except for green leaves and a few unripe fruits.
Near the reservoir, all kinds of harvested berries and vegetables floated in the air—suspended by psychic power. Above them hovered a blue-haired figure.
Sensing Pidgeotto's approach, the figure looked up. Blood-red eyes shifted between the airborne Pidgeotto and Hayashi Kaede.
There was no mistaking it—this was a Gardevoir.
In the reservoir, Milotic fired Water Cannons at Gardevoir, but each blast was stopped cold by an invisible barrier.
"Take us down," Kaede said.
Using the power of Aura to calm Pidgeotto, he directed it to descend.
"Pidgeotto!"
When they were just a few meters from the ground, Hayashi Kaede released Pidgeotto's talons and landed lightly in front of Gardevoir. His gaze swept over it with open curiosity.
Compared to an ordinary Gardevoir, this shiny Gardevoir had blue hair. The edges of her white gown and her hands were tinted the same shade. The triangular chest spike and her eyes glowed an ominous crimson, giving her a strangely deep, foreboding presence.
She hovered in the air, her psychic energy making her dress sway, her gaze cool and detached.
"Gardevoir?" (Are you the owner of this plantation?)
Hayashi Kaede nodded, activating [Eye of Exploration].
[Pokémon: Gardevoir]
[Gender: Female]
[Ability: Telepathy]
[Aptitude: Gold]
[Stats: HP (31), Atk (18), Def (25), SpA (31), SpD (31), Spd (31)]
[Level: 78–79]
[Moves: Hyper Voice, Telekinesis, Mystical Fire, Double Team, Misty Terrain, Disarming Voice, Psychic, Draining Kiss, Moonblast, Future Sight...]
[Description: A shiny Gardevoir. She was cursed by the Nightmare Pokémon Darkrai while still a Ralts. The curse turned her eyes crimson, filled with nightmare energy. Sleeping beside her will induce nightmares!]
[Intimacy: 0 (She feels nothing toward you)]
[Pleasure Value: 0 (What do you offer in exchange for these berries?)]
What the…?
When Rotom said Milotic was being restrained by a Gardevoir with no way to fight back, Kaede had imagined something powerful—but he hadn't expected this.
Level high enough to rival elite trainers. Four perfect stats. Gold aptitude.
And… cursed by Darkrai?
He was still taking that in when a clear, spring-like voice echoed directly in his mind.
"Gardevoir." (I want these berries. What do you want in return?)
"You mean… you want to trade for these berries and vegetables?" Kaede asked.
Gardevoir gave a single nod, saying nothing more.
"Taking without asking isn't a trade—"
Before he could finish, Gardevoir interrupted.
"Gardevoir…" (Look at your Milotic.)
Following her gaze, Kaede saw Milotic near the water's edge, eyes fixed on him, body trembling with restrained energy. She was clearly desperate to break free.
The power within her surged wildly, yet it was being drained at an alarming rate—only to be replenished by the Ocean Crystal buried in the reservoir, whose energy she absorbed instinctively.
As a result, her level was climbing rapidly.
34… 35… 36…
[Pokémon: Milotic]
[Gender: Female]
[Ability: Cute Charm]
[Aptitude: Gold]
[Level: 34–37]
[Moves: Water Gun, Water Pulse, Tackle, Disarming Voice, Aqua Ring, Twister, Dragon Tail, Recover, Ice Beam, Safeguard, Muddy Water, Hydro Pump...]
[Intimacy: 100 (She trusts you completely)]
[Pleasure Value: –20 (Unbreakable… why can't I break it?)]
Kaede rushed to the reservoir, clenched his fist, and slammed it into the water.
Crack!
Like glass shattering, the psychic barrier broke. Milotic darted to shore and pressed close to him, glaring warily at the hovering Gardevoir.
"It's alright," he reassured her, then looked back up at Gardevoir.
Her meaning was clear—she was offering to power up Milotic in exchange for the berries.
But for Kaede, this was a bad deal.
He had other, safer ways to strengthen his Pokémon—just the dozen or so medium-grade Rare Candies he'd acquired recently could easily raise Milotic to Gym-level, maybe even Champion-tier.
Forcing such rapid growth through emotional strain wasn't his way. It could even cause energy overflow, like what had once happened to the Lapras.
He wanted his Pokémon to grow happy and steady—not in fear or frenzy.
"You seem reasonable. Forcing my Pokémon to grow through emotional pressure isn't something I'll allow. And the Ocean Crystal in the water? I placed it there—it's nothing to do with you. Milotic will grow just fine without your interference."
He narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Besides… why take so many berries at once? Are you raising Ralts?"
These berries wouldn't be of much use to Gardevoir herself. If she only wanted food, she wouldn't need so many.
Kaede suspected she intended to bring them to other Pokémon.
"Gardevoir?"
She looked startled, crimson eyes widening briefly before narrowing again.
"Gardevoir…" (Then how do I trade these berries for them?)
Kaede's earlier show of strength had left a deep impression on her. Since being driven from her territory, she had never met a human like this.
"It's simple," Kaede said. "Work for me…"