"However, there's still one major obstacle when it comes to debuting at ten and traveling with Ash,"
the girl said, gently touching her smooth, fair chin, her brows knitting slightly.
"It's been bothering me quite a lot."
"Oh?" Lavina asked in surprise.
"What kind of problem could possibly trouble someone as intelligent as you, Miss?"
"As the future heir of the Joy Family, aside from needing to reach at least Intermediate level in both Pokémon Caretaker and Medical certification…"
"After officially debuting at ten, I'm also required by clan rules to work five full years at a Pokémon Center under assignment."
"This clan regulation means that once I debut, I simply won't be able to free myself to travel."
"I've been agonizing over this for quite some time now."
The girl sighed softly, clearly troubled.
"Then what do we do?!" Lavina exclaimed.
"If you can't travel, Miss, won't Ash just get snatched away by some other girl?"
"Lavina, aside from sneaking snacks in the kitchen, do you never pay attention to major news?"
The girl laughed helplessly.
"During Professor Oak's Pokémon Summer Camp, Ash already found a girlfriend."
"What?!"
"Ash already has a girlfriend? How is that possible?!"
"Other than you, Miss, how could there be any girl in the world worthy of Ash?"
"Lavina, your little mouth is getting sweeter and sweeter," the girl teased.
"Did you sneak some candied fruit this morning?"
"Ash's girlfriend is named Serena.
She was timid and shy at first, but under Ash's guidance, she gradually became confident and cheerful—a very cute girl."
"How cute could she be?" Lavina muttered.
"Could she really be cuter than you, Miss?"
"Whether she's cuter than me, I can't really say," the girl replied with a smile.
"But in my eyes, Lavina, you are the cutest."
"In the future, I'll definitely choose a husband who dotes on you and loves you dearly."
"Of course, the most important requirement is—he must know how to cook."
"After all, our Lavina is a greedy little foodie."
The girl laughed lightly.
"Ah!! Miss, you're teasing me again!" Lavina protested, her face turning red.
"Alright, alright."
"Where are Grandmother and Mother right now?" the girl asked, straightening up.
"I'm going to ask them whether there's any way for me—after debuting at ten—to avoid being assigned to a Pokémon Center, so I can go traveling instead."
"The clan head and the old clan head are in the flower hall," Lavina replied.
------
"…Setting up a free clinic on the Online Move Mastery Room?"
Hearing Professor Oak's call, Joy Rong's expression showed clear surprise.
"Yes…" she said after a brief pause.
"I'm very supportive of creating a medical clinic section on the online platform.
Anyone willing to devote themselves to medical care and contribute to Pokémon health—no matter who they are—will be welcomed by me and by the Joy Family."
"However, we currently know very little about Ash's healing-type psychic power."
"We don't yet understand which conditions his ability can effectively treat."
"So if possible, I hope Ash can cooperate with us and undergo a series of tests regarding the medical effects of his psychic abilities."
"Additionally, medical practice requires proper qualifications, since this involves Pokémon health and safety."
"My personal view is that if Ash truly intends to pursue this, he should undergo a period of training and study with the Joy Family."
"Of course, we're not asking him to master advanced medical expertise—just basic medical theory and simple injury treatment."
"This will prevent situations where, due to a lack of fundamental medical knowledge, he might accidentally delay treatment or worsen a Pokémon's condition."
"That would benefit both the Pokémon and Ash himself."
"After all, treating Pokémon carries risks, and basic training in medical care and nursing can greatly reduce those risks."
Joy Rong calmly explained her proposal and stance.
"No problem," Professor Oak replied after receiving Ash's consent, conveying his answer on Ash's behalf.
"Ash using psychic power to heal Pokémon—one could say he's naturally suited to become a Pokémon doctor."
"I'm also very curious about the full extent of his healing abilities."
"Next, I'll arrange for personnel to head to the Viridian City Pokémon Center.
Please have Ash go there when he's free and cooperate with the testing, so we can determine exactly which conditions his powers can treat."
"After that, when he opens the charity clinic on his online shop, he can accept only cases within the scope of his healing abilities."
"That will significantly reduce his personal risk."
"Once the testing is complete, Ash can receive medical training at the Viridian City Pokémon Center."
"After he passes, the Joy Family—on behalf of the League's Medical Authority—will issue him an official medical practice qualification."
"Since Ash will be treating Pokémon with psychic power and doing so free of charge, when the clinic officially launches, the Joy Family will also have Pokémon Centers under us help promote it."
Ash was already being hailed as the 'Light of Kanto' and the future Indigo League Champion.
Naturally, the Joy Family also hoped to build strong ties with such a civilian prodigy Trainer.
Now that Ash planned to open a clinic, the Joy Family was more than willing to open doors wide—standing behind him officially under the banner of the League's Medical Authority.
Of course, Ash didn't actually need the Joy Family's approval to open a clinic on his Move Mastery Room.
He was using psychic power to treat Pokémon for free—patients would only feel gratitude.
Just like certain barefoot doctors in the past life—credentialed or not, as long as they truly had skill, people would travel great distances and beg for treatment.
Ash's situation was much the same.
The reason he consulted the Joy Family was simply to minimize the risks he himself would bear.
After a brief discussion and finalizing matters regarding the clinic, both sides ended the call.
…
"Grandmother, Mother."
Not long after Joy Rong hung up, a porcelain-doll-like girl knocked on the door and called out.
"Clarissa, why are you here?"
"Didn't the Deacon family's girl invite you to a tea party today?" Joy Elena asked.
"I declined and didn't go," Clarissa replied, shaking her head.
"By the way, Mother," she added curiously, blinking her beautiful eyes.
"I think I heard Ash's name earlier. Who was Grandmother talking to just now?"
"It was Professor Oak from Pallet Town," Joy Rong replied while standing by the floor-to-ceiling window.
"He said Ash wants to open a clinic section on his Move Mastery Room."
"Opening a clinic?" Clarissa said thoughtfully.
"I remember Ash's Move Mastery Room business is extremely popular."
"Last time, I wanted to help my Happiny learn Heal Pulse in advance, but I've been stuck in the queue until now and still haven't managed to place an order."
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T/N:
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