Celebi began explaining the truth of the matter to Oliver.
According to the rules of this world, the time had not yet come for legendary Pokémon—those commonly referred to as Divine Beasts and Mythical Pokémon—to truly descend.
When Celebi had arrived in this world alongside the Qinglin Secret Realm, it had no choice but to seal itself in order to avoid being detected and suppressed by the world's laws. It had to completely hide its aura and remain dormant.
As time passed, the moment defined by the world's rules was drawing closer and closer. Unable to resist its playful nature, Celebi had slightly loosened its self-seal to sneak out and have some fun—but it still couldn't leave the Secret Realm. If it did, the world's laws would immediately react against it.
Through their conversation, Oliver also learned the real reason why that Sceptile had remained inside its territory for so many years, attacking any human who trespassed.
It was because Celebi's sealed location was right there.
Long-term proximity to a Mythical Pokémon of Celebi's level could subtly enhance a Pokémon's potential. Sceptile didn't know it was Celebi—it only believed there was an unimaginably precious treasure nearby, so it guarded the place relentlessly.
When Celebi temporarily lifted its seal to go out and play, Sceptile returned to find its "treasure" gone.
Shocked and enraged, it assumed humans had stolen it.
That was why it left its territory to search—and eventually ran into Oliver, leading to the earlier battle.
As a Pokémon capable of traveling through time, Celebi also possessed a limited form of future foresight.
It had foreseen that another Secret Realm would soon descend—and within it, one of its own kind would be trapped in grave danger.
Celebi couldn't leave this realm, so it hoped Oliver could go in its stead and rescue that endangered Celebi.
Oliver blinked a few times and said honestly:
"Um… Celebi, I really do want to help your kin, but you've seen my strength. If something can put a being on your level in danger, what could I possibly do if I went?"
The moment Celebi appeared, Oliver had already checked its information using the system.
Pokémon: Celebi
Level: Champion – Late (gradually recovering)
Potential: Tier-3 Deity
Ability: Natural Cure
Moves: Dazzling Gleam, Grassy Terrain, Future Sight, Magical Leaf, Ancient Power, Leaf Storm, Perish Song…
In the original anime, Celebi had impressive presence but notoriously poor combat performance.
Yet here it possessed Champion–Late strength—and was still recovering. Once fully restored, it would likely reach Tier-3 Deity level.
Oliver was very self-aware.
His strongest Pokémon, Milotic, was only Advanced–Mid.
Was he supposed to rescue Celebi—or go die?
"Bi~ But in the future I saw, you succeeded," Celebi said, scratching its head in confusion.
"…So you already saw the future?" Oliver realized instantly.
"And that's why you came looking for me?"
Celebi must have seen him through the flow of time—but couldn't be sure whether he was trustworthy. That was why, after Oliver entered the Secret Realm, Celebi had likely been observing him from the shadows.
It wasn't until the choice he made when facing Sceptile that Celebi finally decided to reveal itself.
"Then in the future you saw," Oliver asked,
"how did I save your kin?"
"I don't know," Celebi replied righteously.
"…You don't know?"
"It's not time yet for Pokémon of our level to fully appear. Being able to glimpse you through the future is already my limit. As for the details… everything beyond that is shrouded in mist—even I can't see it clearly."
Seeing that Oliver was still hesitant, Celebi quickly added:
"To help you rescue my kin, I can use my life energy to raise Milotic's potential. And after you return successfully, I can upgrade the blessing on you as thanks."
"By then, you won't just be able to understand all Pokémon—you'll also be able to use that power to heal Pokémon."
Oliver was stunned.
Understanding all Pokémon and possessing healing abilities?
That was practically the Viridian Power from the Pokémon Adventures manga!
And raising potential…
Sceptile had spent ten entire years slowly improving its potential just by staying near Celebi's seal.
"Forest Guardian Celebi requests your aid. Choice triggered:
Option One:
Accept the request and help rescue its kin in the future.
Reward: Silver Wing ×1
Option Two:
Refuse the request. Celebi will leave in disappointment.
Reward: Standard Poké Ball ×1"
Oliver was speechless.
The system even triggered a choice.
At this point, refusing would be outright stupidity.
Although Oliver was laughing uncontrollably inside, on the surface he forced a serious expression.
"…Alright. Forget everything else—
I simply can't stand seeing such kind and adorable Celebi fall into danger."
Celebi didn't care whether Oliver was being sincere or not.
Seeing him agree, it happily flew around in circles in the air.
"Then let's start by upgrading Milotic's potential."
Countless green points of light emerged from Celebi's body—
the life energy of a Mythical Pokémon.
These lights slowly drifted toward Milotic, entering her body and beginning to strengthen her genes and life force.
"Na~s… Such a warm feeling!"
It was the first time Oliver had heard Milotic speak.
Her voice was elegant and gentle—yet carried a faint hint of tsundere pride.
After about fifteen minutes, Celebi finally stopped, drenched in sweat and panting.
"All done… Your Milotic now has Elite Four–level potential. When that Secret Realm descends, I'll come notify you."
With that, Celebi vanished.
It was clear that forcibly enhancing a Pokémon's potential wasn't easy.
This was completely different from Sceptile's slow, decade-long improvement through subtle influence.
Celebi had directly used its own life energy.
Fast.
No side effects.
Absolutely worth it.
When Oliver checked Milotic's status, he found that her potential had indeed risen to Elite Four level—and not just barely, but the very top tier within that category.
Oliver couldn't help but sigh in amazement.
"…Celebi really is a good person—
no, a good Pokémon."