Still…
the idea sounded good in theory.
But the moment Toki thought about Clorinde’s cold, taciturn, and unapproachable personality, he couldn’t help frowning.
Getting her to willingly want to stay by his side?
He might as well try winning over Neuvillette instead.
His chances might actually be better that way…
“Forget it.
For now, I should focus on making the partners I’ve already bound stronger while gradually increasing their Intimacy and earning more Prize Draws.” Toki shook his head and pushed the thought aside.
The rewards obtained from Prize Draws provided tangible increases to his combat strength.
That was far more reliable than trying to bind an extremely difficult target.
With that, he changed direction and headed toward the Infirmary.
He wanted to check on Sigewinne’s progress with her medical techniques, lend her a hand while he was there, and raise her Intimacy at the same time.
“Toki, you’re here?” Inside the Infirmary, Sigewinne was sitting at a table preparing medicinal herbs.
Hearing footsteps, she looked up and saw Toki.
She immediately put down the Pestle in her hand, waved in greeting, and gave him a gentle smile.
“Did you come to the Infirmary because you were injured somewhere?” She instinctively stood up, intending to examine Toki.
Then she suddenly remembered something and smiled sheepishly.
“Oh…
I forgot.
You can use Bolstering Bubblebalm to heal yourself, and it’s even more effective than mine.” “I’m not here to have an injury treated.
I’m here to help you.” Toki smiled in response, glancing at the several injured patients lying around the Infirmary.
“I also wanted to see how your medical techniques are progressing and whether you’ve figured out any new ways to use your ability.” “Sigh…” Sigewinne sighed softly.
A somewhat dejected expression appeared on her face as she shook her head.
“It’s still the same.
Using Bolstering Bubblebalm once consumes a huge amount of energy.” “After using it, I have to wait a very long time before I can use it again.
I haven’t made any progress at all.” “There’s no rush.
Take your time.” Toki waved his hand and comforted her in a gentle tone.
“It took me a lot of effort…
to reach my current level too.” “If there’s anything you need help with, just tell me.” “Do you really want to stay in the Infirmary?” “But if you help out here with me, you won’t receive any Credit Coupons as a reward.” Sigewinne hurriedly reminded him, a hint of concern in her eyes.
“Credit Coupons are very important in the Fortress of Meropide.” “Without them, life here can be difficult.” “Don’t worry.
I won several matches at the Pankration Ring recently, so I’ve already saved up enough Credit Coupons.
Taking a few days off is perfectly fine.” Toki smiled confidently.
Besides, with his current combat strength as an Elite-Level Vision Holder, he could simply compete in the Pankration Ring whenever he wanted.
He could earn as many Credit Coupons as he needed, so there was nothing to worry about!
Seeing that he had already made up his mind, Sigewinne stopped trying to persuade him.
She nodded and began tending to the patients and preparing medicinal herbs together with Toki.
Toki worked quickly and efficiently, helping change dressings and clean wounds.
Occasionally, he would even use Bolstering Bubblebalm to relieve the suffering of severely injured patients.
His efficiency was extremely high.
After spending only a single afternoon helping Sigewinne care for patients in the Infirmary, the system’s notification sounded inside Toki’s mind once again.
[Ding!
Your partner “Sigewinne” has reached 10 Intimacy Points with you!] [You have obtained one Black Iron-rank Prize Draw!] Toki was delighted.
Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately chose to use the Prize Draw.
The next second, the familiar prize wheel appeared once again, and a dark iron-colored prize ball rolled out from within it.
Toki opened it— and inside was a small red-and-white ball with a black button in the center!
It was unmistakably a Poké Ball from the Pokémon world!
Toki stared at the Poké Ball, completely dumbfounded.
Seriously…
Was his dream of playing Pokémon in Teyvat actually about to become reality?
But after thinking about it again, the Fortress of Meropide was filled entirely with inmates and guards.
There weren’t any wild monsters around for him to capture.
At the moment, this Poké Ball was practically nothing more than a decoration.
Toki helplessly shook his head and stored the Poké Ball inside the system’s Storage Space, treating it as a collector’s item for the time being.
For the next two days, Toki went to the Infirmary every day to help Sigewinne.
The two cared for patients together and discussed healing techniques, getting along extremely well.
Sigewinne’s affection toward Toki also continued increasing, and her Intimacy steadily rose all the way to 19 points.
But once it reached 19, no matter how much Toki helped, her Intimacy stubbornly refused to cross the 20-point threshold.
Toki finally couldn’t stand it anymore and questioned the system inside his mind.
“System, why isn’t Sigewinne’s Intimacy increasing anymore?
Is this some kind of bug?!” The system answered slowly in the same emotionless voice as always.
[Host, your partner “Sigewinne’s” Intimacy progression has been obstructed.
A Special Event must be triggered before it can continue increasing.] Toki’s expression immediately darkened.
Suppressing the urge to complain, he continued questioning it.
“It’s gated behind a Special Event?
What, are you secretly connected to Summer Memories and Winter Memories or something?” “Why do I suddenly have to complete an event before I can progress any further?” “Do I need to wash dishes, do homework, or what exactly am I supposed to do to trigger the important event?” The system remained silent for several seconds before giving him a single cold response.
[The host must explore and discover this independently.] Toki: “…” (End of Chapter)