–+–
Ogerpon was brimming with energy, far more proactive than she had ever been before.
As the map shifted to Infernal Pass, she didn’t wait for Sera to choose; she began hunting for opponents on her own.
Thanks to the training Sera had provided over the past few days, Ogerpon was taking down her foes with much greater ease.
While her leveling up played a part, the Effort Value bonuses provided by the Gible ball were equally vital.
Moreover, the notifications that popped up from time to time revealed the hidden thoughts brewing within Ogerpon.
[Under your gaze, Ogerpon is full of spirit!]
“Pon!”
Knowing Sera was watching, Ogerpon refused to lose.
Sera felt a deep sense of relief, yet it also brought a touch of annoyance.
Because Ogerpon had grown so attached, the system would incessantly send notifications if the simulator was left unattended for too long.
[You haven’t visited Ogerpon for half an hour.
She really misses you.]
[Ogerpon is calling out to you.]
Because of this, even while processing Blue Apricorns to craft Lure Balls, Sera had to keep the simulator right by her side so Ogerpon could devote her full focus to battle.
Sera had certainly put in her fair share of effort to help Ogerpon reach Level 15 as quickly as possible.
After a full day of training, Ogerpon leveled up once again.
At this rate, the three-stage “Oni of Oni Mountain” mission would be completed by the day after tomorrow at the latest, Sera calculated.
If she weren’t leaving for her journey tomorrow, she could have finished the mission early by grinding the game for a day.
But since she had already said goodbye to her master, she couldn’t exactly linger in Azalea Town.
Sera sighed, whispered a soft “goodnight” to Ogerpon, closed the simulator, and set aside the finished Lure Balls.
It was time for final preparations.
The Lure Balls requested as part of the mission reward needed to be handed over to Nurse Joy for inspection and safekeeping ahead of time.
Afterward, Sera needed to depart early for Goldenrod City to meet up with the Trainer who had accepted the contract.
Once she stepped onto the train, her official journey would truly begin.
Thinking of her upcoming plans, a flicker of tension stirred in her chest.
She couldn’t help but worry: if they encountered danger in the wild, would the hired Trainer actually be reliable?
Besides, if she really intended to become a Trainer, she should have started considering how to face potential crises a long time ago.
Wild Pokemon attacks, stumbling upon poachers, or running into some mindless organization members…
Scenes from the anime and games flashed through her mind.
System, boost my stats!
[You have consumed 9 Effort Values.
Your Psychic power has significantly increased.]
[You have sensed a mental barrier.]
Self-reliance is better than relying on others.
The Effort Values she had saved up were only valuable if she actually spent them.
With a total of ten points added to her Psychic ability, Sera could now clearly sense the strength of her telekinesis.
The girl looked up.
A suitcase resting on the floor in the distance shuddered, floated upward as her gaze locked onto it, and then set back down gently.
The case held her clothes and potions, but also a specialized tool kit for an artisan, raw materials, and the set of Apricorn balls given to her by Kurt—all told, it weighed several kilograms.
Sera was nowhere near the limit of her telekinetic output; moving things several times heavier would be a breeze.
This intensity was likely on par with the “Confusion” move used by Psychic-type Pokemon.
—But she couldn’t get cocky.
“Even at this level, it probably doesn’t count for much compared to a truly powerful Psychic,” she murmured to herself, issuing a silent warning.
In the Pokemon world, Psychics weren’t exactly rare.
Although she didn’t see much talk about it online, her impression was that even ordinary people could strengthen their psychic powers through meditation.
The system’s stat boosts only increased her base potential; currently, Sera’s only way to use her power was the crudest form of telekinesis, lacking anything near the finesse of someone like Sabrina.
Therefore, her priority in danger remained self-preservation.
Spending Effort Values was for defense—if she became arrogant and intentionally put herself in harm’s way, she would be putting the cart before the horse.
Sera calmed her mind, chuckling at herself.
The Electronic Pokemon Raising System was meant to enhance a Trainer’s base stats, yet she kept dumping points into her Psychic ability.
At first, it was to help with Apricorn ball crafting, and now, it was for self-defense.
Looking at it objectively, she had clearly strayed far from the intended path. This chapter is updated first at g.com.
She could justify it by saying she had no actual Pokemon to practice with, but the fact remained: Sera had never seriously considered finding a real-life Pokemon partner.
Still, she felt the need to explain herself.
Ogerpon, within the simulator, satisfied every fantasy she had about Pokemon.
She was like a shut-in from her past life obsessed with 2D characters—even if someone suggested finding a real girlfriend, she’d argue that a 2D girl was clearly superior.
Sigh, 2D culture is a menace.
She blamed the system for her predicament.
Ogerpon was growing more dependent on her, and in return, Sera found herself falling more deeply for Ogerpon.
Watching Ogerpon grow step-by-step under her encouragement was rewarding, but the thought of having to find a new partner in reality made her want to shut down.
Why does it have to be an Electronic Pokemon Raising System?
Why couldn’t it just be a ‘Pokemon Raising System’ that drops an Ogerpon right into my hands?
If she really had an Ogerpon, she wouldn’t be neglecting her dream of becoming a Trainer just to play a game.
With a long sigh, Sera finally faced reality.
Her trip to the National Park for the coming week wasn’t just to enjoy the scenery; her primary goal was to see if she could find a Pokemon that caught her interest.
Though she felt deep down that no Pokemon could ever stir her heart the way Ogerpon did, she figured it was worth a shot.
With a complicated heart, the girl washed up and crawled into bed.
–+–
Kitakami, Mossui Town.
Carmine and Kieran, the siblings, had been feeling rather gloomy lately.
It wasn’t just because they were about to leave Kitakami to attend Blueberry Academy; the two of them, who usually spent their free time helping their grandparents, had recently been vanishing into thin air the moment they had a spare second.
Both siblings were still thinking of Ogerpon.
Since secretly tailing Carmine and seeing Ogerpon for herself, Kieran had also learned the true history of the mask.
Though Kieran, who had once worshipped the “Ogre,” was initially put off by its terrifying appearance and found it harder to muster sympathy like his sister, he agreed that they needed to do something for her.
And so, the two began to sneakily follow Ogerpon.
After two days of long-distance observation, they discovered a truth that left them completely stunned.
Ogerpon was incredibly vigilant; the moment there was the slightest movement, she would scout her surroundings.
Only when the sun passed its peak and the Ogre wore her mask to roam would she let her guard down just a little.
It was precisely then that Carmine realized Ogerpon possessed an astonishing level of vitality.