"This Sylveon is cute, but its eyes seem a little fierce..."
Valerie glanced down at her own trembling Sylveon, quietly noting:
"It's completely overwhelmed by its presence…"
"What's it saying?" Natsume asked curiously.
Valerie whispered, "It's telling me to stay away from you…"
Typical of my Sylveon. Natsume pressed on:
"So, don't you think my Sylveon is cute?"
The moment the words left his mouth, he mentally kicked himself.
Wrong question! I meant to ask about breeding methods!
"..." Valerie blinked, then nodded. "Y-Yes… very cute."
Natsume mimicked Valerie's gesture, pulling Sylveon into his arms and stroking its silky white fur.
"See? She called you cute."
"Sylveon~ o(′^｀)o" Sylveon defiantly wrapped its ribbon around Natsume's arm.
Valerie watched with a soft smile.
"You and Sylveon share a deep bond."
"Actually, I came to discuss Sylveon." Natsume's tone turned serious. "I wanted your advice on advanced Fairy-type breeding methods."
"And whether its current training regimen carries any risks…"
Even a Champion might lack expertise compared to a dedicated Fairy-type Gym Leader.
As his team grew stronger, Natsume had realized the potential health risks of unchecked training.
This consultation wasn't just about power—it was for Sylveon's well-being.
Yet, in a twisted way, his Pokémon sought strength for him…
Valerie studied Sylveon closely. "It excels in Attack-stat moves and has the Pixilate ability, correct?"
Natsume nodded.
"Close combat is part of its battle style," Valerie murmured. "From what I see, its breeding and training are flawless."
Natsume paused. "After mastering Moonblast, can it learn higher-tier Fairy moves?"
Valerie's doll-like face grew pensive.
"Legends say the new moon's power can amplify Moonblast."
"It requires a rare Lunar Feather…" She sighed. "But such an item is nearly impossible to—"
"You mean this?" Natsume dangled a crescent-shaped pendant.
Valerie: "..."
Her expression cycled from confusion to shock, then to barely concealed envy.
"That… is indeed a Lunar Feather," she admitted.
"And the training method?"
"It varies by individual and requires constant discovery," Valerie said, hiding a smile behind her sleeve, half-jokingly adding, "Or perhaps finding Cresselia—it could provide a purer form of Lunar Dance."
"Cresselia..." Natsume frowned slightly, lost in thought.
The legendary Pokémon of sweet dreams, though Psychic-type, possessed Lunar Dance—a move deeply connected to Fairy-types.
Rumors said Cresselia could foresee nightmares, its "Future Sight" ability making it rarely appear before humans with ill intentions.
"Guess I won't be seeing it, then."
Natsume thought to himself, "But at least I got some answers about Sylveon's condition. That's progress."
"If you're still concerned, you could leave Sylveon with me for a while," Valerie offered, extending her hands. "I can examine it more thoroughly."
"Sylveon! o(′^｀)o" Sylveon turned its head away, completely ignoring Valerie.
"That's alright. Thank you for your help," Natsume said with a smile. "I've gained valuable insight."
"Not at all~" Valerie watched as Natsume-sensei cradled Sylveon, her sleeve hiding a faint smile.
In Fairy-type breeding, emotional bonds were crucial.
And in Natsume-sensei and Sylveon, Valerie saw a deep, unshakable connection.
It was exactly what she had always sought—a Trainer and Pokémon understanding and trusting one another completely.
Like dreaming of a butterfly, while the butterfly dreamed of you.
Unconsciously, her usual practiced smile faded, replaced by a genuine, radiant one.
Natsume glanced at her. "You seem happy."
Valerie touched her cheek, her lips still curled. "Do I?"
"Before, your smile felt distant—like it was just for appearances."
Natsume eyed the large wings behind her. "But now... it's like you've finally set down a heavy burden."
Valerie fell silent for a long moment before sighing softly. "Because most of the time, I can't act as I please, Natsume-sensei."
"I want to open my own little shop, but I have all of Laverre Gym behind me."
"I have to keep hosting fashion shows, designing new styles, negotiating with clients... just to make them accept this foreign aesthetic. And to help those who crossed the sea with me survive."
"You mean the geishas who followed you from Ecruteak City to Kalos?" Natsume asked.
Valerie blinked, then looked at him in surprise. "You really do have 'Future Sight,' don't you, Natsume-sensei...?"
"Teaching for so long gives you a sense for people," Natsume said, his eyes bright. "Do you know Leon, the Champion of Galar?"
Valerie paused, then nodded slightly. "I've heard of him."
"That guy carries all of Galar on his back."
Natsume's voice grew distant. "For Galar's sake, he has to keep winning, over and over—protecting his title as 'the strongest Champion.'"
"But he isn't just a tool bearing the name 'Champion,'" Natsume continued. "Before that, he's Leon—the strongest Trainer."
Valerie stared at Natsume, stunned.
"Before carrying the fate of others, he's his own person, his own soul. No one is born just to bear a destiny—it's the destiny that forces them to grow stronger."
Natsume met her gaze. "And the weight on your shoulders isn't yours alone to carry. You have your companions. Your Pokémon."
"Just like Leon has all of Galar behind him, and his Charizard... you have those lovely girls and this adorable Sylveon."
He held Valerie's eyes.
"I'm not telling you to run from responsibility. But when it gets too heavy, there's always something to give you strength... even if it's the responsibility itself."
Valerie trembled slightly, her dark eyes reflecting the mentor before her.
Softly, she asked, "Then... what destiny made you so strong?"
For a split second, Natsume's expression darkened.
He almost wanted to show her the scars on his back—proof of all he'd endured.
After a long pause, Natsume touched the spot over his heart where his journal rested, his voice rough:
"Hatred. Hatred kept chasing me."
Valerie looked at this young mentor who seemed to have weathered countless storms.
Something inside her resonated, and she whispered gently,
"Then... you must have suffered greatly..."
"Gengar! ヾ(≧▽≦*)ヾ" Gengar, who had been floating nearby enjoying the show, suddenly burst into laughter.
Natsume coughed awkwardly, regaining his composure. "Anyway, thanks for the info. Sylveon and I should get going."
"Sylveon~!" Sylveon happily tugged Natsume's arm with its ribbon, ready to leave.
"W-Wait!"
Valerie called out in a fluster. "I... I brought you a gift!"
Natsume: "I told you not to bother."
"After what you said, how could I not understand your meaning?"
Valerie smiled faintly, sliding an exquisitely wrapped box toward him.
Natsume opened it—inside lay a beautifully designed, fashionable scarf. His eyes widened slightly.
"A Choice Scarf?"
~~~
Get early access to 90+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
patreon.com/PokemonStoryWeaver
~~~
Every 100 Power Stones = 2 extra chapter