Ethan genuinely couldn't bear to see his mother cry, even knowing his parents were putting on an act.
"Really?"
Linda looked up at Ethan.
"You said it! You can't go back on your word!!"
Brian coughed and said, "Getting a POKÉMON is enough. Women are a bit too early for you. Oh, and those little yellow books with BUDDHIST scripture covers—Dad's confiscated them too. That's a bit too early for your age. At this stage, you should get a Pokémon first and focus on your studies! Studies come first. I've taken all the Buddhist scriptures too. You can ask me for them when you get a Pokémon. If you want to take them, that's fine too. Dad knows someone at the breeding center who just got a new batch of Pokémon. Many of them have pretty good potential."
After saying that, the couple walked toward the living room.
Emily turned her head, stuck out her tongue at Ethan, and skipped into the living room.
Ethan sighed.
...
After dinner, Ethan went upstairs. I was planning to earn some Buddhist points today, but that plan fell through. Now I can only earn a little by reciting Buddhist scriptures.
Each time I read a new Buddhist scripture, I accumulate a few points of Buddhist merit. The amount is based on my understanding of the scripture.
Reciting one scripture a day accumulates one point of Buddhist merit, but this can only be done once a day.
Currently, I have 193 points of Buddhist merit.
Besides strengthening my character, I can also use Buddhist merit to buy items.
Because I don't have my own Pokémon, the Buddhist merit system isn't fully activated.
I slapped my hand hard. If I hadn't been so impulsive as to pat that Buddha statue's butt, maybe this system wouldn't exist, and I'd already be off dominating the battlefield with my Pokémon.
Never mind. I'm not thinking about it anymore. I'll just recite once and go to sleep. I have school tomorrow.
Reciting Buddhist scriptures actually has some benefits. I've become calmer, my sleep is better, and my memory has improved.
Ethan finished reciting the Buddhist scriptures and immediately went to sleep.
After Ethan fell asleep, a spherical mass of gas rose from his shadow.
If Ethan were awake, he would definitely recognize this Pokémon.
Gastly.
However, this Gastly's color was different from ordinary Gastly; its purplish-red body was enveloped in blue mist.
It was a Shiny Gastly.
"Gaa!"
Gastly appeared and circled Ethan once.
"Gaa! Gaa! Gaa! Gaaa~"
Gastly's calls were rhythmic.
It actually imitated Ethan, beginning to recite the Buddhist scriptures, as if it had completely memorized their contents.
After reciting the scriptures, Gastly closed its eyes. It was meditating, and it looked quite serious.
After doing this, Gastly circled Ethan once more and flew out the window.
A moment later, the five handwritten Buddhist scriptures that Ethan had just bought, which his father had hidden, floated leisurely through the window and landed on the table.
"Gastlyyyy!"
Having done all this, Gastly nodded in satisfaction and disappeared into Ethan's shadow.
...
The next morning.
Ethan stretched and immediately saw the five Buddhist scriptures on the table.
He froze. What was this?
Has his father come to his senses and decided to send him to a temple to become a monk? Or is he testing his willpower?
Well… since it's been delivered to his doorstep, why not take a look?
Isn't Buddhist virtue appealing? Damn it, I don't even have a Pokémon. What's so appealing about it?
After a brief moment of contemplation, Ethan turned and walked outside. If it was a trap set by his father, it would be a huge loss.
Don't doubt it. Dad is capable of anything. Ethan remembers it all: taking him and his sister to the amusement park and forgetting them, the hide-and-seek that felt like real survival, the jungle adventure… Luckily, Ethan is a time traveler.
Just as Ethan was confidently walking out, the books suddenly started moving without any wind, making a rustling sound.
This made Ethan stop in his tracks. Hmm… his Buddhist-like composure is quite attractive.
Just one look~
Ethan turned and walked toward the table.
From the shadows behind him, Gastly emerged, grinned, and then disappeared back into Ethan's shadow.
...
Just as Ethan was still engrossed in reading, the door suddenly opened.
"Brother! Mom's calling you down to eat. You'll be late if you don't go now!"
"You little brat! Don't you know how to knock before opening the door?"
Emily covered her mouth, then shrieked when she saw the Buddhist scriptures on Ethan's table.
"Mom!! Brother wants to become a monk again!!"
Ethan glanced at the door, then at the scriptures.
Hmm…
He turned back and continued reading. Since he'd already been caught, he had to earn this bit of Buddhist wisdom. Missing out would hurt too much.
Ethan settled into a Buddhist-like state.
"Gast~"
Gastly emerged from Ethan's shadow, watching him intently as he studied the scriptures.
Then, as if making a decision, it quietly floated beside Ethan, this time not hiding.
...
Tap tap tap. Hurried footsteps.
Thump. Ethan's door opened again.
His parents walked in nervously, then froze.
The morning sun shone on him, and a Pokémon floated silently beside him.
At this moment, Ethan was completely undisturbed. Just a few more pages, and he'd gain a little bit of Buddhist points.
In his parents' eyes, Ethan, bathed in early morning light, seemed to be surrounded by a faint Buddhist glow.
More importantly—what was going on with the Pokémon beside him?!
Ghost-type Pokémon hate sunlight. So why was it here?
And its expression was serene, completely lacking the ferocity one would expect.
Brian's first thought: Has my son purified it?
Second thought: Does this brat really want to become a monk?
Third thought: Is the family line doomed?
Brian's expression turned sorrowful.
Ethan, however, was completely absorbed in the scriptures.
Buddha-nature points weren't easy to earn. Understanding mattered more than speed.
Time seemed to stand still.
Only the sound of pages turning remained.
The scene was strange, yet inexplicably harmonious, carrying a sense of Zen.
Finally, the urge to continue the family line pushed the father to act.
He slowly stepped forward and drew several Poké Balls from his waist.
Gastly reacted instantly, floating in front of him and shaking its head.
Emily screamed.
"Ah!!!"
Ethan closed the book in satisfaction and suddenly stood up, turning around.
"How many times have I told you!! You little brat!! Knock before you come in! And you already did—what the hell?!"
...
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