Three or four days ago, Pooa’s older brother successfully evolved into Mightyena.

  While Natsume’s care and feeding pyed a big part, his own natural talent also tributed to the achievement.

  The newly evolved Mightyena was noticeably taller than his unreliable father, t over him like a true “wolf” rather than a mere “dog.” Wheood side by side, it was hard to tell who the real parent was.

  Since arriving at the farm, Mightyena had been especially lively, dutifully fulfilling his responsibilities while often wandering around various ers of the property. The red scarf tied around his neck was a gift from Natsume, who had personally put it on him.

  Good, well-behaved Pokémon always hold a special p people’s hearts, and Natsume was no exception. Although, truth be told, the ones who cry and make a fuss ofteo get more attention.

  “What’s the matter?”

  “Woof! Woof!”

  “Oh, I see.”

  After croug down and unig with Mightyena, Natsume uood the situation.

  A Gardevoir was waiting just outside the farm. She wao meet him and discuss moving her family onto the farm. Unsure how to hahis alone, Mightyena had e to report it to Natsume.

  For now, Gardevoir was being watched by Mightyena’s parents. As Dark-types, Mightyena and his family could ter Psychic-types like Gardevoir effectively. Psychic-type attacks would barely affect them.

  Although Gardevoir’s ability to use Teleport could prove tricky in a fight, at least they weren’t pletely powerless against her.

  Side note: In games, certain matchups are absolutely immune. For example, Ground-type moves deal zero damage to Flying-types, regardless of level differences.

  This means, theoretically, even if Groudon used Precipice Bdes on a Pidgey, the damage would be... zero.

  But iy, immunity isn’t absolute. It exists only wherength gap isn’t signifit.

  If the disparity is vast enough, even Lightning moves kill Ground-types. Immunity trao “minimal damage” rather than all.

  Otherwise, people could simply swarm Groudon with Pidgeys. After all, its Ground-type moves would be useless, and it ’t even fly.

  Of course, Groudon knows more than just Ground-type moves.

  ---

  “Garde...”

  Gardevoir, waiting quietly outside the farm, raised her head at some point.

  Her crimson eyes reflected Natsume’s approag figure.

  Just as her brother had described, this human radiated an inexplicable sense of warmth and fort.

  The closer he got, the strohis feeling grew—like lying in a sunlit meadow on a zy afternoon.

  Pure bliss.

  Except, perhaps, for those allergic to pollen. For them, this would be hell oh.

  “Hello, Gardevoir. My name is Natsume.”

  “Garde.”

  Hello, Natsume.

  Nodding slightly, Gardevoir initiated unication.

  Her psychidrils extended and linked with Natsume’s mind, allowing him to “hear” her voice clearly in his head.

  Her tone resembled that of a quiet, aloof girl who prefers solitude—distant even during rare moments of iion.

  “I’d like t my brother and sisters to live on the farm,” Gardevoir stated pinly. “Is there anything we o do? Battle? Or something else?”

  She got straight to the point. Gardevoir found human versational tactics baffling, so she avoided unnecessary pleasantries.

  Her brother, however, seemed oddly fortable with them. Gardevoir her uood nor wao uand.

  “Something to do, huh?” Natsume mused, tapping his . “I’d say helping out around the farm is the main thing.”

  “Since you’re Psychic-types, I might rely on you for security and occasionally managiain areas.”

  He had no objes to Gardevoir and Galde joining the farm.

  After all, no oransported to the Pokémon world resist the allure of Gardevoir. It’s like Yu-Gi-Oh! pyers during the GX era—they ’t resist using banned cards.

  Why n a touch of chaos to this otherwise orderly world?

  That said, Natsume wouldn’t tolerate freeloaders on his farm. If they joihey had to tribute in some way—nothing too strict, just a general uanding.

  If even this was uable, then Natsume wouldn’t accept them. After all, Pokémon were like children; excessive pampering would only spoil them.

  “Uood.”

  Gardevoir o her, these ditions were negligible.

  If Natsume had demanded nothing at all, she would’ve been suspicious.

  So far, her impression of him was excellent. Using her psychic abilities, she could sense no malice, greed, or other dark emotions from him.

  “ I take a tour of the farm?” she asked after some thought.

  Although she had observed it from afar, Gardevoir preferred to ihe pce openly and formally.

  “Of course!” Natsume replied, reizing her i.

  Turning to Mightyena’s parents, he patted their heads and handed each a few Pokéblocks before addressing Gardevoir:

  “Allow me to be yuide.”

  “Garde.”

  Thank you.

  Gcell