Chapter 69: The Bitter Pill

While Director Bao Ba and Xiu discussed solutions in the study, Abra and Alakazam were engaged elsewhere in the house, in a dedicated quiet space, undergoing intense psychic training. Several hours later, just as Bao Ba was outlining the final details of the medicine, two shimmering forms materialized silently in the corner of the workshop – Abra and Alakazam, returned via Teleport.

"Training complete for today," Alakazam communicated telepathically to Bao Ba, offering a curt nod towards Abra.

Xiu immediately went over to Abra, taking out some prepared high-energy recovery snacks. "Good work," he murmured, offering the food while simultaneously establishing their telepathic link to get a sense of the session.

He didn't know the exact content of Alakazam's tutelage, but the change in Abra was palpable. The faint, erratic aura that usually surrounded it seemed… calmer. More stable. Its entire presence felt more focused and restrained. The constant, low-level psychic 'static' he'd subconsciously grown used to feeling around Abra was significantly diminished.

Bao Ba exchanged a few final telepathic words with his Alakazam, then nodded in satisfaction. Alakazam gave another brief nod before vanishing again with a silent Teleport, presumably returning to its own Poké Ball or resting place. Bao Ba turned back to Xiu.

"Alakazam told me some good news," he confirmed. "Abra's condition has stabilized considerably. The mental exercises, the meditation techniques… they're helping it establish a degree of conscious control over the energy leakage. It's not a permanent fix, but…"

Xiu nodded, feeling a wave of relief wash over him as he looked at Abra, who seemed tired but calm. "It's a start."

"Indeed," Bao Ba agreed. "But," he added seriously, meeting Xiu's gaze, "Alakazam also stressed that this stability is fragile. While the ambient leakage is reduced, extreme stress, intense emotion, or pushing its psychic powers too hard could still trigger uncontrolled discharges. Even with the medication and the custom Poké Ball's shielding, long-term, close-proximity contact still carries risks. Don't become complacent."

"I understand, Director," Xiu affirmed, taking the warning seriously. He looked towards the door, a thoughtful expression on his face. "I plan to head towards Pallet Town soon, to seek out Professor Oak, as you advised."

"So soon?" Bao Ba looked surprised. "You just passed your exam."

Xiu offered a wry smile. "Like you said, Director. Even with the impact minimized, it's still there. The longer I remain here…" He didn't need to finish the sentence. The unspoken risk to Yuto and Shirley hung in the air.

Bao Ba understood immediately. He nodded slowly. "Yes… you're right." He paused, then seemed to reach a decision. "Alright. But give me a few more days. Let the medication fully take effect, ensure Abra's stability holds under normal conditions. In the meantime," his expression shifted, becoming calculating again, "I need you to handle something for me."

Xiu waited, knowing this was likely connected to the earlier conversation about Yuto.

"Help me take care of Shirley and Yuto for these next few days," Bao Ba stated simply. "Keep them occupied. Distracted." He paused, a grim look entering his eyes. "I need to deal with the… fallout from that Breeding House incident. Ensure the situation is fully… contained."

Xiu instantly understood the implication. Bao Ba is going to handle the criminal element, likely using means that weren't entirely above board, and he needed Yuto kept out of the way, unaware. "Director," Xiu said carefully, "with Yuto's character… after what happened… he's likely feeling guilty, wanting to make amends. He might try to contact the authorities himself, or even revisit that shop…"

"Precisely why I need you here," Bao Ba interrupted, a hint of frustration in his voice. "Why else do you think I insisted you stay?"

Realization dawned on Xiu. He wasn't just staying for Abra's observation; he was being used, positioned by Bao Ba to manage Yuto. He felt a flicker of annoyance at the manipulation but quickly suppressed it. "What exactly does the Director need me to do?"

"Get ahead of Yuto's guilt," Bao Ba instructed. "Create a diversion. Remember your plan for Chanel? Implement it. Now. Give Yuto something else to focus on, something constructive. Channel his protective instincts towards Shirley, make him invested in her success. It'll keep him busy, keep him away from the Breeding House situation while I handle it."

"But Director," Xiu hesitated, looking genuinely concerned this time. "The timeline… Shirley and Vulpix just started training. They're nowhere near ready to actually challenge Chanel, let alone win. Pushing for a confrontation now…"

Bao Ba calmly reached into a locked cabinet behind his desk, retrieving a small, sealed vial containing a shimmering orange liquid. He handed it to Xiu.

"This," Bao Ba explained, his voice low, "is a potent, short-acting performance enhancer. A stimulant derived from rare berries. Let Vulpix ingest this right before the battle. For approximately thirty minutes, its Fire-type abilities will be significantly boosted – increased power, faster energy regeneration. Enough," he added significantly, "to potentially overwhelm an unprepared opponent like Chanel's Eevee."

He met Xiu's eyes. "There are drawbacks, of course. After the effect wears off, Vulpix will experience a period of extreme weakness and fatigue. The battle must be won quickly within that half-hour window. And," he stressed, "Shirley must not know about this. Let her believe the victory comes solely from her training, her bond with Vulpix. It's crucial for her confidence."

Xiu stared at the vial, the orange liquid seeming to pulse faintly. 'An artificial power-up. A cheat.' He felt a surge of ethical conflict, but pushed it down. This served multiple purposes – helping Shirley, distracting Yuto, fulfilling Bao Ba's objective. After a few seconds of internal debate, he took the vial, his face settling into a solemn mask. "Understood, Director."

— — —

Later, back in the guest room, Xiu sat on the chair, staring blankly ahead, the small vial held loosely in his hand, its weight feeling disproportionately heavy. He rubbed his thumb over the cool glass, lost in thought.

However, a sudden noise at the door lock made him startled. The door opened, and Shirley burst in without knocking, holding one of the thick Breeder textbooks, and a frustrated expression on her face.

"Xiu! Help me! I don't understand this section at all!"

The sound of her voice, her mundane problem, snapped Xiu back to the present. With a flick of his wrist practiced through years of sleight-of-hand learned for online magic tricks in his past life, the vial disappeared seamlessly into his pocket. He turned towards Shirley, forcing a patient expression onto his face.

"Honestly, Shirley," he sighed, feigning mild exasperation. "Don't you ever knock?"

"The door was unlocked," she retorted dismissively, already shoving the book in front of him, pointing at a complex diagram. "Look! this diagram doesn't make sense!"

"Okay, okay," Xiu sighed again, accepting the book. He glanced briefly at the page, then began explaining the concept, falling back into the role of tutor. "You have to consider... see this variable here…"

— — —

The next afternoon, in the backyard training area.

"Faster! Move! Anticipate!" Xiu's voice was sharp, urgent, pushing Vulpix relentlessly. He held the simple slingshot, launching pebbles with practiced accuracy.

Unlike the soft bouncy ball used initially, these small stones carried a distinct sting upon impact. Vulpix yelped occasionally as a pebble grazed its flank or skipped off the ground near its paws, but the intensive training over the past few days had yielded results.

Vulpix's movements were faster, more fluid, its dodges more instinctive. It weaved through the barrage of pebbles, occasionally stumbling, sometimes getting lightly hit, but always recovering quickly, learning to react to the sound of the slingshot being drawn back, not just the visible projectile.

The backyard lawn, however, was suffering. Patches of turf were torn up from Vulpix's frantic scrambling, and several small scorch marks dotted the grass from errant Embers released under stress.

Xiu fired the last practice pebble. Vulpix, sprinting in a straight line, seemed to sense its trajectory without looking, juking sharply to the side just as the pebble zipped past where it had been moments before, embedding itself in the soft earth with a dull thud.

"Alright! Time to rest!" Xiu finally called out, lowering the slingshot.

Vulpix immediately slowed, panting heavily, but its eyes remained alert, darting nervously back and forth, clearly still on edge from the high-intensity drill.

Shirley, who had been watching anxiously from the sidelines, rushed forward, scooping up the trembling Vulpix, glaring accusingly at Xiu. "You're too cruel!" she complained. "What if you'd actually hit her badly?"

"Progress requires pressure, Shirley," Xiu replied calmly, wiping sweat from his own brow. The drills were demanding for him too, requiring constant focus and accuracy. "If you coddle Vulpix, if you go easy… it will never catch up to someone like Chanel, who started training earlier and undoubtedly pushes Eevee much harder. Reality isn't gentle."

He turned and walked towards the house, calling back over his shoulder, "Handle Vulpix's cool-down and recovery meal properly this time. I need to take it out later for some… specialized training."

"Take Vulpix out again?" Shirley asked, her expression immediately turning suspicious. "Without me?"

"Hmm~" Xiu offered a noncommittal hum, grabbing a water bottle from the patio table and taking a long drink.

Shirley walked over, still holding Vulpix protectively. "Why can't I go? I'm Vulpix's Trainer!"

"Because," Xiu replied coolly, his expression unreadable, "this part of the training is… a secret. You'll understand when the time comes." He let a faint, mysterious smile touch his lips, deliberately swaying the water bottle slightly.

"I'm coming too!" Shirley insisted stubbornly, planting her feet, fixing him with a determined stare.

Xiu's expression instantly turned cold again. "And your other assignment?" he asked sharply. "The textbook chapters I told you to review? The breeder notes you were supposed to summarize? Have you completed those?" His sudden shift in tone, the implied pressure, made Shirley flinch.

"Do I have to?" she asked weakly.

"If you don't," Xiu stated flatly, "then consider our arrangement void. You can figure out how to beat Chanel on your own."

The ultimatum worked. Shirley fell silent again, clearly silenced by the threat.

"Time waits for no one, Shirley," Xiu said, setting down his water bottle. He looked directly at Vulpix, still held in Shirley's arms. "Vulpix. Let's go."

He turned and walked towards the backyard gate without looking back.

Vulpix, though clearly tired, seemed to understand the command. It struggled slightly, jumped out of Shirley's surprised grasp, and trotted obediently after Xiu.

Shirley stared after them, utterly bewildered. "What is wrong with you two?" she muttered to herself, watching them leave. "One minute he's listless and complaining, the next he's acting all mysterious and secretive…" She sighed, feeling completely out of the loop, but turned back towards the house, heading inside to reluctantly tackle her assigned homework.