Chapter 58: The Healer

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The roulette wheel was divided into numerous sections of varying sizes, each marked with different colors...

Under Caleb's tense and expectant gaze, the pointer gradually slowed down before finally landing on a deep forest-green section.

Suddenly, the roulette erupted in a dazzling golden light, accompanied by a shower of virtual ribbons and colorful fireworks exploding above it.

*Ding!*

[Congratulations! You have obtained the SSR item, !]

With the draw officially concluded, the roulette and celebratory fireworks vanished into thin air as if nothing had happened, leaving only the pale blue Inventory interface behind.

"That's it?" Caleb turned to Dragonite, who blinked back at him with an innocent expression.

While mentally sifting through his Inventory to locate his reward, he absentmindedly squeezed Dragonite's plump paw.

The moment he made contact, something miraculous happened...

A thought that clearly wasn't his own surfaced in his mind:

>...What's wrong?..<

It was Dragonite's inner voice. Caleb realized it almost instantly.

Raising an eyebrow in fascination, he began experimenting with this newfound ability.

- Viridian Power: A mystical force that allows the user to read a Pokémon's thoughts and heal their injuries...

A special ability worth 500 000 points!

'Dragonite, you absolute legend!' Caleb Screamed internally.

Though thrilled, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of self-deprecation... had he drawn the prize himself, he probably would have ended up with something like a standard Poké Ball or a Rare Candy...

Noticing his trainer manhandling its paw like some kind of weirdo, Dragonite instinctively thought about pulling away.

This thought was instantly intercepted by Caleb.

To avoid being misunderstood by his own Pokémon, he quickly explained: "Don't move. I'm healing you!"

As he spoke, a faint emerald glow that brimmed with vitality enveloped his hand and seeped into Dragonite's body.

Dragonite immediately felt a warm energy spreading through its limbs, its battle wounds visibly healing at an astonishing rate...

The sensation was indescribably natural, as though this power had always been a part of him. All Caleb had to do was think, 'I want to help', and the mystical green energy would flow forth like a gentle spring.

This was the Viridian Power... a divine gift bestowed upon humans by nature itself!

Caleb felt like he could switch professions and become a full-time healer.

Watching Dragonite's injuries vanish one by one filled him with profound satisfaction.

Once Dragonite was fully restored, Caleb withdrew his hand and scooped up Mimikyu, who had been resting nearby.

Since the Instance had ended abruptly after their battle, he hadn't had the chance to visit a Pokémon Center to restore Mimikyu's stamina.

During its fight against Roxanne's Geodude, the opponent had been fully prepared, leaving Mimikyu on the defensive the entire time. That it had managed a one-for-one trade was nothing short of a miracle.

As he channeled the Viridian Power into Mimikyu, Caleb pondered its current battle strategy.

Pokémon battles were no longer the turn-based affairs of the 'Pokémon' games, where opponents politely took turns attacking.

This meant foes wouldn't just stand around waiting for Mimikyu to set up with Swords Dance...

Roxanne's Geodude, for instance, had immediately spammed Rollout, effectively neutralizing Mimikyu's Disguise ability from the get-go.

If the classic 'Disguise + Swords Dance + Play Rough' sweep wasn't viable…

Caleb's mind raced as he filtered through possible strategies.

Cross-referencing Mimikyu's compatible TMs, three words suddenly flashed in his mind: Substitute. Protect. Toxic...

Without move limitations, Pokémon could dynamically adjust their tactics mid-battle based on the opponent's actions.

If Disguise was nullified, Substitute and Protect could bolster Mimikyu's survivability, increasing its chances of successfully setting up Swords Dance...

Paired with Double Team, the opponent's attacks would struggle to land a decisive blow.

As for Toxic, it was the cherry on top... A perfect move for stalling out and frustrating the enemy.

"How do you feel now?"

Having roughly outlined this strategy in his head, Caleb returned to reality and looked down at Mimikyu.

Healing two Pokémon in quick succession had left him mentally drained.

He was exhausted and ready to collapse into bed at any moment. Yawning, he simultaneously received Mimikyu's thoughts:

>...It doesn't hurt anymore. Thank you!..<

"No need to thank me." Caleb said softly as he gently patted Mimikyu's head.

Mimikyu nuzzled his palm, radiating happiness.

After preparing a day's worth of food for Dragonite and Mimikyu, Caleb headed to the bathroom for a shower.

Then, he changed into fresh cozy pajamas before burrowing under his Eevee-patterned comforter and sank into a deep slumber...

....

Back in the "Bug Catcher" Instance world… Lorelei stood pale-faced in a corner of the church...

She couldn't fathom how the guy who had been battling with such fervor mere minutes ago had suddenly collapsed.

The doctor's diagnosis revealed it was cardiac arrest.

Lorelei clenched her fists, lowering her head as her lips pressed into a thin line.

Nearby, the handsome, resolute young man lay peacefully in a coffin while a black-robed priest recited scripture.

Lily buried her face in Uncle Morris' arms, her muffled sobs trembling with grief.

Morris sat stiffly in the pew, guilt and regret twisting inside him, 'If only I hadn't sent Caleb to the Pokémon Trainer Academy a month ago… Would this poor boy still be alive?'

Just then, Lance hurried in from outside.

He had been en route to the Tin Tower when news of Caleb's death reached him. Handing off his duties to Agatha and Bruno, he immediately diverted his flight to Hoenn...

"What the hell happened?" Lance demanded, his brow furrowed.

Lorelei glanced at the coffin before quietly stepping outside with Lance. She recounted her earlier conversation with Caleb and everything that had transpired.

Lance's frown deepened as he listened. After a long silence, he finally spoke, "What do you think?

Lorelei shook her head, biting her lip before answering hesitantly, "I don't even know how to explain this… Lance, Caleb enrolled in the Investigator Academy at age six, right?"

Lance recalled Caleb's file and nodded., "Yes. Why?"

"That's the problem." Lorelei's expression grew increasingly grave, "That little girl, Lily, said Caleb was her brother. When I asked her guardian, he claimed Caleb had lived in Oldale Town his entire life, never once leaving Hoenn in the past decade."

A chill ran down her spine as she continued, "So… who was the Caleb we knew back in Kanto? And is he the same person as this Caleb?"

"Maybe they were just twins," Lance mused, though his expression shifted from pensive to oddly calm, "Don't overthink it. Whoever he was, his contributions to Kanto were real."

Lorelei looked up.

Lance spread his hands and asked, "Did he ever harm us?"

She shook her head.

"Did he ever steal Pokémon or leak classified League intel?"

Another shake.

"Then what's the issue?" Lance sighed, "Honestly, someone like him… I doubt he'd die so easily."

Tapping his temple, he added, "Call it intuition, but I have a feeling we'll see him again someday."

At his level, Lance perceived things most couldn't...

This world had Celebi, a Pokémon capable of traversing time... the Viridian Power, which allowed communication with Pokémon... and countless other creatures with unfathomable abilities.

Was it really so strange for a human soul to navigate different timelines?