Chapter 42: Who Is Really Buying These Statues?

After purchasing the Arceus sculpture, Dr. Li also ordered a Lava Worm sculpture, whose description claimed it could warm the surrounding area like a fireplace without fire—quite practical.

“There must be a heating mechanism inside the sculpture. But this effect closely resembles the Lava Worm’s natural trait—areas where Lava Worms gather become warmer, and in cold regions, some people keep Lava Worms in fireplaces to heat entire homes.”

“Still can’t ship directly? Have to route through Johto, then to Kanto, then to Sinnoh—the shipping cost is surprisingly high.”

Dr. Li pondered this while reviewing the descriptions of other sculptures.

The Lava Worm sculpture’s function is heating. The Charizard sculpture’s function is to make flames burn stronger.

The Scyther sculpture enhances slashing power. The Charmander sculpture makes the air searing hot.

The Dragonite sculpture prevents abnormal status conditions. The Skarmory sculpture can predict one event per day.

The Snorlax sculpture’s function is to calm external forces and soothe the mind. Calm external forces? What does that mean?

“Hmm, something feels off—could this shop’s products be fake? If they don’t work, I’m filing a complaint against Professor Oak for directing me to this weird shop. If I get scammed, it’s all his fault!”

“That’s 200,000 credits!”

“And Gengar and Kadabra—why was Kadabra taken off the shelf?! This item is no longer available. Out of stock?”

Sinnoh Region, Battle Castle.

A young butler, dressed in a standard tailcoat with purple trousers and a peculiar slicked-back hairstyle, stared at the screen of his Poké Device.

“An ancient-looking statue—the Snorlax sculpture can slightly soothe the mind.”

“Hmm, could the sculptor be a psychic?”

He was the castle butler of the Battle Castle, one of the Battle Frontier facilities, named Sekiran. His master—the true owner of the Battle Castle—was a girl named Jaderya.

The girl possessed immense psychic power; she should have been the true Frontier Brain. But whenever Jaderya became emotionally agitated, her psychic power would instantly spiral out of control, forcing her to be barred from battle.

Yet the girl gradually recognized her immaturity and resolved to change. After a period of rigorous training and hardship, she was about to embark on a journey to the distant Unova region, where she would surely achieve something extraordinary.

Perhaps in just a few months, he would hear of the Young Lady’s rising fame there.

To help the Young Lady master her psychic power faster, the all-around butler Sekiran searched online and quickly found the Traveler’s Workshop via his Poké Device’s web search.

“If this statue truly calms mental agitation, perhaps it could also suppress psychic outbursts, helping the young lady refine her control over her power! I’ll give this statue to her as a farewell gift.”

Johto Region, Ecruteak City.

“Though recommended by Professor Oak…”

A strange workshop, a strange craftsman, and strange, powerful talismans!

Matsuba felt the spiritual energy on the talismans—it was utterly unlike the spiritual energy he cultivated.

“What an extraordinary spiritual energy—like it came from another world. Yes, just like the power of the Spirit World.”

“The craftsman who made these talismans is a powerful ‘Shugenja’!”

A Shugenja is a type of spirit medium who gains unique abilities through rigorous spiritual cultivation. Matsuba prided himself on his Clairvoyance, which allowed him to see whatever his client wished to see, no matter the distance.

He was also one who sought the legendary Ho-Oh.

Initially, Professor Oak recommended this shop and asked him to investigate its items—a formal commission. But after purchasing these talismans, Matsuba realized his spiritual energy differed greatly from the craftsman’s.

This gap wasn’t in total energy quantity, but in the method and origin of spiritual energy use.

“I gained my spiritual energy through cultivation. But the craftsman who made these talismans… might be a natural-born spiritual user.”

“Such people do exist.”

Whether Matsuba himself or other renowned psychics—like Fuchsia of Hoenn, who gained her power after training on Mount Silver—none were born with it.

Some psychics suddenly gained the ability to see ghosts after nearly dying, having been called by the Spirit World.

Natural-born psychics are exceedingly rare, but when they appear, they display extraordinary spiritual talent.

Matsuba exhaled slowly—these talismans greatly aided his cultivation, including the cursed ones. He had verified their functions with Gengar and others—they were incredibly potent!

Moreover, the mediums, prayer masters, and spirit mediums who gathered at the Ecruteak Gym to cultivate spiritual energy all praised these talismans!

“Perhaps I should invite the craftsman to Ecruteak City.”

Matsuba murmured to himself, but once the thought arose, he couldn’t suppress it. Yet inviting someone here as a guest—was he to ask for their cultivation insights, or request they craft more talismans on-site?

Both actions seemed impolite.

“I must prepare a gift. I’ll give him my own spiritual cultivation insights.”

He looked at his Pokémon—whether Misdreavus or Gengar, they all seemed to love these talismans immensely.

These unique talismans enhanced their Ghost-type energy!

Perfect for raising Ghost-type Pokémon!

Moreover, Gengar and the others sensed that the talismans contained a type of Pokémon energy they had never encountered before.

For this reason, Matsuba used his Clairvoyance once—but he did not spy on Guang Tai. Instead, he searched for that Pokémon.

Finally, he saw a Pokémon shaped like a sword, and it was unusually lively—he had never seen such a Pokémon!

Through Clairvoyance, he saw that this Pokémon and its trainer shared a deep bond.

“A powerful, natural-born spiritual energy… If it’s this person, perhaps… he could see Ho-Oh.”

Matsuba recalled Ecruteak City’s ancient legend—the very reason he trained so hard, to fulfill part of that legend.

Since ancient times, people in Ecruteak City had worshipped Pokémon as gods.

And the legendary Pokémon would appear before a Trainer with true strength.

That was the legend… and Matsuba had always believed in this beautiful tale. From birth, he had secretly trained in relentless hardship.

He once believed the one who could summon the legendary Pokémon to this land would be none other than himself!

But reality was—he trained endlessly, yet still could not summon Ho-Oh.

Matsuba knew he had not been chosen by the legendary Pokémon… but that didn’t mean his future was gone. Before seeing a bright future, he would continue his cultivation!

And this time, perhaps…

“A powerful Trainer… this craftsman possesses such immense spiritual talent, and a unique Ghost-type Pokémon.”

“Such innate power usually carries a destiny. Usually, it does. The more I think about it, the more I anticipate it!”

(End of Chapter)