Chapter 710: The Fragile Girl

Gym Trainer.

That is, the person who battles the player inside a Gym before they officially challenge the Gym Leader.

In the anime, this rule doesn't exist, so Gym Trainers are mostly relatives, students, or followers of the Gym Leader, trained by them in Pokémon cultivation.

But.

The simulation scenes show more of Mei Mei Lisha and Gastly training together physically than of the Spiritualist receiving comprehensive instruction from Mei Mei Lisha.

【You often watched enviously as Mei Mei Lisha battled others, but you knew your starting point was inherently lower than others'; instead of rushing into battles, strengthening your body was your top priority.】

The Spiritualist was strictly forbidden from soul-outing; the narration stated Mei Mei Lisha repeatedly warned her that temporary pleasure brought only harm, no benefit.

The Spiritualist obediently quit soul-outing—but…

Mei Mei Lisha only said soul-outing was forbidden; she never said using her physical body to sneak out and play was off-limits.

So.

The Spiritualist, who held a certain obsession with nighttime life, would always sneak off to the Interactive Plaza under Gastly's help to play with Pokémon she'd known before.

Although being in physical form brought her some trouble—even nearly getting caught by street patrols and Interactive Plaza security several times—it couldn't stop the Spiritualist's heart from longing for freedom and unrestrained joy.

"All-Night Song?"

Inside the screen, the Spiritualist moved through nighttime streets, colorful neon lights shining everywhere—it truly had the feel of the anime "All-Night Song."

But soon Baimu remembered his past life.

He recalled how, in middle school, he and his friends had once sneaked out at night to surf the internet, stroll night markets, and fish under the stars; scenes flashed through his mind, vivid as if yesterday, stirring his emotions.

Thus.

The screen flashed past numerous simple pixelated scenes.

【You felt yourself gradually gaining a healthy body, and under Mei Mei Lisha's instruction, learned how to care for Ghost-type Pokémon.】

Mei Mei Lisha rarely taught the Spiritualist how to battle; she seemed more inclined to encourage her to become a Coordinator rather than a Trainer.

But the Spiritualist was determined to become a Regional Champion like Alain; whenever Mei Mei Lisha went to perform or served as a Super Contest judge, she would go out to find unfamiliar Trainers to battle.

Though she rarely won, it was clear she was happy.

【You began considering traveling outside.】

Her healthy body gave her the courage to speak up, but what truly pushed her to decide was Gastly's further evolution, aided by a passing Trainer.

【Your Gastly evolved into Haunter.】

The pixelated Haunter was as adorable as the real one; it could carry the slender Spiritualist flying around, just like the Ride System in Pokémon Let's Go.

One morning.

The Spiritualist found her parents preparing to leave for work.

【You confessed your plans to your parents; their first reaction was fierce refusal—which you had expected—and you calmly explained your thoughts.】

The Spiritualist's parents were not narrow-minded; they simply believed that someone who had been bedridden half a year ago should not be traveling alone now—it was far too risky.

In response, the Spiritualist showed them her long-distance running record from last night; this somewhat clumsy girl hoped to prove with past records that she was now normal, no longer the sickly girl she once was.

For potential emergencies, her answer was Haunter.

Haunter's care and affection for the Spiritualist were visible to her parents; they knew that for many days past, it had been the constant companion—and Haunter was truly reliable.

Finally, the Spiritualist played her trump card—she promised she would never venture into the wild, would travel only by train and bus between cities, and would contact them three times daily: morning, noon, and night.

【You knew these conditions would rob you of most travel experiences, but no matter what, get out first, then consider the rest.】

This narration…

Baimu tugged at his mouth, thinking the Spiritualist was surely about to do something like "birds fly free under the sky, fish swim wide in the sea."

From the prolonged ellipsis hovering above her parents' heads, it was clear they had guessed their daughter's true intent.

Yet they were still persuaded.

Joyful, the Spiritualist rushed to the Home Edge Gym; Mei Mei Lisha was surprisingly agreeable, but set one condition—

【You heard you must pass the Home Edge Gym Challenge to travel, and without hesitation, agreed.】

The Spiritualist had long wanted to challenge a Gym but had never had the chance; Mei Mei Lisha's requirement suited her perfectly.

Seeing this, Baimu shook his head: "Hard."

As he expected.

The Spiritualist was no match for Mei Mei Lisha, even though Mei Mei Lisha only used Pokémon meant for challengers without badges.

A Gym Leader, when serious, could easily defeat a beginner.

【You knew Mei Mei Lisha raised the difficulty, but you didn't feel angry; if you couldn't overcome this hurdle with your goal being Alain, then half a year of effort would be wasted.】

The Spiritualist's most desperate moment had been the first week after Mei Mei Lisha took away Gastly; this small trial meant nothing to her and Haunter now.

【You asked the Pokémon at the Interactive Plaza for help; from then on, you abandoned play and began practicing and battling every night.】

During this time, the Spiritualist considered that a qualified Trainer shouldn't have only one partner, and issued team invitations to two Pokémon.

【You caught a Jigglypuff; your Ghost-type partner increased.】

【You caught a Misdreavus; your Ghost-type partner increased.】

The Spiritualist chose them precisely because of her unique physique; they were also the very Pokémon Mei Mei Lisha owned, so she was deeply familiar with them and knew how to train them.

Soon.

The Spiritualist launched her second Gym Challenge with her new partners.

Unfortunately, just as the Spiritualist knew Mei Mei Lisha's Pokémon, Mei Mei Lisha knew Misdreavus and Jigglypuff intimately; the second challenge failed again.

【You realized your weaknesses in battle reaction and strategy, but when you began thinking how to improve, Mei Mei Lisha found you.】

Two battles had made Mei Mei Lisha completely abandon encouraging the Spiritualist to become a Coordinator.

She had always believed the Spiritualist's physique was better suited to the flashy Super Contests than to the power-focused League Championships.

But Mei Mei Lisha felt she ultimately couldn't forcibly interfere with someone's dream.

She began formally teaching Spirit Mia the tactics of spirit battles, how to avoid detours, and the most common strategies of Dreamy and Floaty Ball.

【You frantically learned all kinds of knowledge, because you knew time was running out】

Spirit Mia wanted to keep pace with her peers and enter the League Conference this year — one of the obsessions she held while lying on her sickbed.

【Under Mei Mei Lisha's instruction, you spent two fulfilling months】

【Your Floaty Ball evolved into Windy Ball】

【Your Dreamy evolved into Dream Demon】

The day Floaty Ball evolved was also the day Spirit Mia successfully broke through the Home Connection Gym.

As a result, she received from Mei Mei Lisha a departure gift — 【Dark Stone】 — which allowed Dreamy to evolve into Dream Demon.

Armed with three final-evolved Ghost Pokémon, Spirit Mia set off officially.

"This prologue is taking forever."

Baimu couldn't help but complain.

Although from the internal timeline of the simulation, more than half had already passed, leaving only a few months until the League Conference began.

So far, Spirit Mia's spirit constitution had shown no remarkable abilities.

This made him curious about what memories he would gain.

It didn't seem to help with opening the Spirit Realm entrance.

The scene shifted.

Spirit Mia boarded the train as planned, heading to the city where she would truly begin her Gym Challenge journey —

【You arrived at Yehuan City, a city coexisting with the Great Wetland】

Spirit Mia chose Yehuan as her first stop not only for the Gym Challenge but also to see the Great Wetland advertised on television.

Unlike in the game, the Great Wetland in the animated world had no hunting zones, but its tourism function remained.

And due to its beautiful scenery, it frequently appeared on television.

In the past, Spirit Mia could only satisfy her longing through her phone; now, she had finally arrived.

【What you saw of Yehuan City was exactly as on TV — constant drizzle; Gengar, to prevent you from catching a cold, flew above your head and became your umbrella】

That Gengar was like a parent.

Baimu glanced at the oddly colored Gengar beneath him and suddenly remembered his own Fatty — similar in thoughtfulness, but more mischievous.

The Great Wetland tour ended.

Spirit Mia headed straight for the Gym.

【You challenged the Yehuan Gym】

The Yehuan Gym Leader, Jixian, a burly man wearing a wrestling mask and bare-chested, used Water-type Pokémon.

【You had done all your homework before arriving, making your Gym Challenge journey remarkably smooth】

Gengar and Dream Demon took the field and easily defeated Uppu, Swinub, and Gyarados.

Spirit Mia's months of preparation were enough to carry her effortlessly through the second Gym; Jixian was surprised that such a frail girl could be so powerful.

【You defeated Jixian and received the Yehuan Badge】

Before leaving.

Spirit Mia returned to the Great Wetland once more; she clearly loved vast, boundless views — likely a habit left over from her soul's out-of-body travels through the sky.

Unfortunately,

Despite Gengar's constant precautions, she caught a cold.

Spirit Mia was forced to stay in Yehuan City for three days before departing; during her video call with her family to report her safety, her parents were heartbroken.

Her mother once wanted to come pick her up, but Spirit Mia hastily refused.

Finally, her cold recovered.

【You boarded a ferry out of Yehuan City, your next destination the port city — Binhai City】

Spirit Mia clearly chose the ferry for the sea, but this was her first time on a boat since childhood; barely recovered from her cold, seasickness knocked her down again.

The accompanying Gengar and other Pokémon looked on helplessly.

This trip had gotten off to a terrible start!

【You were seasick all the way to Binhai City, completely lacking the energy to challenge a Gym, and had to temporarily stay at a Pokémon Center】

Nurse Joy, even within the simulation story, remained deeply considerate; despite her busy schedule, she still took time to care for Spirit Mia, allowing her condition to fully recover by the next day.

【You viewed this sunlit city from a different perspective than yesterday — the elevated bridge paved with solar panels struck you as novel】

Spirit Mia stood atop Binhai City's highest point — the lighthouse — gazing downward, feeling a faint echo of her past soul-out-of-body experiences.

【You prepared confidently to challenge the Gym; Binhai Gym was the third Gym you had planned ahead】

The reason was that Binhai Gym Leader Dianci was too powerful; Spirit Mia wasn't afraid of losing — she could challenge again — but she mainly feared falling behind the League Conference deadline.

Dianci.

A close friend of Sinnoh's Elite Four member Daye, hailed as the strongest Gym Leader in Sinnoh, who had once fallen into a battle fatigue phase until awakened by Ash's battles and regained his passion for fighting.

This Gym Leader, even by global standards, was among the elite; his strength likely rivaled that of a regular Elite Four member.

Spirit Mia's decision to choose him as her third Gym to save time was very correct.

The result nearly went sideways.

Windy Ball defeated Raikou but lost to Electrike; luckily, her Explosion move drained its HP, allowing Dream Demon to barely win.

Gengar faced Lei Qiu and nearly got knocked out by its Chain Lightning.

【You reviewed the battle with lingering unease, realizing that had your Pokémon not fought so hard, you might have already lost to Dianci】

【You defeated Binhai Gym Leader Dianci and received the Binhai Badge】

After that battle.

Ling Ling Yimi lay in the Pokémon Center for half a day before recovering, causing Gengar and the others to think Ling Ling Yimi had fallen ill again; they had Joye Young Lady check on her multiple times before finally relaxing.

"A fragile little Miss…"

Baimu shook his head.

Back in JiaYuan City, Ling Ling Yimi was perfectly healthy—could run, jump, play hide-and-seek with patrol cars—so why did she wilt the moment she stepped out?

Could it be climate shock?

As he wondered, Ling Ling Yimi suddenly gained her fourth partner.

Yes, suddenly.

【Your call with your parents was abruptly cut off; you notice a sneaky creature suddenly added to your phone】

Rotom!

Without doubt, Ling Ling Yimi had encountered an electronic ghost.

The Ghostly Constitution activated!

What Baimu didn't expect was that this Rotom was connected to Denji.

Denji had tracked Rotom all the way to the Pokémon Center; seeing Rotom staying inside Ling Ling Yimi's phone and refusing to leave, he generously offered to give Rotom to Ling Ling Yimi!

【You hear Denji entrusting you to care for this Rotom; you're stunned and utterly bewildered】

【You captured Rotom; your ghostly partner increased】

A Gym Leader personally giving a Pokémon—this is rare.

Baimu couldn't help recalling the Water-type Pokémon in LiuLi Gym's Ecological Garden who clearly wanted to join him, and Mi Ke Li who had also volunteered to take one away.

Too bad.

If those guys hadn't been after the Shiny Milotic, he'd have seriously considered it!

【You board the train, heading for the next stop—Veilstone City】

Although Ling Ling Yimi kept falling ill or feeling unwell, her progress was remarkably fast—she had already reached the third stop in such a short time.

【You arrived in Veilstone City under the nightfall, a stern metropolis surrounded by steep rocky mountains; its thriving commercial atmosphere made you eager to explore everywhere】