Chapter 110: Spirit Sight

Under his clairvoyant sight, Amu noticed that both he and Nana were radiant with vibrant colors, especially himself—the hues around him were noticeably clearer. In contrast, Nana, as an “other,” appeared more like a blurred mass.

Then, in the next moment, Nana completely transformed into a glowing orb in Amu’s vision. Amu suspected she had sensed his clairvoyance and concealed her true state, preventing him from peering inside.

Amu no longer sought to spy on her and instead focused his attention inward.

Instantly, his mind filled with images of various “qi” streams symbolizing health, ailments, strength, or decay, composing his body’s essence.

“As expected! My health is absolutely fine!” Amu found no abnormalities within himself.

He had previously felt that he merely forgot how to exert force, which explained his inability to control his movements, rather than being subdued by some overwhelming psychic power.

Now, with his clairvoyance active and clearly perceiving the flow of his internal “qi,” Amu abandoned the usual muscular and joint-based thought process and began to manipulate his body on the “qi” level.

Trying once more to stand, he immediately noticed, from the clairvoyant perspective, changes occurring in his knees, feet, and waist.

Before, he couldn’t recall how to apply strength because he felt no feedback from his body. But now, unlike before, he wasn’t relying on his five senses to assess his condition; instead, he observed from the perspective of “qi.”

While he still couldn’t physically sense feedback, he could “see” the flow of his “qi.”

Feeling this internal response, the previous weakness vanished.

With a sudden surge, Amu stood up abruptly!

This movement instantly dispelled the psychological block he had been under, and he promptly opened his eyes.

At that moment, Lala’s voice came from the kitchen: “What’s wrong? Can’t find something?”

“Nothing, I’m coming!” Amu replied hurriedly.

While keeping a wary eye on Nana, Amu tidied up Gengar’s dishes onto the serving cart.

He had no intention of “complaining”—after all, this psychic-type trainer was formidable. Though he didn’t know the condition of her Pokémon, psychic-type trainers’ own abilities typically correlate with their Pokémon’s strength.

Previously, Amu had thought that aside from Nassi, no human possessed such strong psychic powers.

But on reflection, he might have misjudged—perhaps she only used hypnosis or psychological suggestion to temporarily immobilize him, which didn’t necessarily indicate her psychic strength.

Of course, Amu was certain she was not Nassi.

Although slightly face-blind, Amu had seen countless photos of Nassi and would never mistake her identity.

“Heh,” Nana chuckled lightly upon seeing this, then returned to reading, showing only mild interest in Amu’s “escape.”

Amu chose to ignore this strange psychic trainer and pushed the cleaned serving cart toward the washroom.

However, after he left, Nana glanced back once more.

...

“Lala, what’s the story behind Ms. Nana?” Amu asked casually while helping in the kitchen.

“Nana? She should be a trainer from the Goldenrod Gym. Don’t let her calm demeanor fool you—she’s actually a very kind person. She’s volunteered here for a few days every month since a year ago and even recommended a gifted psychic child to the Goldenrod Gym! Besides...” Lala’s tone remained composed and cool, but with a hint of warmth beneath.

After a pause, she hesitated slightly before adding, “I also guess she didn’t have her parents around when she was little.”

Amu didn’t press for reasons—Nana clearly wasn’t someone to chat with, but orphans often have a keen sensitivity in such matters.

It was likely Lala’s intuition based on her aura.

Lala seemed worried that Amu might judge Nana harshly due to her cold demeanor, hence the detailed explanation.

What Lala didn’t realize was that Amu’s reservations stemmed from more than just Nana’s aloofness.

...

Amu had no desire to provoke this peculiar person nor to improve their relationship; he simply kept his distance with respect.

A day of volunteering passed swiftly.

To Amu’s surprise, Pipi caused no trouble all day, peacefully playing with the children.

《Sword’s Arrival》

After dinner, Amu helped in the kitchen again.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, but no one entered; instead, a voice called out, “Milk delivery has arrived!”

“Oh! Could you help me take the milk to the headmistress?” Lala asked as she tidied up.

Obviously, the milk was for the children.

“Leave it to me.” Amu headed straight to the main door.

Though passing by the dining room, he ignored Nana completely, even sneering slightly at her.

Opening the door, Amu saw a box of “large milk cans” resting outside—though they didn’t meet the quality of the commercial “Moo Moo Fresh Milk,” Amu’s sensitive nose immediately recognized the scent as milk produced by the “large milk cans,” not ordinary milk!

The “large milk cans” epitomized the world’s notion that Pokémon were the ultimate productivity force. Though not skilled in battle, their milk was far more nutritious than regular milk. They were the most extensively farmed in the Johto region, second only in quantity in the Kanto region, and considered a hot export item of the Quartz League.

Since the delivery came at night, Amu suspected the orphanage ordered discounted surplus daily, but even so, it was far pricier than ordinary milk.

The orphanage appeared modest and frugal in many ways, yet maintained high standards for the children’s growth.

“You and Ms. Nana get some too!” Lala’s voice came from the kitchen.

Hearing this, Amu set down the box and picked a bottle to place before Nana, who was reading.

Originally, Amu didn’t intend to interact with her, but recalling her earlier disdain for the orphanage’s meals and fearing she might waste the milk, he warned gently, “Besides the packaging, it’s no different from the premium Moo Moo Fresh Milk you find in stores. Don’t waste it.”

At last, Nana spoke: “Were you abandoned because of your psychic powers?”

Amu: ???

He soon realized she had mistaken his earlier use of “clairvoyance” and mental suggestion-breaking as a type of psychic ability.

Previously, Amu had been desperate and unable to control his body, inadvertently entering a meditative state where spirit was free from the flesh—naturally triggering his clairvoyance. Even he was startled by this.

In this world, psychics were not mysterious, but like ghost-type trainers, prejudice and fear still lingered in remote areas, especially toward those born with psychic powers.

Connecting this with Amu’s claim of being an orphan, Nana had probably misunderstood something.

But Amu certainly held no goodwill toward her!

“Were you abandoned because you were rude?” Amu retorted with a smile.

Almost immediately, he regretted his words as Nana’s expression froze, her eyes flushed red, and a powerful psychic force burst forth!

The good news: the milk Amu was holding remained intact, unharmed.

The bad news: every glass window around shattered from the psychic shockwave...