NOVEL NEXT Chapter 43: Chapter 43
"Double rock?"
"Which two people form the twin rocks?"
Jean and Kaeya, who had gathered around, looked puzzled for a moment.
"Noelle herself has the Geo Vision," Kaeya pointed out.
"Plus the Onix," he continued, "doesn't that form a classic bond between two rocks—human and Pokémon?"
Takumi, the club manager, grinned.
"You've got it exactly. The synergy is undeniable."
As Kaeya led the group in rolling their eyes with a slight chuckle, Jean suddenly narrowed her eyes, noting seriously, "But remember, Dadalia in the group chat demonstrated that his Hydro Vision could react with his Ice-type Pokémon through elemental resonance."
"Who's to say that humans and Pokémon can't share elemental power resonance when they have the same attribute?" she asked.
At that moment, everyone froze, then turned to look at Takumi, who spread his hands in agreement.
"As I mentioned," he said with a smile, "there's definitely a resonance bonus in damage. Otherwise, at the same level, with type advantages considered, the Onix shouldn't be able to win with just one move."
Even Takumi was mildly surprised. In the Arena setup provided by the system, everything appeared to be based on certain principles from the game universe. However, he mused, "Doesn't a dual-rock buff usually require a shield to be effective? Oddly, here, the Pokémon don't need shields to gain a +15% damage bonus from this bond. Yet local trainers might need shields for it to work… Well, I suppose as more trainers emerge across Teyvat, we'll uncover the finer details naturally."
Rosaria sighed, accepting her defeat with good humor. Her Sneasel's moves had proved too ineffective against the Onix's Rock-type defense. As the other members congratulated Noelle on her victory, Noelle blushed deeply, clearly delighted by the praise.
Takumi turned to Rosaria with a grin. "You did well. But this highlights the importance of team dynamics. With a second Pokémon, you could adapt to the situation more easily."
Rosaria's scarlet eyes glinted with a rare smile. "Club Manager Takumi, are you trying to make me feel better?" She folded her arms, a smirk playing on her lips. Her confident posture highlighted her well-known, curvaceous figure—something she often exuded unapologetically. She was, after all, quite the rebellious nun.
Takumi stifled a smile but quickly regained his composure as Rosaria asked, "So, can I draw my second Pokémon now?"
He coughed politely. "Actually, after getting your initial Pokémon, you'll need to wait until next week to draw again."
"Fine…" Rosaria replied, glancing over at Noelle, who was still beaming from the praise of her fellow knights.
Takumi uploaded the battle footage to the customer group chat. Unlike the earlier match between Hu Tao and Xiangling, this one had displayed a noticeable level of strategy. The two new trainers from Mondstadt had effectively used Pokémon attributes, abilities, and tactics, showing remarkable growth as beginners.
Leaving the Arena, Takumi took the two Poké Balls containing the exhausted Sneasel and Onix to the recovery machine in the main room, setting them on the device for a quick treatment. Everyone in the Knights marveled at the high-tech recovery machine, their curiosity growing with every experience.
As they prepared to leave, Jean approached Takumi, who was busy tallying up the day's earnings at the front desk.
"Mr. Takumi," she began, "will your branch remain open here indefinitely?"
Takumi hesitated. "Actually, I only came to Mondstadt while en route. I hadn't planned to stay long, but I've received a time-sensitive 'mission' here. Thanks to all of you in the Knights, I'm already halfway through it. Once it's completed, I'll head back to Liyue."
Jean felt a pang of urgency. "So, within the next two or three days?"
She was concerned. Having adopted her own Pokémon and witnessed their potential in battle, she now understood the value of these creatures for Mondstadt. Powerful trainers with strong Pokémon could serve a strategic role, similar to those with Visions. This bond between humans and Pokémon could ultimately impact Mondstadt's strength and stability.
While she wished the Pokémon House could remain in Mondstadt, it was clear that Liyue was Takumi's base.
"The branch will stay, but there's only one store manager," Takumi explained. "If we can recruit a trustworthy assistant manager in the future, it's certainly possible to keep a branch running in Mondstadt…"
He added, "The Pokémon world has teleportation technology, so it's easy to send Pokémon to any branch as needed. Even though this is a branch, it's equipped just like the main store in Liyue, with all the same upgrades and facilities. The only missing element is… a manager."
Jean, realizing Takumi might soon depart, quickly returned to the Knights' headquarters, where she called an emergency meeting. Using the falcon typically reserved for wartime communication, she sent an urgent message to key personnel scattered across the region:
"Matters of national importance. Return to Mondstadt immediately!"
— Acting Grand Master, Jean Gunnhildr
Meanwhile, in a suite at the Goethe Hotel, Anastasia, a diplomatic agent of the Fatui known for her chilly demeanor, opened a door hesitantly.
Inside, a woman with an imposing presence, one of the Fatui Harbingers, wore an arrogant smirk.
"Is there anything worth reporting?" the Harbinger asked without looking up.
"If it's about the Anemo Archon, don't bother. Based on the latest intelligence, I've already confirmed who that figure is."
The Harbinger continued smugly, "Let the Mondstadt residents celebrate their so-called victory. I'll strike when they're at the peak of their cheer."
With a malicious glint in her eyes, she finished, "And then—'Heart of God,' removed."
Anastasia forced a smile, knowing the Harbinger's twisted temperament. "This information is about something different. It seems that many members of the Knights, led by Acting Grand Master Jean, visited a rather peculiar shop today."
The Harbinger's interest piqued ever so slightly.