Pokémon: I picked up a reborn Eevee at the start of the game

“I have no such impolite thoughts, Mr. Xia Chen.”

In the reception room of the aromatherapy academy, Ma Xiu denied Xia Chen's idea.

As for why she knew Xia Chen's thoughts, it wasn't because Ma Xiu could read minds, but because Xia Chen directly asked her about this conjecture.

As the saying goes, sincerity is the only surefire way to win.

Xia Chen felt that when dealing with someone like Miss Ma Xiu who pursued genuine items, honesty was the best way to communicate.

I just don't know if Miss Ma Xiu responded sincerely...

Ma Xiu was speechless under Xia Chen's suspicious gaze. "I'm serious. Sometimes I envy you for being able to say what you want to say and do what you want to do, regardless of what others think."

This was very much in line with Ma Xiu's personality, and Xia Chen believed it.

Xia Chen gently blew on the hot tea in his hand. "Everything comes at a price, Miss Ma Xiu. As a world-renowned fashion designer and a relatively unknown gym leader, it's normal for you to be in the spotlight. Unless you can maintain your original intentions like I have."

Ma Xiu covered her face and chuckled, "The so-called salted fish gym leader, huh?"

Xia Chen was quite surprised by this answer that only longtime fans would know. He smiled and said, "Now I believe you are my loyal fan."

…………

"Bari—"

Xia Chen and Ma Xiu were chatting when a Mr. Mime walked in carrying a plate of snacks and said something to Ma Xiu.

Ma Xiu immediately replied, "Bari—"

Xia Chen, who didn't understand Elvish, was completely confused, but he suddenly felt that something seemed a little off.

"Wait, elves can understand human speech, why do you insist on communicating with them in the language of elves?"

Ma Xiu laughed and replied matter-of-factly, "Because you can't understand Elvish!"

Xia Chen: "......"

So that's how they deliberately ostracized me...

So, that means she just spoke with Eevee in a language only I don't understand, right in front of me...

Why does it feel like... being attacked by a minotaur in person?

Xia Chen's tone was tinged with bitterness, "So what if you can speak Elvish?"

Ma Xiu took a bite of the pastry, smiled at him, and said, "Want to learn?"

Xia Chen, who had been read off immediately, coughed lightly and smiled shyly, "Learning foreign languages ​​is great, I also want to learn another foreign language."

Ma Xiu readily agreed, "Sure, I can teach you."

Xia Chen beamed with joy, then sat up straight and said in a serious tone, "Teacher Ma Xiu, please give me your guidance."

Ma Xiu replied, "It's very simple. Just think of yourself as an elf, and you'll be able to understand Elvish. How about that? Isn't it easy?"

Xia Chen remained silent for a long time before slowly saying, "Miss Ma Xiu, do you also work part-time in social media?"

What kind of lousy teaching is this?!

What's the difference between this and the kind of nonsense literature that's popular online?

"Everyone knows that being a League Champion is a very prestigious profession, so how do you become a League Champion? Simply defeat all your opponents to become a League Champion! Pretty easy, right?"

Faced with Xia Chen's doubts, Ma Xiu said seriously, "I'm not kidding you. This is the secret to my mastery of the Elven language. That day was the best day of my life. I felt like I had really transformed into a Violet, and I naturally understood what my Maw was saying. After recovering from that state, I didn't lose this ability."

Xia Chen remained silent. "Okay, that's very Ma Xiu."

……

After a conversation, Xia Chen basically gave up on the idea of ​​learning a foreign language.

While this ability is not as rare as the power of the Everlasting Stone, which only produces one Chosen One every ten years, mastering it is still not an easy task.

For example, how do you learn the language learning method of the spirit transformation flow taught by Professor Ma Xiu?

This is impossible to learn!

Therefore, the idea of ​​learning Elvish to communicate with their own problem elves had to be put on hold for the time being.

After meeting up with his fans, Xia Chen did not leave Aroma City immediately.

Ma Xiu said that the annual Shenmu Festival is just a few days away, and it will be very lively during those days.

As the name suggests, this festival is closely related to the ancient tree in the center of the city, which is nearly 100 meters tall and whose shade covers an area of ​​several square kilometers.

Every year from January 13th to 15th, the leaves of the sacred tree are renewed.

Old leaves fall to the ground, and new leaves flourish.

People and spirits bathe under the "leaf rain," which represents the divine tree's baptism of cleansing and welcoming the new year for all living beings.

Most amazingly, this leaf rain causes many of the sprites that bathe in it to evolve.

Therefore, this shower of leaves is also known by local residents as the "gift of evolution".

Every year at this time, many trainers from all over the Kalos region bring their Pokémon to participate in this baptism.

In Xiangxun City, the Sacred Tree Festival is the real New Year for the local residents.

Xia Chen wasn't interested in this so-called evolution gift; Ralts was only two months old and hadn't reached the optimal time to evolve yet.

He was really looking forward to Eevee's evolution, but to evolve through the Evolution Ritual...

Something feels off. If you didn't know better, you might think that this "Gift of Evolution" is the key to Sylveon's evolution.

However, if it really evolves here, Xia Chen has no objection.

Since Xia Chen had plenty of time, he naturally decided to stay and enjoy the local festivals.

Perfect timing! These few days of free time are perfect for me to study the Gardevoir breeding tips that Kareny just sent me with Ralts.

With that thought in mind, Xia Chen naturally went to sleep at the female fan's house.

…………

During the day, he would train at a low intensity using the dojo's facilities and spar with the apprentices at the aromatherapy dojo. At night, he would continue to learn Elvish from Ma Xiu, unwilling to give up.

Xia Chen's life has been extremely regular these past few days.

The aromatherapy center is located directly beneath this tree called the "Aromatherapy Sacred Tree." The air is fresh, and you can even feel the inexplicable, refreshing scent emanating from the ancient tree.

But there's one downside... you can't get any sun at all!

This was devastating news for Xia Chen, a sunbathing enthusiast.

So he chose to ride his bicycle to a park in the western part of Xiangxun City every afternoon, stay there until evening, and then return.

Miss Ma Xiu is busy with costume design and the daily work of the dojo, spending almost every day at the dojo and rarely going out.

But after three days of this, Xia Chen noticed something unusual.

That is, Eevee and Ralts are always more excited at the gym than in the park.

And the closer the festival of the Sacred Tree came, the more the elves behaved.

Undoubtedly, the biggest difference between a dojo and a park lies in their distance from the sacred tree.

That's where the problem lies.

Chapter 125 The gift of the Divine Tree shall be inherited by me, Eevee!

Xia Chen told Ma Xiu about this discovery that made him inexplicably uneasy, but the fragrance girl thought he was worrying unnecessarily.

Ma Xiu, cutting a piece of fabric, said without looking up, "Don't worry, this is a normal physiological activity of the sacred tree. I've lived in this city for almost ten years, and it's the same every year during the Sacred Tree Festival. It's just that this year it might be a little stronger. Don't worry, this aura is only beneficial to the elves and not harmful."

Ma Xiu's words, "no harm whatsoever," immediately reminded Xia Chen of the task Dr. Blatano had entrusted to him—

Investigate the energy that invaded the spirits' bodies after the fairy aura erupted.

Xia Chen always felt that the unusually vibrant aura emanating from the sacred tree in Fragrant City was related to Xerneas.

Verifying this is quite simple; just catch a few wild Pokémon near the Divine Tree and teleport them to the Blatano Research Institute, where the professor will be able to verify it.

The following day, after greeting Ma Xiu, Xia Chen sent three common Pokémon that live on the Divine Tree—Vanilla, Finch, and Flowerbee—to the research institute.

Next, we waited for the doctor's reply.

……

In the courtyard of the aromatherapy hall, Xia Chen stared blankly at the towering tree overhead that blocked out the sun.

From the moment Xia Chen first saw this towering ancient tree, he began to ponder its origins.

Because this tree grows in a way that defies common sense in the biological world.

The ancient tree is nearly 100 meters tall. Xia Chen had seen it when he traveled in his previous life. Some ancient cedar trees can grow to this height.

But those trees were mostly tall and thin like bamboo poles, and it was impossible for them to be so lush and leafy, with their shade covering an area of ​​several square kilometers.

This requires too much nutrition from the soil beneath our feet.

In the world of elves, apart from the elves themselves, everyone else respects natural science quite a bit, so Xia Chen felt that this divine tree was definitely closely related to a certain legendary elf.

Having reasoned this far, the name of that legendary Pokémon is practically obvious—

Xerneas, the legendary elf who can share eternal life.

Xia Chen, who had traveled from another world, possessed one more piece of information than the natives: Xerneas's awakening was cyclical.

Legend has it that Xerneas will awaken after sleeping in the form of a tree for a thousand years.

Of course, a thousand years is just a figure of speech. Elves have existed in this world since ancient times. According to historical records from the Carlos region a thousand years ago, there were no unusual phenomena.

However, around 1700 years ago, a gap appeared in the history of the Carlos region...

The city of Aroma, built around the sacred tree, emerged two hundred years after that historical break.

Xia Chen absolutely refused to believe that there was no connection between them.

Xia Chen has a bold conjecture: the appearance of this divine tree is related to Xerneas's awakening or slumber.

If Xerneas's slumber and awakening are cyclical, then there couldn't possibly be only one divine tree in the Carlos region.

But in reality, there is only this one.

Hiss... It's terrifying to think about.