"No need to notify anyone—we're already here."
Just as Nurse Joy Elena was about to place the call, two figures erged from the corridor behind the front desk. Having been inford the mont Ash entered the Pokémon Center, they had co out personally.
"Ash, these two are the ones I just ntioned—Elder Alie and Miss Clarissa, who arrived from the family two days ago," Joy Elena introduced warmly.
"Hello, Ash," Alie said with a gentle smile as she sized him up from head to toe, her gaze carrying unmistakable appraisal—almost like a future aunt-in-law examining a prospective nephew. "I've heard Sister Elena and Aunt Rong ntion you many tis. And these past two days, I've been seeing news about you everywhere online. Now that I finally et you in person… you truly are as outstanding as they said."
"Hello, Elder Alie Joy," Ash replied politely.
Then, unable to help himself, he glanced toward the young girl standing beside her.
From the mont she stepped out, this sweet-looking, doll-like girl—with gentle features, bright intelligent eyes, and an air of quiet grace—had been staring at him with open curiosity.
In both his past life and this one, the Joys he knew had always been mature won. This was the first ti he had t a Joy close to his own age.
It felt… refreshing.
"So this must be Clarissa," Ash thought. "She ca together with Elder Alie and was introduced as 'Miss.' Her status in the Joy family must be extrely high."
The Joys were known as the embodint of gentle sweetness—but this one was different.
She was cute.
Utterly adorable.
Like a living Barbie doll.
"Eep—"
Feeling Ash's gaze linger, Clarissa's cheeks flushed a brilliant pink. She lowered her head shyly.
"Pfft—"
"Hehe~"
Alie Joy and Elena Joy exchanged amused glances, both wearing knowing smiles. It was obvious—the two youngsters were equally intrigued by each other.
"Ash, this isn't the place to talk," Alie said. "Let's move to the back for the Healing Grace evaluation."
"Oh! Right." Ash snapped out of it, suddenly realizing he had been staring a little too long. That hadn't been very polite.
As they walked down the corridor toward the treatnt rooms, he leaned slightly closer and spoke in a lowered voice.
"Miss Clarissa, right? I'm sorry about earlier. It's just… I've never t a Joy my age before. I might have been a bit rude."
Clarissa looked surprised—and pleased—that he had spoken first.
"It's okay. I wasn't very polite either… I kept staring at you too."
In truth, she hadn't felt offended at all. If anything, his attention had secretly reassured her.
"And you don't need to call Miss Clarissa," she added softly. "My na is Clarissa. You can just call by my na. Or like Mother and Grandmother do—Clarissa, or even just Rissa."
"Alright then, I'll call you Clarissa," Ash smiled. "And I'm Ash. You can just call Ash."
"…Ash."
The first ti she said his na aloud, her cheeks reddened again, warr than before.
Up ahead, Alie's ears practically twitched—like a certain cartoon character's exaggerated listening power. Catching snippets of the whispered exchange behind her, she couldn't help but smile in satisfaction.
Though the Joy family had been deeply disappointed upon confirming that Ash's Healing Grace bloodline could not be inherited, Alie herself had never felt regret.
As her cousin Joy Elena and Aunt Joy Rong had once said—even if his healing ability couldn't be passed down, Ash's exceptional Trainer talent and character alone made him an outstanding match for Clarissa.
This assignnt—coming to Viridian City to evaluate Ash's Healing Grace and provide dical training—was clearly more than a coincidence.
Alie understood the deeper intention.
And judging by the pleasant first eting, the "hidden mission" was already half accomplished.
Still, while hidden tasks mattered, the main task was just as important.
The Joy family's interest in Ash's healing power was very real.
…
Soon, they arrived at one of the treatnt rooms inside the Pokémon Center.
"Alright, Ash. This is one of the examination rooms used for Pokémon diagnosis and treatnt. Are you ready?" Alie asked.
Pikachu and Frogadier were asked to wait outside. Ash, Clarissa, and Alie all donned green sterile gowns.
"I'm ready," Ash nodded.
"Good. We'll begin by testing the range and effectiveness of your healing ability. I'll have Pokémon with various injuries brought in for you to treat. We'll then evaluate the results."
"First, we'll test your ability to treat external wounds."
"Clarissa, bring Poké Ball No. 1."
"Understood."
Once in work mode, Clarissa's movents were efficient and precise. She retrieved a Poké Ball and released its occupant onto the examination table.
A Rattata appeared—its hind leg bearing a fresh claw wound.
"External injuries are classified into three levels: mild, moderate, and severe," Alie explained while holding a clipboard. "This Rattata has sustained a mild external injury. Ash, please begin treatnt."
"Alright."
Without hesitation, Ash activated the power of the Viridian Blessing within him. A soft green glow gathered in his palm.
"Healing Grace."
Hum—
Bathed in vibrant green light, the flesh around Rattata's wound visibly regenerated. The bleeding stopped instantly. The torn tissue closed at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Within seconds, the injury was completely healed.
Not even a scar remained.
The only sign that an injury had existed was a small patch of smooth skin where fur had yet to regrow.
"Wow…!"
Alie's eyes widened in astonishnt.
"This is incredible. Absolutely unbelievable."
She looked at Ash with undisguised longing.
"Are you certain this healing bloodline truly can't be inherited?"
Her voice carried unmistakable regret.
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T/N:
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