At some point during school, everyone has likely encountered a certain type of math problem:
A swimming pool is being filled with water while simultaneously being drained. How long will it take for the pool to be emptied?
The first time Natsume came across this kind of question, he was genuinely curious—just what kind of lunatic would come up with such an irrational scenario that defies normal human logic?
Now, it seemed like he was facing a real-life version of that problem.
"Its injuries are severe, no doubt about that."
"But more importantly, there's a strange energy wrapped around it, continuously dragging its condition down."
To Natsume's eyes, this Absol was just like that swimming pool—being healed and drained at the same time.
With the combined effects of hyper potion sprays, pokéblocks, and nutrient supplements, its condition shouldn't be this bad. It might not make a full recovery instantly, but at the very least, it should have regained consciousness by now.
Yet, instead of improving, the Absol's condition was still deteriorating. Its expression remained twisted in pain, showing no signs of waking up.
"Should we take it to the Pokémon Center in town?"
Mei, feeling a little helpless, suggested the most logical course of action.
After all, none of the Pokémon in her current team had healing abilities, nor did she carry any particularly potent medicine.
She had seen the medicine Slowking used earlier—it was a high-quality type, similar to what she usually used herself.
And yet, even after Slowking generously emptied an entire bottle onto Absol's wounds, it had no effect. If that wasn't working, then Mei truly had no idea what else to do.
At this point, she figured it was best not to interfere.
Many situations escalate because someone decides to act without fully understanding the problem.
Like attempting CPR on someone with a punctured chest wound.
Are you trying to save them, or finish them off?
"I'll give it a try first."
Natsume neither agreed nor refused Mei's suggestion.
As blunt as it might sound, the Pokémon Center in town wasn't exactly top-tier.
It was just a standard facility in a small, ordinary town.
The fact that it even had a Pokémon Center at all was a testament to Jadeleaf's well-developed infrastructure.
For routine check-ups and minor injuries, it was fine. But for something like this? The medical staff there might not have any better solutions than he did.
So, he decided to try first. If it didn't work, they could always take Absol to the center and let someone else figure it out.
At least he would have done his best.
"Try…?"
Mei tilted her head slightly, confused but intrigued.
She watched as Natsume's sapphire-blue eyes began to shimmer with a soft green light.
The power of Viridian gathered in his hands, its emerald glow radiating an aura of pure life energy.
Under its influence, the grass around them flourished at an unnatural speed.
Tiny blossoms sprouted among the weeds, unfolding their petals in silent bloom.
"This is…"
Mei instinctively covered her mouth, her eyes wide with astonishment.
She knew psychics existed, of course.
But this was the first time she had ever seen one in real life.
And wasn't it a universal rule that all psychics started by bending spoons?
So why did Natsume's abilities look more like something out of Green Lantern?
Or was he some kind of born-to-farm divine prodigy?
A dozen questions swirled through her mind at once.
But beyond curiosity, there was also a subtle, indescribable feeling in her heart.
After all, Natsume had chosen to reveal his abilities in front of her.
Did that mean… he trusted her?
Girls tend to be sensitive to these things.
But Natsume was too focused to notice.
Encased in the green glow, his hand slowly reached out toward Absol.
The infusion of life energy stabilized the worsening condition almost instantly—but that was merely a side effect of what he was trying to do.
He cleared his mind of distractions, focusing entirely on searching Absol's body for what he knew must be there.
There it is.
At that moment, Natsume felt it.
A deep, lingering resentment mixed with fear.
This energy wasn't particularly strong, but its nature was unmistakable.
It clung to Absol's body, gnawing away at its vitality.
Preventing it from healing.
Dragging it further into decline.
But this was as far as it would go.
With a final surge of Viridian's power, the curse-like presence quietly dissipated.
"Hah…"
As the green light faded, Natsume wiped at his forehead—though there wasn't any actual sweat.
For him, this wasn't any more exhausting than rolling around in bed with his shiny Furret after a meal.
Not tiring at all, really.
"Is it… better now?"
Mei hesitated, glancing at Absol.
There was something almost eerily peaceful about it now.
Under the influence of Viridian's power, all external injuries had vanished. Its previously pained expression was now completely serene.
At the same time, the surrounding grass had grown so tall that it was nearly burying Absol.
Delicate white flowers swayed in the gentle breeze, standing proud.
It looked…
Like one of those scenes where a hero, having fulfilled their final wish, passes away peacefully in a forest.
Surrounded by flowers and the people who cherished them.
You're searching for Himmel, aren't you? (Redacted.)
"It's fine now. It should wake up soon."
"There was a curse-like force on it earlier, but I've dispelled it."
Natsume offered Mei a simple explanation.
She nodded, half-understanding.
Dispelling curses…
So Natsume was actually… a Digimon?
Mei was about to ask more about his powers when Absol suddenly stirred.
Then, it slowly opened its eyes.
"Sol…"
It blinked in confusion, its crimson gaze still dazed.
What… happened?
It felt… strangely comfortable.
Before Absol could make sense of its situation, it noticed Natsume and Mei standing nearby.
And, further back, Slowking—who had been diligently playing the role of an invisible background character.
"Sol?"
Did you save me?
For a moment, Absol was surprisingly calm.
It seemed like the type to have a naturally steady temperament.
"Yes. My name is Natsume, and this is Mei."
"Did something happen to you?"
"You were in pretty bad shape just now."
Natsume studied Absol curiously.
Earlier, Slowking had secretly told him through telepathy that there was something unusual about this Absol.
So, he was more than willing to hear what it had to say.
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