Chapter 14 Baby Budew!

At this moment, Gardevoir's silhouette suddenly appeared from the side.

Ralts froze and hid behind Hu Yang quickly, not daring to look at Gardevoir.

Hu Yang saw Ralts reaction and looked towards Gardevoir with a serious expression. In that moment, he felt an unusual sensation, as if he were involved in a family dispute.

No, he hadn't kidnapped Ralts!

Gardevoir remained silent, and Hu Yang suspected they were communicating telepathically with Ralts. He couldn't comprehend what was being said, but he could sense Ralts emotions spiraling downward.

Upon witnessing this, Gardevoir hesitated, his eyes revealing a mix of discomfort and indecision.

It opened its mouth, directing its attention toward Hu Yang.

Hu Yang immediately straightened up, his body tensing in response.

Then, a gender-indistinguishable voice reverberated in his mind: "Do you wish to take it away?"

Hu Yang was momentarily stunned, realizing that it was Gardevoir speaking to him.

In the animated series, May's Pokédex provided an introduction to Ralts: "Ralts, the Feeling Pokémon, is the pre-evolutionary form of Kirlia. It has the unique ability to perceive the emotions of humans using the horns on its head. Ralts is rarely seen in front of humans, but when it senses positive emotions, it willingly approaches them."

For a moment, Hu Yang pondered honestly: "Yes, I do."

Gardevoir stared at him for a while, then voiced a harsh truth: "You lack the ability to protect it."

This fact couldn't be denied, and Hu Yang had no counterargument.

He imagined himself in Gardevoir's shoes, responsible for safeguarding this innocent and well-behaved Pokémon. He couldn't help but question whether he would trust a stranger with such an important responsibility.

Without replying to Gardevoir's statement, the Pokémon turned its attention back to Ralts. In front of Hu Yang, Gardevoir inquired: "Do you truly wish to accompany this human?"

"Ralts..." Ralts hesitated, experiencing Gardevoir's emotions—reluctance, sadness, and profound concern.

With a soft sigh, Gardevoir conceded, "Then, go and pursue what your heart desires."

Afterward, Gardevoir turned away and departed alone.

"Rallu..." Ralts released the corner of Hu Yang's clothes, standing in place with a sense of uncertainty.

Hu Yang felt somewhat like a villain, despite not taking any action to deserve such a title.

Sighing in helplessness, he crouched down and comforted Ralts: "Your father is deeply concerned about your well-being, which is why he's having trouble letting you go."

Upon reflection, Gardevoir likely understood the ramifications of Ralts departure. It would be challenging for them to cross paths again organically once Ralts left.

Gardevoir's love for Ralts was an entirely different form of affection compared to Braviary's paternal care for Rufflet. It sought to protect Ralts from any harm and keep it close for the rest of its life.

"Rallu..." Ralts was profoundly melancholic at that moment.

Hu Yang reassured, "Follow after your parent and spend more time with her. As for me, I'll be here. You can come and visit me whenever you like."

"Rallu..." After considering it for a moment, Ralts moved toward Gardevoir and pursued the direction in which Gardevoir had vanished.

After taking a few steps, it glanced back at Hu Yang, who remained standing there, before employing Teleport and disappearing.

Hu Yang scratched his head and departed the riverbank, with Cramorant perched on his shoulder.

"Ka!"

Cramorant let out a mournful cry.

Hu Yang felt like he was on the verge of tears. If only Cramorant could understand commands, he wouldn't have faced such a predicament with starter Pokémon.

Perhaps Cramorant sensed Hu Yang's sentiments because it returned later that night with an easily captured Pokémon.

[Race: Budew ♀]

Attribute: Grass, Poison

Characteristic Trait: Leaf Defense

Species Strength: 280 (Life: 40, Attack: 30, Defense: 35, Special Attack: 50, Special Defense: 70, Speed: 55)

Known moves: Absorb, Stun Spore, Seed Bomb

Current mood: Nervous

Physical state: Nervous (it's quite scared)

Friendliness: 0 (it doesn't know you)

The green creature cowered on the table, and Hu Yang couldn't resist poking it with his fingers.

Budew, the Flower Bud Pokémon, is the previous form of Roselia with a notable presence in the games, and its final form is Roserade with an impressive Special Attack stat of 125.

Budew appeared terrified, trembling at the sight of the formidable bird before it.

Hu Yang raised an eyebrow, pondering what Cramorant had done to these poor Pokémon.

In order to win over Budew, Hu Yang did his best to wear a friendly smile and gently embraced it. Pre-evolved Budew was petite, standing at just twenty centimeters tall. It had two yellow-green legs, its body was wrapped around an unopened flower bud on its head, and its eyes seemed to be half-closed, resembling a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes.

"Gah?" Cramorant stared blankly at the scene.

Hu Yang suddenly realized something. Could this Budew belong to someone else, just like that Pikachu?

Without certainty, he located a clay pot, filled it with clean soil and grass, and "planted" Budew into it. His knowledge from the ecology book he had borrowed from the library taught him that Budew, before evolving into Roselia, was quite immature and required nutrients from the soil for proper growth. Additionally, it needed warmth from sunlight and clean water.

While watering Budew, Hu Yang attempted to communicate with it: "Little one, can you understand me?"

Budew, feeling more at ease after being watered, swayed its bud slightly, indicating contentment.

Hu Yang noticed that its friendliness level had increased slightly, shifting from 0 to 5.

Hmm, was it possible to bond with Pokémon this way?

Hu Yang furrowed his brow.

"Nini~" Budew finally felt assured that the human before it meant no harm, responding with a cute coo.

Hu Yang couldn't help but think he must appear incredibly adorable to Pokémon.

Yet, he couldn't comprehend Budew's words. To get some answers, he decided to inquire with Riga, asking if anyone at their school had lost a Budew.

By the time Riga responded, it was already the morning of the following day.

Seated on the sofa, sipping the hot tea Hu Yang had prepared, Riga glanced over at Budew, basking in the sunlight on the windowsill, and remarked with a smile, "Compared to my last visit, this place feels much livelier."

Hu Yang looked around, having recently rearranged some furniture.

Riga confirmed, "Yes, it looks much tidier. I also found the information you were looking for. No one in our school has reported losing a Pokémon. Are you planning to capture that Budew?"

So, this Budew didn't have a trainer?

Hu Yang's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Yes, I've decided I want to become a trainer!"

When Cramorant attempted to grab Budew, the little Pokémon responded by using Seed Bomb, and Cramorant ended up eating it.