Back in the room, Delia and Misty were already awake and washing up.
Misty poked her head out of the bathroom: "Done fighting?"
"Mm."
"What did Professor Oak say?"
Roy thought about Professor Oak's disheveled appearance and smiled: "He said he could handle it."
Misty blinked: "Really?"
"Really, he can handle it, he can definitely handle it."
Misty saw his expression and knew it wasn't that simple, but she didn't ask further; it didn't concern her much anyway.
After packing their things, the three went downstairs to check out.
By the time they left Lavender Town, the fog had already dispersed.
With the sunlight shining down, the eerie little town didn't seem so terrifying anymore.
Misty looked back at the cemetery tower and shivered.
"I never want to come to this place again."
Delia nodded in strong agreement.
Roy smiled: "Alright, we won't come again. Next stop, Saffron City."
The three got into a car and drove west.
The scenery outside the car window changed from mountains and forests to plains, and then from plains to towns.
As they neared Saffron City, they could feel the difference.
The buildings outside the window grew taller and more modern. In the distance, towering office buildings and a huge GG sign could be seen.
"Saffron City is one of the largest cities in the Kanto region," Roy said, reading from a small handbook to the two girls. "It's an economic center, a transportation hub, and also the birthplace of Psychic culture."
Misty looked out the window curiously: "Psychic... are there really that many people who can use it?"
"You'll know when we get there."
...
The three got out of the car and walked out of the station.
The streets of Saffron City were wide and clean, with skyscrapers lined up one after another, and people bustling about, making it very lively.
But Misty and Delia quickly noticed something was off.
Many people on the street were looking down, staring at small objects in their hands.
Some walked without looking where they were going, almost hitting a lamppost, dodged just in time, and then continued to look down.
Some stood by the roadside, motionless, just staring at the small objects in their hands and giggling foolishly.
Some sat on benches, and the small objects in their hands emitted various sounds.
Misty subconsciously leaned closer to Roy and hooked her arm through his.
"Roy... why are the people here so strange?"
Delia also hooked his other arm and whispered: "Why aren't they looking where they're going? They're just looking at that... what is that thing in their hands?"
Roy glanced: "Practicing Psychic abilities, probably, since most people here have Psychic Constitution."
Misty nodded, half-understanding, but still found these people strange.
"But... but they still shouldn't not look where they're going, it's too dangerous."
Roy smiled: "When people get new toys, they're all like this. They'll get over it in a while."
The three walked forward.
But after a few steps, Misty remembered something.
"Oh, right, you just said Saffron City is the birthplace of Psychic powers?"
"Mm."
"Then... are those Psychic powers real? I've heard some legends, saying some people can move things with their minds, and some can use Future Sight. I thought they were just exaggerated legends."
Roy nodded: "They are real. It's just that having a Psychic Constitution doesn't necessarily mean one is proficient in Psychic abilities."
He pointed to the crowd on the street.
"Among them, seven or eight out of ten might have a Psychic Constitution, but most people's abilities are very weak, only able to move small things, like bending a spoon or rolling a pencil."
"Truly powerful abilities, like Teleportation, Transformation, and Mental Control, are only possessed by one in ten thousand talents."
Misty listened intently, her eyes sparkling: "Then... then is Sabrina, the Gym Leader of Saffron Gym, also a real Psychic?"
Roy nodded: "She is real, and she's a genuine, high-level Psychic."
Delia grew worried and tightened her grip on Roy's hand.
"Then... then will it be dangerous if we challenge the Gym? What if she uses her Psychic powers against us?"
Roy patted her hand: "Don't worry, I'm already prepared."
He paused, then suddenly smiled.
"Besides, I also have Psychic powers."
Delia froze.
Misty also froze.
Both looked at him simultaneously.
"You?" Misty looked him up and down, "You have Psychic powers? What kind of Psychic powers do you have?"
As she spoke, she suddenly thought of something, and her face flushed.
"Roy! You're not trying to talk about *that* kind of Psychic power again, are you?! It's broad daylight! Don't talk nonsense!"
Roy was exasperated; this time he was just hinting at his abilities, not being suggestive: "What did I say?"
Misty glared at him: "You usually like to say perverted things to tease us! This time must be the same!"
The three walked and chatted, laughing playfully.
Suddenly, a voice came from beside them.
"Challenging Saffron Gym, you won't defeat Sabrina."
The three stopped and turned to look.
Standing by the roadside was a middle-aged man wearing a hat and ordinary casual clothes; he looked like a passerby.
He looked at the three with a serious expression.
"For your own safety, I advise you to bypass Saffron City."
Just as Roy was about to speak, his peripheral vision caught sight of the middle-aged man with the hat, and his heart stirred.
He carefully observed the other person.
He looked to be in his forties, his face somewhat haggard, and his eyes held an indescribable worry and helplessness.
Most importantly, his facial features...
Memories from the original work flashed through Roy's mind, and the corners of his mouth curved slightly.
This should be Sabrina's father.
"For your own safety, I advise you to bypass Saffron City," the middle-aged man repeated, his tone sincere.
Misty frowned and was about to speak, but Roy patted her hand and stepped forward.
"Uncle, with all due respect, we've come all this way; it would be a shame not to challenge the Gym."
The middle-aged man shook his head, his gaze falling on the Pikachu perched on Roy's shoulder.
Pikachu was lazily yawning, its tail swishing back and forth.
The middle-aged man's eyes suddenly widened.
"This Pikachu... such a high level!"
He took a step forward, leaned in for a closer look, and a surprised expression appeared on his face.
"Young man, if this Pikachu is your starter Pokemon, to have trained it to this extent, you're an excellent rookie Trainer."
Pikachu, hearing this, proudly raised its small head and let out a cry: "Pika~"
Roy smiled and said nothing.
Misty, however, was confused and couldn't help but speak:
"Hey, what's wrong with you, Uncle? First, you said my Roy couldn't win, and now you're praising his Pikachu. What do you mean by that?"
The middle-aged man smiled, a hint of bitterness in his expression.
"Pikachu may be strong, but I still don't think he can defeat Saffron Gym."
"Why?" Delia also couldn't help but ask.
Roy looked at the man in front of him and suddenly spoke:
"You are Sabrina's father, aren't you?"
The middle-aged man froze.
His expression stiffened for a moment, and a complex emotion flashed in his eyes.
"You... how did you know?"
Roy's expression was calm as he slowly said:
"Many years ago, there was a legend in Saffron Gym. The Gym Leader, Sabrina, lost control of her Psychic powers and turned her mother into a doll. Since then, her father left the Gym and traveled around, searching for a way to save his daughter."
He paused, looking at the other person.
"If I'm not mistaken, you must be that person, right?"
The middle-aged man was silent for a long while before letting out a long sigh.
"I didn't expect... that after so many years, someone would still remember this."
He took off his hat, revealing a weathered face.
"Yes, I am Sabrina's father. The legend... is true."
Misty and Delia exchanged glances, both somewhat shocked.
Turned a person into a doll?
What kind of terrifying ability was that?
The middle-aged man—Sabrina's father—looked at Roy with admiration in his eyes.
"Young man, the fact that you know these things shows you're no ordinary person. But precisely because you know, I must urge you to leave. Sabrina's Psychic powers are too strong; ordinary Trainers simply cannot withstand them."
As he spoke, he raised his hand and looked at a soda can by the roadside.
The next second, the soda can floated up into the air, spun twice, and then gently landed back in its original spot.
"Wow, wow, wow! It's real!" Misty's eyes were wide as saucers, looking at the soda can in disbelief, "Is this Psychic power? It's amazing!"
Delia also covered her mouth in surprise.
Roy watched this scene, and a thought suddenly popped into his mind.
He stepped forward, smiling, and said:
"Uncle, since you know Psychic powers, why don't you teach me? So I'll have a way to defend myself, and a better chance when challenging the Gym later."
Sabrina's father paused, then smiled and shook his head.
"Young man, Psychic powers aren't something everyone can learn. It depends on talent and requires a Psychic Constitution. Without that constitution, no matter how much you study, you won't learn it."
Roy blinked: "I have it."
"What?"
Sabrina's father was startled.
He subconsciously raised his hand and placed it on Roy's shoulder.
The next second, his face changed.
Shock, disbelief, incredulity.
Various emotions flashed across his face.
"This... how is this possible?"
He stared at Roy with wide eyes, as if looking at some rare treasure.
"You, an outsider, actually have a Psychic Constitution? And this intensity... although it hasn't been developed yet, the foundation is excellent!"
Now it was Misty and Delia's turn to be shocked.
"Roy, you really have Psychic powers?" Misty looked at him in disbelief.
Roy smiled and nodded: "Didn't I say I had Psychic powers?"
Misty was stunned for a moment, and her mind suddenly flashed back to what she had just said.
"You're not trying to talk about *that* kind of Psychic power again, are you?!"
"You usually like to say perverted things to tease us!"
Her face flushed.
So he was talking about real Psychic powers, not *that* "Psychic power"...
Delia covered her mouth and laughed beside her, making Misty even more embarrassed; she stamped her foot.
"You... why didn't you make it clear earlier!"
Roy looked innocent: "I said I had Psychic powers; you're the one who thought something else."
Misty: "..."
Sabrina's father watched the three bicker and smiled, but then immediately became serious again:
"Young man, even though you have a Psychic Constitution, I cannot teach you."
"Why?" Roy asked.
"I myself had to grope around for a long time just to barely control my abilities," Sabrina's father's tone became low, "Psychic power, if it doesn't grow under control, can easily get out of hand. Once it's out of control, it will be like Sabrina, losing self-control and even harming those around you."
He looked at Roy, his eyes sincere.
"So, young man, if you want to learn, you should find a more powerful Psychic. I'm afraid of harming you."
Roy nodded, understanding.
"Alright, then I'll go find your daughter. I heard she's a high-level Psychic; it's a good opportunity to ask for guidance."
With that, he waved to Misty and Delia.
"Let's go, to challenge the Gym."
"Eh?!" Sabrina's father was stunned.
Before he could react, Roy had already taken the two girls and walked away quickly.
"This kid... why won't he listen to advice!"
Sabrina's father slapped his thigh, stamping his feet in anxiety.
No, I have to follow them and see!
This kid also has a Psychic Constitution. What if Sabrina uses Psychic powers during the battle and the two of them have some kind of resonance or conflict, and things get out of hand? That would be terrible!
He quickly put on his hat and hurried after them.
...
Saffron Gym.
This was one of the most conspicuous buildings in Saffron City, a tall, modern-style arena with a huge Psychic-type symbol hanging on its exterior wall.
Roy and the two girls pushed open the glass doors and entered the Gym.
The scene inside made them pause.
In the spacious hall, there were a dozen tables, and in front of each table sat a person in a white lab coat.
Both men and women, not old, all had their heads bowed, staring at the spoons in their hands.
Each of them had a focused expression, sweat beading on their foreheads.
Some were trying to bend spoons, some were trying to make spoons float, but most of the spoons in their hands remained motionless. Occasionally, one or two would make a spoon gently wobble, and they would get incredibly excited.
"This... is this Psychic training?" Misty watched curiously.
Delia also found it novel: "They seem to be working very hard."
Roy nodded: "They are all apprentices learning Psychic powers."
As they watched, a young woman wearing a mask walked over.
She wore the same white lab coat as the others, but her demeanor was distinctly different; she walked with purpose and had sharp, capable eyes.
"Are you here to challenge the Gym?" The masked woman asked directly.
Roy nodded: "Yes."
The masked woman looked them over, especially glancing at the Pikachu on Roy's shoulder.
"Do you have Gym-level Pokemon combat strength?"
Misty was startled: "Isn't Saffron Gym a mid-level Gym? Isn't Common Grade and Elite Grade combat strength enough for a challenge?"
The masked woman shook her head, her tone serious:
"That's for regular mid-level Gyms. But our Saffron Gym is different."
She explained:
"Gym Leader Sabrina herself is a powerful Psychic, and her Pokemon are strengthened by her Psychic abilities. Although the Pokemon themselves aren't high-level, they temporarily evolve in battle, with their strength surging to quasi-Gym-level."
"Coupled with Gym Leader Sabrina's Psychic boost, which allows her Pokemon to achieve intense mental focus, their combat power far exceeds others of the same rank."
She looked at the three, her eyes filled with goodwill.
"If you don't have Gym-level Pokemon to protect yourselves, you should go back quickly. I'm not trying to make things difficult for you, but to protect you."
Misty and Delia exchanged glances, both somewhat worried.
quasi-Gym-level?
That would indeed be hard to deal with.
But Roy's expression remained unchanged; he simply smiled faintly.
Just then.
"Let the Pikachu Trainer come in!"
A deep, cold, mature female voice echoed from the depths of the Gym, reverberating throughout the entire hall.
The voice didn't sound loud, yet it seemed to ring directly in one's mind, making one's heart tremble.