Tap, tap, tap...
The crisp sound of footsteps echoed inside the cave.
Natsuhiko's expression was somewhat dazed, as he walked uncontrollably into the cave.
"Sipi!"
"Yongji!"
"Chakoyi!"
"Sha!"
The Pokémon all noticed Natsuhiko's oddity and called out.
Voices penetrated Natsuhiko's ears, waking him from his trance.
"What's wrong?"
As Natsuhiko looked around, he realized he had unknowingly walked halfway through, with a persistent voice saying "Come, come" echoing in his mind.
He was startled.
He vigilantly looked at the red Treasure Pearl not far ahead.
Just a moment ago, seeing there were no Wild Pokémon blocking the way inside the cave, with the target right in front of him, he thought of the benefits and changes it might bring and relaxed; his tense spirit slackened and he was directly drawn in.
If not for the cries of the Pokémon waking him, he might have unconsciously taken that Treasure Pearl in his hand.
No one knows what would happen next.
The only certainty is that Azelf's test for Natsuhiko represents "Willpower," and being completely absorbed, losing autonomous control, shows a lack of willpower—a test failure.
He took a deep breath, calming his heart.
Giving the Pokémon a reassuring look, he adjusted his state, then continued toward the Treasure Pearl after a while.
Each step was slow, but extraordinarily determined.
And with every step he took, the feeling of internal shackles loosening that he had felt facing Slowking arose again.
It was like unlocking his body, step by step, the loosening of shackles became more evident, and the strange feeling inside became increasingly strong.
The Pokémon standing at the cave's entrance kept a close watch on Natsuhiko.
Especially Yujira, whose eyes showed amazement, as its psychic ability was unconsciously triggered, spreading slowly from the body, vibrating with a special frequency.
After a long while, Yujira revealed a look of understanding, somewhat grasping the situation Natsuhiko was facing at the moment.
Finally.
Despite Natsuhiko's increasingly slow footsteps, he finally stood before the stone platform.
Looking gravely at the round, dark red Treasure Pearl in front of him, he could even see the swirling halos and the rhythm of special energy within it.
Upon closer observation, it's noticeable that the rhythmic frequency is almost identical to the psychic rhythm Yujira is releasing now.
Slowly reaching out his hand.
He could now clearly feel that as long as he touched this Treasure Pearl and stabilized his consciousness and thoughts, the strange lock inside his body could completely unlock.
This object.
Was presumably the key Azelf mentioned, capable of unlocking the treasure vault within him!
Natsuhiko vaguely thought that this dark red Treasure Pearl was quite similar to the ones on Azelf's two tails.
It might even have fallen from Azelf.
And what fills within might very well be Azelf's representative power of "Willpower".
The outstretched hand unconsciously trembled slightly, no longer under Natsuhiko's control.
Natsuhiko furrowed his brow tightly, steeling himself, gritting his teeth, and accelerated his hand to grab the Treasure Pearl.
At that moment!
Brilliant red light burst from the Treasure Pearl, bathing the entire cave.
Simultaneously, Natsuhiko vaguely heard a "ka" sound inside him, as the shackles binding him instantly shattered the moment he touched the Treasure Pearl.
Following that.
Azure halos surged from his eyes.
"Yongji."
At the cave entrance, Yujira's eyes also glowed blue.
Indeed.
Psychic power!
With the breaking of the internal shackles, the "treasure vault" inside him that Azelf mentioned was finally completely open, as psychic power surged like a tide from unknown corners within him.
His willpower, thinking ability, even the intensity of his spirit were released in an instant.
Natsuhiko even vaguely saw a figure almost identical to him, just slightly gaunt and disheveled, slowly merging with him.
'That's… the past form of this body?!'
Not giving him much time to think, the glow released by the red Treasure Pearl, after briefly erupting and dispersing, quickly immersed into him like swallows returning home.
The once intermittent stream-like psychic power expanded instantly.
From intermittent stream, it turned into an uninterrupted brook, then became a swiftly flowing river, and finally turned into a surging torrent.
After completion, the dark red Treasure Pearl's glow completely restrained.
Compared to before, it noticeably dimmed.
With eyes closed, strands of azure psychic power surrounded Natsuhiko, resembling lingering mist and radiant colors.
In the next second.
His eyes suddenly opened.
Azure psychic power surged violently, then vanished instantly.
Natsuhiko slowly lowered his head, looked at his palm, gently squeezed, not feeling discomfort.
Following that, with a thought.
Like commanding his limbs, the psychic power freely enveloped him, as his feet slowly lifted off the ground.
Clenching his fists.
Psychic power!
Natsuhiko's eyes flickered.
Awakened psychic power!
With Azelf's help, the deep-seated "treasure vault" within his body was unlocked, releasing his talent.
Perhaps his transmigrator spirit was special, perhaps his body bore traces of two souls, or maybe his willpower was strong enough, or simply it was a natural gift.
Regardless, now Natsuhiko is no longer an ordinary Trainer without even the strength to bind a chicken.
Facing Wild Pokémon, even without Beedrill and others' protection, he won't be completely defenseless.
In the Pokemon Realm, there are those with abilities; this is indisputable.
For example, the Power of the Eternal Plate possessed by Lance and Giovanni, or the psychic power owned by the famous "Superpower Girl" Nancy, and the Wave Guide Power, Super Overcoming Power, or uncertain "Dragon Power" yet to be confirmed by him.
Some people will display their abilities publicly, while others won't.
Now, Natsuhiko has finally become one of those people possessing special abilities.
His psychic power isn't strong, much weaker compared to Yujira.
But it's enough.
Now that psychic power is awakened, it's not impossible to find ways to improve it in the future.
As she knows, in the Pokemon Realm, there are psychics who certainly understand how to train and enhance psychic power.
Natsuhiko didn't suppress his ecstatic heart.
No need.
Joy!
"Yin—"
'Congratulations.'
Suddenly, Azelf's silhouette appeared before Natsuhiko, congratulating him with a cheerful smile.
Natsuhiko also smiled.
Sincerely said: "Thank you."
Azelf waved its hand, showing a mature demeanor.
'You indeed have this talent personally; I just gave a slight push. Actually, after you defeated Slowking, you weren't much in need of the 'Will Treasure Pearl's' stimulation.'
As it spoke, its tail gently swung.
The scene before Natsuhiko and the Pokémon shattered like a mirror, scattered into pieces, ultimately transforming into crystal dust, disappearing.
When their vision restored, they found themselves still sitting around the previous campfire.
As if nothing happened, like waking from a dream.
But Natsuhiko squeezed his fist, feeling the round object in his hand, knowing it wasn't a dream!