"No need to notify anyone—we're already here."
Just as Nurse Joy Elena was about to place the call, two figures emerged from the corridor behind the front desk. Having been informed the moment Ash entered the Pokémon Center, they had come out personally.
"Ash, these two are the ones I just mentioned—Elder Amelie and Miss Clarissa, who arrived from the family two days ago," Joy Elena introduced warmly.
"Hello, Ash," Amelie 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 mention you many times. And these past two days, I've been seeing news about you everywhere online. Now that I finally meet you in person… you truly are as outstanding as they said."
"Hello, Elder Amelie Joy," Ash replied politely.
Then, unable to help himself, he glanced toward the young girl standing beside her.
From the moment 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 women. This was the first time he had met a Joy close to his own age.
It felt… refreshing.
"So this must be Clarissa," Ash thought. "She came together with Elder Amelie and was introduced as 'Miss.' Her status in the Joy family must be extremely high."
The Joys were known as the embodiment 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~"
Amelie 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," Amelie 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 treatment 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 met 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 me Miss Clarissa," she added softly. "My name is Clarissa. You can just call me by my name. 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 me Ash."
"…Ash."
The first time she said his name aloud, her cheeks reddened again, warmer than before.
Up ahead, Amelie'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, Amelie 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 assignment—coming to Viridian City to evaluate Ash's Healing Grace and provide medical training—was clearly more than a coincidence.
Amelie understood the deeper intention.
And judging by the pleasant first meeting, 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 treatment rooms inside the Pokémon Center.
"Alright, Ash. This is one of the examination rooms used for Pokémon diagnosis and treatment. Are you ready?" Amelie asked.
Pikachu and Frogadier were asked to wait outside. Ash, Clarissa, and Amelie 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 movements 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," Amelie explained while holding a clipboard. "This Rattata has sustained a mild external injury. Ash, please begin treatment."
"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…!"
Amelie's eyes widened in astonishment.
"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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