"Elias, do you think if only you learn everything from now on, it'll be enough?"
As if suddenly thinking of something, Diancie rubbed her tiny hands together and softly asked Elias.
She'd never been good at studying—often needing to review the same lesson three or four times to grasp what her Highness had taught.
But now, with Elias around, it felt as though she had gained another brain.
Maybe in the future, she could just have him stand by her side, whispering all the correct answers, just like today.
Hearing Diancie's words, Elias smiled slightly.
Indeed—deep down, she still loved slacking off.
However…
"Then wouldn't I need to stay by your side forever?" he teased gently, seeing her soft, nervous expression.
At first, Diancie blinked, startled.
Then, lifting her head suddenly, she gazed at him with wide, unbelieving eyes and asked anxiously:
"Elias…you won't stay by my side forever?"
Only after hearing his words did she belatedly realize it was truly possible for him to leave.
Maybe one day…
She might wake up from sleep and find Elias already gone.
This thought sent a deep chill of fear down into her heart.
Seeing Diancie's frightened expression, Elias didn't have the heart to scare her further.
He reached out, gently patting her head as he comforted her softly:
"Don't worry, I'll always stay by your side."
"And anyway…if I left your side, I wouldn't even be able to stay conscious."
Hearing Elias's comforting words, Diancie finally exhaled in relief.
Learning that he literally couldn't leave her, she even felt a tiny hint of secret delight.
This little feeling was something even she herself hardly noticed.
"Elias, I'll take good care of you too!"
Nodding seriously, Diancie declared earnestly.
Feeling his hand stroking gently across her head, she lightly pursed her lips.
It was comfortable…but Elias's hand never seemed to hold any warmth.
The touch wasn't quite like a real body's.
If possible…she dearly wished Elias could have a physical form, just like any normal living being.
---
[Since Her Highness had agreed, your plans to visit the human world with Diancie naturally became official.]
[You'd never interacted with humans before, but according to Diancie, they were a species both dangerous and clever.]
"But definitely not as clever as you, Elias," Diancie patted Elias and said confidently.
After all, humans spent at least a year learning their own writing system, while Elias had mastered it completely in less than half a month.
Even though it had nothing to do with her, she felt oddly proud about this fact.
---
[Two more days passed. During this time, the queen visited Diancie two more times.]
[Clearly, she was still struggling to accept what had happened last time.]
[But with your help, Diancie smoothly navigated those encounters again.]
[Finally, the day arrived for you and Diancie to enter the human world.]
Inside a tunnel—
Elias walked slowly alongside Diancie.
This tunnel leading to the human world had been specifically excavated by the Carbink clan.
Inside the rather narrow passageway, there was only Diancie and himself in his spectral state.
As for the two Carbink tasked with Diancie's safety, at her firm insistence, they lagged far behind at a considerable distance.
"Let's see…"
"Elias, do you know how to read this map? Human maps look so strange."
Diancie flipped the paper back and forth several times but still couldn't make heads or tails of it.
Scratching her head, she eventually turned to Elias for help.
The map had been provided by Her Highness, apparently a popular one among humans.
Its labels and illustrations were indeed detailed and exquisite.
But Her Highness seemed to have overlooked something important—Diancie had absolutely no idea how to read a human map.
With a sigh, Elias took the map from her.
After turning the upside-down map right-side up, he studied it carefully for a while.
Eventually, he turned to Diancie's expectant gaze and spoke:
"It seems the exit here leads to a human city called Shalour City."
"Since it's a coastal city, the scenery should be quite lovely."
Although he hadn't seen the ocean before, it wasn't hard to imagine it.
Hearing this, Diancie froze slightly.
As a Rock-type Pokémon…she instinctively recoiled at the thought of the sea.
But when she imagined scenery completely unlike the gloomy underground, her excitement quickly returned.
Seeing her eager expression, Elias had no choice but to remind her gently:
"Before sightseeing, we need to first find the books we're looking for."
While part of his purpose was certainly to accompany Diancie and have fun, their main goal was still finding useful texts.
Restoring her body's health remained his highest priority.
Seeing Elias's serious expression, Diancie obediently nodded.
What he said really was important.
Otherwise, if she returned empty-handed, explaining things to Her Highness would become difficult.
---
[Passing through the tunnel, you both eventually emerged on the surface, within a forest near Shalour City.]
[Unlike underground, the warm sunlight and fresh scent of grass made Diancie comfortably squint her eyes.]
[As a spirit, you couldn't sense these directly, yet still felt oddly content.]
Right in front of Elias, Diancie removed the small pack she carried, pulling out something resembling a cloak.
She threw it around her shoulders and put on a matching hat, fully disguising herself as a human.
Unless someone examined closely, it'd be impossible to notice she was actually a Pokémon.
"Do I look good?"
Diancie tightened her pink cloak slightly, peeking at Elias with shy curiosity.
"You look good."
Elias replied truthfully.
Diancie was already naturally pretty; paired with human-style clothing, she became exceptionally charming.
Hearing his affirmation, Diancie blushed lightly, a shy expression blooming across her face.
They walked through the forest, eventually entering the human city. Diancie's curiosity never faded even slightly.
This was her first time exploring the human world alone.
Almost everything she encountered presented an irresistible allure.
Though occasionally startled, whenever she leaned closer to Elias, she felt her confidence instantly restored.
"There's the library."
Checking the map again, Elias pointed toward a large building nearby, gently reminding Diancie.
Hearing this, Diancie merely nodded.
She wasn't particularly interested in libraries.
But…
How exactly were they supposed to get in?
Looking at the guards standing by the entrance, Diancie and Elias both fell silent at the same time.
Neither of them had anticipated guards standing watch at a library door.
At that moment, Diancie suddenly felt someone lightly tap her shoulder.
"Do you need me to take you inside?"
A woman dressed in traditional shrine maiden clothes, her silver hair cascading elegantly down her back, asked Diancie gently.
---
T/N: dont worry bonus chaps will be released on sunday
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say thank you to Girantina for that thoughtful message