Psychics have a knack for using their powers to handle everything—switching lights, grabbing items, even cleaning. Rarely do they need to lift a finger. Coupled with their reclusive nature, technology feels like a nemesis. When first encountering computers, they might as well have wanted to smash them with their powers.
For Grace, things were even worse. The noble lady once locked herself away in the Battle Castle due to emotional distress, refusing to step outside more than anyone else.
"If you can really use a computer, why not show me a movie?" Sabrina teased, pulling out a laptop.
Grace was momentarily speechless.
"Why should I show you just because you asked?" she retorted, trying to hold her ground.
Sabrina pretended to close the laptop. "Just admit if you can't."
"Wait!" Grace quickly stopped her.
Snatching the laptop from Sabrina, Grace insisted, "I said I know how to turn it on. Just you wait, you brute!"
"Alright, I'm waiting," Sabrina replied, arms crossed, clearly enjoying the show.
Grace swallowed nervously and pressed the power button from memory. As the screen lit up, she let out a smug smile—until the screen abruptly went dark again. Panic set in as she checked the laptop over and over, pressing the button once more only to face the same result.
"Is it messing with me?" she fretted, her voice tinged with tears.
Serena, unable to watch any longer, whispered to Cynthia, "Aren't you going to step in?"
"Just call me sister," Cynthia replied kindly, patting her shoulder. "Let them have their fun; it's quite amusing."
Initially, Cynthia intended to mediate. Two guests arguing in someone else's home was indeed improper. She could intervene with Grace, though not with Sabrina. But seeing Grace's rare emotional outburst, she changed her mind.
Over the years, as Grace mastered her psychic powers, she grew increasingly arrogant and disinterested in everything, like a machine devoid of feelings. It was bound to cause problems eventually. Cynthia brought Grace on this trip hoping to help her reboot.
But apart from being special to herself, Grace remained uninterested in other matters—until she met Sabrina. The rivalry seemed to invigorate her. The same went for Carl, who not only influenced her emotions but could also seal her powers.
Grace's change made Serena secretly happy, even if it meant she might have to endure some minor grievances.
"Stop pretending. You're just clueless about electronics," Sabrina continued to tease after getting her fill of entertainment.
"No, I'm not! I just have a bad memory," Grace argued, her face flushed. "It must be your computer that's faulty."
Sabrina lightly lifted a hand, causing Grace's fingers on the power button to be moved aside. The computer screen lit up again.
"Why is it still on this screen? Wait… it didn't shut down?" Grace's eyes widened.
Serena set down her console and explained, "Holding the power button forces a shutdown. You kept pressing it, which caused it to repeatedly turn on and off."
Grace felt as if she'd been struck by lightning. Was it really that simple to just press it lightly? How could she have messed up such a basic operation?
"Now you can choose a movie," Sabrina said nonchalantly.
Serena couldn't bear to watch any longer, but the comedic tension continued. Grace's reaction was priceless.
"So what if I can't use electronics well? It's not like I rely on them to make a living," she said, trying to maintain her composure.
"It's just to confirm you're a bit foolish," Sabrina replied casually.
"No, you're the foolish one! I'm just not familiar with it!"
"Ha."
"I challenge you to a duel!"
"Come on then, I don't need to go all out. One finger will suffice," Sabrina said, her calm tone cutting deep.
Grace was so enraged she nearly stomped her foot, internally cursing Carl a hundred times over.
"Why not choose a fairer competition?" Serena suggested, trying to mediate.
Sensing the tension, Cynthia stepped in at the right moment.
"I have a proposal," she said, raising her console.
Grace perked up immediately. "What is it, sister?"
Sabrina quieted down, curious about the proposal.
"Battling with psychic powers or trainer strength isn't fair. But in this game, all Pokémon are adjusted to the same level, and you can only use three," Cynthia explained.
"Once you finish the game, you can have a fair battle based purely on tactics. How about it?"
"Fantastic!" Grace slammed the table, challenging Sabrina with her eyes. "Do you dare take it on?"
She was actually a bit nervous, especially with her psychic powers sealed. This proposal was perfect for her.
Sabrina saw through her intentions but still nodded. "Sure."
"It's no fun bullying the weak."
However, Sabrina suddenly asked, "Do you even know how to play games?"
Grace was at a loss for words.
"I must be jinxed with Carl," she mumbled under her breath.
Passing by, Carl looked puzzled.
Looks like it's best to keep the seal, he thought silently as he walked away.
Once the game began, Grace's complaints didn't stop.
"Why are the starter Pokémon the same trio? So unoriginal!"
"The opponent's type counters mine? That's unfair!"
"I'm not familiar with the map layout of this region. Bad review!"
Even when encountering common Pokémon, she found faults: "Wrong gender!" "Graphics are too rough!"
Cynthia struggled to contain her laughter. Grace was clearly venting her frustrations through the game, but it was good to see her acting her age for once.
Sabrina suddenly commented, "Carl was in the kitchen, drinking water several times."
The room fell silent instantly, and Grace's voice came to a halt.
After a while, she quietly asked, "Why didn't you say so earlier?"
If Carl overheard, lifting the seal on her powers would be even harder. Every moment without her powers was agony.
"I have no obligation to tell you," Sabrina replied casually, making Grace grit her teeth in frustration.
To lighten the mood, Grace switched topics. "What starter Pokémon did you choose?"
"That's not important," Sabrina clearly didn't want to engage.
"You're keeping even that a secret? Seems like you have no confidence in yourself," Grace tried to provoke her.
Sabrina didn't respond, simply flipped open the Pokémon page and turned it towards Grace. The screen displayed a tidy lineup: Alakazam, Espeon, Mr. Mime, Medicham, Claydol, and Orbeetle.
Grace was too shocked to speak. She stood up abruptly, her voice trembling, "This is too much!"
She stared at Sabrina, her gaze filled with envy and resentment. More than designer bags and cosmetics, collecting rare psychic-type Pokémon was truly captivating. Seeing Sabrina with a complete psychic team made her almost cry with jealousy.
"In the game, just like reality, you can trade Pokémon," Sabrina said, seemingly reading her thoughts. "If you call me sister, I'll give you one of each."
"Don't even think about it!" Grace immediately refused. She was confident she could catch those Pokémon herself and wouldn't be swayed by such terms.
-------------------------
Patreon Advance Chapters: p@treon .com / kirekky