"Yan Zi, you work here?" Xiao Qian stepped forward to speak to the staff member as Senmu, without any work credentials, was about to leave disappointed.
"Xiao Qian, what are you doing here? Aren't you the one who hates studying the most? Why come all the way here to see me?"
The woman clearly knew Xiao Qian. After all, she was the future heir to Marigold City's Miltank Farm and the local gym.
"Yan Zi, what kind of words are those? My grandfather forces me to study every day, hoping I'll inherit the family business and the gym. I don't want to be so exhausted—I just want to travel freely with my Pokémon," Xiao Qian said, her dissatisfaction evident.
"Oh, and Yan Zi, this is my friend, Iwaki. He just arrived in Marigold City today. Let him in to take a look, please."
With that, Xiao Qian grabbed the woman's arm and gave a subtle charm, a mix of persuasion and innocence that left no room for refusal.
Seeing that Senmu was Xiao Qian's friend, Yan Zi's wary expression melted away.
"But…" she hesitated at first. Yet, after Xiao Qian's insistence and her personal assurance, Yan Zi relented, allowing them both into the library.
"All right, I give in. But next time, remember to bring your ID. Since you don't have a student ID, you can't check out books—you may only read inside the library. Also, put your Miltank back in its Poké Ball; Pokémon are not allowed inside." With that, the woman returned to her desk.
"Thank you, Yan Zi," Xiao Qian said.
"Iwaki, let's go in quickly," she urged, pulling Senmu toward the reading area.
"Thanks," Senmu said, genuinely surprised that she had vouched for him.
"It's nothing—we're friends," Xiao Qian replied effortlessly. She had already considered Senmu a friend.
Xiao Qian's sincerity made Senmu feel a twinge of guilt. He hadn't even told her his real name yet, and given his current identity, it seemed wise to keep it that way.
They chose a quiet window seat and began searching for the books they needed.
The Marigold City Library spanned six floors, each packed with books. The lower four floors allowed free browsing, but Senmu quickly realized these books were common and shallow. Whenever they approached key information, ads or interruptions appeared, leaving topics incomplete.
Senmu felt silently exasperated; he could already predict the superficial content. Moreover, the elevators to the fifth and sixth floors required special authorization, which disappointed him further.
Noticing his mood, Xiao Qian generously produced a card, allowing him to swipe and gain access to the upper floors.
Evil capitalists, yet they are incredibly savvy, Senmu thought, sensing the power of resources—though, in some ways, he now stood on the same side.
With the card, he accessed the fifth floor and found Intermediate Pokémon Massage Techniques and Dark-Type Pokémon Care Guide. Returning to the table, he saw Xiao Qian engrossed in Pikachu's Adventures.
No wonder she's from Marigold City's elite; she has no worries about training.
After a brief sigh, Senmu began studying. Unlike the privileged, he had to rely on his own effort.
These books were far richer than those on the lower floors, detailing dark-type Pokémon cultivation, food formulas, and advanced training methods that could greatly benefit him.
Pokémon can be trained like this? I really underestimated the world's heroes. He had thought that with his reincarnated knowledge, he could easily reach elite trainer status. Now he realized he still had much to learn.
Scanning through, Senmu felt his psychic energy replenish. He focused it in his mind to enhance concentration.
By 10 a.m., after an hour of study, he retained most of the book's content, as if memorized in an instant—truly a photographic memory. The information felt imprinted in his mind, accessible at any moment.
Not wanting to waste time, he swiped Xiao Qian's card again and hurried to the sixth floor, collecting books on Pokémon cultivation and training.
Just as he finished gathering the books and turned to leave, he noticed a dusty book in the corner of the top shelf. It hadn't been touched in ages.
Compelled, Senmu picked it up and dusted it off, revealing the title: Insights into Cultivating Psychic-Type Pokémon.
The book seemed untouched for a long time. Senmu even sensed a faint psychic residue lingering on its cover. One of his goals for visiting the library had been to seek information on psychic users.
He opened the book but noticed the spine bulging slightly. Tapping it, he realized there was a hidden compartment.
Behind the shelf, with no one around, Senmu used his pocket knife to carefully open the inner cover and extracted a thin booklet.
Before Senmu, there had been a book titled Psychic Training Manual.
The slightly yellowed pages revealed its age. Senmu read meticulously, noting every punctuation mark.
The booklet explained how to determine if someone possessed psychic abilities, the training system, the ranking of psychic users, and how to test an individual's potential—essentially, whether their focus reached the standard necessary to awaken powers.
I see… Since I've reincarnated and lived two lives, my inner focus meets the requirement, which is why my psychic powers awakened.
According to the text, he could channel psychic energy to enhance body parts and move small objects. Yet, as with yesterday's failed attempt to lift a heavy wardrobe, his psychic power was still at a beginner level.
The booklet also introduced a cultivation method called the Calm Mind Technique and telepathic communication, similar to what he had seen in the anime.
The Calm Mind Technique required conscious use of psychic energy, adjusting oneself internally to improve focus.
Telepathic communication involved channeling psychic energy as a bridge, allowing mental transmission. This method let trainers understand their Pokémon's needs and emotions, facilitating better training and battle efficiency.
It was a serendipitous discovery after so much fruitless searching. Senmu felt incredibly lucky.
After studying the booklet, he memorized all its contents using his psychic powers, then returned it to the book cover and placed it in another corner of the shelf.
Psychic users are rare. Trainers with psychic Pokémon usually have family traditions and cultivation methods, so this book isn't needed. That's why it's been left untouched all this time, he thought, marveling at his good fortune.