-006- The First Encounter

"Xiaotongsi, shall I drive you home?" Grandpa Chu knew Tongsi had walked here and offered to give him a ride.

After all, with such a large load of elf eggs, Tongsi couldn’t possibly carry them all by himself.

"That would be wonderful, thank you, Grandpa Chu," Tongsi replied, grateful for the help. He truly couldn’t manage so many elf eggs alone, but with Grandpa Chu’s assistance, it would be much easier.

"Tongsi! Now that you’ve finished selecting your elf eggs, you can finally have an elf battle with me, right?" The twin-tailed girl, Chu Xuanxuan, blocked Tongsi’s path.

She was persistent, making it clear that she wouldn’t let Tongsi leave unless he agreed to battle her.

"Very well. Since you insist, I accept your challenge!" Tongsi already held an elf ball in his hand.

He had a quest to complete his first elf battle. Previously, he’d refused Xuanxuan’s challenge because he was busy choosing elf eggs, but now that everything was packed, he was free to fight.

"You have another elf?" Xuanxuan was puzzled when she saw Tongsi produce an elf ball. Hadn’t she seen an Eevee in his arms?

"Of course," Tongsi replied without hesitation.

In this world, there was no rule stating that beginners could only own one elf, nor was there any restriction on the number one could capture, so long as they could care for them. However, casual release of elves was frowned upon by the Elf Protection Association; it was considered highly uncivilized.

"Come out, Electabuzz!" Tongsi tossed the elf ball, and Electabuzz appeared before the three of them.

“Bzzt bzzt!” Electabuzz waved its arms energetically, sparks flickering from its head.

“Hm?” Hearing Electabuzz’s cry, Eevee awoke, leaping from Tongsi’s embrace to the ground and shaking its head. After a long nap, it was finally refreshed.

"These are my two elves: Eevee and Electabuzz," Tongsi introduced the little creatures to Grandpa Chu and Xuanxuan.

"Wow! I can’t believe you already have two elves!" Xuanxuan pouted, clearly envious.

Grandpa Chu cherished his granddaughter, but he’d only given her one elf, warning that raising elves was no easy task. He insisted she master her first elf before granting her a second.

"Xiaotongsi, do you really think you can raise two elves at once?" Grandpa Chu frowned slightly, doubtful.

Not only Grandpa Chu, but even members of the Elf Association would ask the same.

Normally, beginners were advised to start with one elf and gradually expand their collection, step by step.

Tongsi scratched his head. Arriving in this world, he already had two elves. How could he explain this? Still, he had confidence he could raise them both well.

“Yes, Grandpa Chu. I believe I can handle raising both elves,” Tongsi said.

Grandpa Chu smiled kindly at him. "Grandpa Chu believes in you, Xiaotongsi."

"What about me? Grandpa, don’t you think I can do it?" Xuanxuan was clearly anxious.

"You wanted to battle Xiaotongsi, didn’t you? If you win, I’ll consider giving you a second elf. How does that sound?" Grandpa Chu spoke seriously to her.

"Deal! It’s settled!" Xuanxuan’s spirits soared. With her grandfather’s promise, her determination to win the battle grew even stronger.

"Let’s begin, then. I’ll act as your referee, if you don’t mind?" Grandpa Chu donned a red cap. In his youth, he too was an adventurer.

"No objections. Let’s start," Tongsi nodded.

Grandpa Chu led Tongsi and Xuanxuan to a clearing on the ranch.

"Each trainer may use one elf. The battle ends when one elf loses its ability to fight or the trainer concedes," Grandpa Chu announced, looking every bit the proper referee.

"Electabuzz, I’m counting on you!" Tongsi had no doubt Electabuzz was his best choice. Eevee seemed more a cute companion, while Electabuzz trained diligently every day.

"Electabuzz, huh? Go, Mareep!" Seeing Tongsi choose Electabuzz, Xuanxuan sent out her first elf, Mareep.

Tongsi examined Mareep’s data panel:

Elf: Mareep
Level: 8
Ability: Static
Quality: Excellent

Tongsi was surprised to see its quality was excellent. He hadn’t expected Xuanxuan’s first elf to be of such high caliber. Most Mareeps on the ranch were common or ordinary quality; Tongsi had scanned them upon arriving.

As the battle was about to begin, the ranch’s Mareeps and the Oddish on the lawn gathered around.

"Me-e-e-e!"
"Oddish!"

They all recognized Xuanxuan’s Mareep and cheered for their companion.

“Hm? Eevee!” Not to be outdone, Eevee joined in, waving two small fans it had somehow produced and dancing energetically. As a cheerleader, Eevee was unparalleled, its voice booming above all others.

Electabuzz scratched its head, thinking the fuss unnecessary.

"Let the battle begin!" Grandpa Chu’s command rang out, and Xuanxuan seized the initiative.

"Mareep, use Thunder Shock!"

"Me-e-e-e!" At her command, Mareep unleashed its Thunder Shock, demonstrating their strong bond. A yellow current shot toward Electabuzz.

"Electabuzz, use Quick Attack!"

This was Tongsi’s first time partnering with Electabuzz in battle. He worried their teamwork might be lacking, but Electabuzz moved just as he hoped, swiftly dodging Mareep’s attack with Quick Attack and closing in.

With tremendous speed and force, Electabuzz rammed into Mareep.

Bang!

Electabuzz knocked Mareep to the ground.

"Are you all right, Mareep?" Xuanxuan was nervous, surprised by Electabuzz’s swift assault.

"Me-e-e-e!" Mareep got up, shook itself, signaling it was ready to continue.

Meanwhile, Electabuzz seemed to be surrounded by a faint electromagnetic field.

"Has Static activated?" Tongsi realized it was Mareep’s ability—Static—that could paralyze any elf touching it.

“Bzzt!” Electabuzz cried, and the electromagnetic energy was suddenly absorbed by the plug-like horns on its head.

“What’s happening?” Tongsi and Grandpa Chu were equally stunned.

Xuanxuan, focused on Mareep, didn’t notice.

...(To be continued)