It is well-known that there are various ways to restore stamina in the Pokémon world.
There are healing herbs, restorative roots, and even an Oran Berry that restores 10 HP… She didn't know if there were any herbs in the forest, or if berries were still growing this season.
What if she concocted her own Potion using herbs?
Draconis pondered this as he scrolled through his technology tree.
Soon, he found the relevant technology.
[Basic Herbalism: Unlocks recipes for some basic Potions. Required for exchange: 200 Satisfaction.]
"Still half the Satisfaction needed…"
The method of gaining Satisfaction was both simple and difficult.
He could only gain it by satisfying the people in the territory he ruled.
For example, by meeting their needs for clothing, food, housing, and travel.
"It seems I'll have to wait until the log cabins are built before I can harvest a wave of Satisfaction from Lyne and the others."
*
At the same time, in a tent on the edge of the territory.
The physician Lila handed a book containing various herbal knowledge to the girl Anna.
"This book records the appearance and effects of various herbs. Take it back and read it. Once you can recognize the names and effects of the herbs without looking at the pictures, you can learn the next step."
"Yes, Teacher Lila! I will definitely study hard!"
Anna took the book and bowed gratefully.
Lila smiled.
That day, she came to treat these patients, including Anna's mother, under the instruction of His Highness Draconis.
Lila had thought it was just an ordinary treatment.
But to her surprise, Anna came to her early this morning and asked her to teach her about herbs.
Anna said she also wanted to become a physician and use her own strength to help more patients, thereby repaying His Highness Draconis.
There were many patients in the territory, and Lila was a bit overwhelmed working alone. Seeing Anna's sincere desire to become her apprentice, she agreed.
"Alright, you can go back now!" Lila needed to start checking on the patients' conditions to see if they had improved.
Anna left with the book. She returned to her tent, roasted by the fire, and began to read.
But… this was too slow.
Just by reading, she didn't know when she would be able to help His Highness Draconis.
Anna thought of everyone outside Gathering berries and collecting wood. Everyone was working so hard; it was too much for her to just stay in the tent!
Anna felt she needed to do something too.
Looking at the herbs drawn in the book, Anna made a decision.
Teacher Lila was running out of herbs, so she also needed to enter the forest and help Gather them!
Without delay, Anna immediately put on her satchel, left the tent, and headed into the forest to search for herbs.
Anna had extremely good luck. Not long after leaving the territory, she discovered a strange brown root protruding from the ground at the base of a large tree.
"This is…" Anna quickly took out her book, flipped through it, and searched for information about this item. "Energy Root… It tastes very bitter, but its juice can heal a patient's wounds in a short time."
Energy Root!
Anna's eyes lit up, and she quickly dug out the Energy Root and put it into her bag.
After doing all this, she looked up and surveyed her surroundings.
The tree branches were covered with snow, and the ground was a vast expanse of white.
This cold environment did not diminish Anna's resolve in the slightest.
On the contrary, at this moment, she was extremely excited.
Because this kind of herb was very precious and rare!
There must be more nearby. She wanted to Gather more Energy Roots and then give them to His Highness Draconis!
The girl's figure moved through the snowy forest like a nimble fawn.
She diligently and earnestly searched for traces of herbs in the vast white snow.
However, just then, Anna suddenly noticed something behind a tree in front of her.
"Huh? Is that some rare herb?"
Anna, her head giddy with the thought of rare herbs, ran towards it without thinking.
But when she got closer, she saw that it was not an herb at all, but a Pokémon that was entirely grayish-black and resembled a fox cub.
Anna was startled and couldn't help but scream.
"Ahhhhh! It's a Pokémon!"
Hearing the scream, Zorua weakly opened its eyes.
It was then that Anna saw a very terrible wound on its body.
But her lifelong fear of Pokémon still took over, and Anna instinctively turned and ran.
However, she ran for a long time, and the Pokémon did not chase her.
Anna couldn't help but stop and look back.
That Pokémon seemed to be very seriously injured… It couldn't even move anymore.
At this moment, Anna felt as if two little people were fighting inside her.
One little person said: "That's a Pokémon! If it attacks you, people will die!"
The other little person said: "But it didn't chase me…"
"If a Pokémon kills me, I'll never see my mom again!"
"But it's injured. If I don't do anything, it will die here…"
Anna was in an internal struggle.
Finally, her emotions won out, and she turned back to the severely injured Pokémon, examining its wounds like her teacher would.
Zorua watched the human in front of it warily. It no longer had the strength to act.
"Good Pokémon! Don't attack me, I'm here to help heal you!"
Anna said, extending her hand towards the Pokémon.
Zorua's eyes followed her hands closely.
Anna was incredibly scared, and she couldn't help but wonder if this Pokémon would bite off her fingers.
The next second, Anna decisively pulled back her hand.
Zorua: "…"
Anna hesitated for a moment, then took out the Energy Root she had painstakingly Gathered from her bag. She squeezed out its juice and dripped the liquid onto Zorua's injured area.
"This is the Potion we humans use to treat illnesses. I don't know if it will work for you… If it does, you're not allowed to attack me!" Anna said, uneasy, as she worked.
The moment the Energy Root's juice landed on Zorua's wound, something miraculous happened.
The swollen wound healed at a visible speed!
Seeing this, Zorua was slightly stunned.
Anna was even more amazed by this miraculous sight.
"Eh?"
Zorua suddenly moved.
It stood up from the snow, shook the snow off its body like a puppy shaking off water, then looked up at the human in front of it, with a hint of wariness in its eyes.
Anna was also startled by its sudden movement, and she instinctively shielded her face with her arm, exclaiming in panic:
"Ahhh! Don't hurt me!"
The equally scared Zorua was a little dumbfounded by this scene, momentarily frozen.
"…?"
Anna waited for a long time, but the Pokémon in front of her didn't move.
Anna tentatively lowered her arm and secretly observed it.
Zorua then snapped out of its daze. It silently hunched slightly, adopting a defensive posture, while raising its head and staring motionless at the human with its pale blue eyes.
Seeing this, Anna's courage couldn't help but grow.
Actually, this Pokémon was quite cute!
Anna couldn't help but take a step forward.
However, seeing her action, Zorua instinctively took a step back as if startled.
Its paw pads left plum blossom-shaped footprints in the snow.
The next second, with a "poof," it transformed into the likeness of the girl Anna in a puff of white smoke.
Anna's eyes widened instantly.
"Eh—? It turned into me?!"