Chapter 215: Chapter 216: Molumolu Land (2)

“……”

When Tywin regained consciousness, she found herself standing atop a fluffy cloud.

Quite literally on a cloud.It was a vibrant sky-blue cloud that emitted an unusual sound.

━Ingingyaing.

The cry was familiar to Tywin.After all, she had a peculiar animal companion named ‘Cloudring’.

“Ingingi?”

Tywin called out, wondering if it could be her long-lost friend.But the cloud remained silent.

“……”

After glancing down at the ground below, Tywin surveyed her surroundings.Before her stretched a spring paradise, complete with rainbows and warm sunlight that seemed to welcome her presence.

Swoosh—It was a magical place where fountains and ponds sprayed crystal-clear streams, and trees bore candy instead of fruit.A realm where rabbits bounced about and plush dolls walked around as if they were alive.

“This is 「Molumolu Land」.”

Tywin had few memories of visiting this place.The place was overwhelmingly cheerful and bright, not to mention noisy.Being someone who appreciated tranquility, Tywin preferred to keep her distance from this peculiar world when possible, but today she had a purpose here.

“I should at least do this much to repay the adults who’ve been caring for me.”

Tywin made her home in the Junk Mansion.Moreover, the adults there helped with expenses like Graham Academy tuition, uniform costs, and field trip fees.Being the perceptive girl she was, Tywin always kept this in mind and looked for ways to show her gratitude.

Gyuing—Ingingyaing—

Though the sounds emanating from the ground with each step were slightly annoying, Tywin soon adjusted and approached a walking stuffed doll.

“Have you seen Naru, Hina, and Cecily?”

The stuffed doll was an adorable one with red hair.Just as Tywin noted its resemblance to Elizabeth, the doll suddenly threw its hands up.

“Nice to meet you! I’m Dolly, the friendly doll! I’m a guide created from children’s wishes for companionship! Is this your first visit to Molumolu Land? What’s your name?”

A talking, moving doll.Truthfully, it seemed rather suspicious.Tywin always questioned whether pure kindness without ulterior motives truly existed.So she maintained a slight defensive posture.

“…I’m Tywin. It’s not my first time here…”

In reality, it might as well have been.Tywin knew virtually nothing about Molumolu Land, this children’s dreamscape.She’d only heard it described as an incredibly fun place.Additionally, other children struggled to remember much about Molumolu Land’s purpose.Dreams, whether joyful or sorrowful, tend to fade upon waking.

Doll Dolly explained.

“If you’re searching for someone in Molumolu Land, you’ll need to pass through ‘Star Cluster Hill’ to reach the ‘Friend Finding Board’! Would you like Dolly to show you the way? Dolly loves being a guide!”

The doll suddenly embraced Tywin.It had a pleasant scent and felt soft.But Tywin gently pushed it away.

“That’s alright. I can manage on my own.”

“Are you sure? Well, okay! If you need anything, just ask any of the dolls for help!”

Leaving behind the enthusiastically waving doll, Tywin crossed the grass field that resembled woven green yarn.After walking for a while, she reached the so-called Star Cluster Hill.It was a hill that sparkled like glow-in-the-dark stars, similar to those adorning children’s bedroom ceilings.Several children were sledding here, though upon closer inspection, they weren’t using sleds but rather Molumolus.

“Molumolu, use boost!”“That one’s drift technique is incredible!”

Riding Molumolus seemed to be the hill’s main attraction. It was peculiar how the Molumolus were large enough for children to ride.Though in a dream world, such things were possible.

“Boostie, use Flamethrower!”“Chikorita, counter with Vine Whip!”

Numerous children were also engaged in battle matches with their colorful Molumolus.This was the popular 「Molumolu Battle」 that Tywin often observed in school hallways during breaks.The teachers were even considering adding a 「Molumolu Battle」 event to the sports festival. While Tywin had been searching for Elle on Earth, this world had undergone significant changes.

“Are Molumolus really that special…”

Suk—Tywin drew forth a Molumolu from her shadow.Her shadow’s Molumolu was rather unique compared to others.Its sky-blue coloring made it resemble cotton candy more than anything else.

━Gyuing.

Even its cry was distinctive.It bore an uncanny resemblance to ‘Ingingi’, the Cloudling once considered a mythical creature.

“You weren’t making that gyuing sound until recently. What’s changed?”

━Ingingyaing.

“Could you actually be Ingingi?”

━Meow.

“…What is happening here?”

Though Tywin was quite intelligent, she couldn’t make sense of this creature. Just then, some children spotted her and rushed over with excited shouts of “Ah!”Their faces seemed somewhat familiar.

“Tywin, what brings you to Molumolu Land!”“Nice to meet you!”

“Rena and Rina?”

Rena and Rina were twin girls with light brown curly hair who attended the same elementary school class as Tywin. Meeting classmates in such a place was unexpected.Soon Rena and Rina called out.

“Everyone come here! Tywin’s in Molumolu Land!”

“What? Really? That studious Tywin?”“So Tywin likes Molumolus too!”

Ururu— Children came rushing over.They marveled at the Molumolu in Tywin’s possession.

“A sky blue Molumolu! That’s amazing!”“How did it evolve?”

Tywin felt overwhelmed by the sudden crowd.The children chattered excitedly, oblivious to her confusion.

“Tywin, did you finish your homework?”“Hey! We don’t discuss homework in Molumolu Land!”“I don’t want to go to school tomorrow─.”

Though the crowd was overwhelming, Tywin recognized this as an opportunity.She had been planning to ask about Naru and her sisters.

“Has anyone seen Naru?”

“Naru?”“Naru?”

Rena and Rina tilted their heads thoughtfully.Then they exclaimed as if remembering something important.

“You mean the three sisters? If you’re looking for them, they live at the top of that tall castle over there! But to meet them, you’ll need to defeat the Molumolu gym leaders and collect badges first.”

Molumolu gym leader.Badges.Tywin felt slightly dizzy at these unfamiliar terms.But learning the sisters’ location was valuable information.

“Here’s a map showing where to find the gym leaders! They’re masters who raise Molumolus of different elements, and they’re quite challenging opponents, so prepare yourself!”

The twins handed Tywin a map.It was crudely drawn in crayon with an ‘H’ signature at the bottom.

‘Could Hina have drawn this?’

With map in hand, Tywin embarked on her journey to find the gym leaders.

# # #

The nearest gym leader resided in the adjacent 「Wing Village」.Approaching Wing Village, Tywin saw winged Molumolus soaring through the sky with children riding them.It truly lived up to its name as 「Wing Village」.

“Who serves as the gym leader here?”

“Gym leader? Are you looking for me? I’m Dolomani, Barmesa’s daughter. And in Molumolu Land, I serve as the Wing Village gym leader. Are you here to challenge me?”

Pyororong—

Wing Village Gym Leader **Dolomani** has challenged you to a battle!

“What’s happening?”

Tywin stared bewildered at the strange text floating before her eyes. She waved her hands to dispel it, but the colorful letters remained.Left with no choice, she carefully read the hovering text.

Molumolu Battle

Please select a Molumolu to participate in battle

▶Lv. 17 Ingingi

“……”

Tywin slowly extended her finger and pointed at Ingingi. The sky blue Molumolu in her arms jumped forward with a Pat— and took position in the arena.Wing Village gym leader Dolomani observed the sky blue Molumolu and let out an impressed “Hooh—“.

“A sky blue Molumolu. I’ve never encountered this type before. Let me show you my partner! Go, Brightwing!”

━Meow.

Pat—A Molumolu with a brown body and brilliant cotton wings bounded into the arena.Children who noticed the commotion gathered around shouting “Look, someone’s challenging the gym leader!” and “Let’s watch!”While Tywin tried to process the situation, the gym leader commanded:

“Brightwing, use Brave Bird!”

━Grrrr!

The valiant winged Molumolu soared skyward and began a sharp descent. It moved so swiftly that Tywin could barely track its movement.

Pat—

Brightwing’s body slam connected with the sky blue Molumolu Ingingi.

━…Gyuing!

The sky blue Molumolu took the hit as its HP decreased.

Molumolu Battle

『Ingingi - HP : 34/47』

‘I’m not entirely sure what’s happening…but I gather I need to battle using these creatures. Should I attack too? But how? What moves are available?’

Just as Tywin began feeling tense.The text before her eyes changed.

Molumolu Battle — Moves

1. Just Stay Still For A While

2. Wriggle Wriggle

3. Rest

4. Heaven's Wrath

“……”

The list contained mostly puzzling options.Just Stay Still A Lot and Rest were clearly not combat moves.

‘That leaves 《Wriggle Wriggle》 and 《Heaven’s Wrath》. The one with wrath in its name must be offensive.’

Tywin wasn’t called a prodigy for nothing.She had grasped the fundamentals of Molumolu battles in mere moments.

“Ingingi, use Heaven’s Wrath!”

━Ingingyaing.

Sususu—Molumolu Ingingi ascended high into the sky.Wing Village gym leader Dolomani and the spectating children watched in amazement.

“A Molumolu that flies without wings?”“What element could that be?”“I’ve never seen anything like it!”

As everyone marveled, Molumolu Ingingi expanded its form in the sky. Its body crackled with electricity before unleashing a tempest of fierce winds, lightning, and rain.

Kwarung—Pajijik—

━Meow…

“B-Brightwing!”

Molumolu Brightwing collapsed to the ground.Its HP had been completely depleted.Dolomani cradled Brightwing, stroking it while catching her breath.

“Tywin, right? You’re incredibly strong! Even though this seems to be your first Molumolu battle, you defeated my Brightwing.”

“……”

“Here’s your badge. Once you defeat the gym leaders and collect five badges, you can challenge the Elite Four. And if you overcome them, you’ll earn the right to battle the ‘Master’ in that tall tower.”

Tywin quickly understood the system.She proceeded to battle four more gym leaders.They represented villages named 「Stream」, 「Clay」, 「Ghost」, and 「Flower」, each sending forth Molumolus that matched their themes to challenge Tywin.But her sky blue Molumolu ‘Ingingi’ proved formidable.

━Ingingyaing.

Molumolu Battle

Please select a Molumolu to participate in battle

▶Lv. 57 Ingingi

Having reached level 57 through gym battles.The children admired Tywin’s exceptionally powerful Molumolu.

“Tywin’s Molumolu is incredible!”“Maybe it can defeat the Elite Four?”“It might even be strong enough to challenge the Master!”

Listening to their comments, Tywin gazed up at the towering structure.A castle wrapped in mysterious clouds.She sensed someone watching her from above.