As Marisol predicted, Howard checked his body. Hands ran across flesh as he braced himself for jagged scars and sewn skin. Instead, there is nothing but a lingering chill. Beyond that, there is nothing. Looking at the doctor, he tested his hand. Fingers danced with remarkable dexterity.

As they dance, a wince of pain. The admin stopped immediately. Best to let them rest and heal.

When Marisol spoke again, the tone in the room did not change, yet it felt like a line had been overstepped. An error was made, yet the doctor's office was the same as it had always been. A few chips of ice glimmered on the floor.

"How interesting. I did not know that the color red was associated with Galar." His tone is conversational, yet somewhat condescending. He knew what she referred to, though. Many in Hoenn experienced Dynamax, but few had immediate access to Dynergy.

The only person who willingly walked alongside the toxic substance was Hyakkaryōran Tsubaki , a girl who was too darkly stained by its clutches to ever fully recover.

"Why would ice chips be red?" His tone was inquisitive, as if the smuggler didn't know the answer. It was like he was taunting her. "Explain your thought process."

A teacher quizzing their student.

---

MARISOL SIMONE

"Kyurem is large. I would not be surprised if it had the ability to Dynamax, given its awe-inspiring size. It was also fused with Reshiram, which can use fire. That explains the redness."

He was having fun with her. Despite her work, Marisol's patient navigated the subject like a professional dancer, flitting from one idea to the next. Dynite Ore was rare. It was valuable. It was remarkably expensive. Howard had been considering expanding the market by extracting fresh ore, but Dewford kept its gates barred to him.

Luckily, there were other sources, including the depths of New Mauville.

Nonetheless, giving the full story would reveal Regice. That was unacceptable. The golem was a big secret, and its secrets were well hidden. Few knew of its connection to Dynergy, and Howard wanted to keep it that way.

For now.

"I am not a medical professional. I've seen frostbite before when I visited Sinnoh, with an archaeological team. I couldn't tell you why this was red." Howard coughed into his fist, hiding a smile. "Slayte."

He did not like his name being used in this context. His hand reached out in an attempt to grab the pills.

"If I may?"

---

MARISOL SIMONE

She was too easy to mock, or at least too willing to let mockery slide. Howard was too used to quavering under the weight of stronger Rockets. He could not mock his superiors to their faces, so he resorted to subtle glib.

That was not required here. He did not trust Marisol, but she seemed demure. It was easy to maintain security now that he was awake, and even as the fog in his mind continued to cloud it, it became clear that she did not mean harm, otherwise he would've never woken up. All it would take was a flick of the scalpel while cutting, and he would've died.

Marisol seemed too skilled to fumble with the scalpel, if his arm was any indication.

"I'd rather not." He laughed at the thought of asking another doctor, besides her, there was only one possible candidate. "But I thank you for the advice. You did a good service here today."

His gaze softened.

"Thank you. Be proud of your work."

As he rose, he wobbled slightly. Crumble's psychic power caused the Pokeballs to float in a ring around the ancient doll. Admin Fox would not need to exert himself, nor would he need Marisol's aid on that front. He gave her a glance as he chuckled. For her work, a hint.

"If you truly believe in counteracting whatever you think you saw in the ice, I recommend looking into Dynergy treatments. I could make it worth your while. I'm very good at finding materials and assets." The crates of chemicals proved that. He still wondered what the doctor planned to use them for. "Cooperation fosters progress, after all."

A hint, but enough to confirm her suspicions.

---

MARISOL SIMONE