Silver Arena's Pokémon Center.
Xia Yan lay peacefully in his hospital bed.
Lance, Steven, Cynthia, Lorelei, and the others sat in the ward.
Some chatted, while others ate.
They looked far too calm.
If they hadn't just seen Xia Yan fall unconscious, and if they hadn't been the first group to rush out, Lance and the others would still look like they wanted to put Alder on the chopping block.
Anyone unaware of the situation would probably think they were a group of heartless friends.
However.
After Nurse Joy said that he was merely physically exhausted and mentally drained, and that a few days of rest would be enough for him to recover, they were all relieved and returned to doing whatever they had been doing.
Outside the ward.
Alder was chatting with Professor Oak.
Though they were from different regions, they had known each other for a long time and were on quite good terms.
"Alder, that was thoughtful of you."
Professor Oak spoke with a hint of emotion.
"Hahaha—You saw through me, Xue Cheng?"
At that, Alder's hearty laughter echoed through the hallway.
Nurse Joy, who had initially wanted to remind him to keep his voice down, saw that it was Alder and immediately became too frightened to say anything.
This man was infamous for teasing Nurse Joy.
Professor Oak shook his head with a smile. "It wasn't just me. Do you think that kid couldn't see through it too?"
As he spoke, he gestured with his eyes toward Xia Yan, who lay on the hospital bed.
Alder scratched his head, let out a breath, and put on an expression as though he had nearly capsized.
"That was close. I almost really lost. I never expected him to have three Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution."
Professor Oak looked