Xiao Hai's Recent Situation

The vacation was drawing to a close, and Zeno's matters had more or less been settled. During this time, Gu Yan had even called to check on Zeno.

Gu Yan was currently vacationing in Lilycove City. Wearing nothing but beach shorts and sunglasses, he lounged lazily in a deck chair beneath a parasol. Seeing him like that made Zeno green with envy.

"Senior Brother, you're having way too much fun. I admit it, I'm jealous."

"Hahaha, I've never been here before, so of course I have to enjoy myself properly. By the way, how's the work on your end going? Our flight is the afternoon after tomorrow. You won't have any problems, right?"

"I'm wrapping things up. No problem. Go enjoy yourself."

"That's good, then. I won't chat with you any longer. I'm going surfing."

After hanging up, Zeno kept a calm expression. What was so great about surfing? He drove boats every day! He wasn't jealous. Not jealous at all!

"Zeno, you've got a letter! It's from that kid Xiao Hai!" Dazhuang shouted from outside his door.

Hearing that Xiao Hai had sent him a letter, Zeno immediately ran outside in excitement.

"Uncle Dazhuang, Xiao Hai sent me a letter? How did he know I was back?"

"He didn't. He said in his letter that he originally planned to have the village chief forward it to you. Since I saw you were home, I brought it directly to you."

"Thanks, Uncle Dazhuang."

Dazhuang left after delivering the letter. The young and middle-aged men in the village were all busy people.

Zeno opened the envelope and began reading carefully. Xiao Hai's handwriting was ugly, crooked and messy. Fortunately, Zeno had studied with him since they were children, or he really would not have been able to make it out.

"Zeno, have you been doing well lately? You're so smart, so I bet the entrance exam couldn't stump you. You're already studying at Trainer School now, right? That's great."

"After you left, I was bored all by myself. After thinking it over for a long time, I decided to travel. I caught a Seedot in the forest near the village. It's a very hardworking kid. I'll introduce you two when I get the chance."

"At first, I went to Lilycove City. It was really huge—I even got lost in the city. Luckily, a kind Officer Jenny helped me. Honestly, Officer Jenny is really pretty. I almost wanted to take the Pokémon police academy entrance exam, hahaha. Just kidding."

Zeno could not help laughing when he read that. It was exactly Xiao Hai's usual style. Still, Zeno thought he was right—not only was Officer Jenny beautiful, Joy was too.

"After wandering through the forest for several days, I finally arrived in Fortree City. It's amazing! All the houses here are built in the trees and completely blend into the forest. It truly deserves to be called a city in the trees that lives in harmony with nature. You have to come see it when you get the chance."

A photograph was attached below. Xiao Hai stood in front of the Pokémon Center, holding Seedot in his arms. Looking closely, Zeno saw that behind him stood towering trees, with rows of houses in all sorts of styles built upon them.

"Winona of Fortree City was very strong. I suffered a crushing defeat. Later, I trained near Fortree City for a few days, and my Tentacool actually evolved. Then we barely managed to win the Feather Badge."

"After that, we went to Mauville City, but unfortunately Mr. Wattson wasn't there. The staff said Mauville City was planning to build a new power plant, and Mr. Wattson was the main person in charge, so he wouldn't be back anytime soon. I had no choice but to leave Mauville City first."

"Heading farther north, I saw the Hoenn Desert, but I really didn't have the courage to go in and look around. Then I kept going and saw Mt. Chimney. Volcanic ash drifted down from time to time, and the sightseeing cable car here had an especially good view."

"Lavaridge Town is built on the mountainside of Mt. Chimney. The hot springs here are incredible. A soak can wash away all the fatigue in your body, and the hot sand baths are great too."

"Most exciting of all, I heard that Mr. Mura, the current Gym Leader of Lavaridge Gym, used to be one of Hoenn's Elite Four! He only retired because he was getting old. I went to challenge him and specifically asked him to let me see the strength of an Elite Four member. Mr. Mura was too strong. His Torkoal swept through my whole team without breaking a sweat, hahaha."

What a goof. He had been swept three to zero and was still so happy about it. Zeno could not help mocking him.

"I'm still in Lavaridge Town right now. I plan to train on Mt. Chimney for a while. I have to earn Mr. Mura's recognition and get the Heat Badge! Oh, and remember to write back and tell me your current address. I'll send you some Lavaridge crackers. They're especially delicious."

"Xiao Hai."

Knowing that Xiao Hai had been doing well lately put Zeno at ease. He had not expected Xiao Hai's experiences over the past few months to be so rich. Zeno remembered that the Hoenn League was held once every four years, so Xiao Hai still had nearly three years to prepare. That was plenty of time. His current approach was very good—he could broaden his horizons while improving his strength.

Zeno suddenly remembered the Brine TM Teacher Zhihe had asked him to pass along, and he put it into the envelope as well. Then he took out a fresh sheet of paper and began writing.

"Xiao Hai, I've been doing very well lately. I didn't take the Trainer School entrance exam. It really was quite a winding journey. At first, Uncle Kam took me to Lilycove City, but the Trainer School there had already stopped accepting applications. Teacher Zhihe gave us a business card for the Trainer School in Rustboro City, so Uncle Kam took me by boat from Lilycove City to Slateport City."

"I originally thought I would be going to that school, but then I unexpectedly met Professor Birch in Slateport City. We helped them out a little, and the professor was very welcoming. He invited us to visit his research lab, and there were so many Pokémon there that I could barely take it all in."

"Later, the professor felt we got along well and accepted me as his student. I'll be living at Littleroot Research Lab for quite some time, so if you want to contact me in the future, you can send letters there or call the lab. Oh, and the professor gave me a Pokédex. Write down my contact information."

"With my teacher's and senior brother's help, I built a Clamperl ranch in our village. You'll see it when you come back. Teacher Zhihe has returned to Lilycove City, and this TM is a gift from her to you."

"The places you wrote about all sound beautiful. I'll definitely visit them if I get the chance. Good luck challenging Lavaridge Gym! I believe you can do it. When you come to Petalburg City, be sure to let me know. We can meet up then."

"Zeno."

After sealing the letter, Zeno set it aside. The town was too far away for him to go alone, so he could only wait for Uncle Kam to return and ask him to mail it. Swellow Express was very reliable. Xiao Hai would probably receive his reply within two days.

Xiao Hai's Tentacool had already evolved. But thinking about it, that made sense—he had owned it for so long that it was about time. Thinking of those two lively troublemakers made Zeno laugh again.

He looked at the Carvanha in the fish tank and wondered when it would evolve. Zeno was looking forward to it, but he was not in a hurry. It was best to let such things happen naturally.