A Precious Gift

The crescent moon on Christmas Eve hung in the lake-like night sky like a silver boat.

Moonlight shone upon the snow outside, as though the entire world had been veiled in a soft silver glow.

Principal Kiriyama wore a Santa hat and carried a Santa-style sack of gifts on his back as he stood in the snow, constantly rubbing his hands together.

When he noticed the room light up, he looked up and met Hu Yang's gaze through the window.

Neither of them spoke. They merely exchanged knowing smiles.

Hu Yang turned around, picked up the gingerbread man he had bought yesterday from the table, and handed it to Surskit, asking it to take it back.

"Surskit?"

Surskit accepted it curiously. Hu Yang said, "It's a Christmas gift for all of you."

"Surskit!"

Surskit let out a delighted cry, glanced at Hu Yang, then turned and left the room with the gingerbread man in its arms.

Through the window, Hu Yang saw the happy smile on Principal Kiriyama's face when he received the gift.

He carefully put the gift away, then continued delivering presents to the other teachers with Surskit.

Hu Yang's heart felt warm as he opened the gift box with his Pokémon.

He untied the ribbon, removed the wrapping paper, and lifted the lid. Before Hu Yang lay a round stone like a marble, patterned in two colors.

When Hu Yang looked at it, a piece of information appeared in his mind.

[Gardevoirite: A mysterious Mega Stone that allows Gardevoir holding it to undergo Mega Evolution in battle. It was once carried as an amulet by an old man who did not know its purpose for twenty years.]

Hu Yang froze. His first thought was that this gift was far too precious!

Research into Mega Evolution had yet to be discovered in this world.

At this point in time, Professor Sycamore of Kalos should have only just begun researching Mega Evolution.

In other words, it would still be a long time before Mega Evolution entered Trainers' field of vision.

Hu Yang immediately felt like the thing was burning his hands.

Principal Kiriyama did not know what it did, but Hu Yang did. If he simply accepted it, it felt as though he were taking advantage of the old man.

Besides, he had received plenty of special care from the principal in daily life. The thought left his conscience uneasy.

After pondering it for a long time, Hu Yang decided to return the incomparably precious Evolution Stone.

But after he explained why he had come, Principal Kiriyama merely blinked and said, "We've already exchanged gifts, haven't we?"

Hu Yang was left speechless. He did not explain the Evolution Stone's specific purpose, merely saying, "This stone looks very rare. It's too valuable. I can't accept it."

Principal Kiriyama smiled and asked, "I heard from Erika that you seem to be preparing to become a Trainer. Is that right?"

Hu Yang gave a hum and answered honestly, "I want to go out and see this world."

Principal Kiriyama looked at him approvingly. "That's a very good idea."

His gaze fell upon the stone as he explained, "I found that stone in a mine during my travels when I was young."

"It has accompanied me for many years. Unfortunately, I never made it to the end. I'm giving it to you now because I hope you can take it and continue that journey. Ah, I suppose it could be called one of my regrets!"

Reminiscence and regret filled Principal Kiriyama's eyes.

Hu Yang understood. Since coming to this world, he had met many people filled with kindness: teachers at school who looked after him, and students in class who were both friends and teachers to him.

Everyone loved Pokémon and looked forward to setting out on journeys where they could encounter unknown Pokémon.

Such pure hopes and dreams were indeed enough to move anyone.

He clenched the Evolution Stone and said solemnly, "I understand. I'll work hard."

Principal Kiriyama smiled and nodded. "Then do your best!"

Meanwhile, deep within Petalburg Woods.

A Gardevoir stood face-to-face with a young Ralts.

Ralts knelt on the ground, panting heavily, its body covered in numerous wounds.

Gardevoir's expression was calm as water as she watched the scene and asked, "Is it worth it?"

Ralts clenched its tiny fists and stood up, replying firmly, "I want to see the human world. I want to travel with that human!"

Seeing this, Gardevoir drew a deep breath and closed her eyes. She could feel her daughter's determination.

"Then." She opened her eyes, intense psychic power flowing within them. "Continue."

"Dad..." Ralts opened its mouth, unable to understand what Gardevoir meant. "Why...?"

During this time, Gardevoir had constantly battled with it. Though they were called battles, they were more like lessons.

Gardevoir was teaching her daughter everything she knew as much as possible.

But Ralts had not realized that. It had thought its father was simply punishing it for sneaking out, and it had been sad about that for a long time.

Gardevoir said reluctantly, "If that human cannot protect you, I hope you can protect yourself. So before you leave, learn my abilities properly."

Ralts froze for a moment, then delight appeared on its face. "Dad, you're letting me go traveling?"

Gardevoir sighed helplessly. "I can't keep you tied to my side forever, can I?"

The last time Ralts had secretly run off while she was not paying attention, it had nearly been caught by humans.

It was not the first time something like this had happened. It had happened many times before.

If she had not arrived in time, the consequences would likely have been terrible.

Rather than letting Ralts keep sneaking out behind her back, it was better to grant its wish.

Moreover, Gardevoir's species was born with the ability to sense human hearts.

That was why she could sense that the human Ralts had chosen was a "good person."

"Thank you, Dad! Dad's the best!" Ralts cried excitedly as it rushed forward and threw itself into Gardevoir's arms.

Hu Yang knew nothing about what had happened in the forest.

After Christmas, the students would have classes for a while longer before welcoming the final holiday of the year—winter break.

That day, Hu Yang was considering where he should go once vacation began.

By then, the entire school would be on break. The cafeteria would close, and every teacher would return home.

Once winter came and temperatures dropped below zero, most Trainers traveling outside would also stop, return home to rest, and wait until spring to resume their journeys.

At such a time, finding Pokémon battles in the wilderness would become extremely difficult as well.

He had two choices.

First, stay at school and spend the winter cooped up in his dorm.

Second, vacation in Lavaridge Town at the foot of Mt. Chimney.

Because it was near Mt. Chimney, Lavaridge Town's climate remained warm and humid even in winter. It was also an excellent place for soaking in hot springs.

Hu Yang did not want to spend an entire winter lying beneath the blankets. Looking at the steadily growing savings in his bank account, he ultimately decided to set out for Lavaridge Town for a vacation.

I'll treat it as giving myself a break, Hu Yang comforted himself.

Besides Lavaridge Town, there was another town with small fields at the foot of Mt. Chimney: Fallarbor Town.

Because it was so close to Mt. Chimney, volcanic ash often drifted there, making the local plants grow especially lush.

But that was not what interested Hu Yang. What caught his attention was Fallarbor Town's Pokémon Contest venue!

Where there were competitions, there were Trainers. Where there were Trainers, there were Pokémon battles. There, he would not have to stand on the streets for half a day like he did in Petalburg City without finding a single Trainer to battle.