Travel

Back home, Dad, Yantai, had already prepared dinner. The family sat around the table as Xinhai shared amusing stories from the flower shop that day. Mom, Nami, smiled and added details while Dad, Yantai, listened with great interest.

Torchic and Ralts lay nearby, occasionally chirping "Chamo" and "Ralts," as though they were joining in the conversation too.

After dinner, Dad, Yantai, called Xinhai into the study. Looking at him with a smile, he said, "Xiao Hai, the training manuals for Torchic and Ralts are finished. Give me your Pokédex, and I'll transfer the remaining contents to it."

Xinhai's eyes lit up. He hurriedly pulled out his Pokédex from his waist and handed it to his father.

Dad, Yantai, took the Pokédex and operated it with practiced ease. Before long, he had transferred the training manuals from the computer into it.

"Xiao Hai, these two training manuals are different. Torchic's is a Pseudo-Gym level training manual, while Ralts's is an Elite level one. These manuals are the hard work of both me and the school teachers, and I believe they'll be of great help to you. I won't go into the details—they're all inside. Take your time reading them later," Dad, Yantai, said as he returned the Pokédex to Xinhai.

Xinhai excitedly accepted the Pokédex and immediately began looking through it. It contained detailed records of Torchic's and Ralts's diets at different stages of growth, training methods, and key points for skill development.

"Dad, thank you so much! I'll definitely raise them properly according to the manuals," Xinhai said happily.

Dad smiled and patted Xinhai on the shoulder. "Work hard. Both Ralts and Torchic have great potential, so don't waste their talent."

Xinhai nodded firmly, his eyes full of determination. He believed that with these manuals, Torchic and Ralts would have a brighter future.

After leaving the study, Xinhai went straight back to his room, sat at his desk, and opened the Pokédex again.

Torchic and Ralts also hopped onto the desk and stared curiously at the screen. As Xinhai read, he softly explained, "Torchic, Ralts, you'll need to train according to what's written here from now on. Do your best."

Torchic chirped excitedly, flapping its little wings as though it could not wait to begin training. Ralts raised a tiny hand and made a fist, showing that she would work hard too.

Late at night, Xinhai lay in bed, still going over the contents of the manuals in his mind.

Turning to look at Ralts, who was sleeping soundly beside his pillow, Xinhai smiled. He sat up, tucked her blanket in properly, then got out of bed and began planning the future development paths for his Pokémon.

The next morning, sunlight spilled into the room. Xinhai got up early and woke Torchic and Ralts. After washing up and having a simple breakfast, he slung on his backpack and took the two little ones to Trainer School.

When Xinhai arrived at the school training room, he smiled at Hatake Changlin, who was training. "Big Brother Hatake, I'm here."

Hatake Changlin stopped what he was doing and turned around. When he saw Xinhai, a hearty smile appeared on his face. "Haha, Xinhai, I've finally been waiting for you. You didn't come yesterday, and I had no motivation to train alone. Is this the Ralts that hatched yesterday?" His gaze fell on Ralts perched on Xinhai's shoulder, and a trace of envy flashed in his eyes.

Following Hatake Changlin's gaze, Xinhai gently stroked Ralts's head and said with a smile, "That's right, this is Ralts! Ralts, let me introduce you. This is Big Brother Hatake Changlin."

Ralts poked her head out from Xinhai's shoulder and curiously examined Hatake Changlin. Then she let out a soft, childish "Ralts~."

Completely charmed by Ralts, Hatake Changlin could not help reaching out to pet her. Ralts shyly shrank back behind Xinhai at first, but soon poked her head out again and extended her tiny hand, gently shaking Hatake Changlin's hand.

"This little one is so adorable. She seems especially close to you!" Hatake Changlin said with a smile.

Xinhai smiled. "All right, you've gotten to pet Ralts. It's time for us to train."

Hatake Changlin nodded with a smile. "All right, then let's officially begin training."

Xinhai then took Torchic to begin its daily training. Ralts had only just been born and could not train yet, so she played with Hatake Changlin's Pokémon that were resting.

The days passed like this, and Xinhai followed the manuals' contents as he trained tirelessly.

Every morning, he took Torchic to the speed training room and had it run without stopping to improve its speed. At noon, beneath the blazing sun, he took Torchic to the skill training room to practice its moves, striving to make every move faster and more effective. In the evenings, he brought Torchic to other training rooms for different exercises, hoping it would not have any glaring weaknesses.

In his spare time, he also had Torchic learn new moves from Dad, Yantai's Rapidash, enriching Torchic's move pool.

After another day of training ended, Xinhai walked out of the training room with Hatake Changlin. Though exhausted from head to toe, he could not hide his excitement.

The setting sun stretched their shadows long. Xinhai took a deep breath, then turned to Hatake Changlin. "Big Brother Hatake, I'm setting out on my journey tomorrow."

Hatake Changlin stopped walking, a trace of reluctance flashing through his eyes. He said with emotion, "That was fast! More than ten days have passed just like that."

He raised a hand and gave Xinhai's shoulder a firm pat. "Xinhai, after more than ten days of training, Torchic has already reached Beginner level. With Ralts having left the infant stage as well, you now have the ability to face some dangers. But the outside world is far from simple. You all need to be careful in everything you do."

Xinhai nodded solemnly. "I understand, Big Brother Hatake. I've had your help these past days—you taught me training techniques and practiced with me. Thanks, Big Brother Hatake." As he spoke, Xinhai bowed to Hatake Changlin.

Hatake Changlin hurriedly helped Xinhai up and pretended to be angry. "You brat, why are you being so formal with me? I've gained plenty from the days we trained together too. Seeing you and your Pokémon grow step by step makes me happy from the bottom of my heart." His eyes were full of sincerity as he patted Xinhai on the back.

The two walked side by side, while Torchic and Ralts happily ran and skipped ahead of them, occasionally looking back at them.

Hatake Changlin saw Xinhai to the entrance of Trainer School and said, "This is as far as I'll take you. Keep working hard from now on."

In the fading glow of the sunset, Xinhai looked gratefully at Hatake Changlin. "Big Brother Hatake, I'm heading home. Take care too! When I return from my journey, we'll train together again!" Determination and anticipation shone in Xinhai's eyes as he waved goodbye to Hatake Changlin.

When Xinhai returned home, Mom, Nami, had already prepared a lavish dinner. There was sweet-and-sour fish and crystal shrimp dumplings, both of Xinhai's favorites.

Dad, Yantai, sat beside the dining table. Seeing Xinhai come in, he smiled and said, "Son, you're leaving tomorrow. Eat more tonight."

The family sat around the table, but the atmosphere was somewhat quiet. Xinhai broke the silence with a smile. "Dad, Mom, don't worry about me. I'll take good care of myself."

Mom, Nami's eyes reddened as she reminded him, "Make sure you eat on time and stay safe out there. If anyone wrongs you, come home." Xinhai nodded, warmth filling his heart.

After dinner, Xinhai returned to his room and checked his luggage again. His Spatial Backpack was stuffed with clothes, food, and Pokémon supplies, all packed neatly inside.

Looking at the backpack packed to the brim, Xinhai smiled, feeling deeply warmed.

He checked his pockets, put away his most important Pokédex, then slipped the navigator into his pocket. Looking at the fully packed backpack, Xinhai lay down on the bed and quietly stared at the ceiling.

Seeing how quiet Xinhai was, Torchic and Ralts climbed into his arms.

Lying in bed, Xinhai gently stroked their little heads and looked at them. "Tomorrow, we'll begin a new adventure. There will be difficulties, but as long as we're together, we'll overcome them."

Torchic chirped "Chamo," while Ralts clenched her little fist and nodded firmly.

Late at night, Xinhai lay in bed but could not fall asleep. He gazed at the starry sky outside the window, his thoughts drifting far away. He imagined the journey ahead—what kind of Pokémon he would meet, what sort of friends he would make, and what wondrous adventures he would experience.

Half-asleep, Xinhai eventually drifted into dreams. In his dream, he, Torchic, and Ralts encountered all kinds of Pokémon during their journey, battled many Trainers, and finally won the championship at the League Conference.