Xinhai's Heart

Xinhai listened to Ralts's voice in his heart and looked solemnly in the direction Suzuki Ai had left.

Yingnan watched her departing back and asked in confusion, "Xinhai, she was pretty strong. Why didn't you exchange Pokédex numbers?"

Xinhai rolled his eyes, looking like he wanted to hit someone. "Exchange my ass! If she hadn't been a girl with such a good attitude, I would've made that male Ralts understand why flowers are so red!" Thinking of that male Ralts looking back every few steps, his fists clenched involuntarily.

Seeing Xinhai look like he wanted to beat to death the blond punk trying to corrupt his daughter, Shali burst into laughter. "All right, they've already left. Let's keep watching the matches!"

Yingnan shrugged, no longer dwelling on the Pokédex exchange. Instead, he patted Xinhai's shoulder. "Watch the match! The battle on the field is about to begin."

"Ralts!" Ralts clearly sensed Xinhai's emotions. Her little face pressed against his cheek, and her pure psychic waves flowed like a clear spring, soothing the irritation in his heart.

Xinhai lowered his head to look into those clear red eyes. The corners of his mouth rose unconsciously as he stroked the little one's cheek. "Don't worry, little one. I'm fine!"

Just then, the sounds of the two Pokémon battling on the field interrupted their interaction.

Xinhai raised his head to glance at the fierce battle, then looked at Ralts on his shoulder. Ralts had already been drawn in by the match and was watching the battle intently.

Xinhai smiled at Ralts's adorable profile and took out his notebook to record information about the Pokémon on the field—this practical battle experience was also a precious treasure on the path of training.

The Pokémon currently on the field were all quite strong. Their training directions, battle methods, and skill usage could all provide him with ideas for his own training.

He believed that as long as he continued to absorb others' experience like this, he would keep growing stronger.

Xinhai continued recording match after match, and before he knew it, it was time for his battle with Torchic.

"Next match: Trainer Bai Mu versus Trainer Matsumoto. Please take the field!"

Hearing that, Xinhai swiftly stuffed his notebook into his pocket and looked at Ralts on his shoulder. "Ralts, do you want to keep watching my battle with Torchic, or go back into your Poké Ball?"

"I want to watch Xinhai and big brother battle!" Ralts's voice rang in his mind, full of eager anticipation.

Xinhai smiled and rubbed Ralts's little head. He picked her up and handed her to Shali beside him. "Sorry for the trouble, but could you watch Ralts for me?"

Shali held Ralts in one arm and Little Eevee in the other. At that moment, she felt like the happiest person in the world. Looking at Xinhai, she replied seriously, "Don't worry, leave it to me!"

Yingnan edged closer, looking envious. "Why not let me look after her? I want to hold Ralts too!"

Xinhai looked at him disdainfully. "What kind of daydream are you having in broad daylight? You're only worthy of holding Muk!" With that, he headed toward the arena, ignoring Yingnan's impotent fury.

Shali held Ralts in one arm and Little Eevee in the other, wearing a blissful smile as she completely failed to notice Yingnan's gaze.

Ralts nestled obediently in her arms, her red eyes fixed on Xinhai's back as he walked toward the arena. The horn on her head glowed faint blue, sending him silent encouragement.

On the other side of the arena, Trainer Matsumoto had long been waiting in full readiness.

Her black ponytail swayed lightly with her movements. She raised her hand and threw a Poké Ball. A flash of red light appeared, and a nimble Swellow spread its wings as it emerged, its sharp eyes locking onto its opponent.

"Swellow, huh?" Xinhai muttered after taking a look. At the same time, he threw his own Poké Ball, and Torchic looked up with fighting spirit at the Swellow flapping its wings in the air.

Seeing that both sides had released their Pokémon, the referee raised a flag. "The battle begins!"

"Torchic, use Flame Charge!" "Swellow, use Quick Attack!"

Spiraling flames rose around Torchic as it charged toward Swellow like a burning meteor. White light flashed around Swellow's body as it dove down at a speed too fast for the naked eye to follow.

The two forces collided violently in the center of the field. Torchic was knocked back several steps by the impact, while Swellow glided sideways on one wing to disperse the force.

Then, it used Aerial Ace to make a swift turn and attacked Torchic once more.

Torchic had barely steadied itself when Swellow came sweeping back like a silver arrow.

Xinhai's gaze sharpened as he shouted, "Torchic, use Sand Attack!"

Torchic reacted quickly, violently scraping up the gravel beneath its claws and kicking up a yellow curtain of sand.

Swellow let out a piercing cry as it rushed into the sandstorm, but its obscured vision prevented it from attacking accurately, causing its attack to miss right in front of Torchic.

Xinhai seized the opportunity and called out, "Use consecutive Ember attacks!"

Torchic opened its beak and fired nine Embers in succession toward Swellow, which had just burst out of the sand cloud.

Trainer Matsumoto commanded in time, "Climb fast!"

"Swellow! Swellow!"

In its panic, Swellow shot upward at high speed, its sharp cries piercing through the swirling sand. However, Torchic's Embers followed close behind, and several grazed its right wing, scorching the feathers there black.

Trainer Matsumoto frowned slightly and quickly adjusted her tactics. "Swellow, use Double Team, then Focus Energy!"

In an instant, seven Swellows shifted positions around one another, interfering with Torchic's judgment as indistinguishable real and fake Swellows circled above the arena.

Each Swellow took a deep breath, faint white light surrounding its body. Under the effects of Focus Energy, its previously flustered heart gradually calmed down.

Xinhai frowned at the seven Swellows in midair. Knowing he most likely could not stop the opponent's buff, he swiftly ordered, "In that case, we'll use Focus Energy too!"

Torchic stood in place and took a deep breath. A white glow appeared around its body as it quickly completed Focus Energy.

As Focus Energy neared completion, Swellow's six Double Team clones slowly faded away. Soon, both Pokémon had finished using Focus Energy.

The two Pokémon that had completed Focus Energy stared intently at each other, searching for weaknesses while awaiting their trainers' orders.

Xinhai gave the first command. "Torchic, use Flame Charge!"

Torchic was swiftly enveloped in flames. It ran in circles around Swellow while constantly watching its opponent's movements.

Trainer Matsumoto watched Torchic's running speed, and her expression gradually turned serious. She did not dare delay any longer. "Swellow, Quick Attack, then use Wing Attack!"

Dazzling white light flared around Swellow's body as it shot toward Torchic like a silver bolt of lightning.

As it drew close, Flying-type energy covered its wings, and it slammed them down fiercely with a sharp gale.

It managed to use Wing Attack while maintaining Quick Attack. Looks like there's no dodging this.

Xinhai watched the scene with a grave expression and swiftly ordered, "Torchic, charge forward with Flame Charge!"

Torchic quickly adjusted its direction. Fighting spirit blazed in its eyes as it accelerated toward its opponent, the spiraling flames around its body growing ever more intense.

The two Pokémon collided on the arena once again, but this time Torchic was directly sent flying by the opponent's Wing Attack, crashing heavily onto the ground.

Trainer Matsumoto immediately gave the order to pursue. "Swellow, chase it down with Quick Attack!"

Swellow, which had also been affected by the previous clash, swiftly adjusted itself and used Quick Attack again to attack Torchic.

Xinhai was not surprised to see Torchic sent flying. He shouted, "Torchic, get up! Use Flame Charge to widen the distance!"

Torchic quickly climbed to its feet. After slightly easing the pain in its chest, it used Flame Charge again and ran toward Xinhai's position.

Seeing that the opponent was still choosing to stall for time and intended to counterattack using Flame Charge's speed boost, Trainer Matsumoto could not help complaining inwardly as she looked at Xinhai. He's clearly such a handsome guy, so why does he use such disgusting tactics?!

At this point, the two Pokémon's speeds were already extremely close. Although Swellow was still gradually closing in on Torchic, it was no longer possible for it to quickly catch Torchic with Quick Attack.

The two Pokémon began a chase across the arena, but the situation soon reversed. Torchic, having used Flame Charge once more, was now faster than the Swellow using Quick Attack.

Observing the difference in speed between the two Pokémon, Xinhai decided it was time to counterattack. "Torchic, counter with Quick Attack!"

The flames around Torchic slowly faded, and it used Quick Attack as well, charging toward Swellow.