After dinner, Xinhai went through his usual daily routine of physical training, partner massages, and bedtime stories.
Axew listened with particular fascination, its purplish-red eyes gleaming beneath the bedside lamp as it yearned for the brave, fearless protagonist of the story.
Late at night, all his partners had drifted into dreams.
Lying in bed, Xinhai looked out at Fallarbor Town's tranquil night sky. The faint ripples in his heart caused by the distant upheaval had completely calmed.
No matter how the outside world changed, the path ahead of him would not. Together with his partners, he would grow stronger step by step, see a broader world, and fulfill each other's dreams.
Over the next two days, the pace of life for Xinhai and his partners noticeably quickened, yet they remained focused and orderly.
Axew's specially prepared nutritious meals and medicinal treatment were administered strictly on schedule.
Every day, Xinhai spent a great deal of time using gentle massages alongside Gardevoir's psychic guidance to help Axew absorb the medicine more effectively and ease its tense emotions.
The little one's body improved at a visible rate. Its scales gradually regained their healthy sheen, no longer as dull as before. The timidity and unease in its eyes diminished by the day, replaced by growing curiosity, dependence, and a desire to train.
With Eevee and Charmander accompanying it, Axew began trying some very basic physical exercises, such as short acceleration runs and simple claw-strike practice. It completed every session with utmost seriousness.
Although its movements were still immature, Axew was incredibly enthusiastic. Its purplish-red eyes always shone with an unyielding light.
It wanted to grow stronger too badly. It wanted to become Xinhai's reliable support as soon as the other partners had.
Weedle officially completed its larval stage and entered a period of