The next morning, sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, casting long, narrow patches of golden light across the floor.
Since he was going to the training center today, Xinhai got up a little earlier than usual.
After quietly washing up, he took out Pokémon food and Pokéblocks from his backpack and prepared breakfast for his partners.
Blaziken, Krookodile, Grovyle, Mightyena, Zigzagoon, Milotic, Golem, Eevee, Charmander, Axew, Weedle... every Pokémon's little bowl was filled with carefully prepared food.
"Breakfast!"
His partners gathered around, each finding their own bowl and digging into the food.
Charmander and Axew sat side by side, both of them getting food all over their mouths as their tails swayed happily behind them.
Eevee crouched by Xinhai's feet, nibbling at a Pokéblock. Its large brown eyes were half-closed, its face full of contentment.
After breakfast, Xinhai cleaned up the dishes, then went to an open area of the living room, laid down a simple mat, and began practicing the Dewford Twelve Forms.
First form, second form, third form... His movements were much smoother than they had been a week ago, but he was still far from Brawly's flowing mastery.
There was still a faint, almost imperceptible stiffness between each transition, a sign that his body memory had yet to fully form.
After completing the Dewford Twelve Forms twice, a light sheen of sweat had appeared on Xinhai's forehead.
He did not stop. After adjusting his breathing, he began practicing Tai Chi.
Tai Chi moved at a far slower rhythm than the Dewford Twelve Forms. His body shifted gradually, his arms gliding as though moving through water, each motion gentle and continuous.
The changes in force contained within that slowness relaxed his muscles, while his taut nerves gradually settled with his long, steady breaths.
After two rounds