Back at the door to room 1206, Xinhai took the keycard from his pocket and swiped it over the lock.
"Beep—"
With a soft sound, the lock lit up green.
Xinhai pushed open the door. The room was quiet. Warm afternoon sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, making the living room bright and cozy.
He walked inside, set the Spatial Backpack on the sofa, then removed the Poké Balls from his waist and pressed their release buttons.
Red light flashed one after another as Blaziken, Gardevoir, Krookodile, Eevee, Grovyle, Mightyena, Zigzagoon, Charmander, Axew, and Weedle appeared in the living room.
The once-spacious room immediately became lively.
"Vee!" Eevee trotted over to Xinhai's feet as soon as it came out. Its large brown eyes sparkled as it looked up at him, its fluffy tail wagging happily behind it.
"Vee, vee!" (Xinhai, where's the Mind Badge? Let me see it!)
Xinhai smiled, crouched down, and rubbed its little head before taking the dark blue badge case from his pocket.
"Don't rush. I'll show you now."
He walked to the coffee table and gently set the badge case on its dark wooden surface.
One by one, his partners gathered around, curiously looking at the new badge inside the case.
Seeing how eagerly they looked on, Xinhai smiled and opened the badge case. Seven badges were neatly arranged on the dark blue velvet lining, gleaming with a gentle sheen in the afternoon sunlight.
"Vee..." Eevee leaned closer, its brown eyes fixed unblinkingly on the heart-shaped badge. It gave it a light sniff with its little nose. "Vee!" (It's so pretty! It's rose red!)
Charmander craned its neck as well, its orange eyes full of curiosity. The flame on its tail burned a little brighter with excitement.
"Char..." (So this is the Mind Badge...)
Axew