Xinhai walked down the corridor to the door of Independent Training Room Six, unlocked it with facial recognition, and pushed the door open.
The lights inside automatically came on as he entered, soft white light filling the entire space and clearly illuminating the gray stone-slab floor and the soundproofing material on the walls.
He walked to the center of the field, removed a Poké Ball from his waist, and pressed the release button.
One streak of red light after another flashed by as Blaziken, Gardevoir, Eevee, Mightyena, Krookodile, and Sceptile appeared in the middle of the field in turn.
The twelve Pokémon formed a loose semicircle before him, all eyes fixed on him.
Xinhai's gaze swept across them one by one as he spoke. "You all heard Senior Morisaki's arrangements just now. We'll be having a six-on-six battle soon, and our opponent will be an instructor sent by the Gym. He won't be weak."
"Blaziken, Gardevoir, Eevee, Mightyena, Krookodile, and Sceptile, you six are coming with me to the Main Training Ground. The rest of you will stay in the Independent Training Room and continue your independent training."
He turned to the other side of the field—Charmeleon, Fraxure, Beedrill, Milotic, Alolan Golem, and Zigzagoon were standing there, quietly awaiting his arrangements as well.
"Continue practicing according to the previous training plan. There's no need to rush into battle. Once Ishii and I have our results, I'll arrange rotations for you."
"Roar!" Charmeleon nodded. A glint of eagerness flashed through its orange eyes, but it made no further sound.
"Raargh!" Fraxure shifted the bony armor around its shoulders slightly, producing a fine scraping sound, as if it were already prepared for independent training.
Xinhai looked once more at the six partners he had called upon and confirmed that they were all