When Xinhai and Flannery reached the edge of the Charizard clan's territory, Xinhai's Charizard had just finished a set of training exercises.
It stopped moving and exhaled a puff of white breath, then turned its head and saw Xinhai and Flannery standing at the edge of the territory.
A flicker of surprise passed through its blue eyes, quickly replaced by warm delight.
"Roar." (Xinhai, you're here.) It gave Xinhai a low call in greeting.
"Yeah, I came to check on you two." Xinhai walked over and patted the warm scales on its neck. "Keep it up. Learn well from Senior Old Fire."
"Roar." (I'll work hard.) Charizard nodded, determination shining in its blue eyes.
Seeing Charizard's earnest expression, Xinhai felt greatly gratified. He gave Old Fire a slight bow, then turned and left the area with Flannery.
After taking a few steps, he looked back and saw Charizard had already returned to its training position, carefully regulating its breathing as it waited for Old Fire's next round of instruction.
Xinhai withdrew his gaze and walked shoulder to shoulder with Flannery through the heavy metal doors, returning to the Gym along the corridor.
Afternoon sunlight slanted in through the window at the end of the corridor, spreading a warm band of light across the floor.
Back at the training grounds, Flannery retrieved the Poké Balls from the healing machine, stretched lazily, and smiled. "That's that. I have something to do this afternoon, so I won't be training with you. An instructor will battle you instead, so don't lose too badly."
"Alright." Xinhai nodded. "Go take care of it."
Flannery turned and headed in another direction, quickly disappearing around the corner of the training grounds.
Xinhai returned alone to the Independent Training Room. When he pushed open the door, the motion-sensing lights