Seeing that the senior guiding her approved of her, Xinhai's Blaziken withdrew her offensive as well. A smile appeared on her face as she stood still, breathing lightly.
"Chaamo!!"
Her breathing was a little more hurried than at the start, but it remained steady. Her blue eyes held the exhilaration and satisfaction unique to a high-quality spar.
Flame Feather turned around and glanced in Xinhai's direction before heading deeper into the territory. Her steps were light and unhurried, and she vanished behind the shrubs and rocks in the blink of an eye.
Seeing Flame Feather leave, the Torchic and Combusken gathered around the field also began to disperse in twos and threes. The sandy ground returned to silence.
The afternoon sunlight—or rather, the Little Sun suspended from the dome—poured down from above, bathing the entire area in a warm, bright glow.
Xinhai's Blaziken watched Flame Feather leave from where she stood, then turned and strode toward Xinhai.
"Chaamo."
She called softly, her voice brief and calm. A bright light shone in her blue eyes, carrying the grounded contentment and satisfaction that had settled after some important transformation.
At some point, Flannery had already led the Torchic and Combusken to a more distant area, leaving this space to Xinhai and Blaziken.
Xinhai reached out and gently patted her shoulder. The muscles beneath his palm were still solid and powerful, but they felt completely different from two weeks ago—more relaxed, like a bowstring that was no longer constantly taut, yet could unleash even greater power at a critical moment.
"How does it feel?" Xinhai straightened up, his gaze falling on Blaziken's blue eyes, his tone earnest and curious.
"Chaamo." (I feel free.) Blaziken thought for a moment before letting out a clear cry.
Xinhai was slightly stunned when he heard that answer.