After lunch, Walter took Xinhai around the other areas of the Gym.
As they walked, he introduced the purpose of each area and the precautions to keep in mind. His tone was easygoing yet thorough, as though he were looking after a guest who had come from afar.
Xinhai walked beside him, occasionally asking about equipment usage and training arrangements. Walter patiently answered every question.
When they had finished looking around, Walter stopped at the Gym entrance, turned to Xinhai, and said, "That's the general situation."
"Come directly to the Main Training Ground at eight tomorrow morning. I'll be waiting there. If you have any questions, message me anytime."
"Alright, sorry for the trouble." Xinhai nodded.
Walter waved a hand, then turned and headed deeper into the corridor, soon disappearing around the corner.
Once Walter had returned to the Gym, Xinhai turned and walked back along the street. The afternoon sun fell across his shoulders, carrying Mauville City's distinctively drier warmth compared to Lavaridge Town.
Now and then, Electric-type Pokémon flashed past outside the shops lining both sides of the street—a Pichu sat on the edge of a flower bed, basking in the sun, the sparks on its tail glinting faintly in the sunlight.
He stopped by the market on the way and bought ingredients for dinner—some vegetables, pork ribs, and three nice-looking cuts of tenderloin.
When he returned to the Pokémon Center, there were not many people in the lobby. Xinhai checked in at the front desk, accepted his room card and Pokédex, thanked them, and entered the elevator.
His room was on the fourth floor. Its layout was much the same as the other upscale rooms he had stayed in. The living room was not particularly large, but the view outside the window was excellent, offering a clear