After several days at sea, Bai Shi finally arrived at Blueberry Academy, just as he had hoped.
Before setting out, Bai Shi had contacted Lacey on his phone.
He had let her know in advance that he was coming to Blueberry Academy.
Lacey had welcomed the news enthusiastically.
Blueberry Academy had been built in partnership with the Undersea Resource Development Plant, and most of its structure lay deep beneath the sea.
The part visible above the water had smooth, rounded contours. Its vivid blue color blended harmoniously with the surrounding ocean.
Bai Shi followed the grand bridge across the sea and finally reached Blueberry Academy's entrance hall.
Lacey had been waiting there for some time and greeted him warmly.
"Bai Shi, congratulations on winning the Vertress Conference!"
The moment she saw him, Lacey offered her heartfelt congratulations.
"Thank you, Lacey! I won the Vertress Conference entirely because my Pokémon performed so well!"
Bai Shi answered her with a smile, his voice full of humility and gratitude.
"Oh, right. The Gym staff told me my father gave you trouble after I awarded you the Badge!"
Lacey had suddenly remembered and asked him if it was true.
"I wouldn't call it trouble. He just had another Gym battle with me."
Bai Shi shook his head slightly, brushing it off.
"He's as inflexible as ever. He never knows when to make an exception!"
Lacey frowned and couldn't help complaining.
Her father's rigid nature was why she had chosen to live with her mother in Nimbasa City.
"Heh..."
Bai Shi could only smile awkwardly.
Even if he had no tact at all, he wouldn't criticize someone's father in front of his daughter.
Reunited after a long time apart, Lacey and Bai Shi spent a while catching up and sharing what had changed in their