"Well... all right, then."
Ye Qing hung up. He had never expected that merely unlocking a Poké Ball would be beyond even someone of the Dragon Tamer's rank-or perhaps he just did not want the trouble.
"If I have to ask Cynthia, fine. Why pass the buck!"
Ye Qing found Cynthia's number and immediately called her.
"Ye Qing?"
Cynthia's rich, resonant voice came through the receiver.
"It's me, Cynthia. I'm calling because I need something."
Ye Qing dropped his playful manner and spoke in complete seriousness.
"You need something from me? Let's hear it."
Cynthia propped her feet on her desk, a little interested in what Ye Qing had to say.
"Unlocking a Poké Ball."
Ye Qing stated it plainly. It was not anything shameful, anyway.
"You're carrying more than six Poké Balls?"
Cynthia's delicate brows drew together slightly. She had not expected it to be something so simple.
"Yeah."
Ye Qing rubbed his nose, feeling that Cynthia was asking a question she already knew the answer to.
"Give me a reason, or convince me."
Cynthia did not agree immediately. Although this would take barely any effort on her part, she still needed a legitimate reason. After all, doing so would count as violating the Pokémon League's regulations.
"I'm carrying too many valuables, and Desert City is notoriously lawless. I'm afraid of getting robbed."
Ye Qing shrugged and casually made up an excuse. He could hardly say he wanted to show off, could he?
"Not enough."
Cynthia's answer was brief and clear.
Ye Qing scratched his head and played his trump card. "If anything happens to me, my big brother will be very unhappy.
"And if he's unhappy, Desert City will cease to exist."
"Interesting. Three days. I can only unlock it for three days, and only this once."
"I'll