After so long working together, Xia You did not even need to give any instructions. The man and Pokémon merely exchanged a look, and Gengar understood what Xia You meant. After scanning their surroundings, Gengar flew off in a particular direction, its body slowly vanishing in midair.
Because it moved so quickly, Gengar's appearance was fleeting. When Albert happened to turn and look, all he saw was a faint outline like transparent glass, which disappeared in the blink of an eye. By the time he began wondering whether he had really seen anything, not a trace of Gengar remained.
He hesitated. "Was that just..."
"What?" Hearing him, Xia You turned to look at him, his tone level. "I didn't see anything."
This man...
Albert narrowed his eyes.
In truth, he had disliked this man from the moment they met.
Of course, it was not because the man was young, handsome, and accompanied by a beautiful green-haired woman. Albert was not actually jealous of those things; after all, he believed he was no worse himself. He simply felt... unlike that idiot and fool Tonio, this man was a real man. How could he remain indifferent when a real man had suddenly appeared beside Iris without his knowledge?
Xia You could clearly sense Albert's hostility, but...
Come on, it's not as if I attract every woman I meet. Besides, Iris is obviously in love with Tonio. This guy has picked entirely the wrong target...
How could you see me as your rival?
Shouldn't your target be this rather dopey-looking scientist?
Just then, something unusual suddenly happened on the ground in a nearby garden, drawing their attention.
A stone pillar that had been standing there was sliced in half through the middle by a blade-like streak of purple energy. It slid down and