Beneath the shelter of the dim ancestral tree, the village was quiet and peaceful, wisps of cooking smoke rising into the air.
Young Master Mao watched Wally help the old woman light an oil lamp, bathing the entire room in a warm yellow glow.
"Teacher, have some tea." Wally thoughtfully poured hot tea for Gary and Granny Xijiana.
Looking around the old-fashioned wooden house, Young Master Mao could not help remarking, "What an amazing place."
"We hardly get a few outsiders here in several hundred years, so the villagers are rather sensitive. I hope you won't mind." Granny Xi nodded kindly.
"It's fine. I didn't come out any worse for it, anyway." Young Master Mao shrugged with a smile.
"Tell me, Wally, what happened to you?" Gary looked at his young apprentice.
"After my field research, I challenged the Rustboro Gym and the Dewford Gym.
"Realizing how far below the necessary level I was, I decided to set out on a training journey.
"I heard that powerful Dragon-type Pokémon lived in Meteor Falls, so I came to try my luck." A reminiscent look appeared on Wally's face.
"Through intense battles, my Pokémon and I improved very quickly.
"Later, at the bottom of Meteor Falls, I tried to save an injured Altaria and fell into a fissure while holding it.
"When I woke up, I was in Meteor Village. Granny Xi had saved me.
"Uncle Zhenya really disliked me at first, but in the end, he enthusiastically helped me train, too.
"I really have gotten stronger now!"
Seeing Wally clench his fists, Gary's lips curved upward. This was probably the sort of lucky encounter destined for a second male lead.
Wally, who had originally had the weakest foundation, now struck Gary as even a little stronger than Brendan.
"What sort of