Many hotheaded individuals were eager, ready to battle with Lugia.
That's a pity.
Generally, Trainers versus Lugia would have to wait until the early episodes of the journey to start battling, but Lugia and its child don't have such leisure.
Baimu and the others went against the crowd, heading towards the avenue outside the harbor.
Lugia's allure was so great that even without a mask, no one paid attention to him.
And just before stepping into the city.
He turned around, gazing at the golden sea, recalling the moment when Lugia and Little Silver looked back before plunging into the ocean, as if time had stopped.
"Farewell... we'll meet again, Lugia, Little Silver."
Thought Baimu.
A refreshing breeze blew from the sea, lifting his hair and the edge of his clothes.
Strictly speaking, his encounters with Lugia mother and child were only twice, there weren't any profound bonds built over time between them.
But the "Divine Heart" gave him the opportunity to entrust his true feelings.
Kindness, friendliness, enthusiasm, admiration...
All positive emotions formed that golden Mind Space, magnificent and grand without a hint of illusion, like the golden sea before him.
It made Lugia deeply understand who "Baimu" really was.
Trust and friendship were established in that instant.
To repay his sincere heart, Lugia ignored the risk of being chased by Pokémon Hunters, calling forth delightful wind and rain, singing to bless him on his journey With the Wind.
No doubt.
Pokémon are just Pokémon.
Whether they're Legendary or not doesn't really matter, sincerity is the only surefire way to get along with them.
——
Ever Grande Hotel.
The designated accommodation for tournament participants, showing the Pokémon Atlas or Trainer ID card confirms possession of the eight badges from the Hoenn Region for free stay.
Facilities are complete, offering shuttle service within the city or directly to the stadium.
There's no worry of getting lost or missing the match time due to the stadium being outside the city.
"With your peace of mind, we can be at ease."
The advertisement looped at the hotel entrance is eye-catching.
Last time Liuqia came to Ever Grande City, she was filming a TV series, the schedule was so tight she couldn't go out to explore, which made her quite regretful.
This time she has the chance, so after packing her luggage, she and Xiaoguang hand in hand knocked on Baimu's room door.
"Come on, let's go shopping together!"
She energetically reached out and dragged the other's wrist.
Baimu raised his hand to refuse, "Not going, I need to see a friend."
"Then we'll go together?"
"Next time, I'll introduce you during the competition."
"Hmm?"
Liuqia's tone quickly rose, scrutinizing him suspiciously, and whispered, "Going to meet a fan? Love... ahem, Lord Baimu, it's understandable since you're in puberty, but there's a competition soon—"
"Spare me, it's a guy. Instead of teasing me, pay attention to Mr Mikoli and Teacher Adam. One has been eligible for marriage for many years, the other offensively speaking, is nearly a chronically single bachelor, they need your loving care more than I do."
Baimu poked the young girl's smooth forehead and left on his own.
Liuqia shouted, "Where's Xiaogang?"
He waved his hand, "Chatting awkwardly at the front desk with the big sister he likes."
"Tch!"
The latter stuck out her tongue at his retreating figure dissatisfied.
But as Baimu said, the Glazed Gym has a generational single attribute, the romantic prospects of Adam and Mikoli are unclear, the background isn't anything special.
There's no way it's his turn first.
"Ah hahahaha..."
Xiaoguang couldn't get a word in, all she could do was laugh awkwardly.
She doesn't understand much about romance; back when Qin Yin teased her about whether Ash Ketchum was her Future groom, she nearly dug a three-bedroom apartment with her toes from embarrassment, and was quickly absolved after denying it.
"Hmph, if you're not going, we'll go ourselves!"
Liuqia huffed, naturally she was just teasing.
Though others aren't clear, she knows what significant missions Baimu carries; he likely won't consider romance before accomplishing his dreams and missions—
This is exactly like Adam and Mikoli, focusing intensely on career development, top-tier Pokémon fans.
Alright.
She's about the same, before reaching the pinnacle of her career in the Gorgeous Competition idol world, romance and such are entirely set aside.
It seems the Glazed Gym only produces industrious bees, no wonder everyone is so affectionate and loving.
Piplup looked in the direction Baimu left, its disappointment beyond words, it had hoped so much to go shopping with Mawile.
Yet it had no such opportunity.
"Piplup..."
First floor lobby.
Baimu put on a mask, with each shoulder bearing a Dreepy.
The two of them curiously glanced around, occasionally letting out raspy cries of wonder.
"Hee-ya~"
"Hee-ya!"
The noise made his ears hurt, but unfortunately, these two critters were in their invisibility mode due to social anxiety, and he couldn't call them out for anything.
He didn't want these two critters perched on his head and looking like Ash Ketchum, so he had no choice but to endure it a bit.
Xiaogang, who was supposed to be at the front desk, was nowhere to be seen.
Baimu glanced around and saw Xiaogang crouching with his butt sticking out in a corner, and behind him was a Croagunk puffing up its poison sac like it was blowing bubble gum.
The two exchanged glances.
"Xiaogang is entrusting you."
"Leave it to the frog, Grulah~"
It seemed like a silent exchange of information occurred through their gaze interaction.
Baimu boarded the smart driverless car at the door, pressing on the car door to keep it from closing immediately. Only when he confirmed that Dragapult was inside did he say, "Go to Volbeat Street."
Beep!
The vehicle started moving.
Once in the private space with no outsiders, Dragapult finally revealed its form.
"Waddles..."
It felt a bit embarrassed; if it weren't for its Trainer holding the door, it probably would have bumped its nose.
"Take a good look at this city."
Baimu pinched its somewhat flat cheeks, signaling it to look out the window.
The Hoenn Alliance had been very attentive to the construction of Ever Grande City, large clusters of flowers and plants could be seen everywhere, making the city vibrant with vitality.
It was just like Ever Grande City in the games.
Interestingly, although the Victory Road was gone, Mann Chong, who blocked the road, still existed.
The other person went to Johto a month later than Baimu, yet ended up finishing the conference challenge earlier and even won the Silver Conference as promised.
How much did this journey contribute to Mann Chong's growth?
Baimu felt a bit excited.
And so.
The destination, Volbeat Street, was reached.
This neighborhood predominantly raised Volbeat, this firefly Pokémon, hence the name.
Next door was Illumise Street, the two places complementing each other.
Every mating season for these two kinds of Pokémon, lanterns resembling Volbeat and Illumise tails hang all over the streets.
The streets were dazzling and charmingly beautiful.
Unfortunately, that was during the summer.
Baimu felt a bit regretful for not catching the spectacle and got off the car with Dragapult and the Dragapult Siblings, all in invisibility mode, and walked to the café at the street corner.
A familiar green-haired boy was painfully eating cake, with many young women in aprons and chef hats cheering him on.
"One more! One more!"
"I can't take any more, please spare me."
Mann Chong had a bitter face, then noticed the café staff staring dumbfoundedly behind him.
The Gallade in front of him also showed a similar expression.
He turned his head and saw Baimu, who had been waiting for quite a while.
"Long time no see, Mr. Introvert."
The other smiled warmly and waved casually.
Mann Chong stood up delightedly, only to find himself having to look up at the other person, stunned, "Baimu-san, have you gotten taller?"
"Just a centimeter or two."
Baimu gave a friendly bear hug, lightly patting the thin back, causing a quick cough.
He puzzledly said, "Why are you still so skinny?"
Among his few friends, Mann Chong was the one whose appearance most misled people about his capabilities, appearing like a bean sprout, yet raising exceptionally powerful Pokémon.
"My physical condition doesn't allow it..."
One thing Mann Chong especially envied about Baimu was his physique, having a body like the latter was his ideal.
At the same time.
Screams filled with suppressed excitement arose around them.
Initially confused, Mann Chong realized when he saw the staff seeking photos and autographs from Baimu, "So, Baimu, you've become quite famous."
"You being a conference winner isn't too bad either. Why not interact with them and play a feeding game?"
"No, the store manager here is my cousin."
"...You have so many cousins."