Then, he burned a safe into ashes.
After retrieving the purple-black chip, Nathan finally forwarded the clues enthusiastically provided by Tina to the League's report mailbox.
With everything handled, he returned to the hotel.
At that moment, the little loli was still sound asleep.
He gently stroked her silvery hair, then took a shower before finally falling into a deep sleep in the room next door.
…
Early the Next Morning
As soon as he opened his eyes, he found little Bella had already changed out of her pajamas and was curled up in his arms, wearing a cute little dress.
A few strands of her bedhead were tickling his nose.
"Master, master, you're awake!"
Apparently roused by Nathan's movement, Bella's big watery eyes blinked open. The little girl immediately became fully alert.
She clung to Nathan like a small animal—utterly adorable.
"Alright, enough clinging. Let me wash my face first."
Chuckling, Nathan rubbed her tiny head, picked up his clothes, and went into the bathroom.
However, instead of washing up right away, he took out the purple-black chip and placed it in his palm.
Compared to what he saw yesterday in his memory, the chip—about the size of a fingernail—was now much fuller and richer in color.
It looked almost like a priceless natural gemstone.
Feeling the overflowing negative emotions within it, Nathan's expression turned grim.
"This is your power? Drawing strength from the despair and negative emotions of Pokémon?"
Though the main culprits were the Dark Organization and Will, it would be naïve to say that Kroxus bore no responsibility at all.
[No... I don't need... that kind of power now... Will purge it...]
To Nathan's surprise, Kroxus actually denied it.
Then, black mist began to rise from the chip, and the purple-black crystal transformed into a pure amethyst hue!
Nathan's expression eased somewhat.
It wasn't prejudice—but power sourced from suffering and despair was bound to have side effects.
In fact, even things like wealth, power, and status could corrupt the heart.
But this kind of energy, born from the pain and hopelessness of Pokémon… just felt wrong.
Only a fool like Will, the typical rich brat, would recklessly let the Dark Organization exploit him.
[Place the chip... on the back of your hand...]
Sensing Kroxus's deep yearning in its thoughts, Nathan no longer resisted.
A demon that toys with human emotions must be destroyed.
But a misguided soul willing to repent—could be forgiven.
…Well, Nathan swore it definitely wasn't because of how Kroxus looked in his dream!
He was not a face-con!
"Master, are you done yet? Bella's tummy is rumbling..."
From outside the bathroom, the little girl's soft and childish voice broke his train of thought.
With that, Nathan initiated his "Extreme Speed Dressing and Grooming Technique"!
…
After washing up, the semi-melted crystal on the back of his hand had completely disappeared.
Nathan then left the room and quickly took Bella down to the hotel lobby for breakfast.
As a five-star hotel, it might not match certain specialty restaurants in terms of signature dishes, but the taste was reliably good.
Although a bit pricey, the breakfast was satisfying enough to make Bella's little tummy round with fullness.
Even the likes of Volcarona were thoroughly pleased, though Nathan's craftsmanship in making energy cubes was clearly improving.
"Treecko!"
After finishing its energy cube, Treecko walked up to Nathan.
Opening its small claws, it revealed a tiny orb imbued with Grass-type energy forming slowly in its palm.
Although only the size of a marble, it brought Nathan great joy!
"Well done, Treecko! Let's keep working hard!"
He gently patted Treecko on the head, not stingy with his praise.
Treecko's face flushed with shyness, but its eyes burned with determination.
To gain recognition from this Trainer before it, it must strive harder than ever!
Meanwhile, Charmander, wearing its mini suppressive armor, watched from the side with a flame of envy in its heart.
It too wanted to be praised—wanted that head pat from Nathan!
"Chaa!"
With an adorably fierce cry, the flame on Charmander's tail flared up.
Had Nathan not been distracted, he might've noticed the scales on its forehead glowing a deeper red.
Without the suppressive armor, it might've gone straight into Outrage mode—risking severe backlash or even death.
The Dark Organization truly had no bottom line.
After ensuring Bella and the Pokémon had eaten their fill, Nathan prepared himself and left the hotel.
Outside, a pink Ferrari was parked by the entrance, and Zoe was waving excitedly at him.
Even after becoming friends with Nathan, Zoe still treated him like an idol.
That fanatical admiration hadn't diminished in the slightest.
"Idol! Guess what? That scumbag Will got arrested by the League—and he's tied to a murder case!"
"Absolutely delightful news!"
As soon as Nathan got into the passenger seat with Bella in his arms, Zoe jumped in and shouted with excitement.
She felt more refreshed than chugging an ice-cold soda on a sweltering summer day.
But she didn't notice Nathan's strange expression.
Because Hammer's death really had little to do with Will.
Had he just behaved, he might've still met a bad end—but at least not death.
….
9:00 AM – Capital City, Heart District
At the heart of the capital's Heart District stood a structure even grander than the Bird's Nest Stadium from Nathan's previous life.
The entire complex took on a coiling dragon form.
At night, with its dazzling neon lights lit up, it looked like a living Azure Dragon soaring through the sky.
Its name: Skyrend.
When he was younger, Nathan always suspected it was inspired by Rayquaza and traditional culture.
Otherwise, why not just call it the Dragon's Lair? Skyrend sounded a bit much, didn't it?
But now, Nathan didn't dwell on it too much.
He simply sat beside Zoe, quietly watching the endless crowd pouring into the stadium.
Some were spectators; others were staff.
For the sake of a spectacular opening ceremony, preparations had to begin early.
As for the spectators, most just wanted to grab a good seat—not to resell their tickets like scalpers.
All tickets were tied to real names and strictly limited.
People were more likely to offer cash just to swap for better seats—but even then, few were willing to trade.
"Idol, I've got to thank you! Without you, there's no way I'd get a front-row ticket like this."
Watching others rushing about, Zoe beamed with smug satisfaction.
Nathan rolled his eyes in silence.
"Don't tell me… You came this early just to enjoy the looks on their faces?"
Holding the little girl in his arms, Nathan asked suspiciously.
Zoe shook her head like a rattle drum, looking righteously offended. "No way! I'm just... expressing my enthusiasm!"
"Alright, let's go! Idol, I'll take you to the best training spot nearby!"
Watching her drive off with an obviously guilty conscience, Nathan was pretty sure he'd hit the mark.
This girl...
Honestly, he didn't know whether to laugh or sigh.
Still, it wasn't a big deal.
Soon, Nathan was completely distracted by what Zoe called the "best Pokémon training facility around."
Seeing this, she secretly flashed a V-sign. As expected, this tactic always worked on her idol!
Thanks to her surprisingly steady driving skills, the pink Ferrari finally stopped in front of a clubhouse.
"Clubhouses, huh? I guess the quality of a Pokémon training venue is what these clubs use to attract trainers."
Seeing the well-decorated storefront, Nathan suddenly understood.
Back in Poplar City and Emerald City, he'd only used hotel training rooms.
Not bad, but nothing special.
After all, few guests were active trainers, and most stayed just for rest. So hotels wouldn't invest too much in training facilities.
"As expected of my idol! You're totally right. Training areas are a club's main draw for trainers—no question about it!"
Zoe proudly raised a fair finger in declaration.
"No question, huh? Let's hope this Dragon Chant Club doesn't disappoint me."
Rolling his eyes, Nathan looked up at the massive sign above the entrance: two stylized dragon characters forming the words "Dragon Chant."
Once inside, Nathan noticed—it wasn't just trainers in here.
(End of Chapter)