[Pokémon: Ralts]
[Ability: Telepathy]
[Gender: Female]
[Talent: Heavenly King]
[Level: 8]
[Moves: Growl, Confusion, Double Team]
[Description: A wandering Ralts. Separated from its Gardevoir during an unexpected incident. Has been starving during its travels.]
Heavenly King-tier.
For a moment, Lin Yu wondered if he had stumbled into some kind of Heavenly King nest.
And this wasn't just any Pokémon.
This was a Ralts.
Was this real?
Watching the timid little creature transition from cautious nibbling to devouring the energy cube in big bites, Lin Yu felt slightly dazed.
If someone had told him before that he'd randomly encounter a Ralts on the outskirts of the city—
He would've laughed.
But now?
Only after the Poké Ball flashed and successfully captured it did he fully believe it.
This was real.
"Slow down, little one. No one's taking it from you."
Ralts was practically inhaling the food.
Charmander stood nearby, watching calmly—no jealousy.
"Raaalts~ (╹ڡ╹)"
After finishing, Ralts lifted its small face toward Lin Yu.
This person gives such delicious food.
I'll follow him from now on.
The thought appeared faintly in Lin Yu's mind.
Telepathy.
One box of system-made energy cubes to recruit a Heavenly King-tier Ralts.
What a deal.
But…
A thought formed in his mind.
There were only two explanations for Ralts appearing here.
Either it escaped from a breeding facility.
Or—
A new Secret Realm had opened nearby.
The first possibility was quickly dismissed.
The System clearly stated it had been separated from a Gardevoir.
That meant it wasn't a facility Pokémon.
A newly opened Secret Realm.
Lin Yu's eyes lit up.
That meant resources.
Opportunities.
"Ralts," he asked gently, "can you show me where you came from?"
His voice was soft.
He didn't worry about volume.
Telepathy would carry his intent.
"Raaalts~" (Okay.)
After all, it had just eaten his food.
Ralts walked ahead cautiously, glancing back every few steps to make sure he was still there.
When it confirmed he hadn't left, its steps became lighter—almost cheerful.
Under the blazing summer sun, they crossed an empty street and entered a narrow path.
Eventually, they arrived at a desolate district.
Lin Yu recognized the place.
Years ago, a nearly Master-tier Incineroar had gone berserk here, causing massive destruction.
The League had eventually subdued it and transferred it for rehabilitation.
The area had never been repaired.
It slowly fell into ruin.
"Raaalts~ Raaalts~"
Ralts hummed softly along the way, clearly in good spirits.
Finally, it stopped in front of a crumbling house.
Broken bricks. Collapsed walls.
And in the middle of the wreckage—
A single red door stood intact.
"Raaalts~" (Here~)
Ralts pointed at it proudly.
It looked completely ordinary.
Lin Yu picked up a stone and tossed it.
The moment it hit the door—
Ripples spread across its surface like water disturbed by a pebble.
His heart surged with excitement.
A Secret Realm.
He was right.
The Pokémon League had strict policies about reporting newly discovered Secret Realms.
The rewards were generous:
First, during the initial exploration, the discoverer could select three items from the realm's treasures free of charge.
Second, depending on the realm's size and strength, they would receive a bonus ranging from 30,000 to 5,000,000 credits.
Plus lifetime access rights.
Finally, an official certificate naming them as the discoverer.
The certificate wasn't that important.
But the rewards?
Absolutely essential.
"You did great, Ralts!" Lin Yu lifted her and kissed her lightly on the forehead. "I declare that when we enter this realm, priority treasure selection goes to you!"
Money.
Resources.
Everything he needed right now.
And failing to report a Secret Realm?
That was illegal.
Normally, newly captured wild Pokémon wouldn't immediately show affection.
Bonding took time.
But when he hugged Ralts—
She froze for a moment.
Then her hidden cheeks turned red.
No resistance.
She didn't fully understand his words.
But through Telepathy, she understood one thing:
He meant well.
Lin Yu quickly called the Secret Realm Administration Bureau and reported the coordinates.
"Understood. I'm on my way."
A deep male voice responded before hanging up.
"Ralts, head inside for now."
He returned her to her Poké Ball and waited, chatting with Charmander.
Soon—
A massive shadow covered him.
He looked up.
Orange-red scales.
Huge wings.
A fierce expression.
A Charizard.
He activated Eye of Insight.
Gym-tier.
A burly man with a bare upper body and rugged stubble climbed down from its back.
Lin Yu recognized him immediately.
Zhong Yue.
Leader of Shuimu City's Flame Gym.
Former Pokémon Corps veteran.
Apparently also affiliated with Secret Realm management.
"Good eye, kid. Starting with a Charmander."
Zhong Yue examined Charmander approvingly.
Solid muscle tone.
Bright, confident eyes.
Clearly well trained.
Even after seeing the towering Charizard—
Charmander showed curiosity.
But no fear.
Charizard noticed that too.
Flames puffed from its nostrils.
Its gaze sharpened.
A hatchling—
Not afraid of me?
Charmander glanced at Lin Yu.
He nodded.
Without hesitation, Charmander glared back.
It was going to be a Champion someday.
Why fear this?
Its confidence flared.
Its aura rose—
For a brief moment, not even inferior to Charizard's.
Zhong Yue's eyes widened.
Charizard was the evolutionary superior of Charmander.
Normally, the pressure alone would overwhelm it.
Yet this one resisted.
And did so flawlessly.
For the first time—
Zhong Yue felt genuine interest stir in his heart.