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Outside the Aura Secret Realm, the sky hung gray and overcast, as if thick fog had blanketed the entire Fang family estate.
At the entrance to the secret realm lay a spacious garden where more than ten people had gathered. All the trainers who had entered the Aura Secret Realm in the same group as Chris had already emerged from within.
"Is there anyone else who hasn't come out of the secret realm yet?" Landen asked the stationed guard, his expression growing increasingly concerned as the closing time approached.
The guard consulted his list carefully, then scanned his eyes across the crowd of trainers who had already gathered.
"There's still a young man named Chris who hasn't emerged," the guard replied. From his tone, it was clear this guard didn't interact much with the wider trainer community.
All the trainers exchanged glances with each other.
Chris hadn't come out yet? Could he possibly want to remain in the secret realm permanently?
"Chris?" Landen murmured quietly, glancing at his watch. In approximately twenty minutes, the secret realm would seal completely.
If Chris failed to emerge within those twenty minutes, he would be trapped inside the Aura Secret Realm for at least another year.
Just as Landen was preparing to enter the secret realm himself to search for Chris with barely twenty minutes remaining, the spatial crack flickered briefly, and Chris stepped through.
Chris immediately spotted Landen and hurried over to greet him respectfully.
Landen nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
Good, now that Chris had emerged safely, there was no need for him to make a special rescue trip.
After waiting for more than ten additional minutes, the cracks leading to the Aura secret realm began to close slowly. Finally, they disappeared entirely into nothingness, like the surface of water reuniting after being sliced by a blade.
The gray overcast sky began to clear as well, revealing brilliant azure blue beneath.
Everyone present who possessed Aura talent could clearly sense that the concentration of Aura power in the surrounding air was rapidly decreasing.
The Aura concentration around the Fang family estate remained higher than most other locations, but this power still originated from the now-closed Aura Secret Realm.
With the secret realm sealed, the Aura power had lost its primary source, and the natural concentration began declining steadily.
However, compared to other regions, the Fang family estate still provided an excellent location for training and improving Aura abilities.
"You may all depart separately now," Landen addressed the gathered group, then turned his attention specifically to Chris. "If you wish to continue your studies, you're welcome to visit the Fang family estate and seek me out."
After speaking, he turned and walked away, followed closely by his Lucario companion.
"Thank you, Uncle Landen!" Chris called out his gratitude once more, but didn't linger. He had already read the books he needed and developed a comprehensive plan for his Pokemon's Aura training progression.
Taking out a Poke Ball, Chris released Arcanine and began his descent down the mountain.
The remaining crowd was left looking at each other uncertainly.
Walking through the forest surrounding the Fang family estate, Chris checked his phone.
During his month-long stay in the Aura Secret Realm, all outside communication signals had been completely blocked. Although he had informed Wanda before entering and posted a message on social media about his month-long training retreat, numerous messages had still accumulated during his absence.
Chris methodically replied to each message as he traveled.
Riding Arcanine all the way to the nearest city, he then took a direct flight back to Green Valley. By the time Chris flew back to his ranch on Salamence's back, it was already ten o'clock in the evening.
"Everyone, return and get some good rest!" Chris released his team from their Poke Balls, instructing his Pokemon to rest well after their intensive training.
During this past month, Hariyama and Greninja, who had mastered Aura power, had trained extremely hard. However, his other Pokemon who hadn't yet learned Aura techniques hadn't wasted their time either.
With the abundant "nourishment" of Aura energy, their training results had far exceeded what they could achieve in the outside world.
The Pokemon responded enthusiastically in agreement.
Salamence and Gyarados took to the sky, soaring upward.
Garchomp and Steelix began digging underground tunnels.
One by one, they used the cover of darkness to return to their respective dens and resting places.
Chris stretched his arms and walked toward his house. After traveling all day, he felt genuinely exhausted. Tonight he would take a hot shower and get proper rest. Throughout this past month, he had limited himself to only three hours of sleep daily. The "limited time" opportunity of the secret realm had made Chris wish he could train continuously without any rest at all.
Sleeping only three hours per day had been possible only with the assistance of the 3 Orbs. An ordinary person attempting such a schedule would likely have collapsed from exhaustion.
Early tomorrow morning, Wanda would present the ranch's financial report covering this month's operations.
"Togepi(≧∇≤)º" As Chris opened the door, a small, adorable figure rushed toward him.
It was Togepi!
Chris scooped it up in his arms affectionately.
"Sorry I was away for so long," he apologized gently.
"Togepi∼∼" Togepi waved its tiny hands, showing no sadness about Chris's extended absence, only pure joy at seeing him again.
"Wa~(TTTT)" In contrast, Wobbuffet burst from its Poke Ball with tears streaming down its face.
"Togepiㄟwㄟ)" Togepi quickly jumped from Chris's arms to comfort the emotional Wobbuffet.
It seemed Wobbuffet was the one who had truly missed him most.
Not far away, Delibird stood with its wings on its hips, adopting the attitude of an adult who couldn't be bothered with such dramatics.
"Did you miss me?" Chris asked, patting Delibird gently on the head.
"Dei Li (As if!)" Delibird immediately crossed its wings over its chest, turned away with a huff, and flew to the window to pretend it was admiring the nighttime scenery.
"Still as proud as ever," Chris chuckled warmly.
The Pokemon living in the house went about their evening routines.
Gardevoir used Psychic to dust and clean the house thoroughly.
Hariyama put on an apron and began preparing a late-night snack.
"Let's keep supper light tonight. Just bring me a bowl of wontons," Chris requested before heading upstairs to shower. Eating something light would help him sleep more comfortably.
Togepi and Wobbuffet quickly claimed the television in the living room and started up a video game.
Suddenly, a small pink head peeked through the window, startling Delibird, who had been genuinely watching the scenery outside.
"Dei Li?! (Who are you?)" Delibird called out in alarm.
"Mew~" Mew waved its tiny hand in greeting, then immediately flew its petite form into the room.
Gardevoir, who had been cleaning with Psychic, immediately noticed the legendary Pokemon's arrival.
"Garde~ (Are you looking for our trainer?)" Gardevoir asked politely.
"Mew~~" Mew nodded enthusiastically.
"Garde! (He's upstairs taking a shower. You can wait downstairs first)" Before Gardevoir could finish speaking, Mew's attention was already captured by the two small Pokemon engaged in animated activity around the television.
On the sofa, Wobbuffet and Togepi were deeply engaged in a competitive fighting game.
"Wobbuffet!! (I'm definitely going to beat you this time!!)" Wobbuffet gripped its controller as if facing a formidable opponent.
"Togepi~ (The current score is 14,215 to 1~)" Togepi announced cheerfully.
The stark difference in their gaming skills was immediately apparent, but Wobbuffet's determination remained unshaken despite the overwhelming score disadvantage. Mew watched this amusing scene with growing interest, floating closer to observe their intense gaming session.