Yoimiya: Phione?
Xiangling: Hmm... pretty ordinary.
Lisa: Looking at the description, there's really nothing surprising about it.
Eula: Didn't you see that the border of the Pokédex entry is golden?
Jean: ...It's lively here. It's late, and everyone is awake?
Keqing: I can't sleep.
Yanfei: Keqing, aren't you also a contestant?
Keqing: Ningguang signed up to compete, why can't I?
Childe: Stop chatting when you're already in the middle of things! The focus now should be on the Water-type Pokémon named Phione. Why is the border not blue, but glowing gold?
At this time, a system prompt floated across the group chat interface:
The group leader (Takumi) has started a panoramic group chat meeting. Please join in and watch!
On Kamisato Ayaka's Pokédex, an invitation message popped up:
The group leader (Takumi) has granted you sub-venue permission for the panoramic meeting. Now start the meeting!
Beep!
Yoimiya grabbed Miss Ayaka's finger and gently clicked on the options attached to the system message.
Suddenly, the Pokédex projected a scanning red light visible to the naked eye. After scanning around the spacious study room:
Scene simulation in progress...
Conference participants have been scanned. Four people are being projected with 100% accuracy...
Final adjustments for the conference are beginning!
Huh?!
In the study, four people were shocked.
In the light projected from the Pokédex, a young man slowly appeared. His body initially composed of light, and then clothing and accessories took form until he appeared as if he were a real visitor.
He looked around and immediately turned his eyes to the surprised Yoimiya:
"Ah, I didn't expect to arrive at the Kamisato Estate so quickly."
The visitor was none other than Takumi.
Naganohara Yoimiya witnessed the power of the group leader's authority for the first time:
"That's awesome, Manager Takumi! You've come directly! This is so much better than live streaming!"
"A panoramic meeting... it can actually generate your simulated image?"
A bright smile appeared on Yoimiya's face. She stepped forward and poked Takumi's projection with her finger, only to find that it was as if she were poking into the air—without any physical sensation.
She was slightly disappointed:
"Ah, I can't poke the manager."
Takumi laughed. He understood Yoimiya's character—carefree but with a delicate heart. That's why he felt comfortable leaving the task of spreading the Pokémon culture in Inazuma to her. After the Pokémon House branch was established, Yoimiya would also serve as the branch manager outside her family's fireworks shop.
On the other side, the Kamisato siblings were stunned, and Thoma was even more baffled.
"Is this some kind of magic?" he asked.
From a distant land separated by vast oceans—from Liyue, the prosperous city of commerce—Takumi had appeared in the backyard of the Kamisato Estate?
The smile on Kamisato Ayato's face had long faded, leaving only shock.
"This isn't something technology can do!"
However, no matter how astonishing, Takumi had come out of the light projected from the Pokédex.
"I have heard of you for a long time, Mr. Social Advocate..."
Takumi chuckled, bringing Ayato's thoughts back.
"I suddenly understand why Yoimiya respects you like another great minister."
"Great minister" referred to the Narukami, the ruling deity of Inazuma.
Takumi spread his hands: "Don't misunderstand. This is not a miracle. It's simply a panoramic meeting. The Pokédex scans and generates the environment of your home, and also scans and generates mine. This is a kind of remote conferencing technology, a product of Pokémon Technology."
"Of course, if you two mind and are worried about privacy, I can close the panoramic view of both parties and switch back to a default, confined system meeting room."
Kamisato Ayato shook his head solemnly.
"Not at all. We welcome you here."
Meanwhile, group chat members who couldn't sleep at night clicked to watch the meeting. As non-participants, they couldn't join but could watch as though it were a live broadcast.
Xingqiu: These siblings seem to have extraordinary bearings. I'm afraid they hold distinguished status in Inazuma.
Yelan: Inazuma doesn't have a Seven Stars system; instead, the three major families—the Kamisato, Kujou, and Hiiragi—hold power. These families correspond to the Yashiro, Tenryou, and Kanjou Commissions, respectively.
Xiangling: Sister Yelan is amazing! She knows a lot about foreign places!
Ningguang: Haha, Yelan's adventures have taken her across all seven nations. If you encounter difficulties abroad, you can always ask her for information—she enjoys selling it.
Yelan: Ningguang, you're saying too much.
While some group members spoke up, others remained silent, watching the meeting unfold and anticipating Takumi's explanation regarding Phione.
"Phione," Takumi called out to the small creature in Ayaka's arms.
"Furi, oh, oh, nirvana~!"
The little blue creature in Ayaka's arms, like a well-behaved baby, raised its small face and chirped toward Takumi.
(Trainer, let me tell you—this man is extraordinary!)
Kamisato Ayaka tilted her head, a bit confused, but Phione's round little hand kept pointing at Takumi with a serious expression. It seemed her Pokémon was introducing Takumi in earnest?
"I see," Takumi said, stepping forward, wanting to poke Phione's round head with his finger. This ocean Pokémon had an air sac-like crown on its head that looked soft and appealing.
However, his finger passed through Phione's body.
Takumi was stunned. He had been so charmed by the cute little Phione that he'd forgotten he was merely a virtual projection—a collection of light rays.
"Ahem."
In front of Ayaka, Ayato, and Thoma, Takumi kept his composure.
"Phione's intelligence and spirituality... Are you surprised?"
The siblings nodded.
"In fact, Yoimiya should know, and the group members do as well. Pokémon also have genetics. The stronger the parents, the more likely their offspring will be strong as well... Some offspring can even surpass their parents' potential!"
Kamisato Ayaka's breath caught. Her face glowed with surprise, and she quickly asked:
"Manager Takumi, do you mean... Is Phione stronger than its parent?"
Next to her, Ayato and Thoma both looked equally serious.
Takumi's mouth curved into an amused smile:
"Well... it's quite the opposite!"
Kamisato Ayaka was momentarily taken aback, feeling as though she'd been teased. The eldest lady, with her good-natured temperament, wasn't embarrassed at all, though. Instead, her face flushed slightly under Takumi's mischievous gaze. Watching the meeting, the group members couldn't help but laugh.
Jean: Manager Takumi seems to really like this Inazuma noble lady.
Lisa: ...Captain Jean, please be careful with your words. Using the word "like" might be too strong. Otherwise, many people in the group will be heartbroken tonight!
Ningguang: Favor and appreciation might be more accurate.
The Pokédex remained in Kamisato Ayaka's hands, and, much like a livestream, comments floated around her.
Ayaka's face grew even redder, but her big eyes blinked with curiosity at this new way of interacting. It was fascinating!
Takumi continued without much delay:
"Phione... Well, its parent is named Manaphy. And Manaphy is a Mythical Pokémon, often referred to as the Prince of the Sea!"
Mythical Pokémon! The Prince of the Sea!!
Suddenly, Ayaka noticed the barrage of jokes and laughter abruptly stopped. The screen had cleared.
Ayaka: ???
Even Yoimiya was stunned for a moment. The expression on her face showed a mix of shock and envy.
"Congratulations!" Yoimiya smiled warmly.
"A Legendary Pokémon, a Mythical Pokémon... There's a general term in the group for these—they're known as 'Mythical Beasts!'"
Mythical Beast...
The hearts of the Kamisato siblings pounded with emotion. Thoma scratched his head, clearly puzzled:
"Mythical Beast? Is that similar to the servant of a god? Like Mondstadt's Dragon of the East Wind, Dvalin?"
Upon saying this, Thoma noticed Yoimiya giving him a look as if he were mentally slow.
"Is that a Mythical Beast? That's called a servant of a god! The real divine beast is one that controls power and authority, wielding great strength across the world!"
Ahem...
Takumi found Yoimiya's sense of enthusiasm was a bit too strong, so he coughed lightly.
Once he had everyone's attention again, he stopped showing off and said with an amused smile:
"Actually, it's a pity... Although Phione is the offspring of the Prince of the Sea, it does not inherit the same personality as its parent!"