Alexander finally left his room and headed toward the dining hall.
The moment he stepped inside, he was greeted by laughter.
Victor Runcandel was animatedly talking, one hand waving dramatically.
"I'm telling you," Victor declared, "I haven't seen my son all morning. What if he's hungry? What if he's tired? What if—"
"Victor," Evelyn said calmly.
Darius and Selene rubbed their temples at the same time.
"…You're impossible," Selene sighed.
Just then, the doors opened.
Alexander walked in.
Silence fell.
Not the awkward kind.
The stunned kind.
Alexander looked… different.
Sharper.
Taller somehow.
Handsome in a way that made the lighting feel unfair.
Chris blinked.
Chisato froze.
Grayfia quietly inhaled.
All three of them—
Blushed.
"…Wow," Chris muttered.
Evelyn's eyes softened instantly.
My baby is adorable.
Victor, however, reacted very differently.
He was already in front of Alexander, hands on his shoulders, inspecting his face, posture, and body like a scanner.
"Did something happen?" Victor demanded. "Why is my son more handsome?"
"Papa," Alexander said calmly, "can you stop?"
"Absolutely not," Victor replied without hesitation.
"…Fair enough."
Alexander cleared his throat.
"I need to tell you all something."
Everyone immediately focused.
Alexander raised one hand.
The water glass on the table trembled.
Then—
It floated into the air.
Dead silent.
"…Psychic?" Darius asked slowly.
Alexander nodded. "I awakened as a Psychic User."
The reaction was instant.
Shock.
Then joy.
Psychic users were absurdly rare—only a handful existed in the entire world.
Selene smiled brightly.
Darius laughed deeply.
Victor looked like he'd just won the lottery.
Evelyn reached out and squeezed Alexander's hand proudly.
"My son is amazing," Victor declared.
Alexander coughed lightly. "Mama… what about the Valencrest family?"
Evelyn's smile sharpened just a little.
"By tonight," she said calmly, "you'll have your answer. The dungeon will also be transferred to your name."
Alexander nodded, satisfied.
"Good."
Then—
"Mom," Alexander continued, "can I have some money?"
Silence.
"…How much?" Evelyn asked carefully.
"I want to start my own company."
Evelyn considered it for exactly two seconds.
Then she took out her phone.
"Lusamine," she said, "transfer ten billion to Alex's account."
"Yes, Chairwoman," came the immediate reply.
Alexander's phone buzzed.
Deposit received.
"…Thanks, Mom."
Darius chuckled. "What type of Pokémon do you plan to specialize in, my grandson?"
Alexander thought for a moment.
"All of them."
Darius laughed approvingly. "Ambitious."
"And your first Pokémon?" Darius asked. "Will it be from your official Pokémon slot in four days… or from family?"
Alexander glanced between his father and grandfather.
"…Both."
Darius smiled knowingly.
Alexander turned to his grandfather first.
"Grandpa," he said, eyes shining, "did your shiny Metagross have a new Beldum?"
Darius laughed heartily.
"Indeed."
He reached into his coat and pulled out a Poké Ball, placing it into Alexander's hand.
Alexander's eyes widened.
"…Is it what I think it is?"
Darius nodded.
"Yes."
Victor collapsed dramatically onto a chair.
"…I lost."
Alexander turned to his father.
"Papa," he said politely, "if your Salamence has an offspring, I'd like that too."
Victor straightened instantly.
Puffed his chest.
"You have excellent taste, son!"
"Salamence will give birth in two days," Victor continued proudly. "You'll have it."
Alexander nodded, satisfied.
The room filled with laughter.
And for the first time—
Alexander truly felt it.
This was his home.
And this time—
He wasn't going to lose it.