After Zayn and Raizer met, Xavier and Rayne could only stare in confusion.
Who exactly was Raizer?
And how could he be so close to Zayn?
Xavier finally decided to ask.
"Hey, Zayn! Who is he? I didn't know you had a friend like that," Xavier said, clearly puzzled.
"Oh, him?" Zayn replied casually. "His name's Raizer. He's an online friend of mine. We met two years ago while playing an online game. Since then, we've become pretty close."
The Pokémon Center was noisy—machines beeping, Trainers talking, Pokémon calling out. Their voices were getting drowned out.
"It's too loud in here," Zayn said. "Let's step outside so we can talk properly."
While they were distracted, Gible and Joltik hurriedly returned the stolen game console to Zayn's Inventory Box before he noticed. Joltik quickly slipped back into its Poké Ball to avoid suspicion, while Gible remained outside, acting innocent as if nothing had happened.
The group pushed through the dense crowd and exited the Pokémon Center.
Meanwhile, Zayn had already relocated himself to the nearby park using Gible's Phantom Force, arriving ahead of the others.
As they walked, Rayne suddenly felt something strange.
As an esper, she could sense souls—subtle vibrations of existence that most people could never perceive. In the bustling crowd, every soul felt different yet ordinary.
Except Raizer's.
His soul was… unusual.
It wasn't like an esper's. It wasn't chaotic. It wasn't distorted.
It felt powerful—rare. Ancient, almost. And undeniably connected to something supernatural.
But not psychic.
Different.
She couldn't explain it, but she knew one thing:
Raizer was not ordinary.
Soon they reached the park, where Zayn was waiting.
"Alright, it should be clearer now," Zayn said. "Let me introduce him again. This is Raizer. He's my online friend. We've been playing games together for two years, and we've gotten pretty close."
"Oh… I see," Xavier nodded.
"Oh, right. I almost forgot," Zayn added casually. "Raizer is technically a Priest."
Silence.
"Wait—what? A Priest?!" Rayne blurted out. "He doesn't look like a Priest at all! He looks more like a delinquent than a holy man!"
Her expectations had been shaped by stories she'd read—robes, sacred symbols, serene expressions. Not silver hair, casual clothes, and sharp green eyes.
But suddenly, it made sense.
That strange soul she felt.
"Hey! What did you just say?" Raizer shot back. "A delinquent? I'm traveling, okay? You think I'd wear ceremonial priest robes while journeying around? What is this—some story where characters never change clothes? I wear this because it's comfortable!"
Xavier crossed his arms. "Traveling? What kind of journey? Are you aiming to become Champion? Conquer the League?"
Raizer let out a short laugh.
"Hah! You think a Trainer's journey is limited to that? I'm on something far more important. More confusing. More difficult. More challenging than becoming Champion."
He smirked.
"Can you guess what it is?"
Xavier frowned. "Uncovering a mystery?"
"Too broad," Raizer replied calmly. "Be more specific."
"Searching for an artifact?" Rayne guessed.
"That's just a side quest if it's necessary. Not the main goal."
"Traveling west to seek sacred scriptures?!" Xavier blurted dramatically.
Raizer blinked. "I wasn't planning to… but if it becomes necessary, I would."
Rayne sighed. "Then what is your goal?"
Raizer's expression shifted—serious now.
"It's something you'd never expect from someone who calls himself a Priest."
Xavier and Rayne leaned forward.
Zayn, meanwhile, already knew. He stayed silent, calmly holding Gible in his lap. He knew they wouldn't believe it if he said it himself.
Raizer finally spoke.
"My goal… is to search for the truth about God."
The air froze.
Xavier and Rayne stared at him in shock.
A Priest… searching for the truth about God?
It made no sense.
"Are you insane?!" Rayne shouted. "You're a Priest! What kind of Priest searches for the truth about God?!"
Several bystanders nearby turned their heads.
"Hey! I'm perfectly sane!" Raizer protested.
"What kind of Priest doesn't fully believe in their own God?!" Xavier added.
"Yeeaaah… that's a long story," Raizer replied with an awkward smile. "But trust me. I'm sane."
While they were still arguing, Zayn glanced at the time.
10:30 AM.
"Oh right… I haven't even had breakfast yet," he thought.
He returned Gible Redux to its Poké Ball and stood up.
"Hey, aren't you guys hungry? It's already half past ten. How about we go eat?"
The debate stopped instantly.
They were all hungry.
Raizer, who had arrived in the city the day before, raised a hand.
"I've got a suggestion. How about this place?" He showed them a photo on his Pokédex.
Zayn, Xavier, and Rayne examined it carefully.
The restaurant stood beside a river in the middle of the city. Classic architecture. Warm lighting. A wooden sign that read:
Perfect Time.
"It looks convincing," Zayn admitted.
"And the scenery is beautiful," Rayne added softly.
"Perfect Time… From the name alone, it sounds like a place to experience the perfect moment," Xavier mused.
Using Xavier's Rotomdex map, they marked the route Raizer suggested—possibly even a shortcut—and began walking toward the restaurant.
As they traveled, they observed Ariestal City more closely.
Zayn noticed the houses. Unlike the apartment-style buildings in Quartz City, Ariestal's homes weren't overly modern. They had character—artistic shapes, soft colors, handcrafted details.
Xavier observed something else.
Despite the crowds, the city wasn't noisy.
Most people—and Pokémon—walked instead of using vehicles. That explained the calm atmosphere.
Rayne looked toward the river flowing through the city's center. After checking the map, she realized Ariestal was built along a major waterway.
Zayn then noticed the statues scattered around the city.
They were detailed—astonishingly so.
He paused before sculptures of Clauncher and Clawitzer. The craftsmanship was extraordinary—the anatomy, the sharp gaze in their eyes, even tiny water splash details carved into the stone.
Raizer naturally stepped into the role of guide.
"Ariestal is known as the City of Art," he explained. "The river is central to life here. Clauncher and Clawitzer have supported the people for generations. They were a major food source—their claws regenerate."
He continued, his tone respectful.
"There are strict cultivation laws. They're not allowed to exploit or stress the Pokémon. Sustainability is important here."
As they walked, Zayn asked, "How long have you been traveling?"
"About two months," Raizer replied. "And I've experienced a lot."
Zayn's curiosity deepened.
"So… who was your starter Pokémon?"
Raizer smiled slightly.
"My starter was Beldum. It's evolved into Metang now. And soon…"
His eyes gleamed with quiet pride.
"It'll become Metagross."
mall breath after hearing about Metang.
"I didn't expect you to be that far ahead of me," he admitted, a faint competitive spark flashing in his eyes.
Raizer smirked.
"Well, of course. A rival has to keep up with the main character so the main character can grow."
"Keep up?" Zayn scoffed. "You've practically passed me."
Raizer chuckled. "You're not wrong. But relax—I'm sure you'll catch up."
Zayn crossed his arms, pretending not to care.
"Oh right. Since you've been traveling for about a month, you must have more Pokémon, right? There's no way you only have Metang. Especially after your time at the academy—you couldn't have had just one Pokémon."
Raizer raised an eyebrow. "There's no way I'm telling you everything now. That would ruin the fun of our future battle."
"Yahh…" Zayn sighed dramatically in disappointment.
Then his eyes widened.
"Oh yeah! You graduated from the academy just a month ago, right? What did you even study there?"
Raizer answered calmly, almost formally.
"I studied the fundamental techniques of a Priest—how to cleanse status conditions, restore vitality, apply blessings, and enhance abilities. While I was at the academy, I also learned about significant locations across different regions. Sometimes I even visited them personally during training periods."
Zayn leaned forward.
"Then you must've visited some interesting places. Do you have any recommendations? Maybe somewhere good to catch strong Pokémon—or at least an interesting city?"
"If you want strong Pokémon, go to Route 9. It's the closest from here," Raizer replied. "But if you're asking about an interesting city… I'd recommend Zergion City. When I was there, it felt like I had stepped into the medieval era."
"Route 9… maybe after the exhibition, I'll head there to catch one," Zayn said excitedly. "And Zergion sounds amazing. Maybe I'll find a witch there."
Raizer nodded. "There are many witches in Zergion. I learned a lot about magic systems there—and honestly, it's incredibly complicated."
Xavier silently observed Raizer.
Graduating from Alcrypna Academy at such a young age…
He must be a genius.
Rayne, meanwhile, grew curious.
"Brother Raizer… may I ask something?" she said politely.
"What would you like to ask?"
"What places have you visited?"
Raizer began listing them casually.
"I've visited the Grand Cathedral in Arcana City, several sacred temples in the Tharia Region, Valerica City, numerous routes and resorts… and I've actually been to Ariestal before."
"Wow! You've been to Arcana City? Isn't that one of the holy cities?" Rayne exclaimed, eyes sparkling.
"Well, I was one of the academy's top students. I received training there."
"So you've been here before! No wonder you know so much about this city," Zayn said.
Soon, they arrived at their destination: Perfect Time.
The building blended classical architecture with modern accents—arched windows, polished wood, subtle lighting. From the outside alone, Xavier could tell it was relatively new despite its vintage aesthetic.
Zayn, however, was more interested in the second floor. It was open-air dining.
They entered—and it was packed.
Raizer approached the cashier for a reservation.
To their surprise, he had special access privileges.
Within minutes, they secured a table upstairs.
"Phew! Good thing you had special access," Zayn said. "Otherwise, we'd be waiting for hours."
Raizer shrugged. "You think I'd come unprepared?"
Xavier finally asked what had been bothering him.
"Raizer, how old are you? And how did you graduate so quickly from Alcrypna Academy?"
Raizer studied him briefly before answering.
"I'm fourteen. I graduated a month ago. I entered the academy early—at eight years old."
Rayne blinked. "What is Alcrypna Academy? And why do you both know so much about it?"
Xavier explained, "In short, Alcrypna Academy is a Priest academy. It's located in Alciel City—my hometown before I moved to Quartz."
"Alciel City?" Rayne tilted her head. "Which one is that?"
Raizer replied, "The city with the massive clock tower in the center. It's the city's symbol. There's also one of the Grand Cathedrals there."
Rayne gasped softly. She had read stories set there—religious epics and fantasy tales.
Then Raizer demonstrated how to order.
Despite the classic setting, ordering was done through a tablet embedded in the table. He selected Claw Soup as an example.
"See? It may look old-fashioned, but they're modern where it counts."
The others began ordering.
Zayn chose the Special One Shot Package, because it allowed him to try multiple flavors at a cheaper price.
Xavier ordered Veluza Fillet, curious about fresh fish.
Rayne ordered Sashimi, recalling her fond memories of the Kanto region.
Minutes later, the food arrived.
They were ready to eat—
—but disaster struck.
Gible and Joltik burst out of their Poké Balls after smelling the food.
Within seconds—
Four of the five One Shots were gone.
Veluza Fillet.
Claw Soup.
Hell Parade.
Sweet Paradise.
All devoured by Gible and Joltik.
Only the final One Shot remained: Perfect Time.
Zayn slowly picked it up and took a bite.
The flavor was extraordinary—sweet, spicy, salty, sour—perfectly balanced.
But his mood?
Ruined.
His own Pokémon had eaten his food.
Meanwhile, the others enjoyed theirs.
Xavier suddenly realized something.
"Oh no… I don't think I'm suited for fresh fish…" he thought, feeling nauseous.
He pushed his plate toward Zayn.
"Zayn, take this. My stomach can't handle it."
"Seriously?! Thank you so much, Xavier! I knew you were a good friend," Zayn beamed instantly.
Xavier ordered Sweet Paradise as dessert instead.
Rayne calmly enjoyed her meal.
Raizer, of course, loved his Claw Soup.
After finishing, it was time to pay.
Special One Shot Package = ₽1,500
Veluza Fillet = ₽1,800
Claw Soup = ₽2,000
Sashimi = ₽1,500
Sweet Paradise = ₽1,300
Total = ₽7,100
"That's actually pretty affordable," Zayn said.
Raizer smiled. "Since it's your first time here, how about I pay?"
Xavier and Rayne agreed immediately.
But Zayn shook his head.
"Not for me. I already owe you enough since we met today. I won't add another debt to that."
Raizer wasn't surprised.
"Of course you'd say that. Fine—I'll just pay for Xavier and Rayne."
Zayn smirked slightly.
Some rivalries were about strength.
Others were about pride.
And neither of them intended to lose.
After settling the bill, they checked the time.
It was already 1:00 PM.
And suddenly—
Rayne remembered something.
Her face paled slightly.
She had seen it before.
Zayn's death.
At 11:00 PM tonight.
She turned toward him, unable to hold it in any longer.
"Hey, Zayn… You know, I saw you die at eleven tonight. But why are you acting so calm about it?" Rayne said, her voice tense.
Before Zayn could even respond—
Raizer burst out laughing.
Not a small chuckle.
A full, amused laugh.
Rayne blinked in confusion.
"Hey! Why are you laughing at me?! What's so funny about that?!"
Raizer wiped the corner of his eye, still grinning.
"Haaah… haaah… forgive me," he said once he finally calmed down.
"I just find it amusing. You claim to see someone's death… when even God hides death from all things."
His tone sharpened slightly.
"And you think Zayn would die that easily? I'm not sure whether your ability is flawed… or you simply misunderstood your own vision."
Rayne's expression hardened.
"You're still too young to grasp the truth behind your power," Raizer continued calmly. "And you should know—nothing in this world is ever as it appears."
Rayne clenched her fists.
She hated being treated like a naive child.
"What do you mean by that?! Don't mock me! You know nothing about espers!" she snapped.
Raizer's gaze turned steady—firm.
"Isn't it you who doesn't understand yourself?"
That was the final spark.
Rayne's frustration erupted.
"Then I challenge you to a battle!" she declared. "If you win, I'll accept that what you said is true. But if I win—you take back your words."
Raizer smiled faintly.
"You've got courage, I'll give you that. But you do realize… we're on completely different levels."
Meanwhile, Zayn and Xavier were watching the entire exchange unfold.
They weren't Priests.
They weren't espers.
They were just normal Trainers.
"Look at that, Zayn," Xavier muttered. "Because of a vision about your death, two people are about to fight."
Zayn shrugged.
"You think it's that serious? I don't care. It's just a vision. Why are they so worked up? Isn't that just an outcome without a cause?"
"Maybe what they're really arguing about is their worldview," Xavier replied thoughtfully. "Still… at least we get to see what happens when an esper and a Priest fight."
Zayn glanced at Rayne—
—and suddenly noticed something odd.
Their fashion styles were strangely similar.
He froze.
No.
That wouldn't do.
"Hey, Xavier. Come with me to a clothing store," Zayn said casually.
Xavier stared at him.
"Wait. They're about to fight… and you want to go shopping?"
"Shhh!" Zayn whispered sharply, grabbing Xavier by the sleeve. "I refuse to have my style look similar to another Trainer."
And just like that, he dragged Xavier away.
Meanwhile—
Rayne and Raizer walked toward a battle area nearby.
The tension between them was thick.
One moved with psychic sensitivity.
The other with unwavering faith.
Esper versus Priest.
Vision versus conviction.
And somewhere in the background—
Zayn's supposed death at 11:00 PM loomed like an unseen clock ticking down.