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"Luxury villa, no, this can no longer be called a villa..." Chris stood at the gate of Yelan Villa and looked around.
Because it was early in the morning, the fog inside the villa hadn't lifted, revealing only an antique mansion near the mountain's summit.
"Excuse me, who are you looking for?" The security guard at the villa gate saw Chris standing there and approached to inquire.
"I'm looking for... uh..." Chris realized he hadn't asked for the person's name again.
"Let him in. Mister is already waiting for him," said an old man behind the fence. He was wearing black practice clothes and holding a lantern.
"Okay, Mr. Dominick!" The security guard quickly opened the gate.
The old man, addressed as Mr. Dominick, waved at Chris. "Come with me."
Chris hurried to follow, quickly disappearing into the thick white mist.
With the lantern lighting the way, Chris wouldn't get lost. As they walked forward, he caught a fleeting glimpse of a Frillish's silhouette in the fog.
"Isn't this mist a bit too thick?" Chris asked, feeling an eerie chill.
"This mist is created by Mister's Jellicent and Froslass. Most Ghost-type Pokémon enjoy wandering in it," Mr. Dominick explained.
Chris nodded, marveling at the new knowledge.
The figure he'd just seen likely was a Jellicent.
"By the way, although it's a bit rude, I still want to ask: what is Mister's name?" Chris asked sheepishly. Despite talking twice on the phone, he hadn't learned the man's name—a bit discourteous, he thought.
"You don't know who Mister is?" Mr. Dominick looked at Chris with mild surprise, then chuckled. "You'll understand when you see him."
"When I see him, I'll understand?" Chris muttered, puzzled but intrigued. Mr. Dominick's confidence made it clear this was no ordinary individual.
Following Mr. Dominick, Chris crossed a stream, passed through a promenade, ascended stairs, and entered a garden. It took over ten minutes to reach the mansion's entrance.
Chris couldn't help but grumble internally.
Why did this feel like a scenic tour? But despite the distance, the surrounding scenery was stunning, clearly maintained with great care.
Ah, the world of the wealthy~
Inside, the mansion was a mix of antique style and modern amenities.
The person Chris sought was waiting in the lobby.
"Sir, we're here," Mr. Dominick announced to a young man in his thirties.
"En," the man replied with a slight nod, his gaze turning to Chris. "Have you had breakfast yet?"
Though his tone was polite, his demeanor carried a hint of arrogance.
Chris nodded silently. Looking at the young man's face, he finally understood Mr. Dominick's earlier words. This man was indeed a celebrity, but not in the typical sense.
He was one of China's Elite Four, specializing in Ghost-type Pokémon. Roy, nicknamed "Lord of Death", was renowned not only for his skill but also for his signature "Judgment" move—a declaration before defeating opponents.
As one of the five strongest trainers in China, Roy's reputation was widespread. He was a household name, not to mention the youngest Elite, becoming one at thirty-five. Now, at thirty-seven, his fame only continued to grow.
"I knew that with Teacher's expertise, anyone he recommended to me would be exceptional," Chris thought, muttering quietly. He had to admit, Roy, an Elite, was in impressive shape, looking barely over thirty.
"Now that we've had breakfast, let's get to the point. You mentioned a Pokémon bound by a spell ring. Release it and let me take a look," Roy instructed, gesturing to Chris.
Chris quickly released his Haunter.
"Haunter!" Haunter emerged from the Poké Ball with enthusiasm, greeting Chris with a mischievous "lick" from its spectral tongue.
Chris silently retrieved a Cheri Berry, popped it into his mouth, and let the tingling sensation fade. Though the berry had a spicy kick, eating them frequently had made the taste more tolerable, even sweet.
Turning back to Roy, Chris noticed the Elite scrutinizing Haunter intently.
"Let me see your hand," Roy instructed Haunter.
Haunter extended its paw obediently, allowing Roy to examine the spell ring closely.
After a few moments, Roy spoke. "This is an ancient spell ring—so ancient that even I can't decipher the inscriptions."
Chris kept his thoughts to himself. Of course, you can't recognize it. This Haunter isn't from this world, so the charm on its hand is beyond anyone's understanding here.
"Still, there's a way to break it," Roy finally said.
"What can be done?" Chris asked, surprised. He'd already been considering a trip to the Bell Tower to consult the monks there.
"Because this spell ring is so old, it has been binding Haunter for an extraordinarily long time. Over time, even the strongest enchantments wear down. I can tell this ring is nearing its limit—probably about 60% degraded."
"So, what does that mean?" Chris pressed.
"If you're willing to wait, in another five or six years, the spell ring will disintegrate on its own," Roy explained thoughtfully.
Chris's eye twitched. Five or six years? At that rate, he might as well train a new Gastly—it would likely reach its peak by then.
"If you don't want to wait, you could use Ghost-type enhancement items. Those would bolster Haunter's power, allowing it to break the ring from within," Roy suggested.
"Would the results differ between the two approaches?" Chris asked.
"No difference," Roy replied.
"That works, then," Chris said, nodding. Haunter was his only Ghost-type Pokémon, so any items for Ghost-types would naturally go toward its growth. It wasn't a waste if it strengthened Haunter.
"But," Roy interjected, his tone turning serious, "I advise against breaking Haunter's Imprison until you're significantly stronger."
"Why is that?" Chris asked, puzzled.
"Spell seals are often used to imprison particularly powerful or savage Ghost Pokémon," Roy explained. "This Haunter is at least two thousand years old. While its strength has been diminished by the spell, once unsealed, its full power and personality will return quickly. If you're not prepared, you could find yourself in serious danger."
Chris nodded, digesting the warning. It seemed breaking the seal was a choice he'd need to make carefully.