The Midnight Phantom
When the police car, resembling an armored vehicle, stopped at the gates of Metropolis University, countless pedestrians stopped to watch.
"Young Master Bayne, contact me if you need anything," Commander Hannibal said with a grin.
"Commander Hannibal is too kind."
After bidding farewell to Commander Hannibal, Bruce started walking toward the university.
"Are you still there?" he whispered to the air beside him.
【Present.】
The voice of the heterochromatic Gardevoir resonated in his mind the next second.
Bruce nodded slightly and continued walking forward.
"This is my university," he said softly without turning his head to the side.
Speaking of which, Gardevoir's telepathic communication was incredibly convenient—it required no speaking at all.
Bruce couldn't engage in telepathic communication with others, so he had to speak. This behavior often drew strange looks from others.
【University?】
"A university is a place where knowledge is acquired."
Perhaps concerned that Gardevoir might not understand the concept of a university, Bruce paused and added, "You'll naturally come to understand these things after staying here for a while."
This time, the heterochromatic Gardevoir didn't respond.
Perhaps it was curiously observing the surroundings, watching the students come and go, and taking in a place completely different from the secret realm.
Everything here felt strange to Gardevoir.
But along the way, Gardevoir remained silent. Although it continued observing the surroundings, it didn't ask any questions.
Before long, Bruce arrived at his dormitory, which was empty at the time.
"Where did you go again?"
Bruce murmured to himself, then said to the air beside him, "You can reveal yourself now."
The next moment, the differently colored Gardevoir slowly appeared, its red gem scanning the surroundings.
"This is my dormitory—uh, it's where I rest," Bruce explained.
The heterochromatic Gardevoir nodded slightly, its eyes full of curiosity.
"You just arrived here, and you must have noticed that humans and Pokemon live together," Bruce said suddenly.
Looking into Gardevoir's eyes, Bruce continued, "You can live here peacefully."
"But you're too powerful and don't have a Trainer, which might attract the attention of some strong Trainers. So, I suggest you remain invisible in public."
"It will also help you observe the world better," Bruce added.
【Understood.】
"Let's stay here tonight. Tomorrow, I'll find a bigger house outside," Bruce said.
Renting a house outside had been Bruce's idea for some time.
Compared to living in a dormitory, having his own place offered more freedom and space, allowing three Pokemon to stay outside their Poke Balls.
It also provided privacy, making it easier to practice Psychic skills.
Bruce turned on his computer and searched for videos introducing the current world and society on video platforms.
After a while, Bruce pointed to the computer and said, "Watch this first."
【Alright.】
He then gave up the seat to Gardevoir and called Jessica, asking her to find a suitable house.
As a freshman, Bruce wasn't as familiar with the university's surroundings as Jessica.
After some time, Bruce hung up the phone.
His cousin Jessica naturally agreed and promised to find a house that would satisfy him.
When Bruce turned around again, he saw the heterochromatic Gardevoir staring at the computer intently, seemingly fascinated.
He smiled and decided not to interrupt.
Night fell. Nero still hadn't returned, and Gardevoir remained seated in front of the computer, watching a video introducing human civilization's history.
Bruce noticed that the heterochromatic Gardevoir was quite different from other Pokemon; it had more curiosity and thoughtfulness.
It was like a villager stepping out of a secluded mountain, possessing human-like thoughts but knowing nothing of the current world.
Watching videos was the best way for it to understand this world.
Seeing Gardevoir so focused, Bruce decided not to disturb it. After a quick shower, he went to bed.
Judging by the circumstances, Nero likely wouldn't return to the dorm tonight.
As a university student active in clubs, it wasn't uncommon for Nero to stay out.
Having experienced so much during the day, Bruce was both physically and mentally exhausted and quickly fell into a deep sleep.
In the dark dormitory, only the computer beneath the bed emitted a faint glow.
Gardevoir sat in front of the computer, tirelessly learning about this strange world.
When it came across a video introducing computers and the internet, it stared at the screen for a long time. Then, using its psychic powers, it moved the mouse to open a new webpage: .
It typed out a phrase: "Pokemon Pokedex."
Moments later, a new page loaded, displaying Pokemon of various forms.
The heterochromatic Gardevoir's eyes lit up as it attentively read through the data records of each Pokemon, scrolling down gradually.
Time passed.
Suddenly, the sound of a door opening echoed. Gardevoir frowned slightly and immediately became invisible.
Nero entered, smelling of alcohol. After pausing briefly to look at the dark dormitory, he noticed the lump under Bruce's blanket and chose not to turn on the light.
He carefully shut the door and headed toward the bathroom.
"Huh?"
Nero stopped in front of Bruce's computer.
Seeing it still on, he leaned closer to check, noticing the Pokemon Pokedex page on the screen. He murmured, "As expected of the top student in our research department."
"But Brother Bruce forgot to turn off the computer."
"Looks like it's up to me, the kindhearted roommate, to help."
After mumbling, Nero moved the mouse and shut off the computer.
Watching the screen go black, Nero smiled in satisfaction and went to take a shower.
About ten minutes later, Nero emerged from the bathroom, ready for bed. But he noticed the computer screen was on again, still showing the Pokemon Pokedex page.
Nero frowned, freezing in place.
"I'm sure I turned it off before my shower."
"Could it be a glitch?"
Doubting his memory, Nero muttered and turned the computer off again.
Suddenly, a breeze blew, rustling the curtains.
Nero ignored it and climbed into bed.
Having drunk a lot, Nero quickly fell asleep.
Once Nero was asleep, Bruce's computer turned on again, its glowing red light fixating on him.
Three in the morning.
Nero suddenly opened his eyes.
"Dammit, drank too much water," he grumbled, getting up to go to the bathroom.
As he stepped down with his right foot, he noticed Bruce's computer was still on. He froze mid-step, unsure of what to do.
"I clearly turned it off before sleeping..."
Sweat broke out on Nero's forehead, and a chill ran down his back.
"To hell with it. I'll see if it's a person or a ghost!"
Mustered courage, Nero released a Poke Ball.
A Haunter emerged, floating eerily in the room. It stuck out its long scarlet tongue toward Nero.
"No, no, no."
Nero waved his hands nervously, calming Haunter.
"Check if there's anything strange here," Nero ordered softly.
Haunter began scanning the room. Suddenly, it stopped, staring at the curtain.
"What's wrong?"
Approaching cautiously, Nero was met with a blinding blue light. His vision went dark, and he collapsed.
The next morning.
Bruce stretched and woke up refreshed.
But descending the stairs, he saw Nero and Haunter sprawled on the floor.
"Drank again last night?"
Bruce muttered, crouching to pat Nero's face.
A groggy Nero opened his eyes. Recalling the events of the night, he looked at Bruce with fear.
"Brother Bruce, our dorm... it's haunted."
Bruce was a little surprised and unconsciously looked at the computer.
Well, the computer screen is still on.
Suddenly he understood everything.
Indeed, when Nero recounted everything that happened last night, the corners of Bruce's mouth twitched, and then he looked at Nero and said in a deep voice, "Brother Bruce, don't worry, there are no ghosts in our bedroom."
"It's just that my computer is broken and I always like to automatically turn on and jump to this screen."
Then Bruce pointed to the computer and said, "Believe it or not, this computer will automatically turn off if I move the mouse."
Immediately after, Bruce moved the mouse gently.
The mouse automatically presses the shutdown button and then enters the shutdown page.
Nero: "?"