"Master," Jacob's voice rang out, "Actually, I suggest you consider the Eastern region."
The Eastern region?
When Maximus heard Jacob's words, his brows furrowed slightly. Wasn't there a Fairy-type Heavenly King, Raya, in the Eastern region?
Seeing Maximus's surprised expression, Jacob continued, "Master, I know that the Eastern region has the Fairy-type Heavenly King Raya, but Raya and we are in a cooperative relationship. I will help persuade her, and she won't hinder you from becoming a Heavenly King."
"Oh?" Maximus looked at Jacob with surprise. "How confident are you?"
"About seventy percent..." Jacob gave a conservative estimate. "Master, when do you need to decide which region to go to?"
"Before this week," Maximus replied.
"Then how about we arrange a meeting with Heavenly King Raya? You can talk face-to-face," Jacob suggested.
"Alright."
...
After that, Jacob and Maximus chatted for more than ten minutes before Jacob left Maximus's office, accompanied by Nina.
As the two walked through the Dragon-type Secret Realm, it felt as if they were back in their training days together.
"Nina," Jacob said as he walked.
"Hmm?"
"There's something I want to tell you."
"Go on."
"About the Aqualis City Secret Realm Gap..." Jacob turned to look at Nina, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke about the Gigantamax Pokémon and the Secret Realm Gap.
Nina had always been one of the people he trusted most. If his Gigantamax Legion had to recruit members, Nina would undoubtedly have a place.
After listening to Jacob's explanation, Nina's brows furrowed tightly, and her beautiful face was filled with surprise. "Gigantamax Pokémon? Are you saying you captured a Lapras that's dozens of meters tall?"
"Yes," Jacob nodded in response. "That's right. Besides this Permanently Gigantamaxed Lapras, there are seventeen other Eternally Gigantamaxed Pokémon in the world."
"My current plan is to establish a secret organization to capture all seventeen remaining Eternally Gigantamaxed Pokémon. Currently, the only members are me and Heavenly King Raya." Jacob paused slightly here, then continued, "Nina, because this involves the new Gigantamax experiment, I can't trust just anyone. Only you—you should know that you are the person I trust most."
Hearing Jacob's direct words, Nina's face quickly turned red, and she slightly turned her head away, no longer looking at Jacob.
"So, Nina, you can't refuse me." As Jacob spoke, he also reached out and took Nina's hand. "I haven't even told my brother or my parents."
Seeing Jacob's actions become increasingly bold, Nina could only turn her head, her face red, and glare at Jacob. "You say so much, but Heavenly King Raya knew before me. She was a step ahead of me."
"That's different," Jacob explained nervously. "I needed her to help me capture the Gigantamax Lapras, which is why she knew before you. It's not the same situation."
"Why are you so nervous?" Seeing Jacob's somewhat excessive reaction, Nina frowned and looked at Jacob in confusion. "Alright, I promise you. By the way, I'm actually very curious—how did you persuade Heavenly King Raya to help you capture the Gigantamax Lapras?"
"I don't really like Heavenly King Raya. She's too smart. And you used to say you didn't really like Heavenly King Raya either."
The more Nina spoke, the more sweat dripped from Jacob's forehead.
"Nina..." Jacob carefully chose his words, speaking cautiously. "I think we might have misunderstood Heavenly King Raya before."
"Oh?" Nina sounded puzzled.
"Heavenly King Raya is very shrewd, and it feels like nothing escapes her calculations, but that's only for outsiders." Jacob quietly defended Raya. "Actually, after getting to know her better, I found that her calculations are for others. She's actually very good to her friends."
"Really?" Nina looked suspicious. "When did you become friends with Heavenly King Raya?"
"Well, with this cooperation, we're going from strangers to acquaintances, right?" For some reason, Jacob felt like he was making things worse the more he explained.
...
After Jacob and Nina had a simple dinner together, Nina returned to her apartment in the Secret Realm, while Jacob went to Purple Mountain Villa.
Not long ago, Layne had called him to say that the villa was already renovated. Layne had also furnished it with all the appliances and furniture, so now Jacob only needed to move in with his bags.
Tonight was a good opportunity to go and see it. Taking a taxi to Purple Mountain Villa, Jacob stood outside the villa gate, looking at the greatly transformed villa. His mood felt somewhat complex.
This is rented from Raya. When I have money, I must buy it.
Jacob kept reassuring himself in his heart.
Walking into the villa, a scent of luxury assailed him. The oil paintings and calligraphy hanging on the walls were all by masters.
"Bathing Beauty – World's Number One Smeargle, Gold Award Winner Glenn."
"Rayquaza's Rage – World's Number One Smeargle, Gold Award Winner Glenn."
...
Glenn? What was that?
Jacob opened his phone to search and discovered that Glenn was actually the name of a Smeargle. This Smeargle was also a world-renowned painter, and every painting it created could be called a work of art. Of course, the price was extremely high as well.
Looking at the string of zeros after the price, Jacob could feel a wave of artistic atmosphere wash over him. Good painting, good painting! This painting was good because it was truly expensive.
Besides these artworks, the furniture and appliances were all international high-end brands and made from extremely precious materials. For example, the teapot on the table was made from a complete Sinistea shell.
The mattress was said to be made from the fur of Deerling.
...
The lives of the rich were just so simple, unpretentious, and boring.
"Ring!"
Just as Jacob was still marveling at Raya's outrageous wealth, his phone suddenly rang.
Jacob picked up his phone and found it was Kyle, who had been missing for a long time.
"Hello, Kyle."
"Jacob! Have you arrived in League City?" Kyle's excited voice rang out. "My flight arrives in League City tomorrow. Have you seen the class roster? We're still classmates! And by the way, Amelia is also at League University, just not in our class."
"Got it, I already knew," Jacob replied calmly, as he had already seen the class roster.
"Jacob! Oh, by the way, let me tell you something." Kyle suddenly spoke mysteriously.
"What is it? Tell me."
"I feel like I'm about to get into a relationship."
Kyle's words almost made Jacob choke on his own saliva. "Who are you planning to lead astray this time?"
"What are you saying?! What are you saying?!" Kyle protested vehemently, then said slyly, "I heard our counselor is a great beauty named Eleanor."
"I can already feel that I'm about to have a passionate teacher-student romance in college."
...