Harborcrest City, the capital of Hartford Province.
Around three o'clock in the afternoon, at Harborcrest International Airport, near the arrival gate, two n stood anxiously watching the passageway.
"Brother, I didn't expected the Turner family to send him here," said one of them.
The speaker appeared to be in his early thirties, wearing silver-rimd glasses, and exuding an air of scholarly refinent—the kind of person who gave off an imdiate "book-smart" vibe.
Beside him stood another man, slightly older, not yet forty, dressed in a well-tailored suit. His expression was stern, but his aura was the complete opposite of his companion's—rough and unpolished, like soone who had risen from the streets.
The two shared about sixty to seventy percent resemblance in appearance, making it clear they were brothers.
If any of Harborcrest City's elite were present, they would imdiately recognize them as the Thornton brothers: Dean Thornton (the elder) and Nate Thornton (the younger).
Dean could be considered sowhat of a legend in Harborcrest City.
Orphaned at a young age, he had slaughtered chickens in a market stall to put his younger brother through school. Rising from the absolute bottom of society, he relied on his own skill and seized opportunities to build what is now the thriving Thornton Pokémon Breeding Company.
It beca the largest breeding company in Harborcrest City—even the breeding companies owned by the city's established families couldn't compare.
Of course, the Turner family's shadow lood behind his success. Without their backing, soone of his background would never have been able to amass such wealth without becoming a target.
“With his help, this matter will definitely be resolved perfectly.”
Thinking of this, a faint smile ford on Dean’s face, and the gloom that had weighed on him for days finally began to lift.
---
At 4 p.m., the flight from the Imperial Capital to Harborcrest officially landed.
“Brother, I think that’s him.”
Nate pointed toward a man wearing a blue T-shirt and a mask over his face.
Julian was just about to call the person who was supposed to pick him up when two n suddenly appeared in front of him.
“Young Master Walker, I’m Dean, and this is my younger brother Nate.”
One of the n spoke respectfully, while the slightly younger one beside him reached out to carry Julian’s bag.
“I’ll carry it myself,” Julian said with a wave of his hand—Celebi was sleeping inside that bag.
And that little guy was 'not' light—he could definitely feel the weight on his back.
He followed the two n into a business car.
Dean took a few bottles of alcohol from the car’s mini-fridge and asked, “Young Master, would you like a drink?”
Julian shook his head—he wasn’t a fan of alcohol.
"Brother, get Young Master a cola instead," Nate said from the side.
Knowing Julian was the one coming, Nate had done his research and learned a bit about his preferences—cola was one of them.
Pop!
Just as Julian took the bottle of cola, a Poké Ball at his waist opened on its own.
“Slow!”
Slowking: "You’ve already had one today!"
Slowking's Rule: Only One Bottle a Day.
And before boarding the plane, Julian had indeed already had one.
He’d assud Slowking wouldn’t notice while inside its Poké Ball—but clearly, he’d thought wrong.
With an awkward cough, Julian set the cola back down. "Just water is fine."
The sudden turn of events left the Thornton brothers montarily stunned.
Slowking stared at Nate, clearly telling him to hurry up and fetch so water.
"Oh—right, here you go, Young Master!" Nate scrambled to hand him a bottle.
The abrupt appearance of Slowking cast a brief silence over the car.
And the aura it had released just monts ago had left a deep impression on both n.
It wasn’t the kind of aura that ca from raw power—it was more like the natural pressure a student would feel when facing a strict teacher.
---
“Young Master, so of the local families in Harborcrest City have learned of your arrival and were hoping to et you. What do you think?” Dean asked.
Given the Walker family’s status in Drakoria—and Julian’s own achievents—it was only natural that countless families would want to get close to him.
But most families didn’t even get the chance to et him, let alone build any kind of connection.
And since Julian had co to Harborcrest this ti for sothing related to the Turner family, many of their affiliated and allied families were eager to use this opportunity to get to know him.
“No need.”
Julian shook his head. He had absolutely no interest in attending such gatherings.
“Understood.”
Dean nodded, his expression neutral—but inwardly, he was deeply disappointed.
If Julian had agreed, the Thornton family could’ve ridden his coattails to greater influence in Harborcrest’s elite circles.
Of course, it wasn’t just the Thornton brothers who were disappointed—the young ladies of Harborcrest’s elite families were equally disheartened.
Their hopes of latching onto the high branch that was the Walker family had already been crushed before they could even make a move.
Over half an hour later, the car arrived at the entrance of the Gardevoir Hotel.
Julian stepped out, declining the brothers’ offer to accompany him, and walked inside with Slowking.
Back in the car, Nate exhaled.
“Brother, Young Master Walker really is just like the rumors say—not fond of socializing, and his character is pretty solid too. He doesn’t put on the airs of so spoiled rich heir.”
Coming from a humble background and having clawed their way up, they knew all too well what the usual rich heirs were like. Bullying the weak was the mildest of their habits.
“That’s what a true aristocrat should look like. The ones we’ve t aren’t even worthy of carrying his shoes,” Dean replied.
Just as he finished speaking, his phone rang.
“Hey, honey,” he answered, his face lighting up with a smile.
“Yeah, we picked him up. He’s already at the hotel.”
After a few more words, he hung up.
“Sis-in-law didn’t bla you for not bringing Young Master Walker ho?” Nate asked.
"Your sister-in-law’s just a branch relative of the Turner family. She knows better than to overstep."
Dean was able to gain the support of the Turner family not just because of his own outstanding abilities, but mainly because he married a woman from one of the Turner family’s collateral branches.
This woman’s father had died saving Daniel, which made her status within the Turner family rather special.
Though not part of the main lineage, she enjoyed treatnt equal to a direct descendant.
---
Inside Gardevoir Hotel, Julian was already lying face-down on the large bed, while Celebi fluttered out of the backpack.
Ding dong!
The doorbell rang.
"Food delivery!"
The delivery guy stared at the tagross Suite—the most expensive room in the entire hotel, costing hundreds of thousands per night.
And yet, the person staying here had ordered… fried chicken, burgers, and fries?
'Was this the secret to their wealth?'
"Slow~"
Slowking opened the door and brought the food inside.
Whoosh!
Celebi zipped over and snatched the bag with lightning speed.
“When did you even order this?”
Julian raised an eyebrow. They’d only just arrived a few minutes ago—how was the food already here?
Celebi (smug): “I ordered it while I was still in the bag.”
This was one of those rare monts when Celebi’s IQ temporarily spiked—what could only be described as "petty cleverness."
Then, it tossed a burger at Julian.
Celebi: “I ordered one for you too.”
“You’re being unusually generous today,” Julian said as he accepted the burger.
Normally, Celebi would throw a tantrum if Julian so much as touched its snacks. Yet today, it voluntarily bought him a burger?
Celebi: “The money on the card is almost used up. Transfer so funds.”
Julian had just taken a bite of the burger when he heard that—he imdiately wanted to spit it out, but Celebi clamped his mouth shut.
Celebi: “You've already eaten it. Now hurry up and transfer the money.”
Julian: ⊙o⊙.
'I’ve been scamd.'
*****
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