More than half an hour ter, the train arrived at South Lake City's high-speed railway station. Several ambunces were already parked outside due to the train's emergency braking earlier, which had caused injuries to many passengers.

  Outside, a signifit number of reporters had also gathered. These well-informed journalists khat the retly popur Julian was on this train.

  And the train's safe arrival at the station was thanks to Julian's efforts.

  Their target wasn't the act itself but Julian.

  Since his debut, Julian hadn't given any media interviews. If they could snag an exclusive with him, the rewards—whether in bonuses or even promotions—would be substantial.

  As all the passengers exited the station, the reporters waited expetly. But Julian never appeared, leaving them looking at each other in fusion.

  "Could he have disguised himself and blended in with the passengers?" one journalist asked, puzzled.

  "Are you stupid? We're reporters. Unless he's had pstic surgery, I could reize him even if he covered his head," a nearby colleague retorted.

  To be a good reporter, you needed sharp eyes—especially as a paparazzi. How else could you spot a disguised actress sneaking into a hotel with a male celebrity or wealthy businessman?

  In a car parked outside the South Lake high-speed railway station, Taylor and Chase were seated in the back, with a young maween them.

  The young man wasn't Julian, but everything about him—from his clothes to his height and hairstyle—was identical to Julian.

  "All right, Ditto"

  said Taylor from the left.

  The young man's face suddenly started twitg strangely. His facial muscles shifted and rippled, and sooransformed into a small, purple Pokémon.

  In an instant, the unfamiliar young man became Julian.

  The purple Pokémon, naturally a Ditto, the into Taylor's arms.

  "I didn't expect you to have a Ditto"

  Julian remarked with curiosity, his gaze fixed on Taylor. Ah a Ditto clearly came from a remarkable background.

  Ditto wasn't particurly strong in battle. Its only move was Transform, and eve copied a Pokémon, its abilities depended on its own level.

  However, Ditto was one of the few Pokémon strictly reguted by the World Trainers' Association, requiring owo undergo assessments aer the Pokémon.

  The reason y in its transformation ability—not limited to Pokémon but extending to stones, krees, tables, and any simirly-sized objects.

  It could even transform into a human-skin mask that adhered to someone's face, pletely altering their appearance.

  This was the real issue.

  A Ditto that could ge someone's appearance was a criminal's dream Pokémon.

  You could it crimes with one fad then switch to another afterward;

  'I've taken a liking to your wife. While you're not at home, I'll transform into you and take care of her. The best part? She's very cooperative.'

  'I look ugly? No problem. I'll have Ditto transform into a drop-dead handsome face. I'll stroll dowreet, and with just a fliy fingers, women will floe.'

  With a Ditto, you're the ultimate 'Master of Disguise'.

  That's why, for the sake of societal peace, all nations impose strict regutions on Ditto owners.

  In Drakoria, Ditto is urict gover trol. Unless saned by officials, there's no way to legally obtain one.

  Even with these measures, however, a fair number of smuggled Ditto make their way into the try each year.

  Officially registered Ditto in Drakoria are impnted with trag chips, and obtaining one is aremely challenging process.

  Normal-Type Trainers and people in special professions are more likely to have their applications approved.

  For an ordinary person, approval is almost impossible unless under exceptional circumstances.

  Ditto's actual bat ability is weak; what makes it dangerous is its unparalleled transformation skill.

  "This Ditto took my grandfather three years of persistent applications to the Trainers' Association before they finally approved it"

  Taylor said as she hugged Ditto in her arms, poking its jelly-like body with one finger.

  Taylor's family is a promi local family in South Lake City, known as a Normal-Type Trainer with a stroation in the area.

  "Take me to the hotel first," Julian said.

  It was nearly dark, not the best time to visit South Lake Uy.

  "What hotel? You stay at my house for the night," Taylgested casually.

  Julian froze for a moment, giving her a peculiar look, resisting the urge to quip, 'I don't hook up with fans.'

  "What do you mean, stay at your house? Julian is obviously going to a hotel!"

  Finally, Chase, who had been quiet until now, spoke up. She was vinced her best friend was trying to steal Julian from her—and ing on strong at that.

  Inviting him to stay at her house on the first day they met? She couldn't imagine saying something like that herself.

  'What a snake!'

  'If Juliao a hotel and called Taylor over, she'd definitely rush over to his room. And once she went in, there'd be no way out,' Chase thought.

  In the end, Julian chose to stay at a hotel. After all, staying at Taylor's house on the very first day they met could easily lead to misuandings.

  However, Taylor and Chase also booked a hotel room—and shared ht o Julian's.

  Taylor wao keep an eye on Julian to prevent him from calling Chase to his room during the night.

  Oher hand, Chase wao prevent Taylor from sneaking into Julian's room.

  Taylor's thoughtful iions were pletely lost on Chase, who instead misuood her as.

  In Chase's eyes, Taylor had transformed from her best friend into a iving snake girl trying to steal her man.

  When it came to the art of "subtle manipution and scheming", Chase was no match for Taylor.

  Meanwhile, Julian was in his hotel room, sending a message to his homeroom teacher, Mr. Frank, requesting leave.

  inally, he had po arrive at uy that day, but due to unforesees, he couldn't make it. Plus, he still wao visit South Lake Uy.

  So, he decided to take a five-day leave.

  Mr. Frank quickly approved his request.

  With Julian's current status at Imperial Uy, as long as he didn't break any major school rules, no o the school would give him trouble.

  After sending the message, he opehe css group chat. The number of unread messages was a daunting '999+'.

  Skimming through the versatioiced a lot of people tagging him—none more frequently than Luis.

  Wasn't Luis kicked out of the group chat st time? How did he mao get ba?

  Most of the messages in the group were people asking when Julian would return.

  Teically, Julian was the css representative of the Special Admission Css, though he had never really performed the duties of one. Most css affairs were handled by Luis, Ian, and a few others on his behalf.

  "Ba five days"

  Julian typed a a message in the group chat.

  Luis: Brother Julian, you're alive!

  Dalton: Boss, while you were gone, Luis said he's the css representative.

  Luis: Dalton, stop spreading nonsense! Didn't you also say your powers have grown and you're ready to take Julian down?

  Reading their banter, Julian's face darkened slightly. 'What were they even talking about?'

  It seemed that in his absehese two had gotten a little too fortable.