I'm Ash.
A transmigrator who just arrived last night.
And now I'm about to take the first step of my Pokémon journey.
For some reason it feels super dangerous =_=.
"…It's 9 a.m. now."
"That should do."
Ash remembered the notice had said 8 a.m.
Going at 9 would definitely count as being late.
But being late wasn't the end of the world.
Whether you went early or late, the only real difference was how many starter Pokémon you got to choose from.
Go early, and you had a wide selection.
Go late, and you could only take what was left.
"Ash, Mom believes in you." His mother, Hanako, had tears brimming in her eyes.
"Honestly, I told you to get a good night's sleep, but you were up half the night reading all that information."
Hanako knew her son had gotten up in the middle of the night to use the computer.
That touched her. It felt like her child had really grown up.
So when Ash left a bit later in the morning, she didn't rush him.
"Mom's already packed everything for you."
"Be careful out there. Don't try to save money if you need something."
"If you run into any trouble, you can always call me~"
"…"Hanako started rambling nonstop.
"Got it, got it~" Ash swung the backpack she handed him up onto his shoulders.
There was actually a lot stuffed in there.
"Get along with your partner, okay?"Hanako bent down and kissed him on the forehead. "And most importantly, stay safe."
"(｡◝ᴗ◜｡)" Ash squinted contentedly. That really did feel nice.
After saying goodbye to his mom,
Ash ran toward Professor Oak's lab.
He quickly arrived at the research institute.
"Professor!"
"I'm coming in!"
Professor Oak—full name, Yukinari Oak.
He had once been the very first Champion of the Kanto League.
Later, he sheathed his sword and took up the pen, switching careers to become a Pokémon Professor.
At twenty-five, he'd already earned the title of honorary professor at the top-tier Rainbow University.
His students, protégés, and former assistants were scattered all across the academic world of Pokémon research. Among living researchers, he was the most accomplished and highest-ranked scholar of them all.
Ash walked into the lab.
Morning light slanted into the slightly cluttered front hall. The air smelled of book ink mixed with a faint fruity sweetness from Berries.
"You're a little late, Ash."Professor Oak's voice came from behind a main lab bench piled with books and instruments. "The other three new Trainers—Gary and the others—set off with their partners an hour ago."
Here we go.
Ash's heart thumped, and he forced down the excitement bubbling up in his chest. "Huh? No way, Professor!"
"You mean there's not a single one left? Bulbasaur? Charmander? Squirtle?"
Even as he said that, Ash could already see the three Poké Balls behind Professor Oak.
In theory, the Professor always knew how many new Trainers were starting from Pallet Town.
So there was no way he'd prepare only three Pokémon for four kids.
The only explanation was that Professor Oak was doing this on purpose.
"These three balls are empty." Oak followed Ash's gaze. "I'm afraid the last Bulbasaur was just taken ten minutes ago."
"But I do still have one."
"It's just… a little special."
He placed his hand on the machine. Between the three Poké Balls, a hidden slot slowly rose up, revealing another Poké Ball that had clearly been stored more secretly.
"A little special?" Ash's voice had a hint of doubt.
"Mhm." Oak's expression grew a shade more serious.
"This one is much stronger than your average Pokémon."
"To be honest, I wanted to observe and study it for a while longer. But since you're here…"
"As a kid from Pallet Town, maybe you'll be able to get along with it."
"It's Pikachu." Oak opened the ball in his hand, and a flash of red light materialized into a Pikachu.
"Pika?"Pikachu tilted its head, puzzled, as it looked at the boy in front of it—Ash.
"Hello, Pikachu." Ash greeted it and started introducing himself.
"I'll be your Trainer." He tried to keep his voice steady, but inside he was buzzing.
At least for now, he could confirm that the starting point of this world hadn't deviated too far.
Ash's partner was still Pikachu.
Next, he needed to officially form a Trainer bond with Pikachu and then use the system to check its information.
He remembered that Professor Oak had just said this Pikachu was a little special.
Time to find out if this was really the legendary "Pikagod."
"Pika?"Pikachu looked over at Professor Oak.
Compared to this stranger Ash, Pikachu naturally trusted Oak more. They'd been together for quite a while.
"Yes, Pikachu," Oak said with a smile. "Would you like to give this kid a chance?"
"Pikachu, please let me be your Trainer!" Ash locked eyes with Pikachu.
Eye contact had weight. It could carry sincerity.
Ash was sure his gaze right now was blazing with honest passion.
"Pika…"Pikachu was a little flustered under that stare.
What kind of look is that?
How can your eyes be so nakedly intense?!
Pikachu: Bro—don't look at me like that!
"Would you like to go in, Pikachu?" Ash took the Poké Ball from Professor Oak.
May as well try first.
After all, the "Pikagod" famously hated being inside a Poké Ball.
"Pika!"Pikachu suddenly grew agitated.
"Pika pika!" It really, truly did not want to be shut in that Poké Ball.
"Then let's make a deal, Pikachu!" Ash changed his approach.
"Please give me a chance to earn your trust."
"I promise I won't keep you inside the ball in the future."
"But I'd like to put you into the Poké Ball once now and immediately let you back out."
"Let that be our first ritual as partners!"
He tried to negotiate.
"…Pika?"Pikachu felt it could afford to give this boy a little trust.
As part of Professor Oak's lab, and as one of the Pokémon prepared for new Trainers, it knew all the basic common sense.
Besides… If you go back on your word, don't blame me when I fry you~
That was what Pikachu was thinking.
With a flash of red light, Pikachu was drawn into the Poké Ball in Ash's hand.
At the same time, Pikachu's status panel popped up in front of Ash's eyes.
[Partner Pikachu]
[Level: 5]
[Nature: Shy]
[Ability: Lightning Rod]
[Moves: Volt Tackle Lv.1, Quick Attack Lv.1, Thunder Shock Lv.1, Growl Lv.1, Tail Whip Lv.1]
…Partner Pikachu?
So it really wasn't a normal Pikachu!!
Good grief, Professor Yukinari Oak—you thick-browed schemer, you were waiting for me right here!
"Partner… from now on, we're teammates." Ash released Pikachu again.
"Pika~?" Seeing Ash keep his promise and let it out right away, Pikachu decided he was at least somewhat trustworthy.
"Excellent."Professor Oak nodded in satisfaction and turned to retrieve a device and some spare balls. "Remember, Pokémon are our partners. Treat them with your heart. This is your Pokédex and some empty Poké Balls…"
"Then I'm heading out, Professor!" Ash took the Pokédex and Poké Balls.
An exclamation mark flashed in the upper left corner of his vision.
[Achievement: First Journey Begins · Completed]
[Reward: Light Ball Lv.30]
[Effect: When held by a Pikachu below Level 30, doubles its physical Attack and Special Attack. After Level 30, the bonus is capped at the Level 30 value.]
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