Chapter 1: Activating the Entry System!
Huaxia,
August 4, 2008,
Shuimu City.
The deserted streets swayed with gusts of wind, shaking the roadside trees as raindrops fell relentlessly, forming nearly unbroken streams.
A teenager ran through the rain, muttering to himself in frustration.
"This is strange; the weather report didn't say anything about rain today..."
Hikaru Saito hadn't expected this. He had gone out to choose his first Pokémon, only to be caught in a sudden downpour.
The Grass-and-Bug-Type Pokémon store had already closed, leaving him no choice but to head home in the rain.
His heart was filled with mixed emotions.
It had been 15 years since his reincarnation.
And just yesterday, he finally heard the long-awaited "ding."
No transmigrator could resist the allure of that sound.
However, this system required a condition to activate: forming a partnership with a Pokémon.
So, on his fifteenth birthday, he rushed out to get his first Pokémon. Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned.
"Well, no big deal. I'll try again tomorrow."
As he muttered to himself, his gaze shifted to a nearby mansion with a courtyard.
A house near the city center like this would surely be a good place to take shelter from the rain.
But Hikaru was too shy to impose on strangers. Otherwise, he might have shamelessly knocked on the door.
Suddenly, the iron gate creaked open, and Hikaru's heart lit up with hope as he looked toward the source of the sound.
Finally, he could get out of the rain!
But what happened next only deepened the furrow on his brows.
His chest tightened with anger as he witnessed a heart-wrenching scene.
"Damn, I've never seen such a useless Charmander! It's been over ten days, and it still hasn't mastered Ember. What a waste!"
Through the rain, Hikaru saw a Charmander being ruthlessly kicked out of the gate, accompanied by furious curses.
"It's been a month since you were born, and all you know is Scratch. What are you gonna do in battle, huh? Scratch your way to victory? Worthless!"
The man in a black raincoat delivered another harsh kick. "Trash! Good thing I haven't registered you as my first Pokémon yet. Go find a place to die!"
The man turned and walked away, leaving the Charmander utterly confused.
It didn't understand why its trainer treated it this way. It had always been obedient and worked hard in its training, yet it was constantly scolded and dismissed as useless.
And now... it was being abandoned.
Charmander let out a sorrowful whimper, scratching at the gate with its claws as it watched its trainer walk further away.
"Hey, you in the black raincoat! Yeah, you! Don't look around like an idiot—I'm talking to you!" Hikaru shouted, stepping forward.
"You've got some nerve! Publicly insulting, abusing, and abandoning a Pokémon? Do you know this is a serious violation of Pokémon law? Minimum of three years in prison, and there's no upper limit!"
The raincoat man froze, clearly not expecting anyone to be out in this storm.
"Mind your own business. I didn't register it with the league, so it's not illegal. Now scram!" the man snapped, his tone harsh and dismissive. Without another word, he stormed off into the rain.
Hikaru clenched his phone, cursing under his breath. "Damn it..."
He sighed deeply, powerless to intervene.
After all, in this life, Hikaru was just an orphan.
The scene before him struck a chord.
A flickering flame swayed in the rain.
Wasn't this just like Ash's Charizard, abandoned in its youth?
In reality, whether or not the Charmander was registered with the league, its "trainer" had already committed a crime.
But families capable of casually discarding a Pokémon weren't ones Hikaru could afford to provoke. His earlier outburst was just a bluff, taking advantage of the man's young age.
Shaking his head to dispel his thoughts, Hikaru crouched down and gently reached out to the disheartened Charmander.
"Hey, little guy. If your trainer doesn't want you, why don't you come with me instead?"
The wind howled as Hikaru smiled warmly.
Then, his expression froze.
A translucent, screen-like interface appeared before his eyes.
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for forming a weak bond with a Pokémon. The Trainer Entry System has been activated.]
[Entry System: Allows the host to obtain various Pokémon-related entries and items. Entries can be directly acquired, or items can be purchased using entry coins.]
[Congratulations to the host for receiving a Starter Gift Pack.]
[Congratulations to the host for obtaining the entry: Insight Eye. This grants the ability to display data for any target!]
[Congratulations to the host for unlocking the System Space!]
[Congratulations to the host for opening the Entry Shop!]
[Note: The Starter Gift Pack has a high probability of granting a legendary golden entry!]
[Would the host like to open the Starter Gift Pack now?]
As soon as his hand touched Charmander, a series of mechanical notifications echoed in his mind.
A translucent golden gift box appeared before him, and Hikaru immediately realized that his golden finger had arrived.
Excitement surged through him. So, forming even a weak bond with a Pokémon was enough to activate the system!
At the same time, data began streaming across his vision as he looked at the Charmander.
[Pokémon: Charmander (Weakened)]
[Ability: Solar Power]
[Gender: Male]
[Potential: Elite (Champion)]
[Level: 4]
[Moves: Scratch]
[Description: Originally had Champion-level potential, but its egg shell was damaged during "transportation," reducing its potential. This is the first time someone has spoken up for it, making it especially excited!]
Hikaru's jaw dropped. Was this a system feature?
Being able to access this much information was revolutionary.
Although it had been over 200 years since the Pokémon realm merged with Earth, much of their knowledge remained incomplete.
This function alone was an incredible advantage, and it made Hikaru even more curious about the "entries" he could acquire.
But for now, the rain was pouring harder, and Charmander's tail flame was flickering dangerously.
He had to take it home immediately!
Charmander looked up at Hikaru, its proud nature now subdued, like a lost puppy seeking comfort. Its blue eyes glistened with hope, as if asking, Will you really take me home?
Hikaru's heart melted at the sight.
A once-brilliant Pokémon, reduced to this state and abandoned—it was the perfect protagonist template from a novel.
"If that's the case, I'll be your mentor and guardian!" Hikaru declared, puffing up his chest.
"We're going home, buddy. Thirty years on the east river, thirty years on the west—don't look down on... Charmanders with humble beginnings! I swear I'll make you a champion and rub his face in it..."
As thunder illuminated the gloomy sky, Hikaru flinched.
Clutching Charmander tightly, he bolted through the rain, muttering to himself.
"On second thought, let's just rely on the system."
Charmander nestled quietly in his arms, its flame warming faintly. For the first time in its life, it felt safe and cared for, falling into a peaceful sleep.
"I can't believe it," Hikaru whispered, looking down at the sleeping Charmander. "I set out to find a Caterpie and ended up with you. What a stroke of luck. I'll make you stronger than Ash's Charizard, just you wait!"
With the system at his side, Hikaru brimmed with confidence.
This Charmander was destined for greatness.
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