Eevee stepped on Lu Ye’s face, stretched out its two little paws, gave a long yawn, and comfortably burrowed back into the covers.
In his dream, Lu Ye was trampled by a Dynamax Eevee. He jolted awake from the nightmare.
Looking around, Haunter was stuck to the ceiling, drooling.
Lifting the blanket, he saw Eevee curled up like a ball. The sunlight must have been too harsh because it waved a paw-pad in displeasure.
With his messy hair, Lu Ye sighed deeply. “Having a nightmare in the morning... This can’t be a good sign!”
“Picking a Pokémon today. Hope nothing goes wrong.”
Lu Ye felt an odd mix of solemnity and excitement, like Ash setting off on his first journey. He was inevitably a bit nervous.
“I’m not even becoming a Trainer. The key is getting along with these two little guys.”
I can’t push too hard—this household can’t handle a third Pokémon ready to backstab me.
Last night, Eevee and Haunter had trained Reflect and Light Screen until late.
Though neither of them could master it yet, the techniques had similarities with Protect.
Lu Ye figured they were just being lazy, so he made breakfast for the two little ones, leaving a note:
“I’m out. Be back this afternoon. Take care of lunch yourselves!”
Haunter could read. With some cash left behind, Haunter taking Eevee out to eat wouldn’t be an issue.
Lu Ye even suspected that with Haunter around, Eevee didn’t need a Trainer at all…
“Hmph… Good thing I trained Haunter so well!”
Lu Ye nodded confidently.
By the end of July, the summer heat was relentless. Several Pidgey were listlessly perched on treetops, and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky.
Lu Ye hailed a taxi to Modu University’s Pokémon Academy, arriving at the foot of the southern campus.
“You’re here!” Zhai Wenyao smiled and waved.
Lu Ye wore the Black Glasses he’d won in a raffle. They boosted Dark-type moves, giving him a slightly villainous look.
But to be fair, they worked great as sunglasses—solid quality.
Curious, Lu Ye asked, “Coach Zhai, this whole area is for the Breeding Center?”
It was Lu Ye’s first time in the Breeding Department, and the sheer size of it surpassed other departments by far.
Zhai Wenyao explained, “Yep, the Breeding Center covers over three thousand acres. Students from Modu’s Breeding Program come here for internships every year.”
“Plenty of students, graduates, and staff leave their Pokémon here. There are some really strong ones!”
The cost of raising Pokémon wasn’t much cheaper than training them.
It’s said the Pokémon Association set the six-Poké Ball rule because Trainers couldn’t properly care for more than six, leading to Pokémon neglect.
However, Trainers confident in their raising skills (and funds) sometimes carried twelve Poké Balls—nothing unusual.
For excess Pokémon, paying to leave them at a Breeding Center or entrusting them to a known Pokémon Professor was common practice.
“Only three thousand acres?” Lu Ye smirked.
“I saw ‘Professor Oak’s Backyard’ on Bilibili—that place is over thirty thousand acres!”
Zhai Wenyao laughed. “Professor Oak is the foremost Pokémon expert. It’s less of a backyard and more of a wildland.”
Lu Ye followed Coach Zhai deeper into the grounds.
Forests, sandpits, rivers, grasslands, girls’ skirts (oops, forget that)…
Various habitats and Pokémon left Lu Ye dazzled.
Nidoran and Nidorina cuddled in the woods, a single red eye peeked from a Metapod’s shell, and a plump, juicy Farfetch’d…
Wiping away some drool, Lu Ye arrived at a wooden cabin.
An elderly woman with white hair and a kind face greeted them.
Zhai Wenyao gestured to Lu Ye, smiling. “This guy gave Modu a big win recently.”
“Please help him pick a Pokémon!”
“It’s rare to see such drive in young people.” Granny Wu smiled warmly. “Don’t worry—the Pokémon here are all hardworking and full of potential!”
Lu Ye’s face twitched.
“Granny, no need to trouble you. I’ll pick one myself!”
If she used her sharp eye for talent, he’d be done for!
Granny Wu sized him up and nodded, smiling.
A talented young man, handsome, and respectful to elders…
She decided to recommend some top-notch offspring from staff members’ Pokémon.
Leaning on her cane, Granny Wu chuckled.
“Wait here a moment. I’ll go make the arrangements.”
She figured the choices were all excellent anyway—she’d let the kid pick his favorite.
Lu Ye breathed a sigh of relief.
He was worried she’d insist on picking a powerhouse for him.
He was afraid of disappointing such a Pokémon, or if it was too aggressive, it wouldn’t get along with Eevee and Haunter.
He preferred a Pokémon with a laid-back personality—basically a slacker, like himself.
Zhai Wenyao patted Lu Ye’s shoulder.
“Don’t worry, Granny Wu is a pro.”
“But… you’ll have to pick from what she offers.” Zhai Wenyao said seriously.
“Some Pokémon are privately owned, so you can’t just take your pick.”
He thought if he could pick freely, he’d go for that Slowpoke in the pond.
When he passed by earlier, the dopey Slowpoke had even waved at him—completely his vibe.
“Granny Wu wouldn’t give me a starter, right?” Lu Ye joked. “Those are six-figure Pokémon. Modu can’t be that generous.”
Zhai Wenyao thought for a moment. “There have been exceptions. It depends on what Granny Wu decides.”
“But with her eye, whatever she picks will suit you best.”
With Granny Wu’s insight, she’d surely see he was a slacker, right?
Granny Wu hobbled over to her husband and gave him a gentle kick.
“Old man, call the headmaster. I’m giving away a starter.”
The old man woke with a start. “Those are Master-level Pokémon, right? You’re giving one away?”
“I just like the fresh young ones. What’s wrong with that?”
He chuckled. “I’ll call. It’s hot out—wear your sunhat.”
Granny Wu felt a warmth in her heart but just grunted. “There’s sour plum soup in the fridge. Drink some later.”
“Got it. I’ll go check the Pokémon.” He rubbed his hands together.
“They’re all fierce little things… Ha! Wonder which Trainer will get lucky!”