“I’m sorry, Kebi, but my good-for-nothing son came back from Kalos and plans to convert this home-style restaurant into a Western restaurant and re-hire staff.”
Saying that, Uncle For took out an envelope from his pocket and handed it to Kebi.
“I remember your dream is to become a Trainer, so I shamelessly asked an old friend for this for you. As for the orphanage, Maya and I are looking after it, so you don’t have to worry about the little ones.”
Kebi wiped the water from his hands and took the white envelope from Uncle For, opening it.
【Yamabuki Research Institute New Trainer Invitation Card】
Kebi’s eyes lit up, unable to hide his excitement.
“Uncle, how did you get this?”
Uncle For smiled and waved his hand, saying:
“When the Yamanashi Research institute first settled in Sandgem Town, Dr. Shanli and his researchers had their first meal here. My cooking is good, and the Doctor often brought people here for gatherings.”
“Over time, we became friends.”
Holding the envelope, Kebi said with deep eyes:
“Let me think about it again.”
Uncle For sighed. Kebi was a smart boy who valued relationships. He had originally planned to retire and let Kebi be the head chef of the restaurant.
Who knew his bratty son would come back?
And he had learned excellent Kalosian cooking skills.
Otherwise, For would not have let his son convert it into a Western restaurant.
Moreover, he and Maya both knew that, compared to staying in a small place like Sandgem Town as a head chef, Kebi actually hoped to become a Trainer and become famous.
Returning home, which was the orphanage, Kebi told Aunt Maya, the director, about the restaurant closing and the invitation letter.
Maya immediately slammed the table and made the decision for Kebi.
“Go, you must go! Everyone wants you to go!”
A rosy-faced little girl with eyes shining like stars excitedly looked at Kebi and asked:
“When Big Brother Kebi becomes a Trainer, will we be able to see Big Brother Kebi participate in regional conferences on TV?”
Kebi smiled and ruffled her chestnut-colored hair, saying:
“It’s not that easy. You need to capture at least six powerful Pokémon and obtain eight Gym Badges to stand on the stage of a regional conference.”
In his previous life, he was an orphan, living and dying alone. Pokémon was the first ray of light in Kebi’s life.
After death, he was lucky enough to be reborn into the Pokémon world.
However, after Kebi’s understanding over the years, the real world is not as beautiful as in the anime.
The status of a Trainer is noble, and countless people aspire to become Trainers.
But most people ultimately choose to find a job in the city to make a living.
This is because Pokémon are different from Pokémon.
A Weedle caught by the roadside generally cannot defeat the starter Pokémon and pseudo-legendary Pokémon carefully bred by the powerful for generations.
Dr. Oak, Dr. Odamaki, Dr. Shanli, and other research authorities have proposed that the power released by the Trainer and Pokémon’s minds can compensate for the gap in innate aptitude.
And every year, they invite young people they admire to participate in relevant research for free.
There are not a few Trainers who have achieved success.
Starting with the starter Pokémon gifted by Dr. Shanli, Kebi believes that as long as he perseveres on the path of a Trainer, there will eventually be a day of success.
He nodded heavily and clenched his fists.
“Aunt Maya, tomorrow I will go to the Yamanashi Research institute to receive my Pokémon. From now on, I’ll leave the orphanage to you.”
Maya reached out and ruffled Kebi’s cherry-blossom colored hair.
“Child, I wish you to become a famous Trainer soon.”
“I will work hard to let everyone in the world know about Kebi from Sandgem Town.”
【Strongest Trainer Check-in System, loading complete. Rewards can be obtained through daily check-ins.】
Kebi’s eyes shifted. He didn’t expect that the golden finger he had been waiting for so long would appear today.
He silently chanted, “Check-in!”
【First check-in, rewarding a beginner gift package.】
【Beginner gift package has been opened for you.】
【Rewards obtained: Pokémon Analyzer (can analyze Pokémon Level, aptitude, status, stats, skills)】
【Pokémon Aptitude Enhancement Potion: Different effects after use by different Pokémon. Specific effects depend on the actual item.】
【Pokémon Skill Disc (All skills, choose any four)】
【Breeder Brock Character Card (Monthly Card 30 days): Can be stopped after activation.】
【Spatial Backpack: Ignores weight within 500KG】
Although this beginner gift package didn’t have any particularly exaggerated items, it comprehensively covered his needs for raising Pokémon.
After getting his Pokémon tomorrow, he could start training them directly.
With the analyzer, he wouldn’t have to struggle with which one to choose.
Turtwig, Chimchar, Piplup, here I come!
The next day, Kebi packed his bags and, under the gaze of the entire orphanage, Aunt Maya, and over ten children under ten years old, headed to the Yamanashi Research institute.
The Yamanashi Research institute and the orphanage were both located on the outskirts of Sandgem Town, not too far apart. The children from the orphanage would often admire the institute’s Pokémon through the fence.
Not only the more than one hundred types of Pokémon found in the Sinnoh region, but occasionally they would also see Pokémon unique to other regions that Sinnoh did not have.
When Kebi was on vacation, he would occasionally bring the children to watch them.
Thanks to Uncle For’s invitation letter, this was Kebi’s first time stepping into the Yamanashi Research institute.
The automatic door opened, and Kebi walked in.
“Hello, I’m a new Trainer here to receive a Pokémon.”
A researcher in a white lab coat came up to him with a gentle smile.
“Please follow me. A new Trainer has already arrived today. What a coincidence.”
Following the researcher into the bright atrium, a stern-faced Dr. Shanli was introducing the Sinnoh region’s starter Pokémon to a young man about Kebi’s age.
Seeing Kebi, Dr. Shanli said:
“You must be the young man For mentioned who’s a very good cook. I didn’t expect you to come today, but unfortunately, someone arrived before you. You can choose after he does.”
Kebi looked over. A cold and arrogant young man with dark blue hair stood ramrod straight.
“Hello, I’m Kebi from Sandgem Town.”
The young man glanced at Kebi and responded indifferently:
“Tobias.”
Tobias!?
Kebi didn’t expect the person receiving a Pokémon with him today to be him.
Tobias looked at Dr. Shanli and said:
“Let Kebi choose first. I only need to receive a Pokémon for the identity to participate in the regional conference. What specific Pokémon it is, is not important to me.”
Kebi’s gaze sharpened.
Listening to Tobias’s tone, he must have been active in the underground Trainer world all these years, and now he intends to go legitimate.
Wait, Tobias is receiving a new Trainer’s Pokémon now.
Two months ago, Kebi and the children watched a videotape of Ash participating in the Silver Conference.
Ash should be traveling in the Hoenn region now, and the Lily of the Valley Conference is still half a year away.
Ash and Tobias should be participating in the Lily of the Valley Conference a year and a half from now.
Kebi also plans to participate in that one.
So, I’m fighting Tobias?
Just thinking about it made Kebi excited.
Dr. Shanli nodded and said:
“In that case, let Kebi choose first.”
“Now I’ll introduce them to you. First is Turtwig…”
Listening to Dr. Shanli’s introduction, Kebi’s eyes lit up.
“System, activate Pokémon Analyzer!”
【Turtwig】
【lv70 Lv6】
【Ability: Overgrow】
【Aptitude: Blue (69/100)】
【Status: Relaxed】
“Then there’s Chimchar…”
【Chimchar】
【lv70 Lv5】
【Ability: Blaze】
【Aptitude: Blue (54/100)】
【Status: Excited】
“Finally, Piplup…”
【Piplup】
【lv70 Lv8】
【Ability: Torrent】
【Aptitude: Purple (13/100)】
【Status: Confident】
“Alright, which one do you choose?”
“Piplup! Let’s work hard together in the future and let the Sinnoh region know of our existence.”
Piplup proudly raised its head.
“Piplup!”
Walking over to Kebi, and looking at Kebi’s long legs.
Piplup jumped up and patted Kebi’s knee.
From now on, you’re under my protection!
Dr. Shanli took out a Pokédex and five empty Poké Balls and handed them to Kebi.
“After registering to challenge the Sinnoh League at a Pokémon Center using the Pokédex, you can enjoy one year of free medical care at the Pokémon Center.”
“This first year is very important for new Trainers. Free medical care can reduce the cost of raising your Pokémon and increase your chances of obtaining eight Gym Badges.”
“I suggest you wait half a year before registering and fully prepare for the next Lily of the Valley Conference.”
Kebi nodded. After obtaining eight Gym Badges, he could enjoy ten years of free medical care in the Sinnoh region.
If he made it into the main competition of the Lily of the Valley Conference, he would be invited by other regions to challenge them, and receive another local Pokédex and starter Pokémon.
“Thank you, Doctor.”
(Here’s a note on Pokémon Levels: Level 40 is standard, Level 50 is excellent, Level 60 is Superior, Level 70 is Gym, Level 80 is Elite, Level 90 is Champion, Level 100 is Legendary)