c1 – A Poor Trainer at the Bottom of Society, Not Even Fit to Be a Dog!
Yandong Province, Jiaying City, Shenshan Middle School.
Senior Year (27) Class.
Homeroom teacher, Mr. Wang, stood at the front of the classroom, holding the final Spirit Mobilization Meeting before graduation.
"Students, sweat more in practice, bleed less in battle!"
"If you don't work hard today, you'll regret it tomorrow!"
"Today is the most important day for all graduating seniors the day you receive your first partner spirit!"
The classroom buzzed with excitement. It was the day every student in the Yanhuang Region had dreamed of since childhood the day they'd form a bond with their first Pokémon.
At the back row by the window, a handsome young man leaned lazily against the sill, flipping through a thick textbook titled "Comprehensive Guide to Spirit Characteristics."
This was the foundational knowledge required for the upcoming Youth Spirit Breeder Competition, which would be held in just one month.
No matter how passionately Mr. Wang lectured, the young man didn't even raise his head, eyes fixed on the pages.
Even though he had already memorized every detail from abilities like Overgrow, Blaze, and Torrent, to the subtle genetic factors affecting egg moves he believed in the saying: "A dull pencil is better than a sharp memory."
Repetition never hurt.
That young man's name was Xia Mu a native of Blue Star.
He had died from an accidental electric shock in his previous life, only to awaken eighteen years ago in this world, a world where the Spirit Realm and the Human World had merged into one.
The former Yan Country was now known as the Yanhuang Region, one of the major powers on the planet.
Here, Pokémon known locally as Spirits were everywhere, fully integrated into human civilization.
Need to deliver a parcel? Pidgeot Express.
Need to move houses? Machamp Movers.
Need a ride downtown? Just hail a Dodrio Taxi.
From wild Rattata on the streets to Pelipper delivering the morning newspaper, this was a world where humans and spirits lived in true harmony.
After turning eighteen, every student in the region would be issued a Starter Spirit by the Regional Breeding and Trainer Association a crucial ceremony marking adulthood.
From there, they had to make a life-changing decision between two major paths:
the Spirit Breeding Profession, focusing on cultivation, healing, and potion crafting,
or the Spirit Trainer Profession, those who battled on the front lines and competed in tournaments.
There was a popular saying circulating across the Yanhuang Region:
"Poor trainers, rich breeders."
Because becoming a trainer was expensive.
Spirit food, recovery items, Poké Balls, technical machines even basic training consumed enormous resources.
The government offered subsidies and rookie stipends, but compared to the astronomical costs of training an elite Pokémon, they were but a drop in the ocean.
Breeders, on the other hand, served those same trainers providing nutrition plans, recovery therapy, and stat boosting meals.
The better their clients performed, the higher their earnings.
It was hard work, but the rewards were generous.
Xia Mu, pragmatic as ever, had already decided his path.
He would become a top breeder, serving the wealthiest trainers in the Yanhuang Region or better yet, the Yanhuang Currency itself.
It wasn't idealistic, but it was realistic.
After all, in this world, a low-level, underfunded trainer might as well be worse off than a Growlithe without a home.
---
Finally, Mr. Wang's long speech came to an end, and the classroom tensed with anticipation.
It was time the long-awaited Spirit Selection Ceremony.
"Now, students, it's time to choose your spirits,"
"The Breeding Center has sent us a fine batch this year. I must say, I'm a little jealous of you!"
"If only your teacher were ten years younger..."
The students erupted in excitement.
What kinds of spirits had the school received this year?
With a click, Mr. Wang pressed a hidden button.
A rectangular section of the podium's floor split open, and an elevator rack slowly rose from beneath.
The rack held rows of shining red-and-white Poké Balls, each resting neatly in its slot.
Under the fluorescent lights, the Poké Balls gleamed like polished jewels, their white halves reflecting the students' eager faces.
Gasps filled the room as they peered through the transparent viewing mode of the Poké Balls a feature activated for public selection.
Each ball displayed the spirit inside, its temperament and energy faintly visible through the glass.
> "Whoa, there's a Charmander!"
"No way! That's a Squirtle!"
"Ah, but no Bulbasaur this time. That's too bad I love Grass-types."
The class buzzed like a hive of Combee.
For many, this was a once-in-a-lifetime choice their partner, their fate, their dream.
Mr. Wang smiled slightly.
"Selection will proceed according to your academic ranking from the last semester's final exams from highest to lowest."
"First place, Zhao Xinyi."
A girl in a spotless white dress stood gracefully.
Her uniform fit elegantly, her long hair swaying as she approached the podium.
Everyone's eyes followed her, she was not only top of the class but also known for her calm demeanor and natural talent for aura synchronization.
Zhao Xinyi stopped before the rack, her gaze falling instantly on the Squirtle.
Her slender fingers picked up the Poké Ball. She smiled softly, whispering,
"Little cutie, from today on, let's take care of each other."
Mr. Wang's voice softened with approval.
"Excellent choice. Squirtle's Water-type adaptability and defensive growth are exceptional. Treat it well, Zhao Xinyi."
"Next, Wang Xing."
A tall boy with a buzz cut and a confident grin swaggered to the front.
Without hesitation, he grabbed the Poké Ball containing Charmander the only one of its kind in the batch.
He raised it above his head with a smirk.
"Heh, figures the fire-type belongs to me. Guess I'll be the next Champion."
Laughter and a few groans followed from the crowd.
Wang Xing always had a knack for arrogance, but his talent wasn't unfounded.
Finally, Mr. Wang looked at his list again.
"Next, Xia Mu."
All eyes turned toward the back row.
Xia Mu closed his book calmly, exhaled, and stood.
Unlike the others, there was no excitement in his gaze only quiet calculation.
After all, for someone who remembered another life, this moment wasn't about dreams.
It was about survival in a world where even dreams had a price tag.
Xia Mu glanced at the rack of Spirit Balls, where dozens of glimmering red-and-white capsules rested neatly in rows.
Inside were beginner-level Pokémon or "spirits," as the locals called them including Machop, Pidgey, Houndour, and several others with varying levels of talent.
Just as he was about to make his careful choice, a mechanical voice suddenly echoed in his mind.
[Ding! System notification: Host detected in Spirit Selection Phase.]
[Initializing Spirit Intelligence System, version 1.0, officially activated!]
A faint buzz resonated in his ears, and a small blue holographic projection appeared before his eyes, flickering with a crystalline light reminiscent of Rotom Dex holograms used in advanced regions like Galar.
Then, five lines of glowing data materialized in the air before him each labeled as a Daily Intelligence Update.
---
[1]Shenshan Middle School, Senior Year (Class 27) — Among all distributed spirits, the Houndour with a flame-shaped mark on its brow possesses the highest Fire/Dark dual-type potential. Estimated growth aptitude: Grade A–, capable of evolving into a high-quality Houndoom with innate Flash Fire stability.
[2]At Xiangwei Meow Supermarket on Sanbanqiao Street, a withered Sandile Berry is mistakenly stored among Snakeweed Fruit. Tomorrow, a wild Pidgey will consume it and awaken the hidden ability Gale Wings, causing a local uproar.
Note: Sandile Berries are rare speed-enhancing fruits — a top-tier ingredient for Speed Energy Cubes or Acceleration Potions.
[3]In Jiaying City's Central Street, the garbage can marked "No. 97" in red paint hides a metal case containing an Ultra Ball. Half a day later, a passerby will discover it and sell it on the black market for an enormous profit.
[4]At the Shenshan Middle School Library, on the 49th bookshelf, third row from the bottom, lies a book titled "Autumn Encounter."
Hidden between its pages is a Houndour Training Manual detailing optimal nutrient blend ratios, Energy Cube recipes, and dark-type emotional conditioning methods.
[5]The owner of Clinic No. 103 in Jiaying City is a reclusive Healing Master.
He has a peculiar fondness for garlic-sliced pork and honeydew wine from Sanbanqiao Street. When satisfied, he occasionally shares secret techniques for treating Pokémon burns and exhaustion.
---
Xia Mu froze. Then his heart pounded.
"Finally... after eighteen years, the heavens have opened!"
He almost laughed aloud.
All this time reincarnated into Blue Star, wandering for years without a single system interface and now, at the moment of choosing his first Pokémon, it had finally arrived.
"Hiding her face behind a pipa, and appearing only after a thousand calls..."
"System, I've waited long enough!"
His eyes immediately darted back to the spirit rack.
If the System's intelligence was accurate, then that Houndour with the flame mark was the most gifted among all available choices.
He searched carefully, and sure enough, just a few steps away sat a Poké Ball whose transparent surface revealed a black canine with crimson eyes and a faint ember flickering on its brow.
Houndour, its fur gleamed like polished obsidian, and its breathing pulsed with faint firelight.
When their eyes met through the glass, Xia Mu felt a sharp thrum in his chest.
The Houndour, too, lifted its head as if sensing its destined trainer.
"So, it's you…"
Without hesitation, Xia Mu stepped forward and gently picked up the Poké Ball.
The Fire/Dark-type spirit inside wagged its tail once, its mouth curving into a small, confident grin.
"I choose Houndour."
At that instant, the System chimed again.
[Ding! Host has successfully bonded with first spirit.]
[Appraisal Function Unlocked!]
Blue holographic text appeared in midair.
---
[Spirit Appraisal Result]
Name: Houndour
Gender: Male
Ability: Flash Fire
Level: 5
Type: Fire / Dark
Nature: Brave (Attack↑ / Speed↓)
Moves: Bite (Proficient), Ember (Basic), Smokescreen (Basic), Scary Face (Proficient)
Inherited Move: Fire Fang (Basic, from parent bloodline)
Origin: Cultivated by the Yanhuang Regional Breeding Center.
Trait Description: When using Fire or Dark-type moves, output intensity exceeds standard baseline by 12–18%. Growth potential estimated: High-tier Breeder Grade.
---
There were sixty students in Class 27, but the rack contained ninety spirits more than enough for everyone.
Toward the end, though, the available choices became far less impressive: Rattata, Caterpie, Sentret, and other common low-tier spirits.
A burly boy in the back known for his short temper picked a Grubbin with the ability Strong Jaw, grinning at his luck.
Finally, as the last student made their choice, the rack of Poké Balls sank slowly back into the platform with a metallic hiss.
Excitement and regret mingled in the air.
Xia Mu looked around.
Many students' expressions had dimmed a few were clearly dissatisfied with their picks.
After all, not everyone had the system's insight to spot the hidden gems.
The school allowed limited spirit exchanges through the logistics department before emotional bonding deepened, but those replacement spirits were usually leftover commons Pokémon with poor IVs or unremarkable abilities.
Wealthier families could pay steep fees to obtain rare starters from private breeders or licensed vendors, ensuring their children a strong beginning.
Ordinary students, however, had to settle for what fate gave them.
Still, there was one unbreakable rule in the Yanhuang Region's Spirit Laws:
Any confirmed case of deliberate Pokémon abandonment results in a three-year ban on acquiring a new spirit license.
It was one of the region's strictest measures, inspired by the Pokémon Protection Charter first enforced by the Kanto Alliance decades ago.
But such things had nothing to do with Xia Mu.
He wasn't from a rich family. He wasn't a genius trainer.
He was just an aspiring breeder one who finally had a partner, a system, and a dream worth chasing.
"Once a breeder," Xia Mu whispered, his gaze settling on Houndour's Poké Ball, "always a breeder."
And in the depths of his mind, the Spirit Intelligence System hummed faintly, as if responding to his vow.
—