In the restroom, David carefully examined the handsome, youthful reflection in the mirror and touched his still slender face. He was a fresh-faced high school student!
So handsome! So good!
David exclaimed while washing up.
Soon, having tidied himself up, David was leaning against the living room sofa. Only then did he have time to carefully survey this relatively "unfamiliar" home.
That's right—an unfamiliar home.
After splashing generous amounts of cold water on his face, David's excited mood finally began to calm down.
From the memories he had just sorted through, he learned that in this world, after starting high school, students generally lived in dorms. However, compared to the freedom of university dorm management, high school was definitely much stricter in this regard.
So after much coaxing and pleading from him, his mother, who already doted on her precious son, simply waved her hand and bought a large apartment in a high-end building near the school. He then naturally moved out of his family home and into this new place—a home just for him.
Thinking about how his family of four used to squeeze into an old house less than 80 square meters, and then looking at this luxurious residence, four to five hundred square meters with a rooftop garden, bought simply because he didn't want to live in a dorm—even David, who had already accepted the memories flooding his mind, couldn't help but feel amazed.
Is this the true life of a second-generation Pokémon Trainer? I love it!
However, remembering that he still needed to register as a Trainer later and not wanting to waste more time, David walked straight into the kitchen, planning to quickly grab something to eat.
Opening the refrigerator, he found chilled Moomoo Milk and some pre-made sandwiches—perfect for filling his stomach.
According to the memories that naturally surfaced, these items were probably prepared in advance by his mother. Knowing that he would definitely be too lazy to make breakfast, she would have the housekeeper restock them every few days.
"Gulp~"
"As expected of a Pokémon product, the taste is simply incredible!"
After taking a sip of the Moomoo Milk, the smooth, creamy texture and rich aroma were beyond anything any other milk could achieve. David narrowed his eyes in satisfaction.
Sitting at the dining table, he enjoyed his breakfast while naturally scrolling through his phone. The app was filled with various funny videos from Pokémon pet bloggers, making him laugh at the adorable Pokémon in the clips. As he watched the various Pokémon, David couldn't help but think of the cat he once had.
If he remembered correctly, the time he picked up that cat was probably right after the start of his second year of high school's summer vacation. That little cat should have already been picked up by him now, right?
So many changes had occurred since the world merged. Everything around him had changed. There was no reason for only one cat to remain unchanged, right?
So the newborn kitten he picked up outside—could it have also turned into a Pokémon?
At this thought, David couldn't sit still. He quickly finished his breakfast, chugged the entire bottle of Moomoo Milk, and then turned and ran toward the rooftop garden.
Walking up the marble-tiled stairs, David reached the corner of the second floor. The moment he opened the door to the rooftop, he was startled. A pure white figure suddenly pounced on him from above.
David, who had already dodged, only then recognized the identity of the figure. Fortunately, he reacted quickly, immediately stopping his body mid-movement and scooped up the little creature.
"Whew~ My physical fitness is pretty good! If I had traveled back to my university days, I probably would have thrown out my back."
Looking at the familiar figure nestled in his arms, constantly acting affectionate—that's right, it was this familiar appearance. The white figure that suddenly appeared was precisely the kitten David used to have.
This kitten had been picked up by David and brought home about a week ago. It was no longer reserved and was at the stage where it loved to cling to him.
David, who had initially felt slightly disappointed that the kitten hadn't changed, now found that tiny regret vanishing completely.
"If it hasn't changed, then it hasn't changed! Anyway, with my current status, I won't be lacking a starter Pokémon."
So David held the kitten and petted it to his heart's content. Only then did he put it back in its bed, turned around, and brought out some food and water from the house. After preparing everything, he stroked its head.
"Little one, I'm going out soon. Today is the day I register as a Trainer, and then I might have to go home for a bit. Stay here by yourself for the next day or two, okay?"
"I'll bring back a Pokémon partner for you then."
After arranging everything, David turned and headed toward the stairs. However, he didn't notice something.
The kitten, having been petted to its heart's content, was originally lying lazily in its bed. But upon hearing David mention "Trainer," it perked up, and an inadvertent pink glow flashed in its eyes.
Upon hearing "Pokémon partner," it immediately bristled.
Seeing that David had already left, the little creature sprang up and ran in front of him, blocking his way. It then tightly bit his pant leg, looking as if it didn't want him to leave.
"What's wrong? I'm coming back."
Looking at the excited kitten, David was now a little exasperated.
He was just going out for a bit. Did this little one really need to react so strongly?
"Alright, alright. I'm just going out for a bit, I'm coming back. At worst, after I'm done, I'll take you home with me. How about that?"
Seeing that the kitten was still unwilling to let go, David had no choice but to crouch down and gently stroke its little head, comforting it.
"Meow~"
Looking at David, the kitten seemed to make some kind of decision and nodded. A faint pink light flashed in its eyes again, and then the pink light spread throughout its body, completely enveloping the kitten.
David was startled at the sight and immediately stood up. However, remembering that this was now the Pokémon world, he quickly calmed down. He took a small step back, creating some space, and quietly watched the changes unfolding before him.
Soon, after the light dissipated, the adorable kitten was gone, replaced by a small fox with a grayish-white body, a pair of beautiful light orange eyes, red and white fur on its neck, head, and tail, and two red circles adorning its forehead.
Looking at the little fox in front of him, David's freshly maintained "calmness" was easily shattered. His heart was uncontrollably thumping. He picked up the little fox, kissed it twice, and shouted with surprise.
"Holy cow! Zorua! It's really Zorua, and it's a Hisu... no... a special Ghost and Normal-type Zorua." Thinking that the term Hisui didn't seem to exist in this world yet, David corrected himself.
Reality is sometimes so wonderful. When David was full of anticipation, it disappointed him. After he accepted reality, it surprised him tremendously. The appearance of Zorua was truly a huge surprise for David.
His little kitten had actually turned into Zorua, and a Hisuian Zorua at that.
"Zorua~"
Looking at David, who was overflowing with joy and excitement, the little fox seemed infected by his emotions. After revealing its true form, the little creature had initially seemed a bit shy, but now it also snuggled into David's arms and chirped happily.
Heaven knows how excited David was right now. Before his transmigration, the last Pokémon game he played was Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Among the newly introduced Hisuian Pokémon in that game, David's favorite just happened to be Zoroark.
The pink-furred fox truly captured David's heart, making him incredibly fond of it.
Although he already understood that he was now in the Pokémon world, when his favorite Pokémon appeared before him, he still couldn't help but get excited.
After a while of celebrating, David looked at the Zorua in his hands, staring into its eyes, and said,
"Zorua, I'm going to register as a Pokémon Trainer later. Do you want to be my Pokémon partner?"
"You understand what a Trainer is, right?"
"Zorua~"
The answer was clearly obvious. Zorua chirped softly at David, gently nuzzling him, and its pointed ears trembled slightly.
Although he had already guessed the outcome when Zorua was willing to reveal its true form in front of him—after all, according to information, Hisuian Zorua should be a rather aloof Pokémon—since it was willing to drop its disguise in front of him, there was a high probability it wouldn't refuse him.
But even so, when David actually saw Zorua agree, he still couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.
A brilliant smile reappeared on his face. David lifted the pink-furred little fox high with both hands.
"Then, from now on, we're partners! Please take good care of me, Zorua."
"Zorua!"
Although he really wanted to catch Zorua immediately, David, who hadn't yet registered as a Trainer, hadn't actually obtained his Poké Ball, so he wasn't qualified to catch a Pokémon.
The Cloudspire Alliance's management of Trainer qualifications was very strict.
No matter what, Pokémon are very dangerous creatures. The threat of even an ordinary Pokémon would be no less than that of a firearm in his previous life. Even an inconspicuous Weedle could kill someone with a single Poison Sting. In the real world, it's certainly impossible for a ten-year-old child to travel all over the world with Pokémon.
In modern society, at ten years old, you're still in elementary school, undergoing nine years of compulsory education!
For people in this world, the most important time is actually before the start of the third year of high school.
Because the official age to register as a Trainer is at least sixteen. Students of this age, after nearly ten years of learning, have begun to mature in cognition and mentality. They can bear legal responsibility, and only then can they qualify as a Trainer.
After registering as a Trainer during the summer vacation of their second year of high school, students gain the qualification to catch Pokémon. Of course, if they plan to choose a battle-oriented major, they must obtain their starter Pokémon before the end of the vacation. This is a prerequisite for choosing a battle-oriented major.
And after the start of the third year of high school, students who have confirmed their choice of a battle-oriented major will focus more on Pokémon training. They would have gained sufficient understanding of theoretical knowledge during the previous two years of high school, so in the last year of their high school career, the main task is to train Pokémon.
The strength of their Pokémon and their own battle level are directly related to the subsequent national unified examination, commonly known as the Pokémon College Entrance Examination. After all, for students in battle-oriented majors, one of the most important assessment contents in the College Entrance Examination is Pokémon battles.
Nowadays, Pokémon have integrated into all aspects of human society and can be seen everywhere. Even in modern cities with towering buildings, one can see the figures of these magical creatures everywhere. However, the omnipresence of Pokémon does not mean the proliferation of Professional Trainers.
In fact, after the end of the third year of high school each year, not many students in battle-oriented majors actually pursue the path of a Professional Pokémon Trainer. More of them enter professions such as Pokémon Ranger, Pokémon Nurse, Pokémon Breeder, Pokémon Researcher, police officer, firefighter, and so on.
Because they have to deal with various secret realm explorations and the threat of wild Pokémon to cities, their responsibilities are very significant, so the mortality rate of Professional Trainers ranks first among all professions.
However, responsibility and rights have always been unified.
With great responsibility, coupled with the powerful strength that Trainers themselves possess, the social status of Professional Trainers in this world can be said to be quite high. Famous Trainers are highly respected by people. In this world, Trainers are the foundation of a country. The more and stronger Trainers a country has, the more it represents the country's strength and prosperity.
For powerful official alliances like Cloudspire and White Eagle it's one thing. But in smaller alliances in regions like Africa and Latin America, the status of powerful Trainers at the Elite and Champion level is like that of an emperor. Some are even worshipped as divine messengers in primitive tribes, and even with the intervention of the World Pokémon Federation, it's difficult to change.
At this moment, David couldn't help but feel a wave of relief.
Fortunately, the time he transmigrated was exactly the day he registered as a Trainer, and he could still obtain his favorite Pokémon from his previous life—Hisuian Zorua—as his starter Pokémon.
With his incredibly fortunate start in this life, he could confidently embark on the path of a Trainer and strive to pursue his dream of becoming a legendary Trainer.
At this thought, David couldn't help but have thoughts like, "This is an amazing start, I've got this," and "Sure enough, I'm the protagonist!"
"Calm down, calm down. Don't get too excited. Maintain a balanced mindset. Stay low-key, develop steadily, and don't get reckless."
Having calmed his emotions, it was time to go to school.
However, looking at the Zorua in front of him, David was now a bit troubled.
According to his memories, the current Pokémon Pokédex was incomplete. There were simply no unique Pokémon from the Hisui region. As an excellent student, he was certain of this. No matter the region, there were currently no Hisuian Pokémon.
So Zorua's Hisuian Form would be a completely unknown Pokémon to people. If he were to go out with Zorua like this, it would likely cause a commotion.
And he didn't even have a Poké Ball yet!
Suddenly, an idea sparked. David returned to his bedroom, rummaged out a backpack, and then said to Zorua,
"Zorua, I don't have a Poké Ball right now, so I can't catch you. Later, you can transform into this appearance and get into the backpack. We'll go register as a Trainer first, and then we'll go home together. Then I can introduce you to my parents."
He took out his phone and searched for a picture of a regular Zorua.
"Zorua~"
Hisuian Zorua nodded at his words, carefully looked at the picture on the phone, and then another flash of pink light appeared. The original pink demonic fox transformed into a regular red and black Zorua and quickly jumped into the backpack.
"Let's go! Little fox, we're off now."
Gently putting on the backpack, David set off for school.