After understanding the full situation, Aiden Flint couldn't help but turn his gaze toward the Treecko standing nearby.
With the system's assistance, Treecko's status panel instantly appeared before his eyes.
Pokémon: Treecko (Hungry)
Divine Authority: None
Level: 15
Ability: Overgrow
Type: Grass
Potential: Purple
(Internal evaluation ranks: White → Green → Blue → Purple → Gold → Red → Rainbow)
Bond Evolution: Locked
Mega Evolution: Locked
Moves: Bullet Seed, Leafage, Worry Seed, Synthesis, Quick Attack
Friendship: 0
Background: Has experienced multiple failed starter partnerships. Deeply dissatisfied with incompetent Trainers. Would rather be alone than follow a useless Trainer.
Preference: Likes spicy food, yearns to grow stronger
Seeing Treecko's panel—especially its background and Purple-tier potential—Aiden's eyes lit up.
This wasn't an ordinary starter Pokémon.
A Purple-potential Treecko had two evolutions ahead of it. If things went smoothly, once it evolved into Sceptile, there was a very high chance its potential could reach Gold.
Normally, most wild Pokémon only had White or Green potential—your everyday roadside Pokémon.
Hoenn's League-issued starter Pokémon were typically Blue-tier at the start. After fully evolving, most of them could reach Purple, making them reliable core members of a Trainer's team.
But a Purple-tier starter from the very beginning?
That was rare.
Usually, only pseudo-Legendaries started at Purple potential.
And now, Aiden had run into one.
Not only that—it was a starter Pokémon that had actively abandoned its Trainer.
How could he possibly let this opportunity slip by?
A high-potential starter with ambition, personality, and the drive to grow stronger—
This was practically a chosen-one template.
On top of that, the little guy loved spicy food, and it was currently hungry.
That alone gave Aiden a perfect entry point.
So, looking at Professor Birch—who was clearly at his wit's end—and the still-crying girl beside him, Aiden stepped forward.
"Professor, I might have an idea that could solve your problem."
For Professor Birch, a starter Pokémon abandoning its Trainer was no small matter.
Starters were usually obedient and stable. Situations like this almost never happened.
Lily's failed experience was already a headache for him.
After all, anyone eligible to receive a starter Pokémon from a regional Professor came from well-off families and were League-affiliated Trainers.
The Pokémon League also evaluated how Professors matched starters with new Trainers.
Giving a strong-willed Treecko—one that barely qualified as a starter—to a gentle, pet-oriented Trainer was a clear mismatch.
If the League determined this was Professor Birch's fault, it could negatively impact his authority and future evaluations.
Hearing Aiden speak, and given his long-standing good impression of the boy, Professor Birch sighed.
"Aiden… what do you have in mind?"
Aiden answered calmly,
"Professor, it's actually quite simple. Just give her another starter Pokémon—one with a gentler temperament. This Treecko clearly isn't suitable for a Trainer who treats Pokémon as dress-up pets."
Professor Birch smiled bitterly.
"I've thought of that too. As a Professor, I can apply for another set of starters."
"But this Treecko refuses to follow any other Trainer. Until I properly settle its situation, I can't submit a new request."
"To receive another starter allocation, I must first find this little guy a suitable Trainer."
"The Pokémon League has strict rules regarding starters. They don't want Pokémon to be abandoned because of poor matches."
"I just never expected that this time… the Pokémon would be the one abandoning the Trainer. This is a first for me."
Hearing that, Aiden felt a surge of excitement.
This really is a gift from fate.
"I see."
"Professor, I've actually wanted to start my own journey for a long time. If possible… could you let me try to bond with this Treecko?"
"If I succeed, you'll solve the problem of finding Treecko a new Trainer, complete your League requirements, and this girl can later reapply for a starter that truly suits her."
"And I'll finally be able to begin my journey."
"If it really works, I'd be deeply grateful."
Professor Birch carefully examined Aiden.
At first, his sympathy toward Aiden had been born from pity—an orphan who was hardworking, polite, and often helped around the lab.
The Pokémon in the research institute also liked him.
It was a shame that at eighteen, Aiden still hadn't set out on his journey.
Now that Aiden was voluntarily stepping forward and expressing his desire to become a Trainer, Professor Birch hesitated only briefly.
The only concern was whether Treecko would still refuse to bond—hurting both sides in the process.
But thinking it through, this was the best solution available.
As a regional Professor, Birch had the authority to recognize promising Trainers and issue starter Pokémon and Pokédexes.
And until Treecko found a suitable Trainer, Birch couldn't apply for new starters anyway.
Letting Aiden try was worth the risk.
If it worked—everyone benefited.
Even if it didn't, the lab still housed other Pokémon. If any of them were willing to accompany Aiden, Birch wouldn't mind giving this dream-filled young man a chance.
With that decision made, Professor Birch nodded.
Then, he handed Treecko's Poké Ball to Aiden.
Seeing this, Aiden felt a wave of joy rise in his heart.
Immediately, he retrieved a spicy Berry from his System Space—
A Figy Berry.
"Hey, little guy. This is for you."
Figy Berries were spicy Berries. Under normal circumstances, they could restore a Pokémon's stamina when weakened—though Pokémon that disliked spicy flavors would become confused instead.
Aiden had plenty of them stored in his System Space, so with a simple thought, one appeared in his hand.
At first, Treecko looked at Aiden with clear disdain.
But the moment the spicy aroma reached its nose—
The hungry Treecko sniffed instinctively and slowly turned its gaze toward him.
Seeing this, even Professor Birch looked surprised.
A Figy Berry?
He hadn't realized Aiden had such detailed knowledge—identifying Treecko's food preference at a glance.
Normally, Fire-type Pokémon favored spicy flavors.
A Grass-type Pokémon that liked spicy food was rare indeed.
Sure enough, temptation won.
Treecko reluctantly walked over to Aiden.
No matter how proud it was, hunger was hunger.
Aiden held the Figy Berry in his palm.
When Treecko finally began eating from his hand, Aiden quietly let out a breath of relief.
"Ding! Treecko's friendship toward you has increased."
"Current friendship: 30."
So it's not impossible.
This proud Treecko could be won over.
Pokémon were simple in their own way.
As long as you approached them without malice—and understood what they truly wanted—earning their trust wasn't that difficult after all.
Read 50 chapters ahead on P@treon -> patreon.com/SorenSwiftTL