A Few Words Before the Story
I'm not a newcomer. As the author, I've written several Pokémon fanfics before, though none of them were particularly outstanding.
Speaking from a reader's perspective, the very first fanfic I ever read left the deepest impression on me. Iron Leg's Dark Overlord and Legend stirred something in me—and that was when the seed of writing truly took root.
I stumbled along the way, just like in life. People must learn to face adversity with composure. I love Pokémon, and I often fantasize about fighting alongside them, unafraid of wind or rain.
As I grew older, I saw many things more clearly, as if the filter of childhood had quietly faded away.
When reality collides with childhood, the protagonist's gentleness will only be reserved for the Pokémon he captures—and for the people he cherishes.
If there are flaws in my writing, please point them out. I will humbly accept criticism and revise accordingly. I hope you enjoy the story—
Note, this a TL so I'm not the author, just to be clear
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…Blue Star, a world where humans and Pokémon coexist.
According to Orion's understanding, the total area of Blue Star was more than ten times larger than that of his previous world before transmigrating. Its historical development was surprisingly similar as well. The only real difference was that the appearance of Pokémon had brought about far more tragic events.
The course of this era diverged completely—this was a world centered on Pokémon.
Related professions had become the most popular of all: Trainers, Breeders, Coordinators… Pokémon were everywhere, leaving people with complicated impressions—warmth, passion, cruelty, ferocity, and fear.
Crimson flags fluttered across the vast land of Daxia, spanning over one hundred million square kilometers.
Gui Province, Xinqing Town.
Sitting on the back of a small electric scooter on the way home to the village, Orion opened his eyes in a daze and nearly lost his balance, almost falling off. After steadying himself, he scanned his surroundings in confusion—confusion that instantly turned into shock.
"High school? How is that possible?!"
"Hey—be careful, kid." His mother, who was driving in front, sensed something off and called out to him.
Then she voiced the doubt in her heart. "Why did you ask for leave to come home on Friday? Are you not feeling well?"
Orion didn't answer. He looked around, raised a hand to touch his face, and found himself unable to tell what emotion he should be feeling.
He remembered everything.
At this point in time, he had just transmigrated—young, reckless, and ready to drop out of the so-called "paid prison" of a terrible school to become a Trainer and venture into the world.
Later, he really did just that.
He pushed himself relentlessly, only to be battered and bruised by reality. In the years that followed, he lost all dignity and could no longer hold his head high.
But in a world filled with danger and opportunity, survival mattered more than anything else. Only by living could one grow—and continue along the Path of Advancement.
The utopia depicted in anime shattered against reality.
He began using unscrupulous methods, hovering between life and death in his pursuit of strength. At one point, he even became a wanted fugitive.
After decades of twists and turns, he rose to become one of the strongest Gym Leaders in Gui Province, reaching the realm of a Quasi–Heavenly King.
And yet, despite that power, regrets still weighed heavily on him.
He couldn't save his family during the Pokémon outbreak. He couldn't use his strength to retaliate against those who had mocked and humiliated him—because they were already dead.
But if not for the sudden mutation in the beast tide that shocked the entire nation, how would Gui Province have undergone reform? How would Orion have seized his chance in the new redistribution of benefits?
In the end, he still died.
Now, everything had begun anew. The past no longer mattered.
A person is only young once.
Orion was still Orion—but the passion and ideals of his youth were gone, replaced by a faint, ever-present sorrow between his brows.
Become stronger. Stronger than anyone else.
Only then would he escape being controlled. Only then could he stand at the peak of the world, witness all its splendor, and do as he pleased.
"Mom knows you haven't been doing well at school," his mother, Qin Huayu, said gently, perceptive as always. "But studying hard is the only way to secure a future."
"Orion, hang in there. Just endure these next few years."
Orion remained silent.
He didn't want to dampen his mother's hopes—and besides, the older generation was stubborn. They wouldn't listen. Studying wasn't the only path forward. It might guarantee basic survival in the future, but it wouldn't bring true wealth.
Otherwise, ordinary teachers wouldn't be stuck accompanying students from six in the morning until ten at night, exhausting themselves day after day.
Times had changed. As college admission thresholds dropped, degrees themselves had become devalued.
Getting into a top Pokémon university? Out of a thousand students, how many could manage that? It meant outperforming over 90% of one's peers—already standing at the top of the industry. Preferential treatment was only natural.
The same applied to every profession. More often than not, background and ability mattered far more than effort.
Truly intelligent people evaluated their own circumstances and chose the path that benefited them most.
Under the current situation, Orion would still drop out.
But this time, there was no confusion—only calm certainty.
He had no interest in mingling with naive teenagers or obediently listening to teachers' so-called "heartfelt lectures." It was nothing but a waste of time.
In his previous life, this school-like cage might have offered him something. But now, it would only hinder his Path of Advancement.
With the experience, insight, and knowledge of an elite, Orion could raise his strength to the highest "Superior Level" in this small town in an extremely short time.
"For now, I'll become a Trainer."
Orion closed his eyes, resting as he planned the road ahead.
According to Daxia's regulations, one must be an adult to officially register as a Trainer, and no registered Trainer may own more than six Pokémon.
He was exactly seventeen years old.
But in Orion's eyes, such rules—and their punishments—were little more than formalities.
After all, which child from a wealthy family wasn't raised with well-trained Pokémon from a young age?
Overregulating market transactions only bred resentment and harmed vested interests.
Rules were made by the strong. Everyone was human—and everyone had children.
A Trainer's starter Pokémon was the most important of all.
With sufficient talent, it could accompany a Trainer for life. But if chosen poorly, it would eventually become a shackle on the Path of Advancement—something difficult to abandon.
People were divided into classes, and Pokémon were no different.
Orange, Yellow, Green, Cyan, Blue—potential ranked from lowest to highest.
Orange represented those below the Superior Level, while Blue indicated top-tier Champion-level potential.
Of course, these were only reference standards. Pokémon and Trainers complemented each other.
A Pokémon's talent wasn't fixed. The Trainer's role mattered greatly.
With careful training and sufficient resources, a Pokémon's growth could far exceed that of its wild counterparts, and its potential could change in the process.
Just as there were virtuous cycles, there were vicious ones as well. Excellent training could help a Pokémon advance further, while ruthless exploitation could cause its potential to decline.
Still, a good start was critical.
Resources could alter potential—but the cost should never be ignored.
Orion specialized in Poison- and Grass-type Pokémon, so his starter would naturally come from one of those types.
His preferred choice was the common Ekans. Weedle was also a good option—Bug- and Poison-type, with the Bug type's famously rapid growth rate. Beedrill could quickly become a viable combat force.
(Bug-type Pokémon develop at more than twice the speed of other types, at the cost of an extremely short lifespan.)
He had trained both before. Arbok had even been one of his main partners in his previous life.
In that sense, he was highly proficient.
The real problem now was money.
His parents likely wouldn't support him, and his family wasn't wealthy. He would have to find a solution on his own.
Along the way, he kept seeing people interacting with Pokémon.
As Orion passed by one particular spot, something suddenly appeared before his eyes—
Pokémon: Pidgey
Level: Normal Level (Low Tier)
Talent: Yellow
Type: Normal / Flying
Ability: Keen Eye
Moves Known: Tackle, Sand Attack, Scratch, Quick Attack
Note: Although gentle and averse to fighting, it will retaliate fiercely if attacked without provocation.
"…This—!"
The calm he had just regained was instantly shattered.
Was this some kind of detection ability? Something like an in-game Pokédex?
And he had it from the very beginning of this life?!
Orion burst out laughing.
With transmigration and rebirth as a premise, gaining an extra detection ability didn't seem like such a big deal anymore.
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Level Classification
Unhatched (Pokémon Egg)
Baby Stage (Lv. 1–4)
Normal Level (Lv. 5–29)
Superior Level (Lv. 30–44)
Gym Leader Level (Lv. 45–59)
Quasi–Heavenly King (Lv. 60–69)
Elite Four Level (Lv. 70–79)
Champion Level (Lv. 80–89)
Master (Lv. 90–99)
Legendary Pokémon possessing divine authority can break through the level cap, reaching Lv. 120.