003 [Why Didn't You Say So Earlier!]

"No... don't lift it up. I can't handle that kind of stimulation right now."

Qiao Ran covered his eyes with one hand, secretly peeking through four gaps between his fingers. It wasn't that he was le... Well, okay, he really was a little tempted by her body.

Qiao Ran swore that the Pokémon before him could absolutely outshine most humans in looks. Even without clothes, she looked better than other people did with clothes on.

"Let's... let's not talk about that first. What exactly are you? Why did you suddenly appear here? And what is that humanization function?"

Qiao Ran's head was spinning. Why had he never encountered any of this before, only for it all to suddenly appear at once?

Could this really be some kind of transmigration benefit?

"I am the Rotom Phone, the vessel of the Pokémon Training System. I exist to help Master become a Pokémon Master, Rotom. And Master, do you really not remember me?"

Rotom swayed in the air, revealing part of her true body from within the phone. However, unlike an ordinary Rotom's orange body, hers was rose-red.

"Shiny Rotom! You're...!"

Qiao Ran's eyes widened in surprise. Judging by her tone and that unusual color, an unprecedented thought arose in his heart.

"Could it be... you..."

Qiao Ran had collected many Shiny Pokémon before, but that had not happened in this world. It had happened—in that game.

"That's right. I'm one of Master's Pokémon—I thought Master had really forgotten me, Rotom."

The Rotom Phone flew happily through the air, seemingly delighted that Qiao Ran had truly recognized her.

"My purpose is to help Master become the strongest Pokémon Master! With the system installed within me, I can help Master do many, many things. This humanization is merely one of them, Rotom!"

"Wait, wait, wait. I haven't quite processed this yet. Explain it slowly."

Rotom's words contained too much information, and Qiao Ran found it difficult to digest it all at once.

This Rotom Phone... was actually the vessel of some so-called "system"?

And Rotom's next words confirmed Qiao Ran's thoughts.

"Simply put, there is a system installed inside me, and this system is bound to Master. Its purpose is simple: to help Master become a Pokémon Master."

"What can this system do, then? Aside from that humanization thing."

"Um... It can also fulfill certain requirements and unlock Pokémon Master used to have, things like that..."

"...Unlock Pokémon I used to have? It can unlock my old boxes... those Legendary Pokémon? Those companions???"

Hearing this, Qiao Ran could not help getting excited.

He had played almost every version of the Pokémon games, so the companions in those boxes had accompanied him through generation after generation. Compared to catching new Pokémon in this world, he would definitely rather adventure alongside those Pokémon.

Moreover, those Pokémon possessed terrifying strength. If they were not Legendary Pokémon, then they were Mythical Pokémon, or powerful ordinary Pokémon of that level.

"Yes, but some special prerequisites are required."

The Rotom Phone floated before Qiao Ran, and a strange button appeared on its screen.

Five large words were written on it—"Teleport to Pokémon Pioneer Land."

"Teleport?... Pokémon Pioneer Land?"

"Please tap teleport, Master. Once we arrive there, I can continue explaining."

"Is that so?"

Qiao Ran nodded and pressed the button on the Rotom Phone.

Although Qiao Ran was still somewhat confused, his experience with web novels from his previous world allowed him to accept these things.

The moment he pressed the button, light began flashing. Qiao Ran did not know what had happened, but after the light faded, he, the Rotom Phone... and Vulpix had all been teleported to a barren-looking wasteland.

"Where is this...?"

"This is Pokémon Pioneer Land, Master's personal little world. It is where Master raises Pokémon, and where Master's Pokémon can live. It is also where Master obtains Pioneer Points."

"Pioneer Points?"

Another strange term. Qiao Ran rubbed his head, feeling that the amount of information was only growing larger.

Meanwhile, the Rotom Phone began her passionate explanation.

"Pioneer Points are the points Master needs to unlock former companions. For every 100 points collected, one companion can be randomly unlocked, Rotom."

"As for obtaining Pioneer Points... since this world is entirely new, there are no wild Pokémon at all. Master must capture suitable Pokémon from the outside world that appear on the Pioneer Land list and place them in this world to obtain Pioneer Points. This world will also evolve as the number of Pokémon increases, Rotom."

"In other words, to obtain 100 Pioneer Points, Master must catch 100 Pokémon listed by the system and place them in this world. As for the system list, aside from checking the Pioneer Land notice board, Master can also look it up within me at any time, Rotom."

"So, I need to keep catching new Pokémon..."

Qiao Ran nodded. Although Rotom had said a great deal, there was only one key point—keep catching Pokémon, and he could unlock his old companions. As long as he did not stop, he could keep unlocking companions.

So, never stop, Rotom!

"Then what about that creature over there? Why did she turn out like this? How can she change back?"

After hearing the explanation, Qiao Ran turned the topic toward his Vulpix. His Alolan Vulpix was clever, intelligent, and adorable, so how had she become like this???

Where was my cute Vulpix? Why did she turn into a human?? How was she supposed to battle like this in the future???

Could it be that I'd have to send a beautiful girl onto the field to throw opponents over her shoulder??

Qiao Ran could not help imagining human-form Vulpix entering the field and passionately brawling with a female Machamp, and the thought sent a shiver down his spine.

"So what exactly is the principle behind this... Holy crap!"

Qiao Ran was only halfway through speaking when he could not help crying out, because he saw that the Vulpix he had been ignoring had quietly walked over to a small tree and lifted one leg...

"Y-you-you-you-you... what are you doing????" Qiao Ran gaped, then immediately lunged forward and stopped the Vulpix who was about to perform a censored act.

Foxes belonged to the canine family, so he could understand this behavior, but this would not do! If this continued, the entire story would be censored by her!

Qiao Ran lunged forward and held the Vulpix, who had been about to do something censored, in his arms. Vulpix looked at him with wide, innocent eyes.

"?"

Meanwhile, Qiao Ran's little heart pounded wildly.

This girl... really had serious issues with etiquette.

Why Didn't You Say So Earlier!

"You can't do censored things like that! You need to do it like this, this, and this, understand? You need to be more polite when doing censored things!"

"Master..."

Watching Qiao Ran teach Vulpix about censored things, the Rotom Phone drifted over speechlessly.

"Master, only Pokémon with intimacy above 80 can undergo humanization. After humanization, their intimacy can increase further, strengthening Z-Moves and Mega Evolution. Ordinary Trainers can at most reach 80, but Master is different. Master can continue breaking past that value!"

"So that's what it's for... I thought humanization was mainly to make them look better..."

Hearing Rotom's explanation, Qiao Ran paused slightly. He finally began to understand the purpose of this humanization. Simply put, it was not merely for appearance—it could increase intimacy, allowing Z-Moves and Mega Evolution, which required bonds to unleash their power, to become even stronger.

When it came time to battle, Qiao Ran and his Pokémon could casually trigger Bond Evolution or unleash Z-Moves, while his opponents would still have to slowly spend ages setting everything up. How could they compete with that?

However, Qiao Ran still had many questions.

"Then how do they change back?"

Qiao Ran looked at the Vulpix in his arms. Having just finished doing something censored, she was rubbing her little head around in his embrace. However... unlike in her beast form, this posture looked strange no matter how he viewed it. If anyone else saw her like this, they would probably think they were doing some weird play.

"For that, Master only needs to silently think, 'Change back,' and it will work. Turning into a human is the same. Of course... Pokémon can also control the transformation themselves, though that may take some time to adapt to."

"Is that so?"

Qiao Ran looked at Vulpix and began silently repeating the command in his mind.

Sure enough, after they stared at each other for a second, Vulpix's body emitted a flash of light and began changing.

Before long, Vulpix shrank into a small white ball and became an Ice-type fox with an incredibly pleasant feel.

No matter when one looked at an Ice-type Vulpix from the Alola region, she was always incredibly adorable.

Perhaps she was not particularly strong in battle, but since she had already become his Pokémon, Qiao Ran would not abandon her. Even Vulpix could prove her worth.

"Awoo..."

Vulpix lay on Qiao Ran and yawned before quietly settling down.

"Oh, right, Rotom. Can you undergo humanization now too?"

"I... um..." The Rotom Phone's screen turned red, and then her expression became somewhat dejected.

"For Pokémon Master originally owned, our intimacy with Master has to start from zero, so..."

"I see." Qiao Ran nodded in understanding.

"Then we can take it slowly."

"The first step now is to win the adventure competition the school will be holding soon. Only by winning can I get the chance to travel and catch more Pokémon!"

"Mm."

Rotom also floated excitedly through the air. She recovered from her dejection quite quickly.

"Does Master like battling?"

"Of course. I'm a man who wants to become a Pokémon Master. Winning battles, taking championships, receiving everyone's cheers... isn't that what everyone wants to do?"

Qiao Ran gave an answer as though it were only natural. He wanted to win, wanted to become strong, not to survive and not for anyone else, but simply for the title of "Champion."

Rotom nodded and continued.

"Oh, right. Since this is Master's first time activating the system, Master gets one chance to draw a former companion."

"What?"

Qiao Ran's eyes widened in shock.

He could... draw a companion?? Draw a Pokémon??

Why was such important information only being told to me now?!

The next day.

Longjiang City Third Middle School.

The students of Class 3, Grade 1 got up early that day. They had all changed into the athletic clothes they had prepared most carefully and rushed toward the school's battle stadium.

Qiao Ran was among them. He had also made some preparations for today's competition. Moreover, as time passed, he had recalled many memories of this world.

The homeroom teacher began delivering an impassioned speech from the stage.

"Students! Today—is the day our class begins its adventure competition! Only the last four standing can obtain adventurer qualifications recognized by the League!"

"Adventurer qualifications are extremely important. I hope all of you will strive for them with all your strength. Traveling and adventuring outside can give you more knowledge than school ever could. However, that is only if you possess the ability and qualifications!"

"Once you become adventurers, you can use all League-built facilities for free, challenge Gyms, collect Badges, and earn the right to participate in the Celestial Pokémon League!!"

"Strive toward becoming the League Champion!"

The homeroom teacher's impassioned speech stirred the fighting spirit of quite a few students. Flames burned in the eyes of these boys and girls, as though they could see their own futures.

However, some people kept their heads lowered and remained silent. They were likely the bottom-ranked students in the class, unable to continue down the path of becoming Pokémon battle masters and stars. Still, they had other paths to choose, such as becoming Coordinators who participated in Contests or becoming Breeders.

But those matters would have to wait until they entered university.

"Is the competition about to begin?"

Since it was only a class league, everything had been simplified. The only spectators were teachers from the class, the dean of students, and similar staff. Even so, Qiao Ran still felt excitement welling up from the bottom of his heart.

"Battling... a battle."

A real Pokémon battle!

This was not some fake world where the screen shook twice and someone could use Double Kick. This was a world where Pokémon could truly battle!

"The contestants for the third match... Qiao Ran! Chang Mengda!"

Very quickly, the competition reached Qiao Ran's turn. Battles between students ended swiftly, with everyone basically throwing moves at each other head-on. Qiao Ran could not help shaking his head as he watched.

"Too reckless."

If this were in a game, these people would probably be the type whose Pokémon all had four attacking moves and never learned a single other move. They also learned moves without considering type matchups, caring only about power.

Qiao Ran stepped onto the battlefield. Standing opposite him was a short, chubby boy dressed in a sharp suit, perfectly embodying the feeling of "putting on adult clothes."