Aron

Jiang's Father placed the incubator on the table and said, "This is the Starter Pokémon I prepared for you. To be honest, I don't know what Pokémon it is either."

Jiang Jing asked, "Huh? Dad, you don't know?"

Jiang's Father lit a cigarette with his lighter, took a drag, and said, "I really don't know. It was quite a coincidence—I was just about to buy you a Pokémon."

"Then, a couple of days ago, I found a Pokémon Egg at the construction site. I don't know which Pokémon left it there."

"I asked around, but no one nearby had lost a Pokémon Egg, so I kept it myself."

"Take it home and hatch it. See what Pokémon it is. If it has good talent, keep it as your Starter Pokémon."

"If its talent isn't suitable, give it to your mother as a pet. I'll go buy you another Pokémon."

Jiang Jing nodded. He realized this was already the best possible arrangement. It seemed his father had planned everything out.

Jiang's Father continued, "I'll transfer twenty thousand yuan to you tomorrow. Raise your Pokémon properly. Your mother and I will be happy as long as you get into university through the Trainer route."

"You'll have to buy the Pokémon food yourself. We don't understand much about that, so you can only rely on yourself."

The two of them chatted about recent events for a while. Jiang's Father knew Jiang Jing's grades were not especially good, so he did not expect him to get into Magic University or Imperial University.

His son wanted to become a Trainer. Though he did not understand it particularly well, he knew Trainers had promising prospects, so he supported him.

After they had talked for a while, a middle-aged man in a suit suddenly walked in. He was of average build, with a beer belly and a square face.

The moment he entered, he said, "Old Jiang, living comfortably, huh? Sitting in the office drinking tea!"

"Oh, is this your son? Handsome young man."

Jiang's Father smiled. "President Li, what brings you here? Come, have some tea!"

President Li sprawled on the sofa and laughed. "Just came by to take a look and have some tea."

Seeing President Li's suit and dress pants, Jiang Jing quietly guessed that he was a manager from the client's side.

After brewing the tea, Jiang's Father poured a cup each for President Li and Jiang Jing.

After taking a sip, President Li spoke first. "Old Jiang, where does your son go to school? How are his grades?"

Jiang's Father said, "Xiao Jing is at Rongcheng No. 8 High School. He's in his first year this year and will be in his second year next semester. His grades are decent."

President Li said earnestly, "Then he needs to work hard. My son is at No. 1 High School. He's always been in the top three of his class, and after choosing Spirit Studies, his strength is now in the top ten of his grade."

"He has a very good chance of getting into Imperial University or Magic University after the National College Entrance Examination."

Jiang's Father stiffened, then forced a smile. "He definitely can't compare. We don't expect much from this kid of ours. It'll be good enough if he gets into any university."

Though he said that, Jiang Jing could still sense that his father was somewhat upset.

President Li looked at the incubator on the table and said, "I heard a Pokémon Egg was found at the construction site yesterday. This should be the one that was found, right?"

"Old Jiang, I've heard that Pokémon Eggs picked up outside usually don't have much talent. They're fine as pets, but don't expect them to achieve much in the future."

"Lots of people think the Pokémon Egg they find must have great talent, only to regret it after it hatches."

"So you'd better be careful, Old Jiang!"

Jiang's Father said, "Of course. I'll be careful."

Jiang Jing secretly shook his head as he listened. Although every word President Li said sounded like it was for Jiang's Father's own good, his real meaning was that Jiang's Father lacked judgment and his son was no good.

After lunch, Jiang Jing took the incubator home.

When Jiang's Mother saw the incubator Jiang Jing had brought back, she asked curiously, "Is this the Pokémon your father prepared for you? Why is it still an egg?"

Jiang Jing explained where the Pokémon Egg had come from, then said, "I checked it. It should hatch in about a day."

"Once it hatches, I'll need to go to the supermarket and buy some supplies."

Jiang's Mother said, "There's still plenty of food that Pikachu and Jigglypuff eat. The newly hatched Pokémon can eat it too."

Jiang Jing nodded, carried the incubator into his room, and placed it on the bed. After carefully observing it for a while, he could not help feeling excited at the thought that he would soon have his first Pokémon.

At the same time, he kept imagining what kind of Pokémon it might be. One of the Starter Trio? Charmander, Bulbasaur, or even the Eldest Brother would be fine.

Well! It was unlikely, but what if it was? Forget it. No matter what Pokémon it was, it would be his Starter Pokémon.

Jiang Jing's room was small. Other than a bed, a desk, and a wardrobe, there was nothing else.

Sitting at his desk, he took a notebook out of his backpack.

Opening to a page, he felt somewhat excited and kept wanting to write something.

Pokémon Egg? (Though I don't know what Pokémon it is?)

If it was a Pokémon like Weedle or Caterpie, that definitely wouldn't do, right? Actually, maybe not. He would probably just be a little disappointed.

As he let his thoughts run wild, his entire body suddenly trembled. He felt something surge out from within him.

It was as though countless streams of water were pouring out of his body. The air before his eyes instantly became somewhat blurred, and a gray energy suddenly appeared, gathering in the air like flowing water.

Jiang Jing's mind suddenly went blank. He did not know why, but a colorful bead suddenly appeared in his consciousness.

It felt especially familiar. Then, all at once, he remembered—it was the bead that had come as a gift when he bought an Arceus figurine in his previous life.

He had not expected it to come with him after his transmigration. Could this really be his "golden finger?"

Although he had suspected it before, only now was he certain. But what exactly did it do?

As his mind raced, the gray streams in the air passed through the incubator and poured crazily into the Pokémon Egg.

As the energy entered it, the Pokémon Egg began to shake. The life inside seemed to be happily absorbing the energy.

Jiang Jing watched the scene in astonishment, his heart pounding. He felt that something incredible was happening. His intuition told him that the Pokémon hatched from this egg would definitely not be ordinary.

Before long, the Pokémon Egg began shaking violently, as if it wanted to break free. The incubator had become its restraint.

Seeing this, Jiang Jing hurriedly opened the incubator and lifted it out. The heat coming from it was almost scalding, but he could feel its blazing vitality.

After three seconds, the Pokémon Egg reached its limit and burst forth with dazzling light, illuminating the entire room. Even the living room was lit by the light spilling through the crack beneath the door.

Within the white light, the Pokémon Egg began to change shape. From an oval, it gradually elongated as limbs emerged, transforming into a four-legged Pokémon.

A second later, the light began to fade, revealing the Pokémon's true appearance.

"It hatched!" Jiang Jing said excitedly.

It had a round black-and-white body, four thick, short legs, and a large, round head.

Its body was dark gray, while its eyes were light blue. Parts of its head, legs, and back were covered in steel armor, and there was a horn on its back.

Holes in its armor were scattered across Aron's body. There were six on its head, three on each side. The largest two were its eyes, while there was also one on each side of the horn on its back.

"This is... Aron?!"