Nightwalker in the Cave

Pokémon: Zubat

Sex: Female

Type: Poison, Flying

Ability: Infiltrator (Can bypass the opponent's barriers and Substitute to attack.)

Aptitude: Orange

Base Moves: Absorb, Supersonic

Egg Moves: Cross Poison, Air Slash, Pursuit

"Wow, top-tier. This is seriously top-tier."

"Hey, is that necessary? You're practically drooling."

Sui Yan watched in confusion as Lu Ze examined the Pokémon Egg in the box from every angle.

"Hold this for now. Let me take another good look."

Lu Ze handed Sui Yan the Torkoal Egg he was holding, then picked up the Zubat Egg from the box and said,

"Unless something unexpected happens, this will probably be my starter Pokémon. Come on, let's keep looking."

"Huh? You've decided already? It looks like a Poison type. That doesn't really suit me."

"What, then? Should I pick a Torkoal as my starter, set up Sunny Day for you in battle, and then watch you perform?"

"Haha, that wouldn't be so bad."

Sui Yan scratched his head with a sheepish grin.

"Get lost. Follow me and take another lap around."

Lu Ze replied irritably, then continued checking the information on the Pokémon in the boxes.

Sandshrew, Green Aptitude.

Oddish, Blue Aptitude.

Nidoran♀, Green Aptitude.

Shellder, Blue Aptitude.

"Hey, this Shellder looks pretty good too."

Krabby, Green Aptitude.

Weedle, Green Aptitude.

Lu Ze touched Weedle's Pokémon Egg and felt a little regretful. He had originally planned to choose Weedle as his starter if there was a good enough Egg.

After all, Bug-type Pokémon evolved quickly and gained combat strength quickly, which would help him get good results in the National College Entrance Examination.

Pah, it was purely faith. Sakaki's Beedrill from his previous life had been way too cool, all intimidating and powerful. Every time Lu Ze played a game, he had to find a way to raise one. Did anyone understand the thrill of sweeping a team with Fell Stinger?

"Ah, what a shame~"

"What's a shame?"

Sui Yan leaned over and asked.

"Nothing. We're almost done. Keep looking."

"Doggo, you've changed. You're hiding something from me."

"Get lost, okay!"

With black lines practically appearing across his face, Lu Ze quickened his pace, trying to shake off this jerk.

"Huh? This one?"

Pokémon: Deerling

Sex: Female

Type: Normal, Grass

Ability: Chlorophyll (Its Speed increases in sunny weather.)

Aptitude: Purple

Base Moves: Tackle, Camouflage

Egg Moves: Charm, Solar Beam

"This Deerling has pretty good aptitude too. Too bad it doesn't have Serene Grace. Sigh, forget it. I'll raise one first. There'll be chances later. When that time comes, I'll open the biggest Day Care and become the best Pokémon Breeder, satisfying my collector's itch too. Hehe~"

"What are you grinning stupidly about? Are you done looking? My aunt messaged me and said she brought the Growlithe Egg to the police station. She told me to hurry over and get it so I don't interfere with her work."

Sui Yan checked his phone and spoke excitedly to Lu Ze.

"Alright, alright. I've looked at enough. I'll tell my mom, then we'll head over together."

"Hehe, okay."

The two of them came out of the room, each carrying a Pokémon Egg. Hearing the movement, Lu Ma turned around and teased the two children when she saw their goofy grins.

"Oh, each of you picked one? Future Elite Four members~"

"Hehe~"

"Huh? Why did you bring Torkoal's Pokémon Egg out too?"

Lu Ze looked curiously at Sui Yan and the Pokémon Egg in his arms.

"Uh, isn't this the one you picked?"

"No, didn't I pick this one?"

As he spoke, Lu Ze lifted the Egg in his arms to indicate the one he had chosen.

"Uh, then should I put it back?"

"Do you trust me?"

Lu Ze suddenly asked Sui Yan with a serious expression.

Sui Yan shrugged. "The last time you said that, you had us fight two against five. I charged in, and you ran away. If it hadn't been for that wave, I think we wouldn't have lost that game."

"Pah, I'm talking about something serious."

"Fine, I trust you. What is it?"

"Don't you need a weather setter? I have a feeling this Torkoal won't let you down."

Sui Yan gave Lu Ze a suspicious look.

"Fine, I'll trust you one more time."

"See, that's more like it!"

"What are you two whispering about over there? Have you picked? If you have, come out and I'll get you some Culture Medium."

"Okay, coming!" ×2

"Here, one each. Hold onto them properly. Remember to register at Pokémon Hall after they hatch. The shop has been busy lately, so I won't be able to look after you two."

Smiling, Lu Ma handed the two Culture Mediums to Lu Ze and Sui Yan, reminding them not to forget to register.

This was how registration worked before the Dragon Nation's National College Entrance Examination. Either Pokémon hatched from Eggs had to be registered within five days, or newborn Pokémon had to be brought in for registration within five days. This was to prevent people from bringing Pokémon they had raised for years, or someone else's Pokémon, into the exam and creating unfairness.

Though no one would cheat during the National College Entrance Examination, since getting caught meant a punishment they would regret for the rest of their lives, there were always some idiots who wanted to try.

"Okay." ×2

"Um, Auntie, can I buy another one?"

Lu Ma's expression changed instantly when she heard Sui Yan.

"No!"

"You're still talking about buying one from me? I'll just get you another one!"

Lu Ma glared at Sui Yan angrily, then turned around and took out another Culture Medium.

"Here. So, Little Sui, are you planning to start with two Pokémon?"

"Yeah. I picked one from you, and my aunt has another one. I didn't know which one to choose, so I decided to take them both."

"Your aunt? Oh, Arcanine gave birth, right?"

"That's right!"

"Okay. Work hard."

"Okay, thank you, Auntie."

"You're welcome."

"Well then, Mom, we're leaving. I'll go with him to get the Growlithe Egg."

"Mm, go on."

"Auntie, we're here."

"Okay, wait at the entrance. I'll be right out."

Lu Ze and Sui Yan arrived at the police station entrance. However, the officers inside were all hurrying about, so the two of them could only call first and wait outside.

After a while, a woman in a police uniform came out. She was Sui Yan's aunt, a squad leader at the Chang'an City Police Department.

"Oh, Lu Ze came too. Come on, let me see what Pokémon you two picked."

Sui Yan's aunt's eyes lit up when she saw her nephew and Lu Ze. She had learned during their call that they had gone to pick Pokémon together, but she hadn't expected her nephew to choose a Pokémon Egg despite already having a Growlithe reserved.

"Auntie, I picked a Torkoal."

"I picked a Zubat."

"Mm, not bad, not bad. But Sui Yan, have you thought this through? Over these three months, if you want good results on the National College Entrance Examination, you can still focus on raising one properly. But if you raise both, you can only send one Pokémon into battle during the exam. Raising both means neither will be fully developed."

Sui Yan's aunt earnestly cautioned him.

"Don't worry, Auntie. I've thought it through. I've decided to raise Growlithe first, then raise Torkoal once I'm in college. Don't worry."

"Fine. But once Torkoal hatches, you're not allowed to neglect it either, or you'll see how I deal with you."

"Auntie, what kind of person do you take me for? I definitely won't."

"Good. Here, Growlithe's Egg. Things have been busy lately, so I'm heading back."

Sui Yan's aunt handed the Growlithe Egg to him. Fortunately, Sui Yan's backpack was large enough. After putting Torkoal's Egg into the Culture Medium and stuffing it into his backpack, he held the Growlithe Egg instead.

As Lu Ze looked at the Growlithe Egg, its information appeared before him.

Pokémon: Growlithe

Sex: Female

Type: Fire

Ability: Flash Fire (When hit by a Fire-type move, it absorbs the flames and strengthens the Fire-type moves it uses.)

Aptitude: Purple

Base Moves: Bite, Leer

Egg Moves: Flame Wheel, Flame Charge, Facade

"Hm? Auntie, what have you been busy with lately?"

"You don't know?"

Sui Yan's aunt turned back and asked in surprise.

"Oh, right. You kids don't have a habit of reading the newspaper. A Pokémon Secret Realm is about to appear in the outskirts of Chang'an City. Spatial fluctuations have already started appearing recently. It's located in a small suburban village."

"Only some elderly people live in that village now, and they refuse to relocate no matter what we say. It's really giving us a headache."

Sui Yan's aunt rubbed her forehead helplessly.

"A Pokémon Secret Realm? A new one, right outside Chang'an City?"

Lu Ze and Sui Yan asked in surprise!

"That's right. But don't get any ideas. Your Pokémon don't even know when they'll hatch yet."

"Ah, true. Alright, Auntie, get back to work. We'll head home first."

"Yeah, go on home."

On the way back, Sui Yan excitedly asked Lu Ze,

"So, interested?"

"A newly appeared Pokémon Secret Realm? How could I not be interested?" Lu Ze said, excitement gleaming in his eyes.

"Let's head back first and make a long-term plan. The Pokémon Secret Realm hasn't even appeared yet, so don't rush!"