Silph's Deep Pockets

Three days later.

"Sorry, our club isn't hiring sparring partners at the moment."

At the entrance of an extravagantly decorated club in Goldenrod City, the receptionist politely spoke to Xia Yan.

"Alright, thank you."

Xia Yan nodded and left with Weedle.

This was not the first time he had been rejected by Pokémon battle clubs of all sizes throughout Goldenrod City.

After three days of training, both he and Weedle had taken on entirely new looks.

His original plan had been to find work as a sparring partner at a club.

Goldenrod City was the largest metropolis in the Kanto Region, filled with a great number of Pokémon Trainers.

To turn a profit, some wealthy and influential people had established clubs throughout Goldenrod City, offering all kinds of Trainers services such as battles, recreation, and Pokémon training.

Unfortunately, Xia Yan, dressed like a beggar and owning only a Weedle, had hit wall after wall and never been accepted.

As for that...

He had gradually gotten used to it.

After all, if he had been a manager himself, he would not have thought much of a Trainer with only a Weedle either.

Anyone could tell that he had acquired his Pokémon by sheer luck. Such people usually lacked experience raising Pokémon and battling with them, making them unsuitable sparring partners.

After more than half a day, Weedle was nearly ready to give up.

Yet Xia Yan remained just as composed as when they had set out, even maintaining his politeness in the face of rejection.

He was used to it.

The beatings society had dealt him in his previous life had been far harsher than this. At least the people here were fairly polite on the surface when they turned him down.

"Don't give up. There's one last place today. If it doesn't work out either, we'll try another city tomorrow," Xia Yan said, comforting Weedle.

Weedle lowered its head guiltily.

It could clearly feel that it was a major reason Xia Yan had been rejected today.

"It's not your fault. They don't know how hard you've worked. Their preconceived notions about Pokémon like Weedle make them think you're weak. But you can't lose confidence in yourself. We've gone through three days of hellish training. We might not be outstanding, but at least we're no longer frail."

Keeping one's Pokémon sufficiently confident at all times was also a required lesson for a Pokémon Trainer.

Any Trainer who punished or blamed their Pokémon for any reason was destined never to become an outstanding Trainer.

"Wuu!!"

Xia Yan's certainty gave Weedle confidence. It nodded heavily, and confidence returned to its eyes.

Xia Yan was very satisfied with its change.

After winding through streets and alleys, they arrived at a club located on the outskirts of Goldenrod City.

The Silph Pokémon Battle Club belonged to the largest company in Goldenrod City—or rather, the largest company in the entire Kanto Region—Silph Co.

He had saved this place for last because the odds of succeeding here really were not high.

He took a deep breath.

Keeping himself composed, he walked inside.

Anna, seated at the front desk as a receptionist, saw Xia Yan enter. One glance at his clothes and the Weedle on his shoulder told her exactly why he was here.

She was speechless inside.

How did someone dressed like a beggar dare come to their club?

Still, her professional standards made her maintain a practiced smile as she stood. "Sir, how may I help you?"

Xia Yan stepped forward and bluntly asked, "Is your club still hiring sparring partners?"

Just as expected.

Anna muttered to herself.

She was about to refuse him when she suddenly glanced at the Weedle on Xia Yan's shoulder. After giving a slight nod of apology, she said, "Please wait a moment. I need to ask our supervisor."

"Alright, sorry to trouble you."

Xia Yan was a little surprised.

She had not rejected him outright?

Watching Anna disappear into the employee corridor, Xia Yan looked over the club lobby's decor.

Dazzling curtains of bead lights, smooth tiles reflecting orange-yellow illumination, massive stone pillars inlaid with unknown metals and carved with intricate designs, and murals.

The entire layout emphasized just two words.

Loaded with cash!

Inside the supervisor's office.

"Supervisor Loto, someone outside is asking whether we're still hiring sparring partners. That person... seems to be rather short on money." After considering her words for a moment, Anna ultimately chose the more tactful phrase "short on money."

Supervisor Loto, dressed in a suit and looking like a typical social Elite, set down the report in his hands. "Does a matter like this require my attention?"

His calm exterior and cold gaze made Anna shudder inwardly when she met his eyes. A strange flicker passed through her gaze.

"I... I'll have him leave right away." Anna cursed herself inwardly for meddling.

"Wait." Loto stopped her as she turned to leave. "What Pokémon does he use?"

"Weedle," Anna answered quietly.

"So that's how it is." Loto nodded thoughtfully. "The club's previous sparring partner who used Weedle as his Pokémon—his Weedle evolved, right?"

"Mhm." Anna was very afraid of this stern supervisor, even though he had never acted particularly fierce.

But for some reason, she was afraid. She felt like she was supposed to be afraid.

The Silph Pokémon Battle Club possessed a feature no other club had, or could have: it claimed that every Pokémon in the Kanto Region could be found within the club as a sparring partner.

From the weakest Weedle and Caterpie to even the Pseudo-Legendary Dragonite.

But if Dragonite was used as a sparring partner, its appearance fee...

Ordinary people had neither the means nor the nerve for that.

In any case, it all came down to one word.

Extravagant.

Of course, there was another point that others did not know, but which Loto, as the supervisor, understood.

The reason they kept every type of Pokémon was to continuously provide Silph Co., the parent company, with all kinds of Pokémon data for the production of specialized Poké Balls.

"In that case, arrange a battle for him. Notify the Technical Department to collect the data. If he wins, let him stay." Loto waved a hand.

"Yes, Supervisor Loto." Anna answered and hurriedly left the office.

In the lobby.

Watching Xia Yan stand where he was and inspect the club's decor, Anna could not help but sigh inwardly.

Lucky guy.

"Sir, our supervisor says you may battle once. If you win, you can stay," Anna said.

Xia Yan's eyes lit up.

"Alright, thank you very much."

Then, led by Anna, he arrived at a well-sealed battle room inside the club.

A researcher-like staff member wearing glasses stood nearby, holding special instruments and a small computer, apparently ready to measure and gather battle data.

Across from them, a Rattata with somewhat vacant eyes stood silently in place.

Seeing Rattata's appearance, Xia Yan could not help frowning.

The club was not making things difficult for them.

Rattata was not an unfair opponent for Weedle.

It was just that...

The dull, quiet Rattata was like a tool. It lacked the cunning and liveliness a Pokémon like Rattata should have possessed, as though it had lost its soul.

Weedle on Xia Yan's shoulder also revealed a sympathetic expression.

Different Pokémon faced different people, and their fates could be vastly different.

"The Rules are one-on-one. The battle ends when one side completely loses the ability to fight. If you win, you may stay. If you lose, then I'm sorry," Anna said.

Xia Yan nodded and said to Weedle:

"Right now, we can barely take care of ourselves. Don't bring unnecessary sympathy into battle. Fight properly. Winning is the true respect you can give it."

"Wuu!" Weedle responded in agreement and leaped down from his shoulder.

This would be its first battle, as well as Xia Yan's first battle since coming to this world. It was a battle that would determine whether he could survive in this world.

"Begin!"

With Anna's call as the part-time referee.

The battle began.