I'm Going to Travel the World

The old principal was excited the whole way back!

He kept telling Xu Mu how impressive he was and how much honor he had brought the school.

Xu Mu and Yu Hailong, meanwhile, remained perfectly calm.

"Ahem. You two won the championship. Aren't you excited at all?"

The old principal looked at them in confusion. Xu Mu was one thing, but why did Yu Hailong look just as unwilling to play along?

Would it kill you to humor me?

Xu Mu pursed his lips helplessly and patted Yu Hailong on the shoulder.

"Director, tell the principal what happened in Charizard Valley."

It's just a championship. Is it really worth getting this excited over?

The old principal caught the disdain in Xu Mu's eyes and felt himself growing indignant.

I'm an important man, you know. I've seen plenty of storms and grand occasions in my day.

And now a kid dares to look down on me?

So he asked Yu Hailong what had happened to make Xu Mu so cocky.

Yu Hailong wasted no time giving the old principal a rundown of the battle in Charizard Valley.

After that, the old principal stayed quiet for the rest of the ride.

Even when the car stopped outside No. 1 High School, he still hadn't said a word.

I've lost all face. How embarrassing...

Xu Mu didn't return to school with them. A celebration banquet sounded like too much trouble, so he got out early and went home.

His mother was watching television when he arrived. She looked surprised to see him.

But the surprise in her eyes soon softened into tenderness.

"You've only just gotten back. Are you tired?"

Xu Mu nodded, then shook his head.

He didn't know how to answer.

Was he tired?

A little, but not really.

"Mom, there's five million in this account. Take it."

Xu Mu didn't know how to respond to his mother's love. He could only lower his head and set a bank card on the coffee table.

"You've worked so hard all these years..."

"I earned it honestly. I made it in a secret realm during the tournament. You don't have to worry."

"I've got plenty more, so don't save it for me. Spend as much as you like..."

Xu Mu spoke haltingly, his head still lowered. His mother said nothing, so he kept talking.

At last, he slowly looked up. His mother sat on the sofa, crying silently. He went over and handed her a tissue.

She was a strong woman. Gentle as she seemed, she had the strength every mother carried deep inside her.

After that irresponsible man left, she cried on many nights.

But she worried about how it might affect Xu Mu, so she always shed her tears alone and in silence.

Over time, crying without a sound became a habit.

If you ever meet someone who cries without making a sound, cherish them. They may have been hurt before, and may once have loved someone deeply...

"My son has grown up."

Seeing Xu Mu looking at her, his mother hurriedly wiped away her tears.

She gazed at him with loving eyes and gently stroked his face with her slightly rough hand.

Xu Mu felt a little uncomfortable, but he didn't want to pull away.

Motherly love... It's been so long since I felt it.

"Want to go traveling?"

After a while, they both calmed down. His mother turned off the television and asked with a smile.

Xu Mu nodded. It was his dream.

He didn't want to become a Trainer. He just wanted to travel the world with the girl he loved!

"Then be careful."

His mother thought for a moment, offered only that reminder, and got up to go to the kitchen.

"I'll make you something to eat. Stay home and rest a few days before you leave."

Xu Mu nodded again. He couldn't refuse her request, and he didn't want to.

Ten days later, Xu Mu had settled everything with the school, bought the supplies he needed, and planned a sensible travel route.

His first stop was the newly opened secret realm—Viridian Forest!

After getting up, Xu Mu checked the two Pokémon beside him as usual.

Not bad. They're sleeping soundly and look clean. They probably didn't sneak out.

[Ding! Congratulations, Host, on completing Greninja Check-in Mission (2): Bring or use Greninja to win a battle at Dawn Gym—Reward: Greninja's Ninjutsu Mastery!]

[All beginner check-in missions for the Host's Greninja and Charmander are complete. The next tier of missions is now unlocked!]

Of course. These two just can't give me a break!

You snuck out for extra training again, didn't you?

Used to being betrayed by those two, Xu Mu sighed helplessly.

Fine, you damn system. You win again!

Since winning the championship, Charmander had completed three check-in missions, pushing his strength up a full level.

Charmander had absorbed the awakening of the Crimson Lotus Flame, the boost to his Dragon-type power, and the Flame Orb he'd received as a championship reward.

His strength had shot up!

And the same went for Greninja...

[Pokémon: Greninja]

[Type: Water, Dark]

[Strength: Mid-stage Elite Four]

[Ability: Protean (Changes its type to match the type of each move it uses)]

[Moves: Rasengan, Shadow Clone Technique, Substitute Technique, Water Shuriken, Night Slash, Water Pulse, Hydro Pump, Double Team...]

[Check-in Mission: Bring or use Greninja to battle Entei—Reward: Heart of the Sea!]

Xu Mu laughed when he saw Greninja's new mission.

Seriously? Battle Entei?

System, have you lost your mind trying to screw me over?

Where would I even find Entei?

Hahaha! Good thing I don't need to be a Trainer!

But when he looked at Charmander's status panel, his good mood vanished. His face fell.

[Pokémon: Charmander]

[Type: Fire (Dragon)]

[Strength: Mid-stage Pseudo-Elite Four]

[Ability: Solar Power (Attack rises in intense sunlight)]

[Moves: Outrage, Draco Meteor, Dragon Pulse, Dragon Tail, Overheat, Fire Blast, Flamethrower, Solar Beam, Brick Break, Iron Tail, Ancient Power...]

[Check-in Mission: Bring or use Charmander in a Master-level battle in the Viridian Forest secret realm—Reward: Torch Dragon Bloodline!]

Xu Mu laughed. You damn system, what if I decide not to go to Viridian Forest?

The system wasn't worried in the slightest. He could go or not; sooner or later, he would go.

Xu Mu didn't understand why the system had assigned a Viridian Forest check-in mission outright. Wasn't it afraid he might skip the place?

The system's notification soon arrived.

[In the Viridian Forest secret realm, the Host will meet the first girl he truly loves. Fate is approaching. The Host is advised not to miss it.]

Well, damn. Now that changes everything!

I take it back!

Viridian Forest, here I come!

Not only am I going, I'm going as soon as possible!

Holy shit!

Damn system, you finally did something decent!

Viridian Forest, I'm coming! Wait for me!

Miss, I'll be there soon! Wait for me!

World, Xu Mu is coming to travel you!