I'm Not Kidding, I Want to Drop Out

Xu Mu stared at the system, his brows drawing together.

"So it really wants me to become a trainer?"

"Heh. Dream on."

"Become a trainer? Not a chance!"

He rolled his eyes at the system and grumbled to himself.

As long as I'm strong enough to get by, that's plenty. There's no need to be too strong.

If the sky falls, the tall ones can hold it up. This Pokémon world has plenty of powerful people. I just want to travel the world with the girl I love and enjoy myself.

The rest has nothing to do with me.

That damn system definitely has an ulterior motive. It wants me to get stronger so I'll help it accomplish some unspeakable goal. That has to be it!

Hah! I'm not becoming a trainer, and I'm not getting stronger. Dream on!

After thoroughly scorning his cheat ability, Xu Mu let Greninja out again.

"Greninja!"

Greninja made its usual flashy entrance, one hand against its head and the scarf around its neck fluttering.

Xu Mu looked at the show-off, at a loss for words.

Judging by Greninja, he could make a pretty good guess what kind of person his unreliable bastard of a father was...

"Come on. I'll introduce you to my mom, then we'll go to school."

After washing up and changing clothes, Xu Mu spoke to Greninja.

Greninja froze for a moment, then nodded eagerly.

I'm meeting the mistress already? Young Xu Mu really trusts me!

The master was right. Young Xu Mu is so easy to get along with! Don't worry, young Xu Mu. I'll protect you!

Naturally, Xu Mu had no idea a single sentence from him had sparked so many thoughts in Greninja's head.

He led Greninja out of his room and found his mother ready to leave. He went up to her.

"Mom, I don't think we need to go to the Hatching House to buy a Starter Pokémon."

His mother looked up at him.

She also saw Greninja standing perfectly straight.

"Greninja!"

Greetings, mistress! Greninja, at your service!

His mother looked a little surprised, but she seemed to think of something and quickly calmed down.

"Hello, Greninja."

After greeting Greninja warmly, she turned to Xu Mu.

"Since you have Greninja, there's no need to go to the Hatching House. Sit down, you two. I'll make you something to eat."

Xu Mu quickly stopped his mother as she rose to cook.

"Don't trouble yourself, Mom. There's something I want to discuss with you."

Seeing how serious he looked, Xu Mu's mother was puzzled, but she sat back down and waited for him to continue.

Xu Mu cleared his throat. Once she was seated, he said, "I want to drop out of school."

"Greninja?"

"What?"

Greninja and his mother spoke almost at the same time.

"Yes. I want to drop out."

Seeing no trace of a joke on his face, his mother hurriedly asked, "Why? Did he say something to you?"

By "he," she naturally meant that unreliable old man who had been missing for years.

"No, Mom, don't worry. I haven't seen him. Dropping out is my own idea."

Hearing that it was his own decision, his mother relaxed, though she still looked at him with some concern.

"Here's the thing, Mom. I don't think school is doing much for me."

"I don't want to be a trainer or become some powerful person. I just want to live a peaceful life."

"So I want to drop out and see the world in my own way."

His mother stared at him in disbelief. Seeing the longing on his face, she began to wonder whether that old man had somehow filled her son's head with nonsense.

What was all this about seeing the world?

"Have you thought it through?"

Xu Mu nodded.

"All right. I'll contact your teacher now."

Xu Mu's mother was an ordinary housewife. She might never have left Fengcheng in her life.

To her, her son was everything: her hope, her support, and the person she lived for.

If Xu Mu had made up his mind, her job was to support him, not stand in his way.

"No need, Mom. I'll go myself."

With that, Xu Mu headed for the door.

Seeing him leave, Greninja hurriedly called out, "Greninja!"

Young Xu Mu, take me with you!

The cry reminded Xu Mu that he had forgotten all about Greninja.

"All right, all right, you're coming. We can get you registered while we're out."

In this world, every citizen had the right to own one Pokémon, whether they were a trainer or not.

But the Pokémon had to be registered. Otherwise, the Pokémon League might suspect an illegal Pokémon trade or some other shady business and take the owner in for "tea."

Fengcheng No. 1 Middle School was Xu Mu's school.

Although it was Saturday, the elderly gatekeeper was still dutifully at his post.

Xu Mu showed his student ID and walked onto campus.

He had already recalled Greninja into its Poké Ball.

Greninja hadn't been registered yet, so it was best to keep a low profile and avoid trouble.

Xu Mu went straight to the principal's office and knocked.

"Come in."

A woman's voice came from inside.

Xu Mu was puzzled. Why was it a woman?

Wasn't the principal an old man?

He opened the door and understood.

The school administrators were having a meeting.

"I think our school should still do everything it can to secure a place in this competition..."

The old principal stopped speaking when Xu Mu entered and asked, puzzled, "And you are?"

"Hello, Principal. I'm Xu Mu, a third-year student in Class Sixteen."

After introducing himself, Xu Mu gave them no chance to speak. "I'm here to apply to drop out."

D-drop out?

The entire office went silent.

This was Fengcheng No. 1 Middle School!

It ranked among the top hundred middle schools in the country, with some of the nation's best teachers, facilities, and a large number of Pokémon for teaching.

Countless parents would do anything to get their children in, hoping they would earn strong scores on the national exam and enter a good academy.

Yet this young man had walked in and announced that he wanted to drop out?

"Are you in a position to make that decision, Xu Mu?"

The dean of students rose and approached, his expression dark.

"Go home and discuss it with your family. This isn't something a child can decide alone."

"You're still young, so I'll take it as a joke. Don't make a fuss like this again."

He gestured toward the door, indicating that Xu Mu could leave.

Seeing that none of them believed him—or even took him seriously—Xu Mu shook his head with a rueful smile.

"I really do want to drop out. My family agreed."

The words had barely left his mouth.

"Nonsense!"

The vice principal shot to his feet.

"If you quit school now, what are you going to do with your life?"

"Haul bricks at a construction site? Work yourself to the bone just to make ends meet?"

"You have excellent resources and an environment that can help you grow, all right here for you to use, and you don't appreciate any of it!"