The Cautious Charmander

"I don't want to enter some competition, and I don't need a year off. Just let me drop out."

Xu Mu was unhappy about having plans made for him out of nowhere.

His plan was simple: drop out.

Then he would find a girl he liked, travel the world, and enjoy the wonders of the Pokémon world.

As for school and standardized exams, Xu Mu couldn't have cared less.

"Xu Mu, what's so great about dropping out?"

"Right now, you aren't even officially a trainer. If you meet a Pokémon you like, you won't be able to catch it!"

"And becoming a trainer means passing all kinds of assessments at an academy. That's a lot of trouble!"

"But our school has a spot for a new trainer to register without taking the exams. If you agree to compete, it's yours. Wouldn't that make things easier?"

Yu Hailong had never worked so hard to look out for someone in his life. He simply couldn't stand watching Xu Mu throw this opportunity away.

The boy was clearly a genius, yet he insisted on wasting his potential.

If it had been any other student, Yu Hailong would have given him a scolding and called it a day.

But he couldn't beat Xu Mu... so he could only put himself in Xu Mu's shoes and carefully persuade him not to act rashly.

Dropping out wasn't such a good idea. Staying enrolled had plenty of benefits.

The principal nodded beside them, confirming that Yu Hailong could offer the exam-free registration spot.

"Besides, you're a new trainer with a Champion-level Pokémon. People would be stunned if word got out. Come by later, and I'll give you a little one of your own."

A principal had to be generous when he made an offer.

The benefits the two of them had promised were starting to tempt Xu Mu.

After inheriting his predecessor's memories, Xu Mu knew that anyone without trainer status could only have one Pokémon in this world.

Limiting a transmigrator to a single Pokémon was simply out of the question.

So despite saying he didn't want to become a trainer, Xu Mu was going to accept after all.

Still, registering as a new trainer was enough. It was just a formality. Xu Mu's real dream was to travel the world and meet pretty girls.

"All right. You've convinced me."

Xu Mu spread his hands helplessly. They had won.

Exam-free registration as a new trainer, a Pokémon from the principal, and a year off school.

All he had to do was compete in one match. Why not?

Seeing Xu Mu agree, the old principal smiled with satisfaction.

The young man wasn't beyond saving after all.

"Then let's go. Director Yu can handle your leave paperwork. Come to my house first, and I'll let you pick one of my little Pokémon."

As soon as the principal finished speaking, the other school administrators' eyes went red with envy.

What? He could pick one at the principal's house?

Didn't that mean...?

Xu Mu had no idea what they were thinking. He agreed readily and followed the old principal out.

Behind them, the administrators stared longingly at their backs and swallowed hard.

The old principal's name was Xiao Tianyang. He might only have been the principal of a secondary school in Fengcheng, but he had lived a long life. Of course he had a few stories.

When he was young, Xiao Tianyang had participated in the Pokémon League's research and conservation program for Fire-type Pokémon. As one of the outstanding talents of his generation, he had naturally received special attention.

That was why every Pokémon Xiao Tianyang owned, without exception, was a Fire-type!

Xiao Tianyang was old now, and so were his Pokémon. After many years of retirement in Fengcheng, most of them had offspring.

Those veteran Pokémon's offspring were precisely why the administrators had been so envious.

Standing in the old principal's courtyard, Xu Mu had to admit he was shocked!

Several Charmander rolled around on the ground at play, while a Chimchar and a Cyndaquil pushed against each other with their heads to test their strength...

There were so many Fire-type Starter Pokémon here!

Eldest Senior Brother, Blaziken, Charizard, Second Senior Brother...

"Principal, are you saying I can choose one of these little ones as my partner?"

Xu Mu was green with envy.

The old principal was a treasure trove!

There was no need to explain how rare the Fire-type Pokémon in this courtyard were.

And now the old principal had a whole yard full of unevolved Fire-type Starter Pokémon. It was incredible!

"Yes. Go take a look at them and see which one you get along with."

With the old principal's permission, Xu Mu wasted no time. He hurried over to the Charmander he had noticed earlier.

With its looks and strength, Charizard was a must-have Pokémon for any transmigrator!

Xu Mu was no exception. Those little Charmander had caught his eye at once.

But he still needed to decide which one to take.

Seeing Xu Mu approach them, the old principal smiled. "These little ones all have outstanding potential. They're descendants of my old partner."

Xu Mu nodded. Potential didn't matter much to him.

I don't want to be a trainer. What would I need exceptional potential for? Good enough is fine.

He watched the Charmander playing and began to study them carefully.

Charizard was one of Xu Mu's favorite Pokémon. Given this chance, of course he was going to choose a Charmander!

But first, he had to choose carefully.

Not this one. Too lively. He's bound to be competitive.

This one's no good either. He keeps nipping at the others. Definitely likes to fight.

And this one... why is he practicing Tackle?

Absolutely not!

After looking them all over and ruling them out one by one, Xu Mu finally spotted a Charmander he wanted.

The little fellow was staring blankly at the sky.

Now that's more like it! Everyone else is playing, and you're staring at the sky. That lack of ambition is exactly what I'm looking for!

You're the one!

Without another word, Xu Mu chose the little fellow gazing skyward.

"Principal, I think I'll take that one."

The principal followed the direction of Xu Mu's finger.

He froze.

So it had been fated all along.

In that case, go with him. I hope he lives up to your standards.

The sky-gazing Charmander glanced sideways.

Did he choose me?

I'm a Pokémon with a trainer now.

Well, now that I've been chosen, there's no need to hide my strength anymore. It's time to see the world beyond this courtyard.

Just as Charmander had expected, the principal came over to him.

"This is Xu Mu. He'll be your trainer from now on."

Charmander slowly turned his gaze on Xu Mu and sized him up.

Pop!

Xu Mu's Poké Ball opened on its own, and Greninja appeared out of nowhere.

"Croak!"

[He has the aura of someone strong!]

Xu Mu was puzzled by Greninja's sudden appearance, but he introduced them anyway.

"This Charmander is going to be our partner from now on. What do you think?"

Greninja narrowed his eyes to slits and studied Charmander closely.

At the same time, Charmander stared intently at Greninja.

Strong!

They reached the same verdict about each other.