This world actually had no Pokémon League!!

As Chu Xin looked at the familiar Pokémon Egg in his hands, he recognized its markings all too well. It was definitely a Dratini!

Dratini's final evolution was Dragonite. Yes, that was right-Dragonite!

Seriously? He had finally made it to the world of Pokémon, only for his first Pokémon to be another Dragonite. Did he have some kind of bond with Dragonite?

I really don't want that kind of bond!

"Surprised?"

Chu Lian smiled at Chu Xin, while Tian Shuyao watched with satisfaction beside him. To them, Chu Xin looked stunned by the gift before him. Clearly, they had picked exactly what he wanted most.

What could Chu Xin possibly say? Helpless, he could only swallow his disappointment. He was crying inside, but he still had to put on a delighted expression.

"I found this Monster Egg especially for you. I heard it's some kind of rare magical beast, but we don't know exactly what it is either. We'll have to wait until it hatches."

Chu Lian patted Chu Xin's head and patiently explained.

Wait, that's a lot to take in. Give me a second.

"A Monster Egg?"

"Yes, a Monster Egg."

"Isn't it a Pokémon?"

"What's a Pokémon?"

His father's answer left Chu Xin at a loss. Did people here still think of Pokémon as nothing more than magical beasts?

As a devoted Pokémon player, he remembered a little of its history. In the early days, people had indeed called Pokémon magical beasts. Only after the Pokémon League was founded and established a basic unity between the regions had the name changed from magical beasts to Pokémon.

"Dad, is there a Pokémon League in this world?"

"A Pokémon League? What's that?"

"An organization that connects all the regions around the globe and maintains world peace."

"Isn't that the United Nations? Don't you know about it?"

Chu Xin held his head and shook it. The United Nations? Had he ended up somewhere other than Ash's world-a parallel Pokémon world?

The Pokémon League's role was to maintain global stability and establish the strongest Trainer in each region. Those strongest Trainers were known as Champion Trainers.

In the games, the players' goal was to become Champion Trainers. In the real world, however, being a Champion Trainer was more than a mark of honor. They also had a duty to help the Pokémon League maintain regional stability. After all, overwhelming strength could deter troublemakers anywhere.

It was thanks to the Pokémon League that the regions could enjoy relatively stable peace. But even without a Pokémon League in this world, the United Nations presumably kept things stable.

Chu Xin had plenty of questions for Chu Lian, but in his father's eyes, he was still just a child. If he acted too strangely, even his family would grow suspicious.

Forget it. I'll look things up myself later.

"You're just a little kid. What are you looking so gloomy for? That serious face isn't cute at all. Give me a smile."

Tian Shuyao showed none of a lady's restraint. Catching Chu Xin off guard while he was lost in thought, she scooped him into her arms and kneaded his cheeks with both hands as if they were modeling clay.

Chu Xin did try to resist, but he was still only a child. Under Tian Shuyao's relentless assault, he could do little more than struggle helplessly. Only after planting another two smacking kisses on his cheeks did she finally let go, satisfied.

With a vacant expression, Chu Xin could only use a tissue from the table to wipe the saliva left on his face.

That's it. This handsome face of mine has been defiled!

After all those little interruptions, Chu Xin ultimately enjoyed a happy birthday party. Unfortunately, once the party was over, Chu Yan and Tian Shuyao had to leave.

"Do you really have to go? Can't you stay one more day?"

Although his face betrayed nothing, Chu Xin was actually very reluctant to part with his parents. Because of their work, the family only saw one another a handful of times throughout the year.

"Sorry. There's a lot to take care of at the company, so we have to leave today."

"It's okay. Go take care of your work."

Chu Xin looked at his father with some disappointment. His family had given him a wealthy, comfortable life, but that came at the cost of some of the warmth of being together. He was already happy that they had stayed to celebrate his birthday.

Seeing the disappointment on Chu Xin's little face, the sentimental Tian Shuyao could no longer bear it. She pulled the still-sad boy into her arms and planted a smacking kiss on him.

"My poor boy, you've had it so hard. Chu Lian, go ahead without me. I'll stay home and keep him company a little longer."

No, please don't! Dad, take Mom with you!

Chu Xin could not bear the thought of Tian Shuyao staying home to torment him every day. His large eyes stared at Chu Lian in terror.

Fortunately, Chu Lian knew his wife's personality very well. His expression darkened, and he took Tian Shuyao by the arm and led her straight onto the plane in the yard.

"Chu Xin, don't forget Mommy! Mommy loves you!"

From inside the plane, Tian Shuyao's voice carried through the glass to Chu Xin's ears, making him shudder.

Please, Mom! Learn from Dad and put the company first. I can take care of myself!

His playful mother truly gave Chu Xin a headache. Even though she was already a mother, she did not seem the least bit mature.

Watching the maid who had been cleaning inside the house, Chu Xin suddenly realized something. If even he had a Pokémon, then surely Aier, his maid, had one too.

"Aier, what's your Pokémon?"

Aier looked up from cleaning the house and gave Chu Xin a puzzled look.

"A Pokémon? Young master, what's that?"

Ah, I forgot. They aren't called Pokémon in this world yet. I think they call them magical beasts.

"A magical beast, like this."

As he spoke, Chu Xin raised the Pokémon Egg in his hands.

"As the maid responsible for protecting me, you should have a magical beast of your own, right?"

Realization dawned on the maid, and she nodded.

"The boss did give me a magical beast to keep you safe, young master."

"Hurry up and show me."

Once Aier confirmed it, Chu Xin excitedly urged her to let out her magical beast, but she hesitated.

"Young master, magical beasts are very unusual creatures. They wield tremendous power, but their temperaments are unpredictable. Letting one out could hurt you, so perhaps we shouldn't."

"It's fine. If I get hurt, that's on me. Hurry up and let it out so I can see."

Seeing Chu Xin's excited expression, Aier could tell he had not taken any of that in. In the end, she had no choice but to take something out from beneath her skirt.

Look, it's a red... Poké Ball!

"Why do you keep it under your skirt?"

Aier lifted her skirt, revealing the Poké Ball strapped to her leg.

"Because it's convenient."