A Better Future

Time passed quickly, and on this day, Terrance was preparing to set out.

None of the children came to see Terrance, unable to bear facing the farewell.

But Terrance knew that when he left the next day, every one of them would come to see him off in tears. He knew the little ones too well.

Morning came, and the sky was clear and cloudless, completely different from the day before.

In the soft morning sunlight, the children of Qinggu House came to Terrance's door with carefully prepared gifts. But when they pushed it open, they found the room empty.

There was only a letter on the desk, held in place, its handwriting clear.

At the sight, the children's hearts tightened. Little Rina fought back her tears and was the first to step forward, picking up the envelope Terrance had left behind.

"Everyone, by the time you read this letter, I think I'll have already set out. I hope my leaving won't cause you any trouble. Don't be sad that I'm gone. Although I got pretty fed up with you little brats sometimes, I still loved Qinggu House when it was full of cheer.

"Rina, remember not to be naughty anymore. If Poochyena bullies you again, Beautifly won't be able to come and save you.

"A-Yang, you're the oldest of the children apart from me, and the most sensible too. Remember to take good care of your younger brothers and sisters.

"Kota, don't be a picky eater anymore. Once I'm gone, there won't be anyone to cook special meals just for you.

"Xiao Shi, I know you've always been the one among the children who most wanted to be a coordinator. Believe me, I'll take Beautifly and stand on that final stage. But if you keep playing around so much, you'll never reach your dream.

"Akaya, you've been with Grandma Oran the longest. You know she's getting old, so remember to make sure everyone behaves and doesn't upset her, and look after her more.

"Mumu, you're the youngest of us all, everyone's little sister. Remember to listen to your older brothers and sisters. Once I'm gone, there won't be anyone to clean up after you when you get into trouble.

"Finally, Grandma Oran, thank you. Thank you so very much. Everyone, please don't worry about me. When I come back, I'll make Qinggu House better and bigger. I'll help everyone escape the life we live now, so that everyone can have the life they long for and the right to pursue their dreams! -Terrance"

It was quiet all around, broken only by Little Rina's sobs. Soon, the envelope passed through everyone's hands, and they all fell silent. Just then, Grandma Oran arrived. Seeing what the children were doing, he knew what had happened. Even she, who had been through so much, couldn't help feeling a great deal of sadness.

She didn't know how to comfort the children either. Perhaps letting things take their course was the best outcome.

When Little Rina saw Grandma Oran, she threw herself into her arms. Of all the children, Little Rina had been closest to Terrance, and his departure affected her the most.

"Grandma, when I grow up, I'm going to find Brother Terrance and bring him back," Little Rina said indistinctly, her face covered in tears.

Grandma Oran gently stroked Little Rina and comforted her. "I believe you, Little Rina. You'll definitely bring Brother Terrance back."

Even so, Grandma Oran sighed inwardly.

Oh, how could it be that easy? I just hope that when that little rascal Terrance runs into trouble out there on his own, he'll be able to swallow his pride and come back here.

Making a good life for oneself in this world as a child was hardly so easy.

Even among newcomers from well-off families who had officially registered as trainers with the Pokémon League, nearly a hundred registered in each region every year. Yet only one in ten managed to collect eight Badges and challenge the regional League conference, and even more trainers were eliminated at the League conference.

Take the Ever Grande Conference in Hoenn, for example. Even someone who made the top sixteen couldn't count on making a living as a trainer.

Only those exceptionally gifted genius trainers had a chance of attracting the attention of the major conglomerates, or even the Pokémon League.

In this society, only the champion mattered. Only by claiming the League conference championship could someone have the kind of "star power" those major conglomerates wanted. People often couldn't remember who came in second, but they could remember the champion.

If a trainer wanted to rise above the rest, they had to challenge the conference, defeat every opponent, undergo the trial of the finals, and claim the championship. Only then could they receive the best, the most, and the most serious attention.

Terrance didn't have the resources others did and had grown up in poverty. People like him often ended up as bug catchers by the roadside. Successfully supporting an orphanage was far easier said than done.

Without trainer qualifications, he couldn't enjoy the conveniences offered by Pokémon Centers either. The things Terrance had taken with him were nowhere near enough to sustain him for long.

Oran sighed inwardly for a long time.

"We have to believe in him," Grandma Oran told the children.

Even so, Oran had chosen to believe in Terrance. Otherwise, he would never have let a child without trainer qualifications travel alone. She had seen Terrance's determination and his intelligence, and that was why she had decided to support his choice.

Otherwise, no matter how insistent Terrance had been, Oran could never have let a child who had seen so little of the world face it alone.

"Mm, I believe Brother Terrance will definitely succeed," Little Rina said through sobs, nestled in Oran's arms.

The other children, each with their own thoughts, looked out the window and nodded firmly.

These orphans had lost their families for different reasons. If nothing unexpected happened, they would continue to grow up in poverty. Grandma Oran's savings were dwindling day by day, and if the children were lucky, they might one day find ordinary jobs, barely earn enough to feed and clothe themselves, and live out the rest of their lives.

If they were unlucky, they would fall into destitution again.

Pursuing their own lives and dreams was only a distant hope. What could children with no background rely on to pursue them? Passion alone?

Of course, it was also possible that the children's lives would take a dramatic turn, that they would gain considerable opportunities and enjoy smooth sailing from then on.

But what were the chances of something like that happening to a poor orphanage?

In the end, one couldn't decide one's life based on an unknown future. That was why Terrance had boldly ventured out, not only for himself, but also for Qinggu House.

Elderly Grandma Oran couldn't manage alone anymore. He had to shoulder his own responsibility too.

Sometimes Terrance also thought about how heartbreaking his transmigration had been. But everything would get better. He wasn't the kind of person to blame heaven and earth for his troubles. For everything he wanted, he had to strive and work hard himself.

That was the kind of person he was.

A ray of sunlight passed through the forest and fell on Terrance, his backpack on his shoulders, illuminating his resolute face.

Terrance didn't know how long the few supplies in his backpack would sustain him on his journey, but that wasn't the main concern.

No matter how difficult it was, it was all for a better future.