Chapter One: The Hextech System, but Pokémon

In Shanghai, the transition between late autumn and early winter is subtle and indistinct.

Xia Chi leaned against the classroom window, idly twirling his pen while gazing at the bleak scenery outside. The leaves of a towering, century-old tree had long since withered, leaving only a gray-brown bird's nest perched awkwardly on a branch. A few newly hatched mountain tit chicks huddled together, chirping and craning their round bodies, waiting for their mother—a blue jay—to feed them.

In his ears rang the familiar, rhythmic yet emotionless drone of the middle-aged professor.

"Modern historiography posits that the Sinnoh region held a pivotal position in world history during the medieval period. The oldest statue of Arceus discovered to date was found in... Xia Chi, you answer."

Xia Chi was not surprised by the professor's special attention. He kept spinning his pen and answered immediately, "The ruins of the Shinjoh Ruins at the foot of Mount Coronet."

Professor Zhou, who taught Pokémon Mythology, softened his tone slightly. "Very good. Now, in Sinnoh mythology, besides Arceus, which other legendary Pokémon are considered significant?"

Xia Chi replied, "In addition to the Lake Guardians—Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf—there are Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina."

"Wrong again!"

Professor Zhou's voice rose sharply. "I don't know where you get your information from. What is a Giratina? We are researchers of history; we must maintain a rigorous attitude. Stop reading those fringe histories and pay attention in class, understood?"

Xia Chi nodded without arguing, though he felt a pang of irony. *To call the Renegade Dragon—Arceus's own rebellious child—'what is that'... Professor Zhou, you really are something.*

Then again, it had been three years since he transmigrated into this world where Pokémon existed, yet those memories from his previous life remained vivid. Back then, Xia Chi was an ordinary corporate slave, with no vices other than watching Pokémon anime, playing the games, and collecting the cards. In other words, he was a hardcore Pokémon enthusiast.

After hitting the jackpot of transmigration, he accepted his new reality quickly. *In my past life, my Hydro Pumps missed three times in a row, my Pokémon were crippled by Cursed Body, and I could never find a Shiny... According to the law of conservation of luck, this is what I deserve!*

Unfortunately, one must lose something to gain something. The Xia Chi of this world was an orphan. His parents had died in a plane crash before his arrival, and their Pokémon had perished in the sea as well. All that remained was an apartment and a modest savings account intended to get him through university.

He had expected that with such a tragic start, he would at least have a "System" to guide him. But there was none. Although this was a resource-rich, near-utopian Pokémon world, this disastrous start didn't seem enough to support a career as a professional Pokémon trainer. He felt a twinge of regret for abandoning his childhood dream of becoming a Pokémon Master, but Xia Chi was a person who easily found contentment. *Once I save enough money, buy a small house with a yard, raise three or five favorite Pokémon, and live a leisurely life—wouldn't that be wonderful?*

With that goal in mind, Xia Chi hit the books hard. Three years of grinding later, he was admitted to the prestigious Shanghai University to study history. This rather obscure major was a calculated choice. People in this world held significant misconceptions about many legendary Pokémon, such as the "non-existent" Giratina Professor Zhou had dismissed. Relying on such information gaps, Xia Chi was certain he would carve out a place for himself in the future of world mythology!

Just as Xia Chi was mentally making a grand vow, a strange voice echoed in his mind. At the same time, a line of translucent, light-blue text appeared in the air before him.

[Hextech System rebooting. Detecting current world... Merging in progress...]

***

*Hextech System?* After a moment of shock, Xia Chi quickly caught on. *My cheat has finally arrived!*

"System-bro, aren't you a bit late? I've been here for three years..." Xia Chi complained inwardly, a mix of bitterness and resentment.

He had suffered so much these past three years. While his peers cuddled with cute Eevees, he was buried in books. While they traveled with their starter Pokémon, he was buried in books. While they sweated on the battlefield, he was buried in books. If not for the stark differences in the world around him, he would have thought he hadn't transmigrated at all, but had simply been reborn into his freshman year of high school to suffer again.

However, three years of a mundane life had tempered his temperament. Now that the system was active, he managed to stay calm.

"Hextech System... seems to be a mechanic from a popular game from my past life?" As someone who played *Teamfight Tactics* while dating his ex-girlfriend, he had reached the Master tier. Even if the Master tier in that game was as meaningless as the highest rank in other mobile social games, he understood the concept.

As he organized his thoughts, the screen before him flickered.

[Merging complete. Detecting first Hextech Augment selection: "Lazybones!" Issuing Prismatic Orb in accordance with world rules!]

"Wait a second, when did I choose my first Hextech Augment?" Xia Chi couldn't help but interrupt the system, asking his question mentally.

[Three years ago.]

The system was concise. Xia Chi fell into deep thought. *Three years ago... wasn't that right after I arrived?* It seemed that after processing the memories of this world, he had desperately shouted, "I'm just gonna slack off!"

"No, can that even count as the same thing?" A frustrated Xia Chi was speechless. *So a vent of frustration determined my crucial starting Augment? Isn't that a bit too reckless? And you didn't even warn me, System-bro?*

The system remained silent. Xia Chi had no choice but to accept reality. "So, because of this 'Lazybones' Hextech, it took you three years to reboot?"

[Correct. The effect of 'Lazybones!' is: Skip the host's first three rounds, and upon completion, issue a highly rare Prismatic Orb reward!]

"Wait, don't talk for a second, let me ask you something." Xia Chi suddenly found a blind spot. "Does the three rounds you skipped include the time involving my parents in this world?" If that were true, he would be far too guilty...

[The events of the host's original family have nothing to do with the system.]

The system's emotionless words were convincing enough. Xia Chi stopped agonizing over it. "I understand. Please, issue the reward."

[Prismatic Orb opened. Congratulations to the host for obtaining: Artifact Anvil *1, Tactician's Crown *1, Basic Equipment Anvil *2.]

*Jackpot!*

***

Looking at the three icons on the translucent screen, Xia Chi felt a surge of joy. He knew the Artifact Anvil—it allowed one to choose from three powerful artifacts. The strength of these artifacts was self-evident; in *Teamfight Tactics*, equipping certain units with specific artifacts could fundamentally change the game. He was less familiar with the Tactician's Crown, but it sounded related to the "Chosen" mechanic and was surely of high value.

"Ding-a-ling—" The bell for the end of class interrupted his thoughts.

"Alright, that's all for today's lecture. Class dismissed!" Although Professor Zhou was old-fashioned and stern, he never held his students late. As soon as the bell rang, he gathered his notes without hesitation and walked out of the classroom.

Xia Chi was still savoring the surprise brought by the system when his right shoulder suddenly sank.

"Stop obsessing over that 'Giratina' nonsense. Come on, let's go eat!"

The visitor was Xia Chi's classmate and roommate, Chen Zhenze. They were both from southern Jiangsu and got along well. After two months of school, they had already reached the point of being close enough to joke about being long-lost brothers.

Xia Chi, still focused on the system, declined. "I have something to do, so I'm heading back to the dorm. Could you bring me some braised chicken and a fruit salad? Oh, and make sure it's dressed with Miltank cream cheese sauce."

Detecting the keyword "bring food," Chen Zhenze gave a mischievous grin. "Bringing food is no problem; I'll even pay for this meal. But, what's the cost?"

Facing his friend's blunt solicitation, Xia Chi glanced at him and chuckled. "I remember you're stuck in your Super Ball tier promotion matches, right? How about I stream and play your account for you today?"

That’s right—in order to achieve his dream of a leisurely life sooner, Xia Chi had thrown himself into the booming wave of self-media after the college entrance exam. In plain terms: he made videos and livestreamed games. He chose this path because the barrier to entry was low and the potential was high. Professional trainers were a minority in this world, and the elites who could walk the path of the Champion were even fewer. Thus, virtual battles in games became the outlet for those who loved Pokémon battles but lacked the strength to pursue them professionally.

*Pokémon: Path to the Champion*, released by the Devon Corporation two years ago, had become the hottest game due to its advanced interactive technology. Many professional trainers and even famous Gym Leaders played the game to relax or study tactics.

As everyone knew, the more popular the track, the more competitive it became. Xia Chi, well-versed in livestreaming, understood this deeply. With his unconventional team compositions, superior understanding of the game's meta, and his handsome appearance as a bonus, he had become a well-known gaming streamer in less than half a year. A measly Super Ball tier promotion match was, naturally, a piece of cake for him.

Upon hearing Xia Chi's reply, Chen Zhenze immediately switched to a flattering smile. "Deal! Chi-ge, I'll definitely bring you that food!"

Xia Chi stroked his chin. "One meal for a crucial promotion match—is this right, kid?"

Chen Zhenze remained silent for two seconds, but eventually, he couldn't resist the temptation of the promotion match and said through gritted teeth, "Dad, I'll leave my promotion match to you!"

Having achieved his goal, Xia Chi waved him off. "Just a small favor."