Chapter Nine: The First Combat Round Initiated!

"Yo, Sprigatito, you're awake?"

Xia Chi, keeping an eye on the situation, spun his chair around with a mischievous smirk. "The surgery was a complete success. You're no longer a little girl."

Sprigatito’s face stiffened. Instinctively, it raised a leg to check that nothing strange had grown, then let out a shy, indignant meow at Xia Chi.

"Meow-fee!"

Give me back my touching moment!

Xia Chi coughed lightly to change the subject. "Just kidding. But seriously, Sprigatito, don't you feel like something has changed in your body?"

Logically, the influence of a "Chosen Pokémon" should be significant; Sprigatito ought to feel the effects of the "system update."

Seeing Xia Chi’s serious expression, Sprigatito tried bouncing on the bed and throwing a couple of meow-punches. To its surprise, it discovered that, just as Xia Chi had said, its strength and speed had improved significantly.

Sprigatito knew these changes didn't happen out of thin air. It turned its head, looking at Xia Chi with confusion. "Meow-fee?"

What kind of medicine did you give me to make my body like this?

Xia Chi said calmly, "Think of it as a welcome gift. Don't worry, stay with me, and you won't be short of benefits."

Sprigatito rolled its eyes. "Meow-fee..."

It should be "you won't be short of benefits," right?

Despite the grumbling, a slow warmth spread through its heart. Its previous trainer, while strict, had never skimped on its development—in fact, they had invested more than most trainers ever would. So, Sprigatito was a kitten who had seen the world. It knew that such a massive improvement in such a short time was impossible through conventional means.

Xia Chi must have put in a great deal of effort, perhaps even paying a steep price. Sprigatito even wondered if Xia Chi had prepared these rare resources before he had even captured it. *Hmph, this guy talks nonsense just to hide that fact, probably so I’d feel less guilty.*

Watching the blush creep across Sprigatito’s turned-away face, Xia Chi’s mouth twitched. *No, little cat, what exactly are you thinking? Tsundere characters are totally out of style, you know!*

***

The next morning. Shanghai University, Pokémon Center.

The receptionist handed the trainer ID back to Xia Chi with a sweet smile. "There you go! From now on, you are officially recognized as a Trainer and Pokémon pair."

Xia Chi took the newly issued ID and flipped it open. Below a sharp-looking headshot of himself was the adorable, smiling face of Sprigatito.

Xia Chi couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion. Three years after transmigrating into the Pokémon world, he finally had the qualification to say, "My goal is to be a Pokémon Master."

In the words of Donghuang-style parents, he had lost at the starting line long ago! But then again, he didn't have parents...

With that thought, Xia Chi waved at his new family member by his feet. "Well then, from here on out, let's take care of each other."

Sprigatito lifted its head and replied, "Meow-fee!"

Reality wasn't a game; there was no rival popping up to challenge him the moment he obtained his "starter Pokémon." In fact, by the time the two of them reached the classroom, hardly anyone paid them any mind. A classic Trainer and starter combination was a common sight on the campus of a Pokémon university like Shanghai.

However, someone expressed surprise once they arrived.

"Xia Chi, you actually caught that Sprigatito?"

The one asking was Chen Zhenze, whom Xia Chi had just jokingly dubbed his "adopted son." He teased, "Nice! I always saw you two flirting; you actually went and got together!"

Xia Chi chuckled. "Please mind your tone when speaking to your father."

Chen Zhenze was about to retort instinctively, but then he remembered the high-tier Great Ball rank Xia Chi had helped him secure the previous night, and his confidence wavered. "Uh... alright. But are you sure you want to capture it?"

He glanced at Sprigatito, who was staring straight at him, and leaned in to whisper in Xia Chi’s ear. "I told you about its past, didn't I?"

Xia Chi glanced at Sprigatito, which was pretending to look at the scenery while quietly perking up its pointed ears, and nodded. "You mean the part where it was abandoned by a cold-hearted trainer who had no eyes for talent and treated Pokémon only as tools for battle?"

Chen Zhenze scratched his head in frustration. "No, that’s not it. Lin Lange might have a cold personality, but she’s quite skilled, you know? She’s the biggest favorite to win this year’s Shanghai Pokémon Cup."

[Ding! Triggering Battle Round 2-1: Shanghai Pokémon Cup. The Host may choose whether or not to participate.]

Xia Chi: "..."

*Wait, is this right? Am I just an NPC for triggering rounds? Isn't this setting a bit disrespectful?*

The system voice that suddenly echoed in his mind left Xia Chi speechless. He knew what a "round" was—the combat mechanic of the game *TFT*. In the game, players battled with pre-arranged team compositions. In the real world, did this mean Pokémon battles?

[Includes, but is not limited to, competitive battles.]

The System provided a timely clarification.

Xia Chi raised an eyebrow. *Includes but not limited to? Then what else could be considered a "round" for the system?*

"Hey, Chi, what are you thinking about?" Chen Zhenze waved his hand in front of Xia Chi’s eyes, noticing he had spaced out.

"Nothing, just thinking about some things." Xia Chi set aside his conversation with the system and pulled the topic back. "Anyway... Lin Lange. Whether she’s strong or not doesn't change my description of her."

Unlike many fans who liked cold, rational trainers like Paul—frankly, it was just because the *Diamond & Pearl* anime was well-produced and the plot was good... *cough*, he was getting off track, and Paul did have a growth arc—Xia Chi preferred "Ash," who valued the bonds and emotions shared with Pokémon. Consequently, he had no fondness for Lin Lange, who had discarded Sprigatito.

Xia Chi waved his hand. "Forget it, old Chen, Sprigatito and I have already registered."

Since his buddy said so, Chen Zhenze had no choice but to drop it. By his feet, a faint smile appeared on Sprigatito’s face.

***

Back at his seat, Xia Chi finally had a moment to look at the information the System had just released. There was no doubt he had to participate in the first round to see what it was all about.

Xia Chi thought silently, "Start round."

The ever-present System replied instantly.

[Round 2-1: Shanghai Pokémon Cup begins! The system will grant rewards based on the Host’s performance after the round ends!]

Xia Chi’s eyes lit up. "What are the rewards? Do they include a Prismatic Orb?"

The Prismatic Orb from the first Hextech Augment had been incredibly powerful. If he could open another, he’d be willing to capture Rayquaza and marry Cynthia!

However, the System’s response immediately shattered his unrealistic fantasies.

[This event is a minor round; the highest reward is a Gold-tier Orb.]