Hayashi Kaede's college entrance exam results for the Pokémon program were a mixed bag — half good, half bad.
Just ten minutes ago, he'd been caught in one of life's defining crossroads.
Should he become a Breeder? Or give up the Breeding House left behind by his parents and chase the path of a Trainer?
It was a serious decision.
But now, the hesitation had vanished.
Ding! System has detected that the host has lived in this world for eighteen years. Anti-addiction protocol lifted. Pokémon Pleasure Value System activated. Make Pokémon happy to receive rewards!
Initial rewards: Divine Everstone Power, Divine Breeding Techniques, and master-level skills in all related sub-professions.
Compensation: Eye of Exploration and True New Human Body.
Divine Everstone Power – grants the ability to sense, soothe, and heal Pokémon emotions.
Divine Breeder – turns the simplest ingredients into miraculous meals with restorative effects.
Eye of Exploration – reveals the true nature of any object as data displayed in the host's vision.
True New Human Body – massively enhanced physique, reduces 99.99% of Pokémon move damage, and shares physical benefits with bonded Pokémon.
These were the gifts Hayashi Kaede had just received.
He had lived in this parallel Pokémon world for eighteen years — as a transmigrated soul from another world.
And for all those years, he had given up hope that he would ever awaken a system.
But it had merely been late.
Aogiri Town, a small rural community under the jurisdiction of Aogiri City, was where Hayashi Kaede had grown up.
Sunlight spilled softly through the window, casting faint shadows on the floor.
The wooden house was modest but well-built. Above the door hung a weathered sign that read: Neighboring House Breeding Shop — carved long ago by his father's Scyther using Fury Cutter.
Though the words were now dust-covered, the memory remained sharp.
Ten years ago, his parents had vanished during an expedition in a Pokémon Wild Zone.
He had been just eight.
The Pokémon Alliance had notified him of their disappearance and prepared to send him to an orphanage.
But Hayashi Kaede — a soul not originally of this world — rejected their arrangement. Instead, he sold several Pokémon eggs from the Breeding House at fair market price and used that money to support himself.
Not only had he survived, he'd managed to save enough to one day choose his own starter Pokémon and begin his journey as a Trainer — if he wished.
But after that, the Breeding House had become quiet, unused. Forgotten.
Still, it was his parents' legacy.
Now, with the system finally arriving, he no longer had to hesitate.
He would become a Breeder.
"Earn rewards by making Pokémon happy?"
Tempting.
This reward method was practically designed for running a Breeding House.
As divine-level breeding knowledge and the Eye of Exploration surged into his mind, Hayashi Kaze felt a sudden strength awaken within him.
"Guess it's time to clean up and reopen the shop..."
Of course, "clean up" just meant tidying the place a bit.
"And maybe try making a Pokémon happy?"
He stepped outside.
A broad bluestone road stretched out before him, and just a short distance away, emerald rice fields shimmered in the morning sun.
Beside them, on a patch of tilled earth, an old man worked the land with a Sandshrew, sowing seeds with rhythmic motion.
This was Aogiri Town — a peaceful place, close to the city but still steeped in self-sufficiency.
"Does the True New Human Body also enhance my vision?"
Even from hundreds of meters away, he could clearly see the rough texture of Sandshrew's scales.
He walked over. "Working hard this early, Takagi-ojii-san?"
The old man, Takagi, wore a faded off-white vest, his face streaked with earth and sweat.
He wiped at it casually, only spreading the dirt across his cheek.
"Hm? Oh, Hayashi Kaede. Yeah, it's planting season. I'm putting in some spicy tomato fruit. This little guy here loves spicy stuff."
He chuckled and nudged the Sandshrew with his foot. The Pokémon beamed at him with a simple, honest smile.
"Squeak, squeak..."
"Is that so? Haha, Takagi-ojii-san, I was wondering if I could ask a favor."
"Go ahead, boy."
"I'd like to borrow Sandshrew to help plow the land behind my house. I'm getting the Breeding House back up and running, so I'll need to start growing some healing berries and herbs."
Takagi's eyes flickered with surprise. "You're not going to college?"
Hayashi Kaede gave a calm smile. "Nah. College nowadays is just about getting out to see the world."
"Besides, I still don't have a Pokémon of my own. Seems a little late to start the Trainer path."
"I've passed the Intermediate Breeder Certification already. I figured I'd focus on creating a place where Pokémon can relax and recover after battle."
Takagi nodded, smiling. "Every young person walks their own path."
"But if you're serious, don't stay confined to Aogiri Town forever. Eventually, you'll want to expand — maybe even reach Aogiri City or beyond. You can't grow if you stay in one small corner."
"You need Sandshrew, just swing by my house anytime."
"Thanks, Takagi-ojii-san."
Hayashi Kaede turned to the Sandshrew. "I'm counting on you, little guy. Once we're done, I'll treat you to some spicy berry noodles."
The Sandshrew's eyes lit up like stars.
(•̀ω•́): "Squeak squeak?"
"You greedy little guy," the old man laughed, nudging Sandshrew again. "Go help him."
As the Pokémon waddled off to help, Hayashi Kaede smiled — but the expression froze almost immediately as a message popped into his mind:
Congratulations! Sandshrew's Pleasure Value increased from 50% to 60%!
Rewards: 5 bags of fertilizer (boosts crop growth tenfold), 1 Rare Candy (slightly increases a Pokémon's energy), and Ground Sand (enhances hardness of Ground-type Pokémon).
He looked at the grinning Sandshrew.
Wait… that counted as making a Pokémon happy?
And these rewards... aren't they a bit too generous?