Sam shook his head and prepared to leave.
Abandoned Pokémon were usually weak, and there was little value in trying to capture one.
Although he liked Charmander very much, Sam would never take in a Charmander with no potential.
Since he had no intention of capturing it, there was no point in staying.
However, just before leaving, Sam hesitated and decided to use the Eye of Detection on Charmander.
He was a little curious, just how weak did this Charmander have to be to be abandoned?
"Eye of Detection."
Sam would later swear that this spur-of-the-moment decision was one of the most correct choices he had ever made in his life.
[Pokémon]: Charmander
[Attribute]: Fire
[Strength]: Novice, Intermediate
[Potential]: Champion
"What?!" Sam exclaimed in shock.
He couldn't believe his eyes. He rubbed them again and again, checking repeatedly before finally accepting that he hadn't seen it wrong.
Because of the sudden excitement, Sam felt his mouth go dry and his heart pound wildly.
No one could say no to a Charmander with Champion-level potential, no one, not even Sam, who possessed a system.
Still, Sam forced himself to calm down.
Starter Pokémon were already extremely rare in the wild, and ones with outstanding talent were even rarer. On top of that, this Charmander had been abandoned.
With so many clues, if Sam still couldn't guess this Charmander's identity, then all his years as a Pokémon fan would be meaningless.
Yes.
This was the Charmander once picked up by Ash Ketchum.
As for stealing Ash's opportunity?
Sam didn't think about it that way at all.
If a gift from fate was rejected, it would only invite punishment.
He was confident that he could give this Charmander a far brighter future.
"Ouch…"
Charmander, lying weakly on the rock, rolled over and yawned again, clearly unconcerned with the human in front of it.
"Hey, Charmander," Sam said directly, having already made up his mind.
"Do you want to travel with me?"
Charmander responded by letting out a small puff of fire, clearly uninterested in becoming Sam's Pokémon.
Sam didn't give up.
"Are you waiting for someone here?"
That question immediately caught Charmander's attention.
It struggled to its feet and began calling out loudly.
At that moment, the effect of the spiritual power Sam had obtained from the system finally revealed itself.
In addition to allowing communication with Pokémon during battle, Sam discovered another hidden benefit,
He could now easily understand Pokémon speech.
As Charmander continued calling out, Sam gradually understood its meaning.
Charmander didn't want to become anyone else's Pokémon.
It already had a Trainer.
A boy wearing a tie.
That Trainer told it to wait here, so it obediently stayed behind and refused to leave with anyone else.
Hearing this, Sam felt a sharp ache in his chest.
He knew the truth.
That Trainer would never come back.
This Charmander had already been abandoned.
Sam opened his mouth, then closed it again. Even if he told Charmander the truth now, it probably wouldn't believe him.
For a brief moment, Sam considered forcibly capturing Charmander.
But he quickly dismissed the idea.
He didn't lack Pokémon with Champion potential. To others, that might sound arrogant, but it was simply the truth.
There was no need to take Charmander against its will.
After nearly ten minutes of thought, Sam finally came up with a solution that would satisfy both sides.
"Alright then, Charmander," Sam said gently.
"I'll take you to your Trainer."
It would be better for Charmander to see the truth with its own eyes than to wait here forever.
Even though it was cruel, it was the best choice.
Charmander instantly became excited.
Ignoring its weak body, it jumped down from the rock and staggered toward Sam, its eyes shining with anticipation.
Sam felt a knot tighten in his chest.
This Charmander cared so deeply for its Trainer… yet that Trainer had abandoned it without hesitation.
Some people truly didn't deserve to be Trainers.
"Don't worry, Charmander."
Sam took out some ordinary Pokémon food from his backpack and placed it in front of it. Gently patting its head, he smiled.
"Eat a little first. Only when you're full will you have the strength to go see your Trainer."
"Ouch!"
Charmander grabbed the food and began eating eagerly.
Its eyes sparkled with excitement.
Trainer… you must be missing me too.
----
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