"Gary, you're the best, best, best! Gary, you're so cool, cool, cool!"
"Gary! Gary! The greatest!"
Sweet, delicate cheers accompanied by rhythmic tapping sounds drew closer from a distance.
Roy turned his head to look.
He saw a group of youthful and beautiful girls wearing matching miniskirt cheerleader uniforms, performing high-kick dance steps as they crowded toward the entrance of the research lab.
The sunlight reflected off their fair thighs, making one's eyes dazzle.
With their kicking motions, their skirts fluttered.
The edges of pure white panties were faintly visible from time to time.
This spectacle...
Roy raised an eyebrow.
As expected of the famous "Star" Trainer of the Kanto region and Professor Oak's own grandson—Gary.
The pomp and circumstance were truly significant.
"Thank you! Thank you, everyone!"
A slightly arrogant teenage voice rang out.
From inside the research lab's doors, a boy with spiky hair walked out, beaming with satisfaction.
He wore a stylish Trainer jacket, and his hair was styled with gel so that every strand stood upright.
A smile that was confident to the point of arrogance hung on his face.
It was indeed Gary.
He held both hands high, waving to his fans like a celebrity.
The cheerleaders immediately erupted into even more enthusiastic cheers.
A few of the bolder ones even blew him air kisses.
"My dear boyfriends and girlfriends!"
Gary cleared his throat and began to deliver his "departure declaration."
"Today is the first day that this young master becomes a Pokémon Trainer!"
"Whoo—!"
The cheers rose again.
Gary nodded with satisfaction and continued, "I will definitely surpass the other three Trainers and become the future light of Pallet Town!"
After speaking, his gaze scanned the surroundings.
Then, it fixed upon Roy.
Gary froze for a moment, then as if remembering something, a playful smile curled at the corner of his mouth.
He walked straight toward Roy.
The cheerleaders immediately followed behind him like a brood of ducklings.
"You..."
Gary stopped in front of Roy, looking him up and down while recalling the information he had seen.
"Are you Roy? The extra rookie Trainer added this year?"
His tone carried obvious curiosity and... a hint of contempt.
After all, Pallet Town only had three spots every year.
Being an "extra," it was inevitable that Roy would draw a bit more attention.
[Ding!]
The system's notification sound rang out right on time.
[Triggered Quest—Rival Competition: Rank higher than Gary in the Kanto Indigo League Conference.]
[Quest Reward: Low-grade Potential Enhancement Berry—Increases the potential level of a Pokémon below Elite rank by 1 upon consumption.]
[Intermediate Rare Candy *5—Increases the level of a Pokémon below Level 50 by 1 upon use.]
[Extra Reward: If you battle and defeat Gary at the Indigo League Conference, you will additionally receive—Water-type Mysterious Item, Heart of the Sea (When used by a Water-type Pokémon, an unexpected positive mutation will occur).]
Roy smiled inwardly.
Not bad.
The rewards were quite generous.
Especially that "Heart of the Sea"; it sounded like something good.
He looked at Gary, his eyes now carrying a bit of a "looking at a mobile reward pack" vibe.
"Yes, I am Roy, Roy Sterling."
Roy nodded, his tone flat.
"Does the heartthrob Mr.Gary have any advice?"
Gary sized Roy up once more.
He had a tall build, a handsome face, and a steady temperament.
But...
"The last one to arrive to collect a Pokémon."
Gary shook his head, the contempt in his tone becoming even more obvious.
"I thought this extra rookie would be something special!"
"He's just average, hahahaha..."
He burst out laughing, and the cheerleaders behind him laughed along.
Roy just watched him laugh quietly.
Once Gary had laughed his fill, Roy spoke up unhurriedly.
"Finished laughing?"
Gary choked on his words.
This reaction wasn't right.
Shouldn't a normal person be angry? Shouldn't they talk back?
Roy's calm gaze made him feel like a child showing off in front of an adult.
Gary felt a bit annoyed.
But he still forced himself to stay composed and patted Roy's shoulder with a heavy, earnest air.
However, since Roy was taller than him, the action of patting his shoulder looked a bit awkward.
Gary awkwardly pulled his hand back.
"Ahem, but you don't need to dwell on that."
He puffed out his chest, trying to regain his momentum.
"Even if you had woken up earlier, there would still be a gap between you and this young master."
"The future light of Pallet Town can only be me, Young Master Gary!"
That part was actually the truth.
As Professor Oak's grandson, he had the privilege of staying overnight at the lab.
Even if other Trainers woke up before dawn, it was impossible for them to choose a Pokémon before him.
This was an inherent advantage.
Hearing this, Roy only gave a faint smile.
"Right, then do your best."
He reached out and patted Gary's arm.
The motion was as natural as if he were comforting a child who was trying too hard.
Then, he ignored Gary and walked straight into the research lab.
That indifferent attitude completely provoked Gary.
Eh?
Why isn't this guy getting anxious?
Why isn't he yelling at me?
Does he think I'm joking?
Or... does he not take me seriously at all?
Gary watched Roy's back and grit his teeth.
Unlike the other two Trainers.
Those two had turned red with rage after being mocked and had thrown back harsh words on the spot.
But Roy... this kind of disregard made him feel worse than being yelled at.
"Fine, fine, fine!"
Gary shouted at Roy's back.
"Then let's wait and see! We'll settle this at the Indigo League Conference!"
Roy didn't even look back; he just waved his hand casually.
Gary stomped his foot in anger.
"Let's go!"
He turned around, flicked his head arrogantly, and climbed into the luxury sports car that had been prepared long ago.
The cheerleaders immediately squeezed into the car with laughter.
The engine roared.
The sports car carrying Gary and his "support group" drove away from Pallet Town in grand style, beginning his Pokémon journey.
Leaving behind only a cloud of dust... Inside the research lab.
As soon as Roy walked into the main hall, his eyes met those of a white-haired old man wearing a white lab coat.
The old man was looking toward the entrance with an embarrassed expression.
Clearly, he had seen all of Gary's commotion just now.
This person was none other than the Pokémon authority of the Kanto region—Professor Oak.
"Ahem... Roy, you're here~"
Professor Oak tried his best to make his expression more natural.
He pointed to three empty Poké Balls on a nearby table.
"About that... um..."
The Professor rubbed his hands together, his face written all over with "apology."
"Here's the situation."
Professor Oak opened the three Poké Balls.
They were completely empty.
"Because your application was submitted so late, and all the distribution points have been preparing Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur as the three starter Pokémon lately."
"It's resulted in me... not having any extras left here."
After he finished speaking, he cautiously watched Roy's reaction.
In his mind, he had already prepared several sets of soothing words.
For example, "Although there are no starters, I still have other good Pokémon here."
For example, "Training focuses more on the bond between the Trainer and the Pokémon."
For example... However.
Roy's face remained calm.
He didn't even look at the three empty Poké Balls, simply saying flatly:
"It's alright, Professor Oak."
"Whatever you have, just give it to me."
Professor Oak was stunned.
Roy continued, "I believe that training doesn't just rely on a Pokémon's species and potential."
"It's about growing together with the Pokémon, experiencing things together, and getting stronger together."
"So, no matter what Pokémon I receive, I will work hard with it and become each other's pride."
These words were spoken neither humbly nor arrogantly, yet they were full of determination.
Professor Oak's eyes lit up.
Oh my!
This kid... his level of thinking is very high!
Unlike other rookies who only have eyes for the starters.
He can see the more essential things—bonds and growth.
Professor Oak's original embarrassment vanished, replaced by admiration.
He patted Roy's shoulder and laughed, "Good! Well said!"
"However..."
The Professor's tone shifted.
"I can't really just give you anything. You paid the fee and have a formal collection qualification."
"A starter Pokémon must provide you with decent combat power in the early stages."
Professor Oak stroked his chin and began to ponder.
He paced a few steps in the lab.
Roy wasn't in a hurry either, waiting quietly.
He knew the highlight was coming.
Sure enough, Professor Oak suddenly clapped his hands.
"I've got it!"
He turned to look at Roy, his eyes shining.
"I have one more here whose combat power is on par with those three starters."
"It's just... its personality is a bit strange."
As Professor Oak spoke, his expression became a bit subtle.
"It's not very close to people, even a bit antisocial, and it has very high requirements for its Trainer."
"Several apprentice researchers tried to build a relationship with it before, but they were all teased quite badly by it."
He sized up Roy, becoming more satisfied the more he looked.
"But you're very steady, kid, and you have a good mindset."
"Maybe... you can create some different sparks with it~"
Strange personality.
Impressive combat power.
Roy already guessed the answer in his heart...
۞۞۞۞
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