Kyron said from the side, "If you were any later, morning reading would be over."
Cheng Cheng glared and retorted, "It's not like I want to! I just can never get up in time."
Then she quickly took a huge bite of bread, her cheeks puffing out as she chewed.
Kyron flipped open his Chinese textbook. "374 years ago, the sky shattered—like the end of the world. Countless Pokémon descended from above, and the entire world changed completely."
"In ten years, the world expanded tenfold. Pokémon rained down during that cataclysm and hatched rapidly upon landing."
"Dynasties that were on the verge of collapse underwent monumental change."
"Every nation fell into chaos but gradually recovered. At the same time, an organization called the Pokémon League emerged."
"Possessing incredibly powerful Pokémon and advanced technology, the League became a target for greedy nations. But when those nations declared war on the League, they were utterly crushed."
"To everyone's surprise, the League didn't occupy their lands. Instead, it claimed a massive island and invited all nations to join the Pokémon League as members."
"From then on, all global matters were decided through League votes. The League became a sort of alternate United Nations."
"This history completely reshaped the world, yet little of it is written down. Much of it seems deliberately hidden, even online."
--
Most people didn't notice the strangeness of this history. Only Kyron, a transmigrator, sensed the oddities.
He suspected the Pokémon League wasn't of this world—possibly beings from a different Pokémon world.
His suspicion stemmed from the tech now present in the world: Poké Balls, healing potions, Pokédexes, energy cubes, spatial compression devices—all identical to those from anime. No way Earth could've developed them in just 300 years.
But as a sophomore student, Kyron knew it wasn't yet time to worry about this. What mattered now was subject selection.
Thanks to the Pokémon emergence, students could now choose from three tracks in senior high: liberal arts, sciences, or Pokémon Studies.
Aspiring Pokémon Trainers would choose the Pokémon track, which had no grade restrictions—anyone could join.
After the Pokémon era began, humanity endured countless wars. But with peace restored, the Trainer profession boomed.
It made sense. The world expanded tenfold, yet human productivity didn't catch up. Pokémon were stronger than people.
Humans initially had only muskets and cannons—no match for Pokémon. Even as human physical limits improved decades later, they remained far behind.
If the League hadn't taught humanity how to catch Pokémon, their territory would've shrunk further.
After 300 years of struggle, humanity was slowly expanding again—especially in recent decades, with more Trainers emerging.
Kyron's thoughts were interrupted by movement nearby.
From his deskmate's drawer, a fluffy brown head peeked out.
It was a brown Pokémon, cat-like, with a furry collar like a scarf, pointed ears, and shiny eyes.
"Bui\~"
Cheng Cheng panicked. "Eevee, how did you get out? Get back in, or the teacher will scold me again!"
"Bui\~"
Eevee shook its head—no way was it staying in that stuffy drawer.
It leapt into Kyron's arms.
He immediately began petting it. Its fur was even softer than a Pachirisu.
Eevee purred and settled in, clearly fond of Kyron.
Cheng Cheng pouted, "Eevee always runs to you. It's like she forgot I'm her Trainer."
After finishing her food, she asked, "Hey, are you really going to the Pokémon track?"
Kyron answered without hesitation, "Definitely. With my current grades, getting into a top college is tough. I might as well give Pokémon training a try."
"And who wouldn't want to be a Trainer?"
Cheng Cheng nodded. "Exactly! My parents support me too. We might even be in the same class next term."
Kyron sighed inwardly. Her parents were both educators—her dad the dean at the best high school in Rong City, her mom a former Trainer now teaching Pokémon Studies.
Yet despite that, Cheng Cheng's academic grades were still average. Clearly, she wasn't suited for traditional education—Pokémon Studies was her best shot.
Cheng Cheng continued, "The homeroom teacher will talk about track selection this morning. I want to ask how to raise my starter Pokémon."
"He used to be a Trainer too, but no one knows why he switched to teaching Chinese."
Kyron was surprised. "Seriously? You know that?"
"Guess you really can't judge by appearances. I never thought Old Lin was a former Trainer."
...
Time flew by for the sophomore students. With exams and grading, the morning passed quickly.
The last class was Chinese with homeroom teacher Lin Kai.
A tall, thin man with black-rimmed glasses walked in—Kyron's homeroom teacher.
He didn't start class immediately, instead surveying the classroom before speaking.
"No exams or reviews today. Let's talk about subject selection."
"You've all thought about liberal arts, sciences, or Pokémon Studies."
"Your parents probably discussed this with you. Base your decision on your strengths and weaknesses."
"If you're unsure, ask me after class."
"The final exams are next week. I'll distribute the selection forms this afternoon. Take this seriously."
The room grew tense. The relaxed mood vanished.
Lin Kai adjusted his glasses. "I won't say much about liberal arts or sciences—you've heard enough."
"Let's focus on Pokémon Studies. Anyone interested should listen closely."
Immediately, about a dozen students sat up straight.
Kyron was among them. He'd asked others before, but the info was vague.
Lin Kai explained: "After the finals, students joining the Pokémon track can start preparing their starter Pokémon."
"Most families prepare one, or buy from a breeding center."
"Alternatively, you can pay 1,000 yuan and enter the school's Pokémon Breeding Park to capture one."
"There's one more way to get a starter—through academic performance."
"Top 20 students in the grade get a government-funded Pokémon to choose from, if they enter the Pokémon track."
"But few of you are in that range. Just listen."
Kyron sighed. His grades were middle-tier. Even after transmigrating, he couldn't break into the top 20.
Class 3 ranked second overall, but only four students were long-term top-20.
Three had wealthy families, one had average means but wasn't going into Pokémon Studies.
One rich kid did choose the track—but their Pokémon would be better than anything the school offered.
So no one in Class 3 was likely to get a free Pokémon.
Lin Kai continued, "Many of your families probably already have something prepared."
"Don't train your starter right after it hatches."
"Even fast-growing ones like Caterpie or Weedle should not train in the first ten days."
"Let them stretch and eat well. That's enough."
"Many students in the past damaged their Pokémon from premature training, ruining potential."
"Remember this—whether or not you're entering the Pokémon track."
"Some of your Pokémon may have already hatched, so just take care."
After sharing a few more tips, he gave students free time to review.
But the class buzzed with whispers. Lin Kai didn't stop them—he just opened a book and read.
...
"Ding-dong-ding-dong—Class dismissed!"
The bell rang. Everyone began packing up.
"Kyron, let's go!" Liu Bin and Chen Ze waited at the door.
"Later, Cheng Cheng!"
Kyron grabbed his bag and left with his dormmates—six of them headed to the cafeteria.
Chen Ze asked, "Did your families prepare your starter Pokémon yet?"
"I heard Yao Yuan's family got him a rare starter egg with two-star talent. It's hatching any day now."
"If you guys don't hurry, you'll fall behind."
Liu Bin scoffed, "Mine's ready. Bought from a Tier-3 breeding center in the city. Cost a fortune. I'm starting the hatching tonight."
"If that jerk dares to pick a fight in Pokémon class, I'll shut him down."
"Man, my fists are itching already."
Yao Yuan was the class jerk. Rich, flashy, dyed hair, possibly smoking—always mocking others and flaunting wealth.
He especially hated Kyron—girls liked Kyron more. In their last life, they drifted apart after graduation.
Word was Yao Yuan went to a private college, dated around, and got beaten up by a girl's boyfriend—who turned out to be even richer.
Now, Kyron hated him. If they ended up in the same Pokémon class, trouble would follow.
Still, Kyron wasn't worried. His dad had started preparing a long time ago—he wouldn't be without a starter Pokémon.