The blazing summer sun hung high in the sky.
Under such scorching weather, a group of boys and girls overflowing with youthful energy stood obediently in line in front of a red-and-white building.
Even though sweat poured down their faces, it couldn't hide the excitement they were desperately trying to contain.
"I really hope I can get a pseudo-legendary Pokémon!"
"Dream on. If you manage to pull a pseudo-legendary, I'll eat my Poké Ball!"
"Deal! You said it—don't you dare go back on your word later."
"How much longer is this? I can't wait anymore!"
Listening to the lively chatter around him, Oliver couldn't help but feel a spark of anticipation in his eyes.
Counting his previous life, it had been a full forty years—
and at last, he was about to have a Pokémon of his own.
What kind of Pokémon will I get?
That's right. Oliver had transmigrated into this world eighteen years ago. When he first learned that this world had Pokémon, he had been so excited that he couldn't sleep the entire night.
According to the rules of the Pokémon League in this world, every student about to enter their final year of high school would receive their very first Pokémon during summer vacation.
The cost? Just a 1,000-yuan adoption fee.
Compared to the absurdly high market prices of Pokémon, this was clearly a welfare policy from the education system.
Of course, policies meant to benefit ordinary citizens rarely included powerful Pokémon. Forget pseudo-legendaries—even if one did appear, the resources required to raise such a Pokémon would be unimaginably expensive.
You could pour your entire fortune into it, and the Pokémon might still feel like it hadn't eaten enough.
"Hey, Oliver, do you have any Pokémon you're hoping for?"
A girl wearing a baseball cap quietly slipped up beside him. She had delicate features and a tomboyish vibe.
"I don't really mind," Oliver replied without hesitation.
"No matter what Pokémon I get, I'll like it wholeheartedly."
"That really does sound like you," she laughed. "But with your theory scores, you'll probably get into whatever university you want no matter what Pokémon you raise. I'm different. My Pokémon has to be cool, powerful, and intimidating!"
Oliver wasn't surprised at all. He knew Jiang Shuyun was exactly that kind of person.
They had grown up together since childhood—calling them childhood friends wouldn't be an exaggeration. Maybe it was because she'd spent so much time around Oliver, but unlike most girls who preferred cute Pokémon, Jiang Shuyun loved big, imposing ones.
Pokémon like Rhyperior and Aggron were her absolute favorites.
As she liked to say:
"So cute? One punch from my Aggron and it'd be crying for days!"
Just as the crowd continued chatting, a staff member walked out of the red-and-white building.
"Students, please quiet down. I know everyone is very excited to receive their first Pokémon, but please line up properly. When I call your name, come inside to choose."
The noisy scene instantly fell silent. Everyone stood neatly in line.
"Cai Penghai."
"Ning Yang."
"Xue Shaoqi."
…
"Oliver."
Finally, it was his turn.
Oliver stepped into the building.
Inside, hundreds of pillars about one meter tall stood neatly arranged across the floor. On top of each pillar sat a Poké Ball. No one knew what Pokémon was inside.
Not even the staff could open them at will. What Pokémon you got depended entirely on fate—or perhaps, intuition.
Just as Oliver was about to casually pick one and leave, a voice suddenly echoed in his mind.
"Ding! System update complete. The Strongest Trainer System is now online."
Oliver froze—then felt a surge of joy.
This system had appeared when he first transmigrated into this world, but after saying, "System scanning world data, please wait," it had gone completely silent.
And now—at this crucial moment—it finally activated.
"Detected: Host is at the critical moment of receiving their first Pokémon. Choice event triggered."
"Option One: Receive Poké Ball No. 42. Contains a Gym-level potential Charmander.
Reward: Ultimate Charmander Training Guide, 10 Top-Tier Fire-type Energy Cubes."
"Option Two: Receive Poké Ball No. 36. Contains a Gym-level potential Feebas.
Reward: From Feebas to Milotic: Training Techniques You Can't Miss, 10 Top-Tier Water-type Energy Cubes."
Oliver was stunned.
The system could actually see what Pokémon was inside the Poké Balls!
Gym-level potential Pokémon were already extremely rare. Having two appear in this batch was nothing short of incredible luck.
For most people, even seeing "Gym-level Feebas" wouldn't matter—they'd still choose Charmander without hesitation. In their eyes, Feebas was ugly, weak, and had no evolution.
But Oliver knew better.
Feebas could evolve.
And once it did, it would become Milotic—a Pokémon that excelled in both beauty and strength.
"I'll take Poké Ball No. 36," Oliver said calmly.
"Alright, please wait a moment while I register it," the staff member replied.
"Please release your Pokémon."
The instant Oliver took hold of the Poké Ball—
"Ding! Host has chosen Poké Ball No. 36. Rewards have been distributed."
"Achievement unlocked: First Pokémon acquired. Achievement Gift Box granted."
Without showing any reaction, Oliver released the Pokémon.
A red light flashed.
On the ground lay a fish-like Pokémon with a rough, uneven body, unbearably ugly in appearance. It weakly flicked its tail.
"This is… Feebas?" the staff member froze.
The nearby students, who were also choosing Pokémon, stared for a moment before looking at Oliver with sympathy.
"That's the Pokémon known as the ugliest one."
"What's the point of good grades? Choosing Feebas means no future."
"Ugly and weak… Oliver's luck is terrible."
"If Oliver had gotten any other Pokémon, it'd be a guaranteed success. What a shame."
Hearing these words the moment it was released, Feebas's dull eyes dimmed even further. Its tail slowly stopped moving as it lay flat on the ground.
It had heard words like these countless times before—
so many that even it had begun to believe them.
That it was nothing more than a stinking fish from a dirty gutter, with no chance of ever turning its fate around.