"Good morning, Bellsprout."
Icarus smiled as he greeted the Bellsprout standing in the flowerpot.
"Spri~"
Early in the morning, Bellsprout was already basking in the sunlight. As it absorbed the light, its leaves swayed gently in response.
(This wasn't the move Photosynthesis, but rather a natural instinct. For Grass-type Pokémon, absorbing sunlight is as natural as breathing. It doesn't restore stamina like a move—it simply sustains growth.)
After washing up and finishing breakfast, Icarus stood at the back door, watching Bellsprout squint comfortably under the sun.
"Time really flies… Pokémon truly are miraculous creatures."
Seven days had passed in the blink of an eye. Looking at Bellsprout now, one couldn't help but marvel at the Creator's handiwork.
In just a week, the little Pokémon that had once been only thirty centimeters tall had grown to the middle of Icarus's thigh.
After measuring it, Bellsprout stood at 82 centimeters, already surpassing the average height of its wild counterparts. Its two green leaf-arms gleamed in the sunlight, while bits of brown nutrient soil slowly fell from its well-developed root hairs.
"Sprout Sprout!"
Bellsprout ran over from the open space with a cheerful expression and hugged Icarus's leg tightly. Its eyes curved into crescent moons as it rubbed its head against his thigh like a spoiled child.
"Alright, alright," Icarus laughed, bending down and easily picking it up. "We're heading out today. We're going to the Pokémon Center to register. Then we can train properly and see the outside world together."
"Spri~"
"Come on, back into the Poké Ball first."
He gently set Bellsprout down, took out a Poké Ball, and pointed it toward the Pokémon.
Spri.
Bellsprout nodded, pressed the button at the center with its leaf, and vanished in a flash of red light as it was recalled into the Poké Ball.
"Alright, let's go."
Icarus clipped the Poké Ball to his pocket, shouldered the backpack he had prepared in advance, opened the door, and walked toward the Pokémon Center.
---
"The innate aptitude of Bellsprout should be pretty good," Icarus thought as he walked along the worn-down street. "At worst, it should be average… but most likely good."
A faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
After all, its height alone exceeded the wild average. Wild Bellsprout simply couldn't receive adequate nutrition every day.
Most of them relied on scraps—remains of Pokémon prey and the occasional fruit gathered by their parents. While those provided some nutrition and energy, they were nothing compared to Moomoo Milk, produced through the combination of Miltank and modern human technology—the most suitable nourishment for young Pokémon.
That was why most wild Bellsprout only reached average quality.
As for why Icarus didn't dare assume elite potential—he knew the black market in his small town all too well. That worst gambling stall sourced its Pokémon Eggs from the most common nests. Eggs with even slightly better lineage would be sent to higher-tier markets. No one desperate for money would dump the offspring of powerful Pokémon into the lowest category.
"Still… as long as it's good quality, breaking into the elite tier isn't impossible."
The chance was small—but it was infinitely better than an average Pokémon doomed to stagnate for its entire life.
A Pokémon's quality determined its upper limit. Nature had proven that truth countless times. An average Pokémon couldn't leap two tiers—but one with good aptitude had a slim chance.
Of course, nature wasn't entirely cruel.
The world humans had explored was still limited. Deep in the wild were countless rare natural treasures capable of improving a Pokémon's innate aptitude—but every single one was guarded by powerful Pokémon. Obtaining them meant fighting through life and death.
In recent years, humans had also developed enhancement potions using those materials. However, the cost was astronomical, and using them permanently locked a Pokémon's growth ceiling.
There was one other method—evolution.
During evolution, massive energy input and genetic restructuring could sometimes raise aptitude by a small margin.
Thinking about the sheer energy required for evolution, Icarus scratched his head helplessly.
"Money… it all comes down to money."
"If Bellsprout turns out to be average quality, I'll focus on building strength first—hunt weaker Pokémon, sell materials, stockpile resources, then push it to evolve. As long as it reaches elite level, everything will be worth it."
The privileges and welfare granted to elite trainers flashed through his mind.
Unconsciously, Icarus shook the Poké Ball in his pocket.
As if responding to his expectations, the Poké Ball trembled twice.
---
The journey passed without incident.
Standing before the luxuriously decorated Pokémon Center, Icarus couldn't help cursing inwardly.
"Such extravagance… what a money pit."
Inside, the space was vast—similar to a government hall from his previous life. The first floor was divided into multiple functional areas.
He glanced around and didn't see Nurse Joy, which didn't surprise him. Members of that family weren't ordinary receptionists.
From what he knew, Nurse Joy was the head of logistics for the town's defense forces, the overall director of the Pokémon Center, and an elite-level trainer herself.
Following the wall signs, Icarus found the registration counter.
He took out his Poké Ball and ID card and said politely,
"Hello. I'd like to register as a civilian trainer. This is my Pokémon and my ID."
"Alright."
A familiar, pleasant voice sounded beside him.
Icarus looked up—and froze.
"It's you… Luna."
"Hey, Icarus," Luna smiled in surprise. "I didn't expect you to actually catch a Pokémon. That's amazing—congratulations!"
She had a pure, delicate face, dressed in a fitted white uniform that accentuated her graceful figure. Her eyes were full of genuine admiration.
"It was just luck," Icarus replied calmly. "I almost died out there."
A flawless lie.
After all, they weren't close. To him, Luna had always been the unattainable goddess of their peers—someone he'd only ever admired from afar.
"Miss Luna, it's impressive to be working at the Pokémon Center," he added.
"I wanted to become a trainer too," she said softly. "But my family wouldn't allow it. They said it's too dangerous for girls to travel outside."
She paused briefly, then smiled again.
"I'll help you with the registration. I'll need to test your Pokémon first—please wait a moment."
With that, she took the Poké Ball and headed toward the testing room.
"No problem," Icarus replied, watching her leave.
Her family definitely has some background, he thought. Building a good relationship might be useful later when I need information or missions.
After a while, Luna returned, her expression full of surprise.
"Mr. Icarus, congratulations," she said. "Your Bellsprout has good low-level aptitude. There's a chance it can break into the elite tier."
She handed over his ID card, Poké Ball, and three real-name healing vouchers.
"Your information has been registered. From now on, you're a legal trainer. Congratulations."
Icarus accepted them—and deliberately brushed her fingers in the process.
"Ah…"
Luna quickly withdrew her hand, her cheeks flushing red. She didn't say anything.
"I'm sorry," Icarus said, raising his hand apologetically.
"It's okay," she replied softly. "If you have any questions about the Pokémon Center, you can ask me anytime."
"Alright. See you next time."
With that, Icarus turned and left the Pokémon Center.
---
Her family's influence isn't small, he thought as he walked. But probably no elite trainers. Otherwise, her reaction earlier wouldn't have been so mild.
I can try strengthening the relationship. If it works, borrowing some of her family's resources might be possible…
He silently reorganized his plans for the future as he headed home.
---
(End of Chapter)
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