The moment Chimchar nodded firmly, Paul didn't immediately take out a Poké Ball. Instead, he turned around and pulled a spray bottle from his backpack—this was the most effective Potion he had exchanged from the system shop.
During the fierce battle between Chimchar and Zangoose just now, Chimchar had suffered many scratches and bruises. They weren't fatal, but they still needed timely treatment to avoid affecting its condition later.
"Don't move."
Paul's voice remained cool and steady. He crouched down and gently pressed a fingertip against Chimchar's shoulder, signaling it to stay still.
Chimchar seemed to understand. Its body tensed, the flame on its tail dimming slightly as it obediently stayed in place.
Paul unscrewed the Potion cap and pressed the spray nozzle, aiming at the deepest scratch on Chimchar's back.
Pssst—
The moment the icy, mist-like medicine sprayed onto the wound, a sharp stinging pain surged through Chimchar. The intense stimulus made the already exhausted Pokémon instantly grimace, letting out a distressed squeak. Its body twisted uncontrollably as it tried to break free from Paul's grasp.
Feeling the small creature struggling beneath his hand, Paul's eyes sharpened. His cold gaze fell on Chimchar like a tangible weight.
"What? You can't even endure this much pain?"
His icy words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Chimchar. It shuddered all over, its struggling instantly stopping as it looked up into Paul's sharp dark-purple eyes.
There was no blame in that gaze—only a stern expectation that made Chimchar's heart tremble.
It remembered the helplessness of its earlier desperate situation, and the power displayed by this person and his Elekid. A surge of stubborn determination rose within it.
Gritting its teeth, Chimchar forcibly stopped struggling. Though its small body still trembled slightly from the pain, it held still.
Seeing Chimchar calm down, a faint, almost imperceptible flicker of satisfaction passed through Paul's eyes. He didn't say anything else, but his movements unconsciously became gentler.
He sprayed the medicine more carefully, avoiding the center of the worst wounds. With his fingers, he lightly brushed aside Chimchar's fur so the medicine could spread more evenly.
Chimchar keenly sensed the subtle change.
The pain on its body remained, but after the cold medicinal spray, a faint cooling sensation began to spread from the wounds, easing the burning sting.
More importantly, the almost undetectable gentleness in Paul's slower movements felt like a warm current, quietly soothing its restless heart.
Gradually, Chimchar relaxed. Its heart calmed, and it even leaned its injured areas slightly closer to Paul.
After treating all the visible wounds, Paul put away the Potion.
Looking into Chimchar's eyes, his tone remained flat but carried undeniable weight.
"Remember this. Endurance is the first step to becoming stronger. Under my command, there's no place for useless individuals."
Chimchar lifted its head.
Though exhausted, its eyes were unusually bright and determined. It looked at Paul, nodded forcefully, and let out a small cry—as if saying: I can do it!
Paul said nothing more.
He took out a brand-new Poké Ball from the shop, aimed it at Chimchar, and pressed the switch against its body. Chimchar turned into a red beam of light and was drawn into the ball.
The Poké Ball landed in Paul's palm and began to shake. The red light on the button flickered continuously.
After a moment—
Ding.
The Poké Ball gave a clear chime. The shaking stopped, and the light went out.
Expressionless, Paul shrank the successfully captured Poké Ball and casually clipped it onto the hook at the back of his waist.
Just as he finished, the sound of Elekid's footsteps came from behind.
Elekid had already retrieved the Poké Ball containing the captured Zangoose and offered it to Paul, letting out a soft "bzz-bzz."
Paul raised his hand and took it. Without even glancing at the Poké Ball, he casually pressed the button to shrink it and clipped it beside Chimchar's Poké Ball on his belt.
For him, capturing Zangoose had only been meant as a way to give Chimchar battle experience—to overcome its fear of Zangoose. Besides, this Zangoose only had average potential. A mediocre individual like that wasn't worth spending his training resources on.
After handling everything, Paul turned and walked out of the forest.
Elekid quickly followed, keeping close at his side.
---
After leaving the forest, Paul soon found the nearest Pokémon Center. The pure white building had a bright red Poké Ball emblem on its roof.
"Please restore the stamina of these three Pokémon."
At the front desk, Paul took the three Poké Balls from his belt and handed them to Nurse Joy.
His voice was as cool as ever, but his gaze lingered on Chimchar's Poké Ball as he added,
"Especially this Chimchar. It just went through a battle and has injuries. Please make sure it's treated thoroughly—no hidden damage."
"Leave it to me!" Nurse Joy replied with a gentle professional smile, placing the Poké Balls on the transfer machine.
At the moment, Paul only had these three Pokémon with him. After the Ever Grande Conference ended, he had sent all of his other Pokémon back to the Nursery at his home in Veilstone City, keeping only Elekid with him to continue training.
The wait wasn't long.
After retrieving the fully restored Poké Balls, Paul didn't waste any time. He immediately set off on the final leg of his journey back to Veilstone City.
---
Veilstone City, a distinctive industrial city in the Sinnoh region.
The city sat along the wall of a massive meteor crater. The terrain rose and fell in layers, with buildings arranged across different levels, giving it a rugged style of steel and stone.
Far from the sea, the city had a relatively dry climate. Solid stone buildings and crisscrossing stairways were everywhere.
The towering Veilstone Department Store dominated the skyline—the largest shopping center in all of Sinnoh.
Paul was extremely familiar with the city where he had grown up.
Moving through the familiar streets, he soon returned to his home deep within the residential district—the Nursery carefully maintained and filled with a warm atmosphere.
Before he even reached the gate, Paul could already hear the cheerful cries of Pokémon from inside, along with a gentle, familiar male voice.
He slowed his steps.
Through the Nursery fence, he saw that figure—his older brother, Reggie.
Reggie had his sleeves rolled up, carrying a large bucket of carefully prepared food, handing it out to the Pokémon gathered around him with a bright smile.
As he distributed the food, he affectionately patted one Pokémon on the head and scratched another under the chin. His eyes were filled with pure joy and contentment.
It was the kind of complete relaxation that came from living the life he truly loved—a side Paul had never seen on the battlefield.
Sunlight spilled over him, blending with his gentle smile and making the scene feel especially warm.
Watching his brother's genuinely happy expression as he interacted with the Pokémon, Paul stood quietly outside the gate.
The cold lines of his face softened slightly, and the corner of his mouth lifted in the faintest arc.
A moment of clarity rose within his heart.
A tightly wound corner deep inside him seemed to loosen.
So this is the life my brother truly loves.
What you couldn't accomplish, brother… I'll accomplish.
Paul thought silently, yet with unwavering determination.
The peak of being a Trainer that you couldn't reach—I'll reach it for you. After all… we're brothers.
As that thought formed, Paul suddenly felt lighter, as if some lingering obsession or restraint within him—something left behind by both the original owner of this body and his own instincts after crossing into this world—quietly faded away.
His will felt clearer.
His connection to this world felt more real.
Pushing open the Nursery door, he walked inside.
For once, instead of his usual aloofness, Paul took the initiative to speak.
"Hey bro. I'm back."
Hearing the voice, Reggie turned his head.
Seeing Paul, a flash of surprise crossed his face before a warm smile appeared.
"You're back?"
"Take care of these three Pokémon for me—especially that Chimchar."
Paul nodded slightly as he spoke, taking the three Poké Balls from his belt and tossing them to Reggie.
Without waiting for a reply, he turned and headed straight toward his room.
Reggie caught the Poké Balls smoothly.
Looking at Paul's slightly hurried retreating figure, then down at the Poké Balls in his hand, the smile on his lips grew even gentler.
He had the feeling that after returning from this journey, his stubborn, cold-hearted younger brother had undergone some subtle but undeniable change.