“Professor, hurry up!” Ash shouted impatiently, unable to wait any longer for his starter Pokémon.
Inside Professor Oak’s lab, Tianlin watched with amusement as Ash checked each empty spot—from Squirtle to Charmander—one by one.
No point struggling, Tianlin thought.
The one destined for you isn’t even here yet.
Just wait for your Pikachu.
“Well, Ash, all the starters are already taken.
It’s like a race—arrive late, and you lose,” Tianlin said, patting his shoulder with a teasing tone.
“Then what am I supposed to do?
Travel without a starter Pokémon?” Ash looked completely dejected.
At that moment, Professor Oak spoke up, “It’s not that there’s none left… I do have one more.
But it’s… a bit problematic.”
To Ash, that sounded like salvation.
He instantly ignored the “problematic” part.
“That’s fine!
I want it!”
“Very well.
I hope you can handle it,” Oak said, pulling out a Poké Ball with a lightning-like pattern from beneath the table.
With a flash, a small yellow mouse Pokémon appeared.
Pikachu.
Tianlin’s eyes sharpened as he immediately scanned it:
Pikachu (male)
Mouse Pokémon | Electric-type
Ability: Static
Nature: Hardy (balanced)
Height: 0.4m | Weight: 6kg
Aptitude: King-tier
Potential: Infinite
Current strength: Rookie-level
Note: A Pokémon blessed by the world itself, possessing the potential to reach the absolute peak
Wow… Tianlin was stunned.
This wasn’t just Champion-level potential—it surpassed that entirely, reaching something beyond limits.
Compared to it, even his Treecko and Gary’s Squirtle seemed ordinary.
For a brief moment, his Treecko didn’t feel quite as “amazing” anymore.
Should I have fought for that Pikachu…?
But Tianlin quickly shook off the thought.
No—Treecko is still excellent.
And with the system, I’ll definitely encounter more high-potential Pokémon.
Besides, if Ash and Pikachu weren’t together… that would be a real shame.
Meanwhile, Ash was already completely smitten.
“Professor, it’s so cute!”
He reached out—
Tianlin instantly sensed what was coming and dashed outside like the wind.
Inside, Oak tried to stop him—but it was too late.
CRACK!
A burst of electricity, followed by two loud screams.
Standing outside, Tianlin nodded.
“Yeah… my Treecko is actually pretty great.”
With everything settled, Tianlin had no reason to stay.
He stepped outside the lab.
A crowd had gathered.
At the center stood a beautiful woman—Ash’s mother, Delia.
Beside her was his sister, Officer Jenny Lan.
“Tianlin, you’re out!
Did you get your Pokémon?” Jenny Lan asked warmly.
He nodded.
“Yeah.
I got an amazing partner.”
She didn’t ask further.
Instead, she handed him a spatial backpack—a special bag using technology similar to Poké Balls.
Though small in appearance, it could hold a large number of items without adding weight—perfect for traveling.
“Daily supplies, medicine, a tent, spare clothes, a fishing rod, and some canned food… looks like everything’s here,” she said after checking it.
“Here you go.
Do your best.”
“Thank you, Sis.”
At that moment, Delia asked, “Where’s Ash?
Not out yet?”
“He was late, so he’s the last to receive his Pokémon.
He should be out soon,” Tianlin replied.
“That boy… always so reckless.
How can I let him travel alone like this?
Honestly, Tianlin, you’re so much more reliable—smart and handsome too.
Want to come be my son instead?” she joked.
Jenny Lan immediately protested, “Tianlin is my little brother!
You can’t steal him!”
“Oh relax, I’m just joking,” Delia replied with a playful grin.
Tianlin felt a bit awkward.
She’s way more mischievous than I expected…
“Anyway, Sis, Aunt Delia—I’m heading out,” Tianlin said.
“Aunt Delia, please tell Ash that Gary and I will be waiting for him at the Pokémon League.
He better not fall behind.”
“Take care!”
“I’ll tell him—good luck, Tianlin!”
With that, Tianlin said goodbye—to them, and to Pallet Town.
His journey to becoming a Pokémon Master had officially begun.
“Come out, Treecko.”
Out in the wild, Tianlin released his partner.
He also took out the Pokémon Egg from the system—a silver-blue egg radiating a faint sharp aura.
A Steel-type… maybe, Tianlin guessed.
Treecko curiously approached.
“This egg will hatch into our new partner,” Tianlin said.
“You’ll be the big brother—take good care of it.”
Treecko nodded seriously.
Putting the egg away, Tianlin began planning.
His immediate priorities were clear:
Train Treecko
Capture new Pokémon
The nearest Gyms were:
Viridian Gym (Ground-type)
Pewter Gym (Rock-type)
Cerulean Gym (Water-type)
Treecko had a natural advantage against all three—but Viridian Gym was out of the question.
Its Leader, Giovanni, was far too strong—likely beyond Elite Four level.
So Tianlin decided: pass through Viridian Forest and challenge Pewter Gym first.
To prepare, he needed to train Treecko well.
Right now, its only Grass-type move was Absorb—too weak.
He needed to level it up and strengthen its moveset.
“Treecko, use Leer on that Rattata—then finish it with Pound!”
Treecko obeyed instantly.
Lowering Rattata’s defense, it followed up with a direct hit, knocking it out.
That was the fourth wild Pokémon Tianlin had defeated that morning.
Yet he hadn’t captured a single one.
After treating their injuries, he let them all go.
Their potential and aptitude were simply too low—barely even reaching “good.”
“Alright, time for lunch.
Take a break,” Tianlin said.
Treecko gave a short cry and sat down coolly on the grass.
Tianlin chuckled.
Still pretty aloof, huh.
During lunch, Treecko ate specially prepared Pokémon food.
As a skilled researcher, Tianlin was also proficient in making high-quality Pokémon meals.
“Treecko, this morning’s battles were to build our coordination,” Tianlin said seriously.
“Starting tomorrow, mornings will be for basic training—focusing on your speed and attack.
I’ll train alongside you.
Afternoons will be for battle practice against wild Pokémon and other Trainers to build experience.
Got it?”
Treecko nodded.
Tianlin had thought this through carefully.
Treecko’s final evolution, Sceptile, was a rare fast-attacking Grass-type Pokémon—known for its speed and strong special attack.
In future full battles (6 vs 6), he wouldn’t train every Pokémon to be balanced.
Instead, each would maximize its strengths, while teammates covered weaknesses.
Play to strengths, cover weaknesses—that’s the path I’ll take.
And with that strategy in mind, Tianlin’s journey truly began.