Smoke rose from behind a small wooden cabin.
When Lucas pushed aside the last cluster of bushes, a small clearing surrounded by dense forest came into view.
At the center of the clearing stood an old wooden cabin.
It wasn’t large, and the weathered walls showed its age, but thin white smoke drifted from the chimney, while warm yellow light glowed through the windows.
For a moment, Lucas couldn’t describe what he was feeling.
He stood silently at the edge of the forest before lowering his gaze to the little Ralts at his feet.
The tiny Pokémon was also staring at the cabin.
“Come on, Ralts,” Lucas said hoarsely.
“Let’s go.”
Stepping out of the woods, he approached the cabin.
The front door was made of aged oak, with a worn metal plate nailed to the frame.
Something was engraved on it, but the fading light made it impossible to read.
Lucas took a deep breath and knocked three times.
The sound echoed loudly through the quiet forest.
A moment later, footsteps approached from inside.
The latch clicked open.
The door swung inward, and warm light spilled outside along with the comforting aroma of hot soup.
Standing in the doorway was a middle-aged man.
He looked to be in his forties.
Years of sea breeze and sunlight had left his skin rough and deeply tanned.
Blue stubble covered his chin, and he wore a faded plaid shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows.
A rag for wiping his hands rested casually over one shoulder.
The moment he saw Lucas, he froze.
Lucas knew exactly how he must look.
“You…”
The man’s eyes slowly moved from Lucas’ face to his torn clothes before finally settling on the little Ralts beside him.
After watching the Pokémon for a couple of seconds, the man’s tense expression visibly relaxed.
“A Pokémon Trainer?” he asked.
Lucas hesitated briefly before nodding.
The man stepped aside.
“Come in first.”
“We’ll talk inside.”
The cabin was much larger than it appeared from the outside.
Immediately inside was a combined living room and kitchen.
An old wooden table with several sturdy chairs stood to the right.
To the left, a roaring fireplace heated a large iron pot, which bubbled gently over the flames.
Shelves against the wall were lined with jars, bottles, and several well-worn books.
A large map and an old-fashioned wall clock hung nearby.
The man motioned for Lucas to sit before pouring him a cup of hot water.
Lucas wrapped both hands around the warm cup.
As the steam brushed against his face, he finally realized he had been shivering all this time.
At last…
Something warm.
“What happened to you?”
The man sat across from him.
His tone remained calm, but his eyes carefully examined every scrape and bruise on Lucas’ body.
Lucas took a sip of water before organizing his thoughts.
“My family and I were sailing to Slateport City when our boat was attacked by a school of Sharpedo.”
“The ship capsized.”
“I was washed ashore.”
“My parents…”
He lowered his eyes.
“I don’t know where they are.”
The man’s expression darkened.
“You were the only one?”
“Yes.”
“What about the Ralts?”
“I met it in the wild.”
“I attracted it with food.”
Lucas lied smoothly.
“You caught it?”
Lucas glanced at the little Pokémon beside him.
“I wouldn’t call it catching.”
“It’s more like…”
“…we became friends.”
Ralts let out a soft cry and shyly lowered its head.
The man smiled faintly.
“My name is Haige.”
“I’m the forest ranger responsible for this island.”
“This is Popu Island.”
“It’s quite far from your hometown, Petalburg City.”
Lucas nodded.
He didn’t actually know where Petalburg City was, but according to the memories he had inherited, it was an inland city located far from the sea.
Haige leaned back in his chair.
“As for the shipwreck…”
“I heard about it.”
“I’ve been in contact with the town through the ranger station’s radio.”
“There was indeed an accident.”
He paused.
“But…”
“I don’t know whether your family’s names are on the casualty list.”
Lucas remained silent.
The words casualty list settled heavily in his heart.
Like a stone sinking quietly into deep water.
Haige noticed his silence.
Realizing the conversation had become too heavy, he immediately changed the subject.
“You must be starving.”
Without waiting for a reply, he stood up.
He lifted the lid from the large pot.
The rich aroma of meat soup instantly filled the room.
Haige grabbed a bowl from the shelf, filled it generously, sliced two thick pieces of bread, and placed everything in front of Lucas.
“Eat.”
Lucas stared silently at the bowl.
His throat tightened.
Ever since arriving in this world three days ago, he had survived entirely on compressed rations and bottled water purchased through the System Shop.
They kept him alive…
But they had no taste.
He had eaten purely to survive.
This bowl of soup was completely different.
Chunks of vegetables and meat floated in the rich broth, while fragrant herbs and warm steam rose into the air.
Lucas lowered his head and quietly began eating.
He ate slowly.
Not because the food wasn’t delicious…
But because his stomach needed time to adjust after surviving in the wilderness.
Haige simply sat across from him.
He watched quietly, saying nothing.
Occasionally, he stood to refill Lucas’ bowl.
Ralts remained curled beside Lucas’ feet, silently observing everything.
After dinner, Haige cleaned the dishes before removing a radio transceiver from the wall.
He adjusted several frequencies.
“This is the Popu Island North Forest Ranger Station.”
“Requesting contact with the town.”
“I need Officer Jenny.”
Static crackled briefly before someone answered.
Haige quickly explained the situation.
He informed them that a shipwreck survivor had been found and requested Officer Jenny’s assistance.
Once the call ended, he turned toward Lucas.
“Officer Jenny will arrive tomorrow morning.”
“You can stay here tonight.”
“I have a small storage room.”
“We’ll clean it up for you.”
“Thank you.”
Lucas sincerely bowed his head.
After night had completely fallen…
Haige prepared a simple bed and gave Lucas a clean blanket.
The storage room was tiny.
It had only a narrow window and a wooden bench just wide enough to sleep on.
Yet to Lucas…
It felt unbelievably luxurious.
After Haige turned out the lights and the sounds of gentle snoring drifted from the next room…
Lucas quietly opened the System interface.
Beside the blanket…
Ralts poked out its tiny head.
Its crimson eyes glowed softly in the darkness.
“I promised you.”
Lucas smiled.
He took out another pale purple Pokéblock.
Ralts happily accepted it and began nibbling away.
Its eyes narrowed into contented crescents.
After finishing, it gently rubbed its head against Lucas’ fingers.
Lucas smiled as he stroked the Pokémon’s soft green hair.
Just as he was about to close the System interface…
He realized something.
Ralts wasn’t leaving.
Originally, he had assumed the little Pokémon had simply followed him for food.
Now that they had reached human civilization…
He expected it to return to the forest once it was full.
After all…
He hadn’t caught it.
He didn’t even own a Poké Ball.
Their relationship consisted of little more than three days of traveling together—and a handful of Pokéblocks.
Yet…
Ralts curled itself beside the blanket, forming a tiny white ball.
Its eyes slowly closed.
It clearly intended to sleep beside him.
Lucas stared at it for several seconds.
“You’re not leaving?”
he whispered.
Ralts didn’t respond.
It simply buried its face a little deeper beneath its green bangs.
Lucas couldn’t help laughing quietly.
The little fellow had probably decided that staying with him meant unlimited Pokéblocks.
Following him was obviously easier than searching for food alone in the forest.
He had somehow become a Pokémon’s meal ticket.
Still smiling, Lucas gently covered Ralts with one corner of the blanket.
Then he leaned against the wall…
Closed his eyes…
And quietly fell asleep.
The next morning…
Sunlight streamed through the tiny window.
Lucas slowly opened his eyes.
For a few moments, he forgot where he was.
Outside, Haige was already awake.
Something new simmered over the fireplace.
The room smelled pleasantly of oatmeal and honey.
“Morning, Lucas!”
Haige called without looking up.
“Officer Jenny will be here soon.”
“Eat breakfast first.”
Lucas nodded.
Ralts happily followed him to the table.
The little Pokémon looked far healthier than the day before.
Even the red horn on its head seemed to shine more brightly.
Halfway through breakfast…
The sound of an engine echoed outside.
It wasn’t a car.
There probably weren’t proper roads on the island.
The lighter sound reminded Lucas more of a motorcycle.
Haige set down his bowl and stepped outside.
Lucas followed.
A military-green motorcycle stood in front of the cabin, its body splattered with dried mud.
Its rider wore Officer Jenny’s familiar blue uniform.
She had removed her helmet and tucked it under one arm, revealing a young but capable face.
Her eyes first landed on Haige.
Then on Lucas.
Finally…
She looked down at the little Ralts beside him.
“This is him?”
she asked.
Haige nodded.
“He’s the shipwreck survivor.”
Officer Jenny stepped closer.
She carefully examined Lucas from head to toe.
Unlike Haige, her gaze held little sympathy.
Instead, it carried the calm professionalism of someone evaluating both his physical and emotional condition.
“Lucas?”
“Yes.”
“I received Haige’s report last night.”
Her tone remained steady.
But Lucas could already tell the news wouldn’t be pleasant.
“I investigated the shipwreck.”
“A Sharpedo attack.”
“A passenger vessel.”
“The time and location match your account.”
She paused briefly.
“So far…”
“You are the only known survivor.”
Lucas wasn’t surprised.
Ever since waking up alone on that beach…
He had already prepared himself for this possibility.
“I understand.”
Officer Jenny simply nodded.
She didn’t press the issue any further.
“Come with me.”
She patted the motorcycle’s back seat.
“We’ll return to town first.”
“You need some proper clothes.”
Lucas thanked Haige sincerely before climbing onto the motorcycle.
Ralts immediately curled up on his lap, gripping his knees with its tiny paws.
After nearly forty minutes traveling along winding forest trails…
The trees suddenly opened up.
Popu Island’s town appeared below.
It wasn’t large.
Dozens of light-colored houses stretched along the coastline beneath the bright morning sun.
A small harbor held several fishing boats.
The tallest building in town was a white, three-story structure with a flagpole standing on its roof.
Officer Jenny’s office occupied the building’s ground floor.
She led Lucas inside.
After recording his name and basic information in a registry…
She disappeared into a back room.
Moments later, she returned carrying a clean set of clothes.
A white T-shirt.
Dark blue shorts.
And a sturdy pair of sandals.
“They belonged to my previous assistant.”
“He was recently promoted and transferred.”
“He left these behind.”
“You can wear them for now.”
“They should fit.”
Lucas accepted them gratefully.
After changing clothes…
He returned to the office.
The fit wasn’t perfect.
Everything was slightly loose.
But compared to his torn rags…
They felt wonderful.
Officer Jenny looked up from the documents on her desk.
She nodded with satisfaction.
“Sit down.”
“There are a few things we need to discuss.”
Lucas sat opposite her.
Ralts jumped onto his lap and curled into a comfortable little ball.
“For the next few days…”
“You don’t need to worry about food or accommodation.”
“There’s a guesthouse in town.”
“I’ll arrange everything.”
“I’ve also contacted the League regarding your parents.”
“Since they worked within the League system…”
“As their direct family member, you’re entitled to survivor benefits and a resettlement allowance.”
Her voice remained calm and professional.
“The exact amount depends on League approval.”
“But it should be more than enough.”
“Once everything is settled…”
“If you’d like to continue your education—or have other plans—we can discuss them then.”
Lucas quietly nodded.
Officer Jenny set the documents aside.
For the first time…
A trace of warmth appeared in her expression.
“Stay in town for the next few days.”
“Don’t wander off.”
“This island may be small…”
“But there are still plenty of wild Pokémon.”
“In your current condition…”
“It’s not safe to travel alone.”
Lucas glanced down at the Ralts peacefully sleeping on his lap.
“I understand.”
“I’ll be careful.”