Officer Jenny opened a drawer in her desk, took out an envelope, and slid it across the table toward Lucas.
“There’s 2,000 League Currency in here,” she said.
“Use it to buy food for yourself—and for your Pokémon.
I’ve already arranged a room for you at the guesthouse, so you won’t need to worry about accommodation for the next two days.”
Lucas picked up the envelope.
It was thin, containing only a few banknotes.
He didn’t refuse.
He genuinely needed the money.
Including what he already had, his total savings now came to 2,490 League Currency.
It wasn’t much.
Considering he had no idea how long he’d be stranded on this island, every coin mattered.
“Thank you.”
Officer Jenny lowered her head and continued sorting through the documents on her desk.
“No need to thank me.”
“This is standard assistance provided to the families of accident victims.
The town has a budget for situations like this.”
Lucas knew she was simply doing her job.
Even so…
He appreciated her kindness.
Officer Jenny pulled another form from the stack and handed it over.
“This is for your identification registration.”
“Fill in your basic information.”
“Our system is connected directly to the League database.”
“Once it’s submitted, your identity will be officially registered.”
“You’ll need it for shopping, booking accommodations, and traveling by ship in the future.”
The form was straightforward.
It asked for:
– Name
– Date of birth
– Place of birth
– Parents’ information
– Current address
Lucas picked up the pen and filled in each section carefully.
When he reached the space for his parents’ information…
His pen paused for several seconds.
Then…
He continued writing.
After receiving the completed form, Officer Jenny entered the information into her computer.
A nearby printer hummed softly before producing a small card.
The card was light blue.
The League emblem was printed on the front.
The back contained a magnetic strip along with Lucas’s personal information.
“There you go.”
She handed it to him.
Lucas examined it carefully.
His name and a long identification number were printed neatly on its surface.
In this world…
It was the equivalent of a national ID card.
With it, he was now officially recognized as a citizen of the Pokémon League.
He carefully tucked the card away beside his remaining money.
By the time Lucas left the police station, the sun was already high overhead.
The town was small.
A single main road stretched from the harbor to the Pokémon Center on the hill.
Several modest shops lined the street.
A grocery store.
A bakery.
A tiny marketplace.
Farther ahead stood another building with a wooden sign displaying a painted Poké Ball.
Pokémon Day Care
Lucas paused for a moment before pushing open the door.
The shop wasn’t large.
But it was spotless.
Shelves along one wall displayed every variety of Poké Ball imaginable.
From standard Poké Balls…
To expensive Ultra Balls…
Everything was neatly organized.
The opposite wall was filled with Pokéblocks and Pokémon food, each labeled according to type and price.
Behind the counter stood a plump middle-aged woman with a warm smile.
Lucas slowly walked around the store.
His attention wasn’t on the products themselves…
But on their prices.
Then…
He froze.
The Basic Psychic-Type Pokéblock sold by the System Store cost 100 League Currency each.
The exact same Pokéblock in this store…
Also cost 100 League Currency.
Exactly the same.
He checked the Poké Balls.
A standard Poké Ball…
500 League Currency.
Potion…
500 League Currency.
Every item he remembered from the System Store matched the shop’s prices perfectly.
Not a single difference.
Lucas couldn’t help feeling conflicted.
The System Store wasn’t some secret black market.
Nor did it offer discounted prices.
It wasn’t even a cheat.
It was simply…
A portable Pokémon shop with unlimited convenience.
That realization brought both disappointment and relief.
At least now he knew one thing.
He didn’t need to worry about exposing himself by purchasing supplies from the System.
Everything sold there could also be bought openly in town.
And at exactly the same price.
“I’d like one Poké Ball…”
Lucas said.
“And ten servings of Basic Psychic-Type Pokéblocks.”
The owner quickly packed everything into a paper bag.
“That’ll be 1,500 League Currency.”
After paying…
Lucas was left with only 990 League Currency.
Not much.
But enough to get by for now.
As they left the shop…
Ralts walked closely beside him.
Its crimson eyes repeatedly glanced toward the paper bag in his hand.
Lucas smiled.
He could smell the sweet aroma of the Pokéblocks.
Naturally…
Ralts could smell them too.
“Be patient.”
“I’ll feed you once we reach our room.”
The Pokémon Center stood at the highest point in town.
It was a pristine white, two-story building crowned by a giant Poké Ball emblem.
Its glass entrance gleamed in the sunlight.
Inside…
The spacious lobby was bright and welcoming.
Standing behind the reception desk was Nurse Joy.
Just like in the anime.
She appeared to be in her early twenties.
Her pink hair was tied neatly into a ponytail.
A small name tag rested on the front of her white uniform.
As Lucas entered…
She greeted him with her trademark gentle smile.
“Welcome to the Pokémon Center.”
“How may I help you today?”
Lucas approached the counter and handed over his newly issued League ID.
“I’d like my Pokémon examined first.”
“And I’d also like to arrange a room.”
Nurse Joy swiped the card through the terminal.
Lucas’s information immediately appeared on the screen.
Her eyes briefly paused on the remarks section.
A subtle change crossed her expression.
Her smile remained.
But it became noticeably gentler.
“You’re the survivor of the recent shipwreck…”
She asked softly.
Lucas simply nodded.
He was already becoming accustomed to doing that.
Without asking further questions, Nurse Joy handed his ID back.
“We’ll arrange your room immediately.”
“According to League regulations, survivors of accidents such as shipwrecks or natural disasters receive free accommodation and basic medical treatment at Pokémon Centers.”
“Come with me.”
“I’ll show you your room first.”
“Then I’ll examine Ralts.”
The room was located on the second floor.
It wasn’t large.
But it was exceptionally clean.
It contained a single bed…
A desk…
A wardrobe…
And a south-facing window overlooking the sea.
The neatly folded light-blue bedsheets carried the fresh scent of clean laundry.
Lucas placed the paper bag on the desk.
He removed one Pokéblock and held it out to Ralts.
The little Pokémon sniffed it.
It didn’t seem nearly as enthusiastic as it had been with the System Pokéblocks…
But it still ate it obediently.
Lucas quietly observed.
“So…”
“The Pokéblocks from the System really are better.”
Once Ralts finished eating…
Lucas gently tapped its head with his finger.
“Come on.”
“Let’s get your checkup.”
The examination lasted around twenty minutes.
Nurse Joy took Ralts into the examination room while Lucas waited outside.
Sitting quietly on a bench…
He looked around the lobby.
The walls displayed various League posters.
Pokémon healthcare.
Wilderness safety tips.
Recent League announcements.
Eventually…
The examination room door opened.
Nurse Joy stepped outside carrying Ralts.
“There aren’t any serious problems.”
She handed the little Pokémon back to Lucas.
Ralts immediately climbed onto his shoulder.
“It’s slightly malnourished.”
“It probably struggled to find food while living in the wild.”
“A few nutritious meals should solve the problem.”
“Thank you, Nurse Joy.”
She smiled warmly.
“You’re welcome.”
“If you need anything…”
“Just let me know.”
Lucas officially settled into the Pokémon Center.
Placing Ralts gently on the bed…
He sat at the desk and opened the booklet Officer Jenny had given him.
Inside was a simplified map of Popu Island, along with a brief introduction.
The island wasn’t very large.
Its permanent population numbered fewer than a thousand people.
Fishing and tourism formed its primary industries.
A scheduled ferry traveled between Popu Island and Slateport City twice each week.
Lucas quietly memorized the information.
Slateport City…
That had originally been the destination of his family’s vacation.
On the morning of the third day…
While Lucas was eating breakfast…
The front desk received a phone call.
A few moments later…
Nurse Joy knocked on his door.
“Lucas.”
“Officer Jenny is on the phone.”
“She says there’s news from the League.”
Lucas set down the bread in his hand and went downstairs.
Picking up the receiver…
He heard Officer Jenny’s familiar voice.
“Lucas?”
“The paperwork regarding your parents has been completed.”
“The compensation and settlement funds total 5 million League Currency.”
“The money has already been transferred into your account.”
“Your League ID is linked directly to the League’s banking system.”
“Whenever you need to make a payment…”
“Simply swipe your card.”
Five…
Million.
Lucas stood there in stunned silence.
It was an unimaginable amount of money.
“Hello?”
Officer Jenny waited for several seconds.
“Did you hear me?”
Lucas took a slow breath.
“Yes.”
“I heard you.”
“Thank you, Officer Jenny.”
She answered in her usual professional tone.
“No need to thank me.”
“This is League policy.”
“Your parents dedicated many years of service to the League.”
“They earned this compensation.”
After a brief pause, she continued,
“One more thing.”
“The ferry from Popu Island to Slateport City leaves the day after tomorrow.”
“If you wish to leave the island…”
“You can board that ship.”
“If you’d rather stay longer…”
“That’s perfectly fine too.”
“There’s no rush.”
“I understand.”
“I’ll think it over.”
After hanging up…
Lucas slowly returned to his room.
He quietly pushed open the door.
Ralts sat comfortably on the bed, happily nibbling on the Berry Lucas had given it.
Without even realizing it…
Ralts had already become Lucas’s very first Pokémon.