After Nurse Joy finished speaking, Lucas stood frozen for several seconds before finally coming back to his senses.
Of course, he knew what a starter Pokémon was.
Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle from Kanto.
Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile from Johto.
Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip from Hoenn.
Before transmigrating to this world, he could recite every one of them from memory.
But he had always believed those Pokémon were simply part of the world’s “rules”—something that existed for the game’s protagonists, not for someone like him.
He never imagined he would actually qualify to receive one himself.
Even more surprising…
His parents had quietly prepared this opportunity for him long before their deaths.
“Can I go today?” Lucas asked.
Nurse Joy smiled and nodded.
“Fortunately, today is the official distribution day for new Trainers.”
“You already meet all the qualifications, and I’ve checked the paperwork for you.”
“There aren’t any problems.”
She paused before adding apologetically,
“There is one small issue.”
“The starter Pokémon available at our Pokémon Center have already been claimed.”
“There are more new Trainers this year than usual, so Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip were all chosen early this morning.”
Lucas blinked before immediately understanding.
As the head of the Pokémon Center, Nurse Joy normally had the authority to distribute starter Pokémon.
Unfortunately…
There simply weren’t any left.
“So I should…”
“I’ll contact Professor Birch for you.”
She had already picked up the telephone.
“The responsibility for distributing starter Pokémon in the Petalburg area mainly belongs to Professor Birch’s Pokémon Laboratory.”
“Given your circumstances, it’s more appropriate for him to handle your case.”
The call connected quickly.
Nurse Joy calmly explained Lucas’s situation before answering several questions from the other end.
After hanging up, she smiled.
“Professor Birch already knows about your situation.”
“He asked you to come directly to his laboratory.”
“You can discuss everything there.”
Lucas nodded.
He turned to leave but stopped after taking a few steps.
“Nurse Joy…”
“Thank you.”
She smiled warmly.
“Go.”
“If your parents knew you were finally going to choose your own starter Pokémon…”
“They would be very happy.”
Lucas quietly nodded before leaving the Pokémon Center with Ralts.
Finding Professor Birch’s Pokémon Laboratory wasn’t difficult.
Although Lucas had never visited it before, Professor Birch was famous throughout the Hoenn region.
Almost anyone on the street could point him in the right direction.
He hailed a taxi.
Apart from a few Pokémon-themed stickers decorating its exterior, taxis in this world looked almost identical to those from his previous life.
The journey from downtown Petalburg City to the outskirts took nearly two hours.
Outside the window…
Towering buildings gradually gave way to farmland.
The farmland eventually became rolling green hills.
Large berry orchards stretched across both sides of the road.
Occasionally…
Wild Pokémon could be seen running happily beneath the trees.
Ralts pressed itself against the car window, curiously watching everything outside.
Its tiny hands repeatedly patted the glass in excitement.
Eventually, the taxi stopped in front of a modern white building.
Professor Birch’s laboratory wasn’t particularly large, but its design looked sleek and contemporary.
Massive glass walls reflected the afternoon sunlight.
The neatly trimmed lawn outside was immaculate.
A stone monument stood near the entrance.
Engraved upon it were the words:
Professor Birch’s Pokémon Laboratory
The dark blue lettering had faded slightly with age.
Lucas paid the driver, picked up Ralts, and walked toward the entrance.
After pressing the doorbell, he waited for roughly ten seconds before the door opened.
Standing there wasn’t Professor Birch.
Instead…
A young researcher in his early twenties greeted him.
He wore a white lab coat over an ordinary T-shirt and jeans.
His gaze swept over Lucas before settling briefly on Ralts.
His expression changed slightly.
“Are you Lucas?”
“Yes.”
“Nurse Joy contacted Professor Birch for me.”
The researcher nodded.
“The Professor is waiting.”
“Please follow me.”
The inside of the laboratory looked exactly as Lucas had imagined.
Laboratories and archive rooms lined both sides of the corridor.
Through the glass windows, he could see researchers in white coats busily working among various scientific instruments.
At the end of the hallway stood a wooden office door with a small nameplate attached.
The researcher knocked.
A calm male voice answered from inside.
“Come in.”
The door opened.
Professor Birch looked younger than Lucas had expected.
He appeared to be in his early forties.
Round glasses rested on his nose.
His hair was slightly messy.
His white lab coat hung open, revealing a wrinkled plaid shirt underneath.
The moment Lucas entered, the Professor set down his pen and walked around his desk.
“You must be Lucas.”
He extended his hand with a warm smile.
Lucas shook it politely.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Professor.”
Professor Birch’s eyes briefly lingered on Ralts before he gestured toward a chair.
After Lucas sat down, the Professor returned to his seat and folded his hands on the desk.
His expression became noticeably more serious.
“Nurse Joy already explained your situation.”
“There was a shipwreck.”
“Your parents lost their lives.”
“And you were the only survivor.”
His tone remained calm.
He was merely stating confirmed facts.
“I’ve already received the League’s report.”
“The compensation procedures for your parents have also been completed.”
Lucas nodded quietly.
He had heard those words several times already.
Each repetition made accepting reality just a little easier.
“So…”
“You’d like to receive your starter Pokémon?”
“Yes.”
“I’ve already verified your qualifications.”
“There aren’t any issues.”
“Your parents contributed to the Trainer Development Fund under your name for ten consecutive years.”
“That means you fully qualify to receive an official starter Pokémon.”
As he spoke, Professor Birch picked up a tablet and tapped its screen.
“The Hoenn Region currently offers three official starters.”
“Treecko.”
“Torchic.”
“And Mudkip.”
“You can review their profiles first before making your decision.”
Lucas didn’t reach for the tablet.
Instead…
He looked directly at Professor Birch.
“Professor…”
“I have a request.”
The Professor raised an eyebrow.
“Go ahead.”
Lucas took a steady breath.
“I don’t want one of Hoenn’s starter Pokémon.”
“I’d like to ask…”
“Is it possible for me to receive a Bulbasaur instead?”
Professor Birch froze.
He slowly lowered the tablet onto the desk and leaned back in his chair.
For several seconds…
He simply studied Lucas through his glasses.
“Bulbasaur?”
His voice carried genuine surprise.
“That’s a Kanto starter Pokémon.”
“It’s quite rare here in Hoenn.”
“I know.”
Lucas nodded.
Professor Birch asked curiously,
“May I ask why?”
“Most new Trainers choose Pokémon from their own region.”
“They adapt better to the local environment.”
“Their training resources are also easier to obtain.”
“So why Bulbasaur?”
Lucas had anticipated this question long before arriving.
“I don’t want to become a Trainer.”
He answered honestly.
“I don’t plan to travel the world battling Gym Leaders.”
Professor Birch remained silent, encouraging him to continue.
“I want to become a farm owner.”
Lucas spoke with surprising confidence.
“I want to raise Pokémon.”
“Grow berries.”
“And spend my life peacefully on a farm.”
“I don’t need a Pokémon that excels at battling.”
“I need one that can help take care of crops.”
“Bulbasaur’s Grass-type abilities make it perfect for farming.”
“It’s gentle.”
“Easy to work with.”
“And once it evolves into Venusaur, it’ll become even more helpful.”
The office fell silent.
For several long moments…
Professor Birch simply looked at him.
Then…
He smiled.
Not out of politeness.
But because he genuinely found Lucas’s answer interesting.
“You’re absolutely right.”
“Bulbasaur really is an excellent choice for farm work.”
He removed his glasses, cleaned the lenses, and put them back on.
“And judging by how much you know about Venusaur…”
“I doubt this decision was made on impulse.”
Lucas smiled slightly.
“I did my research.”
In reality…
His knowledge went far beyond ordinary research.
Before transmigrating, he knew enough about Pokémon to write an entire strategy guide.
Naturally…
That wasn’t something he intended to tell Professor Birch.
Fortunately, his extensive knowledge could easily be explained away as nothing more than personal interest.
Professor Birch thought quietly for a while.
“I don’t currently have a Bulbasaur here.”
“However…”
“I can contact the Pokémon Laboratory in Kanto and request one.”
His expression became serious.
“The transfer will take some time.”
“Transporting a Pokémon from Kanto to Hoenn involves quarantine procedures and shipping arrangements.”
“Even under the best conditions…”
“It’ll take at least two days.”
Lucas nodded immediately.
“I can wait.”
“Good.”
Professor Birch made several notes on his tablet.
“Then it’s settled.”
“I’ll contact you as soon as Bulbasaur arrives.”
He looked back up.
“You may stay here during those two days.”
“We have several vacant guest rooms behind the laboratory.”
“They’re simple…”
“But perfectly comfortable.”
Lucas thought for a moment before politely shaking his head.
“Thank you for your generosity, Professor.”
“But I’d like to spend those two days visiting nearby farms.”
“I want to look for a suitable property to purchase.”
“Do you happen to know if there are any farms for sale nearby?”
Professor Birch looked at him again.
This time…
There was something different in his eyes.
Perhaps surprise.
Perhaps admiration.
A seventeen-year-old boy…
Who had just lost both parents…
Was already thinking about how to build a future for himself.
After a brief pause, the Professor smiled.
“In that case…”
“You should ask Nurse Joy.”
“She knows almost everyone around here.”
“If anyone can help you find a farm…”
“It’s her.”
Lucas nodded gratefully.
After chatting with Professor Birch for a little while longer…
He stood up, thanked him once again, and left the laboratory.