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# Chapter 1
Warmth.
That was the first sensation he felt when consciousness returned to him. Not the cold emptiness of his last moments, not the sterile hum of a failing heart monitor, but warmth that seeped into every part of his tiny body. He opened his eyes slowly, blinking against the soft glow above. A chandelier hung from the ceiling, its crystals scattering light across the white walls. The air was sweet, faintly perfumed, and the sheets beneath him were so soft they seemed to melt against his skin.
For a moment, he was confused. The last thing he remembered was the darkness of his small apartment, the half-eaten cup noodles by the desk, the faint buzz of his computer as he watched another late-night Pokémon battle stream. His chest had tightened then, pain flooding through him like a vice. He had fallen, clutching at nothing, eyes fixed on the glowing screen as his body betrayed him.
*I… died.*
The realization struck like lightning, forcing him to still. His fingers—small, chubby, barely able to curl into a fist—trembled against the blanket. He had died. That was certain. Then how…?
Before panic could overtake him, a sound chimed softly within his mind. Clear, mechanical, and impossible to ignore.
> \[Welcome, Host. Pokémon World System activated.]
His breath—or what little breath an infant could manage—hitched. The words echoed perfectly in his head, leaving no room for doubt. A system. The kind of thing he had only ever read about in the isekai novels he devoured back in his old life. His lips parted, but only a weak gurgle escaped.
The door creaked open.
A woman stepped in, her dress flowing behind her like silver mist. Her hair was pale, shimmering under the chandelier's light, and her features carried an ethereal grace. Her smile was gentle, yet dignified, as she approached the crib.
"My little one," she whispered, lowering herself beside him. Her fingers brushed his cheek, warm and delicate. "Our heir has awakened."
Her voice was full of affection, and yet beneath it lingered pride, as if she were not merely speaking to a baby but to the future of something greater.
Heir?
The door opened again, this time revealing a tall man whose very presence filled the room. Broad-shouldered, dark-haired, and sharp-eyed, he moved with the confidence of one used to command. His attire was a finely tailored suit, black with golden embroidery that shimmered faintly under the light. On his chest was a crest: two Pokémon entwined in an elegant spiral—Gardevoir and Gallade.
"Selene," he said, his voice deep and measured, "is he well?"
"He's perfect," the woman replied softly. She glanced down at the child with eyes that carried both love and nobility. "Our Adrian is strong."
So that was his new name. Adrian. Adrian Liora.
The man—his father, no doubt—stepped closer, gazing down with a rare softness in his otherwise sharp expression. "The future of the Liora family rests in you, my son."
The name Liora stirred something even in Adrian's newborn mind. He recognized it from somewhere—the Liora family was one of the old noble clans of Kalos, famed for their deep connection with psychic-type Pokémon. Scholars, trainers, and breeders alike respected their influence. They were not royalty, but in regions like Kalos, they were treated with nearly the same regard.
He wasn't just reborn into the Pokémon world. He had been reborn into wealth, prestige, and power.
And then, as though affirming his thoughts, the system spoke again.
> \[Host privileges confirmed. Starting point: Noble Family Heir. Resources: abundant.]
His tiny heart raced. It was too much to take in all at once. Reborn. In the Pokémon world. With a system. And as the heir to a clan most could only dream of being part of.
The voices of his parents faded as they spoke softly to one another, their words more like a distant hum as he sank inward, focusing on the new presence in his mind.
> \[Would you like to view your Status Window?]
Yes, he thought desperately.
A translucent screen appeared before his eyes, faint enough that only he could see it.
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**Name:** Adrian Liora
**Age:** 0 (Newborn)
**Talent Grade:** S-
**Affinity:** Psychic, ???
**Unique Skill:** Affinity Sense – allows the host to perceive the emotional state and bond potential of Pokémon at first sight.
**Inventory:** 1 Pokémon Egg (unidentified).
**Quests:** None active.
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His breath would have caught if his body were strong enough. S- talent grade? In a world where most people were ordinary, this was absurdly high. His affinity for Psychic types made sense, considering his new family. But the second, hidden affinity—it was there, yet concealed under question marks.
More importantly, there was the egg.
Almost as if responding to his attention, the system chimed again.
> \[System Gift: Pokémon Egg stored in inventory. Estimated hatching time: 3 years.]
The faint outline of an egg appeared before his vision, glowing softly. His first partner. His heart surged with emotion. He had loved Pokémon all his life, though only through screens and games. Now, one would hatch before his very eyes, bond with him, and walk beside him in the real world.
For the first time since his death, he felt truly alive.
His gaze shifted back to his new parents. His mother, Selene Liora, carried herself like a queen yet smiled with tenderness only a mother could have. His father, Damien Liora, stood tall and composed, speaking in low tones about duties and legacies. These were not ordinary people. They would expect greatness from him.
And this time, he would deliver.
*In my past life, I wasted away in front of a computer screen. Not this time. This time, I'll rise.*
The days passed slowly, as they always do in infancy. He couldn't speak, couldn't walk, couldn't do more than cry and sleep. Yet behind his bright, curious eyes, his mind worked tirelessly. He studied his parents, their routines, the layout of the grand mansion that was now his home. He listened to the attendants who spoke in hushed tones about the family's wealth and their legacy.
Every night, when he closed his eyes, the system greeted him. Small tutorials unfolded, guiding him through the mechanics. The inventory, though limited, could hold items securely. The Affinity Sense skill occasionally flickered to life when attendants passed near, allowing him to feel the calm loyalty of a family butler or the nervous respect of a maid. It was subtle but undeniable.
Three months into his new life, his system issued its first quest.
> \[Quest Issued: Strengthen the Bond.
> Spend one hour a day connecting with the Pokémon Egg through thought and touch. Reward: Early hatching time reduced by 6 months.]
The egg materialized in his crib that night, glowing faintly, its shell patterned with symbols he did not recognize. His tiny hand reached out, trembling, and when his fingers brushed the warm surface, something stirred inside. A faint heartbeat. A flicker of life.
Tears welled in his newborn eyes, surprising even himself. It was real. His first partner was waiting for him.
Day after day, he followed the quest. Each night, he touched the egg, whispering silent promises in his heart. The bond deepened. Sometimes, in his dreams, he swore he felt a presence—a playful spark, curious and eager, pressing against his mind.
Time slipped forward. Six months. A year. He grew slowly, his body catching up to his restless soul. His parents often watched him with pride, unaware of the storm brewing within their son's young heart.
By his second birthday, he could toddle around the family gardens, guided by maids who trailed behind nervously. His Affinity Sense blossomed further; every wild Pokémon that perched near the estate's fences pulsed with emotions he could feel—curiosity, fear, joy. A flock of Fletchling once circled overhead, and he felt their playfulness, their delight at the cool breeze. It was intoxicating.
But the egg remained his anchor. Its heartbeat was stronger now, its shell warmer with every touch.
One evening, as the sun dipped beyond the horizon and painted the sky crimson, the system whispered again.
> \[Progress: Egg nearing hatching state. Estimated time: 1 year.]
He stared at the glowing shell in his lap, his small fingers tracing its patterns. His heart thundered with anticipation.
This world was vast, filled with dangers and wonders beyond imagination. But he was no longer a frail man chained to a screen. He was Adrian Liora, heir to a powerful clan, blessed with a system, destined for greatness.
And soon, his partner would join him.
The journey had only just begun.
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