001 – The Auspicious Time Has Arrived, And the God-Level Card-Drawing System Is Bound
Revised & corrected with Pokémon manga details; equal word count maintained.
Dragon Kingdom, Star City, Pokémon Experimental Middle School, Pokémon Class 1, the senior cohort preparing to enter their final exams.
"Dear classmates, in this third and most crucial year of high school, I know it's hard for everyone to balance the study of Pokémon knowledge with general cultural subjects, but today is the long-awaited day when all of you will enter Earl Dervish's Forest to capture your first partner Pokémon. Since the era of Professor Oak's standardized Trainer programs recorded in the Pokémon Special manga, Earl Dervish's Forest has been one of Star City's officially certified beginner habitats. I won't say more just hope each of you finds an Earl Dervish Pokémon that truly satisfies you."
On the podium,
the homeroom teacher Lu Feng finished speaking with a tone of seriousness.
Looking over the students of Pokémon Class 1,
Lu Feng felt a familiar wave of emotion.
Another year.
Another class of graduates.
But when his eyes fell on the young man sitting by the window of the last row, his expression carried an even deeper expectation.
If he had to pick one student in this graduating class who made him the most gratified, it would undoubtedly be Xu Jing.
In the first class of Pokémon Experimental Middle School's senior year stood a legendary student one who had risen from the bottom ranks to become the top performer, much like how Red in the Pokémon Adventures manga grew rapidly through grit and resolve.
"Now I will announce the names of the students who have earned the school's Trainer Scholarships this semester."
Lu Feng adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses with his habitual gesture—he always pushed them up before making an announcement.
This time was no exception.
Upon hearing the words Trainer Scholarship,
the previously murmuring class instantly sat upright, each student hoping to hear their own name called just like the scholarship ceremonies shown in the manga's academy arcs.
"The recipients of the third-level Trainer Scholarships are: Zhao Jing, Han Ning, and Ning Jue."
"The second-level Trainer Scholarship recipients: Sun Tao, Xu Yi."
"The first-level Trainer Scholarship: Tan Yan!"
"And finally… the Special Trainer Scholarship… Xu Jing!"
After finishing the list, Lu Feng smiled at the honored students and took the lead in applause:
"Everyone, give them a round of applause!"
The classroom filled with clapping.
Then came the inevitable murmurs of envy from all directions:
"Alas… I didn't make the list again. I already guessed it, but still…"
"Well, no helping it. The Star City Alliance calculates the score based on the written Pokémon knowledge test and the actual combat command exam just like how Trainer Aptitude is evaluated in the Pokémon Special league qualification arcs. If your score is lower, there's no quota. I participate every year and fail every year. Totally normal."
"Third-level scholarship is 5,000, second-level is 10,000, first-level is 20,000, and special is 50,000. As expected, the special scholarship is Xu Jing's again. The class monitor is terrifyingly consistent; I really admire him!"
"He's won the special scholarship three years in a row. His comprehensive performance is insane. I can't even be jealous."
"…."
There were seven scholarship recipients in total.
But most eyes drifted toward the young man in the back by the window.
A beam of morning light fell perfectly across Xu Jing's face, outlining his features in soft gold highlighting the sharpness, the calmness, the quiet confidence. For a moment he resembled the composed aura often depicted around competent Trainers in the manga.
"Alright, settle down."
Lu Feng coughed lightly, drawing attention back.
"The students who received scholarships will have the funds transferred directly to the Alliance card linked to your Trainer ID. Use the money responsibly. Those who didn't receive a scholarship don't be discouraged. Life is a marathon. Victory belongs to those who persist to the end!"
"Once you enter Pokémon University, the scholarship opportunities multiply. And university scholarships aren't simple cash rewards they often include items like evolutionary materials, rare berries, ability enhancers, or field-training goods, exactly like the support kits Trainers receive in Pokémon Adventures when sponsored by Leagues or research labs."
"I hope all of you keep your original aspirations, live up to your youth, and achieve your life goals!"
"Class dismissed. Meet on the playground in thirty minutes. Monitor Xu Jing stays behind."
After painting a motivational future for the class, Lu Feng dismissed them.
Students streamed out in groups, energetically discussing which Earl Dervish Pokémon they hoped to catch next Monday whether a forest-standard starter like Bulbasaur's regional cousin, a Pidove variant recorded by local Rangers, or one of the certified beginner lines that Earl Dervish maintains in the forest for training purposes, much like the Pokémon Breeder systems referenced in the manga.
Soon the classroom was nearly empty only Xu Jing remained.
"Lao Lu, are you feeling sentimental?"
Xu Jing approached with his usual relaxed grin.
He clapped Lu Feng lightly on the shoulder.
Lu Feng stood at 1.71 meters;
next to the 1.77-meter-tall Xu Jing, he seemed noticeably shorter.
Seeing Xu Jing acting so casually, Lu Feng sighed inwardly,
this kid didn't feel sad about parting at all.
Xu Jing rolled his eyes good-naturedly as Lu Feng motioned toward the front.
"I wanted to talk to you about Pokémon University," Lu Feng began. "With your overall scores, you're competitive not just in Star City, but nationwide. The Pokémon Joint Entrance Examination places you very high."
Lu Feng wasn't exaggerating.
Xu Jing had ranked first in Pokémon knowledge and actual battle command tests multiple times tests modeled after the theoretical and tactical exams appearing in Pokémon Special.
His general academic subjects were only above average, but Pokémon Universities place heavy weight on Trainer-specific performance. Cultural classes only need to meet baseline requirements.
And for someone like Xu Jing, whose combat strategies once stunned even the senior instructors during mock league trials there was no doubt he would pass.
"Qingbei, or Zhejiang University? Either is fine. I won't choose deliberately. I'll just go to whichever one offers the better Trainer conditions, just like how top graduates in the Pokémon Special manga choose schools based on support programs rather than fame."
Xu Jing smiled slightly as he answered.
Lu Feng could only grin after hearing this.
Look at this ki what kind of answer is that!?
Fortunately, the other students had already left.
Otherwise their hearts would be shattered hearing something so arrogant yet so casual…
"Alright, alright. You're the one I'm least worried about in this class. Don't be late."
The two talked while walking, and soon they parted ways.
Xu Jing exhaled deeply.
His eyes shone with long-suppressed desire!
Three years
it had been three full years since he crossed into this parallel world.
No one knew how he endured those three years!
This world wasn't too different from the one he came from; the faces of teachers, family, friends, and classmates remained unchanged.
But one thing was different, this world operated under altered rules.
Thirty years ago, many mysterious Secret Doors appeared!
These spatial distortions resembled the dimensional gaps described in Pokémon Adventures gateways similar to those that once linked to the Distortion World.
Through each Secret Door lay a Pokémon Secret Realm.
Which meant…
This world had fused the concepts of Pokémon and secret realms into a single era!
Living Pokémon could be encountered and captured inside these Secret Realms. As long as one used Poké Balls obtained from the Realms Poké Balls which appeared identical to the ones seen in the manga Pokémon could be brought back into the real world!
Pokémon was the unified term for Pokémon, Pocket Monsters, and other variants he remembered from his previous life.
This world had Pokémon Trainers, Performers, Breeders, Rangers, Coordinators, and many professions similar to those seen throughout the manga arcs.
Pokémon even appeared in factories, construction sites, service companies, and other workplaces.
Training Pokémon to become a strong Trainer
That had always been his dream.
And now he finally had the chance!
With a thought, an interface only Xu Jing could see flickered before his eyes. Yes this was the classic golden finger every time-traveler possessed:
[Detection complete. Host will soon enter Earl Dervish Forest. The auspicious time has arrived God-Level Card-Drawing System is now officially binding…]
Three years ago, Tongzi didn't show this interface.
Back when Xu Jing first transmigrated,
the system displayed:
The official binding would only occur once he mastered basic Pokémon knowledge, learned practical command techniques, and gained the qualifications to enter Earl Dervish Forest just like how a new Trainer in the manga must complete basic tests before receiving a Pokémon.
From that day on,
Xu Jing had been excitedly counting down the years until system activation!
Not only for the system,
but also to become the strongest Pokémon Trainer,
he needed to master Pokémon basics and real combat command!
So he worked relentlessly.
He began studying Pokémon knowledge and tactics in his first year of high school.
He became the most motivated student in the entire school!
Interest is the best teacher.
And with such strong internal drive,
he became the top student of the entire Pokémon Experimental Middle School!
All of this—
was Xu Jing's way of making himself stronger.
And to make better use of the system.
To push himself to the peak of life!
[Ding! Congratulations to the host God-Level Card-Drawing System binding complete. System starter gift pack delivered.]
With the final 0.01% loading finishing,
the system officially bound itself to Xu Jing.
A mysterious sensation surged through his consciousness.
Using the system was simple
its purpose was to cultivate Xu Jing into the strongest Trainer in the world!
It would trigger tasks and rewards based on situations Xu Jing experienced, just like how manga protagonists receive mission prompts from professors, Leagues, or even Legendary Pokémon guiding them.
If Xu Jing needed to complete something at noon and the system detected it, it would issue a task; after he finished it, he'd receive system rewards that aided his growth!
Additionally,
completing system tasks granted card-draw chances.
The cards possessed various abilities.
Their ultimate goal to strengthen Xu Jing!
[Ding! Congratulations to the host obtained item: Pokémon Detection Eye]
[Pokémon Detection Eye: Allows the host to view detailed information of Pokémon, eggs, and items—preventing missed chances to capture high-potential Pokémon, similar to the appraisal abilities used by researchers in the manga.]
The Detection Eye automatically fused with him. Xu Jing felt warmth wash over his eyes, and his vision sharpened significantly.
Nice!
Xu Jing clenched his fist tightly.
As expected of a system that made him study hard for three years before binding. With the Pokémon Detection Eye from the starter gift pack, when he entered the Pokémon Secret Realm to capture an Earl Dervish Pokémon, he could evaluate each one's aptitude instantly!
He would skyrocket!
[Ding! Congratulations to the host obtained: 1× High-Level Card Draw]
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