The pseudonym "Calx" seemed to be known only by the hardcore fans of the illustrations for the novel "A Legend of Sword".
Albedo was polite and elegant, as always. His birth was the highest achievement of alchemy in Khaenri'ah. His master and creator, Rhinedottir, must have designed him according to the template of a perfect blond prince.
"Painting work?"
Coming to his door like this and looking for him so seriously... Albedo suddenly became very interested. Not many people trekked through Dragonspine just to commission art.
"This device is called a Pokédex."
Hiroshi first handed the device, which looked like a technological creation from Fontaine or perhaps Snezhnaya, to Albedo.
"Regarding the work information and the parts I need you to draw, I have recorded them in the files on the device..."
"Of course, before that, you need to register and authenticate your identity, and draw an 'Initial Pokémon' before this Pokédex truly belongs to you."
Albedo: ???
The first half of the sentence, Albedo could understand. It was like a work log stored on a technological device, and he just needed to complete the commission according to the request form. The second half of the sentence... Initial Pokémon?
Albedo suddenly felt a strange disconnect. Have I been living on the snowy mountain for too long? has the world under the mountain changed so rapidly?
That's right.
Famous painters are hard to find, but there happened to be one right here on the snowy mountain. So, while planning to rush to Mondstadt to see if the plot of the original Genshin Impact storyline had started unfolding yet, Hiroshi stopped by to recruit Albedo for his game development project.
"Hiroshi, I noticed a resurgence in the north, which looked like a powerful Dragon-type energy signature."
Originally, Hiroshi planned to have a long chat with Albedo about the planning and design of "Pokémon Auto Chess".
However, a sudden telepathic message from Cresselia made him realize he had no choice but to speed up the rhythm of the meeting. The main plot was moving.
"Do this."
"After authentication and registration, click the [START] option."
Albedo was confused. He didn't understand the meaning of many unfamiliar terms, but his curiosity as an alchemist compelled him to comply.
He was arranged to complete his first baby lottery.
After the upgrade, the Pokédex also came with BGM sound effects.
The pleasant 8-bit sounds popped up, making people feel a strange sense of nostalgia even if they had never heard it before.
[WHO AM I?]
The silhouettes spun rapidly.
[Aron] (The Iron Armor Pokémon)
A small, quadrupedal beast emerged on the screen. It was covered in a gray-white steel helmet with black openings, and it had bright blue eyes peering out from the darkness of its armor.
Hiroshi sighed with relief, quickly pulled Albedo into the customer group chat via the admin panel, and waved his hand dismissively.
"I suggest you choose this one. Aron. It is no worse than any of the Starter Pokémon."
"Its final evolved form is Aggron."
"Steel-type + Rock-type attributes make it a walking fortress, a human shield tank capable of immense destruction."
"Well, the disadvantage is that it moves slowly and has a huge appetite for iron ore... but living on a mountain, you should find plenty of food."
Hiroshi left a parting sentence as he backed away.
"If you have any questions, you can ask in the group chat. Everyone is very enthusiastic. I will reply to you when I see the message."
"In addition, if you confirm your choice, your initial Pokémon will be delivered to your door via teleportation in the next few days."
"This Aron costs Five Million Mora..."
"I won't charge you Mora. I will bear the cost for you. It is regarded as the advance salary for entrusting you to draw the original paintings for my project."
After saying that, Hiroshi nodded to Cresselia. A wave of pink telepathic energy suddenly enveloped him, Jirachi, and the Lunar Pokémon.
Pop!
When Hiroshi suddenly disappeared, there was not a trace of a stranger's breath left in the alchemy cave.
Albedo suspected that he had fallen into a trance after sketching and painting for too long.
"That powerful life force... it exists..."
"Maybe, it was a Pokémon?"
With the powerful Psychic energy unleashed by Cresselia for the teleport, Albedo was shocked to realize that the guest who came to visit actually brought such a terrifying companion.
It was teleported away in an instant!
Albedo chased out of the cave entrance and scanned the vast snow-capped mountains, but saw nothing but wind and snow. He became convinced that Hiroshi and his "Pokémon" possessed great power.
Back in the cave, Albedo's pounding heartbeat calmed down a bit.
Dudu!
The Pokédex device that was thrown on the alchemy bench sounded a series of information prompts.
The group chat was busy.
Although there were only 8 members including the newcomer Albedo, everyone was very enthusiastic and researching about Pokémon all day long.
Albedo thought about it for a while and figured out how to operate the device. He first minimized the Pokémon extraction interface and switched to the group chat interface where new messages were still popping up.
After tinkering for a while, he was not used to the touchscreen input method yet, so Albedo decided to send a voice message.
Albedo: [Voice Message] Hello everyone. This is the 'Aron' I just drew in the lottery. Do you have any thoughts or suggestions on this species?
Suddenly, the lively group chat fell silent for a minute or two.
Then suddenly it exploded.
Hu Tao: @Albedo, ten minutes ago, we were lining up to welcome you! Where did you go? Also, welcome!
Xiangling: Wow, @Albedo, newcomer! Post a selfie! (Bao Zhao!)
Albedo: Bao Zhao? What do you mean?
Xiangling: This is the rule stated by Manager Hiroshi. Every newcomer who joins the group should take the initiative to take photos and selfies. Women should disclose their measurements... wait, I shouldn't repeat that part!
Ningguang: @Xiangling, you are too naive, Little Sister. Don't you see that my God-brother was teasing you back then?
Xiangling: Hey, hey, is that so? No wonder I was the only one who enthusiastically exposed my measurements not long ago! Damn it, my fists are so hard right now!
Keqing: Albedo... @Albedo, could it be that you are the Chief Alchemist of Mondstadt?
Ningguang: I have also heard of this name. He is another unknown general in the Knights of Favonius, and he is the Chief Alchemist and Captain of the Investigation Team.
In the cave, seeing everyone discussing him and his identity, Albedo sighed.
He is generally unsociable.
He prefers to sit back and paint or conduct alchemical research in solitude.
However, at this time, his curiosity about the "Pokémon" concept was stronger than his boredom with social interaction.
Tartaglia: @Albedo, having said that, how did Manager Hiroshi comment on Aron?
Albedo: He said it was no less than any other "Starter" (Royal Three).
Albedo: So, what does 'Starter' mean?
Everyone: ...
Liyue Outskirts, Private Training Ground.
Tartaglia, who was in the middle of special training with his Alolan Vulpix, shook his hands in frustration as he read the chat.
Glancing at his Alolan Vulpix, he saw it working hard to practice its Powder Snow skill, breaking earthen jars one after another and freezing the splashing water into sculptures.
Tartaglia was a little speechless. He sent out a voice message to the group, his tone full of regret and anger.
Tartaglia: [Voice Message] Then you choose it! Why are you hesitating?!
Tartaglia: [Voice Message] Let me tell you, I hesitated and didn't choose the 'Fennekin', one of the Kalos Starters, so now I can only use this Vulpix!
Tartaglia: [Voice Message] Fennekin... I hate it! The Fire element could have reacted with my own Hydro power to cause Vaporize!
Tartaglia: [Voice Message] Moreover, the Pokémon of the Starters are well-qualified, easy to cultivate, and have bright prospects! Don't make my mistake!
What Tartaglia didn't realize was that he was slandering someone right in front of them.
The Alolan Vulpix, who had been practicing for a long time and was somewhat out of breath, heard his complaints clearly. Its crystal-blue eyes suddenly showed an unyielding and tenacious light.
This Alolan Vulpix had a firm belief. It was not crushed by Tartaglia's many words of disdain and complaints, which would have made a lesser Pokémon feel hurt and helpless.
It was not sensitive or fragile in character.
Starter?
Fennekin?
Die for me!
I, the Alolan Vulpix, will prove to my Master that when I evolve into the Alolan Ninetales, those nine brilliant ice tails will hold up a snow-white sky for him! I will be stronger than any fire fox!
The Vulpix, who was working hard, took a short rest, shook its fur, and then continued the next round of self-training with renewed vigor.
Bam! Another jar shattered, frozen solid in mid-air.