Julian hadn't expected to hit the one-in-twenty chance on his very first draw.
The system notification continued.
Ding! Congratulations, Host. You have obtained the special reward: Simulation Secret Realm — Evergreen Forest.
Julian paused.
A simulated secret realm?
In this world, Secret Realms were mysterious spaces that had begun appearing thousands of years ago.
The creatures known as Pokémon also originated from these Secret Realms before gradually entering human society.
Every Secret Realm contained countless resources: Rare ores, Secret treasures, Valuable berries, Rare Pokémon.
If an ordinary person managed to bring even one valuable item out of a Secret Realm, they could easily become wealthy.
However, exploring them was extremely dangerous.
Not every Pokémon inside a Secret Realm was friendly toward humans.
Some Pokémon would even actively attack intruders.
Even worse, certain Pokémon seemed to fall into a berserk state, developing extreme hostility toward humans.
According to statistics from the Pokémon League, the world's largest organization, hundreds of thousands of Trainers die inside Secret Realms every year.
Yet despite that danger, countless people still entered them, hoping to gain fortune and power.
Because of this, the League placed strict regulations on Secret Realm access.
Only Professional Trainers who passed official evaluations were allowed to enter.
That was everything Julian knew about Secret Realms.
But he still didn't understand one thing.
What exactly was a Simulation Secret Realm?
The system quickly answered his question.
Simulation Secret Realm:
A virtual environment generated by the system based on real Secret Realms that already exist in the world.
Julian froze for a moment.
Did that mean…
He could explore an entire Secret Realm by himself?
But then he frowned.
Even the weakest Secret Realms contained dangerous Pokémon.
With his current strength, entering one would still be suicidal.
Just as he was thinking about it, the system continued explaining.
All terrain, Pokémon, and resources inside the Simulation Secret Realm are synchronized with the real Secret Realm.
However:
Items cannot be taken out.
Pokémon can gain battle experience normally.
If the Host encounters danger, they will immediately be teleported out.
Julian finally understood.
Even though he couldn't bring items out directly…
This place allowed his Pokémon to battle safely and gain experience.
And more importantly—
Since the simulation was synchronized with reality, he could safely scout the locations of treasures, rare Pokémon, and resources inside the simulation.
Then later, he could enter the real Secret Realm and collect them.
Julian's eyes lit up with excitement.
This reward was incredible.
Other Trainers had to risk their lives exploring Secret Realms.
But for him…
It was basically like playing a game.
He could even grind levels inside the simulation before entering the real world.
Julian looked at the newly opened system panel.
Simulation Secret Realm
Unlocked Secret Realm: Evergreen Forest (★)
Description:
A dense forest inhabited mainly by Grass-type and Bug-type Pokémon.
The terrain is simple and the area relatively small.
Valuable Resources:
Rare berries, Grass-type secret treasures, high-potential Grass-type and Bug-type Pokémon.
Recommended Level: 5–20
(Pokémon within this level range gain double experience in the simulation.)
Exploration Progress: 0%
Additional rewards will be granted when exploration reaches certain milestones.
Double experience.
Bonus rewards.
Julian had already thought the feature was impressive, but this made it even better.
No wonder it was a special reward with only a 1/20 drop rate.
And now…
Slakoth's leveling problem was solved.
Julian immediately spoke.
"System, enter the Simulation Secret Realm — Evergreen Forest!"
The moment he finished speaking, both Julian and the Slakoth beside him disappeared from the dorm room.
"Host has entered Simulation Secret Realm — Evergreen Forest."
"Exploration map updated."
Julian opened his eyes.
He found himself standing on a patch of lush green grass.
A dense forest stretched around him, the air filled with a fresh natural scent.
"This is… unbelievably realistic."
A map appeared on the system panel.
Most of it was covered in gray fog, clearly requiring exploration to unlock.
Julian only glanced at it briefly.
Exploration could wait.
Right now, the priority was finding an opponent for Slakoth so it could reach Level 10 and complete the modification.
He closed his eyes and released his Aura Power.
In the next moment, he sensed a presence in the grass to his left.
Focusing his Aura slightly, the Pokémon's appearance formed in his mind.
A green caterpillar-like body.
Two red Y-shaped antennae on its head.
It was the extremely common wild Pokémon Caterpie.
"Perfect. That'll do for Slakoth's first opponent."
Caterpie had very low base stats.
In the real world it was considered extremely weak.
Although it could evolve quickly into Butterfree, which was why some beginner Trainers raised it…
Experienced Trainers almost never used it as a main Pokémon.
Julian pointed toward the bushes.
"Slakoth! Use Tackle!"
However…
The passionate battle scene he imagined never appeared.
Slakoth slowly dragged its body forward, lazily raising its paw.
Step, Step, Step.
Then it tripped on a rock.
Slakoth immediately lost its balance and face-planted into the grass.
Julian stared blankly.
Now he truly understood why no one chose Slakoth as a starter Pokémon.
Even with incredible potential…
Under the influence of Truant, it was still like this.
"Caterpie!"
Startled by the commotion, the Caterpie rushed out of the bushes.
Data instantly appeared in Julian's vision.
Pokémon: Caterpie
Potential: Beginner
Type: Bug
Level: 4
Battle Evaluation: Extremely weak
Ability: Shield Dust
(Prevents additional effects from moves.)
Moves: String Shot, Tackle
IVs: Attack 3, Special Attack 7, Speed 10, HP 9, Defense 0, Special Defense 8
If Slakoth couldn't defeat this opponent…
Julian wouldn't know what to say.
He looked at Slakoth slowly climbing out of the grass.
"Slakoth! Come on!"
"Your opponent is weak! This is your first battle — you can do it!"
Several minutes later…
Julian sighed deeply.
The battle had been painful to watch.
It looked less like a Pokémon battle and more like two kindergarteners awkwardly bumping into each other.
Fortunately, Caterpie had almost no offensive ability.
After several clumsy Tackles, Slakoth finally knocked it out.
But after just a few minutes of battle, Slakoth collapsed onto the ground, panting like it had just fought in a war.
Anyone seeing this would think it had survived a legendary battle.
But using Aura communication, Julian discovered the truth.
Slakoth didn't want to be like this.
It simply couldn't exert effort during battle.
Clearly, the cause was still Truant.
Julian looked at it and spoke calmly.
"Don't worry."
"I'll fix that problem very soon."
Slakoth blinked in confusion.
How could an Ability possibly be fixed?
Julian simply looked up.
Ding! Slakoth has won the battle!
Experience gained: 20 ×2 = 40 EXP
Slakoth leveled up!
Level 10 reached!
Julian exhaled in relief.
Good.
Slakoth had been just barely short of leveling up.
If they had needed another battle, things might have become complicated.
"Modification conditions met. Proceed with modification?"
"Modify!"
Julian clenched his fist.
Finally, Slakoth would be free from its Ability.
A beam of light flashed over Slakoth's body.
Then it disappeared instantly.
Everything looked the same.
But on the data panel…
The Ability had changed.
Ability: Huge Power
(Doubles physical attack power.)
The modification was successful.
Julian looked at Slakoth.
"How do you feel?"
Slakoth blinked.
Then suddenly froze.
"Mochi?!"
The strange restriction on its body…
The laziness that stopped it from moving properly…
Had completely disappeared.
Not only that—
Its body felt much stronger.
Slakoth jumped to its feet and began punching the air and running around.
Everything felt smooth and effortless.
"Mochi!!!"
Slakoth became wildly excited.
For the first time in its life…
It could move normally.
It immediately leapt onto Julian's shoulder, rubbing against him happily.
Julian laughed and patted its head.
"Much better."
He paused before speaking again.
"But we still have the practical exam tomorrow."
"So while we still have time…"
"Let's find a few more opponents and raise your level."
"Let's go!"
"Mochi!"
Together, Trainer and Pokémon continued deeper into the forest.