Chapter 6: New Trainer

Time slipped away quietly in the morning training field and the study's tactical discussions, and at last the day arrived when Huo La set out on his journey.

As the morning light just brushed the windowsill, Huo La had already finished washing up.

He changed into a brand‑new dark‑blue Trainer uniform, a white belt at his waist holding a red‑and‑white Pokeball, which contained his only companion now—Iron Shell Kun.

These days, under Mother's guidance, Da Cong Ya's "training companion" and Ivysaur's protection, his rapport with Caterpie quickly surged.

"Good morning, Mother." Huo La descended the stairs, saw Mother pouring hot milk into a cup, greeted her with a smile, and then picked up a sandwich.

Mother turned to look at him, her eyes full of the sentiment that "the child will eventually travel far," her fingertips lightly brushing the tablecloth at the edge: "Today is indeed the day you set out, but it's a shame your Father is still in Kalos and can't return—if he were here, he'd surely nag you for ages, from battle safety to how many Antidote packets you should pack in your bag."

"Better that Father isn't here," Huo La bit his sandwich, a sly grin lifting his mouth corner, "When I return from the journey with a fully evolved Beedrill and a new partner, and recount my battle record along the way, that'll give Father a big surprise!"

"You kid, you have a lot on your mind," Mother laughed at him, her gaze even more doting, "But you're right; I'm already looking forward to the sight of your Father being dumbfounded."

As soon as the words finished, a series of "dong dong" footsteps arrived—Ivysaur shuffled out of the Storage Room, its dark‑green Vine Whip deftly coiling around a gray sports backpack, a leaf gently brushed Huo La's shoulder as if saying goodbye.

Mother took the backpack, handed it to Huo La, and whispered thanks to Ivysaur: "Inside are three sets of spare clothes, and I've also placed five empty Pokeballs, so it's convenient if you encounter Pokemon you wish to capture."

She paused, then recalled something: "You don't need to rush the travel expenses; once you receive your new partner from Professor Oak and register your TrainerID in the League system, give me a call, and I'll transfer the money to your new account."

"Got it!" Huo La, with his mouth full of sandwich, responded vaguely, then lifted the milk and took a big gulp.

Watching his voracious eating, Mother suddenly asked, "By the way, have you decided which Pokemon to get from Professor Oak? Charmander, Squirtle, or Bulbasaur?"

Huo La swallowed the food, wiped his mouth corner, his gaze firm: "I've decided, I want Bulbasaur."

His words just finished, the nearby Ivysaur suddenly let out a loud "Ribbit~", its leaf shaking excitedly, as if happy that a "kindred" had been chosen.

"Bulbasaur…" Mother nodded thoughtfully, "Indeed a good choice, the same as I chose when I first set out. I'm just a bit curious why you didn't pick the stronger‑attacking Charmander, or the sturdily defensive Squirtle? They have an advantage in early battles."

"Hehe, of course because Bulbasaur is easy to raise!" Huo La laughed, winking, the remark half‑true, half‑false.

He knew well that, compared to Charmander and Squirtle, the Grass‑type Bulbasaur truly requires less care.

As long as there is sunlight and water, it can maintain itself through Synthesis. Of course, he also knew that if you rely solely on the lazy "sunbathe and drink water" method, Bulbasaur can easily develop poorly, and its battle power at that tier would fall to the bottom.

Another, more important reason for choosing Bulbasaur: its dual type (Grass/Poison) complements Iron Shell Kun's (Bug/Poison), so for a Trainer just beginning the journey, the pair is more versatile in both attrition battles and field control, offering many tactical options.

Moreover, he also has the "system" as a secret weapon, naturally able to fully unleash Bulbasaur's potential—that's the real confidence behind his choice.

After breakfast, Huo La slung the sports backpack Mother prepared, then patted the Pokeball at his waist holding Iron Shell Kun; a faint vibration came from inside, as if his partner was responding to his anticipation.

He embraced Mother once more, then reached out to pat Ivysaur's broad leaf, before turning to set off toward the Damu Research Institute.

Pallet Town's morning light spilled onto the stone‑tablet road, the air scented with grass and earth.

Before reaching the outside of the Damu Research Institute, he saw a bright silver Sports Car parked at the entrance, surrounded by a few girls in pink‑white cheerleader outfits chattering away.

"As expected, it's him," Huo La shook his head helplessly.

This ostentatious, eye‑catching spectacle, apart from Xiao Mao, whom the townsfolk tease as the "show‑off kid," had no one else.

He and Xiao Mao and Ash had been friends since childhood, but whereas Ash is carefree and only thinks about "getting stronger," Xiao Mao always carries a natural pride, his words and deeds exuding a "I'm the best" swagger, and his family's wealth truly puts him a step ahead of peers, making him hard to truly dislike.

"That guy Xiao Mao, as always, loves to show off."

A voice tinged with a bit of helplessness came from behind.

Huo La spun around sharply, and when he saw the newcomer, surprise flickered in his eyes—a sleek head of black hair, a few strands falling over the forehead, a red baseball cap perched not too low, clean, sharp eyebrows and eyes, and a simple, tidy outfit of a red short‑sleeve shirt and blue long pants.

Red!

Huo La recognized him at a glance.

Like Ash and Xiao Mao, Red is also a Pallet Town kid, but a year older, so he should have been a trainer who set out in the previous batch—why is he at the institute's entrance today?

He still remembers the shock of first seeing Red.

In his past‑life memories, the "born fighter" Red spoken of by Professor Oak was originally Ash's prototype, never having a setting where they existed simultaneously.

Back then he even asked the system, only receiving a cold reply of "Data not recorded."

Later he gradually realized: although this world is the Pokemon World, it may not perfectly align with the storyline in his memory; each person, each Pokemon, might have a different path.

"Xiao Chi Ge." Huo La gathered his thoughts and called out with a smile.

He has always held a degree of respect for Red, not merely because Red is older, but because Xiao Chi is recognized among this generation of Pallet Town kids as the "kid king," with clear battle strategies and always willing to help everyone solve training difficulties.

Even the usually arrogant Xiao Mao curtails his swagger in Red's presence, rarely trying to "show off."

Red stepped forward, a warm smile on his face, his gaze landing on the Pokeball at Huo La's waist, then looking toward the institute: "So, setting off today? Have you chosen which of the three Initial Pokemon from Professor Oak you want?"

"Chosen, I'm going for Bulbasaur." Huo La nodded, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing the Pokeball's shell, "Thinking of its Grass/Poison dual type, later it can pair with my Iron Shell Kun for some tactics."

"Bulbasaur, huh." Red raised an eyebrow, a hint of approval in his eyes, "A solid choice, durable early on, and its evolved form isn't weak either. But remember, Grass‑type Pokemon can't rely solely on sunbathing; you need to train fitness and skill links, otherwise they'll be easily crushed by Fire‑type."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Red and Huo La entered Professor Oak's Lab together, where Xiao Mao was already waiting.