"Remember, each group has only one hour in the ranch. Regardless of whether you've selected a satisfactory Pokémon or not, you must leave when your time is up."
Professor Christian gave one final reminder as the Pokémon Ranch was about to open.
A student raised their hand with a question.
"Professor, if we don't find the right Pokémon, will we be left without a starter?"
"That won't happen," Professor Christian smiled. "If you fail to choose a suitable Pokémon, you'll receive one assigned by the university... Don't worry, they're all healthy Pokémon with good potential. It's simply a matter of choice."
"I must emphasize that rarer Pokémon aren't always better—compatibility with your circumstances is crucial. Last year, a senior selected Munchlax but couldn't afford its enormous food requirements. His family went bankrupt and filed for financial protection. He lost his Trainer qualification as a result."
"In another class, a promising student chose an arrogant Charmander. They had similar temperaments and frequently argued. Consequently, they couldn't even pass the year-end examination."
"The compatibility between Pokémon and Trainer is far more important than rarity."
As Professor Christian finished his instructions, the ranch gates slowly swung open with a resonant creak.
Roy and Serena entered the ranch together.
The scenery inside contrasted sharply with the city outside, as if they'd suddenly stepped into an untamed forest filled with emerald greenery.
Above them, Pidgey, Pidgeotto, Spearow, and various other Flying-type Pokémon flitted through the sky.
Among the branches, several monkey-like Pokémon could be glimpsed jumping from tree to tree.
"Do you have a target Pokémon in mind?" Serena asked.
The Pokémon available in the Ranch had already been listed on the campus forum, accessible to anyone interested.
One hour wasn't enough to explore the entire facility, so most students approached with specific areas in mind.
Choosing a Pokémon was a mutual decision, but simple-minded Pokémon could be easily swayed by offerings.
For example...
"I'm aiming for Vulpix." Serena took out a container of Pokémon food from her bag, filled with sliced Sun Berries.
Sun Berries were among the favorite foods of Fire-type Pokémon, including Vulpix, and they were quite expensive.
This small container would cost no less than 10,000 Pokédollars on the open market.
"You're after Senior Ivy's Ninetales' offspring?" Roy guessed.
"Yes."
"Then your chances of success are very high."
Roy rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Senior Ivy was a renowned graduate of Capital University. Not only was she a Professional Trainer, but she'd even been fortunate enough to participate in Elite qualifying tournaments. Many students specifically sought out her Pokémon's offspring.
Reliable sources suggested that Senior Ivy's Ninetales, as well as several of its Vulpix offspring, were exceptionally beautiful specimens.
It wasn't an exaggeration to say that in terms of appearance alone, Roy had never seen anyone more striking than Serena since childhood.
Her appearance was exceptional—Roy mentally gave her nine points, deducting one point only for her reserved nature.
With Sun Berries as bait, he believed Serena had an excellent chance of success.
"My original target was also Vulpix..." Roy admitted.
"Originally?" Serena frowned. "There aren't many Pokémon in the ranch better than Senior Ivy's Vulpix."
In terms of potential and rarity, Vulpix wasn't the most outstanding Pokémon in the ranch.
However, Vulpix was among the most suitable for beginners.
Pokémon with higher potential and rarity than Vulpix typically wouldn't consider novice Trainers.
And if a Pokémon had lower potential and rarity than Vulpix, then Vulpix was clearly the better choice.
The girl subconsciously touched her hair, privately acknowledging that Roy was so handsome and clear-featured that even she occasionally found herself admiring him—let alone a mere Vulpix.
Serena gave his good looks nine points, deducting one point only because he seemed too passive toward her.
"You should head to the Vulpix area first, to ensure one doesn't get chosen before you arrive," Roy suggested. He wouldn't presume to join her—selecting a starter Pokémon was a life-changing event. "I'll try elsewhere first. If it doesn't work out, I'll check the Vulpix area afterward."
What if all the Vulpix were chosen by the time he got there?
Well, that was the risk Roy was willing to take.
"This guy... using my favorite Vulpix as a backup plan..."
Serena watched Roy's disappearing figure with annoyance. Suddenly, she realized something and quickly pulled out her phone to check the map.
"That direction he's heading... could it be that his target is..."
"The child of the Elite."
————
Capital University ranked among the country's top ten prestigious institutions, producing numerous Professional Trainers each year.
Among these Professional Trainers, several had become celebrities.
A Trainer typically peaked between ages 20 and 40, retiring as they grew older.
Taking 20 years as a generation, Capital University had produced three Elite Trainers in the current generation, one of whom was an active Fighting-type Elite.
This Fighting Elite had graduated from Capital University, and two years ago, his signature Pokémon had left an egg at his alma mater.
After the Pokémon hatched, it garnered significant attention. Many self-proclaimed prodigies, including upperclassmen, had attempted to become its Trainer.
All had failed without exception.
That Pokémon seemed to have unique standards for selecting a Trainer. It disliked both warm and cold approaches, never gave potential Trainers a friendly look, and maintained an extremely aloof demeanor.
Today, that Pokémon ranked second on the "Most Unsuitable Pokémon for Freshmen" list, and virtually no beginners considered it.
A Growlithe that had been guiding Roy through the ranch stopped and turned, expecting food.
"Thank you for your help."
Roy took out some treats to feed it, smiled, and stroked the dog's head. After Growlithe finished its snack and departed, Roy looked toward his target Pokémon.
Like the Growlithe that had just left, this Pokémon also had canine features.
Its body was blue, with black legs and lower torso, and it walked upright.
Noticing Roy, it opened its eyes, and crimson pupils gazed over with a hint of human-like surprise.
—Riolu.
Not many people knew about this Pokémon; it was far less famous than its evolved form, Lucario.
There were no animated games of the "Pokémon series" in this world. Roy had first seen Lucario in the movie "The Aura Guardian."
Because there had been a tradition of "legendary Pokémon appearing in feature films," Roy had initially mistaken Lucario for a legendary.
Roy took a deep breath, approached Riolu, and nervously crouched down. He extended his hand and said:
"Hi Riolu, my name is Roy."
"..."
Riolu remained silent, not responding immediately but studying Roy carefully.
According to rumors, most Trainers' attempts ended here. After Riolu looked them over, sometimes even greeting them, it would then turn and walk away, showing no further interest.
"Rio~"
As Riolu acknowledged him with a greeting, Roy breathed a sigh of relief.
He had been right.
His original target had been Vulpix, but he'd suddenly changed his focus, naturally because of the system that had awakened this morning.
The system had granted him the Trainer ability 'Pokémon Affinity.'
As widely known, canine Pokémon, like their animal counterparts, had protective instincts.
However, when Roy had just fed Growlithe, he'd tested this ability and found that Growlithe became remarkably comfortable with him, showing no food guarding behavior at all.
If even natural instincts could be influenced to this degree, this ability gave him complete confidence.
It was precisely because of the 'Pokémon Affinity' ability that Roy dared approach Riolu.
As he made contact with Riolu, a light blue panel appeared before Roy's eyes.
[Pokémon: Riolu]
[Gender: Male]
[Type: Fighting]
[Ability: Inner Focus]
[Moves: Quick Attack, Metal Claw, Endure, Counter, Rock Smash, Thunder Punch]
[Overall Rating: D]
[Popularity: 12,549]