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Number Fifteen.
That was the temporary designation for this Dodrio.
Li Xiang recognized it. With an energy level of 43 and mastery of various moves, it was considered a low- level risk.
This Dodrio had once belonged to a poacher. After its trainer was apprehended in the protected area and subsequently imprisoned, the Pokémon was sent to a specialized detention center for Pokémon belonging to criminals.
Recently, due to its good behavior, it was granted release and transferred to the conservation base.
If observed further and deemed repentant, it could be returned to the poacher's family—if they were willing to take it back.
But now, in light of this incident…
"You've violated the protocol! Where are your Pokémon? And what about the Pokémon in the base!?"
Mrs. Yin stepped out of the car, raising her voice sharply.
It had to be said, the earlier scene was quite dangerous. Without the assistance of her Meowstic, the three young men might have been dragged off by the Dodrio!
To imagine the peril of being dragged by an enraged Dodrio, just think of being pulled behind a motorcycle.
The three youths exchanged looks, struggling to come up with a defense.
According to the base's standard procedures, bringing out a Pokémon marked as dangerous for exercise or any other purpose required carrying another Pokémon of equal strength, type advantage, or one capable of restraining the other.
At the very least, two or three lesser-tier Pokémon should be on hand. Who in their right mind would come out unarmed?!
It was simply asking for trouble!
Seeing their silence, Mrs. Yin grew even more frustrated. She didn't bother parking the car and reprimanded them seriously.
Li Xiang blinked. If he remembered correctly, these three were interns, having been here for less than half a month—not even official staff yet.
Classic scapegoats.
And with their reckless actions, if they didn't take the fall for this, it would truly be a waste. After all, the ones who'd really be in trouble if a big incident happened in the base would be the people in leadership positions, like his mom.
Li Xiang stepped out of the car, surveying the surroundings.
The first thing that caught his eye was the wide-open fields, dotted with a few fruit trees and shrubs. A little farther away stood a green-painted wire fence.
Turning his gaze, he saw a sprawling complex of white buildings, their modern designs exuding a sense of cutting-edge technology.
Qingcheng Conservation Base.
The words were inscribed on a low, elongated stone tablet at the distant entrance.
The base was located in the suburbs, with no households for kilometers around, minimizing the risk of escaped Pokémon causing harm or property damage.
Looking westward, he saw an expanse of deep green mountains, silent and tranquil, resembling slumbering giants.
The other three directions offered views of bustling cityscapes if one could find a high enough vantage point or take to the skies. Skyscrapers, residential neighborhoods, sprawling parks, and busy streets formed a vibrant urban web.
To the far east lay Qingcheng's docks and the coastline, marking the boundary between land and sea.
Qingcheng was one of Yuzhou's five most prosperous cities.
"...Come to my office with your supervisor this afternoon!"
Mrs. Yin's lecture finally concluded. She climbed back into the car, still fuming.
The three youths, relieved to be off the hook for now, hurriedly carried the subdued Dodrio away.
Though Mrs. Yin was only a few years older than them, her authority commanded respect. Many were understandably intimidated by her presence.
"Mom, I'll head in first."
Li Xiang didn't get back into the car. Instead, he glanced at Purugly trailing obediently behind him and waved to his mother.
"Alright, go on. Don't wander around. Head straight to the office. If you're still tired, lie down on the bed for a nap."
Mrs. Yin nodded lightly, then drove off.
As one of the few directors at the base, Mrs. Yin had her own office, complete with a small bed for resting—a nostalgic part of this world's Li Xiang's childhood.
....
Inside the Base.
The base didn't exude the cold, harsh atmosphere of a factory or prison. Instead, sunlight streamed through glass walls, and lush greenery flourished everywhere.
From the very first glance, it radiated warmth that reached the soul.
After all, the primary mission of a conservation base was to provide comfort to Pokémon. Some would eventually be adopted, others released into the wild far from human settlements, and some placed in protected reserves.
There were no cages or drab concrete pits—just vibrant, natural surroundings.
Currently, the base housed 4,831 Pokémon. Most resided in artificial ecological zones, living far happier lives than stray cats and dogs from Li Xiang's previous world.
In the sunlit golden corridor, Li Xiang walked briskly toward his destination, Purugly following close behind.
At the corner ahead, a curvaceous, elegant woman appeared.
"Xiao Xiang!~"
Her eyes lit up when she saw him. She quickened her pace and reached out to pinch his cheeks.
"Long time no see! I heard you've been staying home studying—what a good boy."
Behind her floated a Pokémon that looked like a mix of a fairy and a honeybee from a storybook. It was only as tall as his forearm, with a fuzzy, scarf-like collar around its neck—a ridiculously cute Pokémon.
Ribombee, a Bug/Fairy-type, perfectly suited for a Pokémon breeder's care.
Pulling away from her hands, Li Xiang said, "Sister Yiliu, let's be reasonable here. Kids need their dignity too. What you're doing isn't great."
"Oh? Sweet-talking me today, are you? No more calling me Aunt, huh? Fine, I won't pinch you anymore. How about coming to my office instead~?"
Su Yiliu ruffled his hair playfully. "I've got your favorite—triple honey biscuits."
Cute kids always won over big sisters, and Li Xiang was no exception.
The woman before him was Su Yiliu, another director at the base, a top-tier "rich and beautiful" woman, and Mrs. Yin's close friend.
Compared to Mrs. Yin's modest background, Su Yiliu, at just 28 years old, was already an advanced Pokémon breeder with an impressive family background.
This made her position as director even more secure than Mrs. Yin's.
"Sorry, I've quit sweets. Goodbye."
Li Xiang declined her offer firmly. This mischievous "aunt" loved to take advantage of people, and not even the previous Li Xiang had fallen for her tricks easily.
Certainly not now.
"Eh~~~"
Su Yiliu let out a dramatic, almost theatrical sigh. She genuinely adored this little boy with his fair complexion and soft, adorable demeanor—a stark contrast to the little troublemakers in her own family.
But alas, "kids" were always hard to figure out, and she could never quite understand his thoughts.
Su Yiliu had more to say, but Li Xiang was already sprinting away, leaving her no chance to continue.
He wasn't about to let her ruin his good mood for the day.
...
Mrs. Yin's Office.
The office wasn't large, roughly forty square meters, including the lounge and restroom. The workspace was crammed with a desk and numerous cabinets, leaving barely any room for the sofa area.
Li Xiang found a good spot to sit and began pondering which Pokémon to choose.
Though he told himself he wasn't nervous, he was—a little. After all, everyone likes to imagine their first choice being perfect.
In this world, there are special rules governing Pokémon ownership.
For an average person to have their own Pokémon, they must be at least eleven years old and have completed basic education—equivalent to elementary school.
Of course, one could register a Pokémon under their parents' name and transfer ownership through the proper channels upon turning eleven. While the process was cumbersome, it allowed anyone determined enough to start raising a Pokémon early.
However, this method wasn't for everyone.
The rich or well-connected could pull it off, but Mrs. Yin couldn't—or rather, she chose not to.
For people with flourishing careers or bright prospects ahead, or families too wealthy and prominent to escape scrutiny, bending the rules could be a risky move.
If someone envious decided to gather evidence and report the transgression, and it was confirmed, the resulting record could tarnish not just their career but the family's reputation for generations.
This was an unspoken rule—a legal gray area.
Push too far, and it could ruin you.
The primary reason for such strict enforcement was the rise of incidents involving reckless children causing Pokémon-related accidents, sometimes with severe consequences.
Mrs. Yin didn't fear these risks. At worst, she could deny the claims, drag the case out, and find a way to resolve it eventually. After all, she wasn't just in the association for her own benefit.
But Li Zhehan, Li Xiang's father, firmly opposed the idea.
In his view, his son's talents didn't necessitate a head start. Even if others gained an advantage early, Li Xiang would eventually overtake them with ease.
Moreover, he believed that children should live their own lives. With their family's resources, Li Xiang would never lack food or comfort, even if he never excelled as a Trainer.
So why rush?
Mrs. Yin reluctantly let go of the idea after extensive persuasion from her husband.
Now, suppose you're eleven years old and want to own a second Pokémon.
The options?
Use the same workarounds or enroll in a basic Trainer school.
Alternatively, wait until you're fourteen when full civil and criminal responsibility applies.
At fourteen, citizens are allowed to keep up to three Pokémon at a time. Any more requires official Trainer certifications.
That said, very few people have the resources or desire to care for multiple Pokémon unless it's a professional requirement. With the financial pressures of modern life, most people struggle just to take care of themselves.
Returning to the matter at hand—choosing a first Pokémon.
The first choice holds particular importance because, in most cases, a Trainer's first Pokémon often becomes their ultimate ace.
Choosing a Pokémon with excellent innate potential can also help new Trainers navigate the challenges of their early journey.
As for species...
Pseudo-Legendaries often rank highly on any list. But they're not without drawbacks.
Requiring at least level 45—and sometimes as high as 64—to fully evolve, combined with their relative scarcity, makes them less suitable for the average Trainer.
Of course, if you're exceptionally talented, wealthy, and well-connected, with a knack for rapid training, you might be able to make it work.
No one would stop you. After all, it's your choice.
Li Xiang liked some Pseudo-Legendaries, and his family had the means to support him. But starting with one?
With his current knowledge, he felt they were better suited for mid-game. By then, he'd have enough experience with training and battles to avoid wasting time on missteps.
What kind of missteps?
Training in early-game moves that become useless later, or improperly developing a Pokémon's stats.
This world lacked things like EVs or Nature bonuses, but it still required Trainers to specialize their Pokémon—whether in Speed, Attack, or other attributes. A Pokémon has its limits. Trying to optimize everything often lead to mediocrity.
Additionally, after level 40, Pokémon's leveling slowed significantly. Pseudo-Legendaries' high base stats often don't become noticeable until much later.
Thus, acquiring a well-bred Pseudo-Legendary in the mid-game could be a strategic advantage for the late-game.
Li Xiang's thoughts were interrupted when Mrs. Yin entered the room.
"Not napping? Good. Get ready—your Aunt Su will take you soon. Be good."
"She's not Aunt Su; she's Sister Su," Li Xiang quipped.
Following Mrs. Yin into the room was a familiar figure with slightly upturned almond eyes sparkling with amusement.
"Good to see you again, Li Xiang~"
Mrs. Yin hung up her bag and glanced back, smiling. "Calling her 'Sister' makes me a whole generation older, doesn't it?"
"Well, what can I say? I'm a twenty-something young lady, while you, Peach, are a thirty-something old auntie!" Su Yiliu teased with a laugh.
Mrs. Yin turned and playfully tickled Su Yiliu's sides. "Oh, you're asking for it! Not only are you taking advantage of my son, but now you're insulting me!"
The two best friends began tussling right in front of Li Xiang.
Li Xiang watched, amused.
In his past life, he had never seen his mother act so youthful. Perhaps it was the absence of someone like Su Yiliu as a close friend—or the different circumstances of life affecting her demeanor.
Either way, it was a good thing.
There's no harm in occasionally living a little younger. After all, what's the joy in living like you're fifty or sixty when you're only in your thirties?
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