Pallet Town – Oak's Laboratory
"Elias, have you decided which Pokémon you're taking on your journey next week?"
Professor Oak asked while busy handling lab equipment, glancing at the boy on the couch tinkering with a Pokéblock maker.
"Haven't thought about it…"
Elias had no interest in answering right now. His focus was entirely on the machine in front of him, which was nearing the final step of producing a Pokéblock.
Oak frowned at the vague response, clearly dissatisfied, but continued speaking anyway.
"Elias, Gary and the others have already picked their Pokémon. If you don't decide soon, you'll have to delay your journey."
"And when that happens—"
"Done!"
At the exact moment a purple Pokéblock dropped into the container, Elias clapped his hands and jumped up excitedly. The sudden movement startled Professor Oak, who flinched so hard he knocked a glass container out of his hands.
"Elias, what kind of trouble are you up to agai— Huh? A Farfetch'd-flavored Pokéblock? You actually made it?"
Just as Oak was about to scold him for disrupting his work, he caught sight of the cube on the table and swallowed his words.
"Here's the formula. I'll leave the research paper to you, Professor Oak."
Elias casually tossed the recipe onto the table before dashing upstairs to his room.
The reason?
At long last, the system's voice had finally sounded in his mind again.
For the past seven years, ever since he arrived in this world, Elias had only received a single, unimpressive buff from the system upon his arrival. Since then, he had been diligently completing the tasks it assigned, waiting for the moment it would truly activate.
Now, with the successful creation of four original Pokéblock recipes, the system was finally coming online.
[Congratulations, Host! You have completed the beginner quest!]
[Pokémon Breeding Simulator is now officially activated!]
With the system's soft, cheerful voice, a semi-transparent interface appeared in front of Elias.
[Host: Elias]
[Innate Ability]
[Creeping in the Shadows: In the simulated world, you have an exceptionally high affinity with Pokémon. However, in reality, Pokémon instinctively dislike you.]
This was the ability Elias had drawn when the system first activated.
For years, it had tormented him—whenever he ventured into the wild, an invisible barrier seemed to form around him, leaving him in a Pokémon-free zone. Even Pokémon that couldn't move well, like Metapod, would find a way to bounce away from him. He was practically a walking bad luck charm.
Fortunately, his exceptional talent as a Pokémon Breeder had caught Professor Oak's attention, leading the professor to take him in as an assistant.
So, even without the system, he wouldn't have had trouble catching his first Pokémon when his journey began next week.
But now…
Elias turned his attention back to the system interface. With this, he had a better option. There was no need to trouble Professor Oak for a random starter Pokémon.
[Host, each time you enter a simulation, you will be paired with a Pokémon that has a congenital flaw.]
[The flaw could be psychological or physical, but the system's goal is for you to nurture the strongest Pokémon in the world.]
[With patience, love, and passionate care, you can bring out their full potential and achieve incredible results!]
The system eagerly introduced the simulator's functions, its excitement almost infectious. Elias couldn't help but feel intrigued by the idea of raising Pokémon this way.
However…
"How are the rewards determined at the end of the simulation?" Elias asked, focusing on what mattered most.
[Let me check…]
[According to the guidelines, the deeper your emotional bond with the chosen Pokémon, the better the rewards. Additionally, achieving milestones during the simulation will grant extra rewards.]
[But… it seems like having too high of a rating might not be ideal?]
The system's uncertain tone made Elias uneasy.
Still, setting aside that vague warning, he now understood how the rewards worked.
"A simulated world… and the deeper the bond, the better." Elias rubbed his chin, a plan slowly forming in his mind.
"Can I start the simulation now?"
[Yes!]
"Then, begin."
After quickly forming his strategy—no, his breeding plan—Elias gave the system the go-ahead to start his first simulation.
[Drawing traits—]
[Psychic Synergy (Purple): If paired with a Psychic-type destined Pokémon, it will be easier to form a bond.]
[Bountiful Berries (Blue): There is no berry in the world you do not recognize.]
[Human Pokédex (Blue): The periodic table might be confusing, but you can recite the entire Pokédex from memory.]
[Genius Cursed by the Heavens (Gold): Your life will undoubtedly shine brightly, but it will be short-lived.]
[Martial Artist (White): In close combat, you can rival a Machoke.]
[Shining Emblem (Purple): You have a higher chance of encountering Shiny Pokémon.]
[Select three traits as your initial abilities.]
A flash of light signaled the appearance of six trait options on the interface.
[Host, these traits… they're not great.]
The system sounded troubled.
Although a few were of decent quality, none were universally useful—like an ability that would instantly boost Pokémon affection. There also weren't any practical skills like a Pokémon Care Encyclopedia.
To the system, this run was already doomed.
[Host, listen to me. This is a tricky start. Let me guide you—first, you should—]
As the system launched into a long-winded analysis, Elias silently read through the descriptions.
A slow smirk formed on his lips.
While these traits might seem mediocre to others, to him, they were perfectly tailored.
[Lastly, whatever you do, don't pick the two purple ones! They might seem appealing, but one is for gamblers, and the other is for Shiny hunters. We really shouldn't—]
"I choose [Psychic Synergy], [Shining Emblem], and [Genius Cursed by the Heavens]."
Ignoring the system's protests, Elias decisively selected his three traits.
[Traits confirmed. Generating simulation environment…]
[Destined Pokémon chosen—Psychic-type: Gardevoir.]
As the mechanical voice echoed, Elias's vision blurred.
Amidst the system's panicked shouts, his consciousness was pulled into the simulation.
[Age 0: You were born in a civilian hospital in Saffron City. It seems your birth was an accident.]
[That same year, you were abandoned at the doorstep of an orphanage.]
"What kind of protagonist backstory is this?"
Elias felt his mood plummet.
He hadn't expected to start the simulation as an orphan.
"It's just a game, just a game…"
Adjusting his mindset, he turned his attention to the Pokémon he had been assigned this time.
A wife Pokémon—Gardevoir.
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T/N: oooh the system seems nice :D