Silas spent the rest of the night playing with Chimchar.
The little Fire-type moved like a spark given life—darting across the room, bouncing off walls, scrambling up furniture with effortless agility.
Even when Silas tried to corner him, Chimchar slipped away every time, laughing in a chiming, taunting rhythm. If Chimchar had been serious, Silas wouldn't have been able to touch him at all.
Eventually exhaustion claimed them both. Silas collapsed onto his bed, Chimchar curling against his chest, radiating gentle warmth. They fell asleep smiling.
Silas woke with a jolt.
The bed was warm—but empty.
"Chimchar?" he whispered.
No response.
His heart skipped. He searched the room, checked under the bed, then rushed downstairs.
He froze.
Madam sat in the common area, legs crossed, spine straight, eyes closed. Beside her sat Chimchar, perfectly mimicking her posture. Madam's Jolteon sat on her other side meditating as well.
A moment later, they opened their eyes at the same time.
"Good morning," Madam said calmly. Chimchar greeted Silas as well. It looked like Madam had tamed his pokemon.
Silas stared. "What's going on?"
"Everyone but you has been awake for hours," Madam replied. "That's what's going on."
Rex had left early for "special training." Zane was spending the day with Bruno, chasing fighting-type advice for Machop. Silas realized he'd already fallen behind on day one.
Madam stood. "We're going to the Pokémon Research Center today," she said. "Bring Chimchar."
Her eyes flicked over the Fire-type like she was evaluating an asset.
"Professor Oak would sell the shirt off his back for a Pokémon like that," she added. "And Bruno clearly went out of his way. Don't waste it."
Silas understood the translation: Chimchar was worth a lot. .
"I won't trade him," Silas said evenly.
As if agreeing with him, Chimchar jumped to his right shoulder and puffed out its chest defiantly.
Madam studied him, then Chimchar, then spoke like a contract closing. "Good. Still bring him. We leave in thirty minutes."
They washed up and left. The research center was a fifteen-minute walk—but Chimchar turned it into nearly half an hour.
He bounded from storefront to storefront, peering inside with boundless curiosity. One shopkeeper gave him free Pokéblocks. Another handed him berry juice.
Chimchar accepted both like a celebrity greeting fans.
Surprisingly, Madam didn't rush them.
When they reached the lab, another boy their age was arriving: spiky brown hair, confident posture.
Gary Oak. He was the splitting image of his anime counterpart.
Beside him stood Professor Samuel Oak. Madam and Oak greeted each other like old acquaintances. Gary studied Silas with open curiosity.
"What's up?" Gary said. "I'm Gary—Professor Oak's grandson. Who're you?"
"Silas."
Professor Oak's attention shifted to Chimchar immediately. "I haven't seen a Chimchar in ages," Oak said, stepping closer. His gaze was sharp, calculating. "Would you be willing to part with it?"
"No," Silas replied flatly.
Oak chuckled and started offering. Money. Rare items. Connections. At one point, even Pokémon.
A Dratini. An Elekid.
Both with impressive potential. Each time Silas refused.
Oak eventually sighed. "Stubborn. Just like Bruno."
Silas noticed Oak had not given up. He looked at Chimchar with a hungry stare that chills down his spine.
Oak led them deeper into the lab, to a large room with Pokéballs arranged on a central table. Screens lined the walls.
Gary rushed forward. "Grandpa, you promised. Today's the day I get my first Pokémon."
Oak smiled. "Normally, you'd wait with the other new trainers. But today I'll indulge you. How about a battle with Silas here?"
Silas felt the pieces click into place.
Gary didn't hesitate. "Deal."
He reached for a Pokéball. Oak discretely redirected his hand but Silas noticed this clearly.
A Squirtle emerged.
Silas activated the scanner.
Squirtle — Level 8
Ability: Torrent
Potential: B+
Moves: Rank D Tackle, Rank D Withdraw, Rank D Water Gun, Rank C Shell Smash
Silas's eyes narrowed. This Squirtle was exceptional. It was on par with Chimchar boosted by the flame origin in potential.
"If Gary wins," Oak added casually, "you trade Chimchar for one of the remaining starters."
Silas loved to gamble in his past life. He was not an addict but he still enjoyed the thrill. He was also fairly confident in Chimchar. He knew that the fire origin had cleansed him of impurities on top of improving his talent making him stronger than other pokemon of the same level.
From the corner of his eye, Silas saw Chimchar tensed on his shoulder. It had locked eyes with Squirtle. They were sizing each other up.
Silas picked up Chimchar and held him in front of his body. Their eyes met and Chimchar's gaze burned with certainty.
Silas smiled.
"Ok," he said. "But if I win, I want the Elekid. And a Pokedex."
Oak laughed. "You drive a hard bargain, boy."
Silas sneered. "Should the wager not be even? Don't you have faith in your own grandson?
Madam stepped forward. "Samuel. You pushed first."
Oak exhaled theatrically. "Fine. Elekid and a Pokedex."
Silas nodded. "Deal." He knew not to get greedy and continue pushing for more benefits.
"I'll act as judge," Oak said.
"And I'll ensure fairness," Madam replied coolly.
Gary grinned. "Let's do this."
The professor brought them to his private indoor battlefield.
Silas and Gary got on opposing with their partner pokemon ready for battle. There was tension in the air.
He realized he was trembling with his excitement. It was his first battle so Silas cut himself some slack. Who wouldn't be excited in his positon!?
"Battle begin!"
"Squirtle use Water Pulse!"
Squirtle planted his feet and drew in a breath. Blue energy spiraled inside his mouth, compressing into a dense, whirling orb before blasting outward in a roaring wave.
Chimchar reacted instantly—springing aside as the Water Pulse slammed into the floor behind him, sending mist and shattered tile into the air.
"Chimchar use Aura Sphere!"
Chimchar skidded to a halt and thrust both palms forward. Pale blue light gathered around his hands, drawn inward as if pulled by gravity. The energy compressed tighter and tighter between his palms, vibrating violently. With a sharp motion, Chimchar slammed his hands together. The condensed sphere launched forward like a cannon shot.
"Water Gun!" Gary shouted.
Squirtle fired a thin jet of water from his mouth. It struck the Aura Sphere head-on and detonated.
"Taunt!" Silas commanded.
Chimchar darted forward, stuck out his tongue, and released a pulse of dark, mocking energy. It washed over Squirtle and sank into him before fading away.
Squirtle's eyes flashed with irritation.
"Shell Smash!" Gary ordered.
Squirtle's shell glowed faintly then flickered but the power collapsed before it could activate.
Squirtle and Gary both wore confused expressions.
Silas's gaze sharpened. Got you.
Taunt didn't deal damage—but it shut down techniques that altered a Pokémon's state. Squirtle's biggest advantage was sealed.
"Chimchar—Aura Sphere!"
Chimchar leapt forward, forming another sphere midair—energy condensing rapidly between his palms before firing at near point-blank range. The blast slammed into Squirtle's chest and sent him tumbling backward.
Chimchar was already there. Scratch after scratch landed in rapid succession. Squirtle tried to rise but then collapsed.
The battlefield fell silent.
Chimchar bounced excitedly, chest heaving in victory. Silas smiled but not because of the crowd.
Ding!
Milestone achieved: First victory reward: Rank D TM – Shadow Claw.
BP gained: 1.
So that's how BP is earned.
Gary approached Squirtle as it regained consciousness. He was upset, but he comforted Squirtle anyway—hands steady, voice low.
"We will get stronger together, I promise."
Squirtle stared up at him, still angry, but listening.
Professor Oak stared at Silas like he was a problem that had just become interesting.
Silas met his gaze. "A deal's a deal," he said. "Right, old man?"
After the deal was finalized, Silas retrieved the Elekid Pokéball and scanned it.
Elekid— Level 6
Ability: Static
Potential: B
Moves: Rank D Brick Break, Rank D Thunder Shock, Rank F Light Screen
Silas smiled to himself. Two strong partners on day one is dangerous luck.
Chimchar hopped onto his shoulder and grinned at the Pokéball. Elekid's sparks flickered as if it could sense the rivalry waiting.
Madam observed in silence. She'd watched Silas negotiate, hold his ground, and read value like a merchant.
Finally, she spoke. "Silas. You're sharper than most of the children under my roof."
Silas kept his face neutral. Praise from Madam wasn't kindness. It was an appraisal.
"Most kids panic," she continued. "They take the first offer they're given, leaving value on the table. You didn't."
"I don't like losing," Silas said.
Madam's mouth twitched—almost a smile. "Good. I don't like investing in losers."
Silas narrowed his eyes slightly. "Investing?"
"Support," she said, blunt. "Supplies. Access. Protection when it benefits me. You'll represent my interests at the conference, and your success reflects on my operation."
There it was. Profit. Reputation. Leverage. "And if I fail?" Silas asked.
Madam's gaze sharpened. "Then I stop wasting resources."
Silas nodded once. "Fair."
"Good," she said. "Consider yourself under observation."
As they walked home, Silas took the opportunity to ask about training electric type pokemon. Madam shared her insights. She even made helpful suggestions.
The benefits of having a backer were clearly evident here. Insights from an experienced trainer could save a novice trainer significant time.