Professor Oak led Roy toward the back of the laboratory.
They passed through several corridors.
They arrived at a relatively isolated area.
On the doorplate of the room before them, a prominent lightning bolt symbol was drawn.
"This is the place."
Professor Oak pushed the door open.
Roy followed him inside.
The room wasn't large, but it was decorated quite uniquely; the walls, floor, and even the ceiling were covered in a layer of grayish-black insulating material.
A faint scent of ozone and scorched air lingered in the room.
"This fellow..."
Professor Oak walked over to a safe, shaking his head with a bitter smile as he entered the password.
"...is the 'Little Tyrant' of our laboratory."
Click.
The safe opened.
Inside, a single red-and-white Poké Ball sat in solitary confinement.
The Professor carefully took out the Poké Ball, turned to look at Roy, and his expression turned serious.
"Roy, I'm reminding you one last time."
"This Pokemon is very dangerous."
"It doesn't follow orders very well, and... its electricity is very, very strong."
He paused, emphasizing: "Several Trainers who wanted to take it before were shocked right into the hospital."
"It's not too late to change your mind now."
Roy smiled.
"Professor, I'll take this one."
Professor Oak gave Roy a long, deep look.
Then, he let out a sigh.
"Alright... then step back a bit."
Roy took a few steps back as instructed.
Only then did Professor Oak press the button on the Poké Ball and toss it into the empty space in the center of the room.
A flash of red light.
A petite yellow figure appeared on the floor.
A round body, long ears, and two red electric sacs on its cheeks.
It was precisely the Pikachu.
As soon as it appeared, it warily turned its little head, its dark, beady eyes scanning the surroundings.
When it saw Professor Oak and Roy,
Pikachu's gaze instantly became unfriendly.
Pi—ka—chu—!!!
A crisp cry rang out.
The next moment.
Blinding golden lightning suddenly erupted from its petite body.
Crackling!
The violent current, like countless tiny golden snakes, frantically surged toward every corner of the room.
Clusters of electric sparks burst upon the insulating material.
The entire room seemed to transform into an ocean of thunder and lightning!
Professor Oak was well-prepared; the moment he released Pikachu, he leaped back, hiding in the reinforced insulation area by the door.
Even so, his white hair was still made to stand slightly on end by the static electricity.
"See! I told you!"
The Professor shouted from the doorway, his voice sounding a bit muffled amidst the hissing of the current.
Roy, however, stood his ground without moving.
He squinted his eyes, looking at the small yellow figure in the center of the electric discharge.
The power was indeed formidable.
And this temperament... it had some kick!
Truly worthy of being the future "Pikachu."
A bug-level existence that could trade blows with Mewtwo in movie versions and shock countless legendary beasts in the anime.
Compared to those three starters, its potential was on a completely different level!
Instead of fear, a surge of excitement welled up in Roy's heart.
"Full of power."
He spoke, his voice remaining clear even through the noise of the electricity.
"I like it very much."
Professor Oak was stunned.
Likes it?
Has this kid's brain been fried by the electricity?
Roy turned to look at the Professor and smiled slightly.
"Professor Oak, I'll take this one."
"Ah? Oh... good, good!"
Professor Oak was first startled, then overjoyed.
He was happy that the task of a rookie collecting their initial Pokémon was finally successfully completed.
But he was shocked that this kid could actually keep a straight face and even smile when facing such a scene.
This mental fortitude was truly strong!
"I'll handle the registration."
Professor Oak wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"But on your end..."
He pointed toward the center of the room.
The electric light had gradually subsided.
Pikachu was standing with its little hands on its hips, its head tilted back with an expression that said "I'm not someone to be messed with."
The electric sacs on its cheeks still occasionally popped with a few sparks.
"...you might have to handle it yourself."
The Professor's expression held some sympathy.
Roy nodded.
"Understood."
He turned and actually walked directly toward Pikachu.
His steps were steady, without the slightest hesitation.
"Hey! Roy! Be careful!"
Professor Oak cried out in alarm.
Is this kid crazy?
Pikachu was also stunned.
It blinked its large, dark eyes, its little face full of confusion.
Usually, after it finished this display of dominance, those Trainers would either turn pale with fear or retreat repeatedly.
This human... actually dared to approach proactively?
Pikachu tilted its little head.
Then, its gaze turned fierce.
Fine!
Since you're not afraid, I'll let you taste something even more powerful!
Roy crouched down in front of Pikachu.
He tried to keep his eye level even with it.
This was a gesture of goodwill.
"Hello, Pikachu."
Roy extended his right hand, palm up.
"From now on, we'll be partners traveling together."
His voice was very gentle.
Pikachu stared at that hand.
Then it looked up at Roy's face.
This human's eyes... seemed different from those other guys before.
There was no fear, no disgust, and none of that utilitarianism that saw it as just a tool.
They were very clean.
And very... sincere.
Pikachu's heart wavered for an instant.
But the experience of being locked in a ball for a long time and being treated as a "problem Pokémon" made it immediately raise its guard again.
Partners?
sounds nice!
But you just want to lock this Pika into that little ball!
Thinking of this, Pikachu's gaze sharpened.
It decided to give this human a profound lesson!
"Pi—ka—chu—!!!"
A golden electric discharge, even more blinding and thick than before, suddenly erupted from its body!
This time, it was a directed Thunder Shock aimed right at Roy!
The thick current slammed hard into Roy's body.
"Roy!"
Professor Oak cried out, instinctively about to rush over.
But a second later, the electric light dissipated.
Roy was still crouching in place.
His clothes had a few more scorched marks, and his hair was slightly standing on end.
But he himself... didn't even knit his brows.
What the 100% Physical Technique Enhancement brought was not just strength and speed.
It also provided a physical defense and resistance that could be called abnormal.
Pikachu's current Thunder Shock was dangerous to an ordinary person.
But to Roy, it was at most a powerful massage.
"Pi... Pika?"
Pikachu was completely dumbfounded.
It gaped its little mouth, staring blankly at Roy.
In its large, dark eyes, pure disbelief was written.
This human... took this Pika's full-power electric shock head-on and was actually fine?
He didn't even fall down?
How is this possible!
Pikachu looked down at its little paws.
Has this Pika's power regressed?
"Holy crap..."
Professor Oak at the door was also stunned.
"This young man..."
"...what is his body made of?"
Roy paid no mind to the Professor's shock.
He maintained his reaching posture, looking at the dazed Pikachu with a smile in his heart.
The time has come.
He quietly activated his Aura Power.
Invisible energy centered on him, spreading out gently.
Aura is the energy of the soul.
It can perceive life, convey emotions, and even conduct cross-species communication.
Roy adjusted the frequency of the Aura to the segment most compatible with Pikachu.
Then, through the Aura, he transmitted his voice directly into Pikachu's heart.
The voice was gentle and calm, yet carried a convincing power.
"Pikachu."
"I know that every time you come out and discharge electricity, you're not just throwing a tantrum."
Pikachu's ears twitched.
It looked at Roy in surprise.
This human... is talking to me?
No!
It wasn't heard through the ears!
It was a voice that appeared directly in its heart!
This... what kind of ability is this?
Roy's voice continued to resonate in its heart:
"You are protesting."
"You don't want to be locked in that tiny ball, you don't want to be used as a tool, and you don't want to lose your freedom."
"Right?"
Pikachu's body trembled slightly.
It looked at Roy, and for the first time, the hostility and wariness in its eyes began to loosen.
This human... he understands me?
Roy captured the shift in Pikachu's emotions.
He struck while the iron was hot.
"I promise you."
"In the future, when we travel together, as long as there's no special situation, you can stay outside all the time."
"You don't have to go back into that ball."
Pikachu's eyes lit up bit by bit.
Re... really?
A hint of a smile entered Roy's voice.
"Of course it's true."
"However..."
His tone shifted, and through the "gaze" transmitted by the Aura, he glanced at Professor Oak, who was still in shock by the door.
"If you choose to stay here, then in the future, you might still be locked in a ball by that old man~"
Pikachu immediately turned its head to look at Professor Oak.
The Professor was startled by its gaze, feeling a sudden chill down his spine for some reason.
Pikachu's little head quickly turned back.
It looked at Roy's sincere eyes.
It felt that gentle voice in its heart again.
Recalling how this human had just withstood its electric shock without flinching... a thoughtful expression appeared on Pikachu's little face.
A few seconds later.
It gave a soft cry.
"Pika~"
Then, it moved its short little legs and proactively took two steps toward Roy.
It extended a little paw and gently placed it on Roy's outstretched palm.
Roy carefully reached out and picked Pikachu up.
This time, the little fellow didn't discharge electricity; instead, it took the opportunity to climb onto his shoulder and sat down steadily.
It even used its little head to affectionately nuzzle Roy's cheek.
Soft and ticklish.
[Ding!]
The system prompt sounded in his mind right on time.
[Congratulations to the Host for obtaining your first Pokemon—Pikachu!]
[Task Reward: Light Ball *1, stored in the system space.]
The task was complete, and as Pikachu's heart was won over, its detailed data panel was instantly connected to Roy's system.
A semi-transparent light screen unfolded before Roy's eyes.
[Pokémon: Pikachu]
[Attribute: Electric]
[Level: Lv. 12 (Novice Level)]
(Hatchling Level: 1-5,
Novice Level: 6-19,
Common Grade: 20-29,
Superior Level: 30-39,
Pseudo-Gym Level: 40-49,
Gym Level: 50-59,
Pseudo-Elite Level: 60-69,
Elite Level: 70-79,
Champion Level: 80-89,
Pseudo-God Level: 90-99,
Lesser Legendary Level: 100-109,
Greater Legendary Level: 110-119,
Creator God Level: 120 and above)
[Potential: Champion Level]
[Ability: Static—When using contact moves, there is a 30% chance to paralyze the enemy.]
[Rare Ability: Movie Star—Chance to trigger during battle. Once triggered, ignores level and attributes, allowing it to hold its own against any opponent!]
[Skills: Thunder Shock, Quick Attack, Volt Tackle]
[Held Item: None]
[Special Enhancements: None]
After browsing Pikachu's detailed panel, Roy also came to a sudden realization.
Movie Star!
No wonder the Pikachu's combat power in the anime was so metaphysical.
It could clash beams with Regigigas and shock Latios, yet also be knocked down by a Snivy.
The ceiling was extremely high, but the floor was also extremely low.
It all depended on whether the "Movie Star" ability was triggered.
It was certainly an interesting ability, though.
Roy pondered in his heart.
At its peak, it could turn the tide in a desperate situation.
At its low, it could fail against a rookie.
It was relatively balanced.
Setting that aside, Champion-level potential.
That was a very luxurious starting point.
Many Trainers spend most of their lives and might not necessarily own a single Pokémon with Elite potential.
He was starting out with Champion potential.
The future was full of promise!
[Ding!]
While Roy was envisioning his future with Pikachu, the familiar system prompt sounded again.
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