The forest sprawled across a private island owned by the Nakamura family, a secluded haven for their rare vacations. Ray's family had arrived at their grand estate to unwind, but the boy whose body he now inhabited had other plans. Fueled by a child's curiosity, he'd slipped away from the mansion, eager to explore the wilds and befriend Pokémon, inspired by tales of harmony from this world's films. Deep in the forest, as his adventure turned perilous, their souls fused—Ray's bloodstained past merging with the boy's innocent dreams, leaving him to navigate a new life with a killer's edge.
That fusion came after a desperate battle with a Growlithe. Ray had fought with every shred of his cunning, barely dodging its flames before striking a fatal blow with his knife. Now, standing over its bloodied corpse, he faced a grim choice. Hide the body and risk discovery? His left shoulder bore a deep, claw-torn wound, impossible to conceal. Or pretend it wasn't his doing? His mother, an Elite Pokémon Researcher, would unravel any lie with a glance. Another thought flickered: this fight could justify a change in him—a maturity beyond his years, an excuse for the shift in his demeanor.
The battle had ravaged him. His clothes hung in tatters, soaked with blood—some his, most the Growlithe's. His shoulder throbbed, raw and searing, but he forced himself to move, needing distance from the corpse to plan his story before his parents found him. He trudged through the forest, each step heavy, his mind racing. After twenty minutes, a strange sensation struck—a psychic wave, sharp and fleeting, freezing him mid-step. His body stiffened, as if jolted by an unseen force, then relaxed.
Ten minutes later, a shadow sliced across the sky. A massive, dragon-like Pokémon—Salamence, his father's companion—soared toward him, its wings cutting the air with ferocious speed. Both his parents rode its back, his father's stern figure steady at the reins, his mother's smaller form clinging tightly behind, her face resolute yet etched with worry. They landed with precision, and Ray's eyes stung with tears at the sight of his mother's anxious expression.
His mother leapt from the Salamence and rushed to him, enveloping him in a hug. The warmth was overwhelming, a stark contrast to the cold detachment of his past life, where parental care was a stranger. Feeling her tremble, her worry palpable, Ray's chest tightened with an unfamiliar joy. He hugged her back, tears streaming, mirroring hers, though part of him calculated the effect. His father stood nearby, his stern face softening with relief. The island, despite its security, teemed with wild Pokémon that could kill the unprepared. Survival demanded luck and strength, and Ray had proven the former, if not yet the latter.
As the Salamence soared through the sky, Ray's mother bombarded him with questions, her voice tight with worry.
"Did a Pokémon bite you?" she asked, clutching him closer. "We need to be prepared if you're poisoned."
"'Tis but a scratch," Ray mumbled, barely audible, a faint echo of his past life's humor. His mother frowned, confused, as if she hadn't caught his words. "I don't know, Mom. It… it was scary…" His voice broke, and tears spilled down his cheeks, earning a tight hug from his mother. His father, astride the Salamence, cast a sidelong glance, his expression unreadable—a mix of concern and something sharper.
They landed on the mansion's rooftop, greeted by a small group of staff. Among them stood a young woman with striking yellow hair, her poised intensity cutting through the bustle. Dr. Veda, the doctor his mother had summoned, wore a fitted white lab coat over a navy blouse and trousers, the Nakamura crest on her sleeve gleaming. Her professional air was unmistakable, her presence commanding despite her youth.
Noticing Ray's gaze, his mother leaned in. "That's Dr. Veda," she said softly. "You're safe with her." Ray nodded, his eyes lingering on the doctor.
Beside Dr. Veda stood a round, egg-shaped Pokémon, its pink hue catching the light. "Chansey," Ray whispered, the word slipping out. Though his memories held countless Pokémon, seeing one in person stirred a flicker of wonder, quickly buried under his guarded facade.
Dr. Veda approached, her blue eyes scanning Ray with a mix of surprise and focus. "Good grief, you're a mess, kid," she said, her voice warm but firm. "Blood and burns—how are you even standing?" Her gaze darted across his body like a scanner, noting every wound. "That's a lot of blood for a boy your size. Don't move until I say so, understood?"
Assuming the blood was mostly his, she marveled at his consciousness. She gently but swiftly took him from his mother's arms and guided him to a stretcher.
"Chansey, take him to the medical wing—quickly," she directed, her tone leaving no room for delay.
Ray was carried to a sterile room in the mansion's medical wing, the only patient in its pristine expanse. His mother followed, her presence a quiet comfort, while his father had vanished, likely to handle estate matters.
Dr. Veda's voice cut through the silence. "Take your clothes off," she said—not a command but a matter-of-fact instruction, already reaching to help. Ray didn't resist until she moved to remove his underwear. Meeting her eyes, he spoke with a startlingly mature tone. "Doctor, there's no need. I'm uninjured down there."
Veda paused, her brow arching, but nodded and began examining his body.
"These burns are fresh, and the claw marks are rough," she said, studying his shoulder. Her fingers traced the wound's edge, her mind racing. Jagged, like a fast slash, she thought. "Claw marks like these scream Growlithe. Their flames leave that exact scorch pattern. You're lucky it wasn't worse—how'd you escape?"
"The Growlithe was injured in its hind leg," Ray said softly, his voice childlike but measured.
"Hold steady while I clean this cut," Veda said, her focus sharpening. "I'm stitching you up now—try to bear the pain." Her hands moved with practiced care, minimizing his discomfort.
Ray nodded, his face a mask of quiet endurance.
"There's a story behind those scars," Veda said, her tone gentler but curious. "How'd you outsmart that Growlithe? Even injured, they don't forget a scent once they've caught it."
The door opened, and Ray's mother entered, her demeanor calmer, more elegant. "The crew's been sent to where Ray was found," she said to Veda. "His father wants to know what happened and find the Pokémon that hurt my boy."
Ray's stomach tightened. The Growlithe would be found soon, forcing him to adjust his plan. He opted for a half-truth, his voice trembling to sell the facade.
"I was near the grand tree when a crazy Growlithe attacked. I barely escaped, but I realized I left my Pokédex by the tree. When I went back to get it, the Pokédex was damaged, and I almost got ambushed again. Escaping was harder—I was so tired—but when I dodged one of its tackles, it smashed into a tree with a weak branch. The branch fell, slowing the Growlithe down. Then I saw it open its mouth, like it did for Ember before, so I used the knife Father gave me for my birthday to… end it."
His face crumpled, eyes welling with tears. "I didn't know what else to do, Mom. I… I killed a Pokémon."
His mother knelt, wiping his tears and kissing his forehead. "That Growlithe deserved to die. You did nothing wrong," she said softly. But behind her, Veda's eyes narrowed, her face etched with doubt. Ray caught her scrutiny, his mind racing. What more does she want? I told mostly the truth—except the gruesome details. The branch was planned, not luck, but she still looks unconvinced.
The room fell silent after Ray's story, the weight of his words lingering. Dr. Veda moved with quiet precision, her blue eyes scanning his body as she treated his wounds, her hands steady despite the doubt etched on her face. Ray's mother sat nearby, her elegant frame still, her gaze soft with love but clouded with thought. Occasionally, she asked a gentle question—"Did the Growlithe chase you far?"—her voice tender, probing without pressure, as if piecing together his tale with her Elite Pokémon Researcher's mind.
Dr. Veda finished bandaging Ray's shoulder, her touch clinical yet careful. She stepped back, her voice firm but warm. "It's all done, Ray. You're good to go. Take these medications, keep your activity low this week, and you'll heal just fine. Make sure to visit me in a week for a checkup."
Ray nodded, hesitating. "Thank you… ah… Dr. Veda?"
"No need to be formal with me. Just call me Veda," she said, her voice warm yet commanding. "And next time you want to explore, let one of the family's Dragon-type Pokémon accompany you."
Ray was escorted to a room he instantly recognized as his own, its familiar chaos a stark contrast to the sterile medical wing. Pokémon-themed gear cluttered the space—posters of Dragonite soaring over mountains, a Salamence model perched on a shelf, and a collection of Dratini Pokédolls lining the bed. The Nakamura family's obsession with Dragon-types was etched into every corner, a legacy Ray had grown up admiring, even if his killer's soul found it oddly sentimental.
The room blended traditional Japanese aesthetics—shoji screens, tatami mats—with cutting-edge tech: a holographic Pokédex projector and a battle simulator humming softly. His bed, plush as an Altaria's cloud-like wings, beckoned with the promise of rest.
It had been a grueling day. The Growlithe fight, the system's rewards, Dr. Veda's scrutiny—all weighed on Ray. He sank into the bed, its softness enveloping him, and with no effort, he began to doze off.
Zzzzzzz… zzzzzzz…
Zzzzzzzzz… zzzzzzzzz…
Zzzzzzzzzzzzz… zzzzzzzzzzzzz…
A sharp knock jolted him awake. Ray's eyes snapped open, his body tensing like a soldier's—not a child's—where a moment's lapse could mean death. He glanced out the window. The sun was dipping low, painting the sky crimson. He'd slept for nearly three hours.
"Yes, come in," he called, his voice steady despite the adrenaline.
The door slid open, revealing his mother, her face bright with a cheerful smile. "Ray, look! I made your favorite dish," she said, holding two steaming plates of chicken katsu curry, the rich aroma filling the room. Her Elite Pokémon Researcher's poise was softened by maternal warmth, her eyes sparkling with love.
Ray opened his mouth to say he wasn't hungry, but his stomach growled loudly, betraying him before the words could form. His mother laughed, a sound like Chimecho's gentle bells.
"Eat up, you need to grow strong," she urged, setting the plates on a low table. "You haven't eaten all day." She sat beside him, guiding a spoonful of curry to his mouth, her touch gentle but insistent. As they ate, her tone grew personal, her words weaving between love and worry.
"You know I love you, right?" she said, her voice tender. "You should've told me before going out." Worry creased her brow. Then, more brightly, "You know the wait is almost over. It's nearly time—eight months from now, you can finally join the Elite Pokémon Academy and get your starter Pokémon."
Ray paused, the curry suddenly heavy in his mouth. His mother was referring to why he still lacked a Pokémon, despite their family's status among the elite. The Elite Pokémon Academy, a prestigious institution for children of top trainers and prodigies, had strict rules to level the playing field. All students received their first Pokémon from the academy after a month-long talent competition, sponsored by the Pokémon Tower—the central authority in the Pokémon world.
In this world, a Pokémon's potential—how fast its power grew and the limit of its strength—defined its worth. The higher the potential, the rarer the Pokémon, and the more valued it was by the Pokémon Tower. By aligning with the Tower, the academy offered students access to these rare, high-potential Pokémon, a privilege even elite families like the Nakamuras couldn't bypass.
To ensure fairness, the academy used a Point System. Students competed in diverse events—battles, strategy tests, research challenges—held a month after admission. Each student could enter one event initially, but top 100 performers could participate in additional ones, earning Talent Points. These points could be spent on a starter Pokémon, with higher-potential ones costing more, or on unique items like evolution stones or battle gear. The system rewarded specialization but allowed versatile talents to shine, giving students like Ray a chance to secure a powerful ally.
The Pokémon potential tiers were clear: White (Beginner tier), Yellow (Intermediate tier), Orange (Advanced tier), Green (Elite tier), Red (Master tier), Black (Champion tier). Even elite families like the Nakamuras, with their Dragon-type mastery, couldn't provide high-potential Pokémon before the academy's first year, ensuring students stood on their own merits. For Ray, this meant a chance to gain an upper hand in this world.
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(Author: I'll always add this to the end of the chapter to log the progress)
System Interface:
Name: Ray Nakamura
Titles: The Sole Heir of the Nakamura Family
Kills: 1 (Injured Growlithe)
Attributes
Strength: E (Max: SSS) — Raw physical power, unchanged from Growlithe battle strain.
Agility: E+ (Max: SSS) — Slightly honed by dodging flames, room for growth.
Endurance: E (Max: SSS) — New attribute added by the system
Pokémon Owned: None
Resources
Kill Points (KP): 350 Ability Points (AP): 200 Skill Tokens: 1
Inventory
Fire Affinity Shard: Enhances Fire-type synergy.
Ember Essence: Stores Fire-type energy, craftable or consumable.
Growlithe Fang: Trophy of victory, potential ritual component.
Abilities
Explorer (Low Level):
Route Efficiency: +20% speed in wild terrains, -20% travel time/strain.
Path Detection: Detects paths up to 100m, perfectly stored in memory.
Exploration Stamina: -25% stamina drain during exploration.
Resource Clues: Detailed info on environment and resources within 50m radius.
Pokémon Trainer Certification: Beginner < Intermediate < Advanced < Elite < Master < Champion < ???
Pokemon Potential Certification: White (Beginner) < Yellow (Intermediate) < Orange (Advanced) < Green (Elite) < Red (Master) < Black (Champion) < ???